The Political Purity Brigade Oath

[cali]

I do solemnly swear that I, ______________ will never cast a vote for anyone who does not agree with me on every single issue, no matter how minor. I will oppose any democrat to the right of Dennis Kucinich, and I will make NO exceptions for states with a large conservative electorate, otherwise known as red states. I promise to vigorously oppose any democrat who does not meet my standards.

[redqueen]

1. Oh yeah, this is really helpful.

Seems like some people are just bound and determined to piss others off.

[niyad]

2. sarcasm, perhaps?

[redqueen]

4. Awww

I appreciate your optimism. :)

[cali]

3. Well, I'm pissed off.

I'm pissed off by people who constantly slag on candidates like Warner and Kerrey, and I'm making a point. You may not like it, but it's not name calling and it's really rather mild.

[redqueen]

5. Yeah it's rather mild...

but it only feeds the shit, don't you think?

FWIW I'm with you... I just don't think this is helpful.

Hope you feel better soon. :hug:

[cali]

6. Maybe it does, but I don't

know how to address it any other way at this point. I've tried engaging politely and that sure didn't work; quite frequently I was told that I was complicit or some other comment in that vein.

[redqueen]

7. I hear ya.

It's much worse this time around, and sooner. Winter should be a blast!

[Totally Committed]

8. Even though there are those of us who feel they deserve the slagging?

What is this, Thought Police Underground lately? No one is allowed to have a valid opinion opposite those considered"okay" by the majority, is that it?

If we were slagging just for the hell of it, that would be one thing, but some of us are honestly, and truly -- and Sincerely! -- fed up to the teeth. So... here's MY OATH:

I, TC, promise to vote for every single Democrat who deserves my vote. I promise to vote for every Democrat who opposes war, and seeks to end occupation. I promise to vote for any democrat who represents my best interest and the interests of all other Americans, not just those in Red States (this, of course, will preclude DLC-ers, Corporatists, those who oppose equal rights for ALL Americans, and any who would serve corporations' interests before those of the people who elect them.) I promise to vote for ever Democrat who inspires me with insight, compassion, intelligence, and wisdom. I promise to vote for every Democrat who will work to bring good, well-paying jobs back to the U.S., and start to restore the Constitutional rights we've lost under the Bush administration. I promise to vote for any Democrat who sincerely and demonstrably works to end poverty and inequality in this country, feed the hungry, and educate all children equally.

I will not vote for any Democrat whose vote equals simply a vote against the other side, or does nothing to earn my vote. I will not vote for any Democrat who is lying, has lied, or is disingenuous about the promises made during the campaigns or past campaigns. I will not vote for any Democrat just because there is a (D) after his or her name on the ballot. And, I will not vote for any Democrat who has demonstrated, with his or her voting record, a propensity for voting with the other side once they have been elected as a Democrat. And, I sure-as-hell will not stop speaking my mind against or for ANY Democrat just because most of the posters on DU want me to.

Peace.

TC

[cali]

9. I don't want you to stop speaking your mind

I just disagree with you. And yes, I'm mocking a certain mindset.

[Totally Committed]

13. cali, you have to understand the frustration, the anger, and the resentment that has built up

these last 10 years or so. It is so difficult to watch fellow Americans, even including family and friends, suffering. GLBTs cannot live freely as who they are or marry for love, even though they work hard and pay taxes just like other Americans. The poor are left in dire straits as the rich are given tax cut after tax cut. Corporations, who don't vote are given "personhood" and representation while those of us with a vote are ignored -- why? -- $$$$$$$$. Does our vote count? We still don't know. The Bush administration is left to live in freedom, despite what most see as impeachable crimes, while the Jena 6 are in jail for attempted second degree murder for defending themselves against being beaten for sitting under a "White Tree". The list goes on and on.... Iraq occupation, war drums beating in the direction of Iran, FISA, NAFTA, Free Trade instead of Fair Trade, the environment going to hell, on and on. And, we watch as even the Democrats we worked to elect in 2006 vote with the other side, re-fund the occupation they promised to end, vote to end bankruptcy protection for the little guys, try to find a way to give us healthcare and still make sure the Big Pharma, Big Med, and Big Insurance interests are all met first.

I'm angry, I'm frustrated, and I'm tired of being told to shut up and sit down, because others know best. I'm tired of watching this Party vote against us EVEN WHEN THEY WIN.

If you think YOU'RE fed up, you should be here, inside this old, decrepit body of mine, knowing I'll be leaving this mess we're in for my kids and grandkids to fix after I'm gone. It S U C K S.

