Why Centrist Democratic Leadership is a Failing Strategy.

[Blue State Bandit]

You always end up on the right when the left starts from the middle.

Lulled by a period of stability which had seemed permanent, they find it nearly impossible to take at face value the assertion of the revolutionary power that it means to smash the existing framework. The defenders of the status quo therefore tend to begin by treating the revolutionary power as if its protestations were merely tactical; as if it really accepted the existing legitimacy but overstated its case for bargaining purposes; as if it were motivated by specific grievances to be assuaged by limited concessions.

Those who warn against the danger in time are considered alarmists; those who counsel adaptation to circumstance are considered balanced and sane, for they have all the good reasons on their side: the arguments accepted as valid in the existing framework. Appeasement, where it is not a device to gain time, is the result of an inability to come to grips with a policy of unlimited objectives.

But it is the essence of a revolutionary power that it possesses the courage of its convictions, that it is willing, indeed eager, to push its principles to their ultimate conclusion.

Henry Kissinger 1954

In the wake of 9/11, Paul Krugman published "The Great Unraveling". It was in this book that I came across the definition of a Revolutionary Power as postulated by Henry Kissinger. Krugman's context at the time was an attempt to describe the Republican party and it's Evangelical/Dominion allies under the leadership of George W. Bush. At the time it sounded about right. And since then, the players have lived up to the roles as presented.

-Imagine that, a Berner quoting both Kissinger and Krugman in defense of his candidate.-

Bernie was the "Alarmist" who warned us long ago of the dangers we would face. He warned us about the economy. He warned us about Iraq and military adventurism. And he warned us about the fascist machinations of Corporate Plutocrats that threaten or democracy. Nobody listened, so he did what ever he could do thru the amendment process and from the well of the House and later the Senate.

The Clinton's, and their ilk, were the appeasers. They caved to Republicans on Criminal Justice Reform and gave us the Private Prison Industrial Complex. They caved to Wall Street on Glass-Steagal, and we watched as they torpedoed -not only our economy- but the world's economy. And they caved to the Neo-Cons on Iraq, and we all know how that went. They only seem to stand up for the common people when it is politically advantageous, or out of political necessary.

And the Republicans... we all know what horrors they brought down upon this world, and our little corner of it. In their righteous indignation, they have brought our country to the brink time and time again. Even with a Democrat in the White House, the structural changes put forth under GWB has hampered the Clintonian dominated moderate administration of President Obama at every turn.

The Republican's time as the "Revolutionary Power" could be coming to an end, if only the Democrats have the courage to seize our moment. But we will miss this chance if we elect another centrist.

Holding a position, and reaching a compromise without compromising your principles are key to any successful negotiation, but starting from a position in the middle is not compromise. It is capitulation... that is if you are representing your side in good faith.

We can no longer afford to allow our leaders to begin the negotiations from a centrist position and expect anything centrist to come out of it. We watched in horror as Obama did it time and time again. From the Christmas Budgetary battle that extended the Bush Tax Cuts and brought us Austerity, to the anemic ACA -a massive improvement yes, but far from a cure.

It is our time to rise. We can be that Revolutionary Power. Think about that before you vote out of fear.