Democratic Well-Spring of ideas?

[agooga]

Hello All:

This is my first post on Free Republic and I have a little tale to tell as to why I am here.

I am a registered small-L libertarian, meaning I actually support some very liberal ideas as well as some very conservative ideas. I was a registered democrat all of my life until about 4 years ago when I could no longer use the power of self-hypnosis to ignore what was happening in the Clinton White House and politics in general.

I believe I have attained a very nice intellectual balance of critical thinking, observation and quest for facts that constitue the issues which frame my new ideology.

I have read many knowledgeable writers of current conservative thinking, Milton Freidman, Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell to name a few.

In all fairness, I have now begun to seek out the great minds of the political left, so that I can make my own judgements- put their arguments on trial against the ideas of others. I am seeking the best, most informed, cogently written, fact based, backed up, credible sources of liberal thought.

A friend suggested I log on to the Democratic Underground- not necessarily to read the posts there, because they're arguably too biased and ill-researched, but to actually post this question in a forum and solicit the DU-ers to point me in the direction of their best minds- in any format: radio, books, films, television, speeches, essays- doesn't matter.

I logged onto the DU, obtained a password, and having read the terms, acknowledged that if I were to post anything obviously partisan, I might be banned. Of course, that was not my intention.

However, as I composed my message, essentially stating that I was a libertarian seeking their guidance in my quest for knowledge; before I could actually even post my message, I received a message from the DU saying that my posting privilages had been revoked! I had been banned before I could even seek their honest council. I was disgusted! And actually saddened.

Honestly, I was only vaguely aware of the Free Republic until I went onto the DU site. Apparently there is a flame war between your two sites and they are extremely paranoid of any "FReepers" posioning their water.

So because, the democrats don't seem to be willing to answer this question, I'd like to put it forth to you: Where is their stockpile of substance and ideas? From where does it flow. Who are the "greaat minds" that, if not actually lead the party, at least back it up with the facts, stats and examples?

I am absolutely serious here. I know it's not your jobs to be aware of their sources- but it can be a good excersize for all of us to attempt to really learn about the other side.

As for me, when I was a democrat, I didn't read about politics or engage in critical debate, so I'm left with a void.

Can you help?

Jeffrey Pedersen

[smokinleroy]

I'll be the first to say there ARE no liberal "great minds"

[Alberta's Child]

I think I remember reading your post over there at DU -- it was a couple of days after the election, right? Don't tell them, but I am a "member" who lurks and posts there in the interest of subversion.

[Cogadh na Sith]

Who are the "greaat minds" that, if not actually lead the party, at least back it up with the facts, stats and examples?

Being a product of the heart and not the mind, liberalism doesn't rely on facts, stats and examples. Nor does any 'liberal' actually live as their sensitivities dictate others live--they live according to libertarian or conservative principles.

You're left with Micheal Moore, Al Franken, Paul Wellstone, Robert Reich, Jocelyn Elders, Al Gore, and Noam Chomsky to read.

Good luck....

[Mark]

Oh, Grasshopper! You have come from the Darkside. Just stay awhile, engage in postings-- but mainly listen. AND keep a sense of humor!!

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I am a registered small-L libertarian, meaning I actually support some very liberal ideas as well as some very conservative ideas.

You're not a Libertarian, because Libertarians don't support liberal ideas.

[Doug Loss]

I am seeking the best, most informed, cogently written, fact based, backed up, credible sources of liberal thought.

We are, of course, biased. Personally, I tend to think that there are very few "fact based, backed up, credible sources of liberal thought." Having said that, if I were you I'd try reading material from Christopher Hitchens and Nat Henthoff.

[donozark]

Most of their "great minds" are corpses. Marx. Lenin. Ho. Ans soon to-be-dead, Castro. My heart pumps peanut-butter for the afore-cited individuals, as well as Dems in general.

