The GOP goose steppers have a purity test to which they are giving tremendous lip service, even though most of them could not pass it. So some enterprising folks have come up with a purity test for Democrats.
...Still, the purity test does provide a convenient check list. You too can be accepted as a Republican if you promise to hate gays, poor people, immigrants, and the environment (which, come to think of it, has been the Republican standard for decades). Out of pure bullet-point envy, I propose that Democrats must also have their own list. Ten litmus tests which every potential Democratic candidate should be able to ace before they ever hope to put (D) after their names. In fact, I'll go so far as to be more pure than the Republicans. If you can't pass every one of these tests, don't bother to sign on.
(1) We support the rights extended to Americans extended under the Constitution. All the rights. For all Americans.
(2) We support thoughtful, pragmatic solutions that protect American lives, American standards, and American pocketbooks. This includes finding solutions that don't require bombing anyone.
(3) We support an America that has diversity in race, thought, background, and religion not out of some hazy idealism, but because it is our nation's greatest strength.
(4) We oppose torture in any form, in any place, at any time, for any reason.
(5) We support American business, and recognize that an unregulated market is an unfair market, an unstable market, and a market doomed to failure.
(6) We support American workers, and know that when workers are allowed to organize they make their jobs, their companies, and their nation stronger.
(7) We believe that the reputation of our nation is valuable and must be zealously guarded against those who place expediency ahead of law.
(8) We believe in spreading democracy and human rights to the rest of the world by vigorously upholding those ideals here at home.
(9) We believe that access to our government is not for sale. Not in the courthouse, not in the White House, and not in the legislature.
(10) We believe that the health of our planet is not a zero-sum game, not a game of "you go first," and not a game.
Not a particularly detailed set of positions, I know. But then it's not supposed to be. Unlike the GOP, we aren't short of ideas, and unlike Newt, we don't have to dream up a batch of legislation with cute names. We already have real legislation out there that meet these goals. Bills like the Employee Free Choice Act, the Clean Water Protection Act, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, the Affordable Health Care for America Act and many others...
Inserted from <Daily Kos>
Now Traitor Joe LIEberman would pass all these points except for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. So I guess he shouldn’t be allowed to caucus with Democrats and head a committee. Do you think we should have a purity test for Democrats? How would your Democratic Representative and Senators would do on this one?
12 comments:
I did a whole let better than Lieberman, I guess that makes me a non-GOP supporter. What a relief.
Actions speak louder than words. I've always thought that Democrats believe government can and does play a role in helping make everyone's life better. Good judgement as to when to regulate and when to allow things to happen without interference.
The republican answer to everything is less. Less. Less. Even when they do decide that government must step in, their core belief of less prevents them from doing anything right. The "cult of less is good" has been good for the wealthiest among us. It has been a disaster for the rest of America and the world.
Thanks for posting these, Tom C. Linking to here for future reference!
Excellent post!
LOVE the "Now Traitor Joe LIEberman would pass all these points except for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 thingie, too..
Thanks for posting these. I think this is a much more inclusive list than the Republicans have - we say what we will DO rather than what we OPPOSE. Very positive message - my Senators would easily pass (I'm here in IL), but my Rep, not so sure.
Funny... it seems Republicans that predate Reagan are nothing, unless of course their name is Lincoln.
Teddy Roosevelt loved the environment, but he has been pushed out of the party posthumously, being labeled a "progressive".
Isn't it ironic that the GOP claims to be for good change, but they oppose those they label as "progressives", which derives its name from the word "progress", which is defined as a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage. Unless that higher stage isn't Christian in nature, then forget about any progress!
Love this idea Tom! We are a great group, us dems, don't ya think?? I LOVE US!!
Holte for Senator!! :-)
Truth, the "less is good" GOP mantra has applied only to the poor and middle classes. Their welfare for the rich knows no bounds.
Thanks Vig. I think we should keep this alive.
Thanks, Hill. I couldn't resist.
Lisa, that's an excellent point. Only one of these is a negative (oppose torture). All to the Repuglicans tests are.
Kevin, I think that if either Lincoln or TR could see what their party has become, someone would have to clean the poop out of their caskets.
Glad you like it, Sue!!
Those are pretty good principles regardless of party.
11. The Democratic party does not believe in "purity" tests.
However, on more than one occasion, I have wished the Dems had thrown out a few of DINOs. I'd rather have a smaller majority, then to have to kowtow to the blue dogs or the likes of Joe LIEberman. I think Gore needs to explain his thinking in picking him for Veep. I never liked JL and like him even less now.
My Dems here in Michigan would pass with flying colors... that would be Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenaw. I do go on a few rants against us, but all in all, I wouldn't trade us in for another brand.
Thanks, Will. I agree. Unfortunately they are the opposite of what the GOP currently represents.
Marva, the behavior of our blue dogs has prompted me to reform my belief in #11.
Karen, that's a good pair.
My Rep. is David Wu and my Senators are Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkely. I give Wyden a B+ rating and Wu an A+. Merkely's just a Freshman, so he too new to rate definitively, bit I'd give him an A so far.
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