It is high time that the Democratic Party return to its roots

[LiberalEconomist]

I am talking about the working class. This party, which is now made up of one faction or another, used to have a solid base. It had one simple, and PURE, goal: to help all people (especially working stiffs, small farmers, and small business owners) live a decent life through economic reforms.

I don't know what we really stand for today. I still see the economic aspect in our platform only it has been drowned out by "Under God" in the pledge. I mean does it really serve everyone if some humanist wants to impose his "religion" on everyone else and demand that schools don't allow "Under God" in the pledge? I mean honestly! What is more important? A good job with fair wages or removing "under God?" Health care benefits or insisting people say "chairperson" rather than "chairman." Where the hell are our priorities? We are letting the tail wag our dog, man. Maybe proponents of these fringe causes need to take a breath and look at the big picture. Yeah, Clinton was/is correct: it is about the economy. This is also what Zell Miller was trying to say in his ugly Hitleresque way at the Nazi Party Convention.

[carpetbagger]

1. The party and its leaders never suggested removing under God

That ruling came from a judge appointed by Richard Nixon.

[mzmolly]

2. We need to repeal NAFTA.

I'm at a loss for more words, but the Unions are weakining because of NAFTA and our support has eroded because of that.

I don't know if we can turn back the clock or if we need a new "root system?"

[KharmaTrain]

3. And What About Small Businesses That Propsered Under NAFTA?

I came from a big union household, but I'm an independent businessman...NAFTA helped make a lot of the computer boom and growth of the 90's possible as there was open transfering of technology across borders that led to the making of faster and cheaper puters.

This wasn't done by large corporations, but by many small businesses that would and now, again, face either strangling regulations or tax breaks and other benefits that favor large corporations. There has to be a happy balance here...where we protect industries, but not to the detrement of the entrepeneur class. Right now there are two extreme camps. All I know is I'm looking to start up a new business, but am carefully looking over my options now that the foxes remain in control of the henhouse.

The issue isn't NAFTA or Outsourcing, it's the unaccountability of multi-national corporations and their total control of both political parties and unions. But that's opening up yet another can of worms this place doesn't need.

[kodi]

4. LE, the working class has forgotten the pain of the Great Depression

the very success of the policies of the New Deal has insulated the working class from the worst vageries of capitalism and has allowed the Right to replace economic issues as the ultimate concern in the the mind of the working class with "values" issues.

and yes, the democratic party as a whole has been taken over by single issue groups who will not tolerate dissent from the issue of their concern. no compromise is acceptable. but oddly, labor has been the one segment of the democratic party that has bent over backwards for the good of the party and they have faired terribly over the last generation.

with his populist rhetoric in the waining days of al gore's 2000 campaign gore came as close to a working class populism as i have heard from the party since bobbie kennedy, it nearly won him the white house, but it scared the ever living shit out of the democratic party leaders from the corporate wing of the party who feared their own lose of influence if populist leaders gained more influence in the party.

[Cats Against Frist]

5. I disagree

More left-wing authoritarianism is not the answer. Not in the new GOP reality.

[bluedog]

6. I read this from Fl writer on chat.......

did me alot of good too...I found it brought the fight back in me...........maybe it will you all too.

bush : He is an embarrassment to human race, this country, to the world and the rest of world KNOWS IT too, they are much smarter than half of these Americans could hope to be in their wildest dreams.

But,. time will tell the truth, the real story. Yes,America has gotten very sick....highest crime on earth, highest divorce rate on earth, porno, molesters, child rapists, the prisons overflowing...

what does this tell us about our country? And what does it tell rest of world about voting in someone like Bush? We lost a lot of our freedoms past 4 years, will lose more freedoms next 4 yrs unless a miracle..

.When Bush is finally, finally...impeached, his crimes found out, his TX records OPENED, as they are sealed, it is why no one KNOWS THE REAL TRUTH about him, would not believe it anyway....seems Bushies are like moonies, cult followers, totally 100% brainwashed to the hilt.

Too late for them. The rest of us will be strong, together, united, and we will prevail for we are the real Americans that do love our country.

Bush is a traitor to all Americans..wait and see. I will have no pity on the Bushies when they later whine, complain, panic as the country is like a civil war internally, holy wars, more terrorist attacks, our security threatened, and we live like people in Iraq!!!

Like THE BOSS said, "I am angry at this war, I am angry at Bush, I am angry at how Americans have been battered past 4 years." Bruce spoke out and traveled with Kerry! I am so proud of Bruce S. for this, too!!!! He spoke for the rest of us! As did so many 100s of celebrities.

And 1,000s of Vets that served this country!!! I am proud to be a Democrat. I learned a lot but not all Republicans are mean spirited people.
Looks like evil won over good...this time????? Satan is alive and well....in the White House after all!!!!

[bluedog]

7. kick/n/t

[ulysses]

8. hey, it's "bash liberal groups night" at DU

Gays, abortion-rights activists, humanists...I can't wait for the attacks on African-Americans to start.

[brokensymmetry]

9. You're right!

Our true core constituency has been (and is being) ignored. We're losing their votes - and with that, the White House, the House, the Senate, even governorships.

Our present path leads to oblivion. As we lose seats and power, we lose funding. When do we sink below some critical level where we cease to be able to get our message out? I don't know, but I fear we're getting close.

Thank you for saying something that needed to be said!