A few years ago I happened upon a copy of Jim Hightower’s book Swim Against The Stream
His theory that progressive politics MUST be fun struck a chord with me. It inspired me to become co-host of a Drinking Liberally chapter in Delaware county Pennsylvania.
Our approach was to maintain a respectable distance from the Democratic Party. Devout party members of course attended. But we wanted the group to an inclusive, welcoming place for conversation, progressive and other wise … to broaden the tent.
Unfortunately dialog is slowly falling from favor among Democratic Party insiders. The focus has evolved, whether that was deliberate or by accident remains an ongoing debate, away from being a continuous conversation about issues and solutions. The party expresses a desire to win … with no attention paid to exactly how we would recognize that win.
It is obvious, at least from where I sit, that the party currently seeks to connect with contributors … big check contributors … and has become annoyed by the unwashed like myself.
We keep hearing 1968 as the party's low point. We're implored to rally to the barricades in enthusiastic support of the status quo. Should we answer that call?
The contemporary drift away from the tradition of FDR and LBJ has lead to loss after loss … after loss … after loss. The precious campaign war chest has not reflected this declining connection with the man and woman in the street. My adopted state has witnessed losses in recent Senate and governor contests that resemble the withering away of state and local Democratic parties from coast to coast.
Hell, do you remember what happened the last time the Democratic Party (as currently oriented( held across the board majorities in Washington D. C.?
I certainly do. It was a prelude to a dramatic about policy face, represented by the installation of Rahm Emmanuel, followed by increasingly rapid collapse.
After the initial photo opportunities and champagne tastings, the focus veered abruptly to so called center.
The concern became, “what can we take OFF the table?” Remember how Max Baucus welcomed the Public Option? “How can we reach across the aisle?” The beloved T.P.P. may become the next monument to that recent focus.
“Obama wasn't "played" by the Republicans. The Affordable Care Act we got is precisely what Obama wanted it to be. As far back as 2006, Barack Obama made it clear that he had no intention of pursuing single payer health care - not because it wasn't possible to get single payer through Congress but because HE wanted to preserve the private insurance industry as a "legitimate" player in health care. Obama was all for this health insurance "plan" that was originally concocted by the right-wing Heritage Foundation and it was supported by Republicans - UNTIL OBAMA adopted it from them as his own plan. ‘ — conversation with Barack Obama.
It pains me to cite George W. Bush’s performance. Yet, to his credit, he knew he had political capital and declared his intention to spend it.
Potential voters need to feel that the party that professes a desire to roll back the venomous Republican tide
Why does the Democratic Party stubbornly refuse to do that?
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Bernie understands the destruction and revolt abroad in our land. He speaks to it.
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Why doesn't the party establishment join him or at least celebrate him?
Why do full campaign bank accounts matter more than full lecture halls?
‘Democrats, along with President Obama’s administration, have spent the last eight years protecting capitalism from populist calls for reform, which would diminish the power and influence of corporations. The Affordable Health Care Act was a prime example, where Medicare for All was immediately taken off the table, and the political party manipulated citizens into believing requiring private insurance companies to offer insurance to all consumers was the best that could be accomplished.
It is one thing to vote for Hillary Clinton and other Democrats, who are more than happy to serve the moneyed elite, if you actually believe in what she stands for as a presidential candidate. But it is quite another thing to delude people into voting for her simply because it is your view that Bernie Sanders’ vision is difficult to make a reality. That position accepts the status quo and embraces a politics of low expectations, where the best elected officials can do is triage the effect of wealth and power becoming more and more concentrated in the hands of the few"
In the Presidential debates, as well as on the pages of DailyKos, we should be talking about the answer to a traditional progressive question, "Who's side are you on?" And, “What have you done lately?” belongs in that conversation. It seems to me that the answer is not as obvious as it used to be.
The Democratic party might be know for promoting income equality, but according to a new study, its rich elites don’t care about it any more than Republicans. - Money magazine