Jentleson's critical analysis was interesting, very focused on Democratic Party members winning elections and taking power. But I kept wondering, other than tactical considerations related to controversial issues - what does he think the Democratic Party should stand for? What are our principles and core commitments? I don't think it can…
Jentleson's critical analysis was interesting, very focused on Democratic Party members winning elections and taking power. But I kept wondering, other than tactical considerations related to controversial issues - what does he think the Democratic Party should stand for? What are our principles and core commitments? I don't think it can just be a list of policy positions - right to choose, no cuts to social security?, no backtracking on ACA. As George HW B put it - the vision thing?
It used to be poverty, labor, and liberty. Neither of the latter two things appear to be central to the party anymore, and the poverty part seems almost entirely concerned with urban poverty through a racial lens.
Over the past decade it seems like safetyism, guilt, and conformity are the values.
There is a "victim of its own success" aspect to this. Gay rights was a very compelling issue for Ds, now mostly achieved. There was low hanging fruit in the fairness and equity realm.
Jentleson's critical analysis was interesting, very focused on Democratic Party members winning elections and taking power. But I kept wondering, other than tactical considerations related to controversial issues - what does he think the Democratic Party should stand for? What are our principles and core commitments? I don't think it can just be a list of policy positions - right to choose, no cuts to social security?, no backtracking on ACA. As George HW B put it - the vision thing?
It used to be poverty, labor, and liberty. Neither of the latter two things appear to be central to the party anymore, and the poverty part seems almost entirely concerned with urban poverty through a racial lens.
Over the past decade it seems like safetyism, guilt, and conformity are the values.
There is a "victim of its own success" aspect to this. Gay rights was a very compelling issue for Ds, now mostly achieved. There was low hanging fruit in the fairness and equity realm.
"Not being Republicans" is the only value.