Perhaps it's time to define the word democratic and

[cornermouse]

to define or redefine expected positions on issues that our party and our congressional representatives actually support or stand for? Between FISA, homeland security, and all the rest I've begun to get a little confused lately.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. The Democratic Party has a big tent

and it seems to me that there are many under it whose positions are diametrically opposed to mine, which I admit are very far to the left. But I agree that it does appear that some Democrats seem to be veering away from our basic ideals. Perhaps, as a progressive site, we should be encouraging those straying to come back to the fold, especially when it comes to supporting legislation that President Obama will have presented to them.

[Jakes Progress]

3. That tent seems to include george bush.

We are sheltering him under our big tent.

[Echo In Light]

2. Agreed...see the "anarchist" thread

[cornermouse]

4. Kicking this back to the top because

more than ever, I think its time we sat down and took another look at earlier democratic party ideals and objectives and compared them today's ideals and objectives. I think there is a gap the size of the Grand Canyon between them.

[leftofthedial]

5. I haven't been able to discern any basic Democratic principle for the last ten years.

And I've been roundly scolded, alerted on, put on Ignore, called names and told to commit biologically impossible acts for pointing out this fact.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. The Democratic Party has defined me as a DINO.

I owe it no allegiance and will vote my conscious accordingly.

I look upon political parties as nothing more than vehicles for an agenda. When they fail to follow the advertised agenda, or collaborate with the opposite agenda, I see no reason to vote for them.

[Echo In Light]

7. "America has one political party with two right wings" gore Vidal

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Both of them highly overrated as agents of change.

The new boss/old boss scenario has been a revolving door since 1968. (I'm being generous).

[L0oniX]

9. This is why extreme left leaning Dem's are needed because they help distinguish Dem's from repukes.

With out the extreme left the Dem party moves from center to the right, like the clinton's did to the Dem party which lost many seats during Bill's term in office.