McClatchy: As Democrats gather, liberal positions gaining in popularity

[babylonsister]

:woohoo:

As Democrats gather, liberal positions gaining in popularity

By Steven Thomma | McClatchy Newspapers


DENVER — As they meet for their national convention Monday through Thursday, Democrats are poised to shift their party's course — and the country's.

They're turning to the left — deeply against the war in Iraq, ready to use tax policy to take from the rich and give to the poor and middle class, and growing hungry, after years of centrist politics, for big-government solutions, such as a health-care overhaul, to steer the nation through a time of sweeping economic change.

They are, in short, more liberal than at any time in a generation and eager to end the Reagan era, which dominated not just the other party, but also their own, for nearly three decades.

"Every generation . . . there are changes in people's relationship with government," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. This, he said, is such a time.

The shift of the party also reflects a change in much of the population — evidenced in the policy positions advocated by rank-and-file voters as well as the party's presumptive presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

"Government SHOULD do more, especially when you're spending tens of billions of dollars in Iraq protecting the interests of millionaires," said Rebecca Washington, a Democrat and an accountant from Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/50009.html

[annabanana]

1. McClatchy,

One of the last remaining homes for real journalists!

[babylonsister]

3. Yes and no; they're pretty opinionated, and not always with my

opinion. But they do cover a host of topics that others don't.

[givemebackmycountry]

2. 30 YEARS of failed policy, and I have had to endure every single one of them...

I've been one of the lucky ones... I have had one job for 21 of those years.
I'm hoping to make it through this year now.

I can't wait until we throw the last shovel of dirt on the grave of the Reagan Revolution, the Reagan "era".
When the dirt is finally packed down, I plan on taking a huge piss on it's filthy fucking grave.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. YES!!!

Ahem. Sorry for that little shout in the headline.

What I meant to say was

YES!

[babylonsister]

6. Great, huh? When was the last time we saw a headline like that? nt

[Cirque du So-What]

5. That is indeed good news

On a related note, here's a link to an article appearing on the CBS News site via The Nation, written by Robert L. Borosage and Katrina vanden Heuvel:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/22/opinion/main4375026.shtml#ccmm

Here's hoping our voices get heard in Denver next week!

[Merlot]

7. A lot of people hold liberal beliefs - they just don't know it

Because the media has demonized the word. And possibly Dems haven't taken a strong stand.

My (former) SO used to be a repub, then changed to independent and voted for Kerry. Probably deep down still considers being repub. But funny thing is, we agreed on more than we disagreed on. Environment, right to choose, religion out of gov't, helping out small busines as opposed to big corporations. Except for the traditional repub ranting and raving about "big gov't" I really couldn't see where the repub part came from.

Maybe that mystery explaines the part about being "former SO." ; )

[fascisthunter]

8. America out of Necessity, Will Become Much more Progressive

just as FDR did once before.... it seems to be a natural reaction to non-populist agendas that have reigned over DC for thirty years or so....

[babylonsister]

9. .