While doing research

[OETKB]

I found this article on townhall.com. The author is the founder of the Heritage Foundation and chief plotter for its activities. I wonder what's up?

<http://www.townhall.com/columnists/edwinfeulner/ef20050401.shtml>

This is the face of what we are up against. This lock step well oiled political machine calls for a counter strategy. Where is our well financed organization? Do you think we can elect progressives without this "think tank" approach? On our side we have many excellent groups with excellent people, but they are disconnected, under-financed, and not coordinated to the big picture, namely electing progressive leaders embued with liberal philosophy. I am trying to decide how overwhelming a task this is. I know it won't work without involvement and money. No one should have to work hard to achieve this without being properly paid and without the right equipment.

[starroute]

1. It's about money and also about vision

Firstly, you shouldn't force people to click on the link to find out what you're reacting to. So let me quote a little:

Townhall.com is separating from The Heritage Foundation so it can achieve its full potential and needs your support.

When Heritage acquired Townhall.com from National Review in 1995, we did so in an effort to help the conservative movement as a whole. That's always been our goal for Townhall.com -- to grow the movement. And it has succeeded.

<snip>

As part of The Heritage Foundation, Townhall.com is limited by the IRS to the "education only" status of The Heritage Foundation. But while that status suits Heritage's mission, it limits what Townhall.com can do.

Townhall.com will now be free to activate (and continue to grow) those 1.5 million monthly readers, creating the unified conservative force that our country needs.

Secondly, the big difference between the right and the left since the early 70's has been that the right is heavily funded by reactionary foundations with a willingness to invest in long-term social change. The left, on the other hand, has been lacking that sort of funding, has been scattered in its efforts, and has focused on immediate crises and knee-jerk emotional issues.

"Electing progressive leaders" isn't an alternative either. We've been trying that ever since the McGovern campaign of 1972, and it invariably sucks us dry with very little to show for it. We need to build a movement, we need to work out an inclusive philosophy, and we need funding sources that will support fledgling thinkers and researchers and passionate left-wing exponents. Without all that, we're just going to get ground into itty-bitty pieces and spit out, same as always.

[OETKB]

4. OK

What is your call to action then. I made the link to be read. The reaction to it was open. In fact I did give my reaction. I really need to hear yours more fully explained. Do we ignore it, rant, or do something. I just attended the CPPAX convention this last Saturday and although not a groundswell, there certainly were elected officials there and activist who had stories to tell and were looking for ways to act.

By the way I didn't force you to do anything. However if I piqued your interest, that was my intention.

Also think of what they have done with so much funding. They have made gains, but nothing spectacular for all the effort. That gives me hope. I just think we could do better. Their intrusion into our media has been massive.

Further this separation of Town Hall and the Heritage reeks of some new strategy. It was also this I was reacting to. Are they feeling the heat? Do they actually think the time has come to pounce?

[radfringe]

2. smoke mirrors and re-packaging

repugs/conservatives are fond of fluffy words like "values" -- they sling them around, sprinkle them throughout lofty speeches -- but they never define what they mean by values. On the surface "values" is something we can all agree on -- but without digging deeper - we find we don't know what those values are. Bin-Laden has values - are they the same as yours?

the use of "townhall" is entering their fluffy lexicon. On the surface a townhall meeting means it's open for everyone. But the way the repugs use it is to gather supporters and "like-minded" people to drink kook-aid and cheer - thus giving the impression that "all" the people agree with them, so whatsamatter with you? It encourages a "lemming-mentality" - "gee if 'everyone' thinks this is correct, then I must be wrong"

this is re-packaging - like slapping "new" "improved" on a product. For instance -- the cereal "corn pops" was formerly known as "Sugar Pops" -- when "sugar" in cereal became a "bad word" they changed the name but not the cereal - it's still the same stuff in the box

repugs/conservatives use the same techniques -- same stuff different name

just look at their reluctance to call bush*'s SS plan - "privatization" -- they prefer to call it "personal accounts" -- it's the same plan as when they were calling it "Private accounts". New packaging.

[OETKB]

6. I know,

but they are about to lead the lemmings in a new direction. Every time they do this more damage to our democracy occurs. Maybe it is too speculative at this point and we have to wait and see.

[radfringe]

7. it's voter DISINTEREST

much worse than voter apathy...

the lemmings will follow until soemthing hits them that "hurts"

people follow for three basic reasons -- because they truly believe; because they are afraid; or because it's just easier to go along

belivers -- these are the kook-aid drinkers, and devout lemmings

in the fear catagory -- it may be fear of the unknown (i.e. better the devil you know....) may be fear of retribution (i.e. don't support the pResident then you are unpatriotic) may be fear of outside events (terror) so best to stick with what we got (relates to fear of unknown)

easier to go along -- this is the voter disinterest -- every political/leader is the same, no difference -- whatever - just as long as they leave me alone...

we're between fear and the easier to go along mentality -- this is what is being exploited. The Dems are trying to push a message of change -- but this then brings up the fear of the unknown. "We" DON'T know if "change" is the right course to take - so there's a hesistency to upset the applecart.

The repugs "tool" is fear -- people are afraid of what's going on with the economy (i.e. jobs, gas, daily needs) and also the "terra-war" keeps looming. When people are afraid they tend to stick to what they know -- the "knowns" is safe and comforting while the UNKNOWN is scary(sorry to sound like Rumsfeld)

[Dark]

3. It's called the Center for American Progress.

http://www.americanprogress.org/site/c.biJRJ8OVF/b.8473/

Though it could use some additional funding.

[OETKB]

5. Any ideas

Where does it come from? A CPPAX convention I went to this weekend claims 300,000 members nation wide. They also said they have started to form real coalitions around issues and candidates they wish to support. I think we need to go even further with making an actual instititution. We need strong unification around our issues and candidates with a quickly reactive organization.