Why I am leaving the Democratic Party.

I have thought the Democratic Party has been in trouble for some time. I questioned the quality of the candidates we came up with to run against Bush, but then I supported one, then another with gusto. I contributed to the Party and the candidates for the first time in my life because I thought this past election was so important.

I thought before the election that the Party was in such deep trouble and so scatterbrained that I seriously considered changing my registration to be Independent. But I didn't. I stayed. I've been a registered Democrat, after all, for over 20 years.

However, my disgust with the Democratic leadership reached a high when several of our supposed leaders crossed the aisle to vote for the ANWR bill.....an issue close to my heart. The Democrats have not been sticking together and supporting each other for some years, but this was the height of traitorous behavior, IMO.

Then here comes tonight. A constitutional issue is involved. State's rights and the rights of the individual are at issue. The House rules don't allow the action, so there is a vote to suspend the rules in order to vote on a Christian Coalition cause bill. To my dismay and utter disgust, not just several or a smattering of Democratic representatives vote for the Republican bill, almost as many Democrats vote for it as against it. How could that be? Was there no Democratic leadership in the House to call on the representatives personally to ensure their votes? Or did the personal calls do no good? Either way, that spells deep trouble for the Democratic Party.

If our party continually backs the opposing party on matters that are even in our party's platform, then we don't really have an opposition party at all. I am not disappointed in the rank and file of the Party. I am totally disgusted with the supposed leadership. And I'm not even far left! So I'll become an Independent, or maybe register as one of the third parties (it WAS the Green Party, wasn't it, that first got the objection to the Ohio voting underway?). Let the Democratic leadership try to get my vote in the future. I may vote for them....but maybe not. One thing is certain, though: I'll be voting for someone I think has good ideas, balls to fight for them, and a record of being in true opposition to the madness that is going on in this country.

To steal a line from a movie: Goodbye, Columbus.

(P.S. I will probably still lurk here and post a bit from time to time, as an Independent or Green Party registrant, but will no longer refer to myself as a Democrat.)

PTMASAP.

IWMYOB.

Sheesh, enough of these indecipherable acronyms already!! Can't anyone be bothered to spend five seconds typing out a phrase anymore??

Mine was not meant to be comprehensible. The rampant use of undefined acronyms is absurd, and bad English on top of it.

I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling frustrated about the over-use of acronyms!

There is no reason you would have understood it, since it is incomprehensible.

n/t

voted in opposition to the GOP.

I wasn't aware that Akaka, Inouye, and Landrieu were our leaders in the Senate. Are any of these three leaders going to make a bid for the presidency in 2008?

They are therefore called "leaders." But not MY leaders, anymore.

But nevertheless, my point stands that indicting the entire Democratic Senate caucus for the actions of 3 out of its 44 members is rather silly.

the public very well on the last two important bills. I think 40 or more voted FOR this last Republican constitutional-issue bill. And many more didn't vote at all. That amounts to the majority of Dem. representatives.

Yes, I blame the party for not holding together its party. I commend those like Barbara Boxer and...I can't recall his name (he spoke out against this last bill very strongly...what IS his name?)...anyway, I commend them very much. And for that reason, I would consider voting for them for some nat'l office. But unless they run for something nat'l, I won't get that chance.

Ted Kennedy, Jesse Jackson...there are a few who have hoed the row against intense criticism.

Not Alaskan.

Did you join your local Democratic Executive Committee? Were you active within the party structure itself? If you don't participate, you can't expect to have an impact on the direction the party takes.

...as a member of the Democratic Party??

Most of us are hard-pressed to be able to get out and vote, much less spend massive amounts of time doing things that take away from what little time we have with our families. We're all working one or more jobs as it is, and most of us are falling farther behind thanks to the efforts of the Dems that continue to support GOP initiatives.

And you never answered his central position...that the Democratic Party is doing NOTHING to help the middle and working classes. You show me that the Democratic Party is ready to vote against the GOP on KEY issues that they ought to be supporting, and I'll show you a lot of people willing to do anything that you ask.

Until then, your condescending remarks are duly considered and noted.

I want to know what leaving the actually party means. When someone posts an open declaration, they should expect to get questions. If he or she doesn't want their position examined, they shouldn't post it in a public forum.

I guess for, being a member of the party means you vote Democrat? That you (since you've taken such umbrage at my question to this poster) means you support his or her decision to refuse to vote Democrat in the future? Very well. Everyone makes their own choices on these matters. But if that is the case, what are they leaving?

