My friends, I’m going to press the pause button on today’s news — including the House January 6 hearings that start this evening — and try to answer a big question that hangs over American politics right now like a sword of Damocles: Does Joe Biden have a snowball’s chance of being re-elected in 2024?
I find it interesting that people who are so upset by stagnant wages, little healthcare availability, and inflation will vote for people (in this case Republicans) who would prefer to see them all working for nothing or as close to it as possible), fending for themselves when it comes to healthcare coverage, skipping college because "it isn't for everyone, you know," paying taxes so the rich won't have to, and more. I think the problems we Democrats have, in addition to those described by Dr. Reich include believing in this nation and our ability to stand up together as Americans, convincing ourselves that unions really are worth the struggle, recognizing that workers like farmers are so essential we need to stop taking their work for granted, and shouting from the rooftops that our children are truly precious enough to make us do whatever is necessary to insure their future. We also have a challenge with our current media that know what will happen to most of them if an autocracy happens here, yet still give Republicans/conservatives (who have no positive, helpful ideas), a greater voice than they deserve. I am not concerned yet whether Joe Biden will run again for a second term or can win. We have a lot of ground to cover before then if we are to preserve our democracy. I like the idea that Biden should produce now, a lot of executive orders for things we as a nation need. It will take time for the challenges to get through the courts and in the meantime, we could be working seriously to stop global warming, to getting apprentice programs going for our young people, offering incentives for communities that are developing new strategies for positive community safety, better protecting our public lands, dealing with waste, and so much more. People will come to want those programs and start demanding them. We Dems need to take the lead instead of just reacting to what Republicans do and say. We already know they have nothing but conflict, division, blaming, and shirking responsibility to offer. We can do better. Let's prove it! R.Sheets
Sadly, Biden can't even fire the postmaster purchasing a new fossil-fuel truck fleet and undermining mail-in voting.
And, the Summit of the Americas seems destined to be another embarrassment for Biden. Despite Harris visiting Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala (supposedly showing how the US values them & wants to work with them), they boycotted the summit because Biden excluded Cuba, Venezuela & Nicaragua (...even though Biden wants Venezuelan oil).
FL presidential electoral votes are no longer available to Democrats. Why are the Democrats stuck in Clinton- and Gore-era policies whereby Cuban-exile votes in Miami (& Bergen County, NJ) might influence whether FL (& NJ) votes Blue or Red?
BTW I live in Florida. The only reason Trump carried the state and brought coattails with him is that the pandemic kept Democrats from going door to door. Still Biden carried Miami Dade County. 17,000 members of Cubanos por Biden on Facebook. Younger voters and tenants trend 70% democratic. We trend high for national gun standards. We have a red flag law. Trend opposed to elimination of Roe v Wade by more than 60%.
DeSantis' negatives are extremely high. Florida undercounted COVID cases and deaths, failed to get test results, state audit says.
I've traveled to FL often to visit in-laws. I was there last Fall, for our niece's wedding. Few people wore masks, and the roads were full of MAGA bumper stickers. DeSantis may have won by a narrow amount, but he's restricted voting so that won't happen again.
Biden can destroy Cuban totalitarian regime in a few weeks via baseball and tourism diplomacy. There is no crime for American tourists to fear, and beach resorts are affordable. Cubans are highly educated. I went there in 1994. Just don't let the Cuban gov't shuttle tourists straight to exclusive resorts. The more they see Americans spending without restraint, the more they'll protest their gov't's restrictions on them, and the faster their gov't will change.
30 years ago there were enough Cuban exiles who would demand no easing of the embargo unless they get their family houses and businesses returned. This is not a factor anymore. So, just flood Cuba with exposure to American $$! Let their doctors come to the US to alleviate our strained hospitals, so they can send their salaries back to their families, and those $$ will undermine Cuban gov't controls further.
The GOP owns the FL statehouse. DeSantis drew his own districts to reduce Democratic Congressional Reps and FL state office holders. FL couldn't even elect any state-wide Democrats after people marched from Parkland, and Bloomberg paid ex-felons' court fees after FL tried to suppress their vote. DeSantis punished Disney because it objected to his egomania & hystrionics.
Why did Biden think it was a good idea to refuse Cuba participation in the Summit of the Americas?? Why did he stick with a bad idea when it was obvious it was failing? Mexico's leader's boycott, and Venezuela's leader's trip to Turkey upstaged Biden.
With Cuba, it seems the US hangs on to an ineffective embargo for futile political reasons, whereas removing the embargo could lead its well-educated people to overthrow their leaders. Biden should have invited all leaders from this hemisphere.
All good ideas. Time for this nation to move on. Russia is too busy with Ukraine to interfere too much as USA courts Cubans. The more USANs show up on vacation, the less room for those who diss Cuba. The one problem I see is that those in power in Cuba will not be happy about Americans getting too chummy with the Cuban people.OTOH, At least it's reasonably close to US shores, so the travel costs should be easier for the less well-heeled of us to afford. Unless the cruise/air industry sticks it to us in the pocketbook. Time for we ordinary folks to send letters to Biden/ Not post cards. They are too easily extracted from the mail flow by ppl who dont want to see Biden succeed at anydamnthing.
I worked in South Florida and had several Cuban co-workers that were basically democrats but did not want their older family members to know. As you know two Spanish speaking radio stations were or are being purchased in Miami, by an organization that has contacts with the democratic party. The Cuban Republicans are very displeased about this purchase. I think it was a very good idea to purchase these two radio stations.
I totally agree about Clinton and Obama. The Democratic Party's embrace of neoliberalism won them Wall Street donors and elections but cost them their soul. I hope Biden leads them back to it before it is lost for good because, once it is gone, so is America's democracy and greatness.
