Welcome Dinos & Rinos
From Urban Dictionary:
Republican in name only; typically means a member of the GOP who’s more liberal than a Republican should be. Acronym for Democrat In Name Only. Refers to people affiliated with the Democratic Party who act like Republicans.
So the TNDP made changes and added a “shadow party” to operate within the TNDP and help with fundraising. Who are these sinister folks? They are Democrats, but not liberal, like me. They are: Governor Bredesen and Congressman Davis, Tanner, Cooper and Gordon, who are fairly conservative, but are still Democrats. They also happen to know how to win elections. Something we need more than ever. It is in everyone’s best interest to work together and not let redistricting happen.
I live in Hamilton County. We don’t get the gossip that floats through Nashville on an hourly basis, nor do we care about it. What concerns me is what is happening to our fragile environment, inadequately funded schools, public transportation and infrastructure. These issues are shared by many in both parties; however, the TNGOP has no use for those who want to work together on much needed items. Instead, they focus on issues of little importance like abortions and guns. Or if the GOP does work on an environmental issues, it has a detrimental effect, such as: allowing more pollution in streams and rivers. So the consequences are dire, we all need to stick together. This is not the time for pettiness.
Of course, not all Republicans are on their page. For those who are trying to govern and serve the people, they face the ire and wrath from their own party. The moderate, business types such as the first Republican Speaker of the House, Kent Williams, was deemed by the TNGOP to not be a “bona-fide Republican”. He doesn’t march in lockstep and share in their spew, so he is an outcast and will be primaried. Rinos are now becoming pariahs in their own party, even when they hold powerful positions.
As a progressive, I often am at odds with folks like Lincoln Davis over issues; still, he will vote with the Democratic Party on most bills. He doesn’t always. His anti-abortion stance puts him right with the GOP against stem cell therapy; however, our Democratic Party seems to be fine with DINOs. So I propose we also accept the Rinos. We might as well since they have no where to go, and are often on the same page as the Dinos.
Hi, Sandy. Please tell me why leftists these days prefer to be called “progressive,” when in actuality they are often downright Luddite in their beliefs.
Another thing: A single horizontal line, with “left” and “right,” just won’t suffice, especially when you use your own example of Lincoln Davis. He is often just another big government advocate yet, as you note, he opposes abortion.
There is a better way to define political positions. You might want to take a look at http://www.theadvocates.org/quizp/index.html for a different perspective.
Thank you, Sandy, for your blog and your openness to others’ comments.
Hey, Michael, I scored a 70 as a liberal lefty, I need to work on my score. What is wrong with me?
I don’t think progressives are Luddites, we don’t like globalization, but do advocate for fair trade. For instance, let’s use Smithfield Corporation right now since they are under scrutiny for their pig farms in Mexico. The laws are lax in Mexico, labor is cheap, diseases are easily spread, but Smithfield makes a better profit. Is this right? Shouldn’t an American company or any company in Mexico have a set of standards that insure protection of the environment and public health? Don’t Americans deserve this since we have higher standards?
I wonder where Lincoln would fall in your test, I am sure it isn’t in the liberal field with me.
Hi, Sandy, and thanks again. The mis-called “progressives” who really are Luddites are the ones who oppose, for example, modern technology. Turner Classic Movies recently showed the classic British film “I’m All Right Jack” which beautifully presents the classic situation.
A favor: Rather than continuing here in the comment section, would you pretty please in your blog define for me, and other readers, what you mean by “globalization”? And “fair trade”?
As to where Lincoln would fall in — and it’s not MY — the quiz — and it’s not a “test” — I would expect into the totalitarian sector. In my opinion, he was one of the two worst, most dangerous presidents we’ve had.
You ask, “Is this right?” I answer, what is right is that which is non-fraudulent, non-coercive. One of my heroes, Leonard Read, wrote a book the title of which pretty well sums up my approach: “Anything That’s Peaceful.”
Bless you, Sandy, for your courtesy and reasonableness. I am your fan. Michael
P.S. I scored in the farthest upper right-hand corner, but that’s only because the quiz itself if rather wimpy and doesn’t take into account people like me. m
P.P.S. Suddenly I wonder: When you say “Lincoln,” did you mean Davis or Abraham? m
Hi Michael,
I will do a blog on fair trade and globalization in the next couple of days.
Thanks
Sandy