The Right wins because they work for it. Nothing materials out of the air. You can sit back and curse the party leadership all you want, but the government rules with your complicity, for better or worse. Changing things requires work. People need to decide if that is something that matters to them. Some may choose to exert that change outside of the Democratic party, which is fantastic. But waiting for the messiah gets us no where. My view is that if people don't take action, they can expect exactly what they get. Democracy isn't a spectator sport. Treating it as such gets exactly what we have now--a government dominated by Right willing interest groups who are willing to work for their political goals.

You may consider this judgmental. Very well. But it's also the facts. Getting mad at me doesn't change anything. If you direct some of that outrage at elected officials, then you're getting somewhere. If you do nothing, you do as much to advance the agenda of Tom Delay and the Falwell crowd as they themselves do. Those are the facts. Either accept the government we have or do something about it.

Democrats have just as much money as Republicans do. Rich Dems can form those companies just as easily as Republicans have. They've been planning their ascendancy since 1964, and it's paying off.

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I don't think you and I are occupying the same universe. Did you see the votes on that bankruptcy bill?

Or was the sarcasm switch off?

Environmental regulation - very 'anti business'.

Occupational Health and Safety regs - can't hardly make a buck with all of that shit. If you don't want to die working don't work.

Minimum Wage regs - why can't I pay workers a Chinese wage?

40 hour work week? Communism, plain and simple.

Food and drug safety regulations - don't need 'em the market is self regulating.

Democratic legislation, just about all of it. (I think TR was in there someplace back when there was a progressive wing of the rethuglican party.)

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((Stands up and claps and cheers)). Nice rant!

Evangelical Republicans turn Wednesday Night Bible Study into a political meeting. They give $100-200 to local political candidates. And I'm not talking the super-wealthy corporate types (they give much, much more). I'm talking about the white collar suburbanites who ought to be our constituency.

Armies of conservatives call in to talk radio and write letters to the editor and harrass liberal politicians and support conservative ones. They freaking live and breath their agenda. In ways that I, as a Ward Chairman, can only wish my people did.

When somebody who doesn't do a damn thing other than show up to vote says "I'm leaving the Democratic Party," my answer is that you never were PART of the Democratic Party.

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the above poster is not seeking to drive anyone away. If you want to come volunteer, we'd love to have you. If what you want is to vote Democratic, that's also cool. But if you want to affect the direction of the Democratic party, it takes more than voting.

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I used a week of my vacation to canvass in a swing state. I worked my polling place. I delivered 100 Kerry signs in my neighborhood. I organized a fundraiser for a local candidate.

As Howard Dean says, if the only thing you do is vote, you get a D.

Good way to win over moderates and undecideds.

and cry "boo hoo" over where the Party is headed, then announce that you're leaving the Party to become a Green. If all you're going to do is show up every four years and vote, you have postively no right to complain about how the party is run. This isn't about moderates and undecideds, it's about so-called Democrats who don't want to do anything but complain.

Are we talking armchair warrior? Foot soldier? Heavy lifting? I suspect the first and would deem this no great loss. Usually people who have a lot invested don't walk away so easily....

Many of us share the views in the original post and choose to stay and fight. We're working hard, taking time from our families and other important things to reshape our party. Those of us who are doing so don't have much time to shed over armchair warriors withdrawing from DU.

Julie

I'll post some remarks I heard Howard Dean make at a rally in Austin last summer. I'm paraphrasing, but he said that just going out and voting isn't enough anymore. He said that if you're just going out and voting, you get a D. That you need to be giving three hours of your time a week, or giving money every week, but that you need to be doing SOMETHING to take your country back.

So, "who the heck are you to judge?" apparently, she's Howard Dean. ;)

Sounded like sufficient activism to me. You support the candidate so the candidate will do what he feels like.

* was the same way, especially after Kerry's quick concession. You know, "political capital" and the other shovelings from diarrhetic cattle.

Besides, the Greens - from my involvement with them in the past - do FAR MORE to encourage the activity you suggest. As do most unions. The Dem party just sent flyers and asked for more money.

The difference is clear.

that's not what he/she says. If you read below the poster says it means he/she will stop sending money.

Unless of course you consider voting activism.

If you conceive of the party as limited to supporting or opposing the particular candidates that present themselves, you're already limiting your role in the process. DEC members help identify and cultivate candidates to run for office. We change the party by identifying and supporting progressive candidates and policies at the local level. Waiting for them to be presented to us is a recipe for exactly what we have right now.

The Christian Right has changed the Republican party through their grass roots activism. Are we inherently less capable than they are? I don't believe so. What we need to develop is that same level of commitment and organization.

the local democratic exec committee is made up of party...ummmm..hacks. You either have loads of money you've donated, ..or you're affiliated with a group that they need the support of. Maybe it's different in some of the red states where there are few democrats, but I've always encountered the same old faces and a whole lot of people who can buy their way in.

