I'd like to extend a warm welcome to our conservative brothers and sisters

I know we'll never see eye-to-eye on many issues, but reading this yesterday gave me hope.

http://risingsons.spaces.msn.com/blog/cns!1FF898EC70F0ED78!1370.entry

"Yes. Conservatism. It COULD work. The only problem is that the ones who have been championing those three ideals for the past eight years have been Democrats and Liberals. Go figure, right? It's time to roll up our sleeves and rip the labels off of our shirts. Blue collar, white collar- We will all be affected for the worst if we don't agree on those three ideals, NO MATTER WHO THOUGHT OF THEM "FIRST" and get to work on implementing them in our Country.

America First, Indeed. We need to make our Corporations put our Country Before Profit. It's a start. But we can't afford to waste too many of our country's dwindling dollars on expansionist zeal while we are sinking in debt at home.

There is no money to waste.
And THERE IS LESS TIME TO WASTE AS WELL.

Let's move together to do what is right for America."

It made me realize that what I need to be working towards is spreading the word that we do share common interests. It made me realize that more and more of you are now starting to see just how much your party has abdicated their responsibility to protect even those common interests that we all share. It made me realize that since we ARE the big tent party, that it's up to people like me, activists who live in red areas, to reach out to you and let you know that you've been lied to about the Democratic party.

It's up to people like us here at DU to show you conservatives and indpendents who we really are, and finally, once and for all, drop all the invective so that we Americans who are truly concerned about the direction this country is headed can finally start working TOGETHER to get it back on track.

I think many of us liberals have lost a lot of the tolerance and understanding that we used to automatically react with, and it's high time we changed that. It's very, very hard, due to the indefensible treatment we Democrats and liberals have received over the past two decades from pundits on your side, but IMO it's also necessary.

However one part of that process is recognizing that tolerance and understanding do not mean you welcome wolves in sheep's clothing. We cannot afford to be supportive of neo-liberals. Just thought I'd make that clear. :)



So, for any conservatives who are here to find out if the Democratic party can meet their expectations -- based on the blog entry above, as well as the policy ideas that I'm fighting to advance for our country (healthcare for all, more access to higher education, increased corporate governance to protect our investors and employees, etc.), I think we can say that with your help, we can take this country back from those who are selling her off to the highest bidder, and put her back to work for the people who love her!

Join us!

5. The American people that ARE "on the dole" is only a small portion of the billions in Tax cuts and breaks that are being handed out to these same corporations. Corporate Welfare IS Breaking America, not the money used fo feed America's starving families.

Whenever someone tells me they can't vote for a democrat because "I don't want my taxpayer dollars fund welfare queens," I ask them why they don't have a problem with their tax dollars funding corporate welfare. They never can give me a good answer.

Mainstream media only backs the corporate view, so if that's all they've been exposed to, or even worse - that and right wing media - then of course they're not going to have been given the benefit of the whole picture.

But now it seems the tides are turning, and I for one want to make that transition as smooth and comfortable as possible.

:hi:

Clinton was a Conservative Democrat... but man o' man, they didn't seem to like him much did they. My question to "Conservatives" is, is it all rhetoric?

And most haven't been paying attention with a critical eye/ear.

I only realized 10 years ago that the DLC was fooling me. I can understand it taking a while for others to realize they're being lied to, as well.

That's the only reason I stop from degrading those that get fooled. I once was politically ignorant and still learn everyday. The mainstream media is the Number One culprit in spreading disinformation and blatant lies. It's killing Democracy for ratings and partisan favor.

majority, I don't hear Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid getting all shitty and shirty like every GOP clown does. Some get angry that they don't call a riproaring asshole exactly that.

If anything, I'd say the Dems as a group are far too nice. And there's no way I'll ever stop calling that Monkey in the WH an asshole, because that's what he is. A lying, thieving asshole, with a crew just like him.

BTW, your link leads to an essay on Conservative thoughts on Corporate Welfare.....

The vast majority of the invecitve being flung about is definitely being flung from their side. But two wrongs don't make a right, right?

I think it's to our credit that our leaders don't get down in the mud like theirs do. I'm hoping that that will also be to our, and this country's benefit as we approach the midterms.

I don't think Dems as a group are far too nice. I know that I, personally, have had very angry thoughts and voiced very ugly sentiments about people who are not our enemy. They are our fellow Americans, and as such, I feel it's important to recognize that these people have been lied to and used by the criminals that currently head their party.

Every action the nitwit in the White House has taken has made us less safe, less secure, and less democratic as a nation. He's really trying hard to run this country into the ground. As Tony Soprano said "Dick Cheney for President...of the UNIVERSE!"

The fact that the idiots on the right are finally waking up and smelling the coffee is not to their credit, it's because they can finally SEE past their own selfish immediate interests and are coming to realize that in the long term, THEY are being screwed by what the idiot has done.

They don't CARE about US. Not one whit. They care about THEMSELVES, and that's why they're crying now.

