Question about the DNC

[cbear70]

I just got a call from them, telling me how bad our country is. Duh. Telling me how bad bush is. Duh. And wanting me to give 110.00. My feeling is that I am disappointed by the DNC and I do not feel as if they have a backbone. When I watch Cspan and the news, I see a few that stand up and actually give a shit about our country. I will donate to them, I do donate to Boxer, etc. but to just give to a party that doesn't seem to have a backbone doesn't seem right.

Without yelling to loudly at me, please give me reasons as to why I should donate to the DNC. Right now I am so disappointed in America, in our congressional system, in democrats...I feel lost and certainly don't feel as if I live in America anymore. I can't even watch the news anymore, I can't stand who is our president. Sometimes I feel as if I should just be an independent because it doesn't seem to matter if I am democratic.

[mattclearing]

1. Because, with the exception of Lieberman and a few others

Any Democrat is better than the alternative.

[SteppingRazor]

3. I'd go further -- there are no exceptions...

Even Lieberman is better than most Republicans, and the most moderate of Republicans is still one more vote toward a GOP majority in the House or Senate. There is no such thing as a good Republican. If the leadership of the party were different -- if the GOP, at its head, stood for ideas other than corporo-fascism and theorcracy -- then maybe I'd feel differently. But at the present time, every single Republican is worse than every single Democrat.

[mattclearing]

7. Agreed.

As much as I despise Lieberman, he is a vote for Harry Reid for Majority Leader. When it comes to the numbers in Congress, Dem is the only way to go.

[Warpy]

2. I asked them about three years ago

"Just what are you going to do for ME?" They responded with a bunch of blather about DLC campaign positions. I said, "Well, that takes care of a few yuppies, but what does that have to do with ME?" There was dead silence.

I'm not trying to bust anybody's balls here, just to get some people thinking. Just what HAVE they offered to rank and file working folks in the past 37 years? Business as usual? No thanks. That means declining wages and no healthcare to me, and I'll bet it does for a whole lot of other working folks, too.

When they can answer my question, I'll sell a rug and donate the proceeds.

[William769]

10. Ask not what your party can do for you but

What you can do for your party. :)

[Warpy]

16. All they want is money

Don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya...

[bryant69]

4. Power to a Point

If you are going to give money to resist President Bush and his cronies, you want to give it to where it will do the most good. That's why you should send it to me. No wait, that's not right. Sending it to me would be very enjoyable, but would do little to stop President Bush.

The Democratic Party has a lot of weak kneed people and a lot of real fighters. They are the largest organization resisting the Bush cabal. Is there opposition everything it could be? Unfortunately the answer to that question is no. There are other groups who are more full throated and more clear in their opposition. But those groups lack the privilaged position the Democratic party has.

At the end of the day there's a sort of calculus you need to do; figure out whether paying to have a powerful party fight the Republicans but also occasioally capitulate and work with them is worth it? or is it better to give money to a smaller less infulential organization that expresses your values better.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[cbear70]

8. This is my problem

I don't feel they are fighting the republicans. At the end of the day, are they doing everything they can to get rid of this dictatorship or are they just sitting there saying there is nothing they can do. When I questioned the person on the phone, she said they have no power so I have to give money to elect democrats next year and then they can fight. See, I don't believe that. I think they can fight now. Boxer fights, Conyers fights.. they ALL need to fight. If I am to give money that I barely have to fight Bush, then they damn well better be fighting. If I give money to Boxer, I see her fighting the good fight.

Thanks for the insight.. you did make me think.

[MrBenchley]

5. Geeze, if you don't want to support Democrats, don't

But then don't sit around grousing because Democrats don't give a shit about what YOU want.

[Warpy]

6. "We don't suck quite as bad" might get them a slight majority

in 2006. However, until they decide to pay attention to their base, it won't keep them in power.

The GOP has gained power by speaking (pandering) to its base of hardworking religious lunatics and rapture freaks. If the Dems want power, they're going to have to start paying attention to their base of working people who have taken a beating under both parties since 1968.

