jj said: "manipulating all the media they can dominate to keep systemic change from being taken seriously by real, regular, reasonable people going about their private business"

See this is what gets politicos in both major parties upset. The republican and democratic parties have existed historically, and carry the influence they do, because they pretty accurately reflect the societal divisions in this country. There have been many other parties past and present, but the two party sytem has worked because the divisions are clear enough that people have come together in order to be more effective. Fiscal conservatives and evangelicals could have their own separate party, but they have more power working together as one party. Same with teachers and other labor union leaders. Both political parties have been ABOUT "real, regular, reasonable people" coming together to make common cause. Go to your local democratic or republican party committee meeting, and you will see "real, regular, reasonable people" You greatly insult the rank and file of both parties by acting as if they are brain dead idiots being manipulated by party brass. You wouldn't act that way if you attended lower level party functions and appreciated the historical role of each party. Why is it that when a party tries to play its role and build up support, all of a sudden it becomes "manipulative" and its leaders are treated like alien beings instead of human beings. I know people who have dedicated their lives to the Democratic Party, and have great influence in their own ways. They are "real, reasonable, regular" people. You don't lose your humanity by joining Party leadership!

I like Sam Waterson, but I disagree with his Unity '08 approach. There is not this great middle ground in America, where all the "real, regular, reasonable" people exist. There is a war going on in this country, and in war time when a great enemy army is out there, if you cannot come together in coalitions, form great armies, like political parties, then you will be destroyed. All Waterson's effort will do is pull moderates away from the Democratic side. The evangelical right wing isn't going moderate. Not when they have clear views on what is good and evil, what is god and anti-god. Unity '08 could do as much harm as Ralph Nader and the Green Party did in 2000.

Remember that? Nader said "real, regular, reasonable" people shouldn't belong to either of the two major parties. As a result, we've had eight years of Bush as president, instead of Al Gore. And you have seen the consequences. In a war you MUST come together in large coalitions, and accept all that is good or bad along with it. Because you win wars with big armies, not small ones.