I'm talking about the voters who have been fooled into believing that those criminals intend to serve this country's interests in any way, shape or form.

They just want a DIFFERENT REPUBLICAN.

Those greedy bastards will continue to have no care for the poor, the elderly, the children...they want THEIR MONEY, and that's why they are getting nervous. Us poor folk are all taxed out, and the Monkey is comin' for THEM next...because they don't have a 'personal' relationship with either him or Big Dick.

Their goal is to put a fiscally austere brand new Dunce in the White House...one who will cut aid to states completely, who will pay back the dough we got from China, and who will strengthen the dollar so they can afford that vacation in Monaco again. Their tired of the Monkey spending on credit, but that does NOT mean they want a Democrat to replace him. Just a slightly more sane, but equally vicious, member of the GOP.

Did you read this part?

"The only problem is that the ones who have been championing those three ideals for the past eight years have been Democrats and Liberals. Go figure, right? It's time to roll up our sleeves and rip the labels off of our shirts. Blue collar, white collar- We will all be affected for the worst if we don't agree on those three ideals, NO MATTER WHO THOUGHT OF THEM "FIRST" and get to work on implementing them in our Country"

If OUR leaders are the only ones championing those policies, and those are the policies they want to see enacted to save our country's economic ass, then guess what?

THANK YOU!

He's a good 'un, that boy. George Allen can lie too. So can Fristie the Cat Killer.

Bush ran as a UNITER, not a DIVIDER. Remember that? How about his evisceration of Al Gore for the Clinton administration's 'adventurism' -- remember how he pledged not to be involved in NATION BUILDING??

Idiots BELIEVED him.

You don't think the GOP candidate who makes it through the primary isn't gonna tell these greedy bums what they want to hear? Of course he will--and he'll make them feel better, because they think that THEIR money will be safe...and screw the old, the poor, the sick!

There's not much we can do about that.

However, it's pretty clear that now that their leaders have held all the power for this long, that they're liars, and many are waking up to that fact.

do you have to be hit in the head before you learn that it is impossible to reach out to 99% of the assholes on the right?

You cannot reasonably discuss anything with them because they have no reason.

You cannot appeal to their better nature because they do not have a good side.

You cannot challenge them to think beyond their narrow, selfish perspective because they have no ability to take a view other than their own.


It has been said that the definition of insanity is to repeat an action and expect a different result. And insanely is no way to run a railroad, or a country.

REPUBLICAN now, because Monkeyboy has run up the credit card and they have to pay it off. That's why they are whining. They still want THEIR tax cuts, they just want working Democrats to pay for them. Fuck 'em.

It seemed to me that the sentiments posted at that link indicated that they were actually concerned about our fiscal health.

I don't know about you, but just as with Bush's decision to back that marine sanctuary, I don't care by what route the good is done, so long as it's done.

Baby steps, anyone?

Baby steps, my left foot...and that foot should be up their asses. These corporate whizkids should have known better, but they are ruled by GREED. Now, instead of trickle down economics, we have sewage rising economics, and the shit has finally reached their noses.

And before you give the Monkey too much credit for sucking up to Hawaii with his little sanctuary, consider the fact that he also put a LANDFILL in the same category...yep, a DUMP.

This guy has the WORST environmental record EVER. He's a polluting pig who doesn't care about our earth. Odds are he created that marine preserve because his thugs have already scouted it for oil and it came up empty, and he wants to throw a bone to Hawaii to increase representation there.

It'll take him a century to babystep his way out of this mess: http://www.environment2004.org/documents.php

The Bush Presidency has been the most anti-environmental in the modern era. In partnership with a compliant Congress, it is busily dismantling the framework of environmental laws, standards, and enforcement that is the foundation for environmental protection and preservation in the United States. The following material is taken from Environment2004’s report, The Bush Environmental Record: An Unprecedented Assault on our Health and Heritage.....

But *again*, this is not aimed at them... this is aimed at the ELECTORATE who has been FOOLED by the mainstream media and right-wing pundits.

The electorate, or the portion that voted GOP, did so because they DREAM of being rich one day, and actually BELIEVE they can do it. Now that the poop is up to their shoulders, they'll have to rethink their goals.

I'm not gonna kiss their ass. "You voted for Bush? Man, what an IDIOT! Don't make that mistake again," is about as kind as I can get.

Let me know how it works out for you while you're out there trying to win over votes to save this country.

I've met several people on this very site who used to be part of the Republican party, but after realizing how far away the GOP leadership had come from their conservative roots, they have joined us here, and at the polls.

I've also met more former Democrats than I care to think about who used to be a part of this party, but have left it for the Green party due to the abuses taking place in our party due to the morphing that's taken place over the last 10 years. Neo-liberals are only slightly better than neo-cons for America. And IMO they're *worse* for our party, because they're chasing the real progressives away.

That said, you have a right to your opinion, and I wish you luck in helping us take back Congress this fall!

