The Uncomfortable Truth From Charlie Rangel

[kentuck]

Congressman Rangel says he is considering retirement if the Democrats do not win this fall. He says that if the voters choose the Republicans once again, then the Democratic Party is no longer connecting to the voters. That is so sad. Our Party is no longer connecting with the voters? When did this happen? Why are people no longer identifyng with the Democratic Party?

I'm sure much of it has to do with the propaganda machine the Republicans have used for the last 25 or 30 years. Yes, they have always been the Party of "personal destruction" and Big Business, but they changed. Somewhere around the time of Reagan, it seems to me. And the Democrats were never able to counter the attacks. Why?

When Bill Clinton was elected, I think many Democrats read it the wrong way. The "triangulation" or "third way" of playing for the middle and supporting Republican legislation that we had opposed forever and having a President sign the legislation on bills such as welfare reform, NAFTA and GATT trade treaties, Telecommunications reform, etc were all legislation that the Repubs could not pass but a Democrat signed the legislation for them. Then, to show their gratitude, they crucified him.

But, and many Democrats still disagree on this, this trend toward "moderation" took its toll on the Democratic Party. There was little room to disagree when the Republicans initiated their radical agenda. After all, we had to take the "middle" way. We locked ourselves into a political prison, in my opinion.

Now, Congressman Rangel questions whether the people "connect" with the Democratic Party anymore? If they do not, then we need to take a real good look in the mirror as a Party. If we cannot win the next election, our credibility as a political Party is at stake. Massive, earth-shaking changes will need to be made to get back on the right track.

[Virginia Dare]

1. I sense alot of frustration...

imagine how difficult it is to be a Democrat, especially in the House. They've been shoved aside, ridiculed, marginalized, bullied, disrespected, and generally fucked over for the past 6 years. ENOUGH!!!

[kentuck]

2. That, too...

But the frustration is born from the lack of a message that connects with the voters that permit them to win the House or Senate.

[cgrindley]

3. 6 years?

Clinton, a great man, did make the play for the middle. It was a huge fucking error. Sure it kept him in office for 8 years, but unless that course of action is utterly reversed, and the system repolarized, there will *never* be another Democrat in the Oval Office.

[dmosh42]

8. part of the cycle

I was too young to vote when Truman was in office, but I remember the country was coming out of the World War, and then Korea, and then Ike brought stability. Then the country was ready again to try a 'new direction' with JFK & Johnson and huge social programs. But through this the Dems contolled Congress pretty much until Reagan's terms made everyone think they all could be rich Republicans. So in '94 we put the Repubs in charge of Congress, and now I sense we're looking for another 'new direction', since all these wannabe Repubs lost their jobs and benefits to Chinese slave labor.

[kentuck]

10. It's more than part of a cycle, imo...

The House of Representatives is the House of the People. When the "people" decide that the Party of Big Business is the "Party of the People", then something is terribly askew and no good can come from such decisions. If, IF, the Democrats do not take back the House for the people, there is reason to look very closely at the relevance of our Party.

[RagingInMiami]

15. maybe if the dems can word it as simplyt as you did

"the party of big business" vs "the party of the people". Just keep pointing that out in commercial after commercial with simple but honest examples to back it up.

[bananarepublican]

20. There are "two elephants" in da house! #1... ELECTION FRAUD!

#2 Not the Republican "culture of corruption" but the corrupted DNA of the Republican Party!!!

[seabeyond]

4. how can they connect to voters. only thing on msm is negative

regardling democrats. continually said. no fighting, no spine, no plan, not connected to voters...... how the hell can democrats connect to voters when the means for connection actively work for dems not connecting. it is all an illusion created, adn right now msm illusion they create for voters is dem bad in all ways.

[flyarm]

5. is there a link..or is this written from an interview? thanks kentuck!

it is sad..but the dems are not listening to the people..we are frustrated..i see it everywhere..

and there needs to be a breakthrough with the media..they need to collectlively take to the steps of the congress and demand respect...and demand their voices be heard..its the only way...but there are some in this party who have catered to the corps..at the cost of the base..and the people!

the middle was there mistake..and they either stop it immediately..or i don't blame Rangle...i would quit too!

fly

[kentuck]

6. This is editorial comment by kentuck...

But somebody needs to say it, right? :)

[flyarm]

17. thank you kentuck!! yes indeed!! n/t

[Armstead]

7. Centrist Democrats are not moderate

Charlie Rangel is a good example of a liberal populist progressive Democrat. He is an example of what would connect with voters. But unfortunately the centrist Democratic Establishment has helped to push the agenda so far to the right that he is considered a radical.

The Democrats did not take a "moderate" position over the last 30 years. They took a conservative position that 40 years ago would have been considered radically conservative.

The unfortunate fact is that the Establishment Democrats aligned themselves with Big Corporate interests. They tried to have their cake and eat it too, so they came out looking mushy and indecisive. The GOP also aligned with Big Corporate, but since that is their core philosophy, they ended up looking strong.

If the Democratic Party fails to defeat the GOP in the present mess, it's the fault of all those who followed the path of triangulation -- which is simply another word fort total capitulation to the right wing.

[kentuck]

9. Well said, Armstead...

As always.

[Totally Committed]

11. Outstanding post, Armstead....

I agree with you 1000%.

Is it time for this Party to be real Democrats again? Because, I can tell you, I am feeling EXACTLY as CHarlie is about this Party -- the '06 elections are the last chance it gets with me. If we cannot parlay the kind of disappointment and resentment that is out there for the Republican right now into a HUGE victory, we are no longer a viable Party, and a LONG LOOK in the mirror is necessary -- as is the pitiless and liberal use of a really big, really sharp scalpel straight to the heart of this Party. If we do not win big in '06, I say let the purge begin!

TC

[oc2002]

12. Bill Clinton and the DLC destroyed the democratic party as the

..party of the working man.

and made it the party of the corporate whores it has been.

It is slowly changing, perhaps too slowly to save it though.

[PsN2Wind]

13. IMHO, Kentuck

NAFTA, GATT, WTO and other so-called fair trade agreements that Clinton actively promoted, even twisted arms to get passed, have left many of us in the blue-collar class questioning the difference between parties as it relates to the working class. What have the Democrats, as a whole, done to win back the "Reagan Democrats"? I wasn't a Reagan Democrat by the way.
I believe that NAFTA was more of a factor in The Repubs taking congress from us that the "Contract on America". Many in the working class saw the Democrats as changing from representing the common man, to selling out to corporate America and they were right. With the exception of the Rangels, DeFazios and some few others we no longer have true representation in Washington.

[helderheid]

14. Charlie darlin', we won 2000, 2002, and 2004. If they are installed in 06

it's the Dems fault for not exposing the election fraud, not for not connecting with the voters.

[kentuck]

16. And why is it the Dems fault for not exposing the election fraud??

Is that not a part of "connecting" with the voters? For whatever reason, the lack of attention by the media, it is the Democrats job to expose it.

[helderheid]

18. you're right, you're right

[midnight]

19. So true, so true.

Why are the Democrates actions and statements so contrary to the fact that these votes are being stolen.