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Old 09-29-2018, 09:26 AM   #1
Undertoad
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"Built not bought" video is good for Ds

Here is an attempt to set the Democratic Party on the course that it should be on.

https://www.futuremajority.org/

The four-minute video reclaims the Dems as the party of the working class. It sets a positive vision. It rejects inequality, but supports business. It rejects identity politics in an interesting way. It includes the idea of family and the future. It encourages a positive American pride. It embraces aspirations. It includes the military and cops.

It is liberal, but not leftist.

As a pitch, it's way too slick and identifiable as a political ad. That aspect makes me cringe. Otherwise, as a moderate raised in a red area, I find it appealing and this is what I prefer the Ds to represent. Steer away from the muddy Democratic Socialism. Step away from the collectivist ID politics. Celebrate the working class -- which includes so many people with small-c conservative values which are often NOT out of step with small-l liberalism.
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Old 09-29-2018, 09:41 AM   #2
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"I don't care what your politics are," it says. That right there feels revolutionary.
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Old 09-29-2018, 10:09 AM   #3
tw
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"I don't care what your politics are," it says. That right there feels revolutionary.
And yet that is exactly how Congress was in the early 1960s. Democrat and Republican Congressman would even share Christmas parties and summer outings with one another and their families.

What changed? Go out in the back country. Listen to hate constantly dribbled out hour after hour in talk show radio stations.
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Old 09-29-2018, 11:11 AM   #4
captainhook455
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I live in a rural county and up until 6 years ago was Democratic. Now all the good jobs are held by Republicans. WTF is up with that?
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Old 09-29-2018, 11:24 AM   #5
sexobon
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Dems changed. They morphed into the party of political correctness in which a simple majority rules. They put forward the embodiment of that as their candidate in the last Presidential election. As soon as they have the opportunity, they'll go back to being what they've been before. It's not just what they do, it's who they are. UT's linked video is a fantasy piece of propaganda aimed at swinging independents. Why can't we all just get along? Well you can if you join them. They just happen to be Democrats; but, that's not important: they can change! Trust them! Why? Because if you don't, you're not politically correct!

Dems became what they are over generations. Barring a significant emotional event in their lives, it will take generations to get back to where they were. The Future Majority's timing, founded in 2018 (in time for mid-terms); also, their altruistic message reeks of the contemporary Democrats' modus operandi of the end justifies the means.
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Old 09-29-2018, 12:41 PM   #6
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I like the focus and want to be able to trust Democrats. The reason the GOP is so Loony Tunes now is that the Dems have absorbed corporate nonsense instead of being a balance to it. We need two distinguishable parties that don't focus on hate.

Pete decided it was time to engage with the county Democrats. She's breaking bread with them this afternoon. She can let them know that I lean their way but will not be part of something that abandons working people.
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Old 09-29-2018, 04:20 PM   #7
sexobon
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I like the focus and want to be able to trust Democrats. ...
Perhaps you'd like to see it on our currency: In Dem We Trust
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Old 09-29-2018, 06:24 PM   #8
xoxoxoBruce
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The problem with democrats is they claim to be left but after they get elected they move to center. Then when striking a compromise with the right (back when that was possible) the end result always ends up right of center.
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Old 09-29-2018, 07:55 PM   #9
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Then when striking a compromise with the right (back when that was possible) the end result always ends up right of center.
We all saw that when Boehner and Obama, meeting on a golf course, decided to strike a deal to control the massive deficit. That was ongoing until the wacko right got word of it (Biden may have accidentally said something). That was the beginning of the end for Speaker Boehner.
Who Killed the Debt Deal

Wacko right extremists (ie Tea Party) made sure their man Eric Cantor was in all future discussions. Even moderate Republicans (Tom Coburn, Lamar Alexander, the 'gang of six') were brought in to moderate a deal. But extremists only only wanted "my way or the highway".

They even wanted a top tax rate, only for the richest Americans at 35%. to be reduced. And later added demands for massive cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. These extremist did what extremists do. Subvert deals. Rather than run a deficit of $800 billion, the wackos wanted a $3 trillion deficit. Using the well disproven myth that lower spending would increase tax revenues.

