"WASHINGTON -- After long defining itself as an undisputed defender of abortion rights, the Democratic Party is suddenly locked in an internal struggle over whether to redefine its position to appeal to a broader array of voters." LA Times
The
article goes on to say that Tim Roemer, in the running as the new DNC leader, is for this change. They feel that perhaps supporting the ban on late term abortions, a requirement for minors to notify parents will help the DNCs position. He also questions the DNC giving to the pro-choice lobby. What is the difference in giving in to the pro-choice lobby and in giving in to the anti-choice lobby?
When did the DNC become republican-lite? Many of us have defended and supported this party with money and time. We have been fierce in our loyalty even though we have been critical of some of the choices made by DNC leadership. Now to have them consider turning their backs on the ones that fought the hardest for them is inconceivable to me.
I'm sorry, but I can't see a happy medium here. By questioning the long held stance on abortion rights they are gradually losing the grip on the separation of church and state. I don't think this is an acceptable sacrifice just to gain a few moderate voters. The religious right is slowly deliberately chipping away at the foundations of the constitution. The dismantling of the first amendment, how Jefferson originally intended, is happening before our eyes. So does the DNC fight this? No, they decide to saddle up alongside them in a sort of silent dissent.
Why can't they promote abstinence, adoption and education without supporting the interference in people's private lives? Why can't the DNC be more progressive, more pro-active without being more republican? I am a pro-choice, pro-environment, anti-war, pro-1st amendment, pro-mind your own business and take responsibilities for your own actions and stop trying to make up for your failings by forcing me to believe in your god, pagan, woman. The DNC needs to accept that they are the party of everybody else right now.
Why not focus on the 10s of millions of people who didn't vote? Why didn't they vote? Are they that disillusioned? (I can see why) Let's educate them about politics, their right to vote, their candidates, issues they care about. I don't know what else except anything other than leaning to the right. How about standing up for life, liberty..etc. The religious right never caves. They never accept that anyone other than themselves know what is true and that works for them. Liberals question ourselves and others, we doubt, see both sides and change our minds and religious righters are winning right now.
However, I would rather be open-minded and tolerant and suffer the occasional loss than to move more to the right. It's not the beliefs I object to. They have the right to believe whatever suits them. They even have the right to try and convince me of their beliefs. But it's when they try to legislate those beliefs I object. That's what I feel makes or should make Dems different from the religious right. I think real tolerance is not what you believe about others but how you inflict your beliefs on others.
Somehow, someway the DNC needs to get this across without sacrificing its own beliefs. Somehow get across to the moderates that by not having the ten commandments in a court room means everyone is represented and nobody is excluded. Because this is a country of immigrants from all religions who came together in the name of freedom not god. But by not mentioning any one god in the Constitution means all religions matter. By staying neutral we all matter and the important issues like poverty, war, illness, environment and the economy can be focused on. These issues do not know the bounds of religion they affect all people from all backgrounds and require that we all work towards a common goal.. peace. To divide the country in the name of religion is one of the most singularly selfish acts I have ever seen. Religion and abortion are personal issues between that person, the doctor and, if they have one, their god, not government, not the church and certainly not some stranger who feels they have the moral high ground so they can dictate another person's fate.
It seems so simple and plain to me, though I know it's not. I know it's cheesy but why can't we all just get along? This is my first diary. Hopefully it's acceptable and not too preachy, whiny and useless.