Discipline

According to George Lakoff, discipline is a value more associated with Republicans than Democrats. I want to prove him half-wrong. In politics, there are in fact two kinds of political discipline, both of which we see plainly displayed to us every day in the news.

The first kind of discipline is what is usually called "party discipline," the ability of a political party to force its members to walk a narrow line of dogma. This kind of discipline is all about the absolute power of party leaders, and the sycophantic obedience of party followers. It's the military model applied to civilian life, an extension of the "strict father" families of which Lakoff has extensively written. We were reminded again this week, with the decisions of moderate Republicans Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Norma Anderson to decline public office, of how Republicans can be ruthless with members who don't conform. Yes, Republicans like this model and Democrats don't, so score one for Lakoff on that point.

But there is another kind of discipline, one that is actually much more important for Democrats. It's more commonly known as "keeping one's eye on the ball." This discipline is one of the things we have admired in Colorado's new legislative leadership, when they have consistently directed their efforts to solving serious problems in education, health care, and transportation. If Colorado voters are ever to regain confidence in their government, this kind of constructive consistency is what will do it. Even Gov. Owens sometimes displays it, as a sign that perhaps he's enjoying his newfound freedom from the "conservative" leash.

Contrast that with the Republican sideshow that was recently kicked out of the leadership of the General Assembly, but still manages to snare time on the evening news. Republicans have demonstrated an amazing mastery of a nefarious skill, the ability to distract the public and other politicians — including Democrats — from real issues by inventing fake ones that appeal to the basest of human instincts. If divorce rates keep rising, blame gay people striving for the right to marry. If the real solutions to global warming and homeland security are too difficult, then blame immigrants and foreigners. It's a tactic as old as history, mastered from childhood by countless professional failures who rarely accomplish a goal but always succeed in finding someone to blame. When we meet people like that in our daily lives, we say they lack self-discipline.

This is why I'm distressed to hear House Speaker Andrew Romanoff characterized in the media as responding to the usual Republican diatribe about immigration with meaningless proposals of his own. Big mistake. Speaker Romanoff, it's a fact that the opposition party will devote every waking moment over the next year to finding ways to distract you from your purpose, to drag you into the mud with them. Don't fall for it. Mr. Speaker, please keep your eye on the ball!

I want to thank EMRosa and em dash on SoapBlox Colorado for reminding me that I've been meaning to add this to my series on Democratic values.