Reply #338: I think of DU as just one big, incredibly dysfunctional family.

[Jackpine Radical]

As Democrats, we naturally have immense problems handling the electoral successes of '06 and '08. I have been critical of Obama, and maybe sometimes too critical. I have also applauded what I consider to be his positive actions. I very much value the people around here who differ with me. I know that they essentially want the same things I want, namely, for the world to be a better place and for everyone to have adequate access to the necessities of life and the opportunity to develop and flourish. But we have immense arguments about how to get there. I submit that those arguments are valuable in themselves. I don't mind reading the comments of people who don't see things exactly as I do. Sometimes I change my opinion as a result of exposure to different viewpoints--and sometimes I don't. But in either case I believe my notions are improved, made more complex and sophisticated, and more reality-connected as a result of interactions with those who disagree with me.

All that said, I don't think it is useful or productive for our disagreements to get low and personal. Nobody here is stupid. (Well, maybe a few passing trolls excepted.) Nobody is mean-spirited. Nobody wants to see suffering. I hope that out of our various conflicts we can help to advance the great national debate, and can all grow as people. This process is itself often painful, but I think very valuable nevertheless. More comity and civility would be nice, but I think DU is serving its root functions quite well. I vote for no changes. And I do think that the economic hard times are the major cause of the fundraising problems.