An essential difference between Dems and Pubs

[hyphenate]

Democrats live to embrace all the differences we have, while Pubs seek to use those differences to separate and disconnect those who are different. It's one of the reasons Dems are often looked at as fractious, because we aren't all the same, vote-with-a-single-mind people.

If people recognized this element as our source of strength, NOT as a point of weakness, we would be able to bring many more people into the fold. As it is, the Pubs use their single-mindedness as their greatest strength, and thereby look more united. But for them, there is little chance for people to celebrate individuality and diversity. They can't embrace those standards of uniqueness because if they did, they would have to lose their narrow-minded view of the world.

[JoeyT]

1. Yeah, we embrace all political ideals.

As long as you aren't liberals, socialists, communists, anti-war, poverty advocates, civil rights advocates, civil liberties advocates, or privacy advocates, the Democratic party will accept you. If you're any of those groups you're a professional leftist, some in my party, or the loony left that needs drug testing.

As a party we regularly demand people abandon advocating a position to support a personality. That isn't celebrating diversity any more than demanding everyone support certain positions.

[hughee99]

3. Come on, now

as long as you're willing to vote for the Democratic candidate and keep your criticism of Dem elected official to a minimum, you'll always receive some level of acceptance in the party.

[Tennessee Gal]

2. I believe this:

Democrats are favorable to progress and reform, in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom, open-minded or tolerant, and characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts. Democrats want to change things to increase personal freedom and tolerance, and are willing to empower government to the extent necessary to achieve those ends. All of these represent honorable goals.

Democrats stand for individual control over our own lives. Democrats perceive the role of government as providing the framework for individuals to develop and contribute to society.

Democrats are advocates of civil rights, public education, tolerance of differences, a social safety net, employees' rights, environmental protection, strong families, personal responsibility, free enterprise, the rule of law, and progress. Democrats believe in an optimistic philosophy by being strongly supportive of moral, economic, and social progress to benefit all humanity.

Republicans certainly don't fight for our rights. They fight for what they think our rights should be. The Republican position is contradictory. A political movement cannot be for legislating away freedom in the name of "values" as defined by the movement and at the same time claim they are protecting individual rights.

Democrats fight to protect every citizen from having other peoples "values" or will imposed on them. Democrats support the right of every citizen to determine what each individual or family will believe in. Democrats fight against economic and political oppression. Democrats strive to keep government out of a family's religious choices. Democrats believe each person or family should be free to choose how to behave as long as it does not interfere with another's rights. Democrats fight against government legislating morality. Being a Democrat represents the proud tradition of defending our basic liberties as guaranteed by the Constitution.