Why have Democrats gone so far left?

Question

Democrats have changed over the years. They used to be against gay marriage and they used to be pro-life. They used to be for the working people, now they are for the lazy non-working people (welfare). Why?

Answer 1

They are trying to get more votes as they realize their popularity has been continually slipping.

Answer 2

Political theory argues that political parties should be ranged on a bell curve (an upside down U), with the liberals on the left, and the conservatives on the right. As one party moves closer to the center, the other party will move in the opposite direction. Keep in mind that in the picture, the greatest number of people are in the middle, and the farther you go to either side, the less support there will be for the party. So. The Republicans have become (or are at least perceived to be) so far to the right that the Democrats can be almost in the middle without difficulty. The middle is where the power is, because that is where the greatest number of voters is, according to this theory. Therefore,Democrats are now perceived as more tolerant than they previously were.

Answer 3

"Democrats have changed over the years. They used to be against gay marriage and they used to be pro-life."

That changed as population dynamics change. There used to be legal segregation, why did that change? Democrats are about progress, not keeping things the same forever. They adopted civil rights as a party platform, and the rights of gays and women are among those.

"They used to be for the working people, now they are for the lazy non-working people (welfare)."

Actually, they ARE for working people. No one is "for" lazy people, and not everyone on welfare is lazy and non-working by choice. Democrats say they advocate for social equality and try to help out people that need it, even if some take advantage of the system.

The same could be said about Republicans- why don't they care about their fellow Americans who can't find jobs (welfare)? Just trying to give you perspective and really answer your question.

Answer 4

Political thought argues that political events must be ranged on a bell curve (an the different way up U), with the liberals on the left, and the conservatives on the perfect. As one celebration strikes closer to the middle, the different celebration will pass interior the different course. bear in mind that interior the image, the suitable type of human beings are interior the middle, and the farther you bypass to the two edge, the fewer help there'll be for the celebration. So. The Republicans have become (or are a minimum of appeared to be) so a protracted thank you to the perfect that the Democrats could properly be virtually interior the middle devoid of concern. the middle is the place the flexibility is, when you consider that's the place the suitable type of voters is, in accordance to this concept. as a result,Democrats at the instant are perceived as extra tolerant than they until now have been.

Answer 5

Clinton passed the welfare reform act that changed welfare from AFDC to TANF...under the new system, mothers who are on welfare must look for work and participate in job training, and they can only receive welfare for five years over their lifetime. The problem is not with the leaders, it is with the social workers that fail to enforce the rules. When were democrats pro-life?

Answer 6

OK Even you deserve an answer.
What you call 'going' to the left ,is only the loyal Americans getting their country back from the far right extreme of the religious fundamentalists. You seem to think that anyone who dares to question what this admin. is doing in the world is somehow a far-left moon-bat ! Do your homework ! Then watch what happens to the criminals that are stealing from the US Treasury,and funneling the stolen taxpayers money to off-shore accounts and companies such as Halliburton, in order to not pay any taxes on the ill-gotten gains ! Oh ..did I mention that the President lied us into a crimnial war, to help his buddies make billions, from your stupidity of world affairs or history ! What is the harm in going back to being a loyal American first,no matter which political party you belonged to? Is this a battle between the dis- loyal far right neo-cons and the rest of us loyal Americans?
That is not an American Dream...only an American nightmare !

Answer 7

Being on the left isn't about staking out one position, it's about constantly struggling for change. Once something has been accomplished, it's time to move on to the next thing. Liberalism is a moving target. The Dems are just keeping pace with it.

Answer 8

I personally feel both parties have gone to the extreme. There isnt anyone near the middle to vote for. The reason may be the primary system where the extremes of both parties make up the majority of the voters. You have to be either and extreme left democrat, or an extreme right republican to win in the primaries

Answer 9

The Republicans have taken over the political ground once held by Democrats. By doing this they have forced the Democrats more to the left than they have been before, but the flip side is that Republicans now have a more liberal base to deal such as reproductive rights, gay rights, etc.

Answer 10

Hillary Clinton working for Walmart and getting campaign money from Rupert Murdoch isn't what I can someone who is liberal. She's a corporatist just like the rest of her party and the GOP. The fact is that the Dems have moved to Center Right since under her husband's presidency. We don't have a liberal party in the race that has enough money to win. Corporations don't like what they have to say. Why has the GOP become so right wing fascist? When were the Democrats ever against gay marriage and when were they pro-life? Are you talking about when they were really conservative with the likes of fascist white supremicist Strom Thurmond?

Answer 11

The party got hijacked by the McGovernites in 1972 & hasn't found its way back to reality. In fact it isn't even drifting in the right direction.