John Marty: Pragmatism Makes for Bad Policy

[dflprincess]

From Saturday's Strib.

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/78561822.html?elr=KArksc8P:Pc:U0ckkD:aEyKUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

If 21st-century progressives had led the 19th century's abolition movement, we'd still have slavery. But we'd have limited slaves to 40-hour workweeks, and we'd be proud of the progress we'd made….

…This timidity can be explained by decades of defeat at the hands of right-wing politicians like Newt Gingrich and Karl Rove, which caused many progressives to retreat from a politics of principle to a supposed politics of pragmatism -- which is not only lacking in courage, but also has proven highly ineffective.

..But with the current politics of misguided pragmatism, some progressives calculate what is politically acceptable, and then determine what they will stand for. For example, using this "pragmatism," President Obama decided to push for health insurance for more instead of health care for all.

One cannot totally fault the president for failing to push for comprehensive reform. He shied away from principle-based reform because he knows that members of Congress working on health reform take big campaign contributions from the health insurance lobby and other powerful interests. He knows that they are afraid of nasty campaign attacks and believe they need the big money to win reelection….

…It's time for progressives to have the courage of our convictions. If we claim to believe in universal health care, we need to fight for it. The Minnesota Health Plan -- which covers everyone for all their medical needs, and costs less than we are spending now -- is on the table. Those who are not willing to take on the powerful insurance lobby, ought to be honest and admit that reelection and other priorities matter more.

Refusing to fight for what's right because it is "not politically realistic" becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Likewise, dismissing it as something that will take decades to pass means leaving the problem to the next generation.

[Angry Dragon]

1. Belongs in GD

[dflprincess]

2. I did post it in the Editorials forum as well as in the Minnesota form

It got a few recs over there, but not many comments.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Gotta watch out for the Forum Nannies.

:rofl:

[Angry Dragon]

4. The only reason I said it

was I thought it was worth reading and deserved a wider audience.

[dflprincess]

5. I appreciate that

I wonder if it's getting too old to repost in GD - it might bear repeating and would be seen by more.

[becxx]

6. Marty is interesting but ....

Some of Marty's policy positions are interesting but I'm very concerned about him as a candidate for two reasons. First, I've seen him support too much spending in the past on things such as arts programs. I oppose spending money on these things when times are so tight and there simply is not enough money for the basics. For example, too many seniors are living lives of hell and misery in stinking nursing homes. Once put in one, they never again are allowed to spend time in the sun. They are fed nutrient poor diets that sap their health. About 7% have bed sores that eat away their flesh, even to the bone, because they are not properly cared for. Yet, Marty supports spending desperately needed money on the arts.

Secondly, Marty seems to have an inability to listen especially when the anguish and suffering of others is involved. He seems aloof and elitist. I just do not see how he could ever win an election.

[dflprincess]

7. I do not recognize the John Marty you're talking about

I've had some good conversations with him over the years (not that I know him personally, but I've run into him at DFL events) and he's always been very approachable. My conversations with him have generally centered around health care and he is a strong advocate of single payer. The last time I spoke to him he seemed genuinely concerned & angry about the GAMC cuts. He's had a reputation for being a moral (in the best sense of the word) man and I do believe the welfare of the state and its citizens would be first in his mind. Unlike our current governor whose first concern is always self.

On the other hand, I agree about concerns about him as a candidate. He was the DFL candidate for governor once and didn't succeed and we might be better off to have him stay in the Senate.