For the last thirty years, the relative prosperity we purchased on credit has kept the liberal and many moderate voices in our political culture fairly quiet. This has contributed to the prevalence of a conservative narrative of the recent past which does not conform to reality. Large sections of the nation have been converted to Republican mythology through the clever use of fear, hatred, anger, and racism. The liberal voices never found an effective way to counterbalance those myths, and quite frankly did not try hard enough.

This state of affairs must end. The liberal blogosphere is numerous, to be sure, but — unlike our Republican foes — leftists seem to find it impossible to work with one another, even when the differences in policy or procedure can be counted on one finger. This state of affairs must end. To re-write the prevailing doctrine, a broad set of beliefs and policies must be established and agreed on a wide scale. The specifics can come later. This means supporting someone even when we have to hold our noses, politician or not, rather than ripping them to shreds because they believe in market socialism and not regulated capitalism, or some such. The Republicans has been successfully because they speak with one voice on most issues. This is not easy for even moderately intelligent people to embrace with comfort, but it is a powerful tactic. I believe strongly that it is more important right now to shift the broad consensus of the nation back to left-of-center, and the only way to do so is to find as much common ground as possible and trumpet that general philosophy like the Israelites before the walls of Jericho.

When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it.

– Joshua 6:20.

There is a window. Occupy Wall Street opened the door for a different interpretation, and everyone left-of-center must leap through that door with both feet. This means defending OWS even if you think they are dirty hippies. It means choosing a few beliefs to represent the group as a whole, and not openly criticizing the movement. It means backing President Obama even if you think he’s a coward, as I do.

The conservative forces in this nation have done more damage to us in the last 30 years than the Communists ever managed. You know that and I know that. We need to start shouting it together as loud as we can.

The left went silent and allowed the right to accomplish what no other power on earth managed: to bring down the United States. It’s time for that narrative to emerge. I’d appreciate comments, suggestions, further ideas!

Here is the logo for the Circle of Resistance designed by a good friend:

