In a devastating critique today of the Democrats, the Washington Post‘s David Ignatius makes the following interesting observation:
Today’s Democrats have trouble expressing the most basic theme of American politics: “We, the people.” Rather than a governing party with a clear ideology, they are a collection of interest groups. For a simple demonstration, go to the DNC’s Web site and pull down the menu for “People.” What you will find is the following shopping list: “African American, Asian Amer./Pacific Islanders, Disability Community, Farmers and Ranchers, Hispanics, GLBT (Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual-Transgender) Community, Native Americans, Religious Communities, Seniors & Retirees, Small Business Community, Union Members & Families, Veterans & Military Families, Women, Young People & Students.” That’s most of the threads in the national quilt, but disassembled.
By itself, such a list — or even such a view of the American “People” — is not so bad. What is bad, however, is something deeper: Democrats have not only lost the ability to say “We, the people” in a way that resonates with most Americans; they have abandoned the core value holding that all Americans (whatever “people” they happen to be on the Democrats’ list) have a fundamental right to be treated without regard to their race, creed, or national origin. In short, they don’t even believe in treating the peoples on their own list equally.
Of if they do, it’s because one important category is missing. Is it any wonder that Democrats have been attracting the votes of a smaller and smaller percentage of men, since men, unlike women, don’t even qualify for admission to the list of “people”?
If the above indictment seems too harsh, go the DNC web page (linked above), pull down the menu under “Agenda,” and click on “Civil Rights & Justice,” and note the civil rights agenda outlined there. After a perfunctory statement of support for extending the Voting Rights Act, about all you’ve find is criticism of Judge Roberts and the Republicans.
Some agenda.
I think you fail to give the DNC credit for accurately presenting their agenda to the American voting public. Whining and carping IS THEIR AGENDA; should they present flowery claims to an imaginary alternate agenda on their site?
John says,