Fairly decent opinion piece, , , , ,

A civil war is coming for the Democratic Party - and it won't be pretty
USA TODAY Opinion Saritha Prabhu,USA TODAY Opinion 2 hours 1 minute ago

Brace yourself; there is a civil war coming soon in the Democratic Party.

At the heart of today's Democratic Party is an identity crisis and an ideological struggle. In recent election cycles, these were pushed underground for the sake of party unity.

We heard the first rumblings of it during the 2016 election when Bernie Sanders gave Hillary Clinton a serious run for her money.

And now those differences threaten to come out in the open during the upcoming primary debates at an importunate moment when the party needs to unite to defeat President Trump.

But now is as good a time as any to solve the identity crisis in the party.

How to help the Democrats solve their problems

For starters, is the Democratic Party a party of the rich or a party of the little guy? For many years, they've been the party of the rich playing a good game of pretending to be for the little guy.

And the Democratic establishment does it in insidious ways that are too clever by half: They are for the marginalized guy or gal in the race, gender, and sexuality issues because, hey, that doesn't hurt their and their affluent constituents' pocketbook much.

But in the economic issues that matter, they often sock it to the average Democratic working-class voter: in the global trade deals that've offshored jobs and have decimated the American manufacturing base; in their looking the other way as illegal immigrants depress the wages of working-class Americans, and more.

But as long as they talk and talk and talk some more - about abortion and transgender rights and racism (not that these aren't relevant issues), they can have their cake and eat it too.

But all this worked until 2016, but can't be pulled off anymore. The Democratic establishment wing is still either clueless or stubborn, but they want good ol' Joe Biden to come to the rescue and Make Oligarchic America Great Again.

But the restive Sanders, Warren, and Ocasio Cortez wing of the party won't let them.

With Clinton, they chose elitism over empathy

But it isn't just the Democratic Party establishment that's the problem, it is the party's voters that've changed. It has been for some time the party of the rich, and the party of college-educated, upwardly mobile, urban voters. There are, of course, minority voters and struggling legal immigrants in the mix, but working-class and lower middle-class voters who used to vote Democrat are right to feel alien in today's Democratic Party.

Hillary Clinton revealed her economic elitism when she said in 2018 that she won in the "places that represent two-thirds of America's gross domestic product. So I won the places that are optimistic, diverse, dynamic, moving forward."

And this was the Democratic nominee! Where was the empathy and compassion for those who've been left behind in today's global economy by forces outside their control like uncontrolled mass immigration, offshoring of jobs, automation? There was none, because she was out-of-touch and clueless.

And the dishonesty continues with the Democratic establishment wing. If Hillary had won in 2016, the party would've drifted further away from its working-class roots. But the defeat in 2016 has forced party establishment leaders like Joe Biden to now go through the performative motions of pretend-caring especially about white working-class voters.

Enter Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Say what you will about them, but they are admirably trying to do some vital housecleaning in their party.

This progressive wing may seem crazy and socialist, and I don't agree with them on some things, but at least their hearts are in the right place, and they are closer to the historic, progressive roots of the Democratic Party.

I left the Democratic Party in 2016 because I couldn't stomach the dishonesty and duplicity. When you rip of their mask, what is revealed is troubling: the Party of Davos masquerading as the Party of Scranton, Pennsylvania, that essentially hoodwinks much of the electorate.

Yes, the establishment Republicans are no better, but this is a discussion about the Democratic Party.

It is OK, by the way, to be a party of and for the affluent, but at least don't simultaneously pretend to be the party of the little guy.

I, for one, am looking forward to the coming civil war and some resolution.

Saritha Prabhu is a columnist with the TennesseanTennessean, where this column originally appeared.

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Dora Hates You

"I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat." Will Rodgers. 1879-1935.

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add a signature since I'm here in profile anyway

But in the economic issues that matter, they often sock it to the average Democratic working-class voter: in the global trade deals that've offshored jobs and have decimated the American manufacturing base; in their looking the other way as illegal immigrants depress the wages of working-class Americans, and more.

Such bullshit. Is anyone capable of telling the truth anymore?

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I was right.

You beat me to that Cole. I did like the party of Davos instead of the party of Scranton. Goldman Sachs played both against the middle and when Hillary took 800k from them while paying lip service to the common man, Bernie was there to show the world that the empress had no clothes. Then with Bernie primaried, those voters sent her a message by voting for trump. That happened.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

There's a cold civil war already happening. Americans vs the GOP and their sycophants who are dumb enough to prop them up with sharts like the OP.

