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a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:39 am
by catamount man
As democrats are you more moderate or extreme left wing and what do you feel is the best way to bridge the gap. As a conservative myself, I never voted for W because he was never a true fiscal conservative. His big government spending, IMO, is one reason we are in the shape we are in now, not to mention his unyielding support to not regulate Wall St as much has hurt as well. For conservatives and the Republican Party, it is going to take a return to tough fiscal responsibility, lowered taxes, and less government spending and Bush was NOT about that at all.

I am not democrat so I would like to hear your opinions about the differences in YOUR party. Please, let's not turn this into another anti-Bush/pro-Obama sling fest because I know folks in both parties know a little house cleaning is needed all around.

So democrat, are you moderate dem or extreme left wing dem, why, and how can your bridges be gapped? Thanks in advance. Peace!

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:26 am
by slycat
Tough question. I myself am a moderate who is currently leaning Democrat. I voted for W in the past believing he would bring a balance to the govt after Clinton. I think at times Obama has the right idea of bridging the gap by putting a Republican in his cabinet. It would be much more effective if he had more though. He will need to make sure that the Republican voices are heard in the House and Senate and not just let the Dems get their way like all Houses and Senates before.

I personally don't understand how these well educated people in govt forgot what compromising means. Until both sides stop fighting for whats "right" for their individual party and start voting whats right for the nation then there will always be a gap.

The current problem is that nation is at war and in a huge economic crisis. The Dems are going to have to spend money to ease the pain of the economy. They will get seen as irresponsible when it comes to spending money as well. Then a Republican will get elected in the future and say the Dems are idiots and the same cycle will continue. If Obama was smart he would use the help of the Republicans as much as possible because everyone in the country is waiting to pounce on the Dem party for screwing up since W was so bad. By bridging the gap it will help pull both sides together.

But until people stop thinking one sided this will never happen and every 4-8 years you'll here how bad of a country we live in. I just hope Obama listens to the country more then Bush did and focuses on the nation as a whole and not just a small part of it.

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:32 am
by travelinman67
slycat wrote:Tough question. I myself am a moderate who is currently leaning Democrat. I voted for W in the past believing he would bring a balance to the govt after Clinton. I think at times Obama has the right idea of bridging the gap by putting a Republican in his cabinet. It would be much more effective if he had more though. He will need to make sure that the Republican voices are heard in the House and Senate and not just let the Dems get their way like all Houses and Senates before.

I personally don't understand how these well educated people in govt forgot what compromising means. Until both sides stop fighting for whats "right" for their individual party and start voting whats right for the nation then there will always be a gap.

The current problem is that nation is at war and in a huge economic crisis. The Dems are going to have to spend money to ease the pain of the economy. They will get seen as irresponsible when it comes to spending money as well. Then a Republican will get elected in the future and say the Dems are idiots and the same cycle will continue. If Obama was smart he would use the help of the Republicans as much as possible because everyone in the country is waiting to pounce on the Dem party for screwing up since W was so bad. By bridging the gap it will help pull both sides together.

But until people stop thinking one sided this will never happen and every 4-8 years you'll here how bad of a country we live in. I just hope Obama listens to the country more then Bush did and focuses on the nation as a whole and not just a small part of it.
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:50 am
by Purple For Life
slycat wrote:Tough question. I myself am a moderate who is currently leaning Democrat. I voted for W in the past believing he would bring a balance to the govt after Clinton. I think at times Obama has the right idea of bridging the gap by putting a Republican in his cabinet. It would be much more effective if he had more though. He will need to make sure that the Republican voices are heard in the House and Senate and not just let the Dems get their way like all Houses and Senates before.

I personally don't understand how these well educated people in govt forgot what compromising means. Until both sides stop fighting for whats "right" for their individual party and start voting whats right for the nation then there will always be a gap.

The current problem is that nation is at war and in a huge economic crisis. The Dems are going to have to spend money to ease the pain of the economy. They will get seen as irresponsible when it comes to spending money as well. Then a Republican will get elected in the future and say the Dems are idiots and the same cycle will continue. If Obama was smart he would use the help of the Republicans as much as possible because everyone in the country is waiting to pounce on the Dem party for screwing up since W was so bad. By bridging the gap it will help pull both sides together.

But until people stop thinking one sided this will never happen and every 4-8 years you'll here how bad of a country we live in. I just hope Obama listens to the country more then Bush did and focuses on the nation as a whole and not just a small part of it.
I think that's the plan.

You might be interested in this:
http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=372

There's an interview not quite halfway into it that says a lot of similar things to what you are.

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:56 am
by Purple For Life
Oh, in terms of me, I suppose if I had to define it, I'd be much more left than moderate, for sure. I'm not extreme in the "chain myself to a tree and throw shoes at Bush" sort of way, but I believe what I believe, and I believe that strongly.

