I do agree that leftists can achieve nothing, even more minor reforms, by working in or with the DP. If minor reforms are to be gained through the DP, those reforms will be gained without any participation of leftists, who are too few to effect either general or primary elections."
No doubt about this statement. Sometimes it's possible to elect a somewhat progressive democrat to the state assembly, but as soon as he/she wins the party primary, he/she will be deluged with business money for the main election.
As for the minor reforms, that's precisely the raison d'etre of the DP -- the little tweaks that keep the people happy with the present system.
[WS:] That is a very curious position, indeed, given historical records. AFAICT, all major victories of the Left in the developed countries (yes, the welfare state!) have been accomplished through electoral politics, and none of them through "revolutionary" means (whatever that means.) So if you write off electoral politics, you basically give up the only proven means of political influence that the left even had. And what other alternatives do you suggest? Bitching on obscure internet discussion lists? Organizing militias? Dreaming of the Revolution? Preaching to people who do not give a flying fuck? Robbing banks? Breaking windows? Stomping your feet and cursing? Or what else is there that I missed?
Wojtek