Overall, the Democratic Party is...

[Kaleva]

Using your own political standing a the reference point.

[ixion]

1. too corrupt

that's the biggest problem, IMO.

[joeybee12]

2. I could actually handle corrupt if they weren't such spineless twits...

...at least the ones who get elected are.

[rurallib]

3. Were that a choice I think it would be unanimous.

[Octafish]

15. +1

Thank you, ixion!

And, for what's supposed to be the party of the People, it's too awful damn corporate-friendly.

[ShortnFiery]

4. Replace "conservative" with "CORPORATE" and you'd be spot on. eom

[Echo In Light]

9. Six of one, half a dozen of the other

[Maccagirl]

5. Useless

both when in "power" (that we voted to give them) and definately as an opposition party. The leadership must change.

[closeupready]

6. Misses the core problem - corruption. The Democratic Party has too many crooks,

doing the bidding of campaign finance donors at the expense of voting constituents.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. ...indulging in false advertising when touting principles.

[Toucano]

8. Useless.

And too conservative.

[corkhead]

10. ...Too Cowardly

Mine's a right-in

[Romulox]

11. Beholden to Financial Elites the same way Repubs are beholden to Big Oil. nt

[optimator]

12. I don't think they believe in anything

but their own careers.
Except for a few, maybe 1 or 2 Senators and maybe a dozen in the House might actually believe in something.

[Kaleva]

13. The poll isn't about how heroic, effective, or honest the Party is.

The question is as to if the Party lines up rather well, in principle and action, to where you feel you are politically speaking. My guess is that a majority here will say that the Democratic Party overall is too conservative for their taste.

[Greyhound]

21. Ya think? n/t

[Vidar]

14. Too conservative, corrupt & cowardly.

[el_bryanto]

16. how can you be too moderate? Or is moderate anotehr word for Conservative?

Bryant

[Kaleva]

20. In between conservative and liberal. Centrist.

[Echo In Light]

22. In a corporate culture, Profits Over People is religion, and liberals usually don't abide that.

Hence, the moving-away-from that position, but not in an absolute sense, is the Dem position for "moderate." They're often very closely aligned with conservatives as it pertains to general orthodoxy, exaltation of "patriotism," military, and mindless obedience to authority in general. These types lean left only on certain social and economic issues, but again, generally prefer an imposed uniformity to perceptions of "reality" i.e. moderates tend to disavow the notion of criminal conspiracy and collusion within the corporate/state nexus, which aids in the overarching ruse of the Name Brand party monopoly...and that's my personal pet peeve w/the mod position, is their blind support for the status quo, which is only a few short steps away from ostracizing/excluding/attacking those who question the validity/legitimacy of our system of governance.

[el_bryanto]

29. Mindless obedience to authority

Well that makes sense. Certainly if they had minds all "moderates" would agree with your position.

Bryant

[Echo In Light]

30. No, the term mindless implies a lack of critical thought pertaining to a topic

It doesn't imply, or, the term generally isn't intended to imply, an actual lack of a mind.

[el_bryanto]

31. Ah - so they have minds, but they aren't using them?

Or they aren't using them correctly?

Bryant

[Echo In Light]

32. To reiterate, a lack of critical thought pertaining to a topic - in this case, authority

As in, it's been my subjective perception that those who cast themselves as moderate will usually side with the authoritative side of any equation that involves authority wielding power. I'm quite sure that isn't true in any absolute sense, but we're dealing in opinions and perceptions here...and you asked, so I offered mine. Which you clearly disagree with. So be it.

[Faryn Balyncd]

17. Presupposing a linear 1-dimensional view of politics misses the issues: CORPORATISM, SPINELESSNESS..

.....corruption, etc.


These substantive issues don't fit on a one-dimensional "liberal <-> conservative" linear continuum. (which assumes, among other things that "liberal" and "conservative" positions on economic, social, legal/constitutional, cultural, governmental process, sexual, epistemological, and religious are held by the same individuals and groups, and are logically related.)


One dimensional linear distributions don't just oversimplify: such views accept a fundamentally flawed world view, and are an obstacle to effective communication and action. These artificial constructs are used by corporate interests to bamboozle and manipulate the populace. By dumbing down the language control is easier.


We are seeing a current example of how this control is enforced now by certain elements in the Republican party enforcing their interpretation of what combination of views constitutes "conservatism".


Those that control the language of debate, and dictate the terms of debate, more easily control the outcome.

[Kaleva]

18. And yet Bush/Cheney/Rove didn't follow your view and they won.

They tried and succeeded in painting Gore and Kerry as being too liberal. A simple, one dimensional linear label that worked. DK is a smart man and one may argue he is dead on correct on most of the issues but he can't make a dent in the primaries which many here argue is where the base of the Party, the liberals/progressives, are most effective. Why? Because he doesn't look presidential. He doesn't have "It". Thus even liberals/progressives, despite claims to being knowledgeable about the issues, follow the Kiss principle themselves.

[Echo In Light]

24. The owners of the mainstream media likewise play a substantial role in selling "electability"

... or lack thereof, on behalf of vested interests who ensure the game is played within very narrow perimeters of acceptability (to Power's aims)

[Kaleva]

25. But how can the MSM fool the base?

Which prides itself on not relying on the MSM for information.

[Echo In Light]

27. Cultural conditioning toward acceptance of status quo (which isn't very liberal/left)

And 'acceptance' of that framework ensures that people will actively abide it...so, when a Kucinich, or a Nader, etc comes along, the prescribed mindset kicks in, and the lefty is collectively rejected per status quo framing - even by many who don't agree w/it. Not to mention the mileage against lefties that is incurred via loud 'moderate' memes that serve to police the others.

[C_Lawyer09]

36. Very much agree with your assertion

It gets really irritating as they feel every argument regardless of veracity must be put forth using a point counterpoint method, even if the Republican voice box is babbling untruths. Frustrating. Do you remember when the media boycotted Scott Ritter, former U.N. Weapons Inspector during the lead up to Iraq?

[C_Lawyer09]

34. Remember John Anderson, the 1980 Independent

Even he got 15% of the popular vote in the primary. Why? He was allowed to debate. Now the corporate interests muzzle people, and it is hard as hell to get on the ballot in many states. Ask the greens and libertarians. I think another viable party or two would be very helpful.

[C_Lawyer09]

35. Is the reason Ron Paul never gets any kudos

in here because of his stance on many issues, but especially his consistency and refusal to yield on core principles because of his views on abortion and a free market economy? Anybody want to weigh in? Just curious because I brought up an idea championed by him, and I got figuratively bum rushed. Just curious, I was a little surprised by the vitriol.

[Lorien]

19. I see that five freepers have weighed in already. nt

[Individualist]

28. ...or DLC supporters.

[Political Heretic]

23. to beholden to money and power.

[KamaAina]

26. ...a generally palatable alternative to the repukes.

Things like the Stupid Amendment make me wonder, though. :eyes:

[DU GrovelBot]

33. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

This week is our fourth quarter 2009 fund drive. Democratic Underground is
a completely independent website. We depend on donations from our members
to cover our costs. Please take a moment to donate! Thank you!