If Democrats don't learn to show the level of conviction and strength needed to advocate for the TRUE moral imperatives, we will never move an inch closer to achieving goals like Universal Health Care.
Our leaders get so fucking bogged down in "doability" "practicality" that they have completely lost the plot.
Clinton had it right when we pointed out that strong and wrong beats weak and right. But strength alone isn't the whole story. The thing is, it is impossible to inspire and engage people by offering them the meager piece of what they actually want that you think is "doable." Doing that is the epitome of weakness. To engage and inspire, you advocate for what they actually want.
Advocating for BOLD goals demonstrates strength.
If we are going to get out of this mess, we need our electeds to advocate for BIG GOALS, 100%. And when the naysayers say "not doable" you answer, "Of course it is doable. We are Americans. Where there is a will, we find a way. Do we have the political will today? No. But I believe we CAN, and MUST take a stand for what is right. I plant my flag where I believe it needs to be and I know that Americans who want to create a country they are truly PROUD of will see that we CAN do this and join in the call to make it happen. And the more people who join in calling for it, the people who you elect will find a way. At first, we may only move closer to achieving this (whatever the "this" may be -- Universal Health Care, Basic Income, Freedom to BE Who we ARE, whatever), but as we stay strong and clear about what we REALLY want, we will get there. We will get to that promised land."
The BIG difference between Democrats and Republicans needs be grounded in our faith in each other. Advocate for the BIG GOALS that WE can achieve together. No strongman. No single person claiming they can "fix" everything, because that is ALWAYS a lie. America is about We the People.
That's how you build the necessary political will to actually move you toward those goals.
Sure, you won't get there overnight. Sure, when it comes to writing legislation, there MUST be compromises. But you start out asking for the big, inspiring, goal. Big goals mobilize and get people engaged. And as people mobilize and get engaged, you actually start moving the ball toward achieving those big goals.
If all you call for is a slice of bread, you might get some crumbs. But if you start out asking for the whole damn loaf, you have a far, far, better shot at getting a few slices. And then you go back to demanding the whole loaf. And you get a few more slices. And back to demanding the whole loaf, and again, and again. And you will get the f-ing loaf.
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