I thought that something more detailed was needed (plus, I was already supporting the Twelve Points, anyway), but I’m wondering whether the others here who are unhappy with the Mount Vernon Statement just think (like I do) that it should have been more detailed or instead that statements of principle in general are useless. Some critics in other places seemed to have been asking for a platform or some other list of specific policy proposals. I think that with all of the confusion over principle in our movement, though, it would be a good idea to make sure that we’re all clear as to what our goals and principles are and then go back to talking about specific policy proposals. What does everyone think? Would something more detailed, like the Sharon Statement (or the Twelve Points), have been useful?
The Contract With America was clear, concise and actionable. Anything short of that is just academic fluff, of no more value than the arguments of two 12 year olds about whether Spiderman could be beat up Superman.