Politicians are reconsidering already failed programs of tax increases, investment in infrastructure and education. Only a progressive is compelled by failure to repeat and expand an idea.

It is ironic that ideologues with so many plans seem to have no plan B. Ideology allows only one plan; more would require objective comparison, which would invariably expose the weakness of the ideological plan. Must a progressive plan always advance the underlying ideology? If at first you don’t succeed, try-try again, but abandon ideology and try something different.

Chet Barber

Vicksburg