There was nothing inevitable about a "war on terror" - and especially not as a guise for extreme interventionist policies bordering on adventurism (is it really fair to blame Clinton & Obama for such maladministration of our country's international interests?)...
It does not matter that it be fair, as far as they are concerned. Repuglycans now openly lie, cheat and steal because their base will take anything they say as truth. Just listening to their crap makes me sick. There used to be a bit of hobesty in politics. No more!
Maybe they knew as much - like, *a little* (e.g. erring to a bit of courage about Somalia/Yugoslavia in the case of the former & Libya in the case of the latter - say with both assuming posterity to have a fair shot in putting paid to it properly)... but it would have been difficult to anticipate the rise of extreme partisanship a la naked obstructionism (73+ votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Merrick Garland Supreme Court nomination, etc.) & then Trumpism generally...
(Imagine: how much would you set to do if you knew your rivals were planning to succumb to mental illness & murder their own reputations?)
I'm not a Biden fan. I don't think he has a persuasive, captivating, leader's personality, so I think he's not maximizing potential for Democrats. Still, I don't see how any voter looking for truth and fact couldn't recognize that the reason Biden can't accomplish much is the Senate, and the reason for high gas prices and inflation is corporate greed. When the GOP is responsible for obstructing Biden and is pro-corporate greed and anti-democracy, how the whole situation could translate into "vote Republican," I can't comprehend. Except unfortunately, I guess I can. Scary situation. I fervently hope Democrats find ways to overcome Biden's personality and communictions shortcomings.
Mo777Jet ; I still think it's unlikely that the majority will vote for the Republicans. They are the party of lethal attacks on our children, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Women and decency in general. They have no platform and as Moscow Mitch has said they will tell us what their 'platform' is after they 'win' the election. Only an ignorant masochist would want to be dominated and terrorized by them.
I do hope Republicans won't win in November, but alas, so many Americans vote against their own interests, for people who care nothing for them or their issues. I don't understand it, but it is real.
Want to change minds? Speak the language of benefits.
For example, Beware. Medicare Advantage may be a scam. It's a Republican plot. Medicare Advantage allows for-profit health insurers to offer privatized benefits through Medicare,
Find people who have been screwed and publicize them.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a report that found that Medicare managed care organizations frequently inappropriately deny medically necessary care to tens of thousands of people enrolled in private Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Advantage can become expensive if you're sick, due to uncovered copays. Additionally, a plan may offer only a limited network of doctors, which can interfere with a patient's choice. It's not easy to change to another plan. If you decide to switch to a Medigap policy, there often are lifetime penalties.
Medicare's reasons for denial can include: Medicare does not deem the service medically necessary. A person has a Medicare Advantage plan, and they used a healthcare provider outside of the plan network.
Trump created another privatization experimental plan that can also catch the unwary in a bind.
Daniel, Ruth and Laurie: Medicare Advantage is a wonderful scam, advertised widely. I know it well, and, as a practicing physician, do not take it because it is a scam and a nightmare.
Beware of the guy who wants to sell you the bridge to Brooklyn.
Michael H., Thank you so much for confirming my suspicions about Medicare Advantage. I have wanted to hear specifically from a doctor, but have not been able to find anyone that would give me an opinion about it. I can tell you I have been dogged for over a year by phone & text msg by those scam ins agents! I refused to fall for their advertised enticements of dental, eye & hearing coverage & I now know I did the right thing—stayed with my original Medicare using Tricare for Life as our second payer & for RXs. Many medical offices have asked me if I had Medicare Advantage & seemed shocked when I said No. I have also heard about some clinics changing peoples Medicare plans unbeknownst to them to a Medicare Advantage Plan. That should be grounds for fraud & a lawsuit. tRump even took $30 billion out of Medicare with the idea to force people into a privatized plan according to Social Security Works organization. I’m wondering if medical staffs are having trouble getting claims paid also & then having to push more onto the pt pay side ??
Daniel Solomon ; Thank you for pointing this out. There are still plenty of us Baby Boomers who would benefit knowing this before they are enrolled and 'stuck'. Good 'Ammo' too!
You know about this,....apparently. I'm guessing here, and wiling to stand corrected, but why are you not writing letters to the editor and op-ed pieces for the newspapers? I always sensed that Advantage was a slimy option. Guess I was right to stick with the old and proven ways. I dont like change, anyway, but when it comes to the govt, I'm all for wise change. It's just a matter of having an instinct for questionable propositions.
Brainwashing on radio/tv over the last 60 +/- years has worked. Dems slept through it all and woke to an entirely new world. Lulled since the 1930s. Apparently they believed that old saw "History is bunk." So they slept though the gradual sleezy, but effective, takeover. I cannot believe I sometimes have dreams about an armed revolution and all that . And me a pacifist, too.
Sadly, when Dark Money props up religious leaders who tell poorly educated congregants they'll Go to Hell if they vote for politicians who confirm judges who allow legal abortions, these people vote against all their other self-interests.
Republicans have it easier cuz their solutions are to stop government from doing stuff. And they don’t seem to have morals, so they don’t even try to represent what they’ve done and results. Ayayay!
Hispanic people are not all from the same places and stuff and vote differently. Unfortunately, a good percentage is swayable by Trump types, also cuz they’re often Catholics. I’m NOT an expert. Just we can’t expect that people care about mean comments over (economic) policies
What if dems kept punching the R'thugs by lets to ed. Each one send one. Letters every week hitting the points for/from all the groups you mention.
This is a country full of "ignorant masochists" who don't recognize the designation. Their heads are full of tv/radio/internet propaganda, which stunts the brain, turning ppl into those "sheep" dems are accused of being..They beat their own heads with hammers.
As my little kids used to say :"takes one to know one" except when observant adult ppl see the big picture and know the facts. Which llumination we tend not to explain to kids too young to "get it." Am I making sense or has the destruction of the nation as i know it warped my thinking?
