What UNITES Democrats?

[Octafish]

What are the things that unite Democrats?

Here's a starter:

Democrats believe all people are created equal: rich, poor, dark or light skinned, religious or non-religious and however else people are divided -- all have and deserve equal protection under the law.

Democrats believe in a better tomorrow for everyone: Democrats are willing to work to make that into a reality.

Democrats put people ahead of property -- that includes money, real estate and corporate stock prices.

Democrats believe each person deserves to be treated like we would all like to be treated -- Democrats follow The Golden Rule.

Democrats believe in using the power of Government to build a better future for ALL Americans, regardless of the above.

There are more, but I'd like to hear them from those on DU.



No offense to anyone on DU, but recent events have really divided up the community here. We spend a lot of time writing about what divides us -- from the wars in the Middle East to Israel's invasion of Lebanon to gun control. What, in your mind, makes a Democrat and what ISSUES draw us together? My money's on the over: There are MANY MORE THINGS THAT UNITE US THAN DIVIDE US.

OTOH, some want to rule and must...

THE DIM DIVIDER

[TheFarseer]

1. I think you've summed it up beautifully

I might add something about a modest foreign policy based on international cooperation when possible, but that's the only thing I would add or subtract.

[Octafish]

4. Friend to all. Afraid of none.

Democrats started the Peace Corps, knowing that to make lasting friends with a nation and its people, help them build and live better lives.

Democrats also believe that to be safe in a dangerous world, the nation must maintain the strongest defense without looting the Treasury, impoverishing Americans or mortgaging the future.

That's how WE won the Cold War. It was a victory made possible by Democrats.

Thank you for the kind words, TheFarseer! Thanks also for giving a damn.

[mmonk]

2. True but the obvious can't be ignored without our own peril.

[Octafish]

5. Democrats must keep our eyes on ALL the issues.

We also must work together to solve them.

That's what's different about the Democratic approach: EVERYBODY can think differently but EVERYBODY will work together to solve problems.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. I'm not a member any organized political party; I'm a Democrat.

-- Will Rogers (1879-1935)

[Octafish]

7. Will Rogers was the best.

IMO, Garrison Keillor is our closest thing to him today...

"I think the most un-American thing you can say is, 'You can't say that.'" -- Garrison Keillor

[blm]

6. Democrats should stand for telling the truth to the American people and

opening the books for its citizens who want to be part of an OPEN GOVERNMENT.

[Octafish]

8. Democrats know secrecy is the enemy of liberty.

Isn't that what the Constitution was all about, We the People need to know who's who and what's what in order for government to function in the best manner? People who believe in Secret Government are un-American.

[blm]

10. VERY WELL PUT, my compatriot. You must add that point.

People who believe in open government are TRUE Americans. Those who promote secret government are ANTI-AMERICA.

[lonestarnot]

9. Democrats believe in 3 separate but equal branches of government.

They do not attempt to destroy the Constitution for a unitary executive.

Democrats believe in separation of Church and State.

[Octafish]

11. Democrats believe in the Constitution of the United States.

Democrats put the good of the country ahead of their own partisan and individual interests.

The Constitution spelled things out to prevent dictatorship.

The country seperates Church and State in order to make it possible for ALL to worship as they please -- or not.

Thanks for putting it into words, lonestarnot!

Speaking of dick-taters...

DIM KAKISTOCRAT

[bvar22]

12. I will get more "specific":

In recent polls by the Pew Research Group, the Opinion Research Corporation, the Wall Street Journal, and CBS News, the American majority has made clear how it feels. Look at how the majority feels about some of the issues that you'd think would be gospel to a real Democratic party:

1. 65 percent say the government should guarantee health insurance for everyone -- even if it means raising taxes.

2. 86 percent (of ALL Americans, Democrats AND Republicans) favor raising the minimum wage (including 79 percent of selfdescribed "social conservatives").

3. 60 percent favor repealing either all of Bush's tax cuts or at least those cuts that went to the rich.

4. 66 percent would reduce the deficit not by cutting domestic spending but by reducing Pentagon spending or raising taxes.

5. 77 percent believe the country should do "whatever it takes" to protect the environment.

6. 87 percent think big oil corporations are gouging consumers, and 80 percent (including 76 percent of Republicans) would support a windfall profits tax on the oil giants if the revenues went for more research on alternative fuels.

7. 69 percent agree that corporate offshoring of jobs is bad for the U.S. economy (78 percent of "disaffected" voters think this), and only 22% believe offshoring is good because "it keeps costs down."

http://alternet.org/wiretap/29788/

The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[KaptBunnyPants]

13. I'm not so sure...

Each one of those unites probably 90% of Democrats, but everyone seems willing to throw someone else under the bus. The DLC types would surely disagree with putting people ahead of property, since they hold the traditionally Republican view that property rights are the ultimate human right. Socially conservative Democrats are more than willing to deny gay people equal rights, as well as non-Christian people a secular government. I suppose the better tomorrow thing is true, but I doubt even Republicans sit around thinking about ways to provide people with a worse future - its more of an unintended consequence of all their policies.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. A loathing of Republicans.

Although, the "not as bad" party is seriously wearing out my nose.

[burythehatchet]

15. Catwoman and I were just discussing this over coffee this AM

and to me what it comes down to is personal gain versus public good.

[lonestarnot]

17. Public good? "good," Haven't seen anything that resembles public good.

In a very long time, and that is because we control the dog house and that's about it.

[Tom Joad]

16. Access to campaign money.

[Catrina]

18. Democrats believe in using Diplomacy to

help avoid conflict and war. True Democrats that is, who believe in the Constitution.

If we had a true Democrat in the Oval Office, I know we would not be in Iraq. And I also believe that true Democrats would have encouraged and helped Lebanon to become the democracy it wanted to be, a far more certain way to end terrorism and ensure Israel's security.

If you think about it, the issues that divide us now, exist because we do not have Democratic government.

Oh, and George Bush unites Democrats.