The most noticeable shift occurred under FDR, with the final push under LBJ.
There are still a few hold-overs, like Alan Boyd, a nominal Democrat in the 2nd congressional district of Florida, who has more in common with Strom Thurmond than LBJ.
While the GOP has been going through a purge more thorough than anything attempted by Stalin, the Democrats just stumble along, allowing the Boyds and Obamas to call themselves Democrats without supporting anything in the party’s platform. This is the great weakness in the US two-party system, and the generally absurd form of Manichean concepts that there are only two possible alternatives or thought patterns that are suitable for any given scenario.
The ultimate hypocrisy is to call yourself “a pragmatist”, which frees you from any restrictions of principle. That is an open declaration of a lack of any form or type of philosophy.
Since the Democratic Party has become a “cult of personality” constructed around a self-described “pragmatist”, party labels have been rendered meaningless. Stalinists and Maoists aren’t Communists, and the Obambasts are Democrats in any meaningful way.
It is time to move beyond labels and accept that the party system is broken and needs to be replaced with the election of individuals.
Obama doesn’t actually know any Democrats who actually believe in the principles of the party, so he appoints people who share his real views, conservative Republicans. He can’t get away with it when it comes to judgeships, but he can fill his bureaucracy with his “friends”.
Now that I have ranted and brought everyone down, let me wish one and all at happy and/or merry Christmas [or other Solstice holiday of your choice – Wotan is happy that some many are honoring him with the fir trees].
]]>Ya think, Bryan? Somehow, I doubt it. (Yes; I understand you’re being ironic.)
Obama isn’t quite a talking doll given to Rahm Emanuel for the holiday; neither is he wholly an independent actor. It’s not that he is doing what his masters want; it’s that he wants the same things, and has been lying his fcukinassoff from the first days of the campaign. A Democrat? Appointing Democrats? Don’t hold your breath.
A Merry NODWISH to all of you who hang out here, yes, including you, David… peace on earth; goodwill toward Memsahib.
]]>And, as it is *the season*… Happy Christmas to you and family Mr. Duff. š
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