I’m 67, aware of how my own faculties are slowly diminishing. I’m also a nurse of 45 yrs- I know a dottering old man when I see one - he got my vote once, he won’t get it again. The Dems need to correct their cephalrectal inversion and forget 2 terms and get behind strong candidate NOW. Or we’re all screwed
I would take the 'Doddering old man' over the Seditious party man. He does a better job than I could of discussing complex things, and he is older than me. He is up against Treachery and lots of ill gotten gains. The party of Sedition!
Jamie Raskin?? My fave in the last election was Cory, but maybe it’s not his time yet due to the utter hostility toward Obama. I don’t think people like Kamala, but they’re kind of in a bind due to her title and precedent. I don’t think Kamala comes across as warm, at least to me. I mean, I wouldn’t either, it’s just an impression, but warmth is a good for being elected. Nonetheless we need everyone to vote for any Democrat to save our country and the PLANET.
Republicans have a loyal base, that is too large to ignore or take lightly.
Their base will vote Republican no matter what. They have proven that with tRump.
If Democrats can't get their base to show up at the polls, the Republicans WILL win.
The second problem is Republicans not only have a loyal base but they are not ashamed to use strategies to de-incentivize Democratic voters.
Third, the Republican base is not affected when their leaders face criticism (legitimate or not). The Democratic base removes their votes when their leaders face criticism (sometimes even just the possibility of wrong doing can end a political career).
Republicans appear to be more committed to face criticism and more willing to use imagination, ingenuity and hard work to win.
Alas, what Republicans actually use are lying, cheating, conspiracy theorizing, fearmongering, voter intimidation, and a bit of effort. They do have a long game strategy that has helped them a lot and they have a captive audience through ?Fox "News" and they have to actually do very little to get what they want.
True but we can overcome all that and voter preclusion, operation crosscheck, "caging" and outright voter intimidation and fraud. In order to win, we need to FLIP four Senate races in Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Field Team 6 has millions of unregistered likely Democratic women in a database from these states, and we need to reach all of them to help them get registered and vote for pro-choice, pro-woman Democrats.
Melvern Williams ; I keep remembering the fact that Biden won, even though many people wished we had a stronger choice, because the Republican was definitely inferior. I think that will happen again. The Republican party is the party of weapons of war killing our children, the Party of Putin, the party that bans books, and the teaching of History and science. It is a travesty of Justice that money affects Primaries and therefore, our choices.
Melvern, I can’t agree that the Rethugs have a loyal base, ie the Lincoln Project folks who have formally left the GOP & become Independents or Dems. These are prominent GOP folks working to bring more fellow Rs away from the Sedition Party & I really hope they do a fantastic job of it! However, living in KY the past 35 years, a strong Bible Belt red state, I’ve come to realize the rural & poorly educated people in this state DO NOT care about issues other than revoking Roe v Wade & will vote on autopilot every time for the Rethug Party bec they say they are conservatives & will vote for whomever is running regardless of their fitness for office! It just blows my mind how they vote against their best interests every single time! I’ve given up trying to convince any of our 4 sons or their wives to reconsider how they cast their votes & to read up more on candidates’ platforms. Who has time for that they say, we are just living our lives the best we can & hoping for the best outcome! I’m ashamed of their total disregard for Wash & EVEN state politics saying they don’t believe it affects their daily life so why worry about it! I guess once all the Baby Boomers are dead & gone they will deserve whatever kind of gov they inherit!!
Regarding the youth, I believe as they grow older they will begin to see the connection to politics and their everyday lives. They begin to notice the connection around age 35. Now in what political direction they will go is another question.
I believe the disconnect is promoted in the American culture. The established powers and large firms don't want an informed electorate.
Well they are all well past that 35 mark, Mid 40’s & beginning the 50s! None are wealthy but have fairly secure jobs that weathered the Pandemic. Only one is a continual renter & I don’t see that changing. They simply go with the majority of folks @ church I guess! Never seem to know what’s going on or care about Wash politics & really hate it when I share anything I believe they should know. A couple of them listen to talk radio @ work & believe what they hear without question if it sounds right. I was so happy when I learned Rush Limbaugh had died bec a couple thought he was the man? Yea, a dangerous man I told them! I’ve just given up, they should know better but would rather agree with their crowd! Our world will be changing for the worst when Gen X folks start taking over!!
The Democratic Party must return to the party of the 1930's through the 1960's
We need to shuck big donors, corporate leaders and return to the middle class majority. I have stuck with the Democrats since 1967, but recently as the lesser of two evils. While I deplore the apathy of the voters, it's easy to understand their despair. In both parties, moreso in retrumplicans, their main interest seems to be staying in power at any cost. So, they sell their souls, and lower our standard of living, in order to retain that power. If Biden wants to be reelected in 2024, he must forget his longtime friends in the Senate and push hard to end the filibuster. Then he must push to end the endless pursuit of money for the numerous PACs
He needs to convince the Democratic Party to represent ALL the citizens of the USA ignoring the deep pocketed donors. We don't need never ending TV ads, we need good, honest, politicians who keep us informed every step of the way
We also need a Senate rule that NO bill can get put in any Senators desk, never debated, never put to a vote.
Haha with some foreign policy exceptions. But really, it’s the Senate that’s our biggest problem, and gerrymandering. You can’t be an effective party if you have another side playing political games at the expense of the people because it doesn’t even matter to their supporters.
