Indeed, we believe such unity is crucial if left efforts to build a multi-party system in the United States are to be successful. A model for such a working alliance might be the New Zealand Alliance, an electoral alliance of five progressive parties which enabled them to gain significant political power. But we do have control over building political structures for people to channel their energies when they finally decide to move for fundamental change. Finally, any successful effort at building a multi party electoral system in the United States must have a long term perspective. The Christian Right mobilized for 20 years before it gained public prominence.
Leftist activists are too often impatient in their quests for fundamental change.
History shows that the struggle to bring about real political change is often a protracted one. I have heard many people say that conditions are reaching such a crisis that we can't wait. But, if time is of the essence, that is all the more reason why we must begin serious organizing now. We have no control over when the masses will reach their breaking point. But we do have control over building political structures for people to channel their energies when they finally decide to move for fundamental change.