Reply #144: I read 2 messages in the basenote

[Mairead]

One is that Dennis's policies alone embody the principles to which the party now pays periodic lip service, and the principles most DUers claim to believe in and desire.

The other is that as long as we go on selling ourselves out, we are guaranteed never to get what we claim we want.


I don't think 1 is true: Sharpton's policies also embody those same principles.

I believe in the second one, though.

You're strongly pro-Palestinian. What if it turns out that Dean really is Sharon's poodle? How happy will you feel about your choice then? Will you be able to take comfort in having chosen from a place of integrity? Or will you have to sweet-lemon yourself?

I compromised myself in 2000 and then found that Gore was even worse than I had thought. I can't tell myself I chose from a place of integrity, because I didn't. And that hurts. I sold myself out and then didn't even get the Lesser Evil. I'm not going to do that again, because it's clearly not a sure-fire receipe for even partial success. So I'm going to fully value myself from now on, and never sell out again. And if too many other people make a different choice, then I'll either live with the result or try to emigrate. But either way I'll know I've done all one person can do.