I wish it were different.

in my area, they are made up of large numbers of senior citizens. I joined so that I can have an effect on the direction of the party. It's painful but I think it's worth it. The DEC is made up of those who choose to become active. If there are indeed hacks, what does that say about the rest of us? Why are more progressives on the DEC?

...knows what it's doing and knows where it's going.

The bunch who runs the party in my county can barely find their asses with both hands. I don't have time for that. I'm instead out in the community volunteering my time and trying to make a difference that way.

my point is it's time we stop setting back and wait for others to do thing for us and take action ourselves. Join the local DEC and change it. Progressives can vote those people out of office. Our DEC leadership changed over significantly in January. It requires time though. You can't turn up one day and expect to run the place. You need to put in your dues. If you want the hacks to keep running the party, then do nothing. Howard Dean became head of the DNC. Are you saying it's impossible to dislodge the little old ladies in your county?

Don't let the door hit you in the ass.

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you can do better than that.

For one thing, I just got here.

For another, you can't change the party if you're staring at it from the outside.

Third, I think the party is in the process of being revitalized from the influx of people who, like me and perhaps you, just got active in politics for the first time.

And I do think that they have the best chance of opposing the RW agenda as well.

But since it seems like having folks in the party who don't really support the party for one reason or another doesn't exactly work, I honor your decision to leave. Perhaps you can be more positive elsewhere. Supporting candidates you don't really support leads to negativity that the party doesn't need.

Do you approve?

That's our "first" problem.. WE don't own them.. They (BOTH parties) are OWNED by the lobbyists, corporate flunkies, and other super-rich people.. We are only of use to "them" when there's an election coming up.. Once we vote, whoever wins, does whatever is best for THEIR careeer..

Our party is not as zealot-ridden as the repube party, so naturally they are more "effective".. THEY are the ones who DEMAND , we are the party that "suggests and recommends"..

It's all pretty much moot anyway, since dems have little if any control over the very method of voting and counting those votes.. The "winners" are who the repube party SAYS won.. We just hang on and hope for the best...next time :(

We have no representation.

does it make?

Make the bastards work for our votes with their votes.

You've already made your decision so why would they pander to you?

Pandering to Bush and the right, that is.

How should we go about changing things?

but you want to know how to change things? Here's how. First, let Democrats in your area who vote against Democratic principles that their behavior is unacceptable. Let the local party chairman know that as well, then work as hard as you can to replace the offender with a Democrat who gives more than lip-service to the party platform.

It's important to make our views known to office holders, I completely agree. But if we decide we don't like them, it's not enough to express opposition. We need to cultivate progressive candidates that do represent us.

I actually asked the question to the above poster because I wanted to see what he/she would say. I understand people are frustrated with our leaders, but it's not enough to complain. I hoped to get him to address the issue of how to change things.

leave the party yourself... whats that about?

I will not make the mistake I did in voting for Kerry in 2004. His was a flawed campaign. It also did not help matters much that there was some voter irregularities in Ohio. Let's just admit it! Had Kerry not been so wishy-washy with Iraq, he probably would have had more votes. From now on, I am going to simply vote the candidate that is going to share my views. Democrat or not! I hope to the Creator that nominee is a Democrat and he or she better take a stronger stand against the Neocons.


John

Now, my rep a "good liberal" that I supported because he voted against the IWR, has seen the DLC light, and voted for more funding for the war and now has voted for the Schiavo theater of the grotesque.

Well, his Democratic predecessor lost her seat because she sold her ass to the NRA. We'll see how well Brian Baird (D) Washington does in '06.

Oh geez!

Well this a surprise! Dave Reichert, the Republican from the Bellevue and the Eastside voted "No"! My Congressman Jim McDermott came through with "No" as well!


Shame on Brian Baird!

John

They are getting sick and tired of Democrats who vote along with the Neocons. Doesn't anybody get this? Doesn't anybody see the anger and frustration?


John

I am also a Green and have posted here for some time. There are still enough progressive types that don't just tow the party line to make it worth it. There's good disussion. We need you here. I've only had one person tell me I had no business being here if I wasn't a Dem and I was roundly defended by others almost instantly.

Please stay. You don't have to be a Dem to participate in the discussion. It is exactly your viewpoint that needs to help shape the debate about where progressives go from here!

I'm just a regular ol' left of center Democrat! So I REALLY don't understand the leadership crossing the aisle on some of these things, because I am, in fact, centrist on some things myself. But this is ridiculous. It's as if the Dem. Party is not in opposition at all.

