Letter: More progressive ideology needed

Tuesday, July 8, 2003 | 8:39 a.m.

The "moderate" Democrats are concerned that liberals such as Howard Dean cannot defeat Bush in 2004. One reason offered is that there are fewer registered Democrat voters out there. Perhaps it is the conservative drift that has caused that drop in numbers.

The Republicans have built a coalition of extreme right-wing Christians and corporate interests and have articulated their mythology well. They have claimed a divine right to the national treasure and a right to spend massive amounts on a military to fight constant wars against Evil. The Republican myth of the family keeps everyone in his or her moral place while the father climbs that ladder of success, which is open to everyone.

The reality is that as long as the United States is an imperial power, we will always suffer from terrorism. Taking away our freedoms will not make it all go away. A second reality is that our economic system requires one quarter of its citizens to live in poverty. One half of our citizens will struggle to stay in the middle class. The least that the wealthy could do is to help fund the education, health care, and services for the workers whose labor provides that wealth for the very rich.

The conservative view ignores science in favor of a mythology and system of taboos better fit for a primitive tribe than for a diverse, democratic civilization, which has atomic weapons and advanced technology. The more nurturing, cooperative, and inclusive model of the progressives is a more moral and effective way to a safe and just world. The Democrats need to articulate and support that view or it will not matter who wins in 2004.

JERRY BITTS