The biggest problem with the Democratic growth in the last four years has been that it was driven by reaction to Bush rather than a preference for progressive values and the Democratic Party as a whole.
The biggest problem with the Democratic growth in the last four years has been that it was driven by reaction to Bush rather than a preference for progressive values and the Democratic Party as a whole. It would be hard to argue that the gains we have made in the south and west, once robust conservative strongholds, have been made because Democrats offered better options and not because the vulgar positions the GOP under Bush's guidance has consistently taken. It is of course the natural tendency for people to switch parties and move towards the Democrats when the Republicans lose touch with the American consciousness and the reverse is clearly true as well. That is just politics. It is that weakness that I am trying to address. I too was driven to party loyalty by Bush. I used to be an independent and prior to 2002 I didn't think Bush was as bad as I now do. That isn't to say I was a supporter at all but I just didn't feel with the passion I do now that he is totally wrong at all times. Whether some of those feelings have changed because of my involvement with group think with in the party or rational considerations after meditating on the cause and effect of Bush policies I am ashamed to say that group think probably played a bigger part, though careful meditations have come afterwards and so have reconciliations between the two positions.
The difference between myself and others pushed into the party by Bush comes from the fact that I now and will probably always after identify as a Democrat. I believe in this party. This comes from the party being my bread and butter for four years prior to joining the Navy and an overall commitment to progressive causes that will only be realized through the efforts of Democratic candidates and legislative policies. The rest of us that don't fit that mold or any other that has truly engendered the party to us are prone to fits of surrender anytime the Party doesn't do exactly what we say. Which of course has been a problem with the Party for twenty years with the various interest groups that have been vying for control most notably the Green Party defection in 2000. But it is an ever bigger problem now more than ever when a lot of supporters place loyalty to their own bitterness, anger and frustration over the only logical alternative to see their goals realized. They came in furious with the establishment only to realize that we are a part of the establishment. It was a naive assumption that I only realized last night I was prone too. However I too realize the reality of the situation. I also see the inherent hypocrisy in that as Meteor Blades put it:
"Amazing how people who talk about standing tough and fighting back surrender so easily."
So today I urge all of us who are frustrated and furious and ready to leave the party over this to consider this instead. If you give money become more selective, give to the DNC and appropriate candidates but not a cent to the DSCC or DCCC until this war is over. If you are an activist remain with us and find primary challengers who will fight for your values or hell become one of those challengers. This is a lost battle in a long war. I have my scars, a lot of them, I worked for the Dems in Utah for Christ's sake. But every time we have a success those scars, those days and even weeks of depression and frustration and disillusion all seems worth it. So walk the walk that you talk and stand tough and keep fighting. This Party is ours to lose.