Quote:
Originally Posted by The One and Only...
Many of the Democratic candidates have come out a lot looser on gun control.
|
What's "many"? Howard Dean does it because he was the governor of Vermont, and he's pandering to the Southern vote. Most Democrats at least advocate maintaining the laws we already have on the books, and few get a favorable rating from the NRA.
Quote:
Two candidates have refused public funding, and it is highly likely that it may be repealed in the future because it has not prevented what it was intended to.
|
One candidate who has a huge constituency that believes very heavily in strong campaign finance reform. However, they believe in beating Bush even more. The idea most of the Dean people have convinced themselves of, as have many other Democrats, is that there's no reason to "play by the rules" while the rules suck. This doesn't mean your typical Dem.
opposes publicly financed elections.
Quote:
Most candidates call for the repeal of Bush's tax cuts, but not for the addition of new taxes.
|
Because they like their salaries, as well as the "parking for life" they get at the Capitol building.
Quote:
AND HERE'S THE REAL KICKER:
Few Dem's are in favor of the Rep. plans for the expansion of Medicare.
It seems that while one party is getting worse, the other is getting better - and the distinction between the two parties is getting harder to see every day.
|
Again, for reasons completely contrary to what you're hoping for. Go back, from FDR, to Truman, to LBJ (hell, even Republican Eisenhower). People of all walks of like have agreed on expansive health coverage, particularly for children and seniors. Democrats do not oppose this in theory, at least most don't. I think many, in an "ideal world," would prefer a universal system. But right now, they need to oppose Bush on SOMETHING, and an expensive medicare expansion during a time of post-war and recession seems like a likely target. I think your hopes for the Democratic Party are a bit off. You should stick to doing what the Cato Institute types have done for years now: Take over the Republicans, and join a merged plank with the moralists. It brought on the Reagan revolution, and it's the one way to maintain the Southern vote. Trying to get the conservative South to vote Democrat again may be a toughy....