Loyalty and liberalism

I found myself in a situation where every time I criticise liberal democrats Im being blamed for not being loyal to my party. Since when did liberals swallow everything that comes out of government? The idea that the government is not always right and that individuals have soverignty over themselves and their minds is core to liberalism. Since the election a lot of people seemed to have suspended their critical faculties.

Take for example a number of people who are perfectly happy to stand up for policies that only a few months ago they were strenuously denouncing. Take for example those who BELIEVE that cuts will be fair and progressive and absolutely best thing to do at the moment when just few months ago we said that cuts this deep and at this time will ruin the economy.

The first cuts were announced in local government falling mainly on housing and regeneration. How is it progressive and fair http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11400220 That’s rubbish. Housing and regeneration are crucial to economic recovery and inequality. I know Clegg and Danny Alexander said that they changed their mind because of economic changes not political circumstances.. Im no economist but I just dont believe that and I dont see why I should defend it.

Don’t tell me now that Im playing into Labour’s game. This is our game from just few months ago and for that matter Barack Obama’s game as well.  This is a game of ‘fairness’ and debate.

Don’t tell me that Im not loyal to my party. I am just loyal to what we said for several years.. Why do I have to praise everything that comes out of government. That’s just not liberal.

I care about social justice as many liberals have always done. Is there still room for us in the party?

10 lessons of Barack Obama’s campaign

Short summary of first few chapters from David Plouffe’s book ‘The Audicity to win’

1. Grassroots campaign.

   a) Put a premium on local volunteers. ‘A staff is not an organisation. A staff is there to support a local organisation.’

   b) Send the message to your volunteers that they should consider the campaign a movement – their movement. ‘Get busy on your own. Take the campaign into your own hands.’

   c) Local supporters should be out early and often

   d)Attract people who want to be there for the right reasons. Political campaigns consume lives. People signing up should be aware of this.

   e) When people asked how they could help, tell them that nothing is more important than getting additional people signed up on the site so you could communicater with them and try to convert them to donors and volunteers.

   f) Make volunteers feel that their effort is valued.

   g) Send state-of-the-race memos (sometimes in video form) directly to your supporters via e-mail

2. Make sure that the voters and the press corps understand why the candidate is running before somebody else fills in that canvas.

3. Simple campaign structure

   a)Clear chain of command

   b)Impose a salary cap – saves valuable time

4. Increase the database.

   a) Diverse events filled with the type of people who traditionally did not attend political events

   b) ‘Low-dollar’ fundraising events – cheap tickets. More people can see your candidate. Treat these citizen fundraisers as no less important than your larger raisers.

   c) Make sure that communication with donors wasnt just about money but was a regular dialogue, so that they were on the campaign’s thinking and trajectory.

5. Know more about youself than your opponents and the media do.

6. Internet – a message tool that would let you speak to voters as well as an organisational net

7. People dont like to be told the election is over before it started. No ‘I’m in it to win it’ attitude

8. Most important asset in any campaign – candidate’s time. Learn to prioritise.

9. Sell merchandise

10. Communicate with the voters. Answer the questions. (Not answering questions ’cause we are afraid our answers wont be popular just won’t do it’)

I hope it is accurate and helpful. This book does not teach how to find a candidate as awesome as Obama though.

Obama for the win!

Hidden away in today’s paper was an announcement that in my opinion should be viewed as a real milestone in American foreign policy over the last decade.

Obama has finally ordered the last withdrawal of combat troops in Iraq.

It is wonderful news and yet more proof that Obama is serious about his promises in the campaign.

Why is not it on the front page of all papers? Don’t they like good news about Middle East?

Link – http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/obama-finally-delivers-on-pledge-to-end-the-war-in-iraq-2041686.html