TC

[cali]

15. I do appreciate your sentiments

and sometimes I think I am cocooned from a lot because I live in Vermont, where my vote really does count and where progressive politics not only survive, but thrive.

[tkmorris]

23. You're not making a point

You're just being juvenile. You are one of the people that make primary season such a bloody circus here at DU. Congratulations.

[cali]

26. Don't you think you're over reacting just a tad

I don't even get into the primary fights. I don't have a candidate I feel strongly about. And perhaps it is "juvenile" to write a snarky OP, but making a federal case out of something as mild as this, strikes me as passing strange.

[William769]

21. You would know about that wouldn't you.

[redqueen]

22. That's rich!

After you insult me in aother thread... then when I refuse to get down in the mud with you, you pull the childish bullshit of saying "HA HA HA!"

:puke:

Even as sickened as I am, I *STILL* will not get in the mud with you.

Have a nice day! :hi:

[William769]

24. You sure like slinging but don't like getting it back. Thats fine with me.

You have a nice day also.

P.S. When I see bullshit, you can bet I'll be there with a comment.

:hi:

[redqueen]

25. Whatever, dude!

:D

[Cameron27]

10. Well I haven't been known for sticking up for Kerry

on this board, (although I have to say that my opinion of him as a candidate in 04 has changed a bit now), but I think he's getting a raw deal on the Move On ad.

[Solon]

11. I oppose ANY candidate who doesn't represent me, why the FUCK should Democrats be exempted from that

standard? I'm fucking sick and tired of this "Party Uber Alles" bullshit that I could puke, you aren't doing YOUR party any favors here.

[cali]

12. You're the one being intolerant. if

the candidate has to be in agreement with YOU on every issue, or if you're writing diatribes about dems who aren't even running in your state or district.

Sure democrats should be subject to criticism and primaries, I'm hardly suggesting they shouldn't be.

[Solon]

14. Excuse me? I'm not the one demanding lockstepping in the General.

Nor do I use FEAR as the ONLY reason to vote a certain way.

ON EDIT: Think about this, my only Democratic Senator, indeed, Democratic office holder that I voted for that currently holds office voted for the Iraq Supplemental, the FISA bill, believes in Partial Birth Abortion ban, etc. Why the fuck should I ever vote for her again?

[cali]

16. I'm not demanding anything of anybody

and guess what oh furious one? I live in Vermont where fear is the last motivator for voting. I'm simply suggesting that you can't elect Bernie or Pat in NE or VA. It's that simple.

[Solon]

17. Well see, I live in an Congressional district, which, by bi-partisan compromise...

We were robbed of competitiveness entirely, this has been a Republican-safe district since 1992, before I was even allowed to vote, I was 14 at the time. All because of a fucking Democratic compromise. Oddly enough, a Democrat lost the seat due to the redrawing of the lines.

[damntexdem]

18. Wow, up to now I'd supported Dems of various stripes.

I did so because I thought it would help improve things. I figured it was better to roundly criticize a Dem in office than grouse about a worse Rethug in that office. It's what I've done particularly since I've lived in two red states for the past 15 years.

But maybe you're right -- maybe I should sign your political-purity pledge. After all, if you're going to denigrate anyone to the left of Kucinich, I might as well recognize that there can be no big tent with you.

Whaddaya think? Should we all just break up into our own little fractions?

[cali]

19. Uh oh. I thought it was pretty obvious that this was

snark towards those folks who demand political purity.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rasputin1952]

27. There are indeed some who would happily sign that Pledge...

Fortunately, they are few in number, although, to be sure, they are vociferous enough.

Being a naturally diverse party, I am truly surprised that there are those who cannot look beyond themselves, cannot move an inch, to accommodate someone with whom they see but one or two differences in opinion.

We claim to be the Party of Inclusiveness, and yet we have people who exclude, immediately, anyone who has a differing opinion. I think this has become apparent during the Primary Season, (one which is far too long, and incredibly dull).

I am a Dyed in the Wool D. I DO believe we are the party of inclusiveness, I DO believe we have the common good of the People and the nation at heart. I DO believe we can come together on most issues and find solutions to problems. But we cannot do that by walking lockstep, nor can we accomplish much while we attack each other.

At first, I thought your OP to be flamebait, and to be sure, there will be some heat. But I also find it to be eye-opening and runs parallel to what I have posted in the past about people not being willing to see another's POV as valid.

There is far too much digging in of heels and gnashing of teeth during this Primary Season. No one ever changed another's mind by attacking them or belittling them, only intelligent discourse and facts have brought people around to another way of thinking on a permanent basis.

I can see your point precisely, let us hope others can as well.