> Some attributions aside, I'm not an ultraleftist.
That's a relief.
>And right now I'm thinking that issue-oriented campaigns not keyed to
>particular candidates or parties are a very promising strategy in the US
>...So I'd rather emphasize nonelectoral politics right now - e.g., living
>wage campaigns, single-payer initiatives, etc.
This is probably the most effective way to unite the left - the inconclusive DP/Green election year debates tear it apart. If the left could build coalitions around these issues and actually mobilize people - in particular, from the DP base which is where the progressive poll results tend to be most concentrated - I expect it would have the effect of both strengthening the position of the DP left inside the party, as well as providing a political outlet and a shot in the arm to the free-floating left outside of it. I think for such campaigns to go anywhere you'd have to get the black, Hispanic, and other national minority leaderships on board, and they and all levels of the union leadership will be under pressure from the DP honchos who will say it's a waste of resources in an election year. Hopefully, there would be enough local organizers and candidates in these constituencies which would see it as complementary rather than contradictory to their electoral goals. Have you had or are you planning any on-air discussion pointing in this direction? Any other public voices leaning this way?