I have little tolerance or patience for and with the Republican Party. That’s no surprise to anyone. But the bitter truth is, I really don’t like the Democrats, either.
Okay, first things first: I can’t even imagine voting for a Republican—for any office. Just not going to happen. However, far too often I’d vote for Democrats only because they’re not Republicans.
Democrats talk a good story, but they don’t deliver for me: They claim to be for gay people, yet there’s still no ENDA, no repeal of DOMA, no immigration equality, nothing but words. The only thing they have going for them is that they’re not Republicans who are, without a shadow of a doubt, far, far worse on all those issues.
I don’t criticise Democrats as much as Republicans simply by default: They’re not AS bad, they’re not AS homophobic as Republicans are—they’re not AS hypocritical as Republicans are—right?
The treatment of now former Representative Anthony Weiner was disgusting. Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer and the rest are, in my opinion, partisan pigs no different than their Republican counterparts (except, of course, Republicans never have to resign in such circumstances). I’ve already talked about this, and have no intention of repeating myself. Instead, I’ll add one thing: Can any of them honestly say that their perceived interest in the Democratic Party wasn’t the only thing they were thinking of? Somehow I doubt it, and that makes them the same as Republicans.
Democrats represent me only mostly because they’re not Republicans, and in America’s frankly screwed-up electoral system, only Republicans or Democrats can win elections. Far too often, Democrats will throw away principle for—well, what, exactly, I can’t say.
What I really want to see is electoral reform in the US so that I can vote for the folks who truly represent me without throwing away my vote. Until that day comes, if ever, I’ll vote for Democrats even if only because on their worst day, they’re a billion times better than Republicans on their best day.
But that’s no base on which to build a democracy.
3 comments:
Dems are wusses. I mean, Weiner didn't even engage in actual SEX. Whereas Bush/Cheney only tortured people; that'll get a pass, won't it.
I was raised north of Boston, MA in a working class family with a long tradition of union membership/union activism and Democratic party membership. Democratic party leaders can't read minds - they need to be continually challenged by progressive members of the party. Self-identified Democrats need to promote issues and candidates that matter to them. Here's something you can do today! Check out the website for Netroots Nation - their conference in Minneapolis is happening this week, closes June 19. Some of their events are streamed. You may find something inspiring.
Roger: Yes, and Republicans had no right to as for Weiner's resignation when they gave their boys free passes.
Mark: You're right, and if conservative voices are all a politician hears, it's what they'll respond to. But it's not like liberals and progressives have been silent.
I think the leadership is steering the party to the right of where it ought to be in an effort to win votes of independents. That makes sense: There aren't enough Democrats to elect a president all by themselves, for example. But part of the strength of the Republicans comes from their dedication to core principles, and even if most Americans think those principles are wrong, they still respond to a party that displays commitment to its ideals.
I don't really need to be inspired as such; I can only vote for president/vice president, US Senator and US Representative, and I'll only vote for Democrats, as I said.
I guess what I'm really saying is that I would like to feel proud of of my vote all the time, or even most of the time, and not just some of the time.
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