King Pyrrhus of Epirus lamented after a brutal battle with the Romans, "If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined." The term Pyrrhic Victory stems from this battle, a victory that is hollow if only because it sets up a future defeat.
At this point I would consider myself at least a Colonel in the current pie fight battle royal. I've slogged it out with many a fellow Kossack, but I have tried my hardest not to just flame away. I realized today why this is so utterly meaningless.
Quick little back story... I've been a lifelong Democrat, voted in my first election in 2000, and have always, always been disappointed with my choices. Barack Obama was the first candidate that I have ever voted for that made me proud. I held my nose for Kerry and the countless Blue Dog rejects that populate my state. So I've done the loyal Democrat thing, but I'm tired. I'm bone weary of holding my nose. This country is in a right mess and I still think we need bold action.
I'm not going to lie, President Obama has been a pretty major disappointment for me, maybe not Phantom Menace bad, but bad nonetheless. I could open up the Book of Grudges and solemnly read from its pages, but I'm not. Tonight I had a sort of epiphany, maybe it's fleeting, but I at least wanted to document it. This really does not matter.
Okay -- okay -- so it matters whether or not people have jobs, healthcare, and their neighbors aren't off to war, but what doesn't matter is who wins this pie fight. It really doesn't. I think we've reached that point where neither side will convince the other of their rightness. I've avoided the picture diaries and "pro" Obama diaries because I really don't want to harsh someone else's buzz. I've tried my hardest to be civil (and have failed, probably even tonight) and at least try to point out the many fallacies used. The winner of this fight is not the critics, the fans, the GOP, the DLC, but instead it's the status quo, the 1-5% of the population that exploits its fellow man for a buck, they chose the altar of Mammon.
I hold little hope that 2010-2012 will be little different than the past two years. If Democrats get trounced the media and the DLC will play it as a rebuke of President Obama's "leftist" policies and he will need to move to the right. If they lose a handful of seats (which they will, but that's a victory in this type of off year election) then again I think it will be a call to "work with Republicans" who will double down again on obstruction. ("We weren't Conservative enough, that's why we lost," they'll say). Either way I think this country loses. More gradual policies, more moneyed interests tossing around influence in the form of wads of cash and media spin. What we need are better Democrats.
There are a few in this upcoming 2010 season, so I don't want to totally sell this election short, but soon will be the time (if not now) to really have a go at 2012 and elect a slew of better Democrats, those willing to stand up to the 1-5% crowd, in favor of the majority of Americans who can hardly withstand another blow.
Which leads me to why these pie fights are moot. I remember in Sociology a lecture that really stuck with me through the whole of my life, "The person with the most power in a relationship is the person who cares the least." Given my friends experiences with love, I saw this principle in action on a daily basis, or as 'How I Met Your Mother' described "the reacher and the settler."
In a greater scheme of things I think I'm a reacher, and therefore have less power. Some math equation that I think works:
Reacher: Issues > party > personality
Settler: Personality = party > issues
That is to say my only appointment is disappointment (thank you They Might be Giants). I vote for Democrats in the hope that they will support my issues. The same issues they espouse in platforms and in campaigning, but my vote is essentially taken for granted. Which can you blame them, where else am I going? It's time to take the party back precinct by precinct, seat by seat, state by state.
Realize that for some politics is a game, a belief in some animus spirit, team (D). The belief that (D) is better than (R) and we live in a binary world. Issues matter, but get lost in fear of something worse (Sarah Palin). Why appeal at all? If tribalism and team matter more, for whatever reason, why not just take that for granted? A cynical almost '1984' view of things to be sure, but profound for me nonetheless.
Make the argument moot by electing better Democrats, hold their feet to the flames (constructively) and ignore, yes ignore, the naysayers (unless they have a constructive point to make). Attack Republicans with the ferocity of a thousand suns, and fight for your principles. It is time for a change. It is time that we finally have a government for and by the people. Stop reaching and do, let the DLC crowd "settle" for awhile.