Hello Fellow Democrats!

[Jason1961]

I can now actually make a post introducing myself (I was told to do this first but I couldn't until I made 10 posts).

My parents both met working for President Truman's 1948 Election (the one made famous by the "Dewey Defeats Truman" Newspaper Headline) and married 10 years later. My family was always very active in the Democratic Party and because of that I've been able to meet some very interesting people. My earliest memories are of my parents and grandparents lamenting the "Dixiecrats" that wouldn't get on board with moving the party forward; at the time I was too young to know what was going on.

I've been a lifelong Democrat and have stuck with the party through thick and thin. While I've seen some dark days I usually don't let them get me down at all as I learned a long time ago that the sky isn't falling and things are never as bad as they seem. It is really great to see the younger generations take the Party forward and unlike a lot of people my age I think we're handing the torch over to what will turn out to be the smartest generation yet. I know a lot of younger Democrats were very disappointed that Bernie Sanders did not win the nomination but we all have to put our loyalty to our Party first because while individuals can let you down, our Party (really a movement!) will not.

I will say that the biggest thing that has changed our landscape is the internet. I remember at the County Committee meetings people telling me that Reagan would ruin America, then after the first Bush was elected that we'd never see another Democrat in the Presidency again, then I heard it again when the next Bush took over. Now with the internet it's much easier to look back at our history as our memory last a lot longer! We can look back and see what somehow pulled out of what should have been our doom and that every storm had it's end. The point of all this is just to say that we have a Party that is based on a movement while the Republicans have a party that is based on stopping us; we're winning this marathon.

I want you all to do one thing, 10 years from now look back on these pages and understand that whatever storm we're weathering then will pass just as they always have.

Vote Hillary!

[OUNativeDem]

1. New to DU

I'm new to DU and I'm curious to know more about your views in terms of how the internet has changed the political landscape. My purpose on this forum is outlined in my profile, so I would like to discuss more of your views, at your convenience of course. I do agree though that it would be interesting to look back on this forum 10 years from now and see the course we have taken. I look forward to talking with you more and meeting others as well.

Thanks,
Patrick

[Jason1961]

2. The Internet

The Internet makes instant communication across the world with a wide range of people possible. Think about how hard it would be for all of us to talk like we are now before the internet really came into it's own. We'd all have to meet somewhere and have someone recording the event so that we can accurately quote one another.

The internet has been the tool used by those heavily focused on Social Justice to organize boycotts and protests against bigotry and it has been wonderfully effective.

The internet has given a voice to those in our Party that we might not otherwise have ever heard and it helps us to evolve as a Party faster than ever before as the exchange of ideas happens lightening fast.

[OUNativeDem]

3. New ways to rally

I certainly enjoy and appreciate the instant "news wire" the internet can be. It definitely allows for more people to get involved and stay informed on current or pressing issues. Though political conversations in the old coffee shop environment is surely missed! I agree that the internet makes it easier to document these events and gives us something to look back on.

When it comes to social justice, it's much simpler to reach out to others to rally for a cause, and in greater numbers. I feel that's why some injustices we see today have always been there but never before have they been seen under such a scrutinizing microscope as the internet is.

In terms of the party, I think I brings more interested individuals who want to be involved but never had the opportunity until now. I used to volunteer for local state campaigns when I was much younger and now I find myself wanting to be more involved again, which is why I wanted to venture in to this arena and see if it fits what I'm looking for.

[Marc2010]

8. Exactly

Thanks in part to the Internet, everyone has a voice. Not just the upper class or politically connected.

[bigwillq]

4. Hello!

[Lance1983]

5. Hi

Hi all, apparently I cannot start a thread, but just wanted to introduce myself as well. I'm a bit younger than most and this is my first election to vote. I have to say I was very disappointed that Bernie wasn't the nominee, and I'm not sure what to do. I'm here mainly for guidance, and I'm glad I'll have experience such as the gentleman who started this thread.

[Fla Dem]

6. Welcome to DU Lance1983

Plenty of Bernie supporters on DU. We had very heated debates and yes arguments during the primaries. But in the end we have come together to support the Democratic candidate for President; Hillary Clinton. This site is dedicated to supporting all Democrats. So stick around, join in the discussions and I'm sure you will find us a very lively and interesting group.

[Jason1961]

11. Welcome!

I ran into the same problem when I tried to introduce myself but make a few posts and it will let you.

Sorry to hear that you're very disappointed that Bernie lost the primary but rest assured that the better candidate did win. While I like Bernie Sanders and all that he's done for our Party the right candidate won the primary.

Now you should back Hillary as she did win fair and square. I remember being young (barely!) and often ran into disappointment in politics but always remember one thing, you owe the Democratic Party your loyalty, even if your guy (or girl) loses. If you remember to stay loyal, even when it's hard eventually it will pay off. While it's currently "cool" to go against "the establishment" you can do so while voting for Hillary as she is certainly not part of it as she's been fighting it her whole life!

Rest assured that Hillary will win the Presidency, not only because she deserves it but she is by far the most qualified candidate (possibly ever) but because she's spent her life in the service of others.

[Marc2010]

7. Hello

Howdy from Texas

First time in 20+ years, voting for a Democrat.

Hillary all the way!

[fleabiscuit]

9. That's only two past presidents.

Welcome to DU. Step on in and take a look around.

[uppityperson]

10. Are you saying you have not voted Democratic for 20 yrs?

[Marc2010]

13. 'Fraid so

I was blinded by the lies of The Republicans and did not want to go against 'Party Status Quo'... the unspoken rule that you are supposed to vote for the Republican candidate, just for the sake of voting for the Republican candidate. And if you didn't 'vote for the sake of the party', then somehow you were just a mindless sheep

Well Trump really made me take a step back and look at who I was supporting and I asked myself why. And the only answer was 'I don't know'

For the first time, I started to look past the 'R' by the candidate name and started to look at the candidate himself, and again I did not like what I was seeing

I started asking questions of my fellow Republicans, looking for intelligent and honest discussion and instead just got a round of 'You ain't voting for Republican? Are you stupid or what? Durr herr herr'

The more I tried to press for open talk, the more of the same I got

When I approached Democrats and asked why I should vote for Hillary, I got honest and intelligent feedback not 'Just because'.

That really opened my eyes and saw that in the past I was behaving the same way that my fellow Republicans were acting when I announced I was thinking about voting other than for a candidate for no other than voting for the 'R' by their name, they acted like they wanted to rip me apart

I refuse to be a sheep in a herd who just bleats whatever he is told to, and votes for whomever he is told to.

I have my own mind and it is made up.

[Jason1961]

12. Welcome!

Good to hear you're making the right choice! Hillary has been set to take the Presidency, and build upon Obama's legacy since 2008.

What a great time to be alive!

[Marc2010]

14. Thank you

Let make history. Lets make Hillary a two term President and make Donald Twerp a mere afterthought

[Lance1983]

15. Why cant I post

I'm trying to make a hello post but it still wont let me.