General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I am so utterly sick of this Third Way shit. [View all]Bonobo
(29,257 posts)From my POV, people respond to leaders who are firm in their belief systems and do not equivocate or wobble -who are strong advocates for their beliefs.
The problem lies, in this case, with one side either trying tone reasonable and seeking middle ground (if they're not engaged in collusion, that is) while the other moves relentlessly to the right, pulling up the slick and making the rope taught as they go.
As the Right goes crazier and crazier ever to the right, the left is pulled along each time it cedes ideological ground and, thus, the short term memory of the chronic amusement-seekers (shiny object worshippers) forgets its former position and allows its ideology to be RE-DEFINED by the opposition.
In the examples I gave, this process is clear. And its result is equally clear. A redefinition of the mid-to right positions as the "Left" and a continuous movement to the right as a result.
To me, it could not be plainer and I fundamentally disagree with you that it is unavoidable due to the "realities" of the system as it exists. Like I said, a strong pull from our leader firmly to the left would, by definition, bring us back some of the ground we ceded.
After all, I believe right and common sense is largely on our side. We also have the numbers on our side if only we had advocates that promoted the interests of the majority over the 1%.