NYT editorial had great advice for purists--of both parties

[DFW]

(Eitan) Hersh concluded by saying that social change requires “committing to imperfect institutions.” He’s right. It’s easy and fashionable to decry our two highly flawed political parties. It also does relatively little good.

Passionate conservatives should get involved in the Republican Party and work to improve it. Passionate progressives should get involved with the Democratic Party and work to improve it.
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This is from an editorial by David Leonhardt in the July 3 New York Times. Unless you subscribe, I don't have a link yet.


This "my party left me" routine should be reserved for moderates who refuse to go down the extremist route (e.g Jim Jeffords) when their party does. Leonhardt is SO right: It IS easy and fashionable to decry our two highly flawed political parties. And then he makes the observation that so few want to hear: It also does relatively little good. If you perceive something to be wrong, you can sit there and whine or do something about it. Sort of Donald Trump vs. Robert F. Kennedy. Whining may even get you into office, but if you are clueless, you are like a snuffed-out candle once you get there.

[BumRushDaShow]

1. I subscribe but can't find what you are referencing (included 1 link though)

HERSH - https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/29/opinion/sunday/the-problem-with-participatory-democracy-is-the-participants.html

[DFW]

2. Subscribers ought to be able to see this

Maybe it's because I'm on NYT International, but I don't see why that should make a difference.

It should be available later on, but even if not today, Leonhardt's editorials are archived after a few days, and then are visible to everyone, and this one definitely will not lose its relevance in a day or two--or even a year or two.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. The last Leonhardt that they have is the "Trump Lies Project" (his latest update)

I used to get the physical paper for decades up until last year when I switched to the online (including the electronic replica) version only.

[kcr]

4. Good points

I think that the flaws perceived in the parties are actually flaws in our government. Our adversarial system achieves deadlock more often than it accomplishes anything and people grow frustrated and tend to misplace the blame. Most people don't follow politics very closely, and then we have our media which is hopeless. When it seems like nothing gets done, they just want to "throw the bums out". Those who do follow politics become scared and feel like something must be done. Changes in the party have to happen, now! It's a mess.