On Power Pyramids and Larger Responsibility

Bill in DC sent us the link to a Bill Bradely commentary this morning where he discusses the pyramid of power the Republicans have created since the defeat of Barry Goldwater in 1964.

When the Goldwater Republicans lost in 1964, they didn't try to become Democrats. They tried to figure out how to make their own ideas more appealing to the voters. As part of this effort, they turned to Lewis Powell, then a corporate lawyer and soon to become a member of the United States Supreme Court. In 1971 he wrote a landmark memo for the United States Chamber of Commerce in which he advocated a sweeping, coordinated and long-term effort to spread conservative ideas on college campuses, in academic journals and in the news media.

To further the party's ideological and political goals, Republicans in the 1970's and 1980's built a comprehensive structure based on Powell's blueprint. Visualize that structure as a pyramid.

He goes on to say that if the Democrats are going to defeat the Republicans they must create a pyramid of power of their own. While I must agree with what Bradely says I find it disturbing.
Before I elaborate I am going to direct you over to a post by Jack Grant, Larger Responsibility.

We say our founding principle is government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Decisions of the government ultimately affect ALL the people in our nation; government should be for all the people, too.

The governing institutions of the United States have evolved over 220 years, and as circumstances change it is possible the institutions also need to change. These changes should not be undertaken lightly nor driven by high emotions in situations of divisive passions.

Ironically, the party of strict constructionist interpretation of the Constitution was the party in power when a law explicitly aimed at circumventing the federal system was passed in a weekend session and the President, a member of that same party, rushed to the White House to sign that law.

The lunatic fringes are shouting down any voices of reason in both parties, and adherence to core principles wither in the furnace of the excessive passions and lust for power.

The lunatic fringe of the Religious Right is an important building block in the Republican power pyramid. The interference of lawmakers and the president was contrary to the will of the majority of the people and pandering to a single minority block.
A second point that Bradely brings up is the educational function of the Republican power pyramid. Rather than legislating based on the will of the people they are attempting to make the will of the people fit their agenda.
Pyramids of Power are contrary to the principals the founding fathers had in mind when they built the foundation of this country. While Bradely is probably correct it is a sad day for this country.