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Sirs,
Perhaps it would be worthwhile to note the different levels of activi=
ty within a democratic society, using the US system, not as an ideal, but=
as a model of realistic democracy in today's world. While opposition to =
ideas is more prevalent than the proponents of the ideas themselves on al=
most every issue, whatever the source of the idea, it is generally assume=
d that the Republican leadership will not sit in on the Democratic conven=
tion and try to disrupt it by interjecting their own wishes for the Democ=
ratic party. There will be disagreement within each party at some points,=
but they are bound by a general agreement on the direction of their grou=
p or they would not be there. So, I believe it should be with IDNO, =
that participants be required to have agreed with some set of general pri=
nciples that can be adjusted over time, but at least start with a basic c=
onsensus. If such a group is burdened with so drastically opposing views=
from within from the start, its chances of
ever forming a real and viable "party" are greatly minimized. (This may o=
r may not be the reason for some of our infighting today!) I suggest that=
IDNO go into a major re-organization with a core of people who share a c=
ore of beliefs and goals. These people should put together a platform li=
ke any other party and then seek those who wish to support this platform.=
I further believe that a public list is a very foolish way to discuss pa=
rty strategy and should be reserved for enacting agreed upon policies. (I=
t is like having a party convention where other parties are invited to fo=
rm your own policies. Imagine if Democrats were allowed to vote in the R=
epublican convention and vice versa. We would end up with two watered dow=
n and very similar choices for every seat. (We are close enough to that a=
s things stand now!) It would essentially be a one party system with two =
candidates. I don't believe this is a viable form of free speech and dem=
ocracy, it approximates anarchy and serves
no-one but those already in power who want to stay there for lack of orga=
nized opposition.
If we are all satisfied with the status quo, let's continue to squabb=
le among ourselves. (and I will find more productive things to do!) If w=
e want to change or protect ANYTHING, we need to be prepared to stop look=
ing inward for our battles and take on external opposing ideas with some =
level internal continuity.
Very sincerely yours,
Karl E. Peters
This note is partially in response to a recent post by Mr. Connolly outli=
ning his legal definition of democracy. I know the legal definition of Co=
mmunism, too, but having lived under both systems, know that neither syst=
em is realistically represented in our world of fallible people.
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