# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/41 "2014-05-24T20:13:32Z")
I agree with the OP. There are ignoramuses who reveal their stupidity by using “Democrat Party” with the intent to insult. But here’s the rub: the more Democrats act offended or insulted, the more they’ll continue using it. Don’t play their game. ---
**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 24, 2014, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/42 "2014-05-24T20:24:58Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Because.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democrat_Party_(epithet)) > [@To what extent can a group member's character be inferred from others'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-a-group-members-character-be-inferred-from-others/680677/4): > > Not really an applicable analogy; **the Democrat Party** at the time was fiercely internally divided on the issue. The only comparable division in today’s GOP is between the crazy and the not-crazy. WRT racism, nobody in today’s GOP is against it in the “We’ve got to do something about this!” sense, that’s a Democratic monopoly now. Because at some point, that shit just doesn’t matter. And even well intentioned people get it wrong sometimes. ---
**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 24, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/43 "2014-05-24T20:29:11Z")
As I’ve said the proper response isn’t to act insulted. It’s to ridicule them. I mean it really plays into the narrative that most Republicans are derpy mouthbreathers who don’t know much about American history or traditions. I’m surprised most of them get the name of the country right. ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/44 "2014-05-24T20:36:30Z")
Hit’em where it hurts and accidentally-on-purpose use the term [Republicrats](http://www.examiner.com/article/an-open-letter-of-resignation-to-the-republicrat-party) 🆒 ---
**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 24, 2014, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/45 "2014-05-24T20:39:49Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > And even well intentioned people get it wrong sometimes. LOL … Yeah, and sometimes I forget and call the country “The United States of Americans”. There are a LOT of really dim Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/46 "2014-05-24T20:39:58Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > “Democrat Party” is a weapon we’ve been handed. Of course I’m going to use it. ROTFLMAO. How has the use of this “weapon” work out so far? ---
**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 24, 2014, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/47 "2014-05-24T20:49:50Z")
When someone uses the term “Democrat Party” I immediately envision a flashing neon sign that says “ASSHOLE” with an arrow pointing at him. If you want to be a dick, go right ahead. Just don’t expect me to take you seriously. ---
**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/48 "2014-05-24T20:53:57Z")
Count me in as not understanding why it would be offensive to someone. The best I can tell from the wiki article is that it sounds ugly and has ‘rat’ in it. Big deal. The more democrats pay attention to it the more it will be used, so I don’t understand someone trying to correct it every time a poster writes it on this board. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/49 "2014-05-24T21:08:35Z")
Democrats and Repugs were made for each other. Democrats are understandably envious they can’t do the same without changing the spelling. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/50 "2014-05-24T21:13:09Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > Democrats and Repugs were made for each other. Democrats are understandably envious they can’t do the same without changing the spelling. Sure they can, it’s the Republic Party. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/51 "2014-05-24T21:24:45Z")
I’ve heard “the Publican Party”, which works without changing the spelling but is retarded. Also “the Republican’t Party”, but that strikes me as even more childish. I’m not cut out for American politics, I think. Too self-aware. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/52 "2014-05-24T21:36:59Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > Sure they can, it’s the Republic Party. It just doesn’t work. A member of your party is a Democrat. Thus Democrat party. A noun used as an adjective, and grammatically correct. Like “house wine”. Or “chicken soup”. A member of the GOP is a Republican. Thus it is Republican party. Your choice whether you regard the “Republican” in that as a noun or an adjective, but either way grammatically correct. There are quite a few “Democrat parties” around the world. Like “Sweden Democrat party”. Or Canadian “Christian Democrat Party”. There is not one “Republic Party”. But then, feel free to use “Republic Party”. I bet you not one Republican will be in any way offended. ---
**Author:** ![Gerald\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Gerald\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gerald_II)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/53 "2014-05-24T22:19:22Z")
Since we as a nation promote the idea of democracy I can understand why Republicans sometimes use \*democrat \*instead of _democratic_. They don’t it to look like they themselves are the opposite of democracy or democratic ideals. For example Darrell Issa mentioning a “democrat congress.” Chris Matthews chided him for it but I can see that being a valid time to use the term, even if Issa had other motives for using it. Had he said “a democratic congress,” a view might think he’s referring to the political process and not necessarily the majority IN congress. That said, it’s really petty for Republicans to refer to it as the “Democrat Party.” We’re suppose to act like adults. If you have valid criticism of a political party that it should be enough to voice that, and not have to resort to name calling or slick taunts. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/54 "2014-05-24T22:48:42Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > It just doesn’t work. A member of your party is a Democrat. Thus Democrat party. […] > > A member of the GOP is a Republican. Thus it is Republican party. Wrong. The designation of an adherent of a political party is derived from the name of the party, not the other way around. Since the 1800’s, the correct and official name of the party in question has been “Democratic Party”. If some Republicans want to garble its name as a childish discourtesy to annoy Democrats, nobody can stop them, but nobody’s fooled by their pretending that they’re only motivated by a devotion to grammatical “accuracy”. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/55 "2014-05-24T22:49:22Z")
> [@Gerald\_II](#): > > Since we as a nation promote the idea of democracy I can understand why Republicans sometimes use \*democrat \*instead of _democratic_. They don’t it to look like they themselves are the opposite of democracy or democratic ideals. And Democrats wouldn’t want anyone to think they oppose a republican form of government. This has nothing to do with the technical definitions of democracy or republic. It’s just about annoying one’s political opponents. ---
**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 24, 2014, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/56 "2014-05-24T23:03:41Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > As I’ve said the proper response isn’t to act insulted. It’s to ridicule them. I mean it really plays into the narrative that most Republicans are derpy mouthbreathers who don’t know much about American history or traditions. I’m surprised most of them get the name of the country right. Agreed. Mockery is a fine response to those who use such epithets. ---
**Author:** ![Gerald\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Gerald\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gerald_II)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/57 "2014-05-24T23:09:32Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > And Democrats wouldn’t want anyone to think they oppose a republican form of government. Really? Which is more promoted? Democracy or the republic? I always heard about trying to promote democracy in the Middle East, as the ideal form of government, but I rarely hear people talking about pushing for a republican form of government in other parts of the world. > [@](#): > > This has nothing to do with the technical definitions of democracy or republic. It’s just about annoying one’s political opponents. Why can’t it be both? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/58 "2014-05-25T00:07:56Z")
> [@Gerald\_II](#): > > Why can’t it be both? Because it’s never used in the way you’re describing, so why invent excuses? ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/59 "2014-05-25T00:20:51Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > Sure they can, it’s the Republic Party. But that doesn’t change the meaning in the desired childish way. Repubelic, maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/60 "2014-05-25T00:23:04Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > It does not offend me when I hear it. It generally tells me a good deal about the person that used it. Besides, I must admit that I amused myself immensely by using variants of the term Tea Bag. And when you use the term Tea Bag, does that tell us a good deal about you? Seriously, how many people who claim “Democrat Party” is offensive can say they have never called the Tea Party the _Tea Baggers_? I doubt there are any. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186.md?page=4)