[lbo-talk] Re: Democracy and Constitutional Rights

Nathan Newman nathanne at nathannewman.org
Wed Aug 11 06:52:40 PDT 2004


----- Original Message ----- From: "BklynMagus" <magcomm at ix.netcom.com>

jks writes:
> You'll take democracy over constitutional rights?

-After the vote in Missouri last week, I think the left might finally -begin to realize the danger of not protecting minority -constitutional rights and the dangers of majoritarianism.

First, you are talking about an election where the religious right organized for turnout in a non-major election-- a lesson less about majoritarianism than the need for progressive activists to themselves take turnout seriously.

You know- right-to-work laws have been passed in a lot of states as well, but union activists don't take the lesson that the courts would be better guardians of workers rights. It means you have to organize better and smarter.

If believing in democracy means you win every time and immediately, that's a pretty weak belief. And since you don't win in the courts or immediately in many cases, that therefore proves, by your approach, that courts are useless and not to be trusted.

Nathan



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