Do grassroots Progressives need a party at all?
For Progressives, riding the Democratic wave is like being on the Pirate ship at Treasure Island in Las Vegas: The show's good for a while, but ultimately the ships sinks.
This show is as regular as a Vegas presentation too...every 2-4-6 years the Progressives chain themselves to the bow and watch in horror as Democrat leaders lose control of the rudder and drift towards the rocks.
Are these repeated mishaps due to incompetence or impotence? Perhaps the cause is not as important as the effect: whether too weak, or unmotivated, the end result is that change is not happening in DC.
Unfortunately, the American political system has given the established political parties more lives than the alley cats they resemble. This sentiment is expressed by people such as Hailey Barbour in his comments on the 2008 election: "It was the Democrats turn".
Really, is our voting not so much an expression of the people's will as it a shuffling of the deck?
If we continue the Vegas poker analogy, who will play the wild card? Do Progressives have the cards to play high stakes and do more than bluff? And are they going to continue using the same marked deck that the GOP and Dems offer?
In accepting the reality of No Real Change, Progressives would do well to consider being part of a change platform - joining with allies and foes on a tableau of issues and proposals that represent Real Change.
Firstly, we must consider the sentimental nature of party politics in a cold hard light. At heart is whether centuries old parties (with near century old Senators) can truly 'reform from within'. In my opinion, the Dems and Pubs are just too 'established' to be a change agent. They know their special interest groups too well...and America knows the major party's special interests too well.
Secondly, it goes without saying that a 3 party system has not been successful to date - but today there's 'hope'. At no time in modern history has 'change' been so prominent and so ignored by both parties. It follows then that within the anger of Tea Baggers and Lefties there are common elements.
Unfortunately, just as the tribes of developing countries hold back modern politics and allow corruption to run rampant, so too do the American political tribes divide more than unite.
So it's time to cast off the entire idea of the currently formed party concept and instead unite on core elements that are acceptable to all.
A Reform Agenda could look something like the following:
- Focus on finding unemotional, common 'change' elements within the electorate which can be used to fashion a limited centrist political platform. People from all parts of the political spectrum are expressing a need to change. In recognition of the ability of deeply personal issues to bring stalemate, divisive issues such as Abortion (prolife/prochoice) could simply be left off the 'platform' and left up to the individual candidate. The emphasis would be on candidates accepting the Change Agenda that a majority of the electorate agrees on - so 'change' becomes de facto with personal abilities and divisive issues being the vote decider.
- Segmentation of the issues to the appropriate offices - restrict the Change Agenda to issues that are appropriate to the office. Continuing the abortion issue analysis, it really should not be a distraction at the local or state level. Foreign Policy, Fiscal Policy, Environmental Policy are national issues that probably can be crafted into a common agenda.
- Focus on local and state offices as this is where people really pay attention year round - and where opinions are really forced to confront reality. For example, it's fine to have a 'small government' opinion implanted by Rush, but when the school district asks for a mill levy, and the parent-teacher conferences expose the need for more funding, then real consideration and thought must take place. Crafting a 'Change Agenda' at the state and local levels will be a much more realistic exercise as neighbors work to find their common ground.
- Peel off the good Dems and Pubs and buffer them from the fringes of either party. There are currently some good politicians from both parties who actually seem capable of higher thought. If a Pub can grab onto a Change Agenda that doesn't touch the 3rd rail of abortion, then we stand a far better chance of him/her voting for financial or health reform. Questions would have to be answered from the left too: For example, would liberals be content creating a national health care system which offers no support for abortion? What could be done that would make everyone feel like good things are happening?
- Find new leaders that become the public face of change on the local, state and national level - with an emphasis on having representation from all parts of the political spectrum. There's gotta be some NRA members out there that agree on the need to stop Wall Street (personally, I'd estimate about 99% of the 2nd Amendment fans I know agree on that one). More so, those same gun nuts like their forests, and the US is blessed with enough renewable energy resources to tie windmill/solar farms to hunting preserves. Leaders need to be diverse in their backgrounds, but united on the change agenda.
- Don't bite off too much - focus only on things that are truly agreeable to the majority and can be articulated and acted upon. For example, if health care isn't there yet, then find areas that can be fixed. Even if it's getting efficient lights into the Capitol and public buildings, the emphasis should be on real, tangible, non-controversial Change!
- In essence, this Reform Agenda is something that can't be seen as being co-opted by either party - or the hot button issues. The Teabaggers are being ripped apart by the GOP, and Liberals are not exactly happy with their Dems. So cast away the anchors and find something to agree on.
- Find people other than lawyers to get involved and lead - how about Americans hearing from some smart-but-not-smooth Scientists, Doctors, Farmers and Construction Workers? Nothing smells like leftover politicians.
The reality is that this is not too difficult as the power truly rests with the people (if they'd only realize it). Even on a personal level each of us can try serve as a paragon of political balance - rather than as shrill fringe agents.
The bad apples of the GOP and Dems have gotten away for far too long with the practice of distracting us with 'blood in the water' issues. It's time to find common ground and begin reforming
Ironically, it goes back to what Obama ran on: what unites us is greater than that which divides us. Unfortunately, his leadership abilities may already be too tarnished to serve as an agent for change.