We all have our favorite causes. Economics, the environment, labor, energy policy, tax fairness, social justice, end-of-life issues, civil rights, religion, peace, the integrity of elections, crime, family farming, social security, gun control, the deficit, gay marriage, consumer protection, health care - the list could go on and on.
Good causes, every single one of them, and all worth fighting for. I think we can all pretty much agree on that. Bit I don't think we can win the larger war by fighting for all these issues on separate fronts. Sometimes you need a greater cause. Something simple and elegant, with room to incorporate all the smaller issues.
But what if I were to ask you what THE cause is; the cause that all of us must rally around, call others to, and eventually lead the charge with? The cause that will give us back the House of Representatives and Senate in 2006, and the presidency in 2008? The cause that will lead us charging into the heart of the Republican troops to split them right down the middle and send them scurrying like cockroaches?
If we charge, what will be at the tip of our spear?
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Imagine asking that question in a roomful of Democrats. With all due respect - and I really do respect the diversity of our causes - I think it would be a lot like herding cats in a roomful of rocking chairs. Difficult and noisy. And at the end of the day we probably wouldn't be any closer to agreement than at the beginning.
We used to live in a time when that didn't matter. We could squabble about priorities `til the cows came home, and it really didn't matter. Because we always had access to SOME levers of power - as in at least one house of Congress or the presidency. That changed in this decade, and we're only now starting to recognize what the implications might be. We're like the frogs in the pot of heating water, and the water is getting uncomfortably warm.
We're up against something now that is much, much bigger than anything we've ever had to deal with before. We've lost Congress AND the presidency. And now the greedy bastards are going after the judiciary, too. The audacity is breathtaking. And the party leadership is acting like a couple of kids caught in the act of playing doctor. Shocked, bug-eyed, mouth-wide-open, don't-move-and-maybe-they'll-go-away silence. Our tactics have got to change, because the fight is fundamentally different than anything we've encountered in recent history.
We've got one incredible fight on our hands, and I think all of you realize that.
So how will we fight this political battle? United in a large, disciplined army? Or in small groups or cells each slogging it out in a separate guerilla effort? While both strategies can work, I think the united approach has a better shot at success. Guerilla wars are fought by those who no doubt wish they had larger armies. We should make an honest effort at uniting behind something big.
Back to the original question. What will be at the tip of our spear?
- Not the impeachment of George W. Bush, or any other figure. It's too negative, and while it would take care of a major symptom, it wouldn't cure us of the underlying disease.
- It should be something that appeals broadly to the middle of the electorate. I see this nation roughly divided into thirds. One-third solidly, almost incurably conservative (Them), one-third solidly progressive (Us), and the final third solidly, almost incurably self-absorbed and apathetic.
Whether you like it or not,
the battle will be won or lost on that middle third. So if we're going to unite ourselves, and win over more than half of the middle, then whatever cause we rally around has GOT to work with that demographic.
Does that mean we shift to the center - the good old DLC approach? Please, oh please, NO! Been there, done that, and it doesn't work. The idea is to change the middle, not change us. If you're not with me on that, then don't bother reading any further.
Personally, I think we need to find an issue that both resonates with the middle and questions the positions of the right, all at the same time. One that opens the eyes of those in the middle and makes them so uncomfortable with the right that they can't help but jump into our camp.
My suggestion? Push immediately and mercilessly for a reaffirmation of the Bill of Rights.
Remember them?
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
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Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
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Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
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Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
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Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
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Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
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Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
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Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
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Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
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Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
The first ten amendments to our Constitution represent this nation's core values. And we have witnessed four and a half years of assaults on these core values. Granted, some of them are a bit out of date. Some of you may have problems with the second amendment, but I would suggest that now would not be the time to pursue that. And it's been a while since we've had to worry about troops being quartered in our homes. Give these bastards enough time, though, and they'll eventually get around to violating that, too.
WE MUST stand up for the Bill of Rights. WE MUST blow the dust off them and present them afresh to the American people. WE MUST remind the middle that there is more to worry about than the price of gasoline. And in doing so, it is my hope that we can make the right look like the un-American, fascist, tyrannical, theocratic bastards that they are.
Will they try to block the effort? Maybe, but they'll look like idiots in doing it. We're usually at the receiving end of loyalty tests like those relating to the Pledge of Allegiance or flag burning. Put THEM on the defensive for once. Pressure THEM to demonstrate their loyalty to something that is pure, 100% American.
The beautiful thing is this - if they succumb to the pressure, it will provide us with a bright, shiny mirror that we can use in the future to reflect their beams of hate and greed right back into their faces. Each new legislative or executive assault on the Bill of Rights could be greeted with a "But didn't we just agree that..."
We should be screaming for this to happen - both nationally, and in every statehouse as well. Get it in the news and keep it in the news, until even People Magazine is running stories on it (might have to recruit a few celebrities for that to happen). We need to reawaken the American people to what their core values - OUR core values - are.
Until the great slumbering middle understands what is under assault, the assault WILL continue. And we'll grow weaker with every day that passes.