Read other letters about this article

• Wednesday, November 7, 2007 08:37 AM

  Polarization is good

  This article is written as if objective events have no role in 'polarization.' War, economic disasters and inequalities, the environment, health care, etc. are all objective things that have nothing to do with the media.

  Now people are anlayzing the objective situation without the filter of the MS Media. What this guy is bemoaning is the collapse of the 'center' which has controlled the MS media for years. Well, the MS media has gone to the right. And the internet has appeared. So if you are on the 'left' based on objective events, what are you supposed to do? Start watching the middle of the road media again and believing it (which by the way has a political position too...)? Vote for Mr. Nice Guy?

  Polarization is good, as it clarifies politics. There has been a class 'war' going on for many years now. Centrist lawyers like Sunstein don't want real democracy, which involves polarization. They represent a middle-class sector that is neither 'rich' nor poor or working class. So of course they equate democracy with being middle of the road, against the 'polarizing' effects of these two opposed class groups.

  The Democratic party, for instance, while dominated now by corporate neo-liberals, lost it's southern Dixiecrat wing, which has made ideology more important in the party. The Republicans picked up the DixieRep wing now, which does the same for them. So the main parties, through objective processes, have become more ideological. It's history, not the breakdown of 'democracy.'

  Democracy is being destroyed because neither party really represents the majority of the people anymore. The internet is actually promoting democracy by giving those on the outs some kind of organizing power and a voice. Get used to the rabble...

  —ELYDOG Read ELYDOG's other letters
  Permalink
  Flag
  Click "Submit Flag" if you feel this post is inappropriate. Explain why below if you wish.

  Cancel