Here is a question for discussion. The Dems are done. We’re all done for the time being. So what do we do about it?
As I see it, our big purpose out here in blogland has been to demonstrate to any one that gives a shit that there are ways to present an opposition that are both clear and rhetorically sound. Also, we have provided ourselves a sense of community and comfort as we watch the principles upon which our civilization was built slowly be removed and replaced with ever more brutal rationales.
Once upon a time it seemed that we could serve as a conduit for the generation of rhetoric and strategy a la the Repuglican think tank apparat, only on a distributed (and pro bono!) basis. It has become very very clear, though, that the Democratic Party decision makers have no interest in this.
Politically it is has become obvious, this entire election cycle, that the Dems have no interest in taking a stand. They avoid stating clear arguments or pushing any kind of advantage. They do not act from any kind of modern media strategy. They want to come into power with as few obligations to make substantive changes as possible.
Any of these acts would presumably set them at odds with the “real” power in this country, whoever that may be. In any case, and for whatever reason, they are unwilling to act like a real opposition party.
Without a clearly stated opposition platform there can never be enough political will in the body politic to actually make substantive changes. Without substantive changes the Dems will slide further into irrelevance in both public appraisal and in fact. Pick any issue, any news cycle, and you’ll see it’s true.
So, now, our other task is to start thinking in terms of contingency plans (protests, organizing somehow under the radar of the surveillance state and cellphone/internet dependency, going to ground or building bastions of liberal community in our blue cities).
What will you do? Do you think there is a place for mass movement tactics in todays political climate? How about a few years from now? What about all of the surveillance we know is possible/ongoing? Any thoughts?
Posting on this blog just got in at least two federal data bases. maybe 3 . . .
LOL
But seriously, I don’t believe the Dem party is done, nor that we in in the left blogosphere have lost all chance to influence the party’s direction. It is just a far more painful and slow process than many of us would like.
It took the DLC dems a decade to acquire enough power to get their nominee (Clinton) for President, and because he was a highly popular and effective President during a relative period of peace, the DLC establishment was able to become the standard bearers for the Democratic Party. They would still be in that unchallenged position of leadership if not for Bush and the increasing spread of the internet.
Yet, it would be foolish of us to expect them to give up their lucrative positions and simply wave the new progressives through the fromt door with a hearty hello, and welcoming smiles. People are resistant to change, particularly when it involves their livelihoods and financial interests. That we have accomplished so much so quickly is really quite the phenomenon. There is certainly nothing like it on the right.
That said, I am dismayed by the weakness and vapid response to Bush among many Dem politicians. Too few of them get it that we are living in a changed political environment, and one that is dmaging not only their comfy status quo, but the foundations of our democracy. But then, we wouldn’t be here in such numbers if we weren’t in a crisis.
I guess I am not as pessimistic of the chance the Democratic party can be refashioned and reinvigorated just yet. Disappointed often? Yes, but not yet willing to give up the fight for a truly liberal party in America.
Oh, come on. Do you really not think most of our cleverly hidden identities and habits are not at least minimally noted somewhere in a whole slew of interlinked databases?