I had that Foucaultian device, and the maxim about swinging "too far in the other direction", in the back of my mind while writing that rant.
What's critical to the potential for over-swing is the amount of impetus applied, compared to the resistance (the metaphor itself undergoes strain when extended...). In politics, the pendulum's reluctance to move is partially inertial -- the public's daily life being more pressing than higher matters of governance -- and partially due to the party in power's desire to retain power.
I hope (neither think nor believe is appropriate here) that the public's inertia has been reduced substantially by the years of domestic incompetence and the failures of bullheadedness abroad. Presidential approval ratings seem to indicate that it has.
I am a great deal less encouraged by their sheeplike acquiescence to be herded, by the same fear-mongering that dominates foreign policy, regarding social issues -- "values", as the NeoFundieCons have framed them. The public at large seems not to have made that connection... yet. IMO, the clear choice that needs to be offered in forthcoming elections must emphasize the incumbents' insidious manipulation of a people who, if asked, still pride themselves for their independence of thought and action.
The extension of fundamental American liberty to previously-ignored (or denegrated) classes has always been part of the liberal agenda... and must remain so, as more of those classes reveal themselves. It is exceptionally sad to think that restoration of the same liberty to all Americans is even necessary, let alone derided as dangerously unpatriotic by the "conservatives" who took it from us.
The question should be asked, constantly and consistently: What has been conserved since 2000?
Flame » in reply to This is one I can't resist.
re: Pendulums, and clear choice
The whole thread (51 posts)
- Reply to "John McCain"
- What hath Fox wrought? (n/t)
- Loserman and McCraven, and the Democratic Quest for Spines
- the view from over here
- LOL
- Well done. And here's the short form of the betrayal.
- This is one I can't resist.
- Sinking ship
- The Democratic voters of Connecticut have chosen the candidate they want to represent them.
- Current polls of ALL voters: Lieberman 46%, Lamont 41% (n/t)
- Where's the Republican candidate?
- Six percent. Down from 13.
- You're calling an erstwhile Democratic Senator "the pro-Bush candidate".
- Funny about that...
- Six percent. Down from 13.
- Where's the Republican candidate?
- Current polls of ALL voters: Lieberman 46%, Lamont 41% (n/t)
- "Oh no, we wont give in, we'll keep living in the past." -- Jethro Tull (n/t)
- I wouldn't dwell on the sinking ship analogy if I were in your political shoes (n/t)
- The Democratic voters of Connecticut have chosen the candidate they want to represent them.