What truly separates the Democrats from the Republicans is that we,

[WCGreen]

assuming that we all consider ourselves Democrats, I can only speak for myself and proudly and loudly proclaim I am a life long Democrat, welcome open discussions about our leadership good or bad...

Instead of undying fealty to any empty headed idiot that shows they can get attention and are deemed electable, we not only pick out the flaws but we demand our leadership grow once elected.

We champion intellectual candidates, they scorn them.

We look at all the flaws they cover for the stupidity.

We Critisize while they bow in awe.

We cobble together great coalitions while they shut the door to anyone they deem undesirable.

We are pragmatic but have been able to keep changing the country for the better while they often view rigidity in the face of expanding individual rights as an affront to the country.

I love our Party for what it is and also for what it isn't...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Indeed, yes.

It's a messy way of doing things, but I like it. Because life is inherently messy, and this is how growth happens.

No lock-step for us...

No tidy little boxes where everyone must fit. We embrace the ragged edges and aren't afraid.

Frank Herbert said "fear is the mind-killer"...

We push past our fears, for beyond them lies creativity and courage...

Something people in lock-step don't have.

[Hydra]

2. You OP is most demonstrative

Notice how much of how they do things is invading how "we" do things now.

I love that we question, we doubt, and we scrutinize. Lots of people wish we didn't do it, in the pursuit of empty solidarity...but solidarity based on truth is unbreakable.

Our party is based on the idea of seeking the truth, and using the truth to bring better lives for people.

More truth, less fluff!!

[WCGreen]

4. That tendency is always there....

But democrats seem to somehow, over the long haul, rise above it.

Of course we have our share of finger in the air to test the political winds, but I believe we are much better for questioning our leaders than making them infallible.

[MineralMan]

3. Good post.

We keep trying; they gave up long ago.

[Cal33]

5. I believe what you say about the Democratic Party is mostly

true. To the negative points I would add that too many Democratic leaders
seem to be scared to death of "offending" their political opponents, and
thus seriously compromising their effectiveness as leaders. What are they
afraid of?

[WCGreen]

6. Of course there will be the craven amongst us....

Many do put their own career over the best interests of the people they were elected to serve.

But over all, I believe more conviction is needed to propose change and that is why being a Democrat, for the most part, makes candidates and elected officials more willing to follow the path toward the better good.

The GOP which, for most of my adult life, has chosen the easy path to power by railing against as their main political philosophy. Identifying enemies and then offering protection from these enemies is probably the oldest trick in the proverbial book.

[WCGreen]

7. Kick