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:47 am
by UNI88
slycat wrote:Tough question. I myself am a moderate who is currently leaning Democrat. I voted for W in the past believing he would bring a balance to the govt after Clinton. I think at times Obama has the right idea of bridging the gap by putting a Republican in his cabinet. It would be much more effective if he had more though. He will need to make sure that the Republican voices are heard in the House and Senate and not just let the Dems get their way like all Houses and Senates before.

I personally don't understand how these well educated people in govt forgot what compromising means. Until both sides stop fighting for whats "right" for their individual party and start voting whats right for the nation then there will always be a gap.

The current problem is that nation is at war and in a huge economic crisis. The Dems are going to have to spend money to ease the pain of the economy. They will get seen as irresponsible when it comes to spending money as well. Then a Republican will get elected in the future and say the Dems are idiots and the same cycle will continue. If Obama was smart he would use the help of the Republicans as much as possible because everyone in the country is waiting to pounce on the Dem party for screwing up since W was so bad. By bridging the gap it will help pull both sides together.
But until people stop thinking one sided this will never happen and every 4-8 years you'll here how bad of a country we live in. I just hope Obama listens to the country more then Bush did and focuses on the nation as a whole and not just a small part of it.
Well said!

The problem with the bolded part is that there are Democrats who feel that it is their turn to do things their way and they don't want to compromise. To a certain extent I don't blame them because Bush wasn't big on compromise and they see Obama's victory as giving them a clear mandate to push their agenda. Unfortunately at some point one side or the other needs to grow up and take the first step to reach across the aisle.

Obama has already taken grief from people in his own party for trying to build bipartisan support (cabinet appointments, percentage of tax cuts in the stimulus package). It's too bad that he has been criticized but his willingness to try and work with the opposition demonstrates a strength of character that I find promising.

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:49 pm
by Appaholic
UNI88 wrote:
slycat wrote:Tough question. I myself am a moderate who is currently leaning Democrat. I voted for W in the past believing he would bring a balance to the govt after Clinton. I think at times Obama has the right idea of bridging the gap by putting a Republican in his cabinet. It would be much more effective if he had more though. He will need to make sure that the Republican voices are heard in the House and Senate and not just let the Dems get their way like all Houses and Senates before.

I personally don't understand how these well educated people in govt forgot what compromising means. Until both sides stop fighting for whats "right" for their individual party and start voting whats right for the nation then there will always be a gap.

The current problem is that nation is at war and in a huge economic crisis. The Dems are going to have to spend money to ease the pain of the economy. They will get seen as irresponsible when it comes to spending money as well. Then a Republican will get elected in the future and say the Dems are idiots and the same cycle will continue. If Obama was smart he would use the help of the Republicans as much as possible because everyone in the country is waiting to pounce on the Dem party for screwing up since W was so bad. By bridging the gap it will help pull both sides together.
But until people stop thinking one sided this will never happen and every 4-8 years you'll here how bad of a country we live in. I just hope Obama listens to the country more then Bush did and focuses on the nation as a whole and not just a small part of it.
Well said!

The problem with the bolded part is that there are Democrats who feel that it is their turn to do things their way and they don't want to compromise. To a certain extent I don't blame them because Bush wasn't big on compromise and they see Obama's victory as giving them a clear mandate to push their agenda. Unfortunately at some point one side or the other needs to grow up and take the first step to reach across the aisle.

Obama has already taken grief from people in his own party for trying to build bipartisan support (cabinet appointments, percentage of tax cuts in the stimulus package). It's too bad that he has been criticized but his willingness to try and work with the opposition demonstrates a strength of character that I find promising.
Agree. What the Dems have to realize, much like 2006, this election result wasn't because their plan was so much better, just that it wasn't Bush. The people who enabled Obama to win the election, the independent and moderate majority in the middle, don't care for ultra-left any more than they cared for ultra-right. Hopefully Obama will recognize and govern as such since Bush did not.....and Obama's willingness to piss off his own ultra-left so far bodes well...let's see if it sticks....

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:56 pm
by death dealer
Appaholic wrote:
Agree. What the Dems have to realize, much like 2006, this election result wasn't because their plan was so much better, just that it wasn't Bush. The people who enabled Obama to win the election, the independent and moderate majority in the middle, don't care for ultra-left any more than they cared for ultra-right. Hopefully Obama will recognize and govern as such since Bush did not.....and Obama's willingness to piss off his own ultra-left so far bodes well...let's see if it sticks....
Damn straight brother Appaholic! Nancy Pelosi is to the left what Cheney is to the right. An inflexible blowhard ideologue, who would rather be wrong and stick to her guns than listen to reason and get it right. BHO appears to be someone who can listen and compromise to get the best result. Let's hope he can reign in Pelosi's determination to seek revenge on the Republicans.

