Do Democrats need to re-define what they believe in?

[kentuck]

Do we believe in huge taxcuts for the wealthy, at the expense of the poorest amongst us? Do we believe in "pre-emptive war"? Do we still believe in basic Christian values that are at the very roots of the "liberals" existence? Help those that are less fortunate.

Perhaps we need to put it in writing. It seems there are so many so-called Democrats that believe in something that is totally alien to what I have always believed that Democrats believe in. Real Democrats would never vote for more power and money to credit card companies at the expense of the most needy. They would never vote to transfer all the wealth to the few at the top. Democrats would not take money from the hospitals that treat veterans.

Democrats would not shrink from asking those that have profited most to pay their fair share of taxes. Democrats would not send our jobs overseas on some hare-brained scheme that it is somehow good for our economy. Democrats would support whole-heartedly healthcare for every American. Democrats would fight any attempt to steal the monies from Social Security.

I think it's time we define just what Democrats believe as a Party. What is our basic philosophy?

[Tux]

1. Dem's basic philosophy

Can be summed up in one word: Beatitudes. Respect all religions, allow freedom of religion to continue yet let fundies know that Dems do respect Jesus.

[kentuck]

2. Pure "bleeding heart" politics....

bleeding heart liberals?

[Clarkie1]

3. Great post.

I would add, "protecting the planet for our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

We need to be the party with a 100-year vision.

[Jamastiene]

4. Absolutely not.

What the Democratic Party needs is to stand up and MORE CLEARLY define what we believe and to sit down and listen to those who have left and gone "Green". The Greens are right. We wouldn't have even had to worry about someone like Bush becoming president if we had held the Democrats in Congress to the fire over accepting the bribery by corporate sponsors. And the reason these shenanigans have gone on for so long is that our government has been bought and paid for by mega corporations who have found a way to control policies related to their own interests.

If that is not the right way, then we need to find out how to change the laws about how much money and power and influence corporations and special interests can have. Fritz Hollings would be a good one to maybe team up with some Greens on that one. He had a very informative interview on (I think it was) 60 Minutes when he retired. He only echoed what Ralph Nader had said years earlier. He admitted it though. That's the point. If a Democrat admits it, then others must be feeling the same way about how corrupt Washington politics have become. It's an idea that may be finally reaching it's prime. Just a few short years ago, someone like Hollings would not have admitted that. It speaks volumes.

[oscar111]

5. Kentuck, great ideas. But- re no. 1, - i dont respect all religions

great list of values, Kentuck.

ending suffering is the core. {or at least reducing it}

as to the re that said "respect all religions".. well, i would like to.

but religions are a bundle of ideas. Some have huge fascist elements even from their very founder's mouths.

some even use animal and human sacrifice, literally.

That is the extreme.. but as i said, i dont approve of those with fascist elements. Be they major or not. Those major ones with liberal offshoots, but original scriptures that are fascist, are not getting my approval. Liberal offshoots are fine, but if the core writings are fascist, that core can always be revived by some newe charismatic preacher.

I only accept religions with LW core writings. They cannot easily be revised to support fascist officials.

Wish i could be globally tolerant, but fascism is fascism even in religious garb. Religion only means invisible beings exist. Claiming the invisibles want fascism, is not attractive to me.

wish i could tolerate all religions. If you know how i could, tell me. I keep an open mind

Religions are odd bundles of ideas, and oft some parts internally contradict other parts of the same religion. Some say clerics over time add parts to scripture, which they made up. And delete what they dont like. LOL.

Looks like divinity school gets more than its share of students that are mentally wobbly.

[NightOwwl]

6. The Democratic Party does not need to redefine itself...

but we need to do a better job of "selling" ourselves to the people whose votes we have lost over the years. And so far, Dean and Reid seem to be on the right track.

Dean's philosophy:

Over fifty years ago, Harry Truman said, "We are not going to get anywhere by trimming or appeasing. And we don't need to try it." Yet here we are still making the same mistakes. Let me tell you something: there's only one thing Republican power brokers want more than for us to lurch to the left -- and that's for us to lurch to the right.

What they fear most is that we may really begin fighting for what we believe -- the fiscally responsible, socially progressive values for which Democrats have always stood and fought. There is a Party of fiscal responsibility... economic responsibility.... social responsibility... civic responsibility... personal responsibility... and moral responsibility.

It's the Democratic Party. We need to be able to say strongly, firmly, and proudly what we believe. Because we are what we believe.

Reid's comments on the state of the party:

"I believe in simplicity," he says. "Health care, pensions, energy independence—that's my agenda."

*********************************

Sounds like a plan to me.

[kentuck]

7. Some Democrats, especially those elected, seem to have forgotten

"What they fear most is that we may really begin fighting for what we believe -- the fiscally responsible, socially progressive values for which Democrats have always stood and fought. There is a Party of fiscal responsibility... economic responsibility.... social responsibility... civic responsibility... personal responsibility... and moral responsibility.

It's the Democratic Party. We need to be able to say strongly, firmly, and proudly what we believe. Because we are what we believe."