Back from vacation -- wondering about politics

[dampscribbler]

We had a great time -- got warm, got a little sunburned (not enough for anyone else to notice, we are from Oregon, after all), got relaxed. And now it's good to be home! Although I have dozens of chores calling to me, so I'll have to post more details about the vacation later.

I've been trying to quickly cruise friends' ljs this morning to catch up a bit. There's lots of talk about Bush's news conference last night, which I missed due to the fact that I can't tolerate him in any size dose. My Bush exposure has to be filtered through The Daily Show, which is in repeats this week, so I'll have to do my own filtering somehow I guess.

There's nothing like driving 12 hours through farm country to remind you that there are a lot of people out there who really hate Democrats. What I want to know is -- why?????? Where and how did the democrats fuck up so badly that they are now seen as the party of the elite while the Republicans, of all things, are seen as the party of the common guy? I hope someone out there in LJland has some insight, because this is something that needs to be fixed, and fixed fast.

Comments

[tamyranev.livejournal.com]

Taxes?

Just a guess.

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

Taxes seem to be the excuse that the Republicans use -- 'Dems will tax you, we won't,' -- but can that be all? And if that is all, the Dems are doing a horrible job of presenting themselves. After all, taxes are the price we pay for a civil society. So, there must be more to it than that.

I should do some research. Somehow the Democrats have gone from being the party that represents labor and the common man to the party that people associate with elitism, snobbery, waste, and greed. I really want to know how that happened.

Like I said, I need to do some research.

[(Anonymous)]

The Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Liberal Democrats supported it. Republicans and conservative Democrats opposed it. It still passed with a lot of arm twisting by President Johnson. However, the Democratic party lost the south in the process, as conservative Dems switched parties, culminating with the election of Reagan in 1980.

The Democratic party stood up for something that was right and meaningful, and it cost them.

The Republican party is very effective in communicating messages that appeal to the "common people" while implementing policies which favor the rich and privileged. Eventually, the Dems will figure it out and get their message out as well.

-Jerry

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

Insightful, Jerry; I hadn't even considered the Civil Rights Act, but it makes sense. Growing up in the midwest as I did, I saw a certain amount of hostility against people of color, even by people who insisted that they were "not prejudiced." (I saw even more hostility from those who never bothered to make such assertions, including some members of my own family.)

The Democratic party desperately needs restructuring. I wonder what it will take for that to happen?

[tamyranev.livejournal.com]

Hm...I've never heard accusations of elitism and greed, but maybe that's because I'm a registered Democrat. My impression is that Republicans paint Democrats as inept at money management, soft on crime, and morally flexible.

Sure, you and I know that taxes are necessary to pay for services we need, but Republicans would probably say that some of those services aren't truly necessary, or that they could be provided for less money than the Democrats frivolously demand.

Welcome back, by the way. :-) Glad you had a nice time.

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

I probably should have said "intellectual elitism" or "intellectualism." Despite his Yale education, Bush comes across as (and is, as far as I can tell) a buffoon. Too much old-school "polish" from guys like Kerry and Clinton makes a lot of people uncomfortable. Damn shame.

My impression is that Republicans paint Democrats as inept at money management, soft on crime, and morally flexible.
Yes, that seems to be the case to me, too. The difference I guess is that I dismiss such ridiculous and pointless assertions. I guess a lot of people don't. This is the big problem with party politics -- everyone of a given party gets painted with the same brush. Absurd.

Welcome back, by the way. :-) Glad you had a nice time.
Thanks. :-) The sun was so nice! Still, it's good to be home and planning my garden!