# Liberals, Progressives, or Democrats, can we get over 'The Democrat Party?' **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 24, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186 "2014-05-24T16:00:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/181 "2014-05-27T16:55:03Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > Thinking that you’re right doesn’t give one license to be an asshole. \*Everyone \*thinks that they’re right, so surely you can see the inevitable outcome of such a viewpoint. > As for “Democrat Party,” it’s not meant as an insult, per se. It’s a signaler, intended for the Republican base, to assure them that the speaker feels the same way they do about those liberal twits. It’s not unlike how some people will say “undocumented workers” instead of “illegal immigrants” (or how conservatives will often shorten it to just “illegals”) – it’s code for “Don’t worry, I’m on your side.” My point is simply that Teabaggers have no agenda other than opposing everything Mr. Obama says or does. If Obama says he likes puppies, they’re going to start throwing puppies into wood chippers. If your reason for existence is to undermine someone else’s agenda without offering up one idea of your own, I’ll be as obnoxious as possible to you. When the Teabaggers start acting like adults, then I’ll be more courteous. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/182 "2014-05-27T16:58:15Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > There is a significant distinction to be drawn between being insulting, and not caring even a little bit. Taking offense at “Democrat” is usually a fairly transparent attempt to put the other person on the defensive, combined with the usual asinine self-righteousness. It’s like the floofaroo over “niggardly” - the appropriate response to people taking offense at nonsense is not to apologize, nor to cater to idiots. It’s been demonstrated in various cites that, at least for some users of the phrase, ‘Democrat party’ is meant as an epithet. I don’t take offense, but if you knowingly use an epithet (when there is a phrase that everyone recognizes as _not_ an epithet) then in my opinion you’re being a jerk. Do you disagree? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/183 "2014-05-27T17:28:55Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I think you are, in at least some cases, mistaking not knowing the difference with thinking the difference is petty. If Republicans know the difference between “Democrat” and “Democratic” then why do they continue to use the incorrect term? If I’m introduced to you and you say “Hi, my name’s Tom!” and I then insist on calling you “Tommy” even after you’ve corrected me several times, wouldn’t you agree that I’m being rude? And you’d be perfectly within your rights to call me out on it: “Dude, what’s the deal with this ‘Tommy’ shit? My name is ‘Tom’.” Saying _“What’s wrong with ‘Tommy’? It’s a perfectly good name! It’s not like I’m calling you ‘Douchebag’!”_ would not be a valid excuse. Neither is _“Stop being so petty! ‘Tom’, ‘Tommy’, what does it matter?”_ The proper response is _“Oh, sorry, that was rude of me!”_ ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/184 "2014-05-27T17:30:06Z")
“Can I call you Joe?” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/185 "2014-05-27T17:45:24Z")
Southern Democrats were the first to use the term Grand Old Party, so likely had derogatory overtones. That’s how it works, see also Tories, Wigs, Prime Minister etc. Democrat just really doesn’t have a biting ring to it so it’ll die out like ‘honkey’. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/186 "2014-05-27T17:48:44Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Southern Democrats were the first to use the term Grand Old Party, so likely had derogatory overtones. Where do you get that? Not [Wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Old_Party#Name_and_symbols): > [@](#): > > The term originated in 1875 in the Congressional Record, referring to the party associated with the successful military defense of the Union as “this gallant old party”; the following year in an article in the Cincinnati Commercial, the term was modified to “grand old party”. The first use of the abbreviation is dated 1884. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/187 "2014-05-27T17:54:10Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Where do you get that? Not [Wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Old_Party#Name_and_symbols): [Last paragraph](http://www.ushistory.org/gop/origins.htm) Though, I’ll concede it’s not a rock solid source. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/188 "2014-05-27T17:56:08Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > It’s been demonstrated in various cites that, at least for some users of the phrase, ‘Democrat party’ is meant as an epithet. I don’t take offense, but if you knowingly use an epithet (when there is a phrase that everyone recognizes as _not_ an epithet) then in my opinion you’re being a jerk. Do you disagree? Yes, I disagree. It’s like complaining at being called a liberal because someone used the term as an insult. [QUOTE=The Hamster King] If Republicans know the difference between “Democrat” and “Democratic” then why do they continue to use the incorrect term? [/QUOTE] Because the difference is so petty. I already said that. Like I said, if anyone wants to play this “How DARE you!” game where they sling insults over and expect tender-hearted consideration of their imaginary slights in return, go ahead. It just won’t get you very far. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/189 "2014-05-27T18:03:50Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Because the difference is so petty. If the difference is so petty, then why the resistance? Why such stubbornness? If what you are saying were true I would expect Republicans to say _“Oh, yeah, Democratic Party. Duh. Sorry about that. Won’t happen again.”_ Instead we get convoluted arguments about how “Democrat Party” actually makes sense as a term. In other words, the Republicans who use the term certainly don’t ACT like they think its petty. They ACT like they think it’s an important point to defend. Why do Republicans make such a big deal out of calling the Democratic Party by the wrong name? