Mary,
I think that the platform of the party is a statement of its ideals and I
know that in practice, the party doesn't necessarily follow what its
platform says. That's what I meant when I wrote in another message that
what organizations put in writing, doesn't necessarily represent what they
do. Obviously, the membership of the Democratic Party is heterogeneous and
there's no way that one can expect everyone in the party to have the same
beliefs. But for many years, the leadership of the Democratic Party has
become more and more corporate friendly in an attempt to retain power.
Several years ago, it began making concessions to the Religious Right for
the same reason. I remember that at that point, Hillary Clinton, who always
represented herself as a feminist, began softening her stance on abortion
rights. That had nothing to do with a statement of conscience. It had to do
with political power games.
Miriam
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of MARY CONVY
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2017 11:34 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Jesus, Christmas and Donald Trump for
evangelists
Miriam, I totally understand your position and can see it as a plank on the
democratic platform. But do you believe any Democrat must fully support
every plank? That is what is causing the wide divide where Trumpists can
emerge. A party should welcome all. And should not expect 100% allegiance
to every thought or it would be denying the very diversity it claims it
honors.
_____
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > on behalf of Miriam Vieni
<miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2017 9:35 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Jesus, Christmas and Donald Trump for
evangelists
Bob,
My response to what you write is that the Democratic Party, if it ever
returns to representing progressive values and the rights of marginalized
groups, must definitely clearly represent a woman's right to make choices
about her body and her life. Individuals may have strong feelings in
opposition to abortion, but any political party that represents women, must
not waiver in supporting abortion rights and a right to birth control.
Further, we must not fall into the trap of confusing life after a child has
been born to the potential for that life in a fetus. The Right To Life
movement has purposefully confused that issue in order to weaken the
abortion rights movement.
Miriam
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bob Hachey
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2017 7:46 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Jesus, Christmas and Donald Trump for
evangelists
Hi Mary and all,
Interesting discussion here. I have two thoughts.
1. The Democratic Party should not be in the business of excluding
those who do not believe in the legal right to abortion. Similarly, the
Republicans should not be in the business of excluding pro-choice members.
2. Here is my question for the pro-life movement. WE know that you are
pro-life before that life has passed through the vaginal canal. But are you
in favor of programs to increase the healthiness of children and reduce
child poverty such as good-quality prenatal care for the pregnant mother and
nutrition programs for children such as WIC, (Women, infants and Children)
and free school lunch and breakfast for kids in school? I have found that
many in the pro-life movement favor things like tax cuts and much smaller
government. Also, they really do have it in for Planned Parenthood which is
primarily an organization that offers health screenings and prenatal care
for poor women who often have very few other alternatives. Abortion services
make up about seven percent of what Planned Parenthood does.
Bob Hachey
