As a progressive and a fiscal moderate, I face a real problem of conscience. Do I remain a loyal Democrat or change to Independent or Green Party?
My very first election (in which I could vote) was in 1984 while serving in Germany in the U.S. Air Force, was to vote for Walter Mondale. Being young and proud I joined the conversation with my choice of President. I was painted from that point forward as a Democrat, or as they said at the time; “weak”. Well, needless to say I kept my ground and beliefs to the reach point of my physical defense (little more than a scrum). Since that time I have never missed an election. I have voted Democratic (or Independent), but always for the most progressive candidate. However, being a realist, I often backed Democrats just to make sure a right wing Republican did not win the election. So I have voted many times for lessor of two bad choices. I have lost my progressive roots to check the other party’s power.
I am guilty of political expedience. I have lost my fiscally moderate roots too. What passes for fiscally moderation means today is no longer in the middle, but stands in the conservative realm. Fiscal moderation use to mean true Keynesian economics. In business school, while getting my economic degree, that was the very definition of sound economic policy. Deficits are bad, in the long term. Deficits are good, in the short term. If you are in a recessionary period government must reinvest capital into the economy. Debt should be addressed once the economic growth has been restored. Increasing tax revenue is good if the rate is too low. Large corporations should pay taxes. Raising costs of defense, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid must be addressed in the long term. These core economics have now been redefined as liberal.
Now I feel betrayed once again by my Democratic Party. It has been pulled to the right. The leadership is weak. The President’s rhetoric soars, but his governance (seems to me) to lack true leadership. He should have put a stop to the nonsense of tying the Debt Ceiling to anything. He should have placed a drop dead date for passage of a clean ceiling, backed by threat of the 14th Amendment or Emergency Presidential Power. Granted both paths would have caused a Constitutional crisis. However, with the Supreme Court bending over backwards for presidential power, chances are they would have not have even agreed to hear the case. Even if they did, the House would be faced with impeachment or concede. Finally, he failed to see the Republican Party solidified to the right wing. I will not support the President with my time, effort, or money during the next election. He will probably get my vote (see roots above).
So, do I leave the party that has failed my faith?