The Senate is certainly our biggest problem and a problem I don't think the Framer's of the Constitution anticipated, According to the Federalist Papers and modern historians of that time period. The landed "Gentlemen" had little faith in the intellectual capacity of the non-landholders. Hence the Senate having two Senators representing each State were elected for longer terms of service and were expected to control the impulses of the more 'radical' House of Representatives. When there were only thirteen (or even 20) States this worked well. What the Founding Fathers did not perceive was the current status of our Nation where the huge majority of Citizens live in very few States, in large urban centers, primarily on both coasts. Because each State is guaranteed two Senators, regardless of population, we have ended with a very small minority of the Citizens in total control of the Senate. Today it makes no sense that California, the most populous State in the Union has the same number of Senators as Montana or any other small State. This leaves us with a meaningless body of legislators who simply prevent any bill from passing if it has anything of importance. Instead of the tyranny of the majority, we have the tyranny of the minority, And worse, there is nothing we can do about it. We cannot amend the Constitution to rectify the situation because Article V states: "The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution............(includes 2/3 of the States...........when ratified by three fourths of the several States............................................... Good luck with tampering with the minority's strangle hold o the majority of us.
You are correct. And their pitch is, "No taxation without representation". In 1974 Congress unfolded enough to allow the City of Washington to elect its own Mayor and disrict reps. The problem is two things: 1 DC residents are overwhelmingly registered Democrats and 2 (and this also spplies to Puerto Rico) they are NOT overwhelmingly white. This certainly does not bother those of SubStack community, but it definitely does bother the white supremists of the GOP
Yep, we're always the villains in every retrumplican scenario. Frankly, i think it unjust, unfair, and downright disgusting, that 725,000 people are disenfranchised, for "the crimes of being darkskinned Democrats". I sign every petition to give DC Statehood, but in the present hateful attitude of the minority I don't see much chance. Look at the Equal Rights Amendment. A little better than half the population of United Stares are females, and yet we've never been able to get that ratfied. All it says are women are entitled to equal rights under the law, yet we cannot get 38 States to agree to sign it.
Excellent piece, particularly on the dismal corporate display of the Obama presidency, to which Biden had a front row seat. One tiny criticism, if I may, from the perspective of a liberal scientist who wants progressive societal change, and who has studied and thought about climate change for the last 20 years: the tacit assumption that sufficient numbers of American voters care enough about climate change that they will move elections.
They do not and will not. Understandably, perhaps, what Americans most care about is inflation and gas prices. Reagan in 1982, like Biden in 2022, was hit by both items, which helps explain the similarity of their presidential ratings, despite the gross dissimilarity of their worldview.
Which brings me back to climate change. As a scientist, I disagree with my liberal friends in one thing alone: I'm agnostic on the issue of whether human beings are having a significant impact on the slight upward fluctuation of global temperature in the last century. Unknown to most liberals is that there is a vigorous scientific debate about this, and with very good reason - which I can happily explain if there is any interest.
The reason I bring this up, at the risk of finding myself on the ash heap of your blog, is that I want your readers and you, especially, to just consider the possibility that climate change policies are a losing issue.
I agree with Paul Krugman up to a point: even if there is scientific doubt about the causes of global warming, we should err on the side of assuming that human beings are causing it, because the economic costs are so low, and the potential societal costs of ignoring it are so high.
But in the world of realpolitik things are different. If human beings are indeed causing global warming, the problem will continue to be solved by technology. Windmills, solar power and EVs are all happening now. Diesel will soon be banned in Paris, and by 2030, I believe, we will have a greener, much less polluted planet. And all of this will happen without the meddling of politicians.
Which brings me back to realpolitik, and the reason we have lost some very tangible benefits in the last year. Joe Manchin was prepared to vote for $1.8 trillion of the BBB package, and might have been persuaded to go higher, if we had loosened up a little on the Green New Deal. But no! GND was just too perfect to be held hostage by a corrupt coal magnate. So guess what? BBB, as I predicted, ended up in the crapper. [By the way, to my knowledge, none of the politicians in the "progressive wing" is a scientist. May I suggest the book of my friend and colleague, Franco Battaglia, endorsed by 1,000 scientists, including Nobel Laureates, "There is no Climate Emergency"].
With apologies for this lengthy piece, and in the full knowledge that I will likely be ignored by your readers.
Michael Hutchinson ; Ask farmers if they care about climate change. Ask anyone who lives on either coast or even near an inlet or river near a coastal area. Miami is flooding now even when there is no storm or full moon high tide. Windstorms are getting more fierce just about everywhere. My sister lives in International Falls MN near Rainy Lake. there was a 'bumper crop' of snow this past winter which melted into a flood that is affecting the whole region and will affect people for weeks to come. Here in the Northeast 'Temperate rainforest' we have tree blights coming up from Southern states that are causing bark to fall off the trees and there is so much 'deadfall' in the forests it can't be removed quickly enough. We have had too many fire danger warnings in the spring ; It's a matter of time before we have a great fire with all the fuel that will burn in the next drought. Lake Meade in the west cannot support farms anymore and ranchers have sold out their herds for lack of water. Eventually, this all could threaten food supplies, if it has not already.
See my response to DW. I didn't say global warming is not occurring, I just said it REALLY is not clear that we are contributing to it in any significant way (despite what you read in the NYT). Very large climate fluctuations have been going on for many centuries (remember the dust bowl a century ago?) and also long before the industrial revolution, and all of this is well documented. I remember with a smile a reporter from Portland Oregon on TV last year, where on one day the temperature hit 120 degrees. "We haven't had temperatures like this since 1940!" And the volcanoes (see my response to DW)...and the Vikings colonizing what they called Greenland, because it was then warm and arable.... and so on, etc., etc.
My point was just that, even if we are contributing significantly to global warming, technology is continuing to move us forward, from coal, to oil, to natural gas, to solar panels, windmills and electric vehicles. We will have a greener, much less polluted planet in a decade, with or without the tirades of AOC.
Meanwhile, because of these liberal antics, we have lost BBB.
