Democrats: Redefine thyself

[Sixpence]

Go Biodiesel!!

[wklink]

The reason many 'working' people vote Republican is simply because they identify more with the Republican party than they do the Democratic.

CPT. Apathy, your analogy and your father's statement was probably based upon the Democratic Party of the 1940's and 1950's.  The party under FDR, Truman and JFK was a whole lot different than the one today.  Looking at their policies you would think they were more Republican than Democrat but that is how much the Democratic Party has changed.

My father was a devoted Democrat for a good part of his life, at least until Jimmy Carter was elected.  A very blue collar man, he looked at the Democratic party as the protector of the working man.  As the party evolved and his views were marginalized more and more he became disillusioned with the party and left.  He isn't really anything anymore but I guess if you had to call him something he would be a little right of center, using today's definitition.

What is driving the 'working class' to the Republican Party is simply the fringe of the Democratic party marginalizing the core's beliefs.  Union members get pretty ticked off when their dues are used to support candidates that they disagree with on many issues.  It's not just one thing.  Many of the working class have strong opinions on abortion, gun control, government interference, taxes, homosexual marriage, etc.  

The problem is that the Democratic Party has changed so much over the last 40 years.  It isn't the same party your father talks about.  I have the honest opinion that the Dem. Elite doesn't dive a hoot about the average American.  I am sure the Republican Party doesn't either but I never had any illusions about them.

[lazs2]

well charon... since they are both the same then I would say it was pretty crafty of the republicans to fool them democrats into autoring all the nanny law riders onto bills...  Say what you want but it is more than simply the insurance companies running the government.

The democrats believe in social engineering and nanny laws.

Democrat appointed judges cause untold grief with their leftist rulings.  

Farmers are farmers.   47% of the money goes to large farms because most farms are large farms.   The subsidies keep the smaller guys in bussiness and... due to the subsidies we don't trash the land.   They are essentially being paid to not slash and burn style of agriculture.   That is way better than giving money to illegal aliens and 17 year old girls to have a house rent free..  It is also a large percentage of the "corprate welfare" you speak of... plus.. most of us have stock in the companies that you seem to think are getting "welfare"  we gain from it not some JP Getty..  They are companies.  

methanol?  I don't know.. you seem to think it is a bad thing.  I am not sure.   Cleaner.. little less energy and more expensive.  What would you suggest as an alternative tho?

I will not vote for democrats because no matter how much it looks like they are "allmost the same" ... simply watching democrats in a group or watching their appointed judges and the riders they put on bills is enough to make a sensible person shun em like the leftist lepers that they are.

lazs

[Charon]

well charon... since they are both the same then I would say it was pretty crafty of the republicans to fool them democrats into autoring all the nanny law riders onto bills... Say what you want but it is more than simply the insurance companies running the government.

Maybe the Republicans that are in office today (as opposed to 10 years ago or more) aren't what you think they are.

Eighteen states let police officers ticket an unbelted driver or front-seat passenger, and the federal government is urging the rest to adopt the same so-called “primary” or mandatory seat belt laws. The Bush administration earlier this month proposed highway programs that included a $100 million-a-year incentive for states to enact mandatory seat belt laws.
http://www.stateline.org/stateline/?pa=story&sa=showStoryInfo&id=307024

With the current group of Republicans you seem to get bigger government, more spending but less taxes to pay for it. Maybe it's time real Republicans took back their party. Or looked for another alternative that supports smaller government and individual rights and responsibilities.

Given a choice between Bush Sr. and Kerry, I'd probably vote for Bush Sr. But that's not the option. All I hope for after November is some degree of gridlock and balance.

Charon

[lazs2]

well... we at last agree..  gridlock is the very best thing.

The government has too much control over our lives.  If they are gridlocked it is best.   But... I still say that the republicans are the lesser of two evils when it comes to a lot of things that have to do with socialism and....appointing judges is a big deal.  That is where the real balance is.... socialists with leftest judicial system is doom..  the democrats by far appoint more leftest judges.

voting democrat is like voting to move back into your moms house.  Some people want that.

lazs

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by Lizking
How about "get a real platform other than hating Bush and don't worry about what they are called"

Wouldnt matter if God himself were a republican and in office they would find a way to hate him too

And if it were the other way around the republicans would do likewise.

THIS is the mindlessness of political affiliation I will never understand.

[DREDIOCK]

Here in Jersey a local radio station has started a new idea we call "G.R'I'P'"
Get Rid of Incumbent Polititions

The idea is simple. Anyone in office you vote out.
Now you dont haveto vote for the other party as there are many parties to choose from.
Just dont vote for who is currently in office.
The feeling is too many of these people get too comfortable with their jobs
Ted Kennedy would be a good example.
End result is you always end up with the same ol same with them still in office and us bickering over issues that will never be resolved anytime soon reguardless as to who is in the various offices.

the only way things will ever change is if we change them.

[Eagler]

there are reasons to vote democratic .. I just don't believe in any of them and think most of their ideas have harmed and continue to harm this Nation, holding her and those ensnarled by the dem way of thinking back from their true potential. But that is what the dems want, a Nation of ppl who needs them for just about everything in their life..talk about job security.

[Gunslinger]

My veiw of democrats is this:

They think the govt. is the best entity to control/handle your finances.

They think the govt. is knows better on how to raise your kids than you do.

They think the govt. needs to make a new law regulating everything when anything happens.

They think poeple dont kill people guns kill people....they are bad...the people that use them are just victims

I could go on but I hate preaching to the coir

[lazs2]

the idea of allways voting against the incumbant is not new.   Another version is term limits.

People who vote democrat are either women or people who think they will get someone elses money for free.   They don't quite realize that ultimately the government will control everything and we will be like the former soviet union where "we pretend to work and they pretend to pay us".   Women have an excuse..  they are mothers and act like mothers in everything they do... they feel helpless and seek to be protected at any cost.   There is no excuse for men who vote democrat.   Even men with the lowest possible self esteem must realize that they may someday be worthwhile and that the government will actually be an impediment to them.

lazs