But as far as posting, you have a good point. I will continue to read and post, but here in Texas we have to register as a party or declare no party, and I am definitely changing that registration, for sure.

Thanks!

"here in Texas we have to register as a party or declare no party, and I am definitely changing that registration, for sure."

Uh, no, sorry. You don't. Texas has open primaries, and we don't track voter registration by party. Let me see.... (gets up and goes to look at the voter registration forms in her office). Yes, I am indeed correct. There's not even a blank on the voter registration form for party affiliation.

If you vote in a party primary, your voter registration card is stamped so you can't vote in the other party's run-off--for that year only. A new card (with no party information) is issued every year.

Mistake or untruth?

a voter registration application is online in my county and the Texas Secretary of State's site, but not the application itself.

It was so long ago that I registered, I could have sworn that I had to declare a party.

Link?

Several Texas voters here have pointed out your lack of knowledge.

Prove us wrong.

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Party affiliation was not required then, either.

Actually, you don't need to renew your voter registration unless you move. Your name stays on the voting rolls.

The Democratic Party would be better off if more of us were willing to speak out, ask questions & not accept lies.

...you are a progressive! Frankly, I am a fiscal conservative, but the meanings of these words are getting all mangled by the current powers that be.

You have the wherewithal to question what is going on with this party that seems to be marching more and more to the Republican beat. I'd say that's progressive enough.

Sorry about all the flamers...you have to figure there are going to be here to maintain the status quo. Hope to see you posting here still!

I've been a dem for some 30 yrs but it's one thing after another. They say they are sticking together on Social Security but is that all they can manage to stick together on? This isn't my democratic party. They left me, there are no principles left for this crew. I'm not doing it yet but it's coming.

have decided to stay and fight from within, but I truly understand your position. Hell, after today, I am not sure I want to be a citizen, let alone a Democrat. Still, I wish you would reconsider. If we have enough numbers, it is possible to force a difference. If we all go, nothing will change. Sigh. But I ,too, am gut wrenchingly disgusted . It seems there is nothing worth taking a stand on for some of these people.But some, like John Kerry have been fighting. And for those , I will stay.

Please get active and help us reclaim our party from within.

NGU.

I will remind you only 40 ought Democrats voted for it and over 100 did not. This was a hastily orchestrated session when congress was out on recess...you can bet the Repugs counted on most not returning.

Don't worry, some of us will stay and fight for progressive causes. I guess you thought it was going to be easy.

Isn't anybody sick of the complacency? Isn't anybody tired of the "me too!" attitude of the leadership? I honestly think today and the last few weeks the Democratic Party is losing ground! Never mind Social Security! That is only one issue! Come on DLCers! Explain to me and all of us! What the hell is going on?

:mad:


John

Pelosi is half-way around the world in the ME on a long-ago arranged trip. It looks like our other leadership such as Hoyer (Whip) and John Lewis voted against it.

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If you are addressing that to me, I am left-of center independent. I am also libertarian on civil rights.


John

before it got tombstoned....dang, I hate when that happens.

...are going to continue to dwindle like water through a wire-mesh screen.

Being insulting to someone that could possibly be returned to the Democratic fold makes about as much sense as blowing off your toes so that you can feet into a smaller shoe.

I'm just tired of seeing these "dramatic" posts. Most of them end up filled with misinformation about voting records, so I tend to discount the poster as some one who just likes to rant.

ranting and attention seeking. I don't quite understand why people feel a need to make such declarations publicly. Why would one choose DU to make such an announcement? Do they think Harry Reid and Joe Lieberman are reading this? I also get tired of the top down view of the party, the idea that people expect a perfect politician to be handed to them. I believe it's our responsibility to change the party for the better.

her life, esp. when the person is middle aged.

Why here? 'Cause it's a Dem. forum I've been participating in for some time. Official declaration. It just sort of makes the decision concrete for me. It also is relevant to other Democrats, to point out the problems in the party that have been discussed a lot in this forum over the past couple of years.

As far as ranting and raving, you can view my prior posts. No ranting and raving. I'm a middle aged, lifelong Democrat. I consider myself a moderate Dem., although Repubs would consider me liberal. I thought it was relevant. If you don't think so, you're entitled to your opinion.

I guess I've developed a general reaction that doesn't relate to you individually. I appreciate the clarification. I hope whatever you choose to do, it makes you happy.

I have not given up just yet on the Democratic Party. I still think Howard Dean and those can be counted on as street fighting, hard-nosed progressives will eventually take back the party. Only time will tell if those efforts bare any fruit. What the bottom line is that the weak-knee, bleeding heart, Republican-Lite DLC types must go. It is not about not being a "big tent". It's about sending a message to the voter with one, unified voice. I am afraid the complacency of certain Democratic leaders have divided the party more than Howard Dean and any of the left-leaning progressives could have ever planned. This includes the DLC. They are the ones doing the damage. Progressives welcome all into that "big tent" but it is time to take the gloves off.

