Are you a passive Democrat or an active Democrat?

[Brian_Expat]

Food for thought:

Passive Democrats react to polls and change their positions and candidates accordingly. Active Democrats stand up and articulate new positions to help shape the polls.

Passive Democrats let Republicans set the tone of the election. Active Democrats talk about the issues that affect real people.

Passive Democrats believe that adopting most Republican positions and "Democratizing" them is enough. Active Democrats believe in crafting a clear policy alternative and articulating it to the world.

Passive Democrats are willing to abandon key issues and constituents of the Democratic Party in order to "focus on a few winning issues." Active Democrats create platforms that inspire and attract all people and create an equal place for all people.

Passive Democrats will defend bad actions of Democratic candidates simply because they're Democrats. Active Democrats want to change the party so they don't have to defend sell-out actions.

Passive Democrats run from women's rights, minority rights, gay equality and other issues because they "annoy white males." Active Democrats understand and articulate that all those groups have common problems as well as unique ones and both categories of challenges must be solved. Active Democrats understand there are not "white male" issues or "gay" issues or "minority" issues -- there are human justice and dignity issues.

Passive Democrats listen to the media and polls for guidance. Active Democrats listen to the people, and consult their intellect, experience and their own hearts for guidance.

Passive Democrats are willing to cede undeserved "leadership" on foreign policy to Bush and allow neocon foreign policy to dominate the election as the "right thing to do" with just a few tweaks. Active Democrats understand that all nine of the Democratic candidates have the intellect and leadership to defeat Bush's dismal record on foreign policy.

Passive Democrats hate and fear new members of the Democratic party and the new leaders of the future. Active Democrats work closely with those people to build a new Democratic majority.

Passive Democrats are concerned about "electability." Active Democrats are working to establish electability by building a new majority that empowers others, including people who haven't voted or participated in the past.

Passive Democrats are afraid that George W. Bush will win. Active Democrats are determined that the people shall win.

Passive Democrats believe the economy isn't all that important when compared to Republican issues like invading other countries. Active Democrats understand that an America that is weak at home cannot be strong abroad.

Passive Democrats are campaigning out of fear. Active Democrats are campaigning out of hope.

Regardless of the candidate you support -- ask yourself "what kind of Democrat am I?" Be honest -- the results might surprise you. I had to adjust some of my perspective based on this analysis.

[redqueen]

1. Love it!

Proud, Active Dem here! :D

:thumbsup:

[Q3JR4]

3. Active Dem.

here as well.

:bounce:

[newyawker99]

10. Hi Q3JR4!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[ShimokitaJer]

2. Wonderful post

I think you've hit on the key to the division within DU over the 2004 election. Some of us are fighting to oust Bush while some of us are fighting to reform the Democratic party. I think there are some of each type among the supporters of all the candidates (some more than others, of course).

[GainesT1958]

4. Um, not to sound short here, but I've always been determined...

That DEMOCRATS shall win!:D

:kick:

B-)

[HFishbine]

5. Active

Definitely.

[JNelson6563]

6. Active here!

Was active long before this primary. Have taken great satisfaction in successful efforts to grow the local party.

Good post. I hope folks take encouragement from it. :hi:

Julie

[Padraig18]

7. Active!

:dem:

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. Sorry but hope vs. fear comes out of experience and intelligence

and fear is a great motivator.

You are wrong on that one.

[Cheswick2.0]

13. fear is only a great motivator for negative results

Take a load of fear off your shoulders, you aren't getting anywhere with that tact.

[LWolf]

9. I never really thought about it.

If I had, I would have said that I'm a stubbornly independent democrat.

Let's see how I fit with your criteria:

Passive Democrats react to polls and change their positions and candidates accordingly. Active Democrats stand up and articulate new positions to help shape the polls.

I don't react to polls at all. I choose my positions based on listening to various perspectives and holding them up to see how they resonate with my "inner bell;" how they connect to what holds meaning for me. I will explore new ideas and new pathways when a door opens to see if it is "right" for me. I stand firm on my positions, and articulate them to those who are interested. Or to those who bring their positions to me. I generally don't offer if I'm not asked, or if the issue isn't intruding into my life in one way or another. Is that passive or active?

