Hold Back the Feds!

The U.S. federal government is the greatest power in the world today, but this is not our power; it is something that, in a political sense, operates counter to our needs, our legitimate interests, and our desires.

I agree with our new Senator Obama that the federal government can be a force for great benefit, but, as he will see soon enough, it will not be during this administration.

Like it or not, we are the opposition party. I am not suggesting that those of us who work for the U.S. government resign wholesale: many of us perform vital roles in education, defense, social services, etc. that must continue or even be redoubled. All of us should look at the ethical implications of what we do, trying to balance these against the necessity of earning a living. Instead, as a party we should sponsor development of our oversight capabilities, ones that do not rely on control of the branches of government.

The objective is to build a capable and smart political counterforce that will know what must be done differently when we finally regain the national popular mandate.

In the Bushite era, Democratic policies should be flavored with a healthy dose of populism. We should openly express our suspicions about the military-industrial-pharma cabal which controls the national government. I exaggerate here, but I’m expressing the emotion which comes from the heart. Many others feel the same, and many of those are Republicans and Independents today.

We Democrats should express a healthy skepticism—for a change—about bringing about change through the federal government, and we should actively search for other ways to gain success. The day may come, even soon, when we are not shut out from control of the power center as we are today, but this skepticism and openness to other channels should remain part of our creed.

This Zen-like turning away from power on any terms (but not turning our back--never!), is the way to break out of the liberal/conservative box in which we find ourselves. Democrats have every right to reclaim the ideal of restraint of federal powers and to do so in the name of progressive goals. When we do so, we will find surprising gains in support.