Mostly true assessment, but it's offensive to suggest the left Dems "seem crazy" for advocating for things like national healthcare and college debt relief. There's nothing crazy about relief for the working class.

I don't think it's going to be settled soon, and it will probably mean another term for trump.

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“It is the heart of US policy to use fascism to preserve capitalism while claiming to be saving democracy from communism “ - Michael Parenti

Crazy libtard lefties--It is a travesty that sleepy Joe actually did legislation with "white supremacists" in congress (his job) and it is OK for spartacus to have dialog with Farrakan--and you idiots call the GOP stupid!

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Romans 8;18-32 John 3;16-18

No, the real Nazis are the people in South Carolina that Trump called good.
Nothing that anyone on the left has done even remotely reaches the outlandish level of bullshit that Trump has achieved. Is the Left perfect? No, far from it, but Trump is a legendary racist asshole, with no clue - see Iran - and will be replaced in the next election. I'm hoping for Bernie or Warren, but anyone of the two dozen will do.



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I was right.

Warren who wants reparations for slaves and gays!! priceless

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Romans 8;18-32 John 3;16-18

Sure. If she replaces bumbling Trump, I'm fine with it.



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I was right.

Is it just me thinking this or does it seem Crankit wishes he was shackled, beaten and oppressed?

Edited: 06/24/2019 at 05:30 AM by HAPDigital

Shouldn't all women (oppressed for centuries) get reparations also then? And most of all the Indians?

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Romans 8;18-32 John 3;16-18

Yes, good idea.

Epic pathological liar!

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The REAL truth is....both of the forum idiots are OWNED.
-BOTH of them have no clue who their owner is.
-They are both card carrying narcissists.
^These are PROVED facts.

The left advocated or just blatantly panders? From my point of view, it looks like the left is taking a look at blocks of voters, determining who might be at risk and then promising them things that they can't deliver. Today the left looks like the kid running for class president of a middle school who is promising the kids free ice cream every day and no homework if they vote for him.

It looks desperate.

Then you have Hillary Clinton colluding with Russia and Ukraine for information on Trump and his campaign, so they can spy on them. She can't resign because thankfully she didn't win but she's a bigger crook than Nixon by far.

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"The government who robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul," - George Bernard Shaw

“Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to f—k things up.” - Barack Obama

“End of quote. Repeat the line.” - wise words from Joe Biden

Sleepy joe? That's classic trump labeling for his simpletons to latch on to. You're right on schedule. Trump was the one falling asleep at the wheel. The golfer in chief will come up with another petty nickname for Biden soon because sleepy joe might be backfiring already.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

Snipe I think you're conflating liberals and "the left". Healthcare in the USA is a known crisis, and "the left" wants to address it once and for all in a way that isn't beholden to the money interests like the GOP (who want to do nothing) or the Liberals who want to maintain a private for-profit insurance racket.

We on the left aren't promising people anything except what they are entitled to under natural law, a fair share of the wealth they create through their labor. An end to exploitation of the worker.



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“It is the heart of US policy to use fascism to preserve capitalism while claiming to be saving democracy from communism “ - Michael Parenti

Socialism?

Thats not going to work and is in fact traitorous.

Fool!

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The REAL truth is....both of the forum idiots are OWNED.
-BOTH of them have no clue who their owner is.
-They are both card carrying narcissists.
^These are PROVED facts.

USA Today is one $hitty rag anymore. Figures they'd pick that tripe up.

The ball is basically in the Dems' court. The entitled ones (Bernie and AOC) want as much socialism as they can get. They are a minority, fostering more us-against-them division.

A far-left "socialist" will bring right-wing opposition out of the woodwork.

A centrist Dem can beat Trump if far-left Dems get behind him/her.

Hell, the Dems could run a moderate/centrist Republican on their ticket and beat Trump.

There are enough conservatives and Republicans (not necessarily the same thing!) who unhappy with Trump to hand the election to a moderate Dem easily.

Go for the fringes and you'll lose the middle, but need ALL of your fringers and never-Trumpers to vote.

Entitled ones? You see Bernie and AOC as entitled next to the Pelosis and trumps of the world? That's twisted.

