Only wimps threaten to leave the Democratic party...

because it's *hard* to get it to change.

That's right.

Oh I know there's a lot of frustration with the general cluelessness of party leadership, but that takes time and effort to change. And it seems to me many Democrats don't have the stones to try and make the effort.

After Goldwater's loss in 1964, the Republican right began a long march to power that is only now bearing fruit. The Republican party has finally become what the right wing wanted (or say they wanted). Oh, there've been fits and starts along the way, but there was never so much carping and whining like the left has done lately about the Democratic party. Just a dogged, single-minded pursuit of a goal they thought was further. Setbacks, for the right, were setbacks, but they were also *setups* for opportunity. That is the way they looked at things and that is why they are where they are today.

Now consider DU. A significant fraction of DU is just noticing that it's hard to build a movement. That it's hard to get the party to switch directions. That it's hard to divest the power structure of its deadwood. Well wah, wah, wah! I guess some people just don't like hard work. Tried turning a battleship? It ain't easy. Much less easy a political party.

Of course the solution is to become the Democratic Party. Get involved in local politics. Get elected to the DNC. Work for Democracy for America. It will take time, though, and will require patience. It will probably be a decade before we start to see real results of any efforts we make to change things.

For those of you who aren't wimping out, you can join my yahoo group, the "Project for a New Democratic Party." We're just getting started, but our plan is to infiltrate and eventually control the Democratic Party machinery at the lowest levels. If we're patient, we will see results. Politics ain't magic.

main stream.

Only idiots stick with a sinking ship.

That a third party is possible in American politics.

:eyes:

Anything is possible if you make it possible.

For my part, I think it's best to leave the idiots in the Democratic Party Leadership to their own devices.

because of the incipient rumblings of the civil war.

In fact, only a massive social disruption of that scale has ever allowed third parties to exist. And then only when another party ceases to exist. Even the depression didn't generate any successful third parties.

So, unless you're angling for a civil dislocation of monstrous proportion, leaving the Democrats won't work.

What has happened in American politics is realignment. We've had lots of those. It is the way American politics deals with the desire for social change and party change. And it is the proper way to alter our political landscape now.

.

nt

The DLC does not listen to the people. Donna Brazille is gushing over Karl Rove.

This group of suck-up ... let's get along pansies is NOT the Democratic party I will support.

At this point, I honestly believe that they are in cahoots with the Republicans. The left may be right ... we have only Republicans and Republican Lites.

I'm a die hard scrapper but if the DLC doesn't let Dean or someone else with equal "fire in the belly" to lead us ... I'm history after 25 years of support of the Democratic Party.

This is just the last straw for me ... FOR SURE :P.

He will never lead the jump, but he sure as hell knows how to read the grass roots and without the grass roots, the Democratic Part WILL DIE!

Any real chance of change must come from within the party. I don't agree that those who disagree are wimps, they're just not thinking realistically.

Come on, get real!

Which would take longer to accomplish, changing the Democratic Party or establishing a viable third party? I think you know the answer.

Feel free to re-post in a less inflammatory manner.

DU Moderator