Start Date: January 12, 2011 Finish Date: January 12, 2011

Info: About the 21st Century Democrats

Greetings,

     It seems your main accomplishment has been, "building a network of populist Democrats who stand up for America’s working families and lead the Democratic Party at the local, state, and federal levels." Of course, when looking at the news and information here, all you offer is a list of candidates that you endorse. But, after talking about progressive candidates in your "about us" page, you return to the idea of progressive: you want "...to enact progressive public policy which transforms this country to a just, fair, and equal society for all." But nowhere on this page, or any page, can one find a definition of the word "progressive."

     There's "training material" on how to make successful phone calls when trying to do fundraising for the Democratic Party. But, what about training material on organizing the community and society to resist the onslaught of bourgeois Capitalism? You do understand that this is what "progressive" meant when the term was invented a century ago? It reminds me of how Republicans call themselves "Libertarians." Do they know anything about the original Communists and Socialists who invented the word "Libertarian" to describe themselves? No, they were too busy telling me about their candidates.

     When I step back and look at it, I see that both parties have stolen their ideas from others, and both of them are completely ignorant of what these ideas might have meant. Libertarianism means "limited government, but only after you elect us," just like Progressivism means "progressive government, but only after you elect us." What does Libertarian or Progressive mean? Neither the Democrats or the Republicans know, but it seems to more accurately capture the image that they're trying to portray: those who want political liberty, those who want social progress. You play in to the game where these two ideas have to be opposed to each other -- and you'll never find true social harmony that way.

     Just say the truth: you don't have any new ideas. You don't know and even think you know how to change society for the greater good. What you do have is a list of candidates. These candidates received their funding from corporations who make their living off of sweatshops where children are whipped. They make their money from local shops and storeowners, who have always exploited minority communities and forged statements to the police so that another ghetto will be raided. They report the homeless sleeping on the benches and those begging for a job, because these are crimes. That's all you have to offer: politicians propped up by murderers, thieves, and liars.

     No wonder you couldn't just tell the truth for what it is: lying sounds so much easier. "...the government has a positive role to play in our country and will fight to enact public policy which reflects the core values of equality, opportunity, compassion, justice, and fairness..." Fairness, as in wage slavery. Equality, as in no investigation or criminal charges for police officers who gun down black families in the streets. Justice, as in a government that doesn't kidnap American citizens to torture them in foreign countries. Compassion, as in those who don't live off of the fact that near two billion people are starving on this planet. I'm sure you'd also shake my hand and say, "But this candidate is a nice guy, too!"

     Wake up. You're not changing anything. You're just luring in more ignorant voters to become pawns in supporting this oppressive machine of exclusion and domination. And if it's your point not to make social change, then there's nothing you can do, because it really shows.

"Almost everyone nowadays, even the majority of Catholics and Conservatives, is 'progressive'. Or at least wishes to be thought so. No one, so far as I know, ever describes himself as a 'bourgeois'."
          --George Orwell, 1948
          "Writers and Leviathan"