Reply #1: An excellent idea,

[forgethell]

these are issues that should be discussed. Unfortunately, we progressives have often sought to shut the debates down by assuming that we were right, and that the other side should shut up. It didn't work, not because we were wrong, but because we did not really seek to convince.

If we can get these issues out into the public discussion, I think we will win on the issues. But we must also remember that our issues are not necessarily the issues that the electorate is interested in at the time of the election. We must argue and publicize, but realize that we could go down to defeat again. Then we must either educated the public, or perhaps we should be educated by them. Progressives are as subject to the same passions, the same emotions, the same logical fallacies, the same mistakes, the same greeds and needs as any other person on earth. We must learn from our mistakes if we ever wish to exercise power again.