I understand sticking to your principles, but getting politicians to honor them is more complicated

[bigtree]

Of course we should expect the folks we elect to follow through on their promises and carry our ideas and concerns into the political process and debate, but it has always been an unrealistic expectation that those promises will ultimately prevail into enactment (in pristine form) once they become part of negotiations or discussion among the disparate views of the myriad of legislators from the many diverse regions of the country.

The keys to having our ideas and initiatives prevail in the political arena are persistence and vigilance. Just because an initiative has been dropped to the floor, diluted or altered, doesn't mean that there isn't going to be an opportunity to revive those concerns in some future debate; as part of some future legislative vehicle which may be tangential or unrelated.

That's why I refuse to ride a roller coaster of emotion and despair whenever our legislative efforts and appeals fall short. I've rarely seen legislation advanced (from Democrats, or whoever) which perfectly represented my own view in its passage or enactment. However, I have seen countless revisions or 'fixes' in my lifetime which have incrementally advanced causes or agendas.

I write this because, I think we could do with a little less despair and cynicism in the political system from advocates and more of an effort to keep the legislators focused on what they've neglected so far. Many of our elected Democrats already understand and are engaged in the long game, rather than just throwing their hands up in frustration or threatening to walk away - or refusing to settle for that incremental progress which is a hallmark of our Democracy (even in the enactment of some of our most historic and sweeping legislative remedies).

We will prevail if we stay firm to our convictions; even as we recognize that our democracy usually only allows those to advance as far as we're able to generate support among the diverse collection of our elected officials. That effort never ends - even after legislation passes there are appropriations, interpretation, and sometimes legal challenges and hurdles. Persistence and vigilance are our best tools and defenses in that process. Cynicism and despair are what the opposition is counting on to prevail.

[NJmaverick]

1. A very well written and well reasoned post

although I might be biased as I agree with the underlying assertions.

[Tippy]

2. And you said it so well...Thanks n/t

[WCGreen]

3. Really good post..

I feel that people who are new to the process don't realize what it really takes to get something passed in any shape or form through the political process.

Each issue should be viewed for the long term and look at the lossed and wins as battles and not the war.