A story from Tom Hayden for progressives, liberals, and those on the left.

[crispini]

Tom Hayden came to town a few years ago and told this anecdote, which I have held close to my heart ever since. This is just a paraphrase, of course. He said that those of us who are out here, pushing for our reforms and community organizing and starting our movements, we are the voices that stand up for new ideas and new programs. And we write and lobby for these new ideas. And as we push these ideas, gradually, slowly, they get taken up by more people, and they get worked more into the mainstream. And as they do so, they get more watered down, and more imperfect. And finally some legislature somewhere adopts something and we look at it and go, That's completely half-assed; that's not what I wanted! and we get annoyed. But we shouldn't get annoyed. We should realize that, as our ideas that we have worked so hard for go out into the world, even as they get watered down, when they get adopted by others -- that is when we win. And we need to stop, and congratulate ourselves, and realize that even though it is imperfect, that it is not what we wanted, that it is still a win. And we need to recognize it as a win, and congratulate ourselves for it. And THEN, we go back and keep working on the idea and getting the better version of it out to the world.

This is the way the world works; this is how change is achieved.

Also, guys, Washington is where change goes to die, ok? So as you look at Obama doing this and that -- sure, hold his feet to the fire, write him, keep him accountable. But ... this is how the system works. Everything that gets put out there inevitably gets watered down in the process of adoption. The trick is to recognize that, and go for as much as you can, as early as you can. And to keep going for it, persistently, over and over again.

[iamthebandfanman]

1. the system

is what needs to be changed.

[stillcool]

3. and the only way that will happen..

is by increments or by destruction.

[fascisthunter]

2. hmmmmm

thank you

[Cleita]

4. Love hearing about my former Congressman whom we the

from the People's Republic of Santa Monica kept in office until none of us could afford to live there anymore and vote for him. It wasn't his fault. It was just that the rich moved us all out. We couldn't fight it anymore and neither could he.

[crispini]

5. Kick.

[treestar]

6. Exactly

It's ridiculous to expect a left wing government all of a sudden. Even before the inauguration! And it's just over the cabinet appointments - people not ideas.

[crispini]

7. I can has 1 more rec pls? :)

:hi: kthxbye!

[glitch]

8. Excellent post, good reminder. K & R nt

[EFerrari]

9. Accountability, it's not just for Republicans any more!

:silly:

Obama guys need to set up more ways for people to stay active, positive and roughly on the same page, imho. Because Obama seems to have congratulated his effort and moved on and most people are ready to do the same at some level.

[bleever]

10. Excellent point.

U can haz my rec.

[bvar22]

11. The trick is to recognize that,.....

.... and go for as much as you can, as early as you can. And to keep going for it, persistently, over and over again.



The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.