As we rush to the center over the next two years, can we remember that it is not a sin to be a liberal Democrat?
I know many on this forum are getting tired of analyzing why we took such a beating yesterday. I don't really understand why there are such complaints about thesee discussions. I would think people would want to evaluate exactly what went wrong between 2008 and yesterday. But I accept that most people here are trying to look forward to how we can regain the House and a get a filibuster proof Senate (not to mention re-electing Barack Obama to a second term) in 2012. All worthy goals.
But before we bury our dead on yesterday's battlefield, can we at least make clear one ground rule for the coming discussions over the next year or so? Can we make it some kind of unwritten rule that Democrats will not make fun or attack the liberal wing of our party for standing up for what are the core principles of the Democratic Party? Can we all agree on this one principle:
It is not a sin to be a liberal Democrat.
I understand our party has moved to the center. I doubt any true liberal Democrat will ever become president, at least in my life time. But it should never be viewed as a sin for the left wing of our party to try and tug the mainstream of the party a tad bit left from time to time. And, I think we should stipulate that it is okay for liberal members of Congress, even if they are in safe seats, to raise money. When I read some posts on Daily Kos attacking Congressman Dennis Kucinich for trying to raise money, my heart sank. It is not the first time some here have attacked Congressman Kucinich or other liberals. It makes no sense.
It might be helpful to review exactly what a true liberal Democrat stands for, especially considering that there is going to be a rush to the center over the next two years.
Let's look at where Congressman Dennis Kucinich stands on the issues as a guide post to what constitutes a true liberal Democrat:
On Health Care:
"We are here today to introduce a national health insurance program. Such a program is no longer optional; it's necessary."
On Environment:
"The U.S. must toughen environmental enforcement; support the Kyoto Treaty on global climate change; reduce oil dependence; and spur investment in alternative energy sources, including hydrogen, solar, wind, and ocean."
On Workers' Rights:
"The hopes and dreams of the men and women who sent me to Congress are the stars by which I journey. Whenever there is an organizing campaign, a picket line to walk, jobs to save, working conditions to improve, laws to champion, I'm there. This is my purpose: To stand up and to speak out on behalf of those who have built this country and who want to rebuild this country. This is my passion: To raise up the rights of working people. Workers' rights are the key to protecting our democracy.
Workers' rights embody spiritual principles that sustain families, nourish the soul, and create peace. Worker's rights are human rights."
The Patriot Act
"It's time for our Party to show some backbone. It's time to stand for the repeal of the PATRIOT Act."
Withdrawal from NAFTA and WTO
"The exodus of jobs from our shores and the "race to the bottom" for workers around the world is an obvious result of NAFTA and the WTO, both of which make it impossible to place taxes or tariffs on outsourced work. The search for countries where workers are unrepresented and environmental rules are lax must end. NAFTA, WTO, "Fast Track" legislation, and the Free Trade Area of the Americas must be rejected and replaced with Fair Trade policies in which bilateral trade agreements are negotiated to provide for living wages for workers and environmental safeguards. Canceling NAFTA and the WTO will enable the U.S. to protect high-tech jobs from outsourcing. This, plus careful monitoring of H-1B visa practices, will slow the tide of outsourcing."
http://kucinich.us/...
Let's all get recharged and begin the fight to get our message out to America that the Democratic Party is the party that truly represents the nation's best interests. And, remember, please don't attack the liberal Democrats in the process.