If the Democratic Party does not change course now and fails to anything in the midterm elections of 2006, then maybe it's time to seriously consider the creation of a third party. I am one step closer to joining the Socialist Party if things do not change. My one foot is out the door. The question is that if the Democratic leadership does not change how many will follow those disillusioned with the Democratic Party particularly if it continues to lose ground?

John

But I refuse to stop being a Democrat. This is my party, dammit... I'm not the one with the problems, they are. So I will work to try and change things, but in the meantime I also know that I'm with the lesser of two evils and the only others that have a snowball's chance at getting in office. If things weren't so dire, it might not matter as much but we really need all the seats we can get.

But yes, I totally agree with you. I've been beyond disgusted lately.

that way each and every one will have to earn our small 10 votes here (FL)..........I have overlooked many things this party has done...mostly when they lost their spine to challenge bush and party


I get mad as hell when they cross over and support the GOP on many issues......they will not get 1 more red cent from me until they stand up and tell the country what is happening in America............

Jesse Ventura's party?

Does it mean you change your voter registration card? That you've decided to vote third party or Republican instead of Democratic in the future? Or are you actually leaving a position within the party itself?

registration card. Third, I no longer "vote Democratic" just because that's my party. Fourth, I'm no longer counted by them (the parties keep count of party registrations).

In my particular case, I will know more as time goes by. But currently I'm thinking my views may be more aligned with one of the third parties than the two major parties. I'll see.

Vote Republican? Bite your tongue!

I gave money only in the primaries when I donated to Howard Dean. During the general election, I volunteered instead: many, many hours. Now that I'm on the DEC, I promised $25 a year. If I can manage it, I'll give more. But unless you're loaded, the money you and I provide doesn't mean much. What counts is activism. I hope you'll be active for a cause you believe in, even if it's outside the party.

much effort trying to get it.

Now I admit your $25 a year doesn't matter - but as the DNC loses more people with more substantial gifts, it mattters.

Money matters if you have a significant amount to give. If you don't, obviously it doesn't.

DNC donations went up tremendously after Howard Dean's election. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but that is the current situation. I'm sure Rove would be happy to help you change that.

is money. That's how Dean raised $40M, if you recall.

Activism is more helpful here in Repub land on the state and local levels.

But I don't have much time for extracurricular activities. I contribute $$$ instead. And put signs in my yard. And speak up when Repubs say stupid things (I'm surrounded by Repubs). And I make it a point always to vote.

Having said that, I did attend my first Democratic political meeting last month. I was going to get more involved. But that's that. I won't be doing that now. Although I certainly will pay attention to the local Dems views, and will probably vote on issues in their favor. The third party locally here tends to be Libertarian, although there are a few Green Party candidates at the local level.

What I may do is join specific campaigns, rather than party activism. But not necessarily a Dem. candidate.

but I wonder what the local Democratic party would say about that. No one can get elected without volunteers.

everyone just explained how a volunteer told us our donations weren't important.

Sorry, I'm not loaded. My funds are limited. If you have lots of money, good for you. I'm happy for you. Give it to whomever you choose. I'll be thrilled if you give it to Democrats.

My question was directed at the OP to try to figure out what she meant by leaving the party. Why is that so objectionable to you?

The Texans on this thread have said one doesn't even register one's party membership in that state, so it's not clear to me and some others here what the OP is doing by leaving the party, other than posting a thread on DU. She has added that she will stop donating to the Democrats. We understand that now. Apparently you applaud her actions and hope others will financially squeeze the party out of existence and make way for even greater Republican dominance. I'm going to do my best to make sure you don't succeed, even if I'm not wealthy enough to matter in your estimation.

When you say giving money doesn't matter, or if all you do is vote democratic it's not enough, you are making statements that are both false and not representative of democratic positions.

If you read more you'd see the statement about party membership was explained.

If you want to persist in your martyr purity test for who's welcome in the party, go ahead, but if many more follow your suit you can expect dems to get even fewer votes in coming elections.

my point is that if one wants to influence the direction the party or government takes, you need to be active. If you want to donate funds, that's awesome. If you prefer to only vote, that's your prerogative. But don't be surprised if the party appeals to the constituents who take efforts to make their voices heard. They aren't mind readers.