Conceding to those spending cuts, Obama even got Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to sign on - no easy task. A complete deal was made. But suddenly Republican right wing extremists threatened to remove Boehner if he made any deal. That deal was completely trashed in only three days. Everyone but right wing extremist Republican were in agreement. Extremists said, "My way or the highway".

Tea Party extremists continued stifling progress so often that Boehner finally had enough in 2015 saying he could no longer lead such a fractured party.

What followed was a long list of major Republican moderates leaving with and after Boehner eventually resulting in a party that fully supports Trump extremism. The classic example was the death of John McCain where statements about entrenched obstinance were bluntly stated by so many - even in his memorial service.

That is what has changed. Even Eric Cantor, a Tea Party supporter, was not extreme right wing for his party. He was surprise replaced in a primary by an extreme right wing Tea Partier. That is the only place where American politics have radically changed - especially in the past three years - since 2015.

The Democratic message of 'let's make a deal' only resulted in an entrenched Washington where extremist rhetoric (ie attack allies such a Britain, European Union, NATO, TPP, Korean Trade agreement, Canada, NAFTA, France, Angela Merkel, etc) is the norm while praising Putin. This is Tea Party extremism taken to new heights. And only in the Republican party.
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Old 09-29-2018, 09:02 PM   #10
sexobon
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Water under the bridge. What are the Dems doing now to make something of themselves rather than whining about how they were bested?
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Old 09-29-2018, 09:54 PM   #11
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What are the Dems doing now to make something of themselves rather than whining about how they were bested?
I agree. However I personally do not like such spin. Since it is high in attitude. And says nothing about what to actually do and target. As she once said, "Where's the beef?"

Maybe it is framework to start defining a message. And that works on many who only know from their feelings. I suspect by trying to do too much of what I need, the Dems lost the message that so many emotional adults need.

I believe that was one of Hilary's mistakes. Too much position papers. Not enough blind emotion. So many voting adults actually believed she was running a pedophile house out of a pizzeria.

I once saw Bill Clinton speak. I was amazed how he owned the room. I saw people such as Springsteen do that. From the little bit I saw, Hilary did not have that magic. Maybe that is what the Dems must get back.
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Old 09-30-2018, 09:30 AM   #12
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My point is that right now there is a growing divide in the Ds, in which two very different sides are looking at the world through different lenses. I like the side this group is working to promote.

For example, this side wants to help the working class. The ID politics side wants to help specific historically disadvantaged populations. They are very different sides. Example:

Mom is an older dedicated leftist and liberal. She was an arts administrator for the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts in the 70s. So when she goes to the Mummers, it's one of her favorite things; she is very excited for the rare instance of a working class art form that became tradition. That is her lens.

My lefty friends who live in Philly see the Mummers as "problematic". Racist, misogynistic and homophobic. Philadelphia Magazine: Just call it "The White Heritage Parade". That is their lens.

So Mom asks, how can the city government promote this, and help a working class art form to survive? And my lefty friends in the city call the parade heinous, and ask, how can the city government disrespect this thing harder, until it finally goes away?

They could not be on more different scripts.
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Old 09-30-2018, 11:42 AM   #13
sexobon
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… For example, this side wants to help the working class. The ID politics side wants to help specific historically disadvantaged populations. ...
Historically disadvantaged populations don't take the help for granted. They conduct drives to register those eligible to vote and get them to the polls. The working class doesn't match that as a group.

The Dems' focus shifted away from the working class partly because after they gave it help, it became placated and politically indolent. It couldn't be bothered to get out and vote in numbers necessary to offset the effect of the Electoral College.

Example:

You.

I don't envision the Future Majority group gaining traction with the party at large. I do envision the party using it as a propaganda tool to spread false hope.
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Old 09-30-2018, 06:26 PM   #14
Undertoad
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If you're going to get personal, be sure to get the details right. I'm not working class. Half my background is 1%er. My grandfather went to Yale.

(I'm proof that downward mobility exists in our society)
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Old 09-30-2018, 06:37 PM   #15
sexobon
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IMPOSTER! You come here with a working class sense of humor; then, act like you're not! You'll go far in the Democratic party.
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