Progressives, we have a problem... [View all]

[MellowDem]

The party that most aligns to your views, the Democratic Party, isn't all that progressive, and a significant chunk of self-identified Democrats are bigots, homophobes, racists, sexists, and conservative.

This isn't from a collection of twitter posts. This is from polling. Feel free to dispute it, buy I think it represents a fairly accurate view.

First, keep in mind that only 32% of Americans describe themselves as Democrats. (2015)

http://www.people-press.org/2015/04/07/a-deep-dive-into-party-affiliation/

8% of Democrats are not willing to vote for a Jewish president. (2015)

http://www.gallup.com/poll/183713/socialist-presidential-candidates-least-appealing.aspx

11% of Democrats oppose interracial marriage (from 2011, the latest survey that split out by party affiliation).

http://www.gallup.com/poll/149390/record-high-approve-black-white-marriages.aspx

15% of Democrats oppose universal healthcare (2015)

http://kff.org/uninsured/poll-finding/kaiser-health-tracking-poll-december-2015/

19% of Democrats identify as conservative. (2014)

http://www.gallup.com/poll/180452/liberals-record-trail-conservatives.aspx

32% of Democrats don't identify as "pro-choice". (2015)

http://www.gallup.com/poll/183434/americans-choose-pro-choice-first-time-seven-years.aspx

36% of Democrats are not willing to vote for an atheist. (2015)

http://www.gallup.com/poll/183713/socialist-presidential-candidates-least-appealing.aspx

36% of Democrats identify as moderate. (2014)

http://www.gallup.com/poll/180452/liberals-record-trail-conservatives.aspx

41% of Democrats are not willing to vote for a socialist. (2015)

http://www.gallup.com/poll/183713/socialist-presidential-candidates-least-appealing.aspx

41% of Democrats are classified as "young Earth creationists". (2012)

http://www.gallup.com/poll/155003/hold-creationist-view-human-origins.aspx

44% of Democrats oppose gay marriage. (2015)

http://www.pewforum.org/2015/07/29/graphics-slideshow-changing-attitudes-on-gay-marriage/

A large portion of Democrats have views that are ban-worthy on DU. The way our electoral system works, progressives must work for a fairly conservative party. Only 44% of Democrats identify as "liberal".

It's hard to get excited working for a moderately conservative party. It's hard to have enthusiasm working with bigots, racists, sexists, homophobes and conservatives towards a watered down common goal. Without any political party that represents their interests, and no chance of one happening anytime soon (see corporate donations and lobbyist control), I think many progressives are disillusioned and apathetic, and may become more so, with the only motivation being fear of the far right.