The Democratic Party | Community Blogs | "United"...I think not: I have a challenge for you...

I have a challenge for you...

By Patrick - Oct 9th, 2006 at 12:35 pm EDT

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This is for all of you people who want to criticize me me about the fact that I am Indepadant and not registered to vote. Well let me clear this up for you. I am 17. I am not old enough to vote. But believe me...the moment i turn 18 I will register.

Now for the challenge. For those of you that want me to be a Democrat. Tell me something good that the Democrats have done WITHOUT mentioning the Republicans or anything bad about them that you can actually prove. All politics is these days is throwing insults at each other. I want to know something good about Democrats instead of hearing you all complain about the Republicans.

So heres the deal. Leave a comment on this post and tell me something good about the Democrats. Prove me wrong in my thinkong of being an Independent.

Reader Comments

we be the real Americans LOL

By Jim A (aka AsparaGus) Oct 9th 2006 at 3:11 pm EDT

Democrats have a reverence for the Constitution.

We respect diversity and often caricatured as squabbling among ourselves.

We tend to view things from the right end of the telescope - meaning the little guy and how things will affect him (or her.) Hence 'trickle down' economics sounds bogus to us. Already what trickles down in my life is my own pee so the entire metaphor is pretty unappealing - but that's just me. That's why Bill Clinton talked of 'raising everybodies boat' and 'growing the economy' - we got better metaphors and better ideas. I think because we have a better perspective from all those different viewpoints I mentioned earlier.

We ask the right questions. Not what's in it for me or how low can my taxes go. But what can I do for the country I love. How can I help? google JFK and read a few of his speeches. FDR and LBJ The New Deal - The Great Society then read the Contract for America and see which viewpoint they take.
Link
I was searching for a quote from A. deTocqueville that stuck with me "A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members" is my recollection of it but the liberty quotes from that link aren't bad for a Frenchman
bio Link
1805-59, French politician and writer. (the bio is from a japanese site but it is in english)

Really, Patrick - gonna let an old cat like me show how to use this Internet thingie. ;-)

there's nothing wrong with being an independent...

By D. Tree Oct 9th 2006 at 5:12 pm EDT

....but don't let it stop you from voting Democrat!

I registered Green when I turned 18, but voted Dem most of the time. Finally changed to Dem in 2003.

What did it for me was this: I run with a pretty liberal crowd, lot's of people into 3rd party candidates and all that. I remember my friends saying this about Gore v. Bush 2000:

"There's not that much difference between Democrats and Republicans anyway. Both candidates leave something to be desired. Why should you have to choose between the lesser of two evils? etc...."

If only they knew then what we know now: there is a WORLD of difference between the two men. Can you imagine how different the world would be if Gore had been elected in 2000?

It is almost painful to think about it.

In 2000 many of my friends and relatives voted for Nader or didn't vote at all. Would it have made that much difference if they voted Democrat? I believe so.

Third parties are important, and personally I could care less what party a person is registered for... for that matter you could register for the GOP if you want to! Democracy may be messy but it all works out in the end!

It's how you use the power of your vote that matters.

I believe that right now we stand on the cusp of a critical turning point in the future of our planet.

We know we have time to fix the biggest problems in the world but only if we act now.

If Democrats do not take back BOTH houses of Congress, we run the risk of the GOP solidifying it's DEATHGRIP on America.

Considering the situation, I hope that we get lots of Third Party and Republican folks casting their votes for the Democrats this time around.

If you want things to change for the better, cast your vote for a Democrat this November!

You lose

By snakelips Oct 19th 2006 at 12:14 am EDT

You dinged republicans. Come on...a "deathgrip"?

Being that this advocate is Latino

By Sean Michael Patrick Gallegos Oct 9th 2006 at 5:34 pm EDT

I can tell you that Democrats want to see equality among all peoples. It is why equal rights for people of color like Latinos and Blacks, For Gays and Lesbians, and for Women. Because these people are all under represented in the public sphere. So if you like the idea of a meritocracy. Democrats work to have a level playing field.

