Thread: The Democrats

The Democrats might as well rename themselves the Demographs, 'cus all the demographics favour them these days.

As a party, they are an affiliation of largely Centrist politicians, but vary broadly between a Rightist slant, such as the Blue Dogs, who traditionally (pre Reagan) would have belonged with the GOP, and a Left leaning or Liberal wing such as Pelosi & Barney Frank.

So politically really, they don't stand for much that is specific. It is an affiliation rather than a political movement, a party of consensus and compromise rather than of narrow agenda. Even when they agree on an agenda, such as Health care reform, the Left and the Right of the Dem's will vary substantially on the details- the Right putting money and budgetting to the fore, the Left the social agenda.

Probably the main difference to the GOP is that they are socially liberal. Pro choice- be that with respect to abortion, religion or sexuality. 'Family values', whilst desirable, are a positive individual choice rather than a matter for the State. As such, they are also considerably more diverse than the Republicans in terms of gender, sexuality, religious affiliation and ethnicity.

^ That's an accurate list, Sab.

The GOP must change its brand. Their base is limited.

Originally Posted by sabang

Demographically, here are the Democrat strengths-

The Young most of us were libbie once
Urban dwellers brain-washed by neighbours
Minorities (soon to be the Majority) welcome to America, and have a free hand-out and get preference coz you ain't white
Richer, faster growing states CALIFORNIA!
Women Hey, I'm a chick!
Socially liberal (vs Conservative) WTF does that mean?
Increasingly, educated Professionals except bankers, small business owners, and dentists

Until such time as the GOP can reinvent itself and make itself pertinent to a growing Demographic (such as urban Yuppies?), it doesn't look good for them going forward.

GOP demographic strengths-
White men (especially southern and rural)
The elderly (especially White)
Religious social Conservatives (southern Baptists, Mormons, Evangelists)
Rural & small town dwellers

Funny, the minorities in America that want to work, came to make money. But, why not still draw on the freebies. Dunno why you are still a liberal, SB.

Originally Posted by Milkman

Their base is

retarded

.

there, ftfy

See how nice I am, I didn't say Libbies in the title.

My, my, aren't you just the fair and balanced™ one!

Oh, and does anybody know what the forum code for a strikethrough is?<s></s> with square brackets produces a sign like this.

No have strike through here, la.

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Originally Posted by sabang

Demographically, here are the Democrat strengths-

The Young most of us were libbie once
Urban dwellers brain-washed by neighbours
Minorities (soon to be the Majority) welcome to America, and have a free hand-out and get preference coz you ain't white
Richer, faster growing states CALIFORNIA!
Women Hey, I'm a chick!
Socially liberal (vs Conservative) WTF does that mean?
Increasingly, educated Professionals except bankers, small business owners, and dentists

Until such time as the GOP can reinvent itself and make itself pertinent to a growing Demographic (such as urban Yuppies?), it doesn't look good for them going forward.

GOP demographic strengths-
White men (especially southern and rural)
The elderly (especially White)
Religious social Conservatives (southern Baptists, Mormons, Evangelists)
Rural & small town dwellers

Funny, the minorities in America that want to work, came to make money. But, why not still draw on the freebies. Dunno why you are still a liberal, SB.

This strikes me as a bit of a microcosm of exactly what sabang's on about; how the GOP, if only the more 'extreme' people and ideas surrounding their base, are alienating supporters. Encapsulates it nicely.

I'm not going to be presumptuous enough to tell sabang what his political leanings and persuasions are but, in my opinion, he is more towards the centre-right than the left. I wouldn't actually refer to him as a 'liberal'. Again merely my opinion and, regardless, he's generally what I'd consider to be one of the more centered, reasoned and rational posters in Issues even if I don't always agree with his opinions. [Edit] My post crossed with Norton's above, but he's another good example of what I'm talking about. What I've said here re: sabang I'd apply to him also (and actually had him in mind at the same time as I was posting it.

That being said I've detected a pretty clear pattern that has emerged from his posts recently of a growing disenchantment with GOP tactics (perhaps disappointment might be the better term?).

Chances are this thread will wind up devolving from its interesting start/premise into yet another cut 'n pasteathon from 'moonbattery.com' and other blogs of silly Photoshopped pictures and attacks on 'libbies'. These days it seems to be the sole modus operandi of the right, to their own detriment in alienating some and narrowing their demographic appeal.