Michael Hutchinson ; Liberal 'antics' is what created the United States of America, and formed our attempt at "A More Perfect Union" of such. "Democracy of , by and for the People". It's messy and humans make mistakes. We can solve them too, if we are honest.
Michael Hutchinson ; The dust bowl was man made. It wasn't until it blew into Washington and literally into the windows of the building lawmakers were as they were having a debate on whether to finance planting the types of grasses in the plains that would stave off more erosion. Even ships at sea (The Atlantic) were in the haboob of dust from the great plains. The lawmakers did decide to fund the solutions.
OK, I grant you that the dust bowl was in part man-made, but it began with the great drought, which lasted from 1930 to 1939, and which, I'm sure you'll agree, was not in the least bit man-made.
Look, like you, I am all in favor of a greener, bluer, less-polluted planet. I just think we can get there without the destructive antics of AOC and her pals.
Really? you are going to blame a politically active young woman and her friends for the entire demise of our corrupt greed addled government? Oh! you blame 'the squad', (and stick Bernie in there to try to hide the fact of your racist/ sexist intent)? You put easily the last 40 years of stagnant wages, weakened regulations and increasing corruption in government and the banking industry and polluting superfund disasters on a 20 something who cares about decency, our environment and Democracy? Nice try, you won't get much traction here!
Michael Hutchinson ; The drought may have been exacerbated by poor farming practices and land/water management. It was lessened by the replacement of grasses that helped to conserve the soil on the windy plains. You have heard the expression "a land office business"? I think it was coined after the phenomenon of the popularity of people being able to get land during the time of settlement expansion. there were lots of farms and not everyone knew how to farm properly. They did not know contour plowing methods, and crop rotation or even to allow the land to go fallow (rest) once in awhile. They overgrazed and made a lot of mistakes. The government started programs to help restore and protect the land.
Michael, I don’t believe you can bring the “dust bowl” into the equation. The dust bowl was a direct result of the US Government giving away sensitive land that they turned into farmland that never should have been farmed. The soil and vegetation that pre existed the farms was a delicate balance that was terribly upset with the introduction of agriculture.
Todd: yes, but as I mentioned to Laurie, there was a climate change that predated the dust bowl: the great drought in the middle plains, from 1930 to 1939. Human activity just worsened things. Anyway, the point is that there are countless historical accounts consistent with much higher temperature swings, long before the industrial revolution. The bigger point is that even if we are contributing to global warming, it doesn't matter: windmills, solar power, EVs are multi[plying in ways I would never have imagined even 5 years ago. Why, even in NYC many of the buses are back to being electric, and it's a delight to ride in them. Coal is dead and gasoline is dying.
Therefore, the BIGGEST point is, bargain with Manchin, don't vilify him. Sinema would have clicked her heels, and we could have had a decent BBB package. In other words, don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
I never really expected my early morning contribution would get any kind of response, very gratifying that it did!
I think you are trying to straddle a line here. Yes, we had a 'mini ice age' precipitated by a volcanic eruption that had a role in the Irish potato famine. Grasses and grass like crops like wheat could not grow because of the high winds. So, much of Europe planted tubers, like potatoes. The Irish made the mistake of only planting a preferred type instead of a variety. When it was hit by blight, the famine occurred. People in places like Austria had to move down the mountain, because the ice formed and it was too cold to live there. There were ice cores taken at the North Pole that showed it once had a climate similar to Florida because of the plant life preserved in that ice. There are also ice cores that show that carbon levels increased after the Industrial age, as well as differences in oxygen and nitrogen levels that show human activity seriously affecting our planet's temperature. Water levels are rising with the melting of massive glaciers, especially now in Antarctica. We could see a rise of 10 feet in the next decade. You are a climate denier, I think. A very small change in global temperature can cause a lot of destruction. Also, AOC has nothing on the 'wingers' for tirades! At least she cares about the Common Good! It is because of people like AOC that we have solar panels (remember Jimmy Carter putting them on the White House?), wind farms and electric vehicles. I bet you don't like Jimmy either.
As I've heard it, the Irish didn't make a mistake in planting only potatoes. That's all they were allowed to keep & crops of other vegetables went to England. Ireland was starved by England (nothing to do with the climate, which is my biggest concern).
Eileen McInerny ; I don't doubt that England would do that, but another source mentioned the favored one type of spud and that developed blight. Maybe both happened, but at different times. Some Irish died trying to eat grass.
Laurie: I actually thought Carter was one of our better presidents. I am not a climate denier, I agree that the temperature of the troposphere has been rising at a rate of 0.1 degrees centigrade per decade for the last 40 years (that's right, one tenth of a degree per decade). As for a ten foot rise in sea levels, well Al Gore and the NYT were predicting even bigger changes 25 years ago.
I'm actually on your side. Look, my only reason for contributing to the blog earlier was to point out that our carbon footprint will be very much smaller in ten years, through technology alone.
Coal is already dead, and gasoline is on its deathbed. Long live wind and solar! AOC is not responsible for solar panels, but must, surely, accept part of the blame for the loss of BBB. And BBB would have helped Biden and the Democrats in November....
AOC is not responsible for the end of the BBB. We should not have to push for the things contained in that proposal, that are available to people in most developed countries and paid for by taxpayers. Giving subsidies to billionaires is why 'we can't afford them'. As far as technology goes, like solar panels, electric cars and wind mills, people invented them and fought to implement their use and I don't think that removes concern for climate deniers pooh pooing the very real threat of climate damage. In Nicolai Tesla's time, people like J.P. Morgan opposed Tesla's attempt to develop electrical grids without power lines, and electric cars, which were definitely competitive with those run on fossil fuel. We still have J.P. Morgan Chase as a powerful and corrupt capitalist blight on the land, with a history of criminal activity and, of course, greed.
