Yesterday saw some diaries posted that asked tough questions about why DailyKos exists, why we post, what our goals should be and how we should step beyond the lovely orange borders of our community and into the 'real world' to get 'real things' done. The words "mental masturbation" were used.
To a degree, what we do here is mental, or at least ideological, masturbation. That is NOT a bad thing, it's a GREAT thing.
What we do here is valuable.
Reasons why it's great (and some criticisms) below the fold.
DailyKos functions in two ways. First, it creates a large pool of individuals that are informed and aware of what's going on (politically) in their nation. This is important. I've had conversations with people who were passive Bush supporters where I repeat a fact I've learned on DailyKos and their brow furrows, they say things like "well, I didn't know that." I follow up with more facts and watch (over time) their support for Republicanism slip away.
People who spend time reading the posts and comments at DailyKos are prepared to actively sow unease, doubt, and mistrust within (some) Republicans, especially if they play to the divides between economic and social conservatives.
Secondly, DailyKos functions as the worlds most interactive advertisement. We get little plugs in the mainstream media from time to time. We get visitors who stop by just to see what this site is all about. Yes, 90% of our viewers were going to vote for Democrats anyway, but we can attract new voters, new activists, and new ideas by maintaining a community that is attractive (read: truthful, accepting, free from derision, well reasoned and on topic.) We are a clearing house for ideas.
That does not mean we're perfect. It does not mean that we should be satisfied with our status. It does not mean that we shouldn't do more.
None of the functions or benefits of DailyKos require a Freeper-like strict adherance to party over country or ideology over personal beleifs.
That said, I like to believe that as thoughtful persons, we're disposed to progressivism. As such, I beleive that we are capable of holding two opposite ideas as true.
Having said that we must not subjugate our beliefs to party dogma, we must also not allow party cohesiveness to be destroyed by refusing to support candidates that fail to completely align with our personal positions.
The key to power in the United States is a majority in one or both houses of congress. That's why we must support every democratic candidate, even if she/he disagrees with our position on a specific issue.
Congressional majorities is a topic for another diary. This one's about the function of DailyKos. Please, please add your own opinions. Add your suggestions for what we can do reach out more, both for new members and to impact that 'real world.'