^ I don't think so, Ant. Of course some smirchy smuck will appear, but it's good to talk about both sides. The good and the bad.
I am most concerned about the Dems calling folks astroturf, fishy, and organised, just because they oppose Obama's healthcare reform.
First, for the WH (as related by press secy Gibbs) to belittle citizens for a dissenting point of view is shocking.
Second, to ask people to send info and e-mail addresses of people who disapprove of HC reform is a total affront to the First Amendment. Never mind being a lead-in to a totalitarian state.
Third, the folks have a right to take a stand at town halls or wherever if they disagree with govt policy. This was organised because Rush and other rightist media gave views and posted where the mtgs would be? Oh, my, it was only last year that Obama had the same grass root info and blogs and media pushing his agenda and ALSO asking for DONATIONS for his campaign, too. Oh, but the Republicans are creating mobs now.
I saw on the news today that a black man in Missouri was beaten by SEIU members outside a town hall mtg because the man was selling "don't tread on me" anti HC reform buttons and flags. Funny, it was only covered by FOX news.

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Dems calling folks astroturf

truth hurts, eh?

many of these hooligans showing up to disrupt democracy are financed and organized by radical right wing organizations.

there is no disputing this fact.

here's one of the radical, right wing organizations partly responsible for astroturf....

FreedomWorks

^^ Unlike the new immigrants who are in the US to do exactly that -- make $ and do whatever it takes to protect the family. That's why libbies lose the plot -- they just see these poor souls.

Originally Posted by slackula

shrill knee-jerk foreign policy and bad economics has pissed off a lot of conservatives I think.

Originally Posted by Norton

We must urgently dedicate our efforts toward restoration of peace both at home and abroad.

Originally Posted by Norton

We must re-establish fiscal responsibility and put an end to increases in the cost of living

Indeed. Last few years a far cry from the platform of the 1968 GOP.

I wish I was a Democrate so I could care about the enviroment. Oh well

Originally Posted by Norton

Last few years a far cry from the platform of the 1968 GOP.

it is becoming increasingly more likely that the republican party as we know it today will splinter after 2012....especially if the repubs fail to control of either the house or senate.

the psychotic christians could team up with the birthers and form their own whacky party. which would give control of the republican party back to the fiscal conservatives.

Originally Posted by Norton

Originally Posted by slackula

shrill knee-jerk foreign policy and bad economics has pissed off a lot of conservatives I think.

Originally Posted by Norton

We must urgently dedicate our efforts toward restoration of peace both at home and abroad.

Originally Posted by Norton

We must re-establish fiscal responsibility and put an end to increases in the cost of living

Indeed. Last few years a far cry from the platform of the 1968 GOP.

Sending Billy to N korea. Yep, not a knee-jerk policy.
Restoration of peace -- yep, Obama is working real hard on that one. Bomb the crap outta of Afghanistan and the Pakistan border, and invite the despots for tea.
Re-establish fiscal responsibility and reduce living costs. Obama is doing that, ain't he, Norts? He's only added a few trillion to the deficit, and hey, only a couple billion in ONE day for the clunker bill (fek, billion doesn't even produce an eye tik no mo). And sho, living costs are going down coz everythings getting repossessed. Fek, so much cheaper to live in a tent.

Originally Posted by mooncake

I wish I was a Democrate so I could care about the enviroment. Oh well

I'm not quite seeing the connection? Why do you have to be a Democrat to care?

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

Originally Posted by mooncake

I wish I was a Democrate so I could care about the enviroment. Oh well

I'm not quite seeing the connection? Why do you have to be a Democrat to care?

They care? That's news to me.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

Originally Posted by mooncake

I wish I was a Democrate so I could care about the enviroment. Oh well

I'm not quite seeing the connection? Why do you have to be a Democrat to care?

May be bcoz I drive a SUV? It’s a practical car for me and my works.

People say that’s not good for the environment because of the fuel consumption.
But democrats are more vocal about it and think republican don’t care about the environment. Well I think everyone cares about the environment to some extent.
There is certainly a trade off between quality of life and cleanliness in environment... some may value certain goods or activities more highly than a slightly cleaner environment, just like me with my SUV.

Hmm…may be I missed the word “more”, in my previous post?

^ Do you throw food wrappers, diapers or babies out of the car window?

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Sending Billy to N korea. Yep, not a knee-jerk policy. Restoration of peace -- yep, Obama is working real hard on that one. Bomb the crap outta of Afghanistan and the Pakistan border, and invite the despots for tea. Re-establish fiscal responsibility and reduce living costs. Obama is doing that, ain't he, Norts? He's only added a few trillion to the deficit, and hey, only a couple billion in ONE day for the clunker bill (fek, billion doesn't even produce an eye tik no mo). And sho, living costs are going down coz everythings getting repossessed. Fek, so much cheaper to live in a tent.

Absolute twaddle. No matter what Obama does even if it is exactly what a Republican President may have done attack him.

Another example of the thoughtless attack mentality the far right has adopted in the US.

Originally Posted by mooncake

There is certainly a trade off between quality of life and cleanliness in environment

That's true. Unfortunately, the 'improvements' in quality of life accrue overwhelmingly to the wealthy but the costs of degradation to the environment are carried by the poor. And as long as the Democrats are committed to economic growth, they're committed to environmental degradation.