In a message dated 11/3/2004 2:26:58 PM Eastern Standard Time, marvgandall at rogers.com writes:
But it will be events which will mostly decide, not the various perscriptions for reforming or outflanking or destroying the Democratic party now on offer, and mass political psychology, which is not static, will be affected accordingly.
MG
But that will keep us hoping for some disaster that will affect the lives of millions of people. I don't plan to wish for such an event. ------------------------------------------- I wasn't making a value judgement. Unfortunately, it's only disasters like war, economic collapse, and natural catastrophes which bring people together -- of necessity, because their survival depends on collective action. Otherwise, people for the most part, certainly under capitalism, act individually to acquire possessions, status, and leisure. In these circumstances, what we used to be permitted to call "superstructural" factors like Bush's personal qualities, religious values, the fear of terrorism, the failings of the other party, etc. predominate. But these would count for little and Bush would have given his concession speech today if the official unemployment rate was in double digits. That Bush the incumbent was only able to eke out the narrowest of victories is indicative of the economic insecurity and difficulties many Americans are experiencing, but the economy is not contracting and they are still somehow getting by -- even if they are up to their eyeballs in debt, the seeds of a future crisis. If interest rates are forced up so they start losing their homes and their jobs, these concerns will outweigh any other consideration, and the Democrats will sweep to power in a manner reminiscent of the New Deal, no matter who is leading them or how sharply they delineate themselves from the Republicans. Of this, I'm quite certain, though I'm not forecasting nor wishing for a social crisis. This may be obvious to some, but most of the commentary I've seen today, including from the left, seems to see Bush's victory as the product of an inherent and immutable conservatism in American society, which I don't think is the case.
MG