Cult of Personality

[GreenInNC]

Back in the 80's, the band Living Colour had a song out named "Cult of Personality" It looked at political figures through the years and pointed out some of the problems associated when politics is centered on a leader and not ideas.

This presidential election is my first one since 1984 where I have been active in Democratic politics. I left the party in 1986 after the Democratic Party of the county I was going to college in supported my Republican opponent instead of supporting a student (me) who was running for county commish. I rejoined in 2005. During these 19 years I worked for a series of third party and no party candidates and saw first hand how personalities overtook platform in most of these campaigns. We see this happening again inside the Green Party. The Nader cult is splitting the party once again, much like they did in 2004. And before someone says you don't know what you are talking about--- I was a national co-chair of the Green Party during the 2004 election and saw first hand what this inner party bickering can do to a party. The Greens never recovered from 2004, there are still people that will not talk to each other due to the 2004 election and the rancor between the sides is still in the background whenever policy is discussed. We had state parties that split and some that ceased functioning.

I implore voters to get past what I see as the Obama and Clinton cults that have formed and work toward the big picture - A Democratic Win in November. I understand that this primary has brought out some very impassioned reactions and that is great, people should be passionate about what is important to them but don't let that passion cloud your vision of what eight more years of Republican rule in the White House will bring. If that passion does not allow you to work for a candidate, find another race where you feel comfortable.

I came back to the Democratic Party because I saw where things were changing within the party, changing for the good but some of things I have heard people say and I am guilty of this also, during this primary has disturbed me.

We need to get back to the politics of ideas and get away from the politics of personalities.

Thoughts?

[jakem]

1. calling supporters 'cults' may not quite be the approach i would have taken.

but point made. let's move forward and skewer McBush.

[GreenInNC]

2. not all

I am not saying all supporters are cultists but I have seen the same blind allegience inside both campaigns that I saw in the Nader campaign and that is not a good thing.

[hornblast]

4. applicable, and worth considering

I'd like to study the possibility that HRC in particular had a strong cult of personality in a few years' time. It seemed to be imploding in the past few weeks, which seemed to make her that much more determined to press on. It's strange, if you ask me, but that's what cults of personality are often like.

[stratomagi]

3. At least include the damn video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ5SVDYBNrY

[GreenInNC]

5. Living Colour

Thanks, I forgot how hard they rocked!