The controversy before the floor of dailykos today is in my mind, an odd one. Barak Obama, someone who I have great respect for, calls for understanding when it comes to how various democrats voted, followed by either cheers or jeers. The jeers that I've read thus far having to do with a variety of things from calling those that voted for Roberts sell outs to calls for democrats to be more decisive and active.
The second part is something democrats need to do.
But, there seems to be a disconnect going on. Blame appears to be pointing to the senators and representatives for the lack of message. Oh, my dear kosmopolitans, but the root of the problem is not weather or not the senate stands togeather on issue X. The root of the problem is that some senators and reps don't have a reason to. Some of the senators and reps who many decry as turn coats are either representing their constituants (like ideally all members of congress should) or don't believe in a democratic message. The first one can't be helped. Politicians on either side really do have to represent people sometimes, and that's a good thing. The second one though begs the question, what IS the democratic message.
Or more important, what is the Democratic vision for the future?
Well there have been several attempts thus far here and else where to enumerate it as suiccinctly as possible. But disagreaments and squables have doomed each attempt to failure. So, I'm going to stick my neck out and say what our vision should be. That is, what our vision should be for the short term. The long term vision is progressive liberalisim, what ever that is (the definition of this is of course highly debateable and the reason we can't decide on anything vision wise, so lets put it aside for the moment).
By the way, don't think me egotistical for doing this. The reason I'm doing this telling is that someone needs to do it, and I don't see anyone else doing it, so I might as well lead off on this. If you don't like it and have a better vision, by all means, take this position of leadership and run with it. Don't slam me, because that won't help us. Don't slam what I say unless I'm really reality challenged on a point. If you disagree with me, write your own diary with a better, more direct, more memorable vision.
Yes, memorable is the key term here. If our vision can not be phrased in the less than equal words than what everyone thinks the republican one is, then there simply is no room in people's long term memories for it.
Also, if you haven't caught on, I titled this entry the six words that should be our vision.
Superior Military
Fair Taxes
Good Values
One may also note how close they parallel the Republican 'vision' of strong military, low taxes, and family values. The key difference being in the adjectivites.
Superior compared to Strong. If something is strong, it is simple strong. If something is superior, it can be stronger, faster, smarter, and more ethical than something that is strong.
Fair compared to low. If something is low, it directs the mind to think of something with a small value. Fair on the other hands, summons up thoughts of decency and doing the right thing.
Good compared to family. Most people think that families are in fact good. But things that are good can be more than just family.
Beyond this, we all know the details of what falls under these phrases. Or at least we should.
But... some may argue that parallels to the GOP sound bites might not be good. That we are mearly basing our ideas of theirs. So perhaps another set is due. But that is where you come in good reader. Challenge me for leadership on message. Pick six words (or less) that can tell America about what our vision is. If response is good, either tomorrow or the next day I'll post a second diary where I'll point to what I and those that comment to this diary feel is the best message. The best vision. The best mantra.
The details of where we should be on Roberts, Iraq, the economy don't factor into this mantra. These details should spring fourth from these ideals that we all have in common.
And after the diary tomorrow (again, assuming a good response here), I'll ask all of you to internalize the vision, the mantra. Memorize it. Use it. Yes, use it any time someone claims the democrats don't stand for anything. Say, yes we do. We stand for (mantra). Then after that go off onto any rant you like about the news of the day. But the mantra should remain constant. The mantra should unite liberals, progressives, moderates, and conservatives in the Democratic party togeather. No division, only unity of vision.
Everything else is small stuff, don't sweat it.