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Populist Reform of the Democratic Party
In reply to the discussion: The Third Way: 'Why are Democrats affiliated with this group that wants to gut Democratic Programs?' [View all]RiverLover
(7,830 posts)35. When will the media learn? Conservatives are not “centrists”! (Another article by RJE)
This pretty much points to what we've been saying here lately~
When will the media learn? Conservatives are not centrists!
From Chris Christie to Third Way, the political class mislabels the political center. Here's why it's so dangerous
R.J. Eskow 12/13/13
....The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported on a rift between centrists and leftists in the Democratic Party and lamented that this prevented stronger steps to reduce the deficit. The Star Tribune even included a quote from the co-chair of Third Way, which it described as a centrist think tank.
Third Way was in the news last week too, in a story that had media outlets tossing out the C word like candy.
Elizabeth Warren Fires Back at Centrist Dems on Social Security, read the headline in liberal Mother Jones. Coalition of Liberals Strikes Back at Criticism From Centrist Democrats, said the headline in the New York Times. Elizabeth Warren and Centrist Democrats Are Already at War, read New York magazines header.
...The Democratic Party-friendly Talking Points Memo website wrote of centrist group Third Way. The Washington Post wrote that Centrist Democratic think tank Third Way came under fire from some liberals.
If we are to live in a world where words have meaning, they really should stop doing that.
The generally accepted definition of centrism, found in the Free Dictionary and elsewhere, is The political philosophy of avoiding the extremes of right and left by taking a moderate position. Similarly, a centrist is defined as one who takes a position in the political center.
The polling data is clear: If anybody should be called a centrist in last weeks conflict, its Elizabeth Warren and those who agree with her.
...A 2012 Angus Reid Public Opinion poll showed that the number of Americans who believed this country should renegotiate or leave the North American Free Trade Agreement outnumbered those who felt otherwise by nearly 4-to-1. That was the opinion of most Republicans, Democrats and independents. In a related finding, 60 percent of those polled by the Gallup organization earlier this year said that they would be willing to pay more for products purchased in the United States.
By contrast, Third Way is pushing the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free trade deal that is even more aggressive than NAFTA.
How about taxation? A recent poll by Americans for Tax Fairness showed that 79 percent of respondents favored closing tax loopholes for corporations, 71 percent favored a 30 percent minimum tax rate for millionaires, and 69 percent supported ending the carried-interest loophole, which has kept tax rates low for hedge funders.
In last weeks Op-Ed, Third Ways founders blithely dismissed all of the above as fantasy.
The Third Way outburst against Sen. Warren was triggered by her statement of support for Sen. Tom Harkins bill to increase Social Security benefits. There, too, Third Ways opinions diverge sharply from those of the mainstream. A poll by the National Academy for Social Insurance found that Fully 74% of Republicans and 88% of Democrats agree that it is critical to preserve Social Security even if it means increasing Social Security taxes paid by working Americans....
http://www.salon.com/2013/12/13/when_will_the_media_learn_conservatives_are_not_centrists/
From Chris Christie to Third Way, the political class mislabels the political center. Here's why it's so dangerous
R.J. Eskow 12/13/13
....The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported on a rift between centrists and leftists in the Democratic Party and lamented that this prevented stronger steps to reduce the deficit. The Star Tribune even included a quote from the co-chair of Third Way, which it described as a centrist think tank.
Third Way was in the news last week too, in a story that had media outlets tossing out the C word like candy.
Elizabeth Warren Fires Back at Centrist Dems on Social Security, read the headline in liberal Mother Jones. Coalition of Liberals Strikes Back at Criticism From Centrist Democrats, said the headline in the New York Times. Elizabeth Warren and Centrist Democrats Are Already at War, read New York magazines header.
...The Democratic Party-friendly Talking Points Memo website wrote of centrist group Third Way. The Washington Post wrote that Centrist Democratic think tank Third Way came under fire from some liberals.
If we are to live in a world where words have meaning, they really should stop doing that.
The generally accepted definition of centrism, found in the Free Dictionary and elsewhere, is The political philosophy of avoiding the extremes of right and left by taking a moderate position. Similarly, a centrist is defined as one who takes a position in the political center.
The polling data is clear: If anybody should be called a centrist in last weeks conflict, its Elizabeth Warren and those who agree with her.
...A 2012 Angus Reid Public Opinion poll showed that the number of Americans who believed this country should renegotiate or leave the North American Free Trade Agreement outnumbered those who felt otherwise by nearly 4-to-1. That was the opinion of most Republicans, Democrats and independents. In a related finding, 60 percent of those polled by the Gallup organization earlier this year said that they would be willing to pay more for products purchased in the United States.
