More Like Us, Less Like Them

How disappointing… some in the Democratic party are suggesting that we have to make our message “more mainstream.” This sort post-eleciton analysis is precisely what many are afraid of in the progressive/Democratic wing of the Democratic party.

Here’s what we do know from this past election: all of the following self-identified ideological groups, liberals, moderates, independents and progressives, voted for Kerry in greater numbers then they voted for Bush. The only ideological group that voted for Bush in much greater numbers were ideological conservatives. Now, here’s one more thing that we know, in 2000 conservatives/Evangelical Christians composed about 20-25% of voters, in 2004 conservatives/Evangelical Christians represented about 30-35% of voters. Conclusion, Bush carried only one ideological group, conservatives/Evangelical Christians, and more of them came out to vote in 2004. Now, how one can jump to the conclusion that They (Republicans) somehow represent the “mainstream,” I frankly don’t know. Clearly Bush received nearly 4 million votes more than Kerry; however, in a nation with 217,767,000 citizens of voting age, and where 114,324,228 (52.5%) turned out to vote, I think it’s defeatist for Democratic supporters to conclude: Oh, we got to be more like Republicans if we want to win. No, that’s the wrong conclusion, and the sort of thinking that does not earn respect from anybody. We, Democrats, liberals, progressives, moderates, independents (whatever you want to call yourself), have got to be more like Us and less like Them, and make sure that We present clear distinctions between Us and Them.

Here’s something I presented elsewhere, which I’ll post again, because it’s something that We have to keep in mind as We build up to for the next fight:

“In 1964, Lyndon Johnson (Democrat) beat Barry Goldwater (Republican) by 23% points. Goldwater managed to carry just 6 states and Johnson won the electoral college 486-52. But the conservatives didn’t give up. They didn’t spend a lot of time wringing their hands. They regrouped and fought back. By 1968, Nixon (Republican) crushed Humphrey (Democrat) in the electoral college 301-191 and won the popular vote by a million votes. If you oppose Bush, now isn’t the time to feel sorry for yourself. Now is the time to get to work.”

It took the Right wing 30+ years to get to where they are — We’ve taken the first step, and We must now follow up with action. Please, if you support Democratic/Progressive values, find local groups that will point in the right direction.

I’d recommend to start here:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/

And don’t compromise your core convictions and moral values of Hope over Fear, and of Tolerance as a Family Value.

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“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more!”
- William Shakespeare, Henry V

Devout Christians & the RNC

If one is really offended about the contemporary notion/misconception that devout Christians are somehow aligned with the “conservative right-wing” and with the Republican party, then, one should direct one’s ire against the leadership of the Republican party and its public mouth pieces (i.e., Rush Limbaugh, Pat Robertson, the 700 club, the Christian Coalition, and others).

Unfortunately, the Republican party has mounted a blatant and concerted effort to court born-again Evangelical Christians, and have thereby equated being “Christian” with being aligned with the Republican party (and, rightly or wrongly, with the conservative right-wing). By way of example, about a month ago the Republican National Committee (RNC) urged Evangelical pastors to actively recruit members of their congregation for the Republican party and, too, the RNC requested that pastors forward to the party contact information on their congregation. By making such a self-serving request, the RNC actually placed the churches that responded in jeopardy; because those churches could’ve have lost their (557) tax-exempt status with the IRS — whereby non-profit, including religious organizations, receive certain tax benefits as long as they don’t directly advocate for a political party.

Again, if there’s anyone that should rightfully be the recipient of one’s ire for exploiting and mischaracterizing people of the Christian faith, its the Republican party and its cohorts. In the first presidential debate, for example, Mr. Bush resorted to his religious crutch once again. In his closing statement Mr. Bush clearly invoked biblical imagery when he uttered:

Bush: We’ve climbed the mighty mountain. I see the valley below, and it’s a valley of peace.

Once again, if there’s anyone to blame for the contemporary notion that devout “Christians” are somehow aligned with a particular party, it’s the Republican party and those that do not stand up for their faith’s core values: tolerance, love of neighbor, charity and forgiveness.