Throughout Obama's term in office there has been an ongoing argument between the "idealists" and the "pragmatists" inside the Democratic Party. Many progressives have criticized the Blue Dog democrats and the pragmatists for having no core principles. In return, we were ridiculed and told that we had to be realistic, and that compromise was the only solution.
But for those of us who fought against the Vietnam War, fought for equal rights, fought for women's rights, fought to end poverty, fought for the health of our planet, we know that the only way to accomplish anything worthwhile, and the only way to win, is through the courage of convictions. That is why it is inspiring to watch the tar sands pipeline protestors take a stand against a potential crime against our planet.
No one did a better job of instructing us on the importance of standing on principle than Martin Luther King. And I think his beliefs about pragmatism are as salient today as they were during his lifetime.
Digby posted this on her website today. I think it is worth re-posting.
Martin Luther King - A Letter From a Birmingham Jail:
I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"(emphasis mine)
I think it is disheartening that our Democratic leaders have discarded those ideals in such a short period of time. Our party once stood for humane causes. Now, our leaders are more interested in protecting moneyed interests than they are in protecting the middle class or the needy.
This is what compromise accomplishes. Men and women who are:
"...more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefer(s) a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice;
Or as Paul Krugman says: the pragmatists are the problem.
From an article I read today on another progressive blog:
Three years ago, I spent a number of weekends going door to door in Virginia urging people to vote for our president. In that campaign I found a sense of pride, a sense of excitement, a sense of energizing virtue.
This weekend, I spent a good chunk of time training to do civil disobedience at President Obama's door in the desperate hope that he'll fulfill the promise that drove me onto the streets for him in 2008.
Nothing will change in Washington until we rid ourselves of the leaders who stand for nothing.
From two other articles I read today:
Anyone who fails to hear the fear, desperation and anger of hard working Americans can expect zilch from them next fall.
Let These "Independents" Reelect Obama, I Think I Will Sit This One Out
Here is a link to A Letter from a Birmingham Jail...it's worth the read.
http://www.africa.upenn.edu/...