There's nothing "fringe" about the types of common sense reforms represented by Bernie and AOC, it's in line with much of the world. Biden has clearly stated to the wealthy donor class that he wants to keep everything the same.
That's not what we're (left) about. We want real change that will improve the lives of working class Americans who have been shit on for 40 years.

Trump is steaming pile of shit, but he's re-elected because the dems try to run a right wing democrat, then USA will get what it deserves.

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“It is the heart of US policy to use fascism to preserve capitalism while claiming to be saving democracy from communism “ - Michael Parenti

And have views like----------------Yours!!

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Romans 8;18-32 John 3;16-18

The Dems already have a "self destruct" plan in place in case Bernie or Liz come out ahead in the primary. The game is theirs to lose, and they're quite good at it.

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“It is the heart of US policy to use fascism to preserve capitalism while claiming to be saving democracy from communism “ - Michael Parenti

How are "they" quite good at losing? "They" have won the popular vote in 6 of the last 7 elections and just won the house back and several governors races?

This is a silly little bot spam pigaganda piece by some tennessean's Tennessean
With a third world nom de guerre. I'm surprised usatoday would publish this kaka
There will be a bunch of debates and townhalls and meetings over coming months throughout the U.S.
Understandings, compromises and agreements will be reached.
But all patriotic, loyal, clear thinking american citizens of whatever party will agree that putie's precious orange poodle, his beloved siberian candidate: has thoroughly completed his mission to create discord, hatred and division within my beloved America.
Beyond his vladdie daddy's wildest wet dream....mission accomplished
He must. And will:
be made to go away. Period....

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It's a democratic hoax

Dems have a remarkable capacity to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Not saying i like it Green, it's just how it is. I almost always vote for them, sometimes i campaign for them. But some of the party tactics to keep out progressives is completely undemocratic and underhanded.
If they run Joe, he might win popular vote too, but i think he loses the EC. Joe is a no go for many.

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“It is the heart of US policy to use fascism to preserve capitalism while claiming to be saving democracy from communism “ - Michael Parenti

We need a 5 point or more advantage in the popular vote to overcome the EC bias toward low population states.
If any single one of those 20 can't muster more than that against Pence, then America is over.,l

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"The truth is incontrovertible.
malice may attack it,
ignorance may deride it,
but in the end,
there it is." -Sir Winston Churchill

Joe is actually a go for many:




Not sure why all the gloom and doom. Oh yeah the media likes it.

Edited: 06/25/2019 at 08:33 AM by Greensleeves

OK, but Trump won't be the GOP candidate.
How does Joe poll against Pence?

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"The truth is incontrovertible.
malice may attack it,
ignorance may deride it,
but in the end,
there it is." -Sir Winston Churchill

And Killary will be the next president!

You are the most epic moron in this forum...besides CRAPDigital.

Between the two of you, yall' give morons a bad name!

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The REAL truth is....both of the forum idiots are OWNED.
-BOTH of them have no clue who their owner is.
-They are both card carrying narcissists.
^These are PROVED facts.

He kicks his climate denying LGBTQ hating a$$.

Where has Biden shown any real leadership in his last 50 years or whatever in government?



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"The government who robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul," - George Bernard Shaw

“Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to f—k things up.” - Barack Obama

“End of quote. Repeat the line.” - wise words from Joe Biden

Joe has a lot against him, and they aren't slinging the poo yet. I think all the Dem front runners poll well against trump so far.

Biden might pull it off without minorities or millennials, but I think it's a long shot.



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“It is the heart of US policy to use fascism to preserve capitalism while claiming to be saving democracy from communism “ - Michael Parenti

That's an interesting tidbit. Wonder what the Vegas odds are on that one....

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Specializing in sarcasm and condescending rhetoric since 1971.

I'll answer my own question......

According to oddsshark, The tangerine tornado is still +100 to win the presidency in 2020.

Let the gaming begin....


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Specializing in sarcasm and condescending rhetoric since 1971.

Most of the middle leaning voters that went for Trump in the last election will vote for Joe. There is all this talk of how Trump has made it better for the average American, but that has yet to show up in any real data.



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I was right.

Bwahahahahahahhahahaha!

Thats rich.

FOOL!

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The REAL truth is....both of the forum idiots are OWNED.
-BOTH of them have no clue who their owner is.
-They are both card carrying narcissists.
^These are PROVED facts.