Reply #79: Concerning 4 and 5 on your list.

[hay rick]

4. "...you are already permitted to criticize the Democrats in harsh terms. But there are limits. Calling Obama a "Manchurian candidate," suggesting that he should be impeached, or comparing him to Hitler, goes too far and might even get you banned."

This is a vague guideline. One problem with this guideline is that it assumes, perhaps by virtue of the dignity of the office and the D after his name, that Mr. Obama is entitled to a minimum level of respect regardless of what he does in office. For me, Obama's Bush tax cuts compromise is hostile to everything that the Democratic Party has stood for in the past and should continue to stand for in the future. This plan would not be countenanced coming from a Republican, and can only be viewed in a harsher light coming from a "Democrat." The bounds of acceptable commentary should be adjusted accordingly.

5) If you want to vote for a third party, that's your business. But please don't bother posting about it here, because the moderators will just have to go and delete your post.

I don't want to vote for a third party, but I want the Democratic Party to maintain a progressive set of policies. I don't want to leave the Democratic Party but I will not accept a party which keeps the name but ditches the principles. If I say that I will not vote for Obama again, but that I will vote for a progressive instead, I do not think I am leaving the Democratic Party. It is leaving me. I hope this is within the guidelines.