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

[(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?