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Oh. That's Why I'm A Democrat.
I first registered to vote in 1996, the year after I turned 18. My decision was not based on ideology, but rather my preference for the sitting president, Bill Clinton. I liked President Clinton, figuring that the guy who was doing a good job on the economy and keeping the world from falling apart was worth a try.
Since then I've become more educated on the history of the two parties and how they became the organizations we see today. Neither party has a spotless record on a whole host of issues, and up until today I would be the last person to say the Democratic party is a perfect party. I disagree with a few of the party's positions, and I find it to be too cosy with Hollywood on issues like copyright and so-called piracy protection.
But the last two weeks reminded me of why the choice I made twelve years ago was the right choice. The two conventions should tell America all it needs to know about the Democratic and Republican parties just as the last eight years have shown us.
The Democratic party, for better or worse, believes in a Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart view of the world. It says time and time again that through our collective might we can improve the nation, and as a byproduct the world. It is optimistic to the point of being almost corny. The party looks as the world as it is, and says "Gosh darn it everyone, let's roll up our sleeves and clean up this mess." It is no coincidence that the current leader of the party, Barack Obama, is the sort of guy you can imagine saying "by golly" and not in an ironic way.
By contrast to the Democratic sunshine, the Republican party is night. Their view of the world is one in which everything is just a shade of negative, and that is the cold heart underlying the cynicism of speakers like Sarah Palin, Rudy Giuliani, and Mitt Romney. They see a world of despair and depression and they wallow in it. The Republican party and the conservative movement that supports it is all about being the snarky guy in the corner playing the angles and making a buck off the foibles and failures of others. For a few it promises the spoils of war - both ideological and real war - but for the rest it just offers a way of wallowing in darkness without any optimistic movement towards a better day.
That reminded me, of just why I am a Democrat. As imperfect and disorganized as they may be, I am a part of a group of people who wants us to move forward to something greater no matter how unattainable perfection may be. Cynicism and nihilism is bad on an individual level and even worse collectively. There are downsides to optimism (regular disappointment is one of them) but it is a far better thing to make a footstep in the positive direction rather than to embrace the darkness and never have hope.
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I have been disappointed in my party, (recently) but I have NEVER wanted to leave it, as I know that Democrats are always on the side of the working person, of goodness, of fairness, of justice, of freedom.... of equal rights for women. You certainly cannot apply those things to the Republican party!! The Republican party represents big companies, corruption, sleaze, lying to get your way, hiding the truth, etc. Republicans are a big disaster for the people of this country, for the enviornment, for wages, for Science, for Veterans, for women, for freedoms, I could go on and on! Obama Biden 08'
I am a Democrat too.
Yes, we can.
From here on out , we must be strong , i would't care if Obama pulled down his pants and mooned mccain at their debates , HELL OR HI WATER I'M VOTING 0BAMA/BIDEN 08.
VIVA LA AMERICA!!!!!
We have to work to ensure that Republican hypocrisy will be defeated this time around!
In order to win, Republicans NEED to lie, or they have nothing else at their disposal.
They will always LIE, CHEAT and STEAL elections. That is the limit of their skills.
Wow! Take another sip of Kool-Aid. Thiis is the most one-sided site I have ever seen.
If the complicit media would report the numerous gaffes and historical errors that Obama has uttered on his campaign stops the American people would see this man for what he is. A political hack that without a teleprompter can’t think on his feet. Just the thing we need in the international arena.
Dan Quail is laughing. Don’t believe it, search you tube for “Obama Gaffes” and McCain Gaffes” .
The anointed one has about 100 more.
He shouldn’t have ANY if he is the genius we have been led to believe. My favorite one is the one where he suggests the treatment for asthma is a “breathalyzer “! Freudian slip?
God help us and shame on the Dems for such a poor choice. The more we learn about this man the more unpalatable the thought of him being POTUS becomes.
Inquisitor, first of all, it's Quayle, not Quail (although he is a bird brain, I will give you that.) Second of all, Obama is an excellent choice, your example of his gaffe not only doesn't make sense, it is a stupid example to try to disqualify Obama from the office of President. Everyone makes gaffes and no one is perfect! Look at McSame McCain, and Alaska Governor Palin, if I need to say more than that then you aren't paying attention! It is you and those like you who are sipping too much kool aid. Obama is smart, Harvard educated, has great ideas and can at least string two sentences together, unlike that idiot Bush! McCain and that witch Palin both lie with every breath that they take. (McCain= McBush) has morphed into the biggest liar EVER, and Palin has told more lies and gaffes that can be counted and she has only been on the National scene for a couple of weeks!!
Obama Biden 08'
I love the Democratic Party, too, but sometimes I feel like our party is the good guy who just can't catch a break. We have the winning message this year, and anyone who really pays attention knows it.
What we lack right now is media control. Pal in and Mc Pain have made some pretty outrageous lies and are sucking low info voters in. The dark fear used at their convention is a powerful force. Remember what the real goal is. Repubs stand for corporate power and corporate control. Mc C and Palin are "maverick reformers", according to the current mythology. But what they are actually really good at is reforming our image of them. The language is Orwellian. Mc is a "maverick" who votes w/ his party 90% of the time. Palin is a "reformer" who "lowered property taxes" but left Wasilla $20 million in debt.
This massive deception, allowed by a press owned by men who profit from war, and a gullible public, is ours to point out. It's not impossible. The facts are there- challenge all media who don't tell the real McC and Pa lin story!
We can have the American dream of peace and prosperity, if we use our voices, our hearts, our minds.
I love, love, love this article! Your story speaks from the heart, tells us why you believe in the candidate, is honest about deficits (which enhances your credibility), and invites others to work for a better future.
"Gosh darn," I'm almost ready to vote for you as VP.
i say we march in every city to put a stop to this MARVERICK BULL SH*T!
ENOUGH!....WE ARE NOT THAT STUPID.
O:
We need to keep this up and contrast McCain's experience with O's 143 days in the senate.
We need to show them how O's legislation has changed America.
We need to show them O's record in Illinois state senate, and al the buildings he constructed in Chicago.
We need to teach people what a community organizer is and what one does.
We need to show people that Rev Wright is the right kind of mentor.
Oh.
Uh oh.
The RNC and Palin seem more interested in railing and venting than vetting. What are they hiding? I am tired of all the RNC rancor and obstructiveness. John McCain caved in and he has become a right wing stooge.
"I am a part of a group of people who wants us to move forward to something greater no matter how unattainable perfection may be"
The irony is that is the heart of Christian belief--striving to attain the perfection that is Jesus Christ, while understanding that human frailty will always make us fall short.
Obama/Biden '08!
Donald Rumsfeld ruined "by golly" for me.
As a Democrat, I would like to see something greater also. Obama call himself the prophet of change and touts his plan to improve the lives of Americans in jobs ,education and living the American dream. My question is this: Is he planning to improve our dysfunctional education system or give us the resources to pay $20,000. per child per year to send our kids to the same school his kids go to.....? Public school isnt good enough for them. The only change I see is transferring them from expensive school in Chicago to expensive school in Washington DC. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.
wayneskirt...are you working on your McSame brownie points???
TODAY:
fivethirtyeight.com
OBAMA: 303.9
Mc:234.1
(best website for most accurate predictions - read the home page on how it's done - and updated daily)
ELECTORAL VOTES IS ALL THAT MATTERS FOLKS! REMEMBER!
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