I thought this was pretty interesting, some other blog thoughts posted on MSNBC. Granted, the collection leans right in its assessment of the left, but I think something still rings true...
In short, most educated Americans have little sense of the texture and the complexity of working-class life, of its richness and satisfactions as well as its problems and discontents. And without an intimate and personal understanding of these things, it will always be profoundly difficult for liberals and progressives to convince working Americans that they should be trusted to represent workers' needs and interests in the political system.
During the 1930s, union organizers were taught never to blame the workers if an organizing campaign failed. 'It's not their fault for not understanding,' the organizers were instructed. 'It's your fault for not explaining it clearly enough.' It is a motto today's liberals and progressives would do well to hang on the walls of the political campaign war rooms in the elections of the coming years.
And perhaps on the walls of some leftist bloggers too.
America's left today is dominated by Hollywood and academia, and their values don't resonate with actual, American voters. What's more, if the Democratic Party did represent the views of actual American voters, it's values wouldn't mesh very well with those of Hollywood and academia. That's reality.
1 comment:
I agree. Isn't that a shocking set of words coming from me? The liberals are a disorganized lot. By and large, they view the poor and disenfranchised as people in need of aid, not people who can be taught and better educated. The colorful maps shown during the election coverage says it all. Democrats rule the more affluent coasts, while Republicans dominate the midwest and the south. The Republicans remained on message throughout the duration of the campaign: family values, battling terrorism, tax cuts, etc. The Democrats were all over the place, mostly playing catch up. Since in all likelihood either McCain or Powell will be running in four years, Democrats have another eight years in which to build their power base. It'd be nice if during that time someone would emerge from the party as a natural leader, but that'd just be crazy talk.
Post a Comment