General Discussion

Douglas Carpenter

(20,226 posts)

88. this is basic to democracy. It is how we in the tradition of liberal western democracy think

Wed Sep 18, 2013, 05:56 PM

Sep 2013

It is how we have always thought. It is not even controversial among us Americans - especially us Democrats. There are a few factors that influence politics - money is a big one. Public opinion is another. In America we learn about these things from our parents and in our schools. It is part of our tradition. I never imagined until recently that on a supposedly liberal-progressive-Democratic forum- there would be people who do not believe in liberal western democracy or understand how we who do believe in it think.

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Do you believe public opinion expressed through a public outcry sometimes affects public policy? [View all] Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 OP

there are post right now mocking the idea that political leaders might respond to a public outcry Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #1

Dammed if ya do, dammed if ya don't. Rex Sep 2013 #4

I assume you are talking about my thread Sheepshank Sep 2013 #73

they did not say ANYTHING OF THE SORT-- here is the verbatim quote you quoted Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #89

Not just the heading in the OP to which I linked Sheepshank Sep 2013 #101

I was just thinking Skittles Sep 2013 #2

so the civil rights movement, the labor movement, the anti-Vietnam war movement had no affect on Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #5

I stopped paying attention to those nitwits on DU Skittles Sep 2013 #6

I think the difference is Whisp Sep 2013 #16

is it possible that when internet posting translates into letter writing and phone calling and other Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #17

I'm sure it has some effect Whisp Sep 2013 #18

I'm sure public outcry against further military engagements in the Middle East would Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #23

I think pre Iraq war was probably the loudest and most voices Whisp Sep 2013 #26

it doesn't always work or work fast. The first protest against the Vietnam War took place at the Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #28

70% of Americans supported the Iraq Invasion believing the lies about Iraq being connected sabrina 1 Sep 2013 #46

I believed the lies. *Today* I know Bush was going to go to the UN & Cheney didn't let him. Sunlei Sep 2013 #62

They do keep count those calls, letters, emails and petitions. (WH petition website also works) Sunlei Sep 2013 #60

So... you are now insinuating that the people against the bombing or Summers are drinking cui bono Sep 2013 #38

I'm gathering that they have a very different view of what is the appropriate role of the citizenry Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #40

why do you think I want to 'win you over?' Whisp Sep 2013 #45

Oh, I don't think you want to win me over, that's for sure. The point is, you should be trying cui bono Sep 2013 #65

How very authoritarian of you! or is it Stasian? I forget... Whisp Sep 2013 #66

That's not at all the gist of my post, but if it makes you feel better to name call go ahead. cui bono Sep 2013 #69

oh, did I call you a name? Whisp Sep 2013 #74

Thank you for proving my point. The fact that you do it in such a juvenile way cui bono Sep 2013 #75

really, I wasn't calling you any names. Whisp Sep 2013 #76

What makes you think I'm upset? n/t cui bono Sep 2013 #84

oh! Now I recognize you. You are this guy: Whisp Sep 2013 #91

And what do you think that proves? cui bono Sep 2013 #95

It proves a few things...but it confirms a whole lot else Sheepshank Sep 2013 #103

Show me where I did that and where I came off bitter. cui bono Sep 2013 #107

Yes, I should ask you to mentor me on being mature. Whisp Sep 2013 #77

I think you assume too much tazkcmo Sep 2013 #52

Of course. But I am talking about a particular kind of DUer Whisp Sep 2013 #53

There are plenty of both types. tazkcmo Sep 2013 #55

yah, partisanship on a Democratic forum is so unfair. Whisp Sep 2013 #58

And your true intentions shine through. tazkcmo Sep 2013 #59

and so do yours. Whisp Sep 2013 #61

Mine was to agree with you. tazkcmo Sep 2013 #63

You've just decided that they do nothing in real life. You actually have no idea what they do IRL. cui bono Sep 2013 #67

When you hear consistent bagger talk Whisp Sep 2013 #68

So you don't know then. Why did you say that you did? n/t cui bono Sep 2013 #70

You do know you are dealing with a BOG host don't you? That should explain much. n/t L0oniX Sep 2013 #96

I know. I made an honest and legitimate attempt to get them to discuss democracy cui bono Sep 2013 #98

That's why ignore is a good thing. Why waste your time responding to them. They are not worth it. L0oniX Sep 2013 #99

no, you didn't make an honest attempt Sheepshank Sep 2013 #104

No, I asked a valid question to get a real response and all I got was hatred and nonsense. cui bono Sep 2013 #108

DERP! Jackpine Radical Sep 2013 #79

you got a piece of brocolli, or something stuck in your teeth... Whisp Sep 2013 #80

