The truest will always be Weber on the "strong and slow boring of hard boards" but this from Barney Frank comes very close:
I believe very strongly that people on the left are too prone to do things that are emotionally satisfying and not politically useful. I have a rule, and it’s true of Occupy, it’s true of the gay-rights movement: If you care deeply about a cause, and you are engaged in an activity on behalf of that cause that is great fun and makes you feel good and warm and enthusiastic, you’re probably not helping, because you’re out there with your friends, and political work is much tougher and harder.
I think this is misguided. All the best movements in the world find a way to make participation in the movement a rewarding activity, otherwise no one shows up. If something isn't satisfying to be a part of, people won't be a part of it; and it's a failure of leadership if that doesn't happen.
Posted by: David B. | April 18, 2012 at 08:36 PM