Unionists, Environmentalists, Progressives Need to Take Over Democratic Party

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.midatlanticlabor.com/appiesnet/wordpress/?p=1347

It is time to purge the corporatists from the Democratic power structure. The real work of the Democratic Party is done by grassroots activists. These activists are the Democratic Party. They should run it at every level.

This conclusion has become clear in the aftermath of tainted Blanche Lincoln primary victory in Arkansas. It took massive voter disenfranchisement and the intervention of both former President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama for Lincoln to squeak out a victory.

Obama still has not learned that the Obama Movement that put him in the White House was not really about Obama. It was about a set of progressive policies that constituted “change we can believe in.”

Former President Clinton started the process of going Republican-lite and selling out parts of the Democratic base around specific policy issues. Union members and American workers were shafted by the false promises surrounding “so-called free trade deals.” Poor Americans really suffered from some aspects of his welfare reform ideas. Deregulation helped create media consolidation that gave the corporations excessive control of public policy discussions and American politics.

Hilary Clinton was the driving force behind the most progressive policy goal of the Clinton Presidency which was the failed attempt at healthcare reform. America would have been a much better place if she had been President instead of Bill Clinton. One note of caution in her background was her position at one point on the Wal-Mart Board but her overall political history is solidly progressive.

President Clinton was not a bad on corporate issues as Reagan or both of the Bushes but he was pretty bad for a Democrat. He was not as bad as Senator Blanche Lincoln. Lincoln received more campaign money from Big Oil than any other Senator regardless of political party. She was the leading force in blocking the public option in healthcare reform.

FULL story at link.

[polichick]

1. Yes...

"It was about a set of progressive policies that constituted “change we can believe in.”"

k&r

[Spaghetti House]

2. The platform I voted for

I miss the platform I voted for. I didn't see wolf-toothed Rahm hiding in the background. Emanuel is where the change is misfiring.

[Laelth]

3. I say the moderates need to get out and take over the Republican Party.

As I argued here: http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Laelth/4

:dem:

-Laelth

[howaboutme]

8. Moderates aren't really the problem

as much as are the pure financiers and ultra wealthy corporatists such as the DNC that we can all identify but we can't discuss.

The Democratic Party gets 50% of their income not from average Americans but from Wall Street and those connected with their financial community. Until that relationship is nullified this will not be changed.

Bernie Marcus a billionaire of supposed boundless greed, and "founder" of Home Depot was on every financial channel from CNBC to Bloomberg bad mouthing card check and union members because this wealthy but greedy AIPAC dude didn't want to give up any of his wealth for the American cause.

[Meeker Morgan]

4. Bravo

Unions, especially private sector unions, have tended to get lost in the shuffle.

[ladjf]

5. That would be a good change. I don't see how it will be possible

to make it happen.

[Bryn]

6. A Democratic Party is supposed to be that way

It used to be.

Yes, I do agree that it's time "to purge the corporatists from the Democratic power structure". It's time to send a strong message to remind them that the government is "of the people, by the people, for the people", not a Country Club for the Elites.

Union members will be coming to Hot Springs, Arkansas in August to discuss who to endorse. They can't endorse Republican John Boozman so let's see if they are going to endorse Blanche Lincoln or John Gray, a Green. His platform matches unions, progressives, environmentalists views and he supports Medicare for all. I've been lookiing through posts by Arkansans.

Here are a few examples of their posts:

I'd love to see a wave of teachers, counselors, nurses, farmers, oceanographers, bricklayers, firefighters, carpenters, etc. etc. taking office.

In short, workers. People who hold no power in this society, but have knowledge, wisdom and compassion. I'm sick to death of career politicians and businessmen/women overwhelmingly controlling things. The rich and powerful, in general. I couldn't be more fed up with it.

Progressives need to get the message

The corporate Democratic leadership is sending a clear message to progressives:

"We know that you're scared shitless of Republicans. Your values are irrelevant. Stick with us or let the nutjobs back in. Your move."

So, that's our choice...do we let our principles get sold out by our "allies" or crushed by our enemies?

Whimper or bang?

If we're not willing to let the Democrats LOSE, we will never gain a crumb of political clout. If they win without us, then we've got no place in the Party anyway.

let ordinary folk see the fruits in terms of day-to-day (and year-to-year) governing

of tea party follies and limbaugh-like commercial provocateurs.

let ordinary voters become educated about the republican party's one true allegiance -

the interests and wants of inherited corporate wealth and the interests and wants of corporations.

let voters throughout the nation learn that republican goverance now is identically non-progressive to that of governance in the american south from 1890 to 1970.

let the democratic party in congress shrink in numbers, if that is necessary, while growing in sincere and determined support of domestic and foreign policies in the nation's and the peoples' best interest.

arkansas is a good beginning of a purge of the democratic party.

"pay a price" status quo dems,

"pay a price".

[disillusioned73]

7. It is time to purge the corporatists from the Democratic power structure.

That was enough for me to rec - now let me go back and read the rest...

[howaboutme]

9. +1

This is the true answer. Everything else is lip service.