The "New Democratic Party" - Make the DLC Register Officially?

I don't want to write a lengthy treatise on this subject at this time partly because I'm not good at such things and i think there are many talented, articulate writers (here) who might be interested in cogently drafting a proposal for the purpose of advancing an idea I think is at least worth giving serious consideration to.

In a nut shell, the idea is to persuade (or force) the DLC, to officially register it's own "New Democratic Party", according to FEC rules and regs, and for all NDP/DLC members to register themselves accordingly. So that on ballets, and in campaigns, they need to register themselves as The New Democratic Party, for the sake of transparency and clarity.

Under any other democratic system, this would be the obvious thing to do. It is often stated that our system is a "Two Party" system, but obviously to most of us, this is not a reality with the advent and success of the DLC controlling the Democratic Party, and the advent of the NeoCons taking over the Republican Party, we have become a One Party Nation.

And even a Two Party system is no longer adequate for a population as diverse as ours in this country. The electoral college system is anachronistic and antithetical to participatory democracy and that is the new paradigm our nation needs to have in place to fulfill it's promise of democracy today. We, as a Nation can no longer function under the rubric of a "Democratic Republic". It simply no longer works for us.

There are many other aspects to election reforms that we also need to deal with, but representation is a major issue as evidenced in countless discussions conducted here and other public fora with regard to the Democratic Party, and for that matter what has happened to the Republican party. The Neo Liberals and the Neo Conservatives have hijacked both parties - each in it's own way, have taken our country down the path of fascism and the negative impact is being felt today, and perhaps for decades to come unless we do something significant to change this course that we as a nation, have been led.

I think I'll stop here so that I can get a sense of DU reactions.

Do you think this idea has merit, and should a proposal be better fleshed out and ultimately advanced on this discussion board?

their own party.

Both party "splits" would be more representational, if not more interesting.

DLC Quick Facts:

Organization: The DLC is a nonprofit corporation exempt from tax under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is not a political committee and is not organized to influence elections.

Mission: The DLC's mission is to promote public debate within the Democratic Party and the public at large about national and international policy and political issues. Specifically, as the founding organization of the New Democrat movement, the DLC's goal is to modernize the progressive tradition in American politics for the 21st Century by advancing a set of innovative ideas for governing through a national network of elected officials and community leaders."

They don't have to show their fundraising.

They don't have to show their fundraising, they don't have to be transparent, or accountable to the DP.

They state up front that their purpose is to advance their agenda as outlined in the so called "New Democrat" movement (what movement?) platform - to "modernize the tradition" of American politics.

They obviously have to be confronted. Their ideas are not from the grassroots, instead it is from Ivory Tower think tank academicians and alumni.

Not representative of the citizenry.

They can dip into funds from the DNC to which I am a monthly contributor and I resent knowing that the NDP/DLC candidates are benefiting from funds I contribute.

I don't want my money funding their campaigns and I think it's safe to say, that most DNC members would not want this either if they knew it.

Party by at least a third?

does it say, 'are you a traditional Democrat', or 'do you support the NDP'?

Did your registration card allow you to delineate the distinction?

two entities as far as I am concerned. At least a third of people that vote for Democrats support DLC-approach to issues. That's my guess, but I'm certain I am not far off.

or what they stand for. And while there was larger percentage of people that turned out to vote in 2004 than in 2000 (if that data is accurate)- still a huge part of the population never turn out to vote, most polling have shown due to apathy, and perception there isn't much of a difference between the parties, so they don't really have a choice. (what's the point, if they're all the same) but if they knew there is a real DIFFERENCE, and and they had some genuine choices - that tends to promote better participation which is vital to participatory democracy.

I do not buy into the notion that the majority of registered democrats or people who never vote understand the distinctions and that the DLC are a certain faction within the party, who do represent their interests.

Let's get a solid 35% vote each election! That will show 'em whose party this is!

When I hear people go on and on about some segment of the party - like they need to get out of the party - I wonder what kind of kool-aid they've been drinking. I've never heard anyone committed to the party utter such words.

The DLC is a group, not unlike hundreds of groups that try to influence the way politics goes in America. Because it represents a segment of the Dem coalition, it's part of the party apparatus. They haven't failed to support the party nominee yet, and that is the test that matters.

The party belongs to all of us, even Al From and Jesse Jackson.

They're all Americans, I'll grant you that. But their doctrine does not represent MY interest, nor most democrats I know. (personally) and they are NOT just a harmless cabal in the party - they are at the helm, sucking up the DP resources for their own gains and power.