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/190 "2014-05-27T18:07:05Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Yes, I disagree. It’s like complaining at being called a liberal because someone used the term as an insult. Huh? So using insults/epithets is never being a jerk? Or just if the word also has a different non-epithet meaning? The word ‘chink’ has a non-epithet meaning… does that mean that it’s never being a jerk to call someone ‘chink’? The word ‘boy’ has a non-epithet meaning… does that mean that it’s never being a jerk to call someone ‘boy’? Knowingly using epithets is being a jerk (IMO)… do you deny this, or do you deny that ‘Democrat’ is ever used as an epithet? ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/191 "2014-05-27T18:11:09Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > If your reason for existence is to undermine someone else’s agenda without offering up one idea of your own, I’ll be as obnoxious as possible to you. When the Teabaggers start acting like adults, then I’ll be more courteous. … wherein a poster sincerely holds to the maxim: “Two wrongs make a right.” ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/192 "2014-05-27T18:13:09Z")
Do you deny that every use of the term “liberal” is insulting? After all, some conservatives have used it as an insult. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/193 "2014-05-27T18:13:34Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Huh? So using insults/epithets is never being a jerk? Or just if the word also has a different non-epithet meaning? The word ‘chink’ has a non-epithet meaning… does that mean that it’s never being a jerk to call someone ‘chink’? The word ‘boy’ has a non-epithet meaning… does that mean that it’s never being a jerk to call someone ‘boy’? > > Knowingly using epithets is being a jerk (IMO)… do you deny this, or do you deny that ‘Democrat’ is ever used as an epithet? There are two separate questions here: 1. Is behavior X jerkish behavior? 2. If so, is it worth the trouble of those it’s directed at to make an issue of it? Answers for X = calling the Democratic Party the “Democrat Party”: 1. Yes. Not serious jerkitude (petty jerkitude really), but still jerkitude. 2. No. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/194 "2014-05-27T18:14:22Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Do you deny that every use of the term “liberal” is insulting? After all, some conservatives have used it as an insult. > > Regards, > Shodan It may well be insulting to some. Some people may use it as an epithet. And using epithets is being a jerk, IMO. So if someone calls you a ‘liberal’, and they’re using it as an insult/epithet, then they’re being a jerk. Do you disagree? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/195 "2014-05-27T18:15:54Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > There are two separate questions here: > > 1. Is behavior X jerkish behavior? > > 2. If so, is it worth the trouble of those it’s directed at to make an issue of it? > > Answers for X = calling the Democratic Party the “Democrat Party”: > > 1. Yes. Not serious jerkitude (petty jerkitude really), but still jerkitude. > > 2. No. What does “make an issue of it” mean? Does that mean challenging/educating those who do it? Mocking them? It’s not a big deal – in fact, it’s a pretty little deal. But there’s lots of little deals that are worth challenging, and I think this is one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/196 "2014-05-27T18:17:01Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > Why do Republicans make such a big deal out of calling the Democratic Party by the wrong name? The Democrats are the one making a big deal out of it, obviously. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/197 "2014-05-27T18:17:03Z")
\*\*Shodan \*\*- you’re being silly. If someone requests to be called a certain thing, it’s common courtesy to honor their request. I expect that calls to cease the use of the terms “faux news” or “repug” or “shrub” would be similarly honored. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/198 "2014-05-27T18:23:33Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > The Democrats are the one making a big deal out of it, obviously. Well, no. If Republicans stopping being jerks and called the party by its correct name, the issue would just go away. It’s like repeatedly kicking the seat of the person sitting in front of you in the plane, and then bitching that “they’re making a big deal out of nothing” when they turn around and tell you to cut it out. If you don’t want them turning around and telling you to cut it out, quit kicking the back of their seat. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/199 "2014-05-27T18:23:34Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > \*\*Shodan \*\*- you’re being silly. If someone requests to be called a certain thing, it’s common courtesy to honor their request. > > I expect that calls to cease the use of the terms “faux news” or “repug” or “shrub” would be similarly honored. At least people using those terms would (I think) agree they are meant to be offensive. No one who says “shrub” would claim with a straight face that it was a perfectly polite and respectful alternative way to address the President. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/200 "2014-05-27T18:28:37Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > It may well be insulting to some. Some people may use it as an epithet. And using epithets is being a jerk, IMO. So if someone calls you a ‘liberal’, and they’re using it as an insult/epithet, then they’re being a jerk. Do you disagree? Your claim was that it was an insult to use a term if that term had ever been meant as an insult. Do you stand by that? > [@](#): > > =Bone] Shodan - you’re being silly. No, I’m not the one. > [@](#): > > I expect that calls to cease the use of the terms “faux news” or “repug” or “shrub” would be similarly honored You would be disappointed, as we have seen. Or perhaps I missed all the abortion threads in which one side was careful always to refer to the other as “pro-life”. After all, that’s just common courtesy. 😃 Regards, Shodan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186.md?page=11)