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Populist Reform of the Democratic Party
Showing Original Post only (View all)UPDATED: Vote Deadline Extended to Name Our Populist Movement within Democratic Party [View all]
This discussion thread was locked by demwing (a host of the Populist Reform of the Democratic Party group).
Last edited Sat Nov 22, 2014, 03:40 PM - Edit history (8)
UPDATED: Poll Deadline Has Been Extended From 3 Days to 2 WeeksFormerly Titled: Olympus Isn't All About Thunder - Time to Settle on a Name and Move On
Olympus in reference to the recent thread titled Stealing Thunder. Thunder represents the lightning to come. We need to concentrate on the lightning - the policies we want to see enacted, and how we want to best educate our fellow Americans so they are informed and motivated voters (I have suggested PSAs, mass e-mails, phone calls, etc.). We need to get beyond the thunder and get to the lightning - defining ourselves. Americans need to know everything from Social Security is solvent to we want Universal Healthcare (spelling out what that is), and "Obamacare" was a conservative think tank idea that does not go far enough because it leaves people without healthcare.
I have been open to discussion on naming, but at some point this discussion must end. Throughout this discussion I have supported the Roosevelt Party (represented by a blue rose and in honor of the three notable Roosevelts in our history), The Democratic Wing (represented by a blue wing), or the Party of Social Responsibility (symbol open to discussion). All have their strengths and weaknesses, and there have been other suggestions.
In an attempt to resolve this issue I have created a poll that gives everyone three days to vote on various name I have seen suggested. I would like consent to adopt whatever name wins in the end. If I neglected to add one of the many names suggested over the last days that can be resolved by write-in votes, which will be counted and compete against those listed.
THIS POLL IS TO NAME A NEW POPULIST MOVEMENT WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, NOT TO RENAME THIS GROUP OR FORM A THIRD PARTY. WHAT FORM THIS MOVEMENT TAKES IS UP TO THE GROUP. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD FOCUS MAINLY ON EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO VOTERS AND IDENTIFYING/SUPPORTING PROGRESSIVES IN THE PARTY WHILE EXPOSING REPUBLICANS IN DEMOCRATIC CLOTHING.
My vote is for The Roosevelt Party: The records of FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Teddy Roosevelt taken together cover many of the ideals liberals hold dear. While those ideals were limited by the era they lived in, the name Roosevelt can help us lead the Democratic Party back to the left through educating our fellow Americans how socialism is one of the things that makes America great. Liberals should be known as Roosevelt Democrats, as should politicians who have records in line with liberal ideals.
ManyGoldstein's Argument (Post 23):
Roosevelt Democrats
I think the name, like a good headline, should:
1. cut through the noise (make people say "huh?" when they first see it)
2. say something about what we're up to
3. be a good way to start a conversation with people
4. fulfill 1-3 in a way that they work for all Americans, not just political junkies
"Democratic Wing" would work great for political junkies, but I think it will confuse others (i.e., doesn't meet 4 above).
"Roosevelt Democrats" is great for 1-4. The Roosevelts in question did so many great things, great Progressive/Liberal things, and the results were fantastic: those are stories that I like to tell. "Why am I a Roosevelt Democrat? Do you know that in FDR's first term, because of Liberal policies, unemployment halved and the economy grew at three or four times the rate it's growing now? Let's talk about the policies that made this happen, and why we need them again today."
"They did X and it worked. Everytime X has been tried, it worked. Doesn't it make sense to do X?" Those are the arguments that win people's hearts and minds.
Both Teddy and Franklin were flawed, as are all people, and there will be some nitwits (even on DU!) that will fling poo at 'em. But both, as they aged, improved, and also one person's poison is another person's meat. For example, some people (not me) feel that the US developing atomic weapons was an awful thing, but to others it could be seen as a sign that Roosevelt Democrats will do what's needed, when needed.
And by including Teddy, Franklin, and Eleanor, it sends a great message about inclusion: Democrats and Republicans, men and women. They were not people of color, but did work hard to advance the ball for all Americans. Whatever we call ourselves, we'll not perfect America either, but we'll fight hard for all.
13 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Poll closed | |
The Roosevelt Party | |
1 (8%) |
|
The Democratic Wing | |
4 (31%) |
|
The Populist Progressive Party | |
3 (23%) |
|
The Citizen's Reform Caucus | |
0 (0%) |
|
The Progressive Caucus | |
2 (15%) |
|
The Social Democrats | |
1 (8%) |
|
Other (Please Declare Your Preferred Name in Comment) | |
2 (15%) |
|
The Populist Reform Group | |
0 (0%) |
|
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UPDATED: Vote Deadline Extended to Name Our Populist Movement within Democratic Party [View all]
EEO
Nov 2014
OP
Another plea not to use "Party" in the name. It sounds like a third party.
rhett o rick
Nov 2014
#62
I don't think they stole the meaning. I think liberals misunderstood it as a synonym for liberal.
merrily
Nov 2014
#87
I am not an expert but think differently on this. The Republican Party of Teddy Roosevelt was the
rhett o rick
Nov 2014
#88
I thought the left switched from liberal to progressive because of the demonization of the
rhett o rick
Nov 2014
#90
Have to go with this too, makes it more present, new and youthful. Add to poll?
grahamhgreen
Nov 2014
#9
It's not a change of name for the group. It is a selection of a name for a new populist movement.
EEO
Nov 2014
#31
You made some excellent points. I had chosen The Democratic Wing, but realize that as you said
sabrina 1
Nov 2014
#26
Sometimes silence is just bad timing. Post a link to your proposal thread for more input.
NYC_SKP
Nov 2014
#34
I would far prefer our movement be named after a PRINCIPLE rather than a person.
scarletwoman
Nov 2014
#35
Is there a way to incorporate the word "Blue" without automatically reminding us of Blue Dogs?
demwing
Nov 2014
#59
Thank you. I have the same reservations about "harken(ing) to a nostalgic day gone by".
scarletwoman
Nov 2014
#103
We learn about him in high school because we study the great depression and WWII
LeftInTX
Nov 2014
#74
I'm not sure I care anymore. We can call ourselves the "Purple Turnips" & it won't mean anything if
scarletwoman
Nov 2014
#69
Well, I'm learning to ignore criticism from some people, as it devolves into feigned apathy.
EEO
Nov 2014
#70
I like "Democratic Wing" or "Progressive Caucus or Coalition" and would recommend against a name
rhett o rick
Nov 2014
#50
I figured you would get it but I have a habit of adding the "just kidding" because some here
rhett o rick
Nov 2014
#63
I like it, I also like Coalition. But I am torn between "populist" and "progressive".
rhett o rick
Nov 2014
#81
Maybe, but blue always brings blue dogs to mind, and we are the antithesis of the blue dog dems....
peacebird
Nov 2014
#77
Not bad. Again I don't like the use of "party" as it may infer a separate party.
rhett o rick
Nov 2014
#82
I like the Roosevelt's because the general population made thier DVD movie number one!
TheNutcracker
Nov 2014
#101
A name is important. Our effectiveness depends on our unification. It is important that
rhett o rick
Nov 2014
#110