Why do I have a harder time connecting with Daily Kos than in the past?
Because this site tries to simultaneously celebrate the democratic party, while at the same time maintain a healthy progressive voice. This is increasingly becoming an impossible goal, and I would like to propose that people start recognizing the fact that there are two things which will, in the end, prevent the majority of democratic politicians from being progressive the way that we, the untethered masses, can be:
- The lack of a moral compass on REAL campaign finance reform, and
- The commitment to 2-party rule
Why won't democratic politicians see the truth about health care and single payer? Because they owe too many favors thanks to the lack of campaign finance reform. Why won't they take complaints from the "far left" seriously? Because they know we have no one to turn to but them.
It will help all of us, and in the long run, strengthen the democratic party, to resolve the loose ends that constitute these two issues. The democratic party should commit itself to eliminating the massive dollars that go into campaigns, where currently idealism is easily washed away by logrolling.
Additionally, the democratic party should work toward creating a more open election system with a truly democratic, open attitude toward affiliation, without the exclusivity that currently exists. Put simply, we should have enough faith in our product that it can stand up against what else is out there, and if it can't, then other products should be given consideration.
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Thank you for reading this. I have loved Daily Kos for years, and want to see it maintain its relevance. I am sure that some folks will be quick to call me a troll for saying these things, but I am a progressive idealist like many of you, and I see both good and bad, and just want to make things better.