Comments on: State of the Union: A Status Report on the Far Right http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/2010/02/02/state-of-the-union-a-status-report-on-the-far-right/ Politics for Real People Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:37:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Paul K. Fauteck, Psy http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/2010/02/02/state-of-the-union-a-status-report-on-the-far-right/#comment-555 Paul K. Fauteck, Psy Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:57:42 +0000 http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/?p=1721#comment-555 Paul Kotta has a good point. The far-right may be wrongly motivated, but they ARE motivated and energized. They'll take action while we sit and cuddle our ideals. A similar phenomenon occurs closer to the center. Republicans will use fillibusters and any other kind of machination to block progressive initiatives, while Democrats only go through the motions even when a monster like Clarence Thomas is nominated to the Supreme Court or our future is mortgaged to provide goodies for billionaires. Paul Kotta has a good point. The far-right may be wrongly motivated, but they ARE motivated and energized. They'll take action while we sit and cuddle our ideals.

A similar phenomenon occurs closer to the center. Republicans will use fillibusters and any other kind of machination to block progressive initiatives, while Democrats only go through the motions even when a monster like Clarence Thomas is nominated to the Supreme Court or our future is mortgaged to provide goodies for billionaires.

]]> By: Joe Brewer http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/2010/02/02/state-of-the-union-a-status-report-on-the-far-right/#comment-547 Joe Brewer Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:10:36 +0000 http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/?p=1721#comment-547 Hi Paul, I totally agree. We have had a strong progressive majority in terms of sheer numbers for a long time, yet our opposition has been much more strategic about long-term investments and because they do such a good job of rallying their troops. Progressives need effective ways to increase civic engagement of that silent majority. One way, I contend, is to present a cogent moral story about what progress means to us. This would include an emphasis on our core values (especially our sense of compassion, our belief in human dignity, and our appreciation for the common good). Such a story, if well articulated and grounded in the everyday experiences of people, would be a powerful organizing tool for mobilizing people around our vision for America's future. Best, Joe Hi Paul,

I totally agree. We have had a strong progressive majority in terms of sheer numbers for a long time, yet our opposition has been much more strategic about long-term investments and because they do such a good job of rallying their troops.

Progressives need effective ways to increase civic engagement of that silent majority. One way, I contend, is to present a cogent moral story about what progress means to us. This would include an emphasis on our core values (especially our sense of compassion, our belief in human dignity, and our appreciation for the common good).

Such a story, if well articulated and grounded in the everyday experiences of people, would be a powerful organizing tool for mobilizing people around our vision for America's future.

Best,

Joe

]]> By: Paul Kotta http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/2010/02/02/state-of-the-union-a-status-report-on-the-far-right/#comment-546 Paul Kotta Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:53:06 +0000 http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/?p=1721#comment-546 The far right may be a small minority, but they know the important of SHOWING UP. For instance coming to the rally, rain or shine, instead of sitting at home blogging. So don't dismiss them just because of their numerical inferiority. Small minorities of extremists have a solid track record of hijacking countries -- Iran in '79, Germany and Italy in the '30s, Afghanistan after the expulsion of the Russians, etc. etc. The far right may be a small minority, but they know the important of SHOWING UP. For instance coming to the rally, rain or shine, instead of sitting at home blogging. So don't dismiss them just because of their numerical inferiority. Small minorities of extremists have a solid track record of hijacking countries — Iran in '79, Germany and Italy in the '30s, Afghanistan after the expulsion of the Russians, etc. etc.

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