Urp. Jackpine Radical Sep 2013 #81

How fucked up is it when Progressives on a DEM Sheepshank Sep 2013 #102

self del Skittles Sep 2013 #109

Rarely nadinbrzezinski Sep 2013 #3

I like to think so. nt ZombieHorde Sep 2013 #7

I'm going to start a thread about that peanut oil bullshit. rug Sep 2013 #8

well here is the story - Bobby Flay on French Fries Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #100

I predict some conspicuously missing names Union Scribe Sep 2013 #9

I figured out some time ago that the Fox News nuts don't understand what a liberal western democracy Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #12

+1 Marr Sep 2013 #20

Well if it does, would it not undermine treestar Sep 2013 #10

ow. Whisp Sep 2013 #19

the banksters do have a lot of power - but when counterbalanced by an engaged public Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #27

People believe the POTUS listened to them treestar Sep 2013 #44

money has always had a great deal of influence in politics. Everyone knows that. But Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #85

So what does the public outcry mean? treestar Sep 2013 #87

this is basic to democracy. It is how we in the tradition of liberal western democracy think Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #88

Certainly. Uncle Joe Sep 2013 #11

I'm just a little bit surprised to discover on a liberal forum there are people who think issue Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #13

It's easy to get discouraged at the pace of change, Uncle Joe Sep 2013 #14

Pressure from a mob rarely creates good policy. baldguy Sep 2013 #15

Right. Because the American public isn't "a mob." DirkGently Sep 2013 #22

Perhaps you should remember what happened after 9/11 & rethink your response. baldguy Sep 2013 #24

Perhaps you should remember Civil Rights and suffrage DirkGently Sep 2013 #30

Suffrage took 50+ years. Civil rights has taken 70 yrs and counting. baldguy Sep 2013 #33

So what's your definition of "mob rule" then? The amount of time it takes for them to get their way? cui bono Sep 2013 #39

You know how terrible your analogy is, right? DirkGently Sep 2013 #90

And you're trying to equate Obama and the Bush Regime, as if there was no difference. baldguy Sep 2013 #93

What? Who mentioned Bush -- who are even you talking to? DirkGently Sep 2013 #94

it was not the mob that passed the Patriot Act and Invaded Iraq. It was the government Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #34

Bush's fascist policies & his imperialist debacle was supported overwhelmingly baldguy Sep 2013 #36

well yes it was the government manipulating the people - not the people petitioning the government Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #37

"Fascism occurs when the mob makes the rules, not in spite of it. " Turborama Sep 2013 #71

The anti-Obama crowd here would have us believe these guys are running the current adminitration. baldguy Sep 2013 #92

those of us who are part of the tradition that believes in liberal - mixed economy - western Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #25

How come supposed liberals who claim to be opposed to fascism baldguy Sep 2013 #29

I don't know what you are talking about. But participatory democracy and the people speaking out Douglas Carpenter Sep 2013 #32

Me too tazkcmo Sep 2013 #54

I remember when the Third Way propaganda woo me with science Sep 2013 #31

Third Way is the Democratic version of the Tea Party Bluenorthwest Sep 2013 #56

+1 f'kin A n/t L0oniX Sep 2013 #97

Only when it's really obvious. OnyxCollie Sep 2013 #21

I choose to think we make a difference. defacto7 Sep 2013 #35

What the hell is "public outcry"? (nt) Recursion Sep 2013 #41

This: Bluenorthwest Sep 2013 #50

Syria. n/t intheflow Sep 2013 #42

If you had posted this poll a month ago, many would have felt that government never responds pampango Sep 2013 #43

I think it's rather discouraging and sad that there are many here who are mocking and myrna minx Sep 2013 #47

I don't know if it works 100% of the time. HappyMe Sep 2013 #48

Yes (nt) bigwillq Sep 2013 #49

The Summers thing really burned the folks who wanted him appointed. Bluenorthwest Sep 2013 #51

yes. Takes years! lots of emails, calls to WH, protest, corruption exposure- here's an example. Sunlei Sep 2013 #57

Maybe a little, but at the end of the day, it has to be a HUGE outcry, and closeupready Sep 2013 #64

I think most of those that would believe otherwise are late bloomers...? kentuck Sep 2013 #72

See....here is a bit of the problem Sheepshank Sep 2013 #105

Sometimes, sure. JoePhilly Sep 2013 #78

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire etherealtruth Sep 2013 #82

Syria is a good example BKH70041 Sep 2013 #83

Civil Rights Movement, anyone? WinkyDink Sep 2013 #86

...way different than unrelenting psts on DU. Sheepshank Sep 2013 #106