Seeking one honest liberal or greenie who thinks the Democrat leadership sucks.

[WriterDom]

This (DNC) Chairman Terry McAuliffe comes across as an anal love child between Gary Conduit and Bill Clinton. Tom Daschle doesn't have a clue, and will be luckly if S.D. doesn't send him packing. I do like Gephardt, but disagree with his policies.

I share many liberal views and don't really want the repulicans to have the entire piece of the pie. I don't blame you for running Gore because you really didn't have another choice. But I do see you on a sinking ship. I think you should clean house before the 2002 elections.

 

[Weevil]

Hey, look no further. I've said many a time that the dems are fundamentally useless but I'm not the kind of left wing nut that can't see that 90% useless and 100% useless are different things. It's why I still like them better then the Repubs.

As to your point about Gore my frustration with both parties concerning the 2000 election is that they both seemed as eager as they could be in their frantic running away from a decent candidate. The problem with the Dems is that they were so obsessed with Gore being a "safe win" choice that they couldn't see that he was also a "no win" candidate.

 

[WriterDom]

Thanks. I guess you are the only honest one. Or the others are happy.

 

[seXieleXie]

i think the democratic leadership sucks.... but i'm a libertarian so i don't think my opinion counts

 

[lovetoread]

I agree with you that alot of them suck,with the exception of Tom Daschle,I like the way he is.

But having people who suck is the fault of the democrats who have the power to put good people in those positions.

If my voice meant anything,Gore would be in the White House and life would be all nice and rosy for everyone now.

 

[alltherage]

There are very very few true liberals in politics at this point. That has been the case for years. Political debate now takes place on the margins of the center where most politicians live. Important issues that could truely change the political power structures in this country never see the light of day. Campaign finance reform, and health care reform are two issues which the great middle has swallowed and morphed. I read somewhere recently that an increase of 3 miles per gallon in fuel efficientcy per new auto would ellimiate our need to import oil. Of course that would impact the car companies, the oil companies, and god knows what all. Instead of challenging the car and oil companies we argue over a relatively valueless puddle of oil in the artic refuge.

The problem with the democratic party is that they do not value change. The put winning elections over and above all other consideration. The republican party is no better. I would love to see someone stake out a firm position that was rational. Even if i disagreed with their view at least I could fathom what it is.

 

[ksmybuttons]

I am waiting...

I am thankful many times for the size of government. Right now is one of them. Inertia can be a good thing when there are no truly charismatic, level headed leaders.

I hope the republicans don't muck around too much before that person arrives.

 

[pdx39]

Why don't Democrats walk their talk?

I see a lot of items on the platform for the Oregon Democratic party that I like. The ideas of Progressive income taxes, public financing of elections, Universal health care, industrial hemp, living wages, equal rights, and environmental protection all appeal to me. The problem I have is that I don't see these things happening at either the State or Federal level when the Democrats are in charge.

Bill Clinton ran in 1992 with Universal Health Care, campaign finance reform, and progressive taxes as part of his platform. He had eight years in office and couldn't live up to making any of this agenda into a reality. During this time, the amount of uninsured Americans increased to 46 million, the number of special interest lobbyists in Washington DC more than quadrupled, and I'm paying more in taxes on my lower middle class income than the Microsoft corporation does on their multi-million dollar profits.

My home State of Oregon is facing a 800 million dollar deficit, yet our two term Democratic Governor is doing nothing to change an antiquated state income tax system that has me paying a 36% higher rate then Nike, Intel, Shilo, and Wells Fargo pays. He is maintaining a system that puts me and millionaires like Scottie Pippin and Paul Allen into the same income tax rate bracket. He is pushing for budget cuts in education, environmental protection, and social services instead.

I have lost almost all faith in the two major parties to represent the best interests of the American people. I currently see both of them as lapdogs of the corporations who are funding the elections of Democrats and Republicans alike.

 

[Moridin187]

Re: Why don't Democrats walk their talk?

