Posted on 10/16/2017 1:51:04 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
I’ve been struggling with this question for a month.
A Democratic state legislator rose after a speech and asked me a simple thing: What should Democrats do now? What should their message be?
I had no idea how to answer that.
Indeed, as internecine fighting loudly fractures the GOP, Democrats quietly struggle with a civil war of their own. Largely shut out of power at the state and federal levels, the party is torn between pragmatists who want to chase Donald Trump’s voters with a centrist economic agenda and insurrectionists a la Bernie Sanders who want to move hard to the left. What should Democrats do?
As I said, I’ve been wrestling with that. And I finally have an answer.
The Democrats need to move left.
That conclusion does not come easily to me. I am, by nature, a centrist deeply suspicious of political extremes, which I consider Kryptonite to thoughtfulness. I remain convinced no ideology has a monopoly on good ideas. Moreover, I'm skeptical the agenda proffered by the likes of Sen. Sanders — free college? — is politically or economically do-able.
Say what you will about Trump: He was definitive, and did not lack for boldness in his appeal to white resentments and rage. What if Democrats were as bold and definitive as he, but for universal health care, sane immigration reform, a living wage, fixing the broken justice system, jobs training and day care for families on public assistance, addressing climate change and not blowing up the world in manhood-measuring contests with Asian dictators? What if they were pugnacious and uncompromising in the service of simple decency? Of inclusion and compassion? Of just treating people right?
If these days you must be an extremist, well ... there are worse things to be an extremist for.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
If the Communist Party moves any further to the left, it’s going to be on the right.
What a surprise a race baiting Marxist thinks the party should move to the Left. He won’t be happy until Das Kapital is the basis of the party platform.
The left has run out of believable lies.
Good.
About time.
Happy Jack. LoL. Long day, thx.
They need to move so far left every pronouncement sounds like semi-serious news.
They need to move so far left that even Dick Durbin will feel at home.
Wait a second. They are already there.
Well then, they need to get louder.
I’m thrilled they don’t get it.
Please do. Go ahead and alienate 75% of the country. That will be good. Very good!
YES!!! Finally somebody gets it. I’ve been a voice in the wilderness, crying this very message at the top of my lungs for the last year. Go left, Democrat man! It’s what you want to do. You know it’s what the American people want. Do it!! You will be so well rewarded by America you won’t believe it.
Pitts is a race demagogue. He is as lefty as they come.
Extremism in the defense of Liberalism is a Vice.
Leonard Pitts has always been far left.
The best is when you ask them what is your model, then they will spit back...Denmark.
Only if they behaved like Danes....
Tiny country of white people, and that’s your model???
The best is when you ask them what is your model, then they will spit back...Denmark.
I love your answer. 8>)
For Republicans!!! 😀
Yes! Please!
Go ahead, move left! The country won’t stand for it. So by all means...
Oh yes please do
Exactly the opposite advice from Dick (Turban) Durbin.
Good, GOOOOOOOOOOOD - let the dissension flow. Bolshies vs. Menchiviks, 100 years later. Hope they kill each other, the bastards.
The militant Left wants to control YOUR guns, not all guns.
Some are quite clear about harboring dreams of shooting people in the streets and lynching CEOs from lampposts (see Ted Rall, uber Leftist).
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