I'm reading Zell Miller's book, "
A National Party No More", so you don't have to, trying to find nuggets of wisdom among all the garbage. Wouldn't it be nice to win back Appalachia for our side? Maybe Zell's complaints have something in them from which we can learn something useful.
I had planned for about 10 entries on the book. After reading the whole thing, I've pared it down to six. There's just not that much useful information in there...some time before election day, I'll summarize all the real lessons about winning the South WITHOUT giving up our core identity as progressives.
But first, an entry about VALUES...and take the poll...
"
One shouldn't think of a value voter as someone totally rigid and unmoveable from the extreme edges of ideology. For, you see, the millions who have what they consider "the right values" do not expect a candidate to completely accept all of them. But, and this is the key, neither will they accept anyone spitting on what they grew up with and learned at their mother's knee. It is political suicide to give even the slightest hint that one is intolerant of their values. There is a big difference between disagreement and disdain. Value voters feel they have been used and are especially suspicious of Democratic candidates..."
Re-read that statement. It's either a complete no-brainer to you, or it's the most important thing in the book. It's the reason Kerry begins the answer to every snarky abortion question with, "I respect your belief..".
Every time I meet and discuss politics with Southerners I've only recently met, it becomes apparent that they expect me to assume I'm better than they are. When I'm discussing southern politics with other northerners, it becomes apparent that northerners expect southerners to get in their faces, yell, and threaten physical violence at the least sign of liberalism. Maybe it's a chicken-and-egg thing.
Zell garantees us that he's trying to help the Democrats get their act together. Most of what he says involves encouragement to act just like Republicans, on the grounds that the extreme right is where the voters are, at least in his Mountain region.
Not only Zell, but Tom Franks as well, will say that Appalachia, the prairie, and other poor, rural parts of America, have abandoned the Democrats over the issue of values, and that the GOP has caused that issue to trump the economic issues that are more relevant to the government's role in our lives and more favorable to the Democrats in the eyes of the voters we want.
According to Zell, the good news is that "values voters" might not abandon you after all, even if you disagree with them, provided that (1), you show their views--and them--some respect, and (2), you don't make your opposition the cornerstone of your campaign. Again, Kerry is doing it just right on this count. He may have a view on guns or abortion that they don't like, but he only talks about it when asked directly. We'll see if that makes any difference.
When confronted by Bush voters on issues of moral values, I no longer tell them they're wrong. In fact on religious issues, I think anyone has the right to interpret God's word as best they can. I do, however, point out, that such things are for the churches to decide, not the government. You'd be surprised how effective that can be.
Of course, if their values include "Gays go to Hell", we've got a problem. If they won't be happy unless you agree with them, we've got a problem. However, if you can find common ground on one or two points--in my case, I'm pro-gun; you may have a different issue--you'll go a long way toward finding common ground ON THE ISSUES THAT MATTER. Think it over. God Bless America.
Here are some of Zell's statements of values and principles. Ask yourself how many of these you really have a quarrel with, and repeat the ones you agree with to the suspicious rural voters who wonder if liberals are Godless elitists.
1. Don't be afraid to fail while going after something you really, really want. You will always learn from it. NEVER GIVE UP. Persistence will overcome everything else, I guarantee it.
2. If you listen more than you talk, you will not only learn more, but people will think you are smarter, not dumber, than you really are.
3. Take what you want. Take it and pay for it. You can have whatever you want, but it is going to cost you in some way--something. For every action, there is a consequence--always! It may be a good consequence or a bad one, but it will come just as surely as night follows the day.
4. Use frequently the words "I'm sorry", "Thank you", and "I love you."
5. Being on time will be noted and will impress people. Being late is a rude thing to do. It says to other people, "My time is more important than your time." A person who is always late is a selfish person. Mark it down.
6. Being mentally tough will help you more in life than being physically tough. They don't always go together.
7. People don't like to be around whiners. Don't be one. Ask yourself from time to time, "Am I whining too much?" Blaming others for your own misfortune is the same thing and just as bad.
8. Notice and appreciate what makes your heart leap up. Maybe it's a song or a poem or a movie or an event or a location. Maybe it's seeing, hearing or reading something special. If nothing does this for you, examine your life because something is missing. Man does not live by bread alone.
9. Search for your own special niche. This may take years to find although it often occurs early in life. There is something out there that you can do better or easier than most other people can. You just seem to have a knack or a talent for it. Find it. It's there. And when you do, others will beat a path to your door to get you to do it for them. It may bring you fame, fortune or happiness. Keep in mind that there are also things you simply can't do very well, but there are others who can. If you're lucky, you'll marry one.
10. From time to time, make yourself do something you don't really want to do. It will make you stronger.
11. Family and home are very, very important. Honor them. One should know where one comes from and who worked or sacrificed to get us where we are. Having a sense of family and having a sense of place is going to be increasingly hard to have in this modern, fast-moving, ever-changing world inwhich you will live, but if you can have it, it will bring you much comfort and stability.
12. Keep a good sense of humor and laugh at yourself more than you do at others.
