What Must Be Done: The Focus

So, as stated in the introduction, the primary principle of this series is:

The destruction of the Republican Party as a meaningful political force, and the subsequent realignment of the American political system.

But what does this mean?





Before I get into what it means, I want to state what it doesn't mean. This is a not a movement attacking Republican voters, or voters who are not aligned with the Democratic Party and/or progressive ideals. For us to  succeed, we can't attack people, but instead the systems. While this will certainly mean putting political and social pressure on public figures involved in the operation of the Republican party, it doesn't mean that this should extend to attacking the rank and file.

This also isn't even an attack on the concept of conservatism, or what could be called conservative principles. While I am skeptical of conservatism's ability to rid itself of it's Calhounite/theocratic/white supremacist baggage, many of the traits that would be considered conservative are admirable (skepticism of unproven innovation, respect for fiscal discipline, respect for traditions, etc...). Those values have a place in society, and nothing good comes of a spiraling cycle of self destruction and violence that tends to happen when some semblance of balance is missing from a political system. Conservatism will have its day to exert influence on the political system, just not until the Republican party is part of history.

As high minded as the idea of focusing on the system and not the people is, it's much easier to state that in theory than to actually practice it. Our actions don't happen in a vacuum, and if we are to succeed, it will take actions that many of these people mentioned above will take as a personal challenge, and perhaps a personal threat. And on the flip side, there will be those on our side who will seek to use this as a way to pursue vengeance for the terrible policies of Republicans, and to intentionally move from the arena of dismantling dangerous and unstable systems, to the dogmatic pursuit of violent attacks on the people. Revolution is not the goal, especially not the type of revolution made famous by on the bloody streets of Paris or the fields and rivers of the Vendee. 

There are millions of Americans who will back the Republican party no matter what, and will vote for them even when all reasonable people would think twice. Politics is emotion, it isn't reason, and anyone who says otherwise isn't paying attention. Instead of wishing to quelch the voices of these people, we have to neutralize them, by dismantling the apparatus which keeps those who may be persuadable to abandon the Republican party, those who have given up on politics, and those who wish to do something, anything, but just feel lost and isolated. There is plenty of ground to be gained without really worrying what that implacable 30% will do.

Now wait, this is starting to sound like some third way level horsecrap. What's the deal?

I assure you, this is not some great defense of triangulation. Instead this is a call for strategic thinking and to act pragmatically, without sacrificing the principle or abandoning a true commitment to progressive ideals. I admit that still sounds dodgy and meaningless, so before I continue the next couple of posts will be about what I mean when I talk about compromise, strategic thinking, and pragmatism.