DNC and RNC in Foreclosure. I think I may need a new home.

Whatever the outcome of the remaining primaries and whatever happens in November, I am seriously considering leaving the Democratic Party. Before anyone flames this post, I consider that you read the remainder of this post and understand just why I feel the way that I do.

In almost every aspect of life, I've always had to prove to others that my lot in life has only come as a result of a family that supports me, hard work, a keen intellect, and in some instances, having confidence in my abilities and reaping the benefits of that hard work. However, there are those who automatically assume that because of where I am, it has only been due to some imaginary "benefit" that I receive based on the fact that I am African American.

What the Democratic National Committee did today was spit in the face of every person (without regard to race or gender) that has played by the rules and has assumed the mantle of fairness only to have the same degree of integrity and honesty in adhering to rules being overturn because a town crier has a tantrum in the public square.

I am tired of having to wipe the sweat off of my brow after clenching a steering wheel (with a clean driving record) being followed by state troopers because there is some unwritten rule that being African American and male means that I am doing something unsavory or illegal because I drive a luxury car.

I am tired of having to assume an unthreatening nature and adjust the inflection of the tone of my voice when dealing with people who may feel threatened by my physical presence due to some unwritten rule that all black men are scary and are to be feared without reason of being feared.

I am tired of having my intelligence and ability purely limited by some assumption that those abilities are purely because of some inexplicable advantage that I have somehow gained because I am an African American male.

Frankly, I am tired. I am tired of the moral bankruptcy of my country. I am tired of being told that playing by the rules is the way to achieving my dreams (even though my own party told me that such is not the case today).

I am tired. Indeed, the DNC is in foreclosure, and I may need a new home.

Why anyone would swear allegiance to one party regardless of the platforms or candidates that party puts forth is beyond me.

Independent is the only way to be.

P.S. I'm voting for Obama. And if you want to avoid the iceberg that this Titanic we call America is headed for, you will too, whether you leave the party or not.

Dylan. :)


But yes, thats how I feel. Id be ashamed to call what I saw today "my" party, rather than "proud". It was a media circus, theatre, and a farce.

And I support Barack Obama because of who he is, not what color he is. If he can take it and forge on, I hope you'd be able to also. I will. Keep the faith if you can. I will.

either, but I think if it will get Obama the nomination and the Presidency it's worth it.

There are a lot of us in this party who are frustrated with the slow process of change too. I am not AA,
but I am a woman who knows what it's like to have to work extra hard for the respect a male would get
automatically. I think Obama will be a great president and I hope if we can rid the Democratic party of
the DLC influence, we can really make some changes in this country.

Hang in there a little longer...I think this bullshit will be over next week. :hug:

And frankly, it'd be easier to have a serious discussion with you if I knew who you were supporting for President.

If it's Obama, cheer up! Giving her delegates in Michigan and Florida was one of the best things he could have done--took away a major talking point against the validity of his campaign, while not putting himself in serious danger of losing the primary.

And don't worry about the Hillary-or-Nobody faction--especially the few that admit race has something to do with their voting decision. They aren't nearly as numerous as you might think.

If it's Hillary...I'm REALLY confused.

I know you're not in either MI or FL, but what I'd like to see is Democrats in both states throw out their respective state chairs and all other officers who went along with the primary date change. Toss 'em out on their asses.

The average Democratic voter in both state did play by the rules. They didn't do anything wrong and had no intention of doing so - it was their party bosses who decided to play an elaborate game of "chicken" with the DNC that could have ended with the average voter going off the cliff.

I wish I knew of a quick fix. I really do. But if that were the case, I'd probably be on the phone with both the Clinton camp and the Obama camp while typing this. Since that isn't the case, I'll probably treat myself to a couple of Jaegermeister shots and go to bed.

All I can suggest is - take a deep breath, sleep on it, and hang in there. :hi:

The state parties are the ones who created this mess, not the voters.

Having said that, though, I don't think it would have been fair to give Clinton 100% of what she wanted, especially in MI. While today's outcome wasn't going to make either side joyously happy, I think that, under the circumstances, it was about the best outcome they could reach.

Your comments do not compute. You go on a rant, supposedly about things that make you angry, and you malign the DNC for assuring Obama the nomination.

Are you sure you're from THIS planet?!

I stated that in one of the first sentences. This is about fundamental fairness, and ethics that you try to convey to others. I am an Obama supporter, and I do not doubt for one minute that he will be our nominee.

However, in my spare time (away from my law school studies and other responsibilities), I mentor young children, and what message do you send to young people about ethics in a situation like this? You can change the rules of life (not playing by the rules) and make it easier to get what you want?

That's a terrible precedent that we're setting for them.

This DNC action doesn't send a message to children. It sends a message to adults who work in state Democratic parties and who think they can violate the national party rules without penalty.

This was a very sane resolution. If you can't see the sense of it, don't waste your time going to law school. I've been a lawyer for over 30 years, and the practice of law is one thing after another exactly like this situation: two sides, conflicts of theories, and ultimately a solution that tries to follow rules and precedent, with no one entirely happy about the result.

If you don't like the result that the DNC produced, don't disappoint yourself with the practice of law. You're going to be crushed every day if you expect things like this to come out any other way than as this one did. They always settle, and it's always less than you'd like to have. Welcome to the world of half a loaf.

