We can't get an ideological monopoly on the federal and state governments because not everyone thinks exactly like us: radical change requires consensus and commitment that may not be possible for that many people. Maybe some very general principles or the legal nucleus, but not a comprehensive program.

Plus we know as well as anyone that a powerful federal government can be as much a liability as an asset.

This is why I've become so skeptical of major change emanating from Washington or the state capitals: too many people have to agree on too many things to create policies for the rest to just follow, and if the wrong people are in charge and the population is not sufficiently independent of the System, progress stops and may even lose ground.

The specific policies are going to have to come from the local levels, suited to the specific problems and means of the people who're going to have to do the actual lifestyle changes.