tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36043169.post116316524224394058..comments2023-10-12T05:15:36.028-04:00Comments on Rip and Read: Back To BasicsAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718142945396444639noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36043169.post-1163360469271502412006-11-12T14:41:00.000-05:002006-11-12T14:41:00.000-05:00Well, it's mostly amoung party types and those dis...Well, it's mostly amoung party types and those disposed to think about such things that I'm aiming.<BR/><BR/>Doing what I'm suggesting would aim for the lowest common denominator, I know, but it would serve the purpose of making sure that we HAD that denominator firmly in place.<BR/><BR/>Once we had a few basic things done, who knows where we would be inspired to go from there?Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17718142945396444639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36043169.post-1163358192361058212006-11-12T14:03:00.000-05:002006-11-12T14:03:00.000-05:00A good point. This does, of course, assume a few ...A good point. This does, of course, assume a few things about human nature... The altruistic streak somehow built into the DNA of humans tends to run a little thicker in democrats (if everyone thought about things like me, everyone would be fine, so share, kum-by-ya) than republicans (we can't all be rich, so tough beans), but that is what we need to build on. Too often, though I find that trying to build consensus through what-this-means-for-you-personally approach tends to find me atop a rationalization that feels alright to me but probably looks like a house of cards to alot of other people.<BR/><BR/>Also, consensus is great to work at, but it does take work. It is a good example the party should set for ourselves and the country, but I find it hard to expect the average person to invest the time and energy into learning enough about the options to have an informed opinion on a consensus-type level.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps the Fantasy Congress movement will stir some more interest (http://www.fantasycongress.org/fc/).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36043169.post-1163216397851997842006-11-10T22:39:00.000-05:002006-11-10T22:39:00.000-05:00Good question. Hmmmm. (Listen carefully, and you ...Good question. Hmmmm. (Listen carefully, and you can hear the rusty gears inside my head cranking.)<BR/><BR/>Ok...here's a theory...only a theory. We start by learning to be civil with one another and discuss and debate rather than argue and scream. <BR/><BR/>It's not as much fun- but if we stop behaving like medieval scholastics- arguing obscure points with poisoned pens- and make a real effort to understand those people that we, at least nominally, agree with we will be stronger.<BR/><BR/>By working to achieve a consensus <I>within </I> our party- we can perhaps also begin to build a "buzz" about those issues that are most important- from ducks to AIDS- and people for whom ducks or AIDS is not the issue will begin to see how it does affect them after all.<BR/><BR/>I honestly think that part of the problem with the "Blog-o-sphere" is that we <B>all</B> want to be stars (yes, me too, or why would I feel compelled to publish my "thoughts" in a world already full of noise?). We've always known we were <I>almost</I> as good as Stephen Colbert, and we've just been handed our own television studio. So we yell and scream and rant and rave to get attention and get heard. <BR/><BR/>It's time to start to listen, too.<BR/><BR/>What do you think? Too Pollyanna?Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17718142945396444639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36043169.post-1163213658838835052006-11-10T21:54:00.000-05:002006-11-10T21:54:00.000-05:00Good thoughts, nicely stated.One question regardin...Good thoughts, nicely stated.<BR/><BR/>One question regarding unity...and media, for that matter. With the widespread use of internet and politicoblogs, there is a diversity of information. Perhaps thankfully, less people rely on network TV for their news. Those Americans that are still literate can get their information from the newspaper. <BR/><BR/>Now, to the question...will it be harder in our current climate to bring unity when the internet and 77 cable channels allows for the specialization of political causes and interests. Many people that become politcally active do so because of single issues (ie, abortion, AIDS, feeding ducks in parks, etc.). How can we bring these specialists into a broader discussion of our country's direction when they perceive they only have time for one issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36043169.post-1163213046718306202006-11-10T21:44:00.000-05:002006-11-10T21:44:00.000-05:00Very nicely said. I think you could strengthen yo...Very nicely said. I think you could strengthen your argument even further by outlining, for the less politically inclined, the differences between the 2 main "wings" of the Democratic party.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com