Passive Democrats let Republicans set the tone of the election. Active Democrats talk about the issues that affect real people.

I'm not sure. I've said "bullshit" enough that everyone around me knows where I stand. Few agree with me. I don't know that I'm setting a tone; I do talk about issues that affect real people.

Passive Democrats believe that adopting most Republican positions and "Democratizing" them is enough. Active Democrats believe in crafting a clear policy alternative and articulating it to the world.

I don't compromise my principles. I don't shift to the right to achieve a hollow victory. Or so that I can fail in the effort to make bad policy better. I'm not sneaky, and I'd just toss the bad stuff out and go with good stuff. No "tweaking" or "fixing" broken rubbish.

Passive Democrats are willing to abandon key issues and constituents of the Democratic Party in order to "focus on a few winning issues." Active Democrats create platforms that inspire and attract all people and create an equal place for all people.

Duh. Look at my avatar.

Passive Democrats will defend bad actions of Democratic candidates simply because they're Democrats. Active Democrats want to change the party so they don't have to defend sell-out actions.

Again. Check out the avatar.

Passive Democrats run from women's rights, minority rights, gay equality and other issues because they "annoy white males." Active Democrats understand and articulate that all those groups have common problems as well as unique ones and both categories of challenges must be solved. Active Democrats understand there are not "white male" issues or "gay" issues or "minority" issues -- there are human justice and dignity issues.

The avatar.

Passive Democrats listen to the media and polls for guidance. Active Democrats listen to the people, and consult their intellect, experience and their own hearts for guidance.

I listen to less media than anyone I know, and don't value polls. I consult my intellect and my own heart for guidance. I listen to others, cautiously, and compare what they say to my mind, heart, and soul on the subject.

Passive Democrats are willing to cede undeserved "leadership" on foreign policy to Bush and allow neocon foreign policy to dominate the election as the "right thing to do" with just a few tweaks. Active Democrats understand that all nine of the Democratic candidates have the intellect and leadership to defeat Bush's dismal record on foreign policy.

I concede nothing to anyone. In any arena. Sorry. It's that stubborn independent thing.

Passive Democrats hate and fear new members of the Democratic party and the new leaders of the future. Active Democrats work closely with those people to build a new Democratic majority.

I hate and fear no one. I also trust very few, and do not necessarily work well with others. Thankfully, I choose candidates who do.

Passive Democrats are concerned about "electability." Active Democrats are working to establish electability by building a new majority that empowers others, including people who haven't voted or participated in the past.

Active.

Passive Democrats are afraid that George W. Bush will win. Active Democrats are determined that the people shall win.

Active.

Passive Democrats believe the economy isn't all that important when compared to Republican issues like invading other countries. Active Democrats understand that an America that is weak at home cannot be strong abroad.

Duh. Republicans invade other countries to distract us from their miserable failure and/or greedy theft here at home. I know that our strengh abroad is a reflection of our strength at home.

Passive Democrats are campaigning out of fear. Active Democrats are campaigning out of hope.

See the sig line.

Regardless of the candidate you support -- ask yourself "what kind of Democrat am I?" Be honest -- the results might surprise you. I had to adjust some of my perspective based on this analysis.

Overall, I think I'm an active democrat. I'm working for change.

What do you think?

[Northwind]

11. I am an active INDEPENDANT

I am damn well determined that the poepl will win. And the only way the Dems can be assured of my assistance and my vote is if they nominate Dean.

Actually, they would also get my support of they nominate Kucinich, but I hope that Kucinich supporters will not take it amiss if I say that his being nominated is very unlikely.

[Cheswick2.0]

12. Terrific Brian

Passive Democrats run from women's rights, minority rights, gay equality and other issues because they "annoy white males." Active Democrats understand and articulate that all those groups have common problems as well as unique ones and both categories of challenges must be solved. Active Democrats understand there are not "white male" issues or "gay" issues or "minority" issues -- there are human justice and dignity issues.

I would be interested in knowing what perspective you had to change based on this analysis.