Reply #177: It could be

[Radical Activist]

the most important thing in much the same way that the CIO organizing drive probably had more lasting significance than any of FDR's New Deal programs. And of course many of the 50's civil rights movement leaders participated in the 30's/40's labor movement or were trained by those labor organizers, and many civil rights leaders helped organize the 60's/70's peace movement and so on.

My pet peeve lately, that you probably see me being contrary about, is my view that negative cynicism is the antidote to hope and is one of the biggest barriers to creating a mass popular movement. I understand that people often have good intentions when making negative or cynical statements about the possibility for change with Obama and Democrats generally, but more often than not the practical effect of those cynical arguments is people giving up hope and doing nothing. Cynicism and hopelessness is a central reason why at least 40% of the public still doesn't vote. Instead of motivating people to take additional action outside of the Democratic Party, which is often the intent, it leads to people doing nothing at all.

There's a reason right wing talk radio hosts constantly push cynical attitudes about politics and point out that "both parties do it" whenever there's a scandal. They know that people who are cynical about the political process become disengaged. I understand why conservatives want an immobile public but it doesn't make sense for the left.

There's a fine line between healthy skepticism and unhealthy cynicism. I'd rather see a skeptical yet constructive essay about how we can prevent a repeat of Bill Clinton's move the the right instead of a fatalistic prediction that it's sure to happen again under Obama.