AOC happens to be right. We need something bigger than the Green New Deal. But she is perhaps passing on to young people some mistaken notion that all-or-nothing on Green New Deal is the way to go. We just need any help at all we can get. We need it now. opposition to climate change mitigation measures in government is for selfish dick-wads who don’t care about the quite dire fate of countless species including ours. They have a chance to be truly heroic, save the world, and they PASS.
Thanks for your input, some interesting points to consider. Will take your word for what a segment of the scientific community thinks about politics in a debate on global warming. A point of contention in what you have written though, you say "Joe Manchin was prepared to vote for 1.8 trillion of the BBB package", I say Manchin knew BBB was going no place anyway, he could say that. Talk in Washington D.C. has never been cheaper.
Wow, I really didn't expect anyone to reply to this.
Climate change is actually a very interesting issue We have 43 years of data, since accurate satellite measurements have been made, and the temperature of the troposphere has risen only 0.4 degrees in that time, but the way it is portrayed in the NYT (for the last 25 years) is that catastrophe is here, now! Well they were saying that in 1998, and they're saying it now, and I see absolutely no evidence for it. It must be remembered that volcanoes have been spewing vast amounts of CO2 for the last 4 billion years. Where did it all go ? Answer: mud at the bottom of the oceans. As you know, we have this extraordinarily unusual planet where, because of being at just the right distance from the sun, our planetary water has remained liquid, and it acts like a gigantic buffer (and no, the oceans are not becoming more acidic, despite what you read in the NYT).
In any case, it doesn't much matter, even if we are causing part of the warming, technology is solving the problem. Our planet will be much less polluted in a decade.
You make a good point about Manchin, and he probably is just another slimy, cynical pol. But what he asked for (understandably) was some back-pedaling from AOC. If she and Bernie and the rest of the Squad had done just that, I think he could have presented it to his constituents as a major victory, good for West Virginians (who want coal). And a decade from now coal will be dead anyway.
This is not right. Technology is not solving the problem at the rate we are causing the damage. Technology is the cause of the damage and it is not catching up at enough speed to solve it. The more technologically advanced we are the less planet we are having. The more computerized we are becoming the less conscious we are. The less conscious we are the more damage and consumption we engage in. And, water is not liquid because of the earth’s distance to the sun. And, volcanoes are erupting more because of the use of sulphuric injections in the stratosphere. And, the land in ny became eroded because of the type of soil, over plowing and man eradicating its natural animal fauna. And, should create serous policies to preserve what is left of the agricultural soil and rain forests if you want your family to eat past the next decade. Our children now are feeble and sickly a combination of our life style due to technology, due to
unconscious health approches and
due to removal of people from nature and it’s settings. Earth can balance itself in some of its larger cycles but the conservation of the soil and the water is our responsibility as famines and lack of water are happening right now. Science, technology and faulty data and assumptions are contributing to our demise because there is no greater danger than using ignorance as the basis of our solutions.
Finally (sorry for responding so many times), I am not a scientist. I’ve read about climate change many places, legit sources, and talked to people who know more. I haven’t read that book. I’ll look into it. But I guess I hope you’re right. I actually care about the fate of all the other creatures on earth most of all, and secondly, about the fate of art, as I am an artist and writer and care deeply about much that has come before and put my heart into working on my art as if it might last. It’s been hard. But I care most about non-human animals!
Throughout the history of the Earth there has been an ebb and flow of ice ages and warming trends. The question is not entirely have humans created this current warming period, but rather, have we significantly contributed to it by spewing trillions upon trillions of tons of carbon (and other pollutants) into the atmosphere? I believe we have contributed to the warming trend and we can buy a significant amount of time by reducing the pollution we’re emitting.
Transitioning to a more climate friendly energy system will be much, MUCH, less costly and devastating than the path we are currently on. So, aside from the petroleum industry losing profits, (which, if they had climbed aboard the “green energy” bandwagon in the beginning they would be receiving substantial returns on their investments by this time), it’s a win - win proposition.
Imagine what the size of the hole in the Ozone layer would be if we did nothing in the 1970’s? We were able to counter and reverse that issue, (under a Republican President, no less).
The lack of sense and sensibility today is absolutely astounding.
You’re correct, TODAY everything runs on fossil fuels. But that wasn’t always the way. In the 1800 mills we’re water powered and diesel was vegetable oil. Fossil fuels, once they became more easily and cheaply processed, became the default energy. There are steps we can take to revert to some of the “old ways”. But it’s an entirely different mindset than what we have become accustomed too.
If you need a good introduction to climate change, I recommend the book "Farewell to Ice" by Peter Wadhams. CO2 in the atmosphere absorbs long wavelength radiation (heat) from the earth, so more CO2 in the atmosphere causes more warming - that is basic physics. The CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is measured and it is increasing rapidly. The world emits 50 gigatonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere per year. Feedbacks (release of methane from melting tundra, burning of forests from drought, etc) release even more greenhouse gases. There is really no serious debate about this issue, it has been well understood for a very long time.
The real reason we won’t vote to do what is necessary to try to have an effect on climate change is that we have not been presented with practical and affordable ways to keep current levels of personal comfort or given a clear picture of what kind of lifestyle will bring us to net zero. Climate change is about chemical imbalance and the effects of that chemical imbalance are predictable and observable. Our lives will change whether we want them to or not. Wouldn’t it be better to try to steer the changes in directions we can live with. We also have very wealthy people who will stay with the status quo until we all live in misery. They believe they can somehow escape.
