Marcos Moulitsas
Publisher — The Daily Kos

Dear Marcos,

I read in your ultra left-wing blog The Daily Kos that, even though you bear a hatred for Republicans that borders on pathology, you have still decided to withhold a $2,000 campaign contribution you were planning to make to Barack Obama because you “don’t care for” his recent repudiation of various left-wing promises he made while seeking the Democratic nomination. You say if he’ll change his mind and pledge to keep the promises, you’ll change yours and hand over your cash. You make it appear that you’re a man of principles who’s not afraid to stand up for them.

If you don’t mind my saying so, you’ve left a gaping hole in your analysis of the situation (if you don’t mind my saying so, as you so often do) and I’d like to invite you to fill it.

Suppose, Marcos, that Barack has never had any intention of reneging on any of the promises he made during his primary campaign. Suppose that, like Franklin Roosevelt before him, he has simply decided he needs to lie brazenly to the nation about his intentions upon becoming president. Suppose his plan is to dupe unwary Americans into believing he’ll follow a moderate course (won’t, for instance, as in FDR’s case, try to pack the supreme court, build concentration camps for the Japanese, or try to remain in office by any means for the rest of his life, all while forcing America to become a socialist as possible). Suppose that he intends, upon becoming president, to keep every one of his left-wing promises and plenty more he hasn’t even publicly made yet.

If that happens, Marcos, and he comes to power on totally dishonest false pretenses, what will you do then?

In other words, Marcos, which do you value more: democracy or your agenda? Will you approve the pursuit and enactment of your agenda by anti-democratic means, or if Barack attempts to do so will you oppose him, demanding that the nation first approve such steps openly before they are taken?

This is the acid test of your beliefs, Marcos. Do you place them above democracy? I invite you to clarify this portion of your post so that the record is clear. Will you commit to opposing any major social policy Barack tries to spring on the American people by surprise if he wins?