Monday, February 06, 2006

Is Washington out of touch with America?

There is a lot of discussion lately, more than usual, about what’s wrong with our Representatives in Washington. There is a growing concern among the people whom I speak to , personally and in the blogesphere, that Washington DC is far removed from the average person. Is Washington out of touch with America? Many who are attempting an answer to this question are suggesting that the divide is based on wealth, power and influence. While there some truth to this, as evidenced in the latest K Street / Abromoff scandal, the scandals are a side effect, a symptom of a more formidable problem. The real issue is that the party which has historically represented the interests of the individual is now mired by corporate interests in the quest for the almighty dollar. In a strage twist of reality, the Democratic party has become a replica of the “Big Business” party – the Republicans.

The Democrats have become Republican lite and by this they have lost much of their base and public support from Middle - America. I often wonder - whatever happened to Middle-American progressivism? Before inheriting the pejorative titile “the Rust Belt” the Midwest used to be a free market of progressive ideas and solid industries. Now, during televised campaigns all that we see from the Midwest is, well red. I am confounded at how so many in the Midwest will vote against their own economic interests. I’m not suggesting that Middle-America is drunk on tax cuts, or that they would purposely work at Wal-Mart as opposed to Honeywell. I’m not suggesting that Midwesterners are stupid – although some on the left are suggesting this distortion. It is tempting to think that Middle-America has been fooled by pop conservatism – talk shows, best sellers, am radio, etc. But that’s not the likely culprit for the trend towards the right. While the populist rebellion against liberal values has had some success, the people are smart enough to know that many right wing political pundants are nothing but loud mouth blowhards.

So what is the culprit? What is to blame for the failing support for the Democratic Party? Is it those nasty frat boy Republican types who laud that this is there time in history and the old days of the “liberal elite” have all but vanished into the air of personal accountability and private acquisition? This is tempting, but not likely. Instead I blame those latte drinking, Volvo driving, I’ve been to college so let me do the thinking Democrats. My use of hyperbole illustrates a common perception among many in the Red States. A perception that - most Democrats are out of touch with reality and should be ignored. This has been the argument of the cultural warriors (Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, etc) for some time, but now seems to have a growing awareness among the common man.The question beckons: why this nasty attitude towards the party of the people? Has the progressive movement outlived it’s shelve life. Or as someone put it to me recently, “ Progressives are way past their sell date and are devolving into the usual fetid, fever swamp” This opinion is fairly common, but inaccurate. In the last presidential election 51 million votes showed up for John Kerry – this can hardly mean “way past their sell date”. Some are also suggesting that the Democratic Party is completely out of ideas. I refute this by stating while it is possible that the oldest functioning Democratic Party in the history of the world is out of ideas, it’s not likely. But still, the perception lingers. The shift to the right is not entirly perceptual.

The Democratic Party is failing on many fronts, mostly the Democrats have moved away from their core values. The DLC (Democratic Leadership Council), an experiment hailed by former President Clinton as the wave of the future, has moved the Democrats right of center, too far in my opinion. The DLC pushed NAFTA, GATT and laid the ground work for The WTO and CAFTA. These policies have hurt Middle-America by displacing workers, factories, and depressing entire communities. These trade agreements have put downward pressures on wages, working conditions and benefits just by the mere threat of moving a factory out of our country. Back on point, Democrats in general have moved right of center. With the recent votes in favor of Bankruptcy Reform Bill from many Democrats it is becoming harder and harder to distinguish between an elephant and a jackass! This shift begs the question, “Why vote for those elitist liberals if their policies are so congruent with the Republicans? (please note my use of sarcasism) Why vote Democrat? Why vote for a party that does not represent your political or social perspective? Why vote for a party that has little difference from the opposition party? . There is no good answer.

