The Democrat Flap

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themanintheseersuckersuit · #26 Post by **themanintheseersuckersuit** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:26 pm

The Democratic Party of the United State has a charter. It even mentions God.

CHARTER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
PREAMBLE
We, the Democrats of the United States of America, united in common purpose, hereby rededicate ourselves to the principles which have historically sustained our Party. Recognizing that the vitality of the Nation's political institutions has been the foundation of its enduring strength, we acknowledge that a political party which wishes to lead must listen to those it would lead, a party which asks for the people's trust must prove that it trusts the people and a party which hopes to call forth the best the Nation can achieve must embody the best of the Nation's heritage and traditions. What we seek for our Nation, we hope for all people: individual freedom in the framework of a just society, political freedom in the framework of meaningful participation by all citizens. Bound by the United
States Constitution, aware that a party must be responsive to be worthy of responsibility, we pledge ourselves to open, honest endeavor and to the conduct of public affairs in a manner worthy of a society of free people.
Under God, and for these ends and upon these principles, we do establish and adopt this Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States of America.

plasticene · #27 Post by **plasticene** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:35 pm

If we're talking about Whigs, then there's no choice but to refer to the Whig Party, Whig candidates, and so on. But since there is a perfectly good adjectival form for the noun "Democrat" in the English language, that's what should be used. Merely referring to the party as the Democratic Party doesn't imply that you believe its members conform to any particular connotation of the word "democratic". "The Democratic Party" means nothing more than "the party consisting of Democrats", or if you prefer, "the party consisting of people who call themselves Democrats". It's purely grammatical.

To me, anyone who refers to the "Democrat Party" sounds either ignorant or spiteful. Sometimes both.

peacock2121 · #28 Post by **peacock2121** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:00 am

My sister-in-law's given name is Victoria. When I first met her, she was introduced to me as Vicky. At some point after that, she revealed that she hates the name Vicky and wants to be called Victoria. She never said that to me directly, I just noticed that my brother was referring to her as Victoria.

I kept calling her Vicky.

My brother asked me about it.

I said she is Vicky, that is how she was introduced and that is who is will always be.

He asked if I cared about what she wanted to be called.

I let that sit with me for a bit.

The last time we were together, I got that I cared about what she wanted to be called more than I cared about being right.

I now have a project - her name is Victoria, even though, in my head, I still call her Vicky. I can change that.

Those calling it The Democrat Party are aware that Democrats (who care) don't want it called that.

Those that insist on calling it that are more interested in being right than in being generous.

starfish1113 · #29 Post by **starfish1113** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:28 am

I wonder if those most vociferously against the term "Democrat Party" are the ones who refer to the pro-life movement as the anti-choice movement. I see a correlation.

MarleysGh0st · #30 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:36 am

starfish1113 wrote:I wonder if those most vociferously against the term "Democrat Party" are the ones who refer to the pro-life movement as the anti-choice movement. I see a correlation.

Nice try at deflecting the issue.

I'm one of those in this thread railing against this deliberate act of bad grammar and I'm a life-long Republican.

"I'm not touching him!"

peacock2121 · #31 Post by **peacock2121** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:38 am

starfish1113 wrote:I wonder if those most vociferously against the term "Democrat Party" are the ones who refer to the pro-life movement as the anti-choice movement. I see a correlation.

Could be.

I am annoyed by my party being called The Democrat Party and I have never referred to Pro-Life advocates as Anti-Choice advocates.

I have heard Pro-Choice advocates being called Pro-Abortion advocates.

MarleysGh0st · #32 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:40 am

MarleysGh0st wrote: I'm one of those in this thread railing against this deliberate act of bad grammar and I'm a life-long Republican.*

*Maybe I better put a footnote on that. I probably would have considered myself a Democrat up until I was ten. After Bobby Kennedy was shot, I found myself supporting Nixon over Humphrey, although I can't document the reasons why. But I have been a registered Republican since I first registered to vote at 18.

starfish1113 · #33 Post by **starfish1113** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:42 am

MarleysGh0st wrote:
starfish1113 wrote:I wonder if those most vociferously against the term "Democrat Party" are the ones who refer to the pro-life movement as the anti-choice movement. I see a correlation.
Nice try at deflecting the issue.

I'm one of those in this thread railing against this deliberate act of bad grammar and I'm a life-long Republican.

"I'm not touching him!"

I'm not deflecting anything, Mr. Cranky Pants. I've never referred to it as the "Democrat Party" in my life. I'm just pointing out a potential hypocricy that might be out there.

starfish1113 · #34 Post by **starfish1113** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:43 am

peacock2121 wrote:
starfish1113 wrote:I wonder if those most vociferously against the term "Democrat Party" are the ones who refer to the pro-life movement as the anti-choice movement. I see a correlation.
Could be.

I am annoyed by my party being called The Democrat Party and I have never referred to Pro-Life advocates as Anti-Choice advocates.

I have heard Pro-Choice advocates being called Pro-Abortion advocates.

Agreed. I've heard that too.

MarleysGh0st · #35 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:48 am

starfish1113 wrote: I'm not deflecting anything, Mr. Cranky Pants. I've never referred to it as the "Democrat Party" in my life. I'm just pointing out a potential hypocricy that might be out there.

You don't use the term--fine. Why can't those who do just accept the complaint and correct themselves, then?

Each side will try to frame an issue with terms that are favorable to them; that's politics. I consider that different from changing a formal name of a group for deliberate rudeness.

peacock2121 · #36 Post by **peacock2121** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:20 am

MarleysGh0st wrote:
starfish1113 wrote: I'm not deflecting anything, Mr. Cranky Pants. I've never referred to it as the "Democrat Party" in my life. I'm just pointing out a potential hypocricy that might be out there.
You don't use the term--fine. Why can't those who do just accept the complaint and correct themselves, then?

Each side will try to frame an issue with terms that are favorable to them; that's politics. I consider that different from changing a formal name of a group for deliberate rudeness.

No one has said they are doing it and being deliberately rude by doing it.

That is the issue.

National Apathy Party · #37 Post by **National Apathy Party** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:21 am

You ever see anyone refer to us as The National Apathetic Party? Of course not, and we couldn't give a rat's ass if they did, so long as they made a nice donation to us....

MarleysGh0st · #38 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:39 am

peacock2121 wrote:
MarleysGh0st wrote:
starfish1113 wrote: I'm not deflecting anything, Mr. Cranky Pants. I've never referred to it as the "Democrat Party" in my life. I'm just pointing out a potential hypocricy that might be out there.
You don't use the term--fine. Why can't those who do just accept the complaint and correct themselves, then?

Each side will try to frame an issue with terms that are favorable to them; that's politics. I consider that different from changing a formal name of a group for deliberate rudeness.
No one has said they are doing it and being deliberately rude by doing it.

That is the issue.

Are you saying that Rush Limbaugh and others who promote the "Democrat Party" usage were not aware of the long-standing "Democratic Party" usage? And if they're not deliberately using it as a pointy stick, why didn't they stop doing so as soon as the mistake was pointed out to them and why are others like yourself who don't use the phrase jumping up to defend the usage? That you're trying to prolong this "issue" itself seems like a pointy stick to me. And a childish one.

"What's wrong with me holding my finger an inch away from my brother's head? I'm not touching him!"