So, don't like the DLC Part 2. An experiment.

[Gold Metal Flake]

Oh, it's a dark time. We are all huddled in our caves. Cold and hungry, we cling to the ragged pelts that are draped around our necks and cling to each other for warmth. One suggests we brave the wind to find firewood and gain warmth, others shout the one down. It's crazy to leave the cave! It's insane to brave the cold and damp! We must be thankful for what we have! No, we can not possibly better our position. Our leader has said we must remain inside and immobile. We can not question our leader. The wood-seekers are clearly insane. They must be ignored.


I sugest an experiment.

If you believe that the DLC does not speak for the Progressive Movement, and that the Progressive Movement is better served by more Liberal elected representatives, then change your party registration to Green. No, I am not suesting that you should leave the Democratic Party. You can change party affiliation back later. Just change it now. All across the country. See how many of you there are.

On the other hand, if you believe in the following comments:

"We've got to repudiate, you know, the most strident and insulting anti-American voices out there sometimes on our party's left ... We can't have our party identified by Michael Moore and Hollywood as our cultural values". – Al From, CEO, Democratic Leadership Council

"You know, let's let Hollywood and the Cannes Film Festival fawn all over Michael Moore. We ought to make it pretty clear that he sure doesn't speak for us when it comes to standing up for our country". – Will Marshall, president of the Progressive Policy Institute, the think tank of the DLC

...then register Republican. Go ahead. Let us all know how you feel about the progressive movement.

Let's try it and see what happens.

Or, you can vote your conscience and not be petrified by fear.

[pnutchuck]

1. I say we get the damn firewood!!!

and use it to smoke Bush out!!

[Gold Metal Flake]

2. Oh, I like a nice fire.

But, in the last three months of the election, which Democratic Leader or candidate made it a point to burn Bush on his dismantling of the anti-terror systems and roups before 9-11? Who called Bushco out on the DofJ's curbing of issuence of FISA warrents, thus stiffling anti-terror investigations? Who was it that pounded away on how the Anti-terror Csar was demoted to a sub-cabinet level position? Who in the party made it clear how Bushco unlocked the front door, left it wide open, and walked away?

Terra was a central theme of the election. How Bushco cut anti-terror efforts and left us more vulnerable than we had been in years was not even brought up by the party.

I'm leaving the cave.

[Crunchy Frog]

3. The fact of the matter is

that Micheal Moore is an extraordinarily moderate voice when you compare him to the "spokespersons" for the Repuke party like Limbaugh and Coulter, who they would never dream of repudiating.

I've been seeing alot of people on hear claiming that some of us want to "divide the party" by "driving out the DLC". What I'm seeing is the desire on the part of the DLC to drive out progressive voices.

I witnessed this personally in my state, where there were two candidates competing for the Senate nomination. One of them was a classic progressive Democrat with an extraordinary set of credentials and qualifications. The other was a "moderate" Democrat who supported Lieberman in the primaries. Our local party organization, as well as the national party organizations got behind the "moderate" and tried to pretend the progressive didn't even exist, even after the progressive won at our State Assembly.

Our local branch of the DLC absolutely villianized those of us who supported the progressive who had a very strong grassroots movement behind him. They as much as said that we don't even belong in the party, and attacked us for participating in the political process by attending caucuses and assemblies.

Now, the "moderate" did end up winning the nomination and went on to win the Senate seat as well, and I applaud him for that, however, I will never forget the sense of people in our party leadership trying to tell me that I don't belong, and don't deserve to participate in the political process, just because I would have the gall to support a progressive candidate.

In my opinion, and from my observations, it's not the DLC that's in danger of being driven from the party by the progressives, it's us who they want to drive out of the party.

Well, if they don't need or want my vote, and think they can make it up with the votes of "moderates", then I'm perfectly game to go along with that.

Sorry for the long rant. It's been brought up by reading some of the recent threads that have been on here.

[Cheswick2.0]

4. this is bullshit

I really resent the green party advocates playing this game here at DU year after year. It is one reason I have never warmed up to the group and never will.

Those two choices you present are not the only two we have. It is going to be much easier to reform the democratic party than build a new one from the ground up. To make the Green party viable the Green party would have to fight just as many internal battles. Look what happened to them this year. The green party is dead just like the reformed party.

[catbert836]

5. He's not suggesting we ababdon the Dems

It's just to show the DLC that we don't appreciate what they're doing with our party. Hopefully, they'll get the message. If not, you can still change your registration back to Dem. This is an example of trying to reform the Democratic Party.

[Gold Metal Flake]

7. catbert836 has got it.

It's not an abandonment, it's a shout, done between major election cycles. I do not suggest it be permanent. But when major figures within the Democratic Party start attacking Michael Moore instead of organizing an effective (or at least attempt to) opposition party against the fascist takover of our country, one must admit that portions of the party are at least enabling the repugs or at most are in outright collusion. But, here we are, taking it.

These two quotes are an outright attack against the Progressive Movement in particular, and the Democratic Party in general.

"We've got to repudiate, you know, the most strident and insulting anti-American voices out there sometimes on our party's left ... We can't have our party identified by Michael Moore and Hollywood as our cultural values". – Al From, CEO, Democratic Leadership Council

"You know, let's let Hollywood and the Cannes Film Festival fawn all over Michael Moore. We ought to make it pretty clear that he sure doesn't speak for us when it comes to standing up for our country". – Will Marshall, president of the Progressive Policy Institute, the think tank of the DLC

It is as baldface a confession to do harm to the Democratic Party as one could expect ever to hear. They have made their intentions public in no uncertain terms. Yet, we must ignore it and go forth in denial? I don't think that is wise.

[lojasmo]

8. if the Dem. primary is a foregone conclusion in 2008

I'll caucus with the greens or the republicans (greens as a statement, republicans to stir shit) There's no other modality to register by party in minnesota.

[Blue Wally]

6. If you register as a Republican...

you get to vote in their primary (and stir up shit).

[Radical Activist]

9. Most of the nation doesn't have Green Party registration

Even many states where you do register with a party don't have Green Party registration as an option.
Instead of coping-out by joining the Greens you might try taking back control of the party. Of course, that takes a lot more work.