The biggest failure of the Left is not understanding politics.
Politics is a rock concert, not a seminar.
I'm not talking about the "political system". I'm talking about the realities of attempting a constructive dialogue with 319 million people.
The political system requires a thoughtful, analytical, patient, usually plodding "process" to accomplish anything of substance and lasting value. This is how it is, and how should be, recognizing the importance of law and the framework it creates for a functioning society.
Having said that . . .
It's
unrealistic to expect everyday citizens to begin to understand the
arcane particulars of fashioning laws, much less participate in the
tedious business of debate, negotiation and compromise in the committees
and on the floors of legislative bodies. People barely have time to
cook their meals and make it to work on time, much less pore over
congressional studies and the notes of sub-committee meetings, watch
monotonous hours of C-Span, or read the informed analysis of issue
experts.
Maybe this is the intrinsic flaw in the whole idea of democracy, but that's an entirely other discussion.
The point is, people cheer for their favorite causes the way the cheer for their favorite sports teams -- or remaining true to the metaphor of this particular piece -- their favorite songs.
The truth is -- for better or worse -- this makes it pretty easy to govern.
If you play a song people hate, or sing out of tune, they will boo and threaten to storm the stage and tear you to shreds. If you play what they like and perform it well, they'll cheer, dance, revere you like a god, and go home happy.
I know this sounds simplistic. And, of course, it's casually brushes aside differences in taste. Some will love Katy Perry, others think Deerhunter is the ultimate.
But I'm making a simple point. If the Left would try "tuning in" to people, immediately
stop condemning the public for being so dumbed-down and apathetic --
snidely looking down their noses at Mr. and Ms. Everyday American for
not wanting to sit through a four-hour Chomsky seminar -- then
actually play some music the voting public wants to hear, maybe some of
its messages -- many critical to the survival of the human race --
would actually get heard.
You could argue that this is what Bernie Sanders is managing to do.
Unfortunately, it's also what Donald Trump is doing.
But realistically both have mere cult followings, neither approaching universal appeal. Trump scores with the Ted Nugent fans. Bernie has got the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young crowd locked down.
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