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:29 pm
by slycat
I agree with you guys. The Dems need to not use this as a chance to say "haha we are right" (cause they aren't) and use it to unify the parties. This idea is what got Obama elected anyway.

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:35 pm
by AZGrizFan
slycat wrote:I agree with you guys. The Dems need to not use this as a chance to say "haha we are right" (cause they aren't) and use it to unify the parties. This idea is what got Obama elected anyway.
And it'll be the first "idea" that goes on the scrap heap now that partisan politics are back in play.

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:40 pm
by Wedgebuster
AZGrizFan wrote:
slycat wrote:I agree with you guys. The Dems need to not use this as a chance to say "haha we are right" (cause they aren't) and use it to unify the parties. This idea is what got Obama elected anyway.
And it'll be the first "idea" that goes on the scrap heap now that partisan politics are back in play.
Image

:lol: :lol:

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:42 pm
by AZGrizFan
Wedgebuster wrote:
AZGrizFan wrote: And it'll be the first "idea" that goes on the scrap heap now that partisan politics are back in play.
Image

:lol: :lol:
No picture, but based on the url, I'd say you're way off base. I'm a realist, Wedgie. You fckin' koolaid drinkers want to slob his knob right off the edge of the cliff....feel free...
:lol:

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:00 pm
by Wedgebuster
Image of "Negative Man" :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Not way off base, and in fact perfect for your avatar!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


And, you're welcome!! :D

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:52 pm
by slycat
Way to suck the hope out of the room AZ :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Its true though, I don't see nearly enough people in Washington giving into the idea of partisanship. Still enough old ways of thinking that won't get past the idea that the Dems have to do it their way.

Its really a dream that one day both parties will truly work together.

Either way Obama is a nice change in Washington. :D

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:21 pm
by Wedgebuster
He's not stating, he's hoping for an Obama failure, regardless of what it means to our country and our world. So bitter our politics have become that even after the colossal failure of this simpleton as our POTUS, that those who voted for him, then defended his lies, then apologized for his every move, now put their pride and their inability to admit their foolishness in their blind devotion to this retard, or even worse, criminal in front of the best interests of our country.

We still love AZ though, he is one of us. But that does not mean that his being wrong, is right. ;)

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:03 pm
by slycat
Purple For Life wrote:
slycat wrote:Tough question. I myself am a moderate who is currently leaning Democrat. I voted for W in the past believing he would bring a balance to the govt after Clinton. I think at times Obama has the right idea of bridging the gap by putting a Republican in his cabinet. It would be much more effective if he had more though. He will need to make sure that the Republican voices are heard in the House and Senate and not just let the Dems get their way like all Houses and Senates before.

I personally don't understand how these well educated people in govt forgot what compromising means. Until both sides stop fighting for whats "right" for their individual party and start voting whats right for the nation then there will always be a gap.

The current problem is that nation is at war and in a huge economic crisis. The Dems are going to have to spend money to ease the pain of the economy. They will get seen as irresponsible when it comes to spending money as well. Then a Republican will get elected in the future and say the Dems are idiots and the same cycle will continue. If Obama was smart he would use the help of the Republicans as much as possible because everyone in the country is waiting to pounce on the Dem party for screwing up since W was so bad. By bridging the gap it will help pull both sides together.

But until people stop thinking one sided this will never happen and every 4-8 years you'll here how bad of a country we live in. I just hope Obama listens to the country more then Bush did and focuses on the nation as a whole and not just a small part of it.
I think that's the plan.

You might be interested in this:
http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=372

There's an interview not quite halfway into it that says a lot of similar things to what you are.
Interesting listen, didn't know you were sending me off to NPR land.

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:46 pm
by Purple For Life
slycat wrote:
Purple For Life wrote:
I think that's the plan.

You might be interested in this:
http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=372

There's an interview not quite halfway into it that says a lot of similar things to what you are.
Interesting listen, didn't know you were sending me off to NPR land.
To get nit-picky, they're Public Radio International, but they air on NPR member stations.

It's a good show--always something interesting every week.

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:16 am
by D1B
Wedgebuster wrote:He's not stating, he's hoping for an Obama failure, regardless of what it means to our country and our world. So bitter our politics have become that even after the colossal failure of this simpleton as our POTUS, that those who voted for him, then defended his lies, then apologized for his every move, now put their pride and their inability to admit their foolishness in their blind devotion to this retard, or even worse, criminal in front of the best interests of our country.