Moreover, candidates are identified and supported through the local party structure. If you want to let the hacks and old ladies do the work for the party, don't be surprised by the outcome. Politics isn't a spectator sport.

have a house to maintain, grocery shopping, house cleaning, yard to mow, sick pets to tend, house repairs to make, personal errands. I really do work some long hours sometimes, and I can't always anticipate them. I could spend SOME small amount of time, which I was going to try to do. But mainly, I started contributing. No one can get elected without money.

It had nothing to do with it. They were reps from other states. I live in a Repub state. Volunteering for Kerry would not have done much good, and it wouldn't have had any effect on how the rep from Louisiana voted on the ANWR bill.

My reps and Senators are Repubs.

as well as lots of other Democratic candidates. It makes all the difference. The Republicans win because they mobilize volunteers by the hundreds of thousands. With a strong support base, Democrats can be more progressive. Whats more, activism by progressive would force Democrats to take leftist positions. This is precisely how the Christian Right has changed the Republican party.

So I gave $$$ to the Kerry campaign to be used in other states.

Note: KERRY did not even campaign in this state. It's BUSH's state. His folks still live here. Bush still has a "ranch" here.

One exception: If you vote in a primary, your card is stamped so you can't vote in the OTHER party's run-off election. But you get a new "virgin" card every year.

I suggest working to promote The Constitution Party http://www.constitutionparty.com/ , to those who are now voting republican. Then you can decry the too liberal republican party for giving not much more than lip service to the concerns of their base, and taking their vote for granted. IMHO Lack of Pragmatism = Self Indulgence

If I want a rubber stamp for the conservative agenda, I'll vote Republican.

Any Democrat who supported this bill will not receive one thin dime or one single vote from me for the remainder of their political careers.

My days of supporting politicians solely because they have a D next to their name are officially over.

I am a little disappointed with my Senator Maria Cantwell lately and I am more likely to vote for her Democratic nomination opponent whoever that might be or a third party candidate than vote for her. The same goes for the presidential election of 2008. To steal a line from The Who "Won't get fooled again!"


John

Be sure to thank us when you want back in.

and joined the Greens in 2000 and have had no regrets. I still vote mostly Democrat, however, of course! Never have voted Repuke and never will. Although I do respect John McCain in some ways...

I haven't even *started* fighting yet. I'm a nice guy, so they just now got me good and pissed.

I'm a mule. I'm stubborn, mean, and I kick!

the same bill is causing some confusion and frustration? I mean the Repukes started doing that when then got control in the 1990s. So - at all cost - they try and fog up the message.

And then of course the Democrats end up so mixed up with IOUs because somebody supported their bill that they have to pick fights?

Don't you think the sickness is really with the Repukes and their constant campaign since the 1980s to destroy the Democrats? I mean they decided to destroy the word Liberal in the 1980s.. you don't think they waited until 2000 to start undoing the relationship between the Democrats and their followers?

All the GOP and elites have to do is undo the 'Big Tent'. And they have elite rule from here on in. They want us in little tribal groups (where you only hang with people who think exactly like you). And once they have a whole bunch of tribes they just plan the Presidential election on 4 or 5 issues and they win. Like in 2000. That is all they did.

You would think that we would know the game and understand that we cannot fall for the disintegration into smaller narrower groups. You would think we would look across at freeper and say.."no that will never be me.. I will never vote against my own best interest because someone fills me with a useless and mind-narrowing drug like 'patriots' or 'anti-gay marriage' that cost the elites nothing (because they will not fix the issues they have created...what are you nuts? It works for them)." But then if you no longer can empathize with your Democratic leaders who must live hellish lives and never have any power to come up with their own bills (clear and simple) and pass them. You have to stop - think - say "am I reacting to something that will hurt my own best interests" and then come up with a plan.

I say that plan would be to try and understand the COMPLETE BULLSHIT WHICH is both hoses now. And they cannot get a road sign changed if they do not "quid pro quo". So if you want it to change and the tribal group creating Repuke Elites to a minority in both houses and then get a great Democratic President next.. you need to take some steps back. Lots of votes are going to hurt and make you mad. Don't watch. Grow a garden. And be ready and strong when the elections do happen. If we loose our big tent.. we have lost everything.

the election and Kerry threw his hands in the air, giving up so quickly after telling us he'd fight.

Forty-two years as a democrat, working hard for the party. Then 2000, 2002 and finally 2004 happened with nary a peep from any of them. I'm now registered as an Independent, though I'll still back any Democrat that shows some spine and actually stands up for the people of this country.

Stay and at least read if you can't bring yourself to post because this is one of the best places to find out what's going on in the world.

Find good solid democratic candidates to run against the current senator/representative. That way, we'll have a candidate who actually might do what we want; that is, not cave in on important issues.