The Democrats are also losing the cultural war. Lately they are not standing for anything other than standing against Republicans; at least this is a popular discernment of many in the U.S. This is not a winning strategy, it’s is a gimmick. They are not defining themselves with any clarity nor are they attempting to debunk the myth that they are void of ideas. The general perception is that they have become weak and timid. Yet they do little to fight this attitude. They , the party of Jefferson, should be standing on the roof of the capital building yelling, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” Instead we hear little about what it means to be a Democrat, we hear little about what the Democrats believe. Republicans own the cultural issues of the day and dominate the political discourse. They are vocal, loud and not affraid of a fight. The Democrats are behaving like timid, amalgamated weenies. The fact that so many Republicans "say" that the Democrats do not stand for anything is not the problem. The fact that so many in our Nation believe this aspersion is. When are the Democrats going to become Democrats again? Six Core Values of a Democrat 1. PROSPERITY - Providing all Americans with the opportunity to succeed and to live a secure and comfortable life, including good jobs here at home, affordable health care, a growing economy with stable prices, investment in new technologies, and fiscal responsibility in government. 2. NATIONAL SECURITY - Guaranteeing military strength second to none, stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction, building strong diplomatic alliances to protect America’s national interests, and collecting timely and reliable intelligence to keep us safe at home by preventing terrorist attacks before they occur. 3. FAIRNESS - Ensuring equal opportunity for all, including affordable health care for everyone, spending Social Security funds only on Social Security and eliminating tax loopholes so that all Americans pay their fair share. 4. OPPORTUNITY - Providing Americans access to the tools to succeed as they choose: a vibrant public education system, accountable to the highest standards for every school and a chance for all children to reach their potential, including an affordable and accessible college education. 5. COMMUNITY - Working together for safe communities free of crime and drugs, supporting local businesses and groups to keep our families safe and our neighborhoods strong, and enforcing our anti-pollution laws to keep our air and water clean and healthy, with polluters paying for the damage they cause. 6. ACCOUNTABILITY - Holding those in power accountable for their actions, acting responsibly for our children by restoring fiscal discipline and eliminating deficit spending with pay-as-you-gobudgets, and requiring real consequences for CEOs and corporations who break the law at the expense of those who play by the rules.

13 Comments:

Blogger MDConservative said...

How many voted for Kerry, or just against Bush? Either way people voted how they felt the country needed to go. And THAT is the great part of this country. In the polls there are no name calling, protests, or violence. It is quiet and it is one man (yes yes, or woman) one vote.

The 6 Core Values are fine, but from my personal and professional view I have seen that the Democrat side is not as much behind National Security. I am in no way saying it is on purpose, it just is. Too many times have I seen lawmakers overly concerned about the law over intelligence. Such as right now listening to Schumer, Leahy dig into the AG.

People do not like it but without national security the other 5 values are much more likely harmed and/or eliminated.

For example, as listed and in the actual document "National Security" is listed 2nd!! I understand I am probably overboard due to my life style, but it is also something I believe strongly in.

12:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

as soon as we start sending ordinary folks to washington instead of rich boys!

4:37 PM  
Blogger jakejacobsen said...

Excellent post as usual sir!

I have some thoughts, but it's 2:43 in whoville and I have to head to bed.

12:44 AM  
Blogger Van said...

MD-
"
The 6 Core Values are fine, but from my personal and professional view I have seen that the Democrat side is not as much behind National Security. I am in no way saying it is on purpose, it just is. Too many times have I seen lawmakers overly concerned about the law over intelligence. Such as right now listening to Schumer, Leahy dig into the AG.

People do not like it but without national security the other 5 values are much more likely harmed and/or eliminated."

--I happen to agree with you on this, that is, if the chronology is meant to be in the order of importance.
If that is the case than, at least in these times, National Security should be first.
You raise a good point.

5:50 AM  
Blogger Van said...

eaprez said...
"as soon as we start sending ordinary folks to washington instead of rich boys!"

--There is growing support for the Clean Elections movement (public funded political campaigns).
I'll be posting more about that at a later date, in the mean time check out - http://www.publicampaign.org/

5:53 AM  
Blogger MDConservative said...

This (the core values) was put together by politicians and aides. There is no way the order was not carefully thought about. Now I will admit that it most likely is not because behind the scenes it was a demand to let the country blow up.

In a political move, placing National Security first would make it appear as though they would be fine with the NSA issue. Placing it anymore than 2nd (I think 1st), well that just feeds the overall thought on my side, and the majority of Americans, that National Security is not number one to Democrats. Bush may be down behind Dems in many aspects, but not National Security.

Well now, technically, the Democratic leadership has put it on paper that it isn't. I am no politician but come on, I don't agree with them but you guys got smart people over there. You can do so much better than that.

I mean maybe at another era in time but as you said "in these times", I am willing to bet that almost all Americans have National Security at the top of their minds and concerns. I am sure he meant it in the way of getting rid of bad legislation, but did he realize how damn bad it sounds to say "We killed the Patriot Act."

