A message to conservative Democrats

[mudesi]

While the Democratic party is happy to be a big tent, happy to compromise on certain things, and happy to have any support it can get, even from people who call themselves "conservative", there is one thing I think that needs to be made abundantly clear.

You are not the ones who ought to be controlling the Democratic party.

There already exists a party controlled by conservatives. They're called the Republicans. If America is to have any semblance of a Democracy whatsoever, then there needs to be an opposition party run by liberals. Does that mean conservatives are kicked out of the Democratic party? That they have no say whatsoever? Of course not.

It does mean, however, that the onus is on you to be more flexible when it comes to certain issues. Because if you're not, then you're not really a Democrat. Not really. You're a Republican operative working inside the Democratic party. (Think Joe Lieberman, before he became an independent).

The occupation in Iraq, for example. If you support it, what are you doing in the Democratic party? We liberals were against the war before it even began. Even if you were for it in the beginning, it's clear now that there are no options left but to get out. You made a mistake, and that's okay. Time to bite the bullet, admit you were wrong, and join us in our efforts to end this war. Or get out.

Torture, spying, and all the other high crimes Mr. Bush has committed against the Constitution. If you support torture, if you support spying without warrants, I can't in good conscience call you a Democrat. You must be a Republican in disguise. On these issues Democrats will not bend. The president is not a king. If you support him using signing statements, if you think he ought to be able to keep people at Guantanamo without due process, if you think he doesn't deserve impeachment for what he has done, get out.

Separation of church and state. There it is again, that pesky little Constitution thing getting in your way. It's right there, in black and white. No state sponsored religion. You're free to practice your religion, you're free to be adamant and passionate about your faith and your beliefs, to shout them from the roof tops, to vehemently disagree with others regarding matters of morality.

But you must recognize that the purpose of the government is to represent all the people, and pass laws for the people, including those who do not believe as you do. This includes people who do not believe life begins at conception, people who do not believe in prayer and don't want their children practicing it in schools, people who do not believe God created humans, but rather, that we evolved over millions of years (and that such facts are the only ones allowed in science (not religion) class), people who don't believe homosexuality is a sin, and people who will define their personal relationships with whatever word they choose, and if that includes the word "marriage", then so be it, and so shall the government represent them as well.

This list can go on, but I think I've made my point. We welcome you into the Democratic party. Give us some of your conservative viewpoints and we promise to consider them carefully and thoroughly. We may even agree with some of them and implement them into the law. But the price you must pay for your membership is to submit to certain ground rules. Certain core Democratic values that will not be compromised. Sit back and enjoy your freedoms and the prosperity that always comes with strong Democratic leadership.