:hi:

...but we're still very far apart on MEANS.

Liberals and conservatives alike want these ends:

1. Land, air, and water that will support healthy life for our grandchildren and their grandchildren.

2. An economy that provides opportunities to prosper for anyone willing to work hard.

3. A government that manages our complex infrastructure responsibly.

4. Foreign policy that promotes respect among the nations of the world and potency in guarding our security and economic interests.

5. A taxation system that produces enough revenue to achieve all of these goals while distributing the burden of costs sustainably and fairly.

No arguments from either side of the aisle there, I think.

But the devil is (as always) in the details. Defining terms, for instance. Landmines in every one of those sentences: "healthy," "prosper," "responsibly," "security," "fairly"... Yikes, any one of those discussions could put a roomful of liberals and conservatives at each others' throats. We MIGHT be able to work out basic parameters with agree-to-disagree on the details, but what would YOU be willing to bet on that possibility?

And then there is the "means" question. Just HOW do we prosecute a foreign policy that will guarantee potency in guarding our national security interests? Liberals believe in maintaining a strong military in reserve, while actively promoting the success of nations with good human rights records, strong commitments to political self-determination among their citizenry, and clear support for economic justice, peaceful resolution of differences, and concern for the environment. Liberals believe in working with allies who share concerns about creating a more just and sustainable world, and occasionally subordinating the economic interests of a narrow segment of the business community to achieve international cooperation on justice and equity. In the long run, we believe, this will reduce the conditions that breed conflict, war, terrorism, etc., and bleed away support for extremist, authoritarian regimes. Conservatives don't share those beliefs, and don't believe that they are an effective way to achieve the end of guarding our national security interests.

And so it goes, with every item on the list.

I'm not sure we can ever achieve agreement, but we can certainly work towards a detente in civil discourse that will allow us to make some progress or at least halt the worst of the devolution to barbarism.

pessimistically,
Bright

However, do the details even come into play at this point? Republicans have been in charge of this country for years now, and whatever the means they choose to reach those ends, it's clear for ALL to see that they've failed, miserably.

That being the case, I have to hope that independents and conservatives will consider crossing the aisle to vote with us this fall, as it's obvious that the leadership on their side has proven to be untrustworthy to get the job done by ANY means!

Liberals and conservatives alike want these ends:

I really do not think we have the same goals. Selfishness is their touchstone.

1. Land, air, and water that will support healthy life for our grandchildren and their grandchildren.

Cons only want clean land, air & water for themselves and their own. Toxic waste dumps can go in the neighborhoods of "those" people, meaning unpatriotic democrats. They are selfish - never forget that.

2. An economy that provides opportunities to prosper for anyone willing to work hard.

They believe that they are the only ones that work hard and deserve rewards. There certainly is no room in their world to help people. They have dreams of millionaire-hood that, of course, they earned because they are worthy. They are deluded.

3. A government that manages our complex infrastructure responsibly.

In their neighborhood, but not in those areas where "those" people live and work. If it does not directly affect them, they do not want to spend money on it.

4. Foreign policy that promotes respect among the nations of the world and potency in guarding our security and economic interests.

They do not want respect. They get off on the rest of the world fearing Amerika. The "Power of Pride" is really the "Arrogance of Power." Of course, they are not willing to serve in the military.

5. A taxation system that produces enough revenue to achieve all of these goals while distributing the burden of costs sustainably and fairly.

Again, as with everything - tax someone else, not them.

Left, right -- we all face a common enemy and problem.

1)Letting amoral business values trump all other consideration bites us ALL in the butt. Life is too 3-dimensional to say that "markets" have a wisdom that will overcome the problems they cause. It's not just the need for altruism....Everyone except the few at the top should have well-rounded values for their own self-preservation.

2) Laissez faire free-market fundmentalism leads to monopolization of the economy by an oligarchy. Everyone outside that oligarchy is shut out. It also leads to STUPID policies that gut our economy in real terms. It also bites the honest buisinesses that are trying to play it straight, because unchecked "market" forces ultimately eliminates competition and economic diversity.

The soonmer the right wing wakes up and realizes that -- despite feelings about gays, guns and God -- we do all have that in common.

:hi:

I think one of the main obstacles to reclaiming e pluribus unum is the media's promotion and rubic of balance over facts. Journalism whether written or viewed seems to feel that an issue in order to be covered must have proponents and opponents. If there is agreement it is not news. The agenda is not to find common ground but to find controversy. Until we start to question and demand responsible fact finding and fact reporting by the main stream media rather than entertainment we will remain fractured and thinking of each other in stereotypical modes. Good article and thanks for bringing it to our attention.

They have a vested interest in keeping us focused on the issues which divide us, so they can continue to leech off of us.

:hi:

Not the nasty moley kind, I'm talking to the ones who care about their country!

:patriot:

Clinton was a conservative
Carter was a conservative.

Republicans are reactionaries and fascists. the last conservative Republican to be president was Ford.

:applause: