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?
