Some personal observations about Democratic politics

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I, a New York Democrat, assert – with little fear of contradiction – that two New York City Democrats – Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, and Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader – are among the most soporific (sleep-inducing, boring) politicians in the entire country.  In addition, one would be hard-pressed to identify what these two high-ranking Democrats actually stand for.  Well, maybe, “we don’t like Donald Trump” and “we’re not Republicans.”  Not exactly a winning campaign strategy.

In contrast to these “moderate” Democrats, we have the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) crew of “progressive” or “far-left” Democrats.  Not only are they not boring speakers, they surely DO know what they stand for.  And therein lies a huge problem for Democrats in the near and far future.  Who is entitled to call themselves Democrats?  The faceless moderates or the fire-breathing DSA crew?  And how many Democratic voters will vote for either kind of Democrat?

Many of the original DSA crowd were NOT really all that radical.  Their platform included universal health care, a minimum wage, Pro-Choice, and higher taxes on the super-wealthy.  Not exactly fringe ideas, not socialistic ideas.  More like what Democrats used to stand for, before they lost their MOJO (ca. 1981).

But some DSA candidates embrace “socialism,” it’s in their name!  As many are typically very young – and therefore ignorant – they may be forgiven for embracing socialism – a real economic system – because they don’t have a clue what “socialism” really means and they are not aware of socialism’s long history of failures (Economics 101) (Google: “failures of socialism” or “successes of socialism.”  For me to cite one URL would undermine the credibility of this piece.).

ALL (NO exceptions!) industrial nations in the world have “mixed economic systems,” with capitalism at their core and lots of socialistIC programs that keep the working class from violent revolution.  Even China is a mixed system.

But Democrats of today are at a crossroads, a crossroads of survival as a major political party in America.  Despite conventional wisdom predicting a Blue Wave come November’s midterms, it is my view that Democrats have a good chance of blowing the midterms.  While Trump’s net approval rating is -15.4%, Democrats’ net approval rating is -17.1%.  Is this Blue Wave polling?

Old guard Democrats suffer from boring candidates who have no idea what they stand for, while DSA Democrats are the only ones sounding like … Democrats with a Democratic vision.  If things were that simple, who would YOU vote for? 

Most of the (original) DSA “platform” was “progressive.”  But the DSA has published a revised platform less than a month ago.  A lot of it is spot-on good stuff, and a lot of it is totally bonkers.  DSA’s recent platform will provide rocket fuel to the ambitions of Republicans.  Blue Wave?  As long as moderate Democrats and “progressive” or DSA Democrats remain at war with each other, millions of independent voters will not vote for Democrats and millions of Democratic voters will stay home on Election Day rather than vote for “the wrong kind” of Democrat.  Primaries tend to choose the more extreme, less moderate candidate, while the general election prefers the more moderate candidate.  Even Bernie Sanders lost 100 elections before he won his first.

Not like this isn’t enough to give us all restless nights, Democrats have one more problem: Israel.   Historically, Americans have seen Israel in a much more positive light than Palestine.  In recent years, this has changed: one, because of America's youth attaining voting age and being counted in polling, and, two, support for Israel has slipped, but only among Democrats.  More reasons for independents, and moderate Democrats, to withhold their votes from Democratic candidates.  In addition, losing Jewish support for Democratic candidates will have a much more unhappy consequence than losing the Jewish vote, as the history of Jews in the United States has parallelled the history of the Democratic Party.  Wind one down and so goes the other.

A final note.

I stand with AIPAC regarding its mission: excellent relations between the state of Israel and the United States of America. But the fact is, their brand has become toxic. Every time they support a candidate, that candidate loses (votes if not elections).  In addition, they support many candidates who are friendly to Trump.  AIPAC should take a five year (at least five years) vacation; if they do so, Democrats have a better chance of winning elections.  And the DSA will have one less talking point to attack moderate Democrats with, giving main stream Democrats time to become better Democrats.

Donald J Trump just called us Communists.  He is quite literally calling for political violence.  Is it an exaggeration to suggest he is inviting his faithful to commit a Holocaust?  Who will be its victims?   Jews?  Democrats?  Any American who rubs him the wrong way?

As for the antisemitic DSA Democrats, like AIPAC they need to take a five year vacation and use that time to learn the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

We would all be better off if we were not so damned ignorant.

Fareed’s Take

If you’re ready for some uncomfortable laughs, Youtube Megan Romer, the DSA co-chair who has evidently been chosen to be the face of today’s DSA, for proof of how far gone these people are.  Without editing, her performance could be a skit on SNL, as she is a parody of herself.  But she is not really funny, she is rather pathetic.  Someone should have told her to avoid live interviews.  With friends like these, who needs enemies?  <sigh>