My point in the context of this discussion is that, as we imagine history, we should imagine devastation. The things we can do: not invest in companies involved with fossil fuels, vote, get others to vote. I care a lot about everyone’s equality and wellbeing (although I feel strongly we are always omitting animals from the creatures that should have well-being). I do think climate will make everything a whole lot worse, worse than the aggregate effect Trump has had, with the help of his party. I can barely make it in the world NOW. I’m screwed in the future, if we don’t act now. Why I’m saying this here.
And of course, I would beseech people to consider being a vegetarian or vegan. I’m technically a failed-vegan vegetarian. But they treat cows they milk even worse. And, methane. And, loss of a lot of land. There might be a way around the methane almost completely by feeding cows seaweed? That was something I learned on NPR like 2 years ago
I suggest you look through the Agenda 21 PDF if you haven’t already and read the Gates book on How to Solve a Climate Disaster. The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson and Termination Shock be Neal Stephenson. (or Stevenson) talk about what could happen if we wait too long.
Thanks. It’s hard to even read about climate oftentimes. Though I’m nowhere near uninformed, I could be better informed for convincing people. Although, maybe your reply was to someone else?
I agree that we should come up with something that isn’t the exact “Green New Deal”—any steps in the right direction we can do. But, I’m sorry, it’s pretty obvious and almost all scientists agree that CO2 heats up the planet and out monstrous use of it is disastrous, not only for us. We’ve also been cutting down forests that sequester carbon, and apparently the tipping point for the ocean’s heat to really have serious effect (for us—already does for other animals) is SOON. Governments across the world acknowledge this. NOAA acknowledges climate change as due to us. I can’t believe anyone is wasting their time trying to disprove this. The uptick really isn’t slight for most of the living creatures in the world. Earth’s balance is critical, as you know.
What I find interesting is scientists have discussed utilizing releasing carbon into the atmosphere of Mars to “terraform” (make Earth like) the planet for human occupation which consists pretty much of the same thing we’ve been doing on Earth since the Industrial Revolution, (albeit for Mars it would require a much hastier process.)
So, releasing vast amounts of carbon would heat up the planet of Mars but has zero effect on Earth?
Michael, you don't have to apologize to me for the length of your piece, I read all of it. I believe Americans care more about climate change and it will factor into their voting but you've convinced me I'm wrong on this. You made some very salient points that definitely hit home with me. So this issue ranks pretty low. I was cheered a bit by how you believe climate will be addressed and solved. Definitely not politicians, that's for sure. Thank you for taking the time to write this.
There is Realpolitik but it can cross a line to indefensible cruelty, calculated deception. But, dude, you can doubt anything. For example, I technically as a big phenomenology fan must always be agnostic as to whether the world exists. But, you have at least come to a conclusion in line also with phenomenological thinking: still, we have to act as though it does. Nobody could disprove Descartes. But you have to live.
I know currently that climate is a losing issue, and it is deeply saddening. It’s not like there won’t be economic turmoil like no other in fifty years. But people—including moi—are selfish and only think about tomorrow.
One thing I am saying is I’m just really happy that anyone even responded to my post about climate, or is talking about it when Trump’s fate is the ostensible topic! 🫶🏻
I appreciate the distinction between acknowledging (or not) climate change and its importance to voters. While important, it’s not at the top of my list.
My optimistic self (very bruised at this point) says we will reverse the trend at mid-terms! My cynical self (snarky more often) sees more of the same we have now. The young people MUST vote and the Dems need youthful leadership to lead the way. Let's be optimistic and get out the vote!!
I agree with your analysis. Another big problem is that the Democrats don’t seem to have a younger leader ready and able to be elected President in 2024. We need a leader old enough to have learned through life experiences and young enough to have full energy and be more connected with the younger people in our country, who, after all, are the future. I hope that President Biden recognizes this and helps the right younger person become the Democratic nominee instead of running again himself.
I agree; I think we need a hitherto unknown to suddenly appear, like the governor of a small southern state or that community organizer from Chicago. Both proved to be disappointing in many ways, but I never felt utter despair with them in the WH the way I did when DJT squatted there. They came seemingly from nowhere, blazed like stars in the night sky, and took our breath away. We need that sort of firebrand now. Where is he/she? I don't know but I have my fingers crossed.
I think that Biden was elected with the realistic expectation that he wasn't ol' Tweety. I think his approval rating has fallen because of unrealistic expectations concerning what is constitutionally possible to accomplish as president. There's also an unrealistic expectation that the current crop of Republicans will >ever< approve of >anything< >any< Democrat will do in office. (Indeed, the >general< polls >never< identify the political affiliation break-down of the respondents polled, while treating the outcome as if the polls' respondents are politically independent. Approval ratings by party affiliation give a clearer picture.)
I personally hope Biden does not even run. In my opinion, as an outsider, the Dems need to move away from the Center, and aim about 8 o'clock to the left, if not more. American caspitalism is failing the workers, and just about everyone else too. America needs not only a wealth tax, but also to either put a cap on election spending, or give every politician a set amount of money from a mixed fund of political contributions. In other words, those who want to donate to election funding donate into a non-partisan fund from which each politician can withdraw up to, but not over, that set amount. Obviously a lot of corporations will stop donating, but that can be countered by designating a definite percentage of the monies from the wealth tax directly into the Electioneering War Chest. How the funds will be distributed and to who will take a lot of skill, no doubt, but if the two parties, and Independent representatives do not work together, then the fund gets frozen until they do. The point is for everyone to have adequate funding, but just enough to campaign without going overboard on spending. This will also allow less wealthy people to run for office snd still have a reasonable chance of winning.
Why do I suggest that Biden not even run? Because while he is a nice guy, and leaders of nations cannot really be "nice guys" in our current social and political situations. In order to help the average American, whatever "average" is allowed to mean, capitalism must be tamed and brought under govermment control. Administration salaries, profit percentages, where government spends its monies, all those things and more need a total overhaul, and "rich white evangelicsls" cannot be allowed to remain in control of how everyone else lives. Biden does not appear to have the courage of convicton needed to accomplish these types of changes. America needs someone who can create real change.
