"If it wasn't for the Democrats, you wouldn't have received unemployment

[monmouth]

benefits many months ago" was a statement I had to make to a friend, being foreclosed on and out of work. She is now up north and is very despondent, etc. I asked how she would vote this year and laughingly said she might go back to old bad habits (voting repub as she had in the past). I was a little taken aback and pointed out to her had it not been for the Democrats she'd be living under a bridge somewhere. The repubs didn't want to give her anything. This woman is supposedly smart, I worked with her for years. Sometimes people need a reminder I guess.... I hope other unemployed citizens realize this also...

[ljm2002]

1. While that is true...

...and worth pointing out, people's response to trying circumstances is more emotional than rational. That's why the Democratic party had better take another look at how they operate. For example, your friend would be a helluva lot happier if the Democratic party had managed to save her job or if there was a job market that allowed her to get a new one, and not need unemployment.

Sure, you can blame the jobs situation on Republicans. And you would be right to a point. But the Democrats have a share in it as well. We could have done more. The stimulus could have been larger, or could have consisted less of tax cuts and more of direct spending.

In any case, this is exactly why our party is losing the working class. Because our party is not embracing its historical role of looking after the interests of the masses. Rather, they are trying to walk the tightrope of kowtowing to corporations and throwing bits of candy to the masses. As if that will be enough for them to survive on.

It's getting ugly, and our so-called representatives aren't seeing it. They are insulated. And the Tea Baggers, while worse by miles and miles, still are able to appeal to many in the working class because they play on the very real losses that have occurred, along with their fears of losing more, and they are able to blame the Democrats who do not have a strong rejoinder because they chose to walk that tightrope.

[Better Today]

3. Perfectly said, "our party is not embracing its historical role...

of looking after the interests of the masses. Rather, they are trying to walk the tightrope of kowtowing to corporations and throwing bits of candy to the masses."

[4_TN_TITANS]

4. Very well said...

but if Tennessee is any example, Democrats wouldn't have been given the credit for providing a job environment, if there were other jobs available those people would just be "bootstrapping it" without the help of government.

Sad as it is to say, a whole lotta people who have taken gov for granted still need to fall flat on their faces and wonder why they aren't able to 'pick themselves up'

[Better Today]

2. Good point, however, most would rather have a job, most would rather

not be seeing the wealthy getting all bailed out and regs helping them further their fortunes in exchange for extended unemployment benies.