Obama, Edwards, Kucinich in right track, but ...

Obama, Edwards, and Kucinich are on the right track on most issues. They clearly understand that there is something basically wrong with the way our system is currently operating and that business interests hold too much sway.

However, when they address the various issues they sound like populists. That will go over well with a segment of the electorate, but not with the broader group that will be necssary to win the election.

To appeal to the broader electorate, it will be necessary to provide a simple ideological framework from which their policy ideas flow. The framework that I feel works best ... because of its comprehensiveness, it's familiarity to all Americans, and it's mom and apple pie nature ... is the Declaration of Independence. This is what American democracy is about. This is the foundation, the heart, the soul of our democracy. This is why the public good must trump business interests, this is why the level of poverty is unacceptable, this is why we need universal health care, this is what should guide our foreign policy, etc. And this is what differentiates us from the radical Republican conservative movement.

To see a graphic depiction of my argument, check out my YouTube video "Republican Threat, Democratic Hope" by clicking on the following link ... and by the way, it's NOT a talking head video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTYm3cfyYeU

nation of "ideological framework"...and that is why i can not and will not support clinton..she thinks that shit sells..and i have a news flash..many of us out here who vote and who knock on doors and answer phones and do the on the ground grunt work are damn sick of "ideological framework"

i won't care if i never hear or see "ideological framework" for the rest of my life in this nation!

"ideological framework" = propaganda..

and i have had it with that bullshit!

fly

Time for a bit of real passion and real caring for the "populace" aka US!

DR

Sorry, but you guys miss my point ... the Dem candidate has to appeal to a broader group than Democratic activists like you. And btw, Hillary does NOT have an ideological framework for her ideas nor do I support her for a variety of reasons. Obama, Edwards, and Kucinich are saying lots of the right things ... I'm just suggesting that they need to contextualize what they are saying, not change the points.

Populism is, by definition, for the PEOPLE, not just "poor people." I'm comfortably above the poverty line, but I have economic issues which are absolutely addressed by the populist message, e.g., basic FAIRNESS (or unfairness, as it stands now) in our economic system.

Why then doesn't the populist message resonate with more people?

Bake

I think the reason it doesn't resonate with the broader electorate is that ever since Reagan, the US has become the country of "me first", The current generation may no longer be the "me" generation, but they're not far from it. The concern for the welfare of their fellow man just isn't there to the same degree that it used to be. That is why I feel it is critical to found this populist message on something as basic and fundamental to everyone's understanding of American democracy as the Declaration of Independence. We need to wrap the flag around this message of fairness, as well as the other policies we promote. And it would be totally honest to do so.

The other problem with the pure populist approach is that if it sounds like you are a big business basher ... that you are anti-business ... that's turns off a lot of people because they realize how important healthy business is to our economy and thus their welfare. Business interests have an important and proper place in the balance of things. The problem is that those interests have been promoted by Bush and company 100% without any regard for the greater public good. That's what needs to change. Business can be very healthy without the supremacy they've experienced under Bush.

Bake

I suppose you might say that if someone were poor or an average working person. But even in that case, the populist message is certainly not to have concern only for oneself. The populist message is to have concern for others less fortunate than yourself ... to be concerned about the greater good even if it requires some sacrifice. The Reagan "me" generation is without any question NOT populist!

That was my point. The populist message of economic fairness for all Americans OUGHT to appeal to the vast majority of Americans. I guess there are many in the middle who don't even realize that they're being screwed over by the super-rich right along with their less fortunate brothers and sisters.

Bake

Not only do they not realize that they're getting screwed over, but their ambition is to be as rich as possible and so they think breaks for the rich are good.