Well put, but the problem is that measures targeted to general grievances --
the lack of universal guaranteed employment, health care and pension benefits -- are sure to be sniffed out as "socialistic." While Americans hate special interests, they hate the general interest even more. Americans
hate a lot.
[WS:] I do not think they hate more than, say, average Europeans do. The problem is not whether people hate things in their lives - because most of them do - but how that hatred is used for political advantage. If you simply appeal to hatred to attract followers, you will not get very far, because that appeals only to fringe, criminal and deranged elements. Most people may want to vent their frustrations from time to time, but they generally avoid negative energy coming from hatred and chronic complaints. They would rather find something positive in their lives. This is why they go to the movies -which should be seen as a clue here.
The trick is to use negativity they way it is used in a drama to - build up the stage for the final showdown and the cathartic defeat of negativity. In a "classic" drama - the bad guys scoring a victory only sets the stage for the main plot showing heroic efforts of the good guys to mobilize their forces and eventually confront and defeat the bad guys in a cathartic battle.
Most people would not want to see a movie in which the good guys just kvetch and moan about the bad guys scoring one victory after another, and at the end concluding that the good guys at least took the high moral road. That would be a sure flop. What people pay to see is the struggle that defeats the bad guys.
The same applies to politics. Most people do not want to hear how they are screwed by others in their lives. They already know that and someone rubbing their noses into it creates only more negative energy and depression. What most people want to hear is an acknowledgment that they are being screwed, but rather than dwelling on it - they want to be offered a process of overcoming their misery. This is an essential element of all successful social movements across the entire political spectrum - from the Jesus dude who offered eternal salvation instead of mundane Roman-bashing, to the 19th century socialists and communists who offered pretty much the same - just listen to the "Internationale:" http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/INTERNAT.html
"We peasants, artisans and others, Enrolled amongst the sons of toil Let's claim the earth henceforth for brothers Drive the indolent from the soil. On our flesh for too long has fed the raven We've too long been the vultures prey. But now farewell to spirit craven The dawn brings in a brighter day.
No saviour from on high delivers No trust we have in prince or peer Our own right hand the chains must shiver Chains of hatred, greed and fear. Ere the thieves will out with their booty And to all give a happier lot. Each at his forge must do his duty And strike the iron while its hot."
The message of this great song is not to kvetch about past grievances but look into the future and "strike the iron while it's hot." I am pretty sure that most other wise hateful or fearful Americans would embrace such a message, had it been effectively delivered to them. The problem is, however, that nobody on the left delivers it anymore.
PS. I just watched "The inconvenient truth" http://festival.sundance.org/filmguide/popup.aspx?film=6556 and I was impressed. Not that I learned anything that I did not already know (all off it is basic science) - but how the film was constructed. I was particularly impressed by the film's rhythm - informative sequences (using very effective graphic presentation of otherwise boring subject) intertwined with more reflective sequences adding a philosophical or ethical dimension to the factual sequences. Very effective. Also very little kvetching and finger pointing - whatever littler of that there was in the film was used mainly to build dramatic effect of the main message. Finally, the film's message was to that we can hope for a better future and we do have the means of overcoming the dreadful status quo. Just like the "Internationale" says - "But now farewell to spirit craven The dawn brings in a brighter day."
If I saw this film in 2000, I'd unequivocally vote for Gore instead of participating in the idiotic Nader-trader. I also think that Gore still has a chance if he broadens his message from environment to broader concerns - especially health care, economic security, and international cooperation.
Wojtek