What DO Modern Democrats Believe??

Self | 7/15/04 | KosmicKitty

[KosmicKitty]

Fellow Freepers, we need your help!

My husband, Cypherdog, and I are in a quandary which we are sure affects other Freepers as well. My husband's father and his uncle are lifelong democrats, but lately, they seem to be getting, well, just plain crazy. Uncle is going as far as to work for Kerry's campaign in Colorado and my FIL has several of Krugman articles about Joe Wilson posted on his web site. We have both sent them articles about how Joe Wilson lied, but their response has been "Please, no more of this oddly reasoned stuff. " Oddly reasoned?? How is the fact that Wilson lied oddly reasoned??

Anyway, these really are decent , honest, hard working men who love their families and whom we love very much. But DH and I can't figure out how to persuade them that they are, well, just wrong about a lot of their beliefs. And these men live in Colorado and Nebraska. Isn't this suppose to be the Heartlands and Bush country?

My theory is that they came of age during the 60's and still believe all that JFK "Ask not what your country can do for you.." stuff. I can understand old time, liberals/democrats as the party of the common man. But the democrat party of today seems far, far removed from what is was then. The problem is, what does the modern day democratic party believe? We can't figure it out. It seems that all they believe is that anyone but GWB would be a better president, but beyond that - Is there anything there??

Please, can anyone tell us what are the beliefs of the 2004 democratic party?

[KosmicKitty]

I'm sure that we're not the only Freepers with friends and family who need gentle persuasion to change their ways.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[HitmanLV]

Double K,

I covered this type of issue in my post yesterday. I can send you the link - it primarily covered liberal friends and not family.

Esentially, I say cut them off. Don't try to convince them of anything. Their words and opinions have meaning. They can't feel free to call our side every name in the book - including sinister and horrible things - and expect to benefit from their relationships with us.

Wish them luck and keep contact to a minumum.

[js1138]

This is not subject to reason. You can try to get a point in edgewise, but you will never win in a frontal assault.

[NavySEAL F-16]

I think that life long democrats cannot face the fact that the party they believed in is no more. It's hard for people to admit that they've been wrong even though the platform of the party is nothing like it was 40-50 years ago.

[StriperSniper]

What DO Modern Democrats Believe??

Karl Marx and Frederick Engels

Manifesto
of the Communist Party

1848

LINK

[Conspiracy Guy]

Please, can anyone tell us what are the beliefs of the 2004 democratic party?

1. Life begins at conception. The right to end life begins at that same time.

2. Beat Bush no matter how much you have to lie.

3. Be for something until it is best to be against it.

4. Whoopi Goldberg is the heart and soul of America.

I think that about covers it.

[Always Right]

They obviously believe that Bush is evil and no amount of reasoning is going to change that. Anyone who takes what Krugman says as gospel is probably a lost cause for this election. It is amazing that people are swayed by liars like Krugman and Moore, but there's one born every minute. If you believe Iraq was a happy little country full of little kids flying kites and minding their own business, you will believe absolutely anything.

[Mike Bates]

Please, can anyone tell us what are the beliefs of the 2004 democratic party?

[South40]

What DO Modern Democrats Believe??

They believe the DemocRATic Party should be on the other end of this chain.

[Sloth]

Anyway, these really are decent , honest, hard working men who love their families and whom we love very much.

No, they're not. They may be hard-working, but people who act as you describe are neither honest nor decent.

[Senator_Blutarski]

Ted Kennedy - I believe its time for a drink.

[Non-Sequitur]

As sson as I can figure out what modern Republicans believe I'll let you know. I need a basis for comparison first.

[colorado tanker]

People like that are reliving their adolescence, their days of rebellion against parental figures, demonstrating against the "establishment" and Nixon, youthful excess, no responsibilities. They are reliving that through their hatred of Bush and opposition to the Iraq War.

Because most of them are well educated and successful, they think they have the better reasoned position, but they don't. It's all emotional. It makes no rational sense. Don't expect it to. Unless and until those aging boomers finally decide to grow up, which they have stubbornly refused to do for the last forty years, they won't change.

[stylin_geek]

The late William Shirer (he wrote the "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich and was a reporter in Germany just prior to WWII) recounted how he would talk to a "seemingly well educated German" about events in the outside world, based on articles he read in papers that were not generally available to ordinary Germans. The German he would be speaking to only had access to state controlled news, and would look at Mr. Shirer like he had just dropped in from another planet. At this point, Mr. Shirer says he would just shut up and walk away.

William Shirer also talks about how one cannot understand how much of an impression the constant misinformation makes on you until you lived in a totalitarian society.

I always remember this in regards to what the MSM spews forth. Doesn't matter what media outlet, they all lead off with the same intellectually dishonest swill.

In fact, if you check almost all papers, you will see most of the articles they print come from either AP or the NY Times.

Which brings me to your problem. It sounds as if you've already encountered a version of what I mention. I'm not sure you can do much but avoid political discusion.

Remember, there is none so blind as those who will not see.

[j_tull]

Nicely summarized!

[Conspiracy Guy]

Did I miss anything of importance?

[suzyq5558]

No your not alone but as for the gentle persuasion!? you would need a sledge hammer to use on my in-laws for Pete sakes. as Ive stated here before they are avowed socialists have stated this to my hubby and i on many occasions. this whole year has been very tense between all of us. I believe they are completely irrational and will be on the edge of lunacy by Nov. there is just no talking or gentle persuasion with some folks even those in the heartland. I wish you luck:)

[Names Ash Housewares]

Excellent Post! Ive been thinking about this too. They are our fellow Americans. We must not ever give up trying to understand and convince them, and it can be very hard sometimes when hurtful things are said to be patient and cool. It can be very confusing how otherwise good people can be so screwed up politically. I appreciate a two party system, I appreciate, ugh, Im going to say it "a reasonable democrat", some may argue none exist these days! LOL. We always need questioning of those in power. Our country deserves the best from both parties. But your right, lately the democrats have been going out of their gourds! bordering on pathological hatred. I think that some have been democrat so long its too late to turn back or consider anything else. They will NEVER change because of anything "the enemy" will ever say. People have to come to the conclusions themselves in more subtle ways. How this is done? Please anyone who knows let us know! I have personally seen several people close to me come over to conservative thinking. It took YEARS and my patient friendship and obviously my sweet personality. Dont get me wrong though, FIGHT the hardcore left in public debates! Others folks undecided WILL and CAN be swayed by logical conservative arguement. There are probably as many reasons why someone holds certain political leanings as there are voters. Someone a lot smarter then me might have some ideas why. Perhaps it has something to do with how emotional one is? Actors tend to be liberal. Those who can call up emotions and be artistic tend to lean left. Why? So complex.

Hail to the King Baby.

Hail to the King Baby.

[bert]

I would argue that they are no longer Democrats but just don't know it.

The atomic bomb will be exploded at the Republican convention when Zell Miller speaks.

After he speaks many Democrats are going to feel very bad as they come to grips with the fact they are no longer Democrats. People with out a party.