The DNC made up a penalty, then they didn't stick by it, then maybe they should not have made that penalty up in the first place? Maybe they should have let everyone campaign and just do what the republicans did and cut the delegations by 50% in the first place...

But I think the disappointment is that they had to cave after having made their initial decision. It's like campaigns were run based on what rules were in place at the time, and because you play by the rules, or if you play by the rules, how does it feel to have them changed at the end because you didn't get exactly what you thought you'd get in the first place?

And my 13 year old did watch today's proceedings during regular intervals.

I hope your children understand what happened today better than their mother.

They followed the rules of the DNC, applied the rules, assessed a penalty, and decided fully within their jurisdiction. They followed the process they were suppose to follow, and reached a sound decision. The fact that you don't understand this merely means you don't understand how the rules work.

I think the overwhelming answer is that compromise is necessary in order to have a functioning society.

Things are not always Black and White. There are shades of gray.

I never believed the DNC intended to keep the 100% penalty in the first place. They just wanted to keep other states from jumping ahead (some would have if the penalty was only a 50% loss in delegates). Dean consistently said that the issue would be revisited near the end of the primaries.

I don't get all these people who think there is an absolute penalty, and anything short of that metaphoric death penalty is inappropriate. The Committee has great latitude in crafting solutions. They struck the voting power of each state in half, and that is a real penalty. That was one part of their action. The other part of their action was the determination of the split of delegates between Obama and Clinton. They split the baby, as decision makers often do. Sound, understandable decision.

Our justice system, like our country, only works because of compromise. I'm not telling you to sell out or settle, and there is no shame in striving for excellence and/or being a dreamer. I am a dreamer/idealist myself - left of most of the "leftists" when I take the little quizzes. But in the real world I've learned that things go more smoothly when I function as a realist. The most important lesson I think is to pick your battles. The battle that went down today came out as many thought it would. The party is already split due to the Clintons, and Dr. Dean was just piecing together what he could to try to save it. Some of us on the fringe think it may not be worth saving, but with McCain lurking it is harder to make that argument. Good luck with your classes and stay strong.

All conflict resolution means compromise. People go into conflict resolution adopting the paradigm that leads them to the end they want. When the other side adopts a conflicting paradigm, an impasse is reached on the issue of meeting each other on the principles involved. Then it becomes a hunt for a solution both sides can accept, if for different reasons. Ultimately, the side that has the votes has the leverage in negotiation.

Today, we saw Obama deftly orchestrate from behind the scenes a solution that ended Hillary's chances and solidified his hold on the nomination. Today's committee work was brilliant, and I'm kind of shocked to see Obama supporters who don't see what a master stroke this really was.

Did we have to give up more than I would have liked? Sure, but that's always true of winners mollifying losers.

supporters are at the point of wanting to hear nothing but Hillary's concession speech. Patience is a virtue at times like this. We're almost there.

I'm an Obama supporter, but I don't assume any vote from a person's race.

I've also read some of the other responses, and I've become familiar with most of the various arguments made in regard to the "rules" issue. I see valid points on each side.

I have nothing to add to that part of your post, so I'm commenting on the "leave the Dem party" part of your post.

I'm pretty sure I understand what you're feeling; been there, was there until about 2 weeks ago.

My state doesn't require party designation on your voter registration, so the only way to stop being a Democrat is to not call yourself one. I'm a lifelong Democratic voter, however. My first presidential vote was for McGovern in 1972.

Being a Democrat for all these years has been an exercise in frustration, to say the least. Massive disappointments, disillusionments, betrayals, screaming-hair-pulling outrages, and constant heartache. I reached my breaking point after the 2004 election and ceased being a local party activist. I still voted (Dem, of course) in 2006, but that was it.

Ironically, THIS year I'm actually feeling more excited than I ever have since 1968 (I was 18, they hadn't lowered the voting age yet). I was actually indifferent if not occasionally scornful of Obama up until only about two weeks ago. On the other hand, I utterly despise the Clintons, so with Obama being the only alternative to another Clinton administration, he was my candidate no matter what.

But as I've watched him do his thing, with a shrieking maniacal Hillary dogging him and throwing everything she could at him, I couldn't help but notice that he has genuine grace and skill. Watching Obama has begun to resemble watching a kung fu master.

And DAMN! He knocked the fearsome Clinton machine on its ASS! I mean, THIS is an extraordinarily accomplishment! I'm sold, I do believe he's got what it takes to win the general election.

And with the Clinton machine knocked on its ass, there is room for hope for the Democratic party for the first time in 40 years. That's why I'm excited again.

I think this is exactly the WRONG time to give up on the Democratic party, I think this is our chance to reform it and move it out of the corporatism of the DLC (curses be upon them!) and back to the left. The rule of the witches is ending. I think we're really turning a corner, as a party and as a country.

We'll see, of course. But I'm feeling more optimistic than I have in 4 decades about the possibility of some meaningful political evolution. I think we're overdue. Stick around for a bit longer, this could be fun!

Peace,
sw

party back in 1992...but you can still support the ideals of this party and its members even if you do leave. I don't support the party with money, but I do support overwhelmingly their candidates...or, at least the ones I belive in and of course I support DU with my Paypal, too.

But, do wait until November and see how you truly feel then? A good rest always works wonders.