Look clips come along on both sides that sound bad to average "Joe" who isn't going to read the news. But being able to have that quote was like a gift. And the last thing the Dems need to be giving to the right are gifts relating to the argument on National Security.

7:18 AM  
Blogger Van said...

MD-
"In a political move, placing National Security first would make it appear as though they would be fine with the NSA issue. Placing it anymore than 2nd (I think 1st), well that just feeds the overall thought on my side, and the majority of Americans, that National Security is not number one to Democrats. Bush may be down behind Dems in many aspects, but not National Security.


As usual you bring up some very good points. You're probably right. The list should reflect National Security as #1. This may prove to be a liability with the Dems in 08. Especially since the President's candidate will be pushing National Security as a top issue.
I am not afraid to critisize the Democrates, so this is likely something that I'll post about on a later date. I'll need to reseach some finer details.

Thanks for the posting.

9:02 AM  
Blogger MDConservative said...

No need for thanks. I enjoy the debate and as long as our conversation remains at this level, as oposed to the "anon" poster on my blog under the top post. Good grief.

I look forward to continue the debates, sure I will always come out on top (tongue in cheek).

When I am wrong I will be more than willing to admit it, and when you are right I will try to be the first to give you credit.

9:28 PM  
Blogger Van said...

Well said my friend, the main point of the post is that opposition is usually rewarded by progress, providing that most involved keep an open mind.

The Democrats and the Republicans are responsible for great accomplishments and well as terrible mistakes.

I think that President Clinton presided over the worst piece of legislation in 50 years - NAFTA. NAFTA, has done little to promote a strong middle-class in Mexico (remember? that's how they sold it?) NAFTA was an precursor for GATT. Naturally the wages are cheaper in China, so many companies moved again, this time from Mexico to China, and now Mexico as well as the U.S. is competing with wages in China. Once China becomes too expensive the Multinationals will want to move to Africa - I wonder how the'll sell that.

I don't have a problem with companies making money or finding the best labor or expanding markets. But what's wrong with protecting our industries? Germany, Japan, and yes China have laws against exporting jobs and importing cheap labor. Why dont' we?

Anyway, enough ranting, I've moved pretty far off thread.

4:36 AM  
Blogger Van said...

Here is a letter that I emailed to several prominent Demcratic Senators:

Dear Senators,

Thank you for all of your efforts to stand up for Middle-America. I appreciate all of the hard work that each of you do to protect and foster the growth of our middle and working classes.

Recently I posted the Six Core Values of a Democrat on my weblog. My intention is to make people aware that the Democratic Party stands for more than just standing against the Republicans. The post has generated some interest, with specific questions about National Security.
Could you please explain why National Security is listed as the second Core Value and not the first?

I find that in this time of uncertainty, National Security should be a very high priority for the Democratic Party. This is especially important now as the Republicans are wining elections by running on a National Security security platform.

I fear that by putting National Security as a second priority you are giving fuel the opposition to suggest that the Democrats are weak on protecting the public. While I do not think that this is true, it is a general perception among the masses.

I am sending this email to all four of you because I recently listened to the Podcast called, “Honest Leadership, Open Government” I enjoyed the speech, and like you; I think that we can do better.

I'll post the results as I recieve them.

10:35 AM  
Blogger MDConservative said...

I don't have time to really discuss much, have some work left and I am tired after briefing all day.

I am ticked, don't go telling them my secrets as to why they are losing! Seriously, I would prefer Republicans but MY main goal and job in life is National Security. Whomever is willing to do the best job in that department will get my vote.

I feel that way because as long as we protect the homeland, we can spend all day to years debating helathcare and social security.

I am curious to see the responses. Hopefully they are bad responses, otherwise I will be voting for some Democrats in the future (The hair on my neck just stood up).

Good evening, and I do hope you get some responses!

9:43 PM  
Blogger EAPrez said...

I don't understand why your side never questions that 9/11 happened on your guys watch. Your guy who heads the party that you believe keeps the homeland so safe disregarded the PDB of 8/06/01, your guy continued to sit in a chair reading a goat book after being told what had happened (sorry after learning of that PDB a month earlier if he didn't connect the dots in that moment he's either a fool or was anticipating the news) --- how do you figure your side makes us safer? Just because they say so? Your side gives a lot of credence to rhetoric rather than reality.

2:30 PM  
Blogger MDConservative said...

Because there is not a single Republican that says the US should not have a military. That is a start.

9:36 AM  

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