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Apparently this wasn't originally intended as a poll, but I think it wiuld make a good one, Not just for Democrats but also for Republicans, and Independents, Thus, I will start the ball rolling by posting the form, and then answering the items, one by one:

The POST in entirety:

What it means to be a Democrat
by Jim Quigg

January 11, 2006

Are you a Democrat? Why? If your answers are “Yes” and “Because I hate Bush”, this column is for you. If those aren’t your answers, “Welcome to Seattle University. Please enjoy your visit.”

Like most college campuses, SU leans left politically. Do you ever wonder what you’re voting for when you vote Democrat? Please count how many of the following statements you agree with to see if you’re at home in today’s Democratic Party.

1. The government should grow bigger to protect Americans from greedy corporations who care about profit, not people.

2. Taxes should be raised on the rich because the rich don’t pay their fair share.

3. The nine members of the US Supreme Court, not individual state legislatures, should determine social issues such as abortion, euthanasia and medicinal marijuana.

4. Vouchers and charter schools waste dollars that should go to the under-funded public education system.

5. EPA regulations should be expanded to save the environment from businesses who exploit our planet’s fragile resources.

6. The war on terrorism is not served by propping up Bush’s puppet regime in Iraq, and the troops should come home now.

7. The transportation department’s purpose is to compel rider-ship on monorails, trains, ferries and commuter lanes, not to relieve traffic congestion.

8. Every American is entitled to universal healthcare, regardless of its discouraging effect on the innovation of new medicines.

9. US taxpayers should provide a majority of the funding for the United Nations’ mission of global harmony and equality.

10. Allowing workers to invest part of their paycheck into mutual funds instead of Social Security will unnecessarily bankrupt an unquestionably sound system which enables our elderly to enjoy their golden years.

11. Background checks and waiting periods for gun purchases protect people and do not violate the Constitution.

12. Gay people should enjoy the same rights and privileges as straight people.

13. The death penalty is an indefensible punishment that risks killing innocent people while barely deterring more crime.

I agreed with those last three too. How did you do? Did you find yourself differing with many of those statements? Most? You’re not alone; many Democrats have abandoned the Party that abandoned them. As a result, Republicans now control all three branches of government. Democrats should be stirred to action by the Republican’s misuse of their new power.

Three appalling examples of how power has corrupted the Republicans include:

1. Countless pork projects, most notably a bridge to an empty island in Alaska;

2. Abuse of Congressional authority in a misguided attempt to intervene in Terry Schaivo’s death; and

3. The insulting appointments of Bush’s imminently unqualified friends, Michael Brown and Harriet Myers, to warm chairs at FEMA and the Supreme Court.

Historically, Democrats have provided a much-needed balance to the homophobes, militiamen and corporate fat cats who pull purse strings in the GOP. But today’s Democratic leadership is alienating reasonable liberals who cannot stomach the derisive mantra of MoveOn.org and the ACLU. Good Democrats are disheartened that union bosses and trial lawyers have high-jacked their once mainstream party.

Before their party disappears into the dustbin of history beside the Whigs and Naderites, clear-thinking Democrats must reposition their platform toward “the middle” in consideration of the following realities:

TAXES: Claiming that the rich “don’t pay their fair share” is laughable considering that the wealthiest 20 percent pay 82.5 percent of total federal income taxes.

EDUCATION: Expecting that the teacher’s unions will rescue the failing public education system if we just entrust the unions with more money is like expecting that a burning monorail that has crashed off its tracks can carry more passengers if its wheels would just spin faster.

HEALTHCARE: Nationalizing healthcare will discourage pharmaceutical companies from inventing new medicines and will chase away America’s finest doctors

IRAQ: Abandoning Iraq’s fledgling democracy now will embolden the terrorists and tell America’s allies never again to count on our support. Furthermore, America is not “occupying” Iraq. As we did for Germany, Japan, South Korea and the former Soviet states, we will battle the tyrants, we will help the people stand on their own and then we will go home.

FDR, Truman, and Kennedy were great Democrats who stood up against despots like Hitler, Hirohito and Stalin to free the world from tyranny. Today’s great Democrats must now stand up against Howard Dean to free their party from extremism. Only then will Democrats contend for the hearts and minds of America’s indispensable independents. Only then will more people feel welcome in the People’s Party.
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Now, point by point:

What it means to be a Democrat
by Jim Quigg

January 11, 2006

Are you a Democrat? NO, I am a Moderate-IndependentWhy? N/AIf your answers are “Yes” and “Because I hate Bush”, this column is for you. If those aren’t your answers, “Welcome to Seattle University. Please enjoy your visit.”Thank You, Iwill

Like most college campuses, SU leans left politically. Do you ever wonder what you’re voting for when you vote Democrat? Please count how many of the following statements you agree with to see if you’re at home in today’s Democratic Party.