[borisbob69]

Welcome...and good luck in your search for the Great Minds of Liberalism. Unfortunately, liberals tend to react from their emotional center rather than using any logic when confronted with a decision making situation.

Liberal didn't always mean mindless and void. As recently as JFK democrats who were liberal were actually quite similar to many of us on this forum. Small(er) government, less taxes, individual freedoms, etc.

With the advent of PC, and the victim mentality coupled with the "nanny state", the difference between conservatives and libs is like the gulf encountered by the rich man when he spoke with Lazarus.

Like Rush Limbaugh always says when describing libs...they are long on image...and short on substance.

[freeeee]

You're not a Libertarian, because Libertarians don't support liberal ideas.

Please don't jump on this guy so fast. Some liberals defend freedom of speech, and assembly, and the 4th 5th and 6th Amendments. In fact, the ultra-liberal ACLU has defended these (although selectively and imperfectly) for years.

agooga, what liberal ideas do you think you support?

[bobg]

I listen to Neal Boortz on radio from Atlanta. He is a strong libertarian and cannot seem to get away from the fact that the Libertarian Party has almost no influence. The only thing they do is this.... everyone who votes Libertarian in effect has the same effect as taking a vote away from the Republican, which is the same as voting for the doomacrat.

A friend and I were county co-chairmen for Jimmy Carter in his presidential race, based on his being a nice religious person. I was in his Atlanta headquarters when the New Hampshire primary victory was announced. By the end of Carter's 4 years we were both Republicans. Trying to run a small business when interest rates approached 20 percent was a nightmare. The Panama Canal give away was the last straw.

Come on and join the Republican party. It is not perfect, but so much better than the others.

[farmfriend]

It's not what you are looking for but here is a great book that will expand your mind.

[SGCOS]

... Apparently there is a flame war between your two sites...

Oh, that's not true. They're just a$$holes.

[bubbac]

Not really sure who the great "thinkers" are . . . hmmm. . . Karl Marx? V.I. Lenin? Margaret Sanger?

But I can definitely suggest some more conservative thinkers that you should acquaint yourself with. They're old, but definitely the foundation of modern conservative thought, or at least should be. Russell Kirk and Edmund Burke are two of the most important. Actually, a great selection of conservative articles can be found in Liberty Press's Modern Age-The First Twenty-Five Years.

[anoldafvet]

I'm afraid that your search is as fruitless as Rush Limbaugh's for a "Great Moderate".

[Coop]

Welcome to the forum. Stick around. This place is a wonderful resource, and while it does have a conservative tilt, you'll see articles and publications from across the spectrum.

I am seeking the best, most informed, cogently written, fact based, backed up, credible sources of liberal thought.

I personally suggest Barbra Streisand, Alec Baldwin, and Jesse Jackson. :-)

[finnman69]

... Apparently there is a flame war between your two sites...

Oh, that's not true. They're just a$$holes.

And we outnumber them 10-1

[anniegetyourgun]

Welcome to FR. The treatment you received by the lib/dems should not be a surprise to you.....unless you are still laboring under the impression that that party is 'the party of the working man.' They have long since left their roots and are now the party of the man who won't work. In fact, they are like what they support - the party of Clinton, Kennedy, Condit, Rostenkowski, Trafficant, and the other Clinton.

[jpl]

Good first post, and welcome to Free Republic. My personal opinion is that E.J. Dionne is one of the more lucid, cogent liberal authors today, even though I disagree with most of his views. If you really want to get to the primary sources of thought from which modern leftism springs, you need to study the writings of Saul Alinsky and Antonio Gramsci. They are two of the founding fathers of modern liberal (or leftist) thought.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Some liberals defend freedom of speech, and assembly, and the 4th 5th and 6th Amendments. In fact, the ultra-liberal ACLU has defended these (although selectively and imperfectly) for years.

Those are not liberal issues, they are CONSTITUTIONAL issues.

That they're endorsed by liberal groups is irrelevant.