Fine DUer's, does the DEM party still represent your views?

[RiverStone]

We can all agree us DUers share a mutual disgust and disdain for Shrub's regime and his immoral policies of occupation, misrepresentation, and arrogance. Our common ground there feels very secure. That's the good news!

Though to this observer, there seems to be a slow but definitive shift in the heart and soul of the DEM party on The Hill. Is it just politics, or is the "fire in the belly" stuff not what it used to be? Six months post election 06 is not lots of time to discern a trend, but this poll is to get a non-scientific sense if DUers feel a shift in the DEM party (or not)?

QUESTION: How closely does the DEM party represent your views?

p.s. If not as much as it used to, what has shifted?


ON EDIT: Took out the word "freeper" at 10% - see post #5.

[aquart]

1. Do I see a list of Dem views?

Or is it possible that we hold MANY views? Something Republicans don't seem to be allowed to do. Do you envy the Republicans?

[RiverStone]

10. We do hold many views!

Indeed aquart, that is a distinguishing characteristic if the DEM party.

It is the opposite of holding an eclectic view which worries me about the current state of the DEM party on The Hill. In fact, too much now I'm seeing behavior beholden to the status quo or corporate interests or some goofy and back wards appeal to red-state voters which is driving a DEM party which now is blurring the lines between us and them.

Example, stories like this:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/18/earmarks/index.html

The DEM party MUST stand for something unique and most importantly, uniquely different then rethugs. If we capitulate to Shrub again in September, what will separate us from them (asks an Indie voter)???

Not much.

This is a fight for the heart of what makes the DEM party DEMS!

[xultar]

2. OK if it doesn't then what? Do we start another? Go Green?

[lumberjack_jeff]

3. The democratic party has, if not abandoned, certainly toned down its support for workers.

The immigration bill is a huge mistake. They were poised to retake power completely, and now, not.

[Virginia Dare]

4. Unless there is a radical shift in platform in 2008,

which I don't see coming, then, still 100%, based on this:

http://www.ontheissues.org/Dem_Platform_2004.htm

[Journeyman]

5. Flawed poll. . .

by positing Freeper at the opposite end, you imply it is the responder who has moved away from Democractic Party ideals, and give no room for showing a belief that the party has moved away from its members. Better to have placed the Part in the center of the responses, with the responder's choices being more liberal towards the top, more conservative below (if that's in fact the attitude you wish to measure).

[RiverStone]

7. Good point.

Agreed. It may indeed be that the party has moved away from it's members, rather than the opposite.

Took out "freeper" --- though I won't mess with the poll itself.

Thanks :)

[Robbien]

6. As long as Dems believe we should stay in Iraq indefinately

there is very little about the party which reflects my views.

On healthcare issues, DC Dems are in lobbyists pockets.
On voting issues, DC Dems are completely spaced out.
On impeachment issues, DC Dems cannot even find a table to not put the issue on.
On job issues, DC Dems are meeting in back rooms making secret deals with free trade lobbyists.

No, the DC Dem party has little to offer.

[corkhead]

8. I still believe the party does, but not the corporatists that have been elected under our flag

[mmonk]

9. 60% sounds about right.

[Jackpine Radical]

11. I see Feingold, Gore, Kucinich, Obey & others as standing with me.

Feinstein, Hillary, Lieberman, the entire DLC wing, Third Way corporatists, and anybody who supports the war are not in my camp.

[RiverStone]

13. Makes me wonder...

How much longer will folks like Russ and Dennis still feel able to operate "within" the existing party structure vs moving towards establishing a new Progressive Democratic party?

At the moment, it seems the only way to defeat the rethugs in 08 is to work within the two party system. We are stuck with that. Though I can envision a 3rd party being born if those on the DLC elite wing continue to pander to the corporations and red state voters.

Too late for a new party in 08 --- but in 012? I would not be surprised.

[bobthedrummer]

12. The DLC is my class enemy, the non-DLC represents some of my values

any corrupt politician is my class enemy, war criminals and their enablers are everyone's enemy-I voted for the 50%.

[endarkenment]

14. What is a "DEM Party"?

Please explain.

[davidwparker]

15. It needs to swing back to the left. Get better leaders in Congress.

[question everything]

16. This is politics, the art of compromise

no one - not a party not a candidate - will ever represent my view 100%, unless I run.

But because the Democratic party does not represent anyone's 100%, it has a chance to win and to pass laws that benefit all of us, like the minimum wage, national health care, help for inner cities and for boosting the infrastructure. It will send moderate to liberals judges to the Supreme Court and will be more attuned to the people rather than to big conglomerates. It will also work on better cooperation with foreign leaders.

[Warpy]

17. 70% for rhetoric, 40% for action

which beats the hell out of the GOP, but there's plenty of room for improvement.

[Buzz Clik]

18. 60%, but it's always been that way.

[DKRC]

19. I haven't moved, but the party has followed the Repukes farther right

I won't support any DLC (Repuke-Lite) candidate.

I've found the site of the Congressional Progressive Caucus is more in line with my views.

The Progressive Promise: Fairness For all


The Congressional Progressive Caucus offers the Progressive Promise for all. We believe in government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Our fairness plan is rooted in our core principles. It also embodies national priorities that are consistent with the values, needs, and hopes of all our people, not just the powerful and the privileged. We pledge our unwavering commitment to these legislative priorities and we will not rest until they become law.

1. Fighting for Economic Justice and Security in the U.S. and Global Economies

» To uphold the right to universal access to affordable, high quality healthcare for all.


<snip>


2. Protecting and Preserving Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

» To sunset expiring provisions of the Patriot Act and bring remaining provisions into line with the U. S. Constitution.

» To protect the personal privacy of all Americans from unbridled police powers and unchecked government intrusion.


<snip>


3. Promoting Global Peace and Security

» To honor and help our overburdened international public servants – both military and civilian.

» To bring U. S. troops home from Iraq as soon as possible.


<snip>


4. Environmental Protection & Energy Independence

» To free ourselves and our economy from dependence upon imported oil and shift to growing reliance upon renewable energy supplies and technologies, thus creating at least three million new jobs, cleansing our environment, and enhancing our nation’s security.

» To promote environmental justice in affirmation that all people have an inherent right to a healthy environment, clean air, and clean water wherever we live, work, and relax.


<snip>

There is so much more to this Promise, but I didn't want to infringe on the copyright so go read it all at Progressive Promise. Take a look at the membership list, too. None of my so called representatives are on it which I'm going to work to rectify, but most of the people I admire are members.

[tanglefoot]

20. Remember the party and what the candidates do are two different things

The platform of my state party - the Democratic Party of Wisconsin - is very progressive and there is nothing in there I do not agree with. On the other hand, my Dem representatives do things I disagree with all the time.