America’s Party Comes Out

In a previous post, America’s Political Party, I noted my family’s long association with the Democratic Party, dating back to Civil War days.  I described my father’s lifelong belief in the Party and in labor unions, and I speculated that he would be pleased to see the state of the Party today.  I also recommended that the Party bring its name up to date, both to reflect its principles, directions and goals, and to send a clear message to fellow members of the United Nations.

With the current financial crisis opportunity, it is understandable that President Obama, Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid have been much too busy to handle routine housekeeping duties.  However, I believe that the name change would also help advance their legislative agenda.

It really is past time for the Democratic Party to come out of the closet.  I don’t mean this in the sense of gay and lesbian people taking the not inconsequential risk of going public with their sexual orientation status.  Gay people have been shunned like lepers; they have suffered discrimination in the workplace; and in too many cases they have had to fear for their very lives.  In contrast, Democrats have had only a trivial fear of the long-gone specter of McCarthyism.  Today, progressive Democrats need only summon up the courage of their convictions; they are free to openly and honestly explain and defend their political beliefs.

We now have a president who prides himself on his pragmatism but is willing to let his deep-seated ideology show through, in both his words and his actions.  He is supported by a solid Democratic majority in both houses, as well as by the leadership of each.  The president has also taken the bold step of moving control of the next census into the White House, thereby guaranteeing that Democratic majorities in both houses will continue to grow.  It is now apparent that the Party can define, pass and implement any and all legislation it desires.

Surely this is the perfect time and opportunity to bring the name of the Party up to date:  to reflect its true purpose and values, and to use the form of name most common in the world today.  The Democratic Socialist Union (DSU) Party is definitely ready to introduce its new name!  Imagine the thrill of people in U. N. member countries, seeing the appellations “Harry Reid (DSU, NV)” and “Nancy Pelosi (DSU, CA)”.

The recent Newsweek cover story, “We are All Socialists Now”, is both timely and prophetic.  The long-overdue Party name change will be well-received.

One immediate effect will be to hasten the departure of that small, irksome bunch of conservative Democrats, making room for more progressive members in future elections.  It may also help remaining dinosaurs to decide to retire.

A near-term international benefit will be better cooperation from Socialist states like Cuba and Venezuela.  President Obama has had good things to say about both (eg, Cuba’s health care and the feeling of hope among Venezuela’s lower classes).  The name change should help assure Hugo Chavez and the Castro brothers that Barak Obama is indeed of like mind and will be their good  friend.

In the slightly longer term, the day the the U. S. Constitution can be replaced with an up-to-date, progressive document is in sight.  Without question, the Democratic Socialist Union Party will leave an indelible mark on the United States.

Tags: Barak Obama, conservative Democrats, Fidel Castro, Harry Reid, Hugo Chavez, Nancy Pelosi, new constitution, Raul Castro