I drink liberally
For those of you not familiar with Drinking Liberally, this is a social networking website that brings together like minded individuals to share in friendly debate and libations. In the spirit of the MoveOn parties that (almost) put Kerry into office, Drinking Liberally chapters meet once or twice a month over drinks (as the name implies) to discuss political issues (from a liberal perspective, as the name also implies). These sorts of groups represent some of the best that the internet has brought to our lives, helping to create new community structures during a time that the small community is an endangered species. As a liberal, a drinker, and yes a liberal drinker, I was quite pleased to learn of this particular group, and attended my first meeting last night, at a local brewery.
Though the ‘liberal’ epitaph makes for a nice play on words, it distracts from the real positive energy I witnessed last night. It seems that these groups function more than as a way to bring together angry donkeys to discuss impeachment, complain about the Patriot Act and cheer Karl Rove’s departure (though admittedly these all came up!) The organization’s slogan is “Promoting democracy one pint at a time.” Note that it isn’t “promoting gay marriage one drink at a time,” or “promoting a withdrawal from Iraq one drink at a time.” Democracy, after all, isn’t about issues, and it isn’t about liberal vs. conservative, its about rational debate amongst the people regarding the standards and challenges of life.
I understand that democracy is no panacea; hell given that so many people continue to be skeptics of global warming and evolution I sometimes wonder if it is even the right option for the the people of this country. (I’m thinking perhaps benevolent dictatorship with me at the helm?) But nevertheless its a good system, as long as its practiced. And paramount to that practice is viable and diverse debate.
Whoever said you should never discuss politics or religion in polite company must have been running for office. Not only should everyone discuss politics, everyone has a civil responsibility to discuss politics! If we don’t engage in the discussion we cannot purport to lead ourselves. And we live in a Republic, not a pure democracy, so we’re already on the short end of the stick as far as self-governance is concerned. Indeed the current state of affairs of this government are evidence that without our participation, this system of ours breaks down and puts too much power in too few hands.
The 2008 campaign has already started on both sides, and the issues are as to be expected: Iraq, terror, marriage, all important issues to be sure but none pose a greater threat to this nation and the rest of the world as does the dysfunction within the public process. We are capable of rational thought and self-determination. Anyone who tells you otherwise has something to hide and something to lose. Iraq is frankly not just the Bush administration’s fault but is everyone’s fault because if we talked and debated more and relied upon mass media less, we wouldn’t be in fear of shadowy terrorists. Too issues such as Gay marriage would be more swiftly resolved by public discourse and reason, because we’d follow our own rules of the separation of church and state and allow civil matrimony for all (whether hetero- or homosexual couples), and leave the churches to decide if they recognize them as holy matrimony.
We sadly do not currently live in a functioning democracy, but we have the potential to if people would actively take their nation back from special interests. From the point of view of one, these problems seem to big to face, but thats the beauty of democracy - power in numbers. How do you know if you agree with your neighbor on an issue if you never bring it up? Those who want to concentrate rather than share power don’t want us to be talking, but if we do, we might learn again how to vet the leaders from the demagogues.
And besides, you get to drink while you do it!
