I cannot help but feel that the Democratic Party no longer represents me, or the things I consider important. The fix seems to be in: push the Democratic Party ever rightward, towards social conservatism. And I wonder at the direction both parties are taking this country.

When I read what Mike said...

There's been a lot of talk about how the progressive netroots is left twisting in the wind. Why do the establishment Democrats ignore our pearls of wisdom, and our genius solons? Here's why: they have no incentive whatsoever to do so–and it's not simply that the netroots aren't like the rest of America. Why would the Democratic establishment do this to the loyal netroots?

Because we have the attention span of gnats, and are unwilling to punish Democrats. First, the attention span. Remember when Kos boldly pronounced that the netroots were going to boldly take back the party? 'Everyone' was raring to go, and then... nothing. Instead, we got a love affair with Rahm Emanuel's conservative and anti-abortion Democrats, even though our base is disproportionately pro-choice women

...all I can say is "right on."

And when Dadahead asks...

How different would the Democratic Party look if it were actively trying, 1919 Black Sox style, to throw everything to the GOP? I'm not saying that they are doing that; I'm just asking what the difference would be.

...I find I have to ponder that a bit, because it seems like the Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee did everything right ... to play into the Republican game plan and get Alito confirmed without even framing him as anything but the mainstream guy he's not.

And I'm not sure what John means when he says...

Only an idiot thinks Bush won the election because "much of the American public" supported anything in his platform. He won by default. People couldn't stand him, they didn't want him back as president, but the Democrats presented the voters with an even worse choice. And when it's a choice between two evils, while Mae West may pick the one she hasn't tried, the American people prefer the lesser of the two. Any Democrat who thinks Bush won, and we lost, because he had some kind of mandate is a fool.

This is just that much more evidence of why there needs to be a major blood-letting in the Democratic party, and soon. Heads need to roll. ROLL. People need to lose their jobs, en masse. After 2000, no one took responsibility. After 2004, no one took responsibility. And now it's happening again. Our wonderful party leaders are sitting back and scratching their heads wondering why the country isn't simply running into our arms while they sit back and do nothing to earn the country's respect and loyalty.

There needs to be a major revolution in the Democratic party. Heads need to roll, and soon.

...I tend to agree. (I'd like to see a bloodletting of the wingnuts from the Republican Party, too, but they're the governing party -- no sense hoping for the ruling elite to reform themselves.

And when a long-time Kosnik writes...

I hear there is a lot of bitching and complaining on Daily Kos today. I hear some think we should abandon the Democratic Party.

If it is some Kossacks desire to do so, fine. It is (or used to be) free country, and as such, anyone can do what they wish.

I just have one request.

Get the fuck off this site and never ever come back.

...I can only wonder at how progressive values have gotten such a bad name from the so-called "netroots."

And when, today, Kos writes...

We are a reaction to the politics of personal destruction pioneered by the right's Clinton-hating brigades, the vile and corrosive rhetoric of Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and company, and the politics of demonization which the Right practices against blacks, immigrants, and gays.

But when someone on the left fights back, it's the end of the fucking world.

I understand that it was easier for right-wing hacks to ply their trash when liberals unilaterally disarmed and took it with nary a peep. I understand they pine for those days when the best we could offer in rebuttal was Alan Colmes.

But they created the environment we now play in. They wanted a "culture war", an ideological fight, a partisan rumble in which only one side brought guns to the game. Those days are over.

They don't like it, they only have themselves to blame.

...I can only wonder what "culture war" he's talking about, since all he's done for the past year is argue how Democrats should surrender and retreat on the "culture wars" and talk up up candidates who are pro-war and pro-government ownership of women's bodies.

And of course when the press plays the right-wing game, there's little chance for meaningful public discourse.
Four decades ago, the Democrats fought the right fight. Many would argue that much of the backlash the Democrats have experienced in the South is a direct result of that fight to establish the rights of "Negroes" to vote, to attend school, even to eat at lunch counters. The fight for some semblance of justice was won, but the Democrats since then lost seats in Congress. And many would argue that the Democratic Party we saw in the Alito hearings was nothing like the party that fought for social justice. Now they seem cowed and all too easily baited by the Republicans. Now they seem to want nothing more than to be more like the Republicans.

...And as I look at the post-hearings spin from Democratic leaders, and post-hearings silence from so many so-called "progressive" bloggers, I ponder the question:

What kind of Democratic Party would greet Dr. King today?

When it comes to social values, the parties offer up conservative and more conservative. That's no choice. The Republicans and their culture of corruption are on the ropes, but the Democrats are behaving like they're the losers, and push forward ever-more-conservative candidates for public office. And in this post-Katrina nation wrestling with a foolhardy war and budget and trade deficits racing out of control, the window for progressive change is closing out of sheer neglect.

You have a dream? That and $2.50 will get you a cup of coffee. Now get to the back of the bus.

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