As the past few months have unfolded, I have become convinced that the real problem in this country is that the liberal base of the democratic party is not really respected. We are not viewed as having real power. We are not a threat to the power of democratic politicians, because we are seen as reliable, solid votes due to the general crappiness of republicans.
The White House was shocked at the level of liberal reaction to their attempt to throw the public option under the bus. Sarah Palin is still seen as the core of where "real Americans" are at by the media. The standard position for liberal democrats in congress is to compromise, compromise, compromise to the "sensible moderates" in the middle.
This is the real reason we are sending troops to Afghanistan. Because the liberal, anti-war base are still seen as a largely powerless, unimportant segment of the population. In the minds of democratic leaders, we are the "fringe." Everyone else is the "silent majority."
As the past few months have unfolded, I have become convinced that the real problem in this country is that the liberal base of the democratic party is not really respected. We are not viewed as having real power. We are not a threat to the power of democratic politicians, because we are seen as reliable, solid votes due to the general crappiness of republicans.
The White House was shocked at the level of liberal reaction to their attempt to throw the public option under the bus. Sarah Palin is still seen as the core of where "real Americans" are at by the media. The standard position for liberal democrats in congress is to compromise, compromise, compromise to the "sensible moderates" in the middle.
This is the real reason we are sending troops to Afghanistan. Because the liberal, anti-war base are still seen as a largely powerless, unimportant segment of the population. In the minds of democratic leaders, we are the "fringe." Everyone else is the "silent majority."
However, the reason we are sending 30,000 troops rather than the requested 40,000 or more is because this is beginning to change.
People mock the green party, but they were the #1 reason (along with, perhaps, voter fraud and the supreme court) that Bush became president. Yes, Bush was a horrible president. But the democratic party learned a valuable lesson: they cannot alienate the base. You can't win over the base running with Lieberman as your VP candidate, building on the legacy of a president and a party that spent years selling out democratic ideals.
Bush was horrible. People died because of him. But, y'know what? In some small way I'm glad he won (a very small way, but a way nonetheless. Because I'm not interested in just defeating the republicans in the short term. I'm interested in a world where someone like Bush wouldn't get elected. I want to give people a democratic party they can believe in again, that can get things done for the common person. The havoc wreaked by the green party sent an important message.
This was what the whole primary fight between HC and BO was all about. Who would best fight for democratic ideals, and get real change passed. The primary fight was epic, precisely because the liberal base didn't want to get sold out again.
And the base MATTERS. It's bigger than the dem leadership thinks, and considerably more powerful.
That's why health reform is actually on the tablethis time around, and why Afghanistan is getting less troops than requested and a real exit strategy. That's why the public option is still on the table, and climate change legislation keeps making slow progress.
However, the old idea that we represent a fringe contrasted with a "silent majority" of properly "moderate" democrats is the reason why we are sending more troops to Afghanistan at all. It's the reason single payer is off the table, and legislation to SAVE THE F-ING PLANET has very little real momentum at the moment.
And the only way to counteract that idea, as well as to grow the base of liberal democrats who will vote against moderate democrats in primaries and support a real liberal agenda is to remain relevant. Dem politicians cannot be allowed to win elections without us. We shouldn't just vote for them because they have a D after their names.
But we also shouldn't vote for them just because they are named Barack Obama.
A primary challenge fueled by frustration over what may become another messy commitment in Afghanistan sends a powerful message to democratic leadership and the chattering classes. A strongly liberal primary campaign helps bring more moderate dems over to our side. A strong primary challenge shows that we cannot be thrown under the bus, we cannot be discounted, we cannot have our ideals constantly compromised away and still be expected to support the people in charge.
I'll probably vote for him again, if only to avoid Sarah Palin running the show. But I entirely understand those who won't. And I think those people are important, and would be doing something that will ultimately move us closer to a country that doesn't elect George Bushes, and actually puts liberal ideas into practice. A liberal base that will vote for Obama even when he does things that conflict with their ideals is a neutered, irrelevent, fringe base.
We need people who will stand up and say "this is what I believe in, and if my elected representatives won't support those things, then party unity be damned." That's how we stay relevant.
If the escalation pisses you off enough, then protest. Write. Consider a primary challenger, if the situation in Afghanistan deteriorates. Even stay home, or vote green. Make the democratic party work for YOUR vote. Make them cater to the base, not the blue dogs and the republicans. Make them listen to you. Use what power you still have.
You don't HAVE to vote for anyone, particuarly if they violate your conscience or sell away your hopes for the future.
Your vote should never, ever, ever, ever, ever be taken for granted. Ever. And anyone who tells you it should (even if they are Dailykos diarists) is asking you to give up the greatest political power you as an individual actually have.