The Left and the Constitution

Icon of the Left, Naomi Wolf, discussed the Constitution in a recent interview for alternet.org.

Wolf describes the idea of states rights, not as code for segregation, but instead as a viable vehicle to champion issues long associated with the American left:

Demographically, I’m a hippie from San Francisco and I’m not culturally inclined to be sympathetic to states’ rights. My cultural heritage is FDR and Medicare and federal government solutions. But if you think through the analysis, strengthening state rights is a good corrective of the aggregation of an over-reaching federal power. Take California’s challenge of the Patriot Act or states like Vermont leading the way with addressing the corruption of the voting system. It’s a good example of the Tea Party thinking out of the box on how to address a problem.

On the right-left paradigm:

I was basically saying don’t sit around waiting for the two corrupted established parties to restore the Constitution or the Republic. The founding generation was birthed by the rabble of all walks of life that got fed up and did risky things because they were captivated by the breath of liberty. There is a looming oligarchy and it is up to the people to organize a grassroots movement and push back. You guys have to do it yourself. Their response is the most visible and the initiative they show is the most recognizable. People of all kinds are waking up. Even people passionate for Obama realize even that knight on a white horse isn’t enough to roll back the oligarchy. I’m seeing a lot of action on the left as well that is never reported. But the Tea Party response is the most visible and the initiative they show is the most recognizable.

Establishing the Constitution as the basis for the political discourse, rather than using the Bloods/Crips rivalry, will go a long way toward restoring our republic.  Breaking the right-left paradigm is key.  Both parties need to beware of “leaders” claiming fealty to the Constitution, while using their offices for crony capitalism (yeah, you John McCain).  Both parties need to beware of “leaders” dragging us to endless wars against phantom enemies.  Both parties need to beware of “leaders” advancing an overbearing police state rampaging our Constitutional rights.