The politics of procrastination
We need to start having important conversations about all the important conversations we need to have.
It seems that our backlog of important conversations is growing at a much faster rate than these actual conversations. The docket is too burdensome. Conversation overdue Some are long overdue.
No one knows if or when these important conversations will take place. Or who will join? Or will a fine be assessed for overdue conversations (such as books in the library)? What will spark a conversation? Who will frame them? And if things start to drag, do you have to pick it up and reframe it?
And at what point does the conversation change from just being “overdue” to “long overdue” (i.e. approx. Paid family and medical leave Inserting an IUD– Mental health– and Farewell to father–
The only thing we know for sure is that these conversations will be like that. worth having– They may be difficult– difficult– or uncomfortable Conversation—or maybe it wasn’t difficult, awkward, or overdue. Because it will never happen.
And this is the point in declaring that conversation is important. Confirmation becomes the standpoint for the actual exchange. Sometimes the most important conversations are the ones you don’t have or don’t intend to have.
I write a lot about politics. and try to follow important conversations where people are talking or making plans This involves watching a lot of interviews, debates, and speeches. Politicians often identify important conversations we need to have all the time. The topic may even be demanding. Conversations with AmericansAs long as no one is involved in any political matters. (always dangerous to politicians) according to general standards Anything that triggers a moderate response on X or Facebook can be lazily credited with starting—or sparks-g national conversation–
I’ve found that when someone answers a question by creating a substantive conversation, that’s often a sign that the person has been dancing with the issue for a while. Yet they will dance with great urgency. They will make a strong and confident statement that this conversation is important. And when you say that They successfully investigate and obfuscate the topic in one fell swoop.
In other words This is a delay strategy. to designate something as “Important discussion” means “come back later,” stop time and hope the problem is resolved. Sometimes it will even resolve itself. That’s the Democrats’ approach to the debate. They talked (or didn’t) talk about issues like inflation and borders in the 2024 elections, but it didn’t work. Democrats are now talking about the kind of important conversation that the losing caucus is likely to engage in. and generally includes words reserved for examining corpses: autopsy– dissection– autopsy–
We’ve been hearing a lot from praising Democrats about this recently. They have always insisted that they need to win back the trust of working-class voters. where they are seen as out of touch What better way to get back to you than to have these difficult and potentially painful conversations? Maybe they could do this in place of Kamala Harris’ post-election fundraising email?
I’ve also heard that Democrats should be less preachy and nagging. And let others lead these overdue conversations. or even Drive the conversationIf they’re old enough
“I think we just need to get out and listen for a while,” Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan told me last month. I guess she’s calling for Democrats to get involved. Listening modewhich has always been a popular refuge for those who lost elections
Perhaps most importantly, Democrats have doomed themselves to refuse to have the one conversation they absolutely need to have: about President Joe Biden’s age. No doubt it will be a detailed conversation. Soft, delicate, uncomfortable, and extremely personal. At a certain point
But in reality That point happened around 2021, when Biden failed to perform in the debates with Donald. Trump in June His ability to be re-elected and to serve a second term is also an overdue conversation. And then a conversation that had been long overdue And then the questionable conversation
