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SILVERMAN: Ideals keep Democratic Party strong

By Craig Silverman, Special to the Rocky

Published August 25, 2008 at 8:45 p.m.
Updated August 25, 2008 at 8:49 p.m.

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The Democrats — what a great and imperfect political party. In 2001, after he got slammed and slimed by George W. Bush supporters, John McCain made inquiries about becoming a Democrat. Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame served Republican and Democratic administrations during their many years of distinguished American service. They too got smashed by Bush associates.

Ambassador Wilson said afterward, “Republicans are very good at describing things in black and white; Democrats are very good at describing the 11 shades of gray.” I am generally a shade-of-gray guy. The truth often lies toward the middle.

In my lifetime, the Democratic Party has always seemed to have a bigger tent than the GOP. There is more diversity of thought and people. Religious and racial minorities especially appreciate the Democratic Party and its fresh air of inclusiveness and tolerance.

Without Democrats, would women and gays and people of color have the rights they do now? Would our environment be as clean? Would there be as many safety nets for the disabled, children and seniors?

Corporations are a good and necessary part of American capitalism. However, a corporation’s primary mission is to make money for its shareholders. Accordingly, big business often operates at the expense of workers and consumers. Some political party needs to level the playing field. Democrats are willing to do so. Republicans too often are not.

Religion is another vital part of America. Thomas Jefferson wrote about the wall of separation between church and state. Dems understand the concept while many modern Republicans want it to go away.

Too often, the Republican Party looks and feels like a restricted country club. There is anger and condescension toward those who are not members of their Club. The two primary faces of modern Republicans are George W. Bush and Rush Limbaugh.

Bush and Rush are condescending toward Democrats. They call it the Democrat Party; unwilling to even give the respect of referencing its proper name. Thomas Jefferson named it, to the consternation of conservatives.

We’ve seen nationally and in Colorado what Republicans do when they are in charge of government. Petty self-righteous and moralistic positions are given the force of law. The rich get much richer. There is little regard for dissent or minority views. Patriotism is used as a wedge and a hammer.

The Dems stand up for the little guy. I am a trial lawyer and proud of it. Big GOP donors would love to slam the courthouse door before the little guy can get in to expose wrongdoing. The Dems keep the courthouse doors open and give human beings a chance against corporate giants.

Lord knows the Democrats have flaws, but if you want to participate fully in local, state and national politics, you really only have two choices. I have been an on again, off again Democrat. We have had our fights. We will have more. But it never got so bad that I became a Republican.

Craig Silverman is a lawyer and co-host of KHOW radio’s Caplis & Silverman Show.

Comments

  • August 26, 2008

    8:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    fatheromalley writes:

    Ah, here's Craig, the "middle of the road" kind of guy. He say's the truth often lies in the middle.. how naive...

    Truth is not relative and shades of gray always adds relativity to any argument.

    Follow this road long enough, then it is morally equivalent for a tyranny to invade a democracy as a democracy overthrowing a tyrant. We are so arrogant as to free people from tyranny! Oh, give me a break!

    I know, who says tyranny is bad? Right.. that is too "black and white" for Mr. Silverman.

    I've listened to Craig for two years on the Caplis and Silverman show.

    He reminds me every day why our country is in turmoil.
    So many shades of gray, we can't decide what to do. We sit stagnated in class warfare, bickering over "global warming".. hah, hah..

    He's the first to say, "Republicans are such and such" but reacts horrified at anyone's stereotyping of race, creed or sexual persuasion... but Republicans, the "white country club" party.. as if the Democrats don't have their elitists.. Obama and Clinton comes to mind.. the heads of the "YOU SHOULD" Party..
    You should do this, you should do that... grin..

    I respect anyone that has the tenacity to become a professional whether they be a lawyer or a craftsman.
    I respect Craig's education.. I don't respect his opinions for the most part..

    To me, as educated as he is, as analytical as he portrays, he's still one of Lenin's "useful idiots", thinking that government is "compassionate". .. which reminds me of the story about the monk that asked his teacher about the scorpion beside him..
    He said "Master can I pick him up".

    The master replied, "Of course"

    The monk said, "But will he sting me"

    The master said, "Of course not"

    The monk picked up the scorpion, the scorpion stung him.

    In his dying breath the monk said, "But master, you said the scorpion wouldn't sting me."

    The master replied, "How can a scorpion be anything but a scorpion regardless of what I said"

    www.fatheromalley.com videos, truth and no illusions of compassion from government..

    Love to you Craig,

    Father O'Malley