Why do progressives think there’s just one obvious strategy?
- They are strategically challenged and can think of only one strategy.
- The don’t even think it’s a strategy — it’s just “right.”
1. Strategically challenged: If you think strategy is a bad idea, you won’t be very good at thinking up strategies. And, progressives tend to think strategies are nefarious schemes that should be shunned. Just “speak truth to power.” Job done. Oh, sometimes they envy Carl Rove’s dirty tricks, but again, this is the “nefarious” view of strategies. But progressives aren’t into nefarious so they prefer to lose honorably than think strategically. It’s sad, because there’s nothing immoral about good strategy.
2. Just do the right thing: There can be only one right answer, and that’s what should be done. I know what’s right, and if you don’t, there’s something wrong with you. Believe this, and anyone who disagrees with you is on the wrong side. Their north star is in the wrong place. Now “the right thing” is not always so obvious, but that’s not my point. Even if we agree on the right thing, that’s our goal and it, almost always, it will be a struggle to achieve.
The problem is people think, somebody (not them for sure and usually the President) can and should just “do the right thing.” This is where understanding the Dark Side comes in. That’s next, but for now, hold this thought — it ain’t as easy as it sounds. Actually getting the right outcome, is complex. Extremely complex. And, natural people arrive at different approaches, especially if they are in the thick of the battle and thinking hard. And those are the kind of people who get the job done, not the Monday-morning quarterbacks.
