Progressive Liberals Know How to Get It Done Part One
Those of us who deeply desire to see America return to her core Judeo-Christian values would do well to take a page from the progressive liberal playbook for cultural change.
One such playbook recently exposed is Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals.” I am going to resist the temptation to turn this column into a book report of Alinsky’s version of Fabianism through community organizing; instead, I thought I would give an example of how we are seeing these principles worked out in front of us in Idaho.
Four Progressive tactics for culture change are messaging, networking, working the political system and incredible patience. As you read the following example, I will place in parentheses ( ) the tactic employed. In my next column I will provide analysis and recommendations.
The Safe Schools and Fair Employment Working Group is based out of Boise. (Messaging)
To learn more about this group check out this link; http://www.4idaho.org/HumanRights/index.html.
Who is this “Working Group?” According to their homepage; The Idaho Safe Schools & Fair Employment Working Group is a large and informal group of people from across Idaho who cares. (Messaging)
In this legislative session the Working Group attempted to garner support for a hearing to be held in support of Idaho Senate bill s1033. Summarizing from the state of Idaho website;
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – SEXUAL ORIENTATION – Amends existing law to provide that discrimination against sexual orientation or gender identity is a criminal offense; to provide that freedom from discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity is a civil right; and to prohibit discrimination against a person because of sexual orientation or gender identity under the Human Rights Commission Act with exceptions.
Although their efforts for a hearing failed this year, they have vowed to make it happen in the 2012 legislative Session. With 2012 being an election year, they believe legislators will have to hear them out. Notice the Work Group isn’t looking for the passage of legislation similar to s1033 in 2012; all they want is a hearing. (Working the Political System)
Progressive liberals know how to change society; inch by inch. The Working Group would be perfectly happy with the following potential scenario. This year, 2011, introduce a bill; next year, 2012, get a hearing; 2013, get a bill out of a committee; 2014, a vote; 2015, passage. (Incredible Patience)
While they slowly work the politics of state government, they are building an increasingly effective message and state-wide coalition. The Work Group’s address is PO Box 775, Boise, Idaho, but they list they can be found in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Moscow, Emmett, Meridian, Hailey, Eagle, Caldwell, Nampa, Salmon, and Coeur d’Alene and beyond. (Networking)
Did you catch that? Beyond!
In Part Two, I will provide analysis of the effectiveness of this strategy and compare it to the strategy of the Tea Party. Strategy does matter; messaging, networking, and working the political system with incredible patience does work. There is no doubt that conservatives are right, but as I have stated before; being right isn’t enough. We must make right work.