Otherwise, that 51% who stayed home in 2004 will become an even greater percentage of the electorate.

[...of J.Temperance]

9. But don't that 51% who stayed at home realize that by staying at home

They're cutting off their nose to spite their face? There's only ONE alternative to the Repukes...and that's the Democratic Party. We are the ONLY alternative because we're in a position to get tens of millions of votes.

Our candidates are not going to give us 100% of what we want, and we shouldn't expect them to, we should be happy getting 60% of what we want. Our party has offered and delivered good policies for the section of society that is working people...how about the Minimum Wage, college tuition tax credits, credits for child care, safer working environment conditions, job creation programs et al.

How has our party been bad for working people? And do the 51% of working people who stayed at home in 2004 think that by staying at home and thus letting the Repukes in, that the Repukes are going to be better for working families?

[Warpy]

17. Uh, they're not, and they know it.

They know they're gonna get a screw job without getting kissed no matter which gang of thieves gets in, so why bother?

Yes, the party has been that bad for working people.

[...of J.Temperance]

21. Can you give me some examples of how my Democratic Party has

Been bad THAT bad for working people?

Thanks.

[MrBenchley]

14. Hey, if you think Democrats suck, you're welcome to say so

I personally don't. Don't know many Democrats who do, either. Nor do I know many who think the Democrats are ignoring working people.

Most of the people I see bitching about being ignored are our "progressive purists" here....who want to pitch most Democrats out of the boat to make places for a favored few.

"that 51% who stayed home in 2004 "
Do try to get near a fact now and then....

http://elections.gmu.edu/voter_turnout.htm

[Warpy]

18. You might want to eliminate that "you" from your titles

This isn't a personal contest.

I'm telling you like it is in workaday land.

If the party ignores it again, the party will be marginalized again.

There is a reason it has lost all three branches of government.

Hint: it's not because the pubbies are better.

[MrBenchley]

22. One of us said it, and it wasn't me....

"I'm telling you like it is in workaday land."
Yeah, but I consider the source.....

[MaineDem]

11. $ to DNC is going to the states

Please, please, please consider this.

The DNC is putting money into field organizers, communications people, and others in every state. The goal is to have a professional organization in each state (and territory) well before the '06 election. We don't win where we don't show up and this program will help us "be there" all across the country.

Regardless of how anyone feels about the DNC and the Dinos in Congress please consider the states where the grassroots are getting assistance from the funds collected by the DNC.

[...of J.Temperance]

12. See, you're making sense

The DNC is the major Democratic Party organization and without them, what would candidates in each state do...set up lemonade stands I guess and have cookie bakes!!

The DNC provide at least 70% of our funding, they are a crucial financial link for our party and our candidates, so yes, we should always support them :)

[goddess40]

13. Grassroots support

I'm from Wisconsin and the DNC just hired workers for each one of our districts. Their job is to work at the grassroots level. They train neighborhood leaders who will get their neighbors to help elect Democrats.

[cbear70]

15. well

thanks to those who tried to help me understand and didn't just yell. This is why I don't post much...expressing an opinion is difficult. I am not a purist, nor am I pushing to get someone in. In my opinion, which at this point I am still allowed to have, I don't see the fight in the democrats. I see the give up attitude lately. Yes in the past they have done a great deal but lately, we are just succumbing to the republicans and rolling over. That I cannot stand. I do volunteer, donate, write letters, make phone calls. I am just not looking to fulfill my agenda but rather am tired of this country going to hell. I do not see democrats doing much of anything except for a select few.

For those that offered sound arguments.. I will definitely think over what you are saying. You made some very valid points. Thank you.

[goodhue]

19. DNC giving money to state parties to hire field organizers

Which is money well spent

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. Give to causes, individuals, not politicians in general.

Writing a check to the DNC means that some of that money will go to finance politicians who disagree with your beliefs.