By contrast, Third Way is pushing the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free trade deal that is even more aggressive than NAFTA.
How about taxation? A recent poll by Americans for Tax Fairness showed that 79 percent of respondents favored closing tax loopholes for corporations, 71 percent favored a 30 percent minimum tax rate for millionaires, and 69 percent supported ending the carried-interest loophole, which has kept tax rates low for hedge funders.
In last weeks Op-Ed, Third Ways founders blithely dismissed all of the above as fantasy.
The Third Way outburst against Sen. Warren was triggered by her statement of support for Sen. Tom Harkins bill to increase Social Security benefits. There, too, Third Ways opinions diverge sharply from those of the mainstream. A poll by the National Academy for Social Insurance found that Fully 74% of Republicans and 88% of Democrats agree that it is critical to preserve Social Security even if it means increasing Social Security taxes paid by working Americans....
http://www.salon.com/2013/12/13/when_will_the_media_learn_conservatives_are_not_centrists/
So, Third Way is Far Right (rethug), and WE are the centrists! ha! How the media manipulates labels & our thinking...
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The Third Way: 'Why are Democrats affiliated with this group that wants to gut Democratic Programs?' [View all]
sabrina 1
Jan 2015
OP
They are "liberal" on issues that don't cost the 1% money. on all the others they are
Doctor_J
Jan 2015
#12
Exactly, moderate on issues that don't cost Wall St anything. What WOULD cost Wall St
sabrina 1
Jan 2015
#21
It is actually a travesty that needs to be explained to the brain dead.
world wide wally
Jan 2015
#4
I have done that and the contrast between his focus on the needs of the PEOPLE and the current
sabrina 1
Jan 2015
#22
REALLY great info, thanks! And even scarier? Third Way is just "the tip of the iceberg"
RiverLover
Jan 2015
#5
K&R! This post should have wider exposure. And it should have hundreds of recommendations.
Enthusiast
Jan 2015
#8
You are just supposed to concentrate on those lollipops, as far as I can tell.
djean111
Jan 2015
#18
And realize that if you don't vote, you'll just get the apples with no lollipops
Doctor_J
Jan 2015
#37
One reason I like the idea of this Group is that this is where these discussions should be held.
rhett o rick
Jan 2015
#23
Thank you for the correction, I will edit. I was reading Black's article at the same time, which are
sabrina 1
Jan 2015
#17
And they scream that we have to support them because we must be loyal to all Democrats.
rhett o rick
Jan 2015
#25
They're ex-Republicans (as is Hillary, for example) who find the current Republicans
Lydia Leftcoast
Jan 2015
#14
This is a great thread. One of the best I've seen in a while and not surprised it's by sabrina.
rhett o rick
Jan 2015
#24
Thanks rhett, but it's no longer difficult to find material on these Wall St infiltrators.
sabrina 1
Jan 2015
#30
Exactly. So many pieces fall into place when you learn the facts. Thankfully many people are now
sabrina 1
Jan 2015
#31
When will the media learn? Conservatives are not “centrists”! (Another article by RJE)
RiverLover
Jan 2015
#35
"If we are to live in a world where words have meaning, they really should stop doing that."
delrem
Jan 2015
#36
'Reality based community' was a Third Way phrase designed to make Liberals look
sabrina 1
Jan 2015
#39
That is another excellent article. Labels & Talking points are something that should be discussed
sabrina 1
Jan 2015
#38
It's been extremely eye-opening, reading about 3rd Way, and then seeing the spin
RiverLover
Jan 2015
#41
Left is good. Hillary is right of center. So don't let them frame the discussion. Take their
sabrina 1
Jan 2015
#45
Thanks Orwellian, it really is a great forum, a lot like the old DU when people were able to discuss
sabrina 1
Feb 2015
#50
The Third Way is politically agnostic. They are not Democrats. The are a Wall St backed Think Tank.
sabrina 1
Feb 2015
#52
They are registered Democrats, so that does make them Democrats, by definition
Agnosticsherbet
Feb 2015
#55
I don't like their fiscal policies because they are Republican fiscal policies
Dragonfli
Feb 2015
#60
Pull any strand of the anti labor, pro capitalist spider web and you find the same spiders.
Warpy
Feb 2015
#54
Because all that matters is electing people who put a "D" next to their names.
Maedhros
Feb 2015
#56