Progressive Dems vs Conservative Dems: The Future Of Utah’s Democratic Party
Posted By Eric Ethington (Author) on March 31, 2011
Utah – We are definitely a wacky bunch here in Utah. Many of our Democrats are progressive, many are conservative, and more still are moderate and in the middle. So how can we possibly make this work with half the crowd clamoring for the party to move in one direction, while the other pushes for the opposite?
First off, let me be clear that I’m a progressive Democrat, and proud of it. I believe whole-heartedly that progressive ideals are better for the country and for our citizens. However, it is plainly obvious that the more conservative Democrats also have extremely valuable ideas and should in no way be considered as irrelevant. Temperance in all things right?
But here we find the problem with Utah’s Left, we are so fractured and divided over our own squabbles that we often fail to rise to the challenge of our (no denying it) powerful neighbors: the Republicans.
The solution to this problem isn’t unique, new or unknown, in fact many have been proclaiming it for years. However, although we know the solution, we have yet to grab hold of it and make it our reality. If Democrats in Utah are ever to take our majority back, we must practice what we teach and truly become the Big Tent Party. We love to toss that “big tent” phrase around, but we often fail to allow it to become the truth.
Democrats are principle-based people, and as such we tend to gravitate towards causes or issues which resonate within ourselves. Whether that be the economy, labor or social issues, we fracture ourselves and create great divides between those who should be allies.
I believe that Utah can be a Blue State, I truly do. If Colorado can do it, then so can Utah. But if that is going to become our reality than we must create it for ourselves. Progressive and Moderate and Conservative Democrats must instantly work together rather than apart. Labor should care about immigration, immigration should care about environment, environment should care about fiscal policies etc.
Only by standing as one, and recognizing that our differing views make us stronger as long as we unite, do we reach our most powerful. And we must be at our most powerful if we are ever to show the rest of Utahns that the Democratic Party is the Party for them. We are those who fight for the working citizen, for the down-trodden. We all know that Republicans do not have the citizens’ best interests at heart, and if we unite and release our full potential – Utah will see it too.
Just my two cents..
"Eric, trying to have this (civil rights) conversation with you is ultimately like trying to teach a pig to dance, it just annoys the pig. So Eric, sorry to annoy you."
-Paul Mero, The Sutherland Institute.
Excellent post, Eric.
There is no doubt in my mind that Utah has the ability to become a Blue State. Our demographics are changing, there are more progressive members of the LDS Church and more moderates than ever before. With the hard-right turn that some members of the Republican Party are taking it here in Utah, Democrats must show that we are the party of rational and reasonable public policy — policies that are good for all Utahns.
Utah leans conservative, but so do Democrats. Discussion within the party is good, but at the end of the day we must agree to disagree and move forward. Some in the party, however, have taken this a step to far in that we must acquiesce to Republicans because that’s all we can do. I don’t agree with this course of action. Utah is hungry for something other than the status quo. Utah is hungry for choices. Democrats in Utah have a golden opportunity in 2012 to make gigantic gains. We just have to talk ourselves into it.
Our worst enemy is ourselves. I ran for U.S. Senate last year because I am tired of Democrats selling ourselves short. I’m a running for the U.S. Senate again in 2012 because I see Utahns who are underrepresented by the likes of Senator Lee. Democrats are the answer for the ultra-conservative twist that has taken over the conversation but that’s not going to happen unless Progressive, Moderates, and Conservative Dems pull together and start directing the conversation.
This CAN be done.