So, what is the Left to do?

[Le Taz Hot]

I see endless complaints from the party loyalist about demanding we vote for any Democrat, regardless of the fact that voting for them would be voting against our best interests. And I understand DU rules: "Members are expected to be generally supportive of progressive ideals, and to support Democratic candidates for political office." But therein lies the dilemma because "generally supportive of progressive ideals" and supporting Democratic candidates are often, and especially with this president, at odds. So what is the Left to do? Please don't say "post on another board" because a) it's dictatorial and is beneath you, b) most of us do that already and c)it's not dealing with a problem that is not going to go away. One of the draws of DU is the quality of thought and writing throughout and I hope all the Administrators appreciate that -- it's what makes this site unique.

What prompted this missive was your response to the poster below mine and my alarm at a sort of threat that there will soon be a "crackdown." Here's the direct quote: "But I am starting to think that we should be a lot more aggressive about enforcement." I've been through these "crackdowns" before and, frankly, you guys have lost some really valuable writers/thinkers in the process.

People are posting the desperation they're feeling and looking angrily at the Democrats because at least a few of the Republican atrocities should have been in the process of reversal by now.

I guess I'm just posting to ask you to think long and hard about continuing to demand absolute party loyalty and before conducting another DU purge.

Peace,
LTH

[Skinner]

1. I'm glad you asked.

Democratic Underground permits robust -- even scathing -- criticism of President Obama and Democrats from a liberal perspective, on any and all substantive issues. Some of the criticism posted here is actually misleading garbage, and we even permit that.

I believe that Democratic Underground and the Democratic Party are better if we have a broad range of people expressing a broad range of opinions.

Disappointed with President Obama? That's fine. Fortunately our party has a primary system where we can all fight it out and choose the candidates we want to represent us. I have said repeatedly that calling for a primary opponent against President Obama is permitted. But when it comes to general elections, you usually only get two real choices: The Democrat and the Republican.

I believe -- strongly -- that throwing away one's vote on third-party spoiler candidates, or failing to vote, is NEVER in anyone's best interest. President Obama and other Democrats, despite their inevitable flaws and compromises, are our only hope against a Republican Party which is batshit insane. If the alternative is Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Haley Barbour, or (God forbid) Sarah Palin, there really shouldn't be any question who we support. Just because someone on the Internet claims there is no difference between President Obama and this rogues gallery of Republican assholes does not make it true. There is an enormous difference and the future of this country hangs in the balance.

I care about this country. And I refuse to hand it over to Mitt Fucking Romney, Mike Fucking Huckabee, Hayley Fucking Barbour, or Sarah Fucking Palin without a fight. And I would prefer that my website not be used to spread the gross falsehood that choosing not to choose is a legitimate and moral choice. It is not. It is a abdication of responsibility.

If you don't want to vote for President Obama, that's your business. But if you post it on Democratic Underground it becomes my business. My advice is that you is to keep that nugget of information to yourself. Because if you post it, at very least, the moderators will delete your post.