I am not sure the Democrats are ruled by much ideology anymore. Maybe a few, but not many. Their reality is power, and they do whatever it takes to retain it, or acquire it, even if it means compromising on the ideas they have. And they don't play fair, which is something the GOP hasn't been great at dealing with effectively in past, but is getting much better, thanks in part to President Bush.
We all suffer the Democrats. The LP does not contribute to any suffering, as far as I'm concerned. They are interesting to debate and listen to, but the party can't seem to recruit enough active participants to do anything. As far as having any influence in politics or public agenda, they're irrelevant. It's a two-party system, and I don't see that changing soon.
See ya.
Of course the LP can't elect a dog catcher, but don't so quickly dismiss its championed moral-liberalism underpinning which is rotting away our society. A nation of personally-corrupted citizens can expect little by way of securing a non-corrupt government.