Wojtek writes:
> So if anyone is serious about reforming this country,
the place to start is re-gaining the sovereignty of individual
states and reducing the federal entity to a handful of
agencies charged mainly with economic and scientific data
collection. Anything that brings us closer to that goal should
be high on the agenda of those who place themselves left of
the center.
As much as it pains me to agree with Andrew Sullivan (with the concomitant loss of queer points) I believe Wojtek may be right. Looking at the number of progressives in this country versus the size of the country, it may be impossible to achieve radical change across the breadth of the nation.
I have posted before how I think it advisable for queers to concentrate themselves in selected areas to maximize their power, and I am begining to believe that the same thing may be true for progressives.
Up until this point I have been a reflexive anti-states' rights-ist, but I am wondering if there is not some advantages to states' rights for progressives. For example: Chuck0 says he manages a website that has 150,000 members. I would ask: where are they? Spread all over the place or concentrated in certain areas?
Also, the internet has put a great many like-minded people in touch with each other, but are the bonds that arise from these connections, ones which will help bring about social change over a vast geographic area.
If progressives are going to win, they must start having successes that demonstrate that their approach to government/politics produces communities that are liveable/sustainable which others will wish to imitate/replicate.
> An interesting twist is that many right wingers will also support
that goal - which makes it look like a real possibility.
I am not sure that this is as interesting as it is horrifying.
Brian Dauth Queer Buddhist Resiter