So do republicans...

By snakelips Oct 19th 2006 at 12:25 am EDT

Actually Patrick, I'm more libertarian. I could care less about labels like Latino or Black. Your sexual preferences hold even less interest for me. It's none of my business. To me these labels are nothing more than a way to describe someone...like: Hey, look over there at the tall guy!

The name of the game for both Dems and Reps is votes and thereby power. Both sides pander to whatever group they happen to be standing in, rather than discuss issues and values.

I would say the ultimate level playing field is ignoring insignificant labels on people and focus on their minds, attitudes, skills, and desires. I am wary of those who point out to me the first black this, or the first gay that...Hell, I would have assumed they were the 23rd if you wouldn't have told me. What real difference does it make?

I'll meet your challenge

By Rob Oct 9th 2006 at 10:42 pm EDT

Just four concrete examples of things Democrats did without mentioning the "R" word:

The National Voting Rights Act of 1965
Democratic control of the House, Senate, and Presidency.
Link

The Civil Rights Act of 1964
Democratic control of the House, Senate, and Presidency.
Link

The Social Security Act of 1935
Introduced by Franklin Delano Roosevelt as part of the New Deal to provide a "safety net."
Link

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Introduced by Franklin Delano Roosevelt as part of the New Deal to provide for fair trading in the financial markets.
Link

By the way, I provided hypertext linx, they may get wiped.

Re: I'll meet your challenge

By republican guy Oct 11th 2006 at 12:48 am EDT

Rob get a clue, he was not talking about the true democrats from long ago he is talking about the damn wackos in the democratic leadership today, you make me laugh. His challenge was not met now was it?

Democrats = nothing good

By republican guy Oct 11th 2006 at 12:39 am EDT

There is nothing good to say about the democrats they sit and bitch and moan about every damn thing that they can. God help us if the get into a position of power again because they will fold under any pressure that is applied in any major event that may present itself, you can take that to the bank. Don't ever let them bullshit you into becoming a democrat no matter what because it is a messed up party with absolutely no direction or thoughts of it's own, oh wait they do have one thought "THEY HATE BUSH" period.

Re: Democrats = nothing good

By Rob Oct 11th 2006 at 10:43 pm EDT

Republican Guy, you must be right. No one can claim expertise on spewing sheer hatred more than the Republican leadership, so I guess you should know hatred when you see it. Under Bill Clinton, I (and I cannot be alone) enjoyed eight years of unprecedented peace and prosperity. Nevertheless, the Republican attack dogs did nothing but throw out red hearings like Whitewater. (As you know, three separate inquiries found that the Clintons did not participate in any criminal misconduct. Link

I will give you credit for one thing. You have great courage even to identify yourself as a Republican these days.

Finally, I have never sunk to this slighting tone in any previous post or comment. I suppose that when you wrestle with a pig, you both get dirty, but only the pig enjoys it. I did not.

Come November, Rest In Peace.

Re: Democrats = nothing good

By republican guy Oct 13th 2006 at 1:46 am EDT

Rob I read your reply and had a real good laugh again you are quite amusing to me. First of all I challenged your so called challenge met of Patrick the Independent guy in which you used several dates 1965,1964,1935 and 1934 with all of your links to prove your point. What I am saying is that you cannot dispute that is totally ridiculous to use them dates in the challenge that he gave, he is talking presently and you know it. But of course you could not because you and I both know that he made a valid point, and the point is that neither president Bush or any republican can do anything right in the democrats eyes. The truth is that the dems are so pissed that they are not in power that they will do or say anything against republicans because they are just BITTER people. Also I suppose right now you are just sitting there with absolutely no money in your pocket, no place to live, no food in your fridge and no where to turn for help because you are suffering so bad right, I bet. I do remember Clinton lying under oath is that not criminal hmmm I guess not. I also noticed that you have never had to express yourself negatively in a post before until now, sounds like you just hate to be challenged. What I speak is not hatred it is an opposing point of view can't you accept that, isn't that how people work through differences. Remember that peace was not broken by the United States under Bush, The crazy bastards brought it to us from overseas on 9/11. Clinton could of took care of this during his term but he did not because he was worried about what the world's reaction would be if he took out Osama, that was a costly mistake would you not agree? Remember this was in the planning stage long before Bush took office. Please reply

