Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Treachery

Lately, We've seen examples of disagreements within the Republican party that threaten to fracture it into factions such as the fiscal conservatives vs. the big-spending plutocrats, or the ethically-challenged vs. the somewhat less ethically-challenged.

Recently cracks appeared in the Democratic party's structure. In a story entitled Centrist Democrats Warn Liberals, the DLC states that the Democrats should turn themselves into Republicans if they ever want to win again. Most disturbingly, they advocate an aggressive pro-war agenda to wipe out Islamic Jihadists, without giving any mention of addressing the policies and actions which compel those groups to act against us. That's the method endorsed by Stalin, and currently by the Republican party: "death solves all problems; no man, no problem."

Is this what Democrats want? Are the politicians in the DLC so anxious to retain (and regain) power that they are willing to abandon so many of their consituents; the huge percentage who oppose military aggression? (Yes, we all agree that national defense is important. Defense, not offense.)

In my opinion, becoming an imitation of your opponent is not a victory; it is surrender. In last century's war against the Nazis, would anyone consider it a victory to simply become Nazis themselves? "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em?" I say, No. Anti-war, progressive Democrats should not tolerate such a proclamation. If the Democratic party chooses to jump on the Neocon bandwagon, then anti-war progressives might do well to consider another vehicle for political representation. Perhaps the Green party, perhaps another. But let's not become like those poor, pitiful Republican centrists who allow themselves to be dragged along by fundmentalist extremeists and PNAC plutocrats.