7 of 17

Write now Article Tools

The death of the Democratic Party has been greatly exaggerated

This title may seem at odds with current reality since it is the Democratic Party who holds power in Washington and many state government offices. But that hasn't stopped some within the ranks of the Republican Party to turn this notion on its head. Though many within the Democratic Party have expressed dissatisfaction with its leadership and have actually signed off as party loyalists, much has been touted by the Right in this country on the demise of the Dems following the 2008 elections. The harsh judgment of the Party's President, Barack Obama and some of it's leaders like Nancy Pelosi and John Kerry resonate with a vitriol that hasn't been heard since the "Red Scare" days of the late 1940's and almost the entire decade of the 1950's. The voices heard in some of these diatribes appear to be coming from primarily white, middle income conservatives who saw their future hope in Sarah Palin crash and burn last November.

The loss appears to have been so deep and painful that rational reactions have been few and far apart in the aftermath of defeat. Virulent attacks at town hall meetings have shocked most people and threatening signs and costumes at "tea-bag" functions have disturbed many of us who probably felt that such people were beyond acting in such uncivil and over-the-edge manner. But hate is a strong emotion with humans and it can drive some people to lose control of their otherwise normal behavior and present their resentment in socially unacceptable and disruptive forms.

On the violent side we have seen the murders of innocent people by two white supremacists and one religious fanatic. But for the most part we are simply seeing many in more extremists conservative gatherings denigrate the Democratic Party with the imagery of America's traditional enemies; more so the enemies of capitalism than democracy such as socialism, communism and fascism. They have boisterously pronounced the death of traditional Democrats by virtue of morphing the Party into a representative of evil malefactors in history like Hitler, Che Guevara, Mao and Stalin. What's puzzling about this is that the naysayers have so many current American villains to malign the Democrats with that might be seen as more realistic by the supporters of Limbaugh, Beck, et al. With scoundrels such as Bernie Madoff, Enron's Ken Lay and human rights violator Caterpillar's CEO, James Owens, who's been known to "pal around" with Obama,

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about The difference between Democrats and Republicans?
We want to hear your view. Write now!