1. The government should grow bigger to protect Americans from greedy corporations who care about profit, not people.NO

2. Taxes should be raised on the rich because the rich don’t pay their fair share.YES

3. The nine members of the US Supreme Court, not individual state legislatures, should determine social issues such as abortion, euthanasia and medicinal marijuana.NO

4. Vouchers and charter schools waste dollars that should go to the under-funded public education system.Probably

5. EPA regulations should be expanded to save the environment from businesses who exploit our planet’s fragile resources.No, but they should be enforced

6. The war on terrorism is not served by propping up Bush’s puppet regime in Iraq, and the troops should come home now.AGREED

7. The transportation department’s purpose is to compel rider-ship on monorails, trains, ferries and commuter lanes, not to relieve traffic congestion.DON't Know, but that doesn't make sense

8. Every American is entitled to universal healthcare, regardless of its discouraging effect on the innovation of new medicines. Yes, (what dicouraging effect????

9. US taxpayers should provide a majority of the funding for the United Nations’ mission of global harmony and equality.[COLOR="blue"]Definitely NOT
COLOR]

10. Allowing workers to invest part of their paycheck into mutual funds instead of Social Security will unnecessarily bankrupt an unquestionably sound system which enables our elderly to enjoy their golden years.Non-valid question. the system is anything but sound.

11. Background checks and waiting periods for gun purchases protect people and do not violate the Constitution.Agreed

12. Gay people should enjoy the same rights and privileges as straight people.Agreed

13. The death penalty is an indefensible punishment that risks killing innocent people while barely deterring more crime.Disagree

I agreed with those last three too. How did you do? Did you find yourself differing with many of those statements? Most? You’re not alone; many Democrats have abandoned the Party that abandoned them. As a result, Republicans now control all three branches of government. Democrats should be stirred to action by the Republican’s misuse of their new power. Immaterial

Three appalling examples of how power has corrupted the Republicans include:

1. Countless pork projects, most notably a bridge to an empty island in Alaska; Agreed it is wrong, Disagree that the republicans caused it

2. Abuse of Congressional authority in a misguided attempt to intervene in Terry Schaivo’s death; and??????

3. The insulting appointments of Bush’s imminently unqualified friends, Michael Brown and Harriet Myers, to warm chairs at FEMA and the Supreme Court.Agree regarding Brown, Jury's out regarding myers

Historically, Democrats have provided a much-needed balance to the homophobes, militiamen and corporate fat cats who pull purse strings in the GOP. But today’s Democratic leadership is alienating reasonable liberals who cannot stomach the derisive mantra of MoveOn.org and the ACLU. Good Democrats are disheartened that union bosses and trial lawyers have high-jacked their once mainstream party.Now you re talking Liberals, not necessarily Democrates

Before their party disappears into the dustbin of history beside the Whigs and Naderites, clear-thinking Democrats must reposition their platform toward “the middle” in consideration of the following::opinion vs opinion

Claiming that the rich “don’t pay their fair share” is laughable considering that the wealthiest 20 percent pay 82.5 percent of total federal income taxes.disagree even so

EDUCATION: Expecting that the teacher’s unions will rescue the failing public education system if we just entrust the unions with more money is like expecting that a burning monorail that has crashed off its tracks can carry more passengers if its wheels would just spin faster.Agreed

HEALTHCARE: Nationalizing healthcare will discourage pharmaceutical companies from inventing new medicines and will chase away America’s finest doctorsNOPE

IRAQ: Abandoning Iraq’s fledgling democracy now will embolden the terrorists and tell America’s allies never again to count on our support.NONSENSE Furthermore, America is not “occupying” Iraq. As we did for Germany, Japan, South Korea and the former Soviet states, we will battle the tyrants, we will help the people stand on their own and then we will go home.opinion vs opinion

FDR, Truman, and Kennedy were great Democrats who stood up against despots like Hitler, Hirohito and Stalin to free the world from tyranny. Agreed (sort 'a)Today’s great Democrats must now stand up against Howard Dean to free their party from extremism. Only then will Democrats contend for the hearts and minds of America’s indispensable independents. Only then will more people feel welcome in the People’s Party.Opinion vs opinion,

Just my two Cents
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