How good is the DLC for the Democratic party?

Answer on a 7-point Likert scale.

and the DLC does seek to divide.

is that it is out to further the agenda of corporations at the detriment of the individual.

extreme left from doing to the Dems what the Wingers did to the Pubs.

I know most on DU can't stand them, but I really think they are a stabalizing element in our Party.

have no base of support with common voters and workers. If we lived in a system where only votes count, the DLC is absolutely worth shit, but we live in a system where private cash is tolerated in the election system. As a result, those with the most money and the most access to resources have a competitive advantage. It's harder for many poor workers to out-muscle a billionaire who owns the news papers, radio stations, and tv news networks. (Yes, I am noting the unusually large list of corporate donors to the DLC)

Is "useless" worse than "very detrimental," or does it simply mean "irrelevant?" :evilgrin:

I should have said "totally detremental" instead.

I would rather have them working on behalf of the democrats than the republicans and appreciate diversity. Americans are a diverse group approximately 33% republican, 33% democrat and 33 indepedent and even within a group their is no agreement (ie DU). I don't think any one focus group has a monopoloy on patriotism or common sense. Bush is the one who said if you are not with me you are with the terrorists. Thats not an attitude we need to emulate.

they must be doing something right.

They are corporatists. Just a bit more liberal than republicans. Right of center...which someone says balances the Dems (lefties like me). But I think they help to move the whole political picture to the right, which is sort of in line with the neo-con agenda. I see them as Republican-lite.

can change my mind about that.

(and it irks me quite a bit) that was hilarious.

I can't quite explain how part of the Democratic party supports so many minority right-wing stances (such as the Iraq War) while its supporters claim that we need to support a big-tent party. How about supporting the anti-war tent. It is actually bigger than the pro-war tent, and has been for a while. Yet both parties feel they have to defend the Iraq war? Can't we at least have one party be totally against it?

I have no problem with the DLC catering to business interests and including them in the party. Our economy couldn't run without business. And I believe the progressive side of the party should prevent the business interests from getting out of hand, or getting too corrupt, like business interests tend to do in politics when left unchecked and unwatched. But lately the DLC seems more intent on confusing our message than actually forming a big tent.

They have moved us from our core beliefs towards the blatant corporatism of the Repugs. They undercut us nationally since they continually disagree on direction. That means we'll never have a cohesive, unified message to deliver to the voters. Which in turn is why voters always say the Democrats aren't offering a concrete plan for anything.

They also help the Repugs bolster the claim of "bipartisanship" on their egregious anti-worker agenda. They can always get some DLC'ers to agree with whatever evil they are up to.

I would rather purge the DLC and get back to a Democratic Party that supported American workers, individuals, and basic rights. We might take some losses short term, but longer term we'd be back stronger than ever. Eventually a big majority is going to see the folly of corporate control.