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In reply to the discussion: Message to the Left-Wing [View all]1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)131. No. I'm pretty certain I said "progressives ...
Last edited Mon Apr 20, 2015, 11:32 AM - Edit history (1)
are welcome in the Democratic Party but not to "control" it." And the word progressive was in deliberately placed in quotations because that snippet was part of a larger conversation about the characteristics that set DU "progressives" apart from the progressives of the political left.
I'm not sure why a lot of centrists want to consider themselves - or have us consider them - the left ... If you really do think you are left I'm curious what your stances are on NSA spying, TPP, offering up cuts to SS etc...
Because I hold political views/opinions that are left of center ... and therefore, I fall on the Left of the political spectrum.
Now to answer your curiosity:
My position on the NSA: I recognize the importance, and necessity, of the NSA, as a branch of the nation's security apparatus. I believe we must be vigilant to maintain an appropriate balance between the security of the nation (and its peoples) and the freedom rights of the people. And this security requires a measure of "spying" ... I have no problem with the NSA "spying" on other countries, even our "allies"; I have more of a problem when they "spy" on the people of the USA. In general, I am of the opinion that the NSA, on occasion, has over-stepped that balance; but, largely, has gotten it right. I am, also, of the opinion that much of the "concern" in the media is over-blown and the NSA's "spying" doesn't register among my top 10 of priorities.
My position on TPP: I have no opinion of TPP; nor, will I until the final agreement is made public. I have no problem with Fast Track, and even less, now that the deal provides for the 120 and 60 ... that is plenty of time for the public to engage in an INFORMED debate, that will end in an up or down vote. At this point, TPP doesn't rate among my top 1,000,000 of priorities ... though, that will change once the final agreement is made public.
My position on offering up cuts to Social Security: I oppose all cuts to Social Security, and support increases to beneficiaries (though would limit any increases to those earning under the current cap). However, to speak directly to your question, I have no problem with President Obama's offering a CCPI formulation in the debt ceiling/budget battles, as I recognized it (hell, even the republicans recognized it) as a tactic that, given the conditions he placed on the offer, was in no danger of being accepted.
if we're going to discuss these things then the words we are using have to mean something, and have to mean the same thing to everyone. Otherwise the discussion will just go in circles without accomplishing anything.
I agree; now ... do you recognize yourself in this:
Do you find yourself, advocating income equality AND championing sacrificing the poor and working classes (i.e., "Let's go over the fiscal cliff!" ; and/or, advocating income equality AND willing to sacrifice PoC, women, and the LGBT community (i.e., "Income Equality IS the most important issue of our time" ; and/or, advocating a set of policy goals that begins with "IF" (and that "IF" involves a series of unlikely occurrences) AND criticizing Democratic policies (established in the current political environment), as inadequate; but, in their imperfection, do benefit the majority of the poor and working classes (i.e., the ACA, Executive Orders, etc.); and/or, spending the vast majority of your posts (especially during election season), criticizing Democrats, Democratic candidates, and "other" Democrats for supporting Democrats and/or Democratic candidates?
You know, so we can just keep it real and ensure that the words we are using mean something. Each of these positions have been struck by DU "progressives" (including by you); I offer that NONE of the above are progressive, nor do they fall within the mainstream of the Left, let alone the Democratic Party.
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Just want to say that I agree with you regarding the Left building a power base within the Party.
sabrina 1
Apr 2015
#76
'Sticks and stones' but names, well I've been called just about everything since I first began
sabrina 1
Apr 2015
#82
Lol! I don't know where this saying came from, but I think it was Dionne 'there is nothing so
sabrina 1
Apr 2015
#90
All I can say is you are lucky he wasn't the 'shoot first ask questions later' type.
sabrina 1
Apr 2015
#100
In this post and the one following it you both express my beliefs but what you are suggesting takes
jwirr
Apr 2015
#49
Thank you. I am located in MN and on the local level we are still pretty union and FDR Dems. So
jwirr
Apr 2015
#60
Nothing really matters. The 1% have already won. You all just don't know it yet or won't believe it.
L0oniX
Apr 2015
#20
Oh, I believe it. I have no doubt that a 1% candidate will win the Presidency, but they will do it
liberal_at_heart
Apr 2015
#21
from your lips to god's ears. i'm increasingly discouraged; i hope you're right.
ND-Dem
Apr 2015
#35
+100. Speaking for myself alone, anything but vapid cheerleaderism seems often met
ND-Dem
Apr 2015
#34
In 2008, I had to remind myself, off and on, that candidates are not nevessarily a reflection of
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
Apr 2015
#127
I did a lot of volunteer work when my kids were still minors, mostly with the schools
Fumesucker
Apr 2015
#61
Americans like to think they are egalitarian when they are almost anything but that
Fumesucker
Apr 2015
#84
The point I'm making is that the thoughts and concerns of the lower class were never even heard...
Fumesucker
Apr 2015
#111
my experience mirrors yours. the schmoozers put in a minimal amount of actual work &
ND-Dem
Apr 2015
#119
And that is what many on the Left are doing now, across the country. It is exciting actually
sabrina 1
Apr 2015
#91
Based on your own definition of what "the left" is as well, & your own perceptions.
ND-Dem
Apr 2015
#115
With all due respect, you are not "the Left". You said in a post to me days ago that the left
cui bono
Apr 2015
#123
Okay, sorry for the delay. As I mentioned, back at work. Also recovering from strep throat!
cui bono
Apr 2015
#141
Think you ... but you do not get to define whatis or is not left "enough."
1StrongBlackMan
Apr 2015
#142
And she is not a liberal nor a progressive based on the actions of other Dems in history. n/t
cui bono
Apr 2015
#146
You are absolutely right about it being a life long task. The Labor Movement did not happen
liberal_at_heart
Apr 2015
#86
One of my first thoughts after Citozens United was passed in the SC, the GOP probably thought
Thinkingabout
Apr 2015
#54
I have to admit, I am pretty much done with the whole thing. I am no longer a Democrat. That does
liberal_at_heart
Apr 2015
#99
See, why the insults? I just don't get it. Did the Labor Movement want unicorns and rainbows?
liberal_at_heart
Apr 2015
#107
Define "far left". I hear this phrase used so often here; it seems to me a way of dismissing
ND-Dem
Apr 2015
#121
Your mindset is that 'all the world is like a boxing match' so of course you see and thrive on
Bluenorthwest
Apr 2015
#59
You will never start off by yourself to build up enough support to overturn gerrymandering
Rex
Apr 2015
#63
We live in a county of very ignorant people. A country where people will not vote.
YOHABLO
Apr 2015
#87
The last thing I want to do is venture into politics in real life, I've had more than enough of that
Fumesucker
Apr 2015
#114