We still love AZ though, he is one of us. But that does not mean that his being wrong, is right. ;)
AZ is hopeful that Obama is successful. He's baiting, mostly. He's a good family man and cares about his community. He ran for school board too, which takes alot of guts in many communities.

The only people here who are truly hoping for Obama to fail are Catamount Man and Tbag69. Both bitter, suffering from psychosis and pro life whackos. Their militant pro life vision guides their every thought and fuels their hatred for women and democrats.

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:35 am
by Wedgebuster
D1B wrote:
Wedgebuster wrote:He's not stating, he's hoping for an Obama failure, regardless of what it means to our country and our world. So bitter our politics have become that even after the colossal failure of this simpleton as our POTUS, that those who voted for him, then defended his lies, then apologized for his every move, now put their pride and their inability to admit their foolishness in their blind devotion to this retard, or even worse, criminal in front of the best interests of our country.

We still love AZ though, he is one of us. But that does not mean that his being wrong, is right. ;)
AZ is hopeful that Obama is successful. He's baiting, mostly. He's a good family man and cares about his community. He ran for school board too, which takes alot of guts in many communities.

The only people here who are truly hoping for Obama to fail are Catamount Man and Tbag69. Both bitter, suffering from psychosis and pro life whackos. Their militant pro life vision guides their every thought and fuels their hatred for women and democrats.
That is why I am always willing to converse with AZ over these issues, he is not a closed minded dolt, and besides, I love him. no homo

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:38 am
by D1B
Wedgebuster wrote:
D1B wrote:
AZ is hopeful that Obama is successful. He's baiting, mostly. He's a good family man and cares about his community. He ran for school board too, which takes alot of guts in many communities.

The only people here who are truly hoping for Obama to fail are Catamount Man and Tbag69. Both bitter, suffering from psychosis and pro life whackos. Their militant pro life vision guides their every thought and fuels their hatred for women and democrats.
That is why I am always willing to converse with AZ over these issues, he is not a closed minded dolt, and besides, I love him. no homo
Agree. Dude is a moderate democrat. He won't admit it though. :P

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:40 am
by AZGrizFan
D1B wrote:
Wedgebuster wrote:
That is why I am always willing to converse with AZ over these issues, he is not a closed minded dolt, and besides, I love him. no homo
Agree. Dude is a moderate democrat. He won't admit it though. :P
Jesus H. Christ. I can't leave a thread for 5 God damned MINUTES and you fcukers are all over me!


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:46 pm
by Purple For Life
D1B wrote:
Wedgebuster wrote:He's not stating, he's hoping for an Obama failure, regardless of what it means to our country and our world. So bitter our politics have become that even after the colossal failure of this simpleton as our POTUS, that those who voted for him, then defended his lies, then apologized for his every move, now put their pride and their inability to admit their foolishness in their blind devotion to this retard, or even worse, criminal in front of the best interests of our country.

We still love AZ though, he is one of us. But that does not mean that his being wrong, is right. ;)
AZ is hopeful that Obama is successful. He's baiting, mostly. He's a good family man and cares about his community. He ran for school board too, which takes alot of guts in many communities.

The only people here who are truly hoping for Obama to fail are Catamount Man and Tbag69. Both bitter, suffering from psychosis and pro life whackos. Their militant pro life vision guides their every thought and fuels their hatred for women and democrats.
Why don't I buy this tripe for one hot minute?

Re: a serious question for Democrats

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:01 am
by UNI88
Wedgebuster wrote:He's not stating, he's hoping for an Obama failure, regardless of what it means to our country and our world. So bitter our politics have become that even after the colossal failure of this simpleton as our POTUS, that those who voted for him, then defended his lies, then apologized for his every move, now put their pride and their inability to admit their foolishness in their blind devotion to this retard, or even worse, criminal in front of the best interests of our country.

We still love AZ though, he is one of us. But that does not mean that his being wrong, is right. ;)
I'm not sure AZ is hoping for an Obama failure he's just a heck of a lot more cynical and I can't really blame him. The partisan bickering didn't start with W; it's been around forever (John Adams vs. Jefferson) and escalating since Watergate (Iran/Contra, Whitewater, Lewinsky, etc.). Both parties have been more and more on the lookout for things they can use to drag the other party through the dirt.

For Obama to truly bridge the gap, he is going to have to stand up to Pelosi, Reid and many of the special interests that helped get him elected. That is going to be a very difficult task and I can't blame AZ for being skeptical. If those special interests don't get their way, they're going to be extremely disappointed and are going to call Obama a sellout and worse. Building bipartisan support for initiatives that are critical to the country isn't about crafting legislation your way and then asking the other side support it for "the good of the country" it's about working with the other side to get their input and actually using a fair amount of that input in the legislation. Obama might be willing to do that but I'm as skeptical as AZ about Pelosi, Reid, et al.