"Realism" is a dangerous trap that Democrats are particularly vulnerable to.
When action is being contemplated by a group, the person who invokes "realism" is usually about to enumerate reasons not to act. Rarely do they offer an alternative action, so
realism = immobility.
We rarely, if ever, hear "realism" or "practicality" invoked to persuade someone to stand up and fight for principle.
We do hear "Realism" is invoked when someone is predicting an outcome that no human can know. (How can it be "realistic" or reasonable to believe we know the unknowable?)
The "realism" label is almost inevitably applied to the most pessimistic view of any given situation; it is rarely, if ever, applied to a rosy scenario. (Life is full of victories and defeats, so how can it be "realistic" to always assume the worse? How can it be realistic or practical to focus on potential risks to the exclusion of potential benefits?)
We like to think of ourselves as reasonable people, but all too often we fall victim to "realistic" thinking that is anything but.
The "realists" assured us (even mockingly) that we would never get a Senator to stand up and object to the Ohio electors on January 6th. Individuals and little groups took up the fight anyway.
And we got a Senator.
No mainstream good government entity even considered joining the fighting to make this happen until late in the game, when it became clear that the effort itself was energizing people in a way they might well capitalize on. Until the end of December, they were too busy "facing reality" and whipping themselves for losing, when in fact, Kerry had won, (But, of course, we couldn't "realistically" do anything about that.)
There are so many other examples. When we ignore the "realists" and act, we prove them wrong time and again.
Of course, realistic assessment of risks and benefits is possible, but sadly, we rarely see balanced analysis from Democratic prognosticators. Impeachment provides a classic example. We rarely hear the potential political benefits discussed. I took a shot at address the omission.
On the Eve of Battle: Unfounded Fears and Realistic RewardsWhen principle demands action, outcome expectations, positive or negative, do not enter into the decision to act, but a realistic assessment of the risks and benefits can make it easier to take the necessary action.
Discussions of impeachment typically focus on dire predictions of "backlash" or other negative consequences that have little basis in reality. Rarely, if ever, do we hear that taking up the fight to initiate impeachment proceedings will benefit any leader who does so. This omission is mystifying, particularly because there is solid evidence that fighting for impeachment is a political winner. . .
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