Where do we go from here?

[newdealer]

One of the major problems that we face as Democrats stems from the political schism that happened in the late 60's. We lost the white southern voters, who benefited from Federal programs; the remnants of New Deal, an improvement in the quality of their lives through Johnson's "war on poverty" and so forth.

When we became the party that embraced anti-segregation laws and advocated for the civil rights movement. We lost the support of the southern white voters because of their racism. And we lost a huge, loyal constituency that we could always count on to vote Democrat.

Okay, we've all heard the story a million times. But I bring it up because it's a dilemma that the Democrats have never really addressed-- except by trying to attract the south by moving towards a modrate middle; remember it was Bill Clinton who said, "The era of big government is over." And when he held a cabibet meeting to get eyeryons' opinion of the welfare reform bill, every member of his cabinet told him that is was bad policy. Only Al Gore convinced him to send it to congress for merely political reasons.

Because the party embraces so many different views and interests, and it's only significant action has been trying to reclaim the Southern White Voter. And one of conserns is if they bring up a cultursl issues.

The most frustrating anout this electthe Democrats bring up what I think is the real issue in this country-- the inequities of wealth, they are attacked for engaging in "Class Warfare"-- which the Republicans have been doing since Reagan came into office.

The Republicans have many well-organized groups who mobilize in every election. They rally the religious right to vote on cultural issues, such as gay marriage, abortion, evolution, the ridiculous question about the Ten Commandments in a court building. All this to divert the attention of these grass roots organizations from the economic issues that are hurting these people the most.

George W. wins over people because he comes across as a man who has enormous conviction in his ideas and his staments, no matter how misleading, manipulative, and just untrue. With Bush there is no middle ground, no compromise, you're either with us or against us. People feel safe with the knowledge that someone is in charge, protecting them, while that same administration is continually producing the atmosphere of of fear and uncertainty. It's called tyranny.

But perhaps Kerry and Edwards could learn a thing or two from Bush's style. If they can present themselve, their ideas and vision for America with the same unwavering conviction that Bush appears to have about his lies and manipulating statements, then they can take away the protector-in chief image of Bush.

Not only that, but once people start to trust them as potential leaders, it will be up to them and the members of the democratic party to hone a genuine message, instead of using a poll-driven campaign, the sincerity and conviction of their political positions-- addressing the class warfare that has been perpetrated against the majority of Americans, I think will resonate with the people as the "straight talkers" if they listen to concerns by the avaerage citizen and offer real policies that can help them.

I am done ranting. I would like to know others think.

[NMDemDist2]

1. guns, gays and God

the south is gone .....

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. We don't need the South.

There are more than enough EVs elsewhere.