...and now we see all our work going to waste on a party taken over by so called DLC 'centrists'. They have simply taken the party where many of us don't want to go.

To make matters worse...the New Democratic Leadership has outright stated that they want nothing to do with the 'special interests' of the left...such as civil rights, labor, New Deal and women's rights.

So we're left with the false choices of either supporting a party moving to the Right and voting against our party's and country's best interests or leaving the party and becoming 'independent'. That's not much of a choice for lifelong Democrats.

The party will keep going in the WRONG direction until enough rank and file Dems say enough! and refuse to vote for Republican-Lite candidates.

Boycott. Refuse to donate, refuse to volunteer, refuse to vote at all until they meet your demands. But there has to be something to separate a boycott from people who ordinarily just don't volunteer, donate, or vote. There has to be organization and clear communication to the leaders about the boycott.

It's an effective form of social action, but it takes a whole lotta people and a lot of painful sacrificing to make it work.

There is NO PARTY REGISTRATION in Texas.

Every two years the county sends out new voter cards. They have NO party affiliation on them. Any voter can vote in either of the two big parties' primary. At that time, you CAN have your card stamped "Democratic" or "Republican" which shows you are entitled to attend your precinct caucus that night (and keeps you from being able to vote in the opposing party's run-off). As far as registering Independent or Green, no such animal.

1) if this person is even in Texas, and, if so,
2) how much this person was involved with the political process in theh first place.

Apparently not much, because that's probably one of the first things you notice when you go out and register voters or vote in a primary.

More swooning from the DU Drama Queens.....

Although your "knowledge" of Texas voter registration & party affiliation seems strangely deficient.

not a chance in hell i am going to walk away from this battle. i personally see too many good things the dems are trying to do in need of our support that they cannot do if they dont have said support. i cannot ask them to be heros if i turn my back on them. i cannot have that expectation of them. i cannot demand that of them. perfect they are not. they piss me off too. but a lot of times they dont piss me off and i can say ya, kick ass. these are odd times. odd things happening. i will always value and honor the effort any person puts in torwards truth adn speaking out

sarcasm

He doesn't seem to have ever looked at a Voter Registration Card, for one thing. There's NO blank for party affiliation.

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A little too late. Oops.

i support the decision of this poster ... to those who are whining about her choice, understand that you're whining will not change her mind ... and understand that many others have left, many others don't vote anymore at all, and many others are carefully weighing whether to remain in the Party ... criticizing those who leave accomplishes absolutely nothing ... fighting for the reform we need might ...

we cannot continue to have our elected representatives running around voting however the hell they want to in such an ad hoc fashion ... do those who voted for ANWR, or any other issue, know how their constituents feel on any given issue? have they been willing to find a middle ground with their constituents? do the grassroots really have any voice at all?

until the Party changes, we will continue to be a minority party ... instead of criticizing those who leave, why not support their choice and tell them that you are working as hard as you can to fight for reform ... why not show them that, in time, their voices will be heard ... perhaps, in time, after these changes are effected, they will consider returning to the Party ...

and on a personal note, as an elected member of my town's Democratic Committee, I too am weighing whether to remain in the Party ... each of us, especially those of us on the "left" who have felt powerless and ignored for far too long, must make our own choices of what is "too much" ... for me, and no decision has yet been made, it may well be the vote on providing additional funds for bush's war ... if Reid, Hillary, Kerry and others think it's just fine and dandy to give bush more money to continue playing in his Iraqi sandbox, perhaps it's time for me to leave as well ...

You can support candidates that voice and vote your beliefs, whether they are your Reps or not. That's what I'm going to do. I am very disappointed with the party too and had decided to halt all Dem donations until things changed but realized that was overkill.

I'm going to donate to Boxer, Conyers, and Watt.

And of coure, there is much work to be done on a local level. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

any posts that focus on criticizing the "leaver" rather than looking at the Party's role in that person's decision is focussing on the wrong thing ...

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

While this statement is always true by definition, it is not always quite as clear about who is, and who isn't, part of the solution ... perhaps by remaining in a Party that doesn't represent you, you are part of the problem ... perhaps by remaining in a Party that violates your deeply held principles and ignores your voice, you are taken for granted ...

i am still in the Party doing all i can and taking an active role ... but i am also sickened by what i'm seeing ... some have alleged the Party has sold out to the corporate state ... i'm afraid they may be right ... the day i come to believe that the power structure in the Party is too entrenched and will never open itself to the grassroots will be the day i leave ...