I have lost almost all faith in the two major parties to represent the best interests of the American people. I currently see both of them as lapdogs of the corporations who are funding the elections of Democrats and Republicans alike.

You've got the right of it pdx...

I'm not exactly democrat, but I am Very liberal.. These "democrats" disgust me.. I've always thought of the left side as the ones who were supposed to constantly be pressing to move forward, onward and upward. I see neither party doing much in this way. Instead they're merely trying to keep the status quo while maintaining their jobs.

Enough fat cats. We need a new generation of politicians, whether they're lefties or righties.. For christ's sake WE NEED TO GET SOMETHING DONE!

And I'm not talking about something in pakistan, or any immediate issue like that, I'm talking about overall progressive changes. A government must constantly evolve to meet the needs of its people, I don't see ours doing that.

 

[p_p_man]

I think they've been next to useless..

as an effective opposition.

They're letting the Republicans get away with murder (sometimes literally) by default.

And WriterDom I've always found that the Left have always been ready to criticise the political party they follow. That's part and parcel of being a Socialist.

There was no need to single out only honest ones to reply to your post. We're all honest when it comes to politics.

Now if you asked for any honest Republican supporter to criticise their party you would be more accurate in the use of the word 'honest'.

But I doubt if one would come forward. The Right is like that. Indoctrinated, blinkered, sheep...

 

[cellis]

As a long time liberal and democrate, I am one who is deeply concerned about the lack of leadership in the democratic party... alltherage has it right... every debate revolves around the center of if the issues... There are so many things that need to be fixed in this country and not one of the liberals is willing to make it a party issue and fight... Health care has to be one of the number one issues that has to change for all people in this country... and the other is campaign financing that has to be reformed... when the truth comes out about the Enron debacle there will be heads that should roll and those politicans, including the current president will get off free or a slight slap on the hand... sad sad sad... no leadership at all... and don't get me started on the constitution... that is a whole other area...

 

[RhumbRunner13]

A moderate Conservative noses in.

PDX and Moridin,

Not to highjack the thread here but pdx said, and M seemed to agree,
“I have lost almost all faith in the two major parties to represent the best interests of the American people. I currently see both of them as lapdogs of the corporations who are funding the elections of Democrats and Republicans alike”.

Last I’ve seen of the election process in the US, neither MS, Intel, GM, P&G, Enron nor et al gets even one vote. As to their funding candidates into office, you seem to be implying that the American voter is so stupid that a slick ad could influence a vote! Are you serious? Don’t we ALL way the issues and vote our conscience? I did notice that you failed to mention, among those corrupters of the process, the Unions who levy uncontrolled dues upon members to spend without regard to the political choice of the members!

I hope you read that as though I have my “tongue in cheek”. I know you support and want most of the liberal programs introduced by mostly Dems but some Repubs.
Please understand, and have a little patience with most of us Conservatives out here who believe that every individual in this country has the ultimate responsibility to provide himself and his family the necessities of life. To simplify, he must provide shelter, food, education and health to himself and his family. Yes, there are those that a benevolent society should find room for, those incapable of providing for their care, catastrophic injuries from any cause and I’m sure other good examples.

I do not want a “cradle to grave” society. I believe it diminishes the human spirit and stifles progress, rather than the opposite. Yes, you have a right to bemoan the fact that your agenda is not totally implemented, but only to the extent that I bemoan that too much of it has already begun to weaken our society and nation.

RhumbRunner

 

[p_p_man]

Re: A moderate Conservative noses in.

I do not want a “cradle to grave” society. I believe it diminishes the human spirit and stifles progress, rather than the opposite.

That's funny, I haven't noticed that in Europe.

 

[RhumbRunner13]

Euro-land.

"That's funny, I haven't noticed that in Europe."

And to which world power would you be referring?
At least one that we have'nt "pulled their bacon from the fat" ?

It's easy for Euro-land to provide free pot and sex change operations, when they don't have provide a standing Army to protect their sorry asses!

RhumbRunner

 

[Unclebill]

Re: Why don't Democrats walk their talk?

