2016 Postmortem

riversedge

(70,195 posts) Wed Mar 9, 2016, 11:28 AM Mar 2016

We are not 'Confederates.' We are Democrats.

Lovely story. I think we do need to be careful when appying labels and making comments about who counts and who does not count.

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/3/9/1498464/-We-are-not-Confederates-We-are-Democrats

We are not 'Confederates.' We are Democrats.

By Denise Oliver Velez
Wednesday Mar 09, 2016 · 5:11 AM

?1457517632
The Roberts family. Loudoun County VA

This is my black family — from Loudoun County, Virginia. Seated in the center is my great grandmother, Amelia Weaver Roberts, who was enslaved and emancipated as a result of the Union victory in the Civil War. She sits in front of a portrait of her husband, Presley Roberts who had also been a slave. With her are her children. I have written about them here before, in They were slaves in Virginia

This is my white great grandfather James Bratt (with his wife, Nettie Hale Bratt) —
James Bratt, Civil War vet with his wife, Nettie Hale Bratt James Bratt, Union vet, and wife Nettie Hale Bratt

who fought fought for the Union. He can be found on the roster of the Wisconsin Volunteers: War of the Rebellion. He enlisted as a private on September 15, 1861 in the 6th Light Artillery Regiment. He returned home, victorious — and ill.

You all know what the racist “League of the South” movement is. It isn’t fueled by Democrats.

The strongest civil rights movement we have today is centered in North Carolina — and it is a fusion movement — a third reconstruction. Moral Mondays.

In every “red state” there are Democrats who are fighting voter suppression, gerrymandering and re-districting. Many Democrats are hard at work trying to turn those states purple, then blue.

In the heat of the primary competition here on Daily Kos — the last thing I want to read are aspersions that “Confederate states” don’t count.

We should be celebrating every single person who is voting for Democrats.

In Black Kos, for International Women’s Day, we celebrated black women from the South.........................

12 replies

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Highlight:

We are not 'Confederates.' We are Democrats. (Original Post) riversedge Mar 2016 OP

That's beautiful and inspiring. NurseJackie Mar 2016 #1

k&r bigtree Mar 2016 #2

K&R CajunBlazer Mar 2016 #3

"don't count"? I'm sorry, but whatever name somebody calls your states, you all vote FIRST. Warren DeMontague Mar 2016 #4

Hello! oldandhappy Mar 2016 #6

Or else just randomize it every 4 years. Warren DeMontague Mar 2016 #7

agree oldandhappy Mar 2016 #8

Completely agree Red Knight Mar 2016 #11

I think that we should decide who goes first every four year. Goblinmonger Mar 2016 #9

Thank you. This is the first time for me to see your family. oldandhappy Mar 2016 #5

uh... whatchamacallit Mar 2016 #10

K&R one_voice Mar 2016 #12

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)

1. That's beautiful and inspiring.

Reply to riversedge (Original post)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 11:37 AM

Mar 2016

bigtree

(85,987 posts)

2. k&r

Reply to riversedge (Original post)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 11:38 AM

Mar 2016

...thanks for posting! ~

CajunBlazer

(5,648 posts)

3. K&R

Reply to riversedge (Original post)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 11:50 AM

Mar 2016

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)

4. "don't count"? I'm sorry, but whatever name somebody calls your states, you all vote FIRST.

Reply to riversedge (Original post)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 12:04 PM

Mar 2016

If anything, the states that go first count more in this process than is warranted.

There are 50 million people in a podunk backwater of this nation known as the West Coast of the United States whose voices ACTUALLY don't count in this rodeo, every 4 years.

How about we agree that no one should call the Southern States 'Confederates', and also that in 4 years we make all the states that have been going first go last, and vice-versa.

oldandhappy

(6,719 posts)

6. Hello!

Reply to Warren DeMontague (Reply #4)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 12:37 PM

Mar 2016

I am in California so I understand your post. I have been pondering this. Not sure I want a one-day, every state vote primary. No chance for evolution in the way we see things. Do think the process does not need to be so drawn out i.e. six months. Maybe a few states every two weeks? Or do the flip flop you suggested! Would be a hoot to go first. I also want a one-day national 24-hour voting day so everyone can vote irrespective of work or anything else. And ALL citizens get to vote!! sigh. Done.

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)

7. Or else just randomize it every 4 years.

Reply to oldandhappy (Reply #6)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 12:39 PM

Mar 2016

The overwhelming emphasis on NH and IA is ridiculous, for one, and it's insane that 34 Million Californians have to wait until, what, June 7 or something?

Also, I don't know if the logistics would be more difficult for bigger states- OR is only 6 million people or so- but up here we have vote by mail and it works great. Participation is easy, people have plenty of time to fill out their ballots on their own schedule, no one has to wait in a line, and there's even a paper trail for any recounts or challenges.

I'd like to see that nationally, or barring that a national holiday like you suggest.

oldandhappy

(6,719 posts)

8. agree

Reply to Warren DeMontague (Reply #7)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 12:42 PM

Mar 2016

The media has made a circus out of Iowa and NH. I like the idea of randomizing it every 4 years. Reduces the manipulation.

Red Knight

(704 posts)

11. Completely agree

Reply to Warren DeMontague (Reply #7)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 12:47 PM

Mar 2016

My Pennsylvania primary isn't until late April.

It often feels that even by then I have no voice in the process. Things have been "decided".

There is no way to justify that as fair, really.

I really feel for California and other states with even later primaries than mine.

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)

9. I think that we should decide who goes first every four year.

Reply to Warren DeMontague (Reply #4)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 12:43 PM

Mar 2016

First we go to states that were purple the last election cycle. That way, we find out who is the best candidate to swing the states we need to swing. Ohio and Florida historically. Maybe some other states would come up once in a while.

Then we go to the states that historically vote Democratic. California, Minnesota, etc. After we learn who is the most persuasive candidate for swing states, we get to learn who the heart of the Dem party wants. Then, and only then, do we go to the states that historically never vote for Dems in the general election. Mississippi, South Carolia, et al.