Reply #128: no problem, thank you

[Two Americas]

Spiffarino if I didn't think that you were a reasonable and thoughtful person, I would not have weighed in on this subject or come on so strongly about it. I just disagree with you about this, and all I ask of you is to consider the question from a different point of view. This is a very sore subject for many of us who have been beaten up with it for literally decades. Before every election, the calls for loyalty start again, before we even have a candidate, and always directed at the left. No matter that I have voted for every Democrat in every election for 40 years, no matter that I have worked and canvassed and solicited and volunteered in every election. No, still, I have to be lectured about loyalty if I try to express the point of view of the traditional left wing of the party and point out that the party is drifting further and further to the right.

I am loyal to the American people first, to the principles and ideals of the party I grew up with second, and to the party itself third. That is the approach that I am convinced is not only morally sound, but also the approach that has historically brought the party its greatest practical electoral success, as well. Still, the party leadership is less loyal to the people, to the principles of the party, and to us than any of us would ever consider being. So who should be lectured? The critics of the party, or those who try to silence that criticism with calls for loyalty?