Re: Democrats = nothing good

By Patrick Oct 13th 2006 at 2:22 pm EDT

I love who you think its just the dems that insult the republicans. The reps are the same exact way. Bush has called them everything short of calling them crazy. Its not a one way street. Both parties are equally bitter in looking out for themselves before even thinking about the country.

And its very ammusing that you think Rob is homeless with no money but he somehow manages to have a computer. good one...

Re: Democrats = nothing good

By Patrick Oct 13th 2006 at 2:23 pm EDT

the who in the first sentance is supposed to be how.

pointless...

By snakelips Oct 19th 2006 at 12:38 am EDT

Patrick, I'd like to point out, if you haven't already noticed, how pointless the above conversation between Republican Guy and Rob has been. Name calling and screaming at each other is getting us no where. Let's bring it back to issues...

I think that Rob's four examples are good ones from the liberal standpoint. Although, I'd say, with the exception of the Social Security Act, they are also good from a conservative standpoint. What Rep Guy is getting at is that the Dems of the 60's were are not the Dems of today. The 60's dems were stronger of national defense and more fiscally conservative. (Hell, neither side is now!) In the 30's things were so bad, it really was necessary for the gov't to step in with new deal style programs. Obviously, fair trade is a good thing, but the problem with social security is that it's turned into this huge unmanageable entitlement monster and political football. It is far more than FDR ever intended it to be at the time. So, while those programs may have been good at the time and support by the Dems at the time, Rep Guys wants you to know that that isn't the kind of thinking you'll find in the Dem party now.

At least I think that's what's going on...

Re: Democrats = nothing good

By Rob Oct 13th 2006 at 10:39 pm EDT

Once again Republican, you are right. I am sitting here with no money, no home, no food, and I am so bitter that even my dog hates me. All I have around me is more Republican Argumentum Ad Hominem.

You did make me laugh. Thank you for that.

A little late to comment but..

By Blu Grrl Jan 17th 2007 at 4:28 am EST

Just ran across your defensive blog.

1) No one should need to convince you that you are a Democrat, you either are or you are not.

2) If your not a Democrat, you really have no basis for being here, am I correct?

3) Why does anyone on here need to tell you something "good" Democrats have done for this country? You have the "internets" so maybe you should use "the google" to look up the voting records and "good" things Democrats have done or have tried to do for society.

No one needs to "prove you wrong" about being an independent, that's your choice. You need to do your own footwork and your own research and come to your own conclusion about your political affiliation, rather than issuing so called "challenges".

Patrick's got a point!

By Jessica Apr 12th 2007 at 6:47 pm EDT

Chill out people (aka Blu Grrl)

If you dont have anything positive to say about Democrats, you shouldnt really be HERE either. Am I correct?

Meanwhile, those who are Democrats are here because they are proud to be Democrats, and really, it shouldn't be difficult to voice one's own opinion on something they already think is great. Pat's idea/challenge is a good one, and its good that not only are people telling him what is great about the Democratic Party, but it is giving people reason to reevaluate their ideology and accomplishments that they as Democrats have done. So really, what better place for such a challenge but here? If you can't think of somethine to be proud of why is that Patrick's fault? It shouldn't be.

Patrick is here, and not on the Republican website, I figured that was a victory by itself.

He is 100% right about today's politics and party bashing. If you have a different view, then that's all there is to it: a different view. Democrats pride themselves on being open minded, right? I do. The principle is simple in any argumement: state your opinion in it's best form without degrading anything else. Only then will it be admired, taken seriously, and regarded as it should. If one's opinion doesn't change even after this, at least they have gained an understanding that they would not have otherwise.

Thanks Pat