It’s simply because you do not oppress them,
that they therefore will not be fed up. ~Lao Tzu

Well, after joining this group, I have to say that I am surprised by the comments, and feel encouraged by the genuine discourse in this group. The one thing that I hope that is brought to the table is the notion that the intention is a debate which implies the security and the prosperity of the United States in the 21st Century.

Needless to say, however, is that I should have not been surprised that when joining this group, I would find myself yet again embroiled in partisan debates. But, I should have expected this especially in light of how Mr. Clark spends long hours on the road stumping for Democrats so that they in turn can go to Washington and help shape policies for this country as a whole.

So, in light of this, and in an effort to chip in those metaphorical 2 coppers which so many of us apply in debates such as these, I thought that I would allow myself to give some advice to those Democrats in the name of restoring a balance of power and politics in this country. NOTE: I do not agree with every issue that the DNC has assumed a position on. But, at the same time, I also understand that what the greater goal here (at least in my opinion) is that balance so that the American people themselves will have better representation in Washington DC. So, with that being said, here are some perceptions I have about this party, and some thoughts regarding each perception.

“The Cacophonic Party”: I think the first thing I need to say right here and now is that this party is disjointed, convoluted, and in many ways, rudderless. The Democratic Party is not a united party at all…in fact, its actual constituency is based on a wide plethora of individuals who hold very different perceptions about this country, and have a wide, varying opinion on many of the issues that this nation faces. This has become particularly noticeable when debating the “wedge issues” that the GOP has made their bread and butter over the last decade. I think it should be noted that for better or worse, that is the nature of the beast when it comes to this party. The DNC should never become a party that shares many of the same mentalities of the Republican Party. The “liberal” should never sacrifice that liberalism for the sake of defeating a political opponent. In other words: No, this party will never be completely united. And in light of this, that is the metric by which policies should be applied. This party shouldn’t just be about “we’re against the republicans”, but rather it should work towards being a party that offers something for everyone. Granted, this is not the easiest of considerations in light of its nature, but note that if there is an acknowledgement of this, it will go a long way towards getting the party “together”, as disjointed as it may be. Furthermore, this party should avoid the “rubber stamp” or “borg” position on issues, which is to stand together on an issue. I would be loathe to support a party if they had the intentions of replicating what already exists as the apparatus of power on Capitol Hill.

“Wedge Issues”: Oh yes, those awful, awful wedge issues. When it comes to domestic policy, it is these issues that are frequently trumped into the faces of democrats over, and over, and over again as voters make decisions when voting for a candidate. Some of these issues include abortion, gay marriage, gun control, and taxation. Pandering and waxing over the “moral fiber” of this nation has brought in the cheap and easy votes over the years. But, this has also come at the expense of addressing some of the greater issues that are now in play.

So, what’s the solution to the wedge issues?

If the nature of the beast is a wide plethora of opinions, many of these wedge issues can only be addressed by the remembrance that even though this is a union, it is a union comprised of individual states. And, for the people of those states, many of us are just not going to see eye-to-eye on these issues. We might be fine with gay marriage in California, but it might be something that is considered horrible in Mississippi. Abortion might be OK for the state of Nevada, but they don’t want to deal with it in South Dakota. Virginia might enjoy its laws with firearms, but something a little more restrictive is required in the state of New York.

One thing that the Republican Party has forgotten is that the modern conservative movement was based within the sovereign rights of the states, and how these rights must be defended. It was one of the biggest reasons the original conservative movement was able to find its footing and mooring before the neoconservatives subverted the message in a post 9/11 world. It goes without saying that some of these issues are squarely in the courts, but to a greater degree, to attempt to legislate many of these issues on a federal level is a betrayal of the base which does have such a wide view of perceptions and moral values on these issues. Thus, if this party was to address the nature of the beast, there should be recognition of the 10th Amendment as it stands, and furthermore, a greater recognition that many of these issues are better left in the hands of the states as opposed to the Federal government. This is particularly relevant in light of how close midterm elections are pending this November.

