Although my own interests lead me to focus more on national and international affairs than city politics, I can attest to the way in which political work that task of analyzing society and acting to change it, even when the cause one fights for seems lost is a source of great joy. And it s crucial to keep in mind that when we claim the right to be involved, not only by voting but by asserting our central place in the process through organizing and acting, we are striking a blow not only for a specific issue, but for substantive democracy more generally. I have no doubt that Oppel offers his conception of democracy in good faith. For me, it s an easy call. Although I have my own criticisms of Austin and its political culture, one of the things I have always appreciated about the place is that many people here still believe in democracy, with all its maddening problems and limitless possibilities.
Folks here understand that strong bladders make strong democracies.
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