Michael Moore had it right: Real Democratic Party.

[nicky187]

A while back, MM wrote an article/book chapter about how there weren't that many real Democrats left. Given Joe LIEberman, I think he's on to something. Why not just give the Blue Dogs to the GOP, where they belong, and whatever other corporatist sellouts who want to go along with them, and whoever is left and the rest of the interested disenfranchised can form the Real Democratic Party.

In seriousness, what would it take to form a serious progressive political party (headed with someone like Sanders, Kucinich, Grayson, et al.) as a challenge to the Status Quo?

(If this is too similar to past posts, sorry. Forgive my n00bness.)

[Larkspur]

1. It would be better if progresstives took over the Dem Party

and change it from the inside.

[AndrewP]

5. That's what I think too. That's the way to do it.

[anonymous171]

8. Yep. And they could do that by challenging conservative dems.

[mkultra]

16. to what, an Indian leg wrestling winner take all event?

with the losers being required to vote how told?

[chandler2]

2. how about NEW Democratic Party? nt

[rudy23]

6. The DLC already has the trademark on "New Democrat"

I think we need to tell our low-info voting friends about the DLC/New Democrats until they're household terms. Nobody likes a backstabber.

[anonymous171]

3. What would it take? Balls and money. nt

[AllentownJake]

4. It has been like this forever

For every JFK or LBJ you have a Strum Thurmond. Throughout the history of the party there is some asshole, who has two feet firmly planted in the past, trying to keep the party there.

[polichick]

7. "Serious progressive political party" is a good way to put it...

...and I like those names you list. We do have some great progressive leaders and this could be a great party if we could get rid of corporate sell-outs.

Almost every Dem I know is talking about the issue you bring up - should we stick with the party and reform it, or start fresh. It's hard to know at this point. It would take collective will, money and a very special candidate (I know; we thought we had all that.)

[OHdem10]

9. Form a Progressive Movement led by Sanders, Grayson Kucinich

et al. Weiner is good also.

Movements if organized and focused(not each person with his/her
own pet issue)on a set of beliefs and principles--they can be
most effective and have influence on both parties.

THE RR comes to mind. I do not agree with their focus and beliefs
but no one can say they are ineffective. The keep the Republican
Party too far to the right but that is their effectiveness.

Look at the Dems like Nelson doing their bidding on the Abortion
issue.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. There already is a Progressive Caucus

Those of us who are lucky enough to have a Congresscritter in it should urge our Reps to create a united platform and push it at every opportunity and perhaps to campaign on behalf of progressive challengers.

[OHdem10]

12. I mean Activists unite and form a political movement with Liberal

Philosophy and beliefs. Become just as strong on the Left
as RR became on the right.


this will give you more power than you want.

[nicky187]

24. *high fives you*

Thanks.

[nicky187]

11. Concur with all of you.

I suppose this would have to be like any popular front, or insurgency effort. Start with the grass roots, at the local and County level, and start controlling those resources.

If the Chinese, Vietnamese, Afghanis, French, and American colonists could do it, I suppose we can do it again, if we're in this for the long haul.

Thank you for any and all thoughts you have on this issue.

[WeDidIt]

13. Because the middle determines the outcome of elections

If you're not willing to compromise, you should stay out of politics.

[nicky187]

14. Can you think of a case ...

... when compromise is wrong?

In the present instance, when the legislative is so broken that majority population supported legislation cannot be passed, I think that compromise just isn't working.

This time, I think that progressives have to get out and start taking over local/County/State offices and Party machinery. Then, if you have superior numbers and "firepower," outcomes would be different.

[WeDidIt]

15. Under our system, compromise is required in all legislation

Don't like that? Move somewhere else. That's how it works here.

Progressives will NEVER amount to a majority in this country.

NEVER.

It's basic human nature that you have a wide spectrum, politically. You form coalitioins and accept compromise.

That's how it works. Assholes that demand their way or the highway can march on down that highway.

[nicky187]

21. We'll have to agree to disagree...

... since that's how things work.

Check the difference between "teleology" http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/phil/blfaq_phileth_teleo.htm and "deontology" http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-deontological/

Some things aren't really subject to compromise, like your above statements, presented in an absolutist format.

Compromise that, or march on down your own fucking highway, dude.

[liberal_at_heart]

20. That would be nice if it really worked that way

The truth is the conservatives have refused to compromise for almost a decade now. How many republicans have supported a public option for healthcare? They dig their heels in and the democrats are the ones who always have to compromise. They have pulled on the democrats for so long now that the democrats lean to the right. We need more balance. During the Bush years they never asked the democrats for input on legislation. They either got what they wanted or they had Bush/Cheney write an executive order to give them what they wanted. They were never worried about getting 60 votes. They didn't care if they got 60 votes.

[nicky187]

26. I do not believe ...

... that you should compromise with those who want to do evil.

[county worker]

17. It takes a nation disposed to progressivism. I don't hear as much noise from progressives as I do

from the right. I am hearing more about climate deniers than I am about the climate meetings. Only on progressive radio do I hear from those attending the meetings and the progressive radio is not heard by many. Yet the right wing noise machine will be blasting 24/7 all week. You need to get as loud and in your face as they are, no you need to be louder and more in your face.

[Larkspur]

28. The Right invested in Faux News and talk radio to get its message out

That's why people hear them.

Progressives don't have 600 radio stations airing their viewpoints.

[rollingrock]

18. I think Moore is dreaming

if he thinks the democratic party has any chance of being taken over by progressives.
the 80% of corporatcrat party members who run things in the party with an iron fist will never allow that to happen.

[nicky187]

23. That was the point...

... he was trying to make. Leave the corporatists behind, and form a new party.

[rollingrock]

25. How on earth do you that?

that is my point.

Answer: you can't, because the corporatists run the show and they make up the majority of the dem party, and that is true today more than ever. the progressives are a minority who have virtually zero power to accomplish anything except go along with the DLC agenda.

[Deja Q]

19. Well, if he were one, he'd do instead of telling everybody what to do - for him.

He's probably laughing with the lions he was said he'd be thrown at...



Sorry, he's the left-wing version of Rush Limbaugh. Michael's left-wing, Rush is right-wing, and both are chicken.

[nicky187]

22. In what regard ...

... are both "chicken"? Please elaborate.

[HuckleB]

27. "Real."

Get real.

[cynatnite]

29. Dem party is not perfect, but it's a damn better than the repukes...

Dem party is a big tent which is what I like.

The repukes have a litmus test even Raygun couldn't pass. They expect everyone to fall in line and walk in lockstep. If you don't fall in place, they will kick you out like an old pair of shoes.

Sorry, Michael Moore...I love you and I love the Dems for being diversified in both opinions and ideas.