“Idealism, not Skepticism” Alas, here is another issue that the DNC has faced in recent years…they have been forced into the roles of the critics, the naysayer, the obstructionist, the defeatist. Yes, I’ve heard these comments and worse, but what can really be done about it? I am of the impression that the democrats will never be as good as the republicans are in the art of criticism. It goes against the very nature of the party, which is based in idealism. In terms of leadership, keep in mind that when everyone is trapped, many, many people will be shouting about whose fault it is, how they got there, how miserable it is, and that there is no hope. But HOPE was a strong message in 1992. HOPE is applied when leaders look for the light, point to it, and say “this is the way…follow me”. So many people offer endless criticism of current policies…but what purpose does it serve when these criticisms are only parroted by those who enjoy power now? I understand that not everyone is going to agree with a decision when it comes to policies, but the leader will typically be acknowledged because they have the vision, and they have displayed that they are willing to follow that vision. It’s time for the Democrats to stop playing the Republican’s game in this arena. No offense, but it’s not in the inherent nature of the idealists, and quite frankly, your opponents are, and they will always be better at it because that is in their inherent nature.

“Avoid Group Think”: Often when I debate individuals in the aspects of politics, one trend that I have noticed in recent years is that many people “parrot” someone else’s perceptions or opinions. I could go into great length about how this has come about in modern American society, but for the sake of this message, I don’t know if I need to go into detail over the ramifications of propaganda in this nation. Note that although your opponents have been marked by this phenomenon, I am of the impression that it would incredibly foolish to assume that your constituency can be united in the same manner. As noted earlier, this is the party of cacophony. The very nature of liberalism is geared towards the individual, free-thinker who has come to those conclusions based on information presented. The last thing that is required here is the argument that there should be concessions for party power in exchange for a sacrifice of this liberalism. Granted, I have not been in the pulpits, nor have I marched against the issues that so many of us face. But it should be realized that people out there don’t want their intelligence insulted. In many aspects, the encouragement towards “group think” does just this. It should be avoided at all costs. Granted: This is not the easiest of things to handle in a media which puts prevalence of the sound byte over the discourse of what are often complex issues that this nation faces. But the temptation to embrace the sound byte or to force the slogan does no one in this country benefit. In the long-term scheme of things, it denies the opportunity for the individual, free-thinkers to offer presentation towards solutions which are direly needed at this point in our nation’s history. (A summation: One of the biggest complaints against the GOP is that there has been the argument that constituents and even discourse are discouraged because it is more important to “goose step” and keep unity. QUESTION: What do people actually take offense in with this notion? The song that is being played? Or, the physical act of “goose stepping” itself?)

“Know your Enemy” The world of politics, as they say, is not rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It’s Machiavellian to its rotten core. It is understood that many issues, and allegations are brought forth not because someone has a specific perception on that issue, but rather the issue itself is being used as leverage against an opponent. But, in the greater scheme of things, what is the greater issue that this nation faces, and what should democrats consider the true enemy that this nation faces?

There is an issue here which I have come to call “The Cerberus”. What is it? Well, it’s something that is touched, and addressed all the time by both parties, but I rarely hear of it addressed in its full context. It is my estimation that this Cerberus is a beast unto itself that has 3 different heads which in turn constitute so many of the issues that this nation faces. As for the names of these 3 heads, they are:

1.Environment
2.Energy
3.Foreign Policy

Note that many Democrats have spent time engaging in discourse over one of the three heads. But, it should also be noted that while they did so, one of the other two mouths of this beast have come down and rendered the metaphorical flesh of these politicians to shreds. The fact of the matter is that you cannot address one unto itself without taking consideration of the other two. All three heads are interconnected into the body of the Cerberus which is the US economy. If one is to go about keeping this beast at bay, or outright slaying it, keep in mind that the beast’s name is not “Terror”, even though it is a terrible thing to behold. It is a Cerberus, and to deny its nature is to fall in battle for a lack of planning and understanding of this beast. As for what drives the beast? Well, it guards the Gates of Hades, where the throne itself resides. Is there a champion out there who can defeat the beast, and assume the throne? (And on that note? “It’s the Economy, stupid”, as someone once said, but it is also so much more, and those 3 heads are no longer asleep.)

In conclusion, I am certain that many here will disagree with these words, but to be honest? I wouldn’t have it any other way. The perception of the individual should be valued before the position of the group, and the welfare of the nation should always come before the promotion of the party.

S