Strange Bedfellows

Can the Democrats' unhinged hatred of George W. Bush and all things Republican help us manipulate them into agreeing that Smaller Government is a good idea?

We can't make the usual arguments that appeal to us, like freedom, self-reliance, freedom of religion, private property, etc. Those things don't resonate with Democrats.

But there are a couple of things that do:

1. They really care about Republicans controlling the agenda, wielding so much power


2. Their embrace of the conceit that they are for the "common man" against the "rich".

And these two points suggest appropriate arguments:

1. The spectre of Republicans, with the immense power of the federal government, continuing into the foreseeable future to dictate how we manage our cities, schools, businesses, churches, welfare programs, highway systems, constructions projects, charities, hospitals and health care, air and water quality, birth control & abortion clinics, social security, open land, off-shore drilling, energy policy...from Washington, should make the idea of reducing the size, power and scope of the goverment the Republicans will control an attractive one. ("If you can't beat them at the polls...change the rules of the game!" A Democrat's dream stragety.)
   


2. Big, rich, Corporate Interests OWN the government. This is a fact of life. If they don't want Halliburton, Big Oil, Big Tobacco, Gun Manufacturers, Walmart and the Pharmaceutical Giants to run our lives, and make the rules the rest of us have to follow, the only way to reduce their influence is to reduce the size and power of the government over which these corporate pirates wield so much control.
   

Doesn't this sound convincing? The fact that it's true should be of some consolation to those who disapprove of outright and cynical manipulation of the emotions of non-rational beings.

If we frame the argument correctly...we just might find, for the first time, Liberal Demcrats as allies in the fight for smaller government. We must be vigilant, however, that we never utter any of the "buzz words" that have been associated with this issue in the past. We have to reframe the idea, as a smart way for the Democrats to steal power from the hated Republicans and their Corporate masters.

It will of course have the same effect on the Democrats and THEIR Corporate masters: Big Labor, Big Environment, Big Teachers Union, Big Racial Dividers, Big Multiculturalists, Big Media... But I don't think we have to mention that.

It could work.