Originally posted by pdx39
. . . The ideas of Progressive income taxes, public financing of elections, Universal health care, industrial hemp, living wages, equal rights, and environmental protection all appeal to me. The problem I have is that I don't see these things happening at either the State or Federal level when the Democrats are in charge.

Bill Clinton ran in 1992 with Universal Health Care, campaign finance reform, and progressive taxes as part of his platform. . .

Well, you didn't copy and paste from the Communist Manifesto. I can tell because you omitted the inheritance tax and added the hemp. And to expect Clinton to honor anything he ever said is better than Disney.

Originally posted by RhumbRunner13
I do not want a "cradle to grave" society. I believe it diminishes the human spirit and stifles progress, rather than the opposite. Yes, you have a right to bemoan the fact that your agenda is not totally implemented, but only to the extent that I bemoan that too much of it has already begun to weaken our society and nation.

And this nation was founded to NOT be that. And what I find appalling is that all these people who are so enamored of collectivism, while they have it available all over the world, don't have the courage of their convictions to emigrate to a place where it already exists. Rather, they are intent on enslaving those of us who want to be left alone in our freedom and prosperity. They are single-mindedly determined NOT to learn from history.

 

[Sir Alex 4 U]

Re: Why don't Democrats walk their talk?

I see a lot of items on the platform for the Oregon Democratic party that I like. The ideas of Progressive income taxes, public financing of elections, Universal health care, industrial hemp, living wages, equal rights, and environmental protection all appeal to me. The problem I have is that I don't see these things happening at either the State or Federal level when the Democrats are in charge.

Bill Clinton ran in 1992 with Universal Health Care, campaign finance reform, and progressive taxes as part of his platform. He had eight years in office and couldn't live up to making any of this agenda into a reality. During this time, the amount of uninsured Americans increased to 46 million, the number of special interest lobbyists in Washington DC more than quadrupled, and I'm paying more in taxes on my lower middle class income than the Microsoft corporation does on their multi-million dollar profits.

My home State of Oregon is facing a 800 million dollar deficit, yet our two term Democratic Governor is doing nothing to change an antiquated state income tax system that has me paying a 36% higher rate then Nike, Intel, Shilo, and Wells Fargo pays. He is maintaining a system that puts me and millionaires like Scottie Pippin and Paul Allen into the same income tax rate bracket. He is pushing for budget cuts in education, environmental protection, and social services instead.

I have lost almost all faith in the two major parties to represent the best interests of the American people. I currently see both of them as lapdogs of the corporations who are funding the elections of Democrats and Republicans alike.

I agree with many of the points you make. It's not just Oregon that has problems. Unfortunately, as a republican, most Dems dismiss my opinions without ever listening to them.

For both parties I believe that term limits would be a good beginning to reforming our government in a more positive way. We have term limits on the president. Why not on Congress as well? I find it astounding that some of our Congressmen have been in office in excess of 30, and some near 50, years. How can they possibly be in touch with their constituents when they have spent the all of their time and effort on continuos reelection campaigning? Time to get rid of the dead wood, both Dems and Republicans. Move in people with a respect for what's best for their stats and our country!

Personal political beliefs aside, I really don't think that the average American has much faith in our government being able to solve ANY problems!

I also believe that what were traditionally Conservative Republicans are much different from what was traditionally Liberal Democrats. Nearly everyone I know, aside from extremists in both parties, wants the same things from our government!

Time to make a change, institute Term Limits!

 

[Sir Alex 4 U]

Re: Euro-land.

"That's funny, I haven't noticed that in Europe."

And to which world power would you be referring?
At least one that we have'nt "pulled their bacon from the fat" ?

It's easy for Euro-land to provide free pot and sex change operations, when they don't have provide a standing Army to protect their sorry asses!

RhumbRunner

I know who John Gault is, and Ayn Rand would be proud that her writing had such an effect on her addopted country!

 

[Spinaroonie]

Tom Daschle doesn't have a clue, and will be luckly if S.D. doesn't send him packing.

Hey, things would be better if I ran them, but I don't have that power... yet