Scott County DFL
Why We're Democrats
If you're a Democrat and proud of it, send in your reasons why. Click contact.
What? You mean I'm not the only liberal this side of the river? When our family made the move out here to Shakopee three years ago, we missed the more progressive politics of the cities....political representation that said, "we care about our kids!," "we care about our schools!," "we care about those who are in need!," "we care that everyone has equal opportunities regardless of race or sexual orientation!," "we care about a woman's right to choose!" I knew we were in trouble when Wellstone's signs kept disappearing at our major intersection (Cty Rd. 18 and Southbridge Pkwy) the last time he ran.

I can only hope that future representation in Scott County will realize that there is nothing wrong with caring equally about the common good as you do yourself. I am glad to pay my fair share of taxes to do that.
— Tammy Genrich Thaler
Hubert Humphrey once said: "The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped." I agree with Paul Wellstone that our nation has failed this test. In order to pass it, we must build a strong, vibrant and principled Democratic Party. I am a DFLer because I want to preserve Paul Wellstone's legacy and help our nation pass that moral test.
— Howard Bass
I am a Democrat because I don't think that it's a bad thing to care about people. When did it become ugly to take care of your neighbors? The message and the focus of our leaders needs to come back to what counts. We are not taking any of our money with us when we leave this life and our legacy will be measured by what we did to help others. I want a legacy - personally and as a political party - that is preserved in the hearts and minds of the people we did something to help - long after I am gone.
— Steven Uggen
I have a bumper sticker on my car that reads "Liberal" Means I Care! It is a simple message, but conveys what Democrats stand for. I feel so many times that the Republican think that they got theirs and the hell with the rest of us. I grew up in a working class family. We were poor by almost all standards. My parents worked hard to feed and cloth us, but it was a monthly battle to stay ahead of the bills.

My wife's parents died when she was five years old. An aunt brought her in as well as her brother and sister. Being a divorced woman, rearing those three and one of her own, she was reliant on the minimal amount of money that welfare provided to supplement her wages. Her aunt is the type of person that Republicans are somehow convinced cheats the system. The few hundred a month that people on welfare receive is nothing compared to the huge amount of corporate welfare that Republicans hand out. On top of that President Bush cut taxes for the wealthiest of the wealthy.

The children in both our families received good educations in public schools. That was funded by local, state, and federal taxes. We both went to a state college. We received grants and loans that were funded by those same sources. I care that children need to be fed, be provided with decent medical care, and be given a good education. We need local, state, and federal taxes to fund government services that assist all people. I am willing to pay more taxes to make sure adequate services are provided. Democrats have demonstrated they are willing to step up and find ways to provide those services.
—Pat Callahan
I'm a liberal Democrat! There I've said it! Wow, the sun is still shining…. My electricity is still on and I think the world is still spinning.

The last few years those of us willing to admit this political affiliation have been waiting, wondering and whispering. We've been scratching our heads and wondering - where did it all go so wrong? When did the politics of hope, help and compassion become synonymous with weakness, foolishness and treason? Why do I always feel like the phrase "Liberal Democrat" is something I don't want to bring up at a dinner party?

Many of us feel like we are brow beaten and tortured souls. Eagerly awaiting a new leader, a WELLSTONE type messenger for us to gather around and admire.

Well folks we can keep waiting and waiting while other political parties grow stronger. But I have a better idea. It's my feeling though that the time is right to get moving. We've sat long enough mourning, sulking and generally feeling sorrow for ourselves because of the way recent elections have turned out.

Politics isn't a game. It's a science. A science that we have allowed ourselves to be out theorized and out thought. Liberals in this country can't figured out why so many young adults consider themselves to be Republicans. The answer is easy. We have not given them an alternative. To paraphrase ex President Clinton, "It's the marketing stupid!"

We don't get the message out that being a Liberal Democrat is about people… all people. Not just those who live in the suburbs, not just those in the inner city. We need to make folks understand that being liberal is difficult. It's about thinking and coming up with better ideas and concepts. It's about not settling for the status quo. Being liberal is challenging and rewarding!

Being a liberal makes you want to find ways, common sense ways to make life better for all people. Being a liberal is about the future and making sure that all Americans have an opportunity to have a successful future.

You might have noticed a common word here. That word is ALL. Being a liberal means you appreciate the concept of all. The word ALL has been replaced the last decade with the word ME. The ME generation and sayings like "I've got mine." Basically appeals one of a human beings greatest flaws…. Greed!

It's easy for some people to say, "I've got mine!" Just like it was easy for Mary Antoinette to say "Let them eat cake!" Now old Mary didn't start the French Revolution. But she wasn't around to see the results either.

So now is that chance liberals. Now is that chance to make our message loud and clear! Lets knock the cake off the plates of Americans and remind them that the liberals are all here!
 
—John Sheehan
 
 
 
 
 
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