Now if you don't get that they have done everything to EMPOWER the REPUBLICAN PARTY - then you're NOT getting the problem.

that's the point.

...emphasis "DEMOCRAT" ...and the continual bashing of the DLC vs. DNC vs. DCCC vs. D-whatever...

.... GETS OLD !!!!

this is fleshing out a constructive idea. quite a distinction from "bashing".

I mean, that is the purpose of the board.

larissa, I'm amused that so much time and energy goes into fretting over the DLC and what it is or may be doing. There's this thing called the Republican party that is kicking our ass, and that really has my attention. I'm not sure how shoving others out of the party helps win elections.

Tuesday's and Wednesday's Neil Lisst cartoon address this topic, the DLC, and those in the party who don't care for them. I realize it's a dynamic little known outside the Party, but it's such a constant feature of life in the Democratic party that I wanted to talk about it. I'm going to be addressing the American Democrat, the American Republican, and the American Independent the next week and a have.

As I've stated before, I've got little use for Al From, but he's one guy in bed with major corporations, hardly a unique Democrat. Does he live off of fat cats? Absolutely. Is he any worse than Jesse Jackson? Probably not. They're both self-serving Democrats mining themselves in the party.

We have a long, rich history as a party. It's inclusive, not exclusive, and I'm wondering who elected you to purge a third of the party because they don't agree with you on every issue.

It's fine to hate the DLC and to attack it for things it does that you feel are not helpful, but that's a far cry from calling for some kind of ridiculous action like you have proposed.

Exactly who do you think you would go to in order to implement your plan? I'd love to see you march into the DNC and tell them you've got the plan to make us a permanent and meaningless minority party, one that could never win a presidential election.

The party is open to all comers. Accept it.

you like how things are. ok, i got it. you've made your point.

i and most people really want to see some significant changes, a bit more transparency, accountability and actual representation is something that used to be valued. You're not interested. Fine.

Sorry it's over your head.

Unlike you, I'm a Democrat who is a big tent Democrat.

I think you're immature and the issues of discussion is completely way over your head. but thanks for participating, just the same.

As long as there has been a party, there have been those who think it belongs to THEM and them only.
The objective is to win elections, not satisfy the need of some for party purity. Religions are great for that, but this ain't a religion, it's a big tent party.

One might as well declare that we need no party at all.

One might as well say, there's no difference between the principles of the Republican party and the Democratic Party, which is exactly what you are arguing. If Joe Lieberman, Biden, and a few others are referenced as Democratic Party leaders, the argument that there's not a "dimes worth of difference" between the two parties would have great merit. Except for the fact, that most of us on the grassroots level do not consider Lieberman or Biden as representative of the Democratic Party. Unfortunately they are treated as leaders in the media, and apparently by the DLC - which gives the false illusion that they represent traditional DP principles.

We know they do not.

Party Purity? whose talking about party purity?

I happen to really like Senator Russ Feingold, and at the moment I would throw all of my support to his candidacy for '08, despite the fact that I was very disappointed with his Bankruptcy vote and his vote to confirm Roberts to the SCOTUS. I see those votes as totally anti-progressive, antithetical to Progressive/Liberal principles, and quite frankly stunned with those decisions.

That isn't evidence of party purity, that is evidence of understanding that there will be differences in opinions and positions in a variety of areas and issues. But i believe that his commitment to fighting against the fascists policies, foreign and domestic which is vital at this time in our country and that neither Biden nor Lieberman et al, are even talking about it. They haven't so much as raised an eyebrow about a plethora of policies and executive orders that have stripped citizen's rights in the United States.

If the Republican party isn't about protecting us from fascism, then the DP had better. But we don't hear any of these concerns, CRITICAL to any democracy, being expressed from anyone of the party leaders. Not a single one of these clowns have discussed these matters.

In fact, they lauded the so called "Patriot Act" despite the very loud hue and cry from grassroots activists from across this country protesting these fascists actions.

You want to kick people out and I don't.

I'm sure they'd be very interested in leading the Democratic Party on to new horizons.. After all, we're very inclusive and a very big tent.

GOD FUCKING DAMMIT -THERE IS NO DEMOCRATIC PARTY ANYMORE! WAKE UP!
(ooh, that felt refreshingly healthy)
:rant:

The fundamentalist christsians, the hard right wingers, and the moderate repubs.

The name should not contain the word "Democratic", to avoid confusion with the REAL Democratic party.

How about the Corporatist Party? That's accurate.

of manipulate the Dems subversively.