Solve it: one rowboat, two one-armed men

[welshTerrier2]

We are confronted with a bit of a conundrum in the Democratic Party. Two men are stranded at sea in a rowboat. One man has lost his left arm; the other his right. If only one man pulls at an oar by himself, the boat just goes around and around in a circle. Land is nowhere in sight and a mighty storm will soon be upon them. The sky is already filled with black clouds and the seas are choppy and getting worse.

Mr. Right: I tell you it's that way.
Mr. Left: The hell it is. You shouldn't have listened to all those righties who got us stuck here in the first place. I tell you it's this way!
Mr. Right: Your refusal to cooperate is going to get us both killed. If we're not unified, we can't make any progress
Mr. Left: My refusal? What about your refusal? It's going to take more than unity to save us. We need to row in the right direction too.
Mr. Right: Don't you think I know that. We have to go that way.
Mr. Left: aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!!
Mr. Right: Oh, that was helpful.
Mr. Left: Just shut up, will ya.

It seems to me one wing of the Democratic Party or another regularly points fingers at the disloyalty of the other wing. What's interesting about this is that it's not done in the same way or for the same reasons. The right-wing of the Party frequently accuses the left-wing of disloyalty to the Party itself. "How will we win if you're going to vote on single issues and demand purity on every issue?" The left-wing does not focus on "Party loyalty" in the same way although they are just as dependent on unity. "How can you put winning and slick marketing ahead of what really matters to this country?"

The bottom line here, for me, is that the Democratic Party needs to do two things to be successful; not just one. We need party unity but we also need policies that reflect our values as progressives. Until both of those needs are met, we will never sustain "inter-generational majority status".

So, pick up your oar and let me know how we are going to row this boat. Time's a-wasting and the storm is getting worse.

[Ezlivin]

1. Mr. Left needs to use his oar to knock Mr. Right out of the damned boat

Then he can paddle to shore and get a cold drink.

[welshTerrier2]

2. heh ...

i'm not all too sure i disagree ...

actually, some have written about a major realignment in the parties. perhaps that is really what's coming.

[Ezlivin]

3. Well, considering that Mr. Right has been spanking hell out of Mr. Left with his oar

It does seem fitting.

I'm a non-violent guy but by god these pricks have gotten my dander up.

[ixion]

4. strap them together, force them to sit in the middle of the boat

and work together to row.

Political parties should not deter the running of the country, should not be allowed to persecute the populace, and should not be allowed to jeopardize the country's well-being because of their agenda.

Just my two cents.

[welshTerrier2]

5. in which direction?

when you say "work together to row", therein lies the rub.

your "two cents" makes good sense as far as it goes. unity is critically necessary. but "forcing" them doesn't determine the direction. that seems like we're the Party is at right now. could i "force" you to agree with my beliefs and abandon your own? i'm sure i couldn't.