Those who criticize people that have become disillusioned and angry with the direction the Democratic Party is headed are in denial. They are in denial with the fact that those in the leadership of the party, except for Howard Dean, have sold out their best interests of the party by buying into the DLC line. Why should those progressives and lefties continue to buy the "me too" rehtoric? How long must all of us have to support candidates that cave-in like Kerry? It gets pretty old after a while and does nothing....NOTHING to strengthen the Democratic Party. I know that Howard Dean and those who are fighting to change the Democratic Party's direction have their work cut out for them and if their efforts do not bare any fruit in 2006 and 2008, then watch more of them leave the Democratic Party or leave politics altogether.


John

More and more, I'm seeing an ever-present and growing pandering to right-wing extremism and Christian fundamentalists. Votes on important issues are not just a few in support of RW fringe. These votes are a significant number, sometimes close to 50%.

No, I haven't left. And I'll continue to support (both $$ and time) toward getting candidates elected and re-elected that are consistent with my "values" and views. It just seems the way things are going, the Democratic politicians are leaving ME to hold hands with the other side of the aisle.

It helps you sleep at night. :p

..to anyone who chooses to leave the Democratic Party. I completely disagree with the decision to leave the party, but will "defend to the death" your right to make your own decision. That's what our country stands for. I, too, sometimes feel that the party has left me...and while I have great respect for the Greens (especially for what they are doing in Ohio), I believe the Democratic Party is the only party that stands a chance of doing what needs to be done to get rid of this administration and its policies. Whatever you do, please don't give up altogether. We need knowledgeable, aware, caring people out there fighting for this country we all love.:hi:

Fuck Republican light, Fuck Faith Based Initiatives, and (I cannot believe that I am about to type this) Fuck Bill Clinton for getting his picture taken with the bushtapo. He should have worked with Jimmy Carter for Tsunami relief and left the Republicans alone.

I have not donated any money this year, and I have not decided if I even will. If there were a genuine alternative, I would probably jump ship also. The problem with the Greens is that they have a very small chance of winning anything. This is the same as handing it all over to the Repukes.

I am neither being facetious or trying to be an asshole. At the very least join an established political party with a damn good record of winning elections. At least there you may be able to change things from within. I have considered it myself. We will never change anything if we can't win elections. I consider Green or Indy just pissing up a rope. There ain't no future there. Think about it. Take care and good luck to you and yours.

Don

That's his point, or so I'm guessing.

and thinking of registering Green, although I haven't done so yet. I feel our Democratic leadership, with a few exceptions, have let us down. I'm waiting to see if Howard Dean can turn us back into the party I once knew.

Btw, JUST ANWAR is what made you "turn"? Nothing else. It would take A LOT more to make me "turn".

Btw, what "party" SPEAKS to you now? Don't bother answering. Bye.



On Edit: NOT Civil Rights made you "turn". NOT "peace". NOT economic justice. NONE of those things made you "turn".

As I said, Buh-BYE!!!!!!!!!!!! (and I've changed my phone # and e-addy.)

Democrats need minority votes to win and I am afraid minority folks are studying their options too. I watched State of the Black Union on C-Span with Tavis Smiley hosting with 3 panels of knowledgeable Blacks and I see nothing good coming for the Democrats. The Repubs are using faith based money to buy the Black preachers and they will win some of their parishioners over too. The only hope I see for the Democrats is that the repubs self destruct and then I don't know whether the Democrats could avail themselves of even that. The thing about Democrats is they refuse to learn from past experience and so repeat the same mistakes over and over yet expect different outcomes. Flames away at discontented ones will not solve what is wrong with this party, I'm afraid the Dems body is present but the soul is gone LOST TO CORPORATE money.

I guess it's not important enough to you to show any loyalty. I guess all the Dems who stood against ANWR were not enough for you - it must be everyone, or else!

So Barney Frank isn't worth your loyalty, or Howard Dean or Ted Kennedy or Bill Clinton or any of a number of Democrats who have done good for this country.

Good luck with your new party, I have no interest in fair-weather Dems.

And I remain so only because Howard Dean, John Kerry, Barbara Boxer (and a few others) are showing that they have some backbone. I will continue to support them with everything I've got, and hope you will do the same.

But, I can understand your frustration, and I can understand your decision. I think the dems and the greens need to combine more of their strengths. But then... that's just my opinion... and an opinion is like an ass, everyone has one... few are willing to shake it. :)

Please don't forget that there ARE democratic leaders with backbone, who will stand up for what is right.

Time to go dancing, have a nice night everyone.

after all, more Rs voted against the bill (7) than Ds who voted for it (3). Yes, I know there's a fatal flaw in the logic, but that's just how Republicans can cloud the debate to turn us all into single issue voters. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Anyhow, I hope you'll stick around regardless. I wish you wouldn't leave, but that's not my decision.