What to do about all these elephants

Many progressives look at the new wave of red in DC in an optimistic light. For the next two years, we may not control the House of Representatives (as you can see in this deliciously interactive map), but we're still holding on to the Senate and the White House. We're still holding on to the filibuster and the veto. Our representatives still have significantly more hair than their opposition. Republicans don't have that much power.

"Wrong," declares vanden Heuvel.

In her most recent article for the Washington Post, vanden Heuvel argues that new right-wing representatives will have extraordinary power, and progressives should uncompromisingly reinforce their stance.

Now, that's a pretty bold statement, so you may need to take a step back and eat a blueberry muffin before you continue reading. Hopefully the muffin will help, but if not, vanden Heuvel backs up this daring viewpoint with solid facts and logic.

The first half of her article appeals to her audience of progressives, and she uses a simple formula. A Democrat (for example, Barney Frank, chairman of the Financial House Services Committee) has had positive accomplishments (a financial reform), but a Republican replacement (Spencer Bachus) has negative plans (a government shutdown to stop this bill). Readers should have no trouble understanding that the new majority in the House disturbs vanden Heuvel.

Then, she takes it a step further: while the Democrats fight this battle, they shouldn't be a in a compromising mood like several "Blue Dogs" are. That's far out, dude, especially since Obama himself intends to cooperate with the new Congressmen. But her reasoning is compelling. If Democrats don't fight for what they stand for, their plans will disappointingly fall apart before their eyes. What's important now is to unify -- and if we can get the support of the president, then all the better.

As I sat in front of my computer eating mini cinnamon bagels when I read this for the first time, I probably should have fallen asleep. I mean, really -- "here's something that'll shock my readers: politics." But I made it through the whole article because of her enchanting imagery. Let me tell you, this is just seductive.

First, when she describes a few of the new Republican Congressmen, vanden Heuvel warns that they will "wield and use substantial power." Shing! Either these politicians are avenging their father's death, or they're fighting for Narnia. Regardless, the word "wield" is extremely powerful; no longer is the political clash a bunch of debates and speeches -- now, it's a full-out classic battle. Maybe on horseback.

All right, so what happens if the Democrats don't fight back and accept cooperation? They will watch their agenda "for which they fought -- and lost -- steadily erode." In saying this, vanden Heuvel effectively warns of a defeat that will be dangerous, slow, and painful. Let's sum it all up, then. If the Democrats don't do anything, they'll be sliced in two with a sword; if the Democrats compromise, they'll suffer a torturous death. Neither one of these options seems too appealing -- but in the sense that vanden Heuvel is trying to get progressives to take action, it's extremely appealing.

These crisp images, paired with decorative references to looming "destruction," allow for no room to compromise with vanden Heuvel. The only option is to look toward the "silver lining," the unyielding progressive standpoint, which she notes is one of the most unified factions in the United States.

So look out, President Obama! "I mean, 'look out' in a fun way! Not like I'm gonna hurt you" (Andy Bernard, The Office).