Thsnks for csring. While I was born in Canada, I am a child of the universe. All people matter to me. All l8ving beings matter to me. Just so you know.
I still want to see you get a good government, and get rid of those political imposters. Just because I cannot vote where you live does not mean I cannot fight for you. And I have no intention of voting illegally. That would desttoy my credibility.
I. reluctantly, have come to the conclusion that one party, the Republicans, have earned we, the people's NO CONFIDENCE vote. They have become a party of manipulators; heartless, cruel demagogues; autocrats; liars, cheats, and all-around
no-goodniks.
However, I reluctantly, have also come to the conclusion that the Democrats are behind-the scenes aiders and abettors of the status quo, saying one thing and doing another. President Biden (and Kamala Harris) have repeatedly refused to use the power they have to intervene in the outrageous overreach occurring at the state level, in primarily Republican-run states, but also in some Democrat-run states. President Biden has the U.S. Constitution's Guarantee Clause he is required by the word SHALL in its wording, to invoke to ensure a Republic style of democracy in every state. What is a Republic style of democracy? One where the power is vested in the people; one where the people choose their representatives; one where representatives only govern by consent of the governed; one where the will of the people prevails. State after state no longer operate as Republics, yet our President takes no action to enforce the U.S. Constitution's Guaarantee Clause. Pundits say the Guarantee Clause was written for another time and was never meant to curtail state power. Really? I think a strong case can be made that it is a clear mandate to our federal government to intervene when and if the states deny a Republic form of democracy to their constituents, as many currently do. It takes political will and courage to intervene in the current over-reach by the states who are engaging in partisan and racial gerrymandering; repeated violations of state constitutions, the rule of law, and the will of the people as expressed in referenda legislation; and in votersuppressiom and election subversion. President Biden could also convene a Citizens Roundtable, which meets virtually on a monthly or quarterly schedule and is action-oriented to keep the President aware of the issues confronting the American People and how they must be resolved, so he never loses sight of why he was elected and by whom. President Biden also has the power to intervene in the states through the power granted in the statement: the states have the power to determine the manner, time, and place of elections, BUT, the federal government may override such, if necessary. (I am paraphrasing). That is what the Freedom to Vote Act was all about, in my opinion. He does not need Congress's vote to intervene when the states are denying access to the ballot box through voter suppression tactics, nor carrying out the will of the people by employing election subversion tactics. Do these federal state intervention abilities need guardrails written in law? Of course. Not all Presidents are able to.handle their power well. Ther must be parameters, IN LAW, which delineate when and how such intervention in the states can occur. But surely, when states are denying a Republic form of democracy...whether that is in the decions made about manner, place, and time of elections; through voter suppression or election subversion; or in violations of the rule of law or in violations of state Constitutions in their respective states, the power of the federal government has to intervene on behalf of the people is already present and should be invoked.
Donna Plunkett ; Very interesting. It seems there are many laws that are not enforced or have been unused or misinterpreted. What's a voter to do? Any legal scholars here want to weigh in?
I will never support a Republican for any office, but no longer support Joe Biden - all he did this year was kiss Joe Manchin's ass and Manchin blocked progress at every turn - to hell with bipartisanship and all that let's be friends nonsense. He also didn't DEMAND that Congress ban assault rifles - what B.S !! Biden has proved to be just another "politician" and either doesn't know or want to learn how to turn the screws to get things done.
Dee Long ; He doesn't want to upset the applecart (his friends in the Senate and other places). It's possible in this current lawless climate that he wants to get out alive and see his family unharmed.
Definitely! It would be great to see some moxie! Try some Commander in Chief things, like an executive freaking order to halt the killing of our children and other defenseless people!
Well, how would he do it? It has to be within the law, and the 2nd amendment is not going anywhere with this Supreme Court. I do think he’ll do what he can…I just recall Trump sending in those troops against the Portland protesters. It was terrible, and a bad look, especially to Democrats. Biden can’t wage war on his own people like that, not that I assume that’s what you mean.
He can’t demand anything right now. He does not have an upper hand on the Senate due to its composition. Are 10 Republicans going to vote yea? Highly unlikely. It would make him look even worse. Instead, he made the moral case eloquently and with hope, but knowing bitter resignation.
I sincerely hope that people see the light and realize that improving their collective quality of life, economic or otherwize, does not lie wiith Republicans.
Thank you, Sir: Once again, you made excellent points. However you did not address the question that you postulated at the start of your talk- “How can Biden get re-elected?”
I would like to reference some of the comments that I made a week ago or so to a similar query- which I believe few people saw because they were late in the cycle:
Other than Biden keeping a focus on the fact that the House passed a measure to increase the age to buy semi-automatic weapons and high capacity magazines, keys for Biden to be re-elected will be:
A) Garland must follow through with the prosecution of the Jan. 6th perps after announcing the demarcation of the line that must be crossed before a President should rightfully be charged with a crime for acts taken while president (as American politicians have lived in a bubble that rightfully must continue to ensure that the judiciary is not used for political purposes- as Trump certainly did): When a sitting President breaks so many ethics rules and then, from the evidence, plots to subvert democracy, and policemen die as a result of an attempted coup, there must be repercussions to ensure it will never happen again.
B) Putin’s rationalizations in Ukraine have stemmed from his initial rationalization for attacking Ukraine in 2014 - to arm the terrorist separatists in Eastern Ukraine to seize Ukrainian territory that Putin now seeks to annex-clearly to benefit from those initial terrorist acts. In light of that fact, Putin’s announcing that he will be targeting new things in Ukraine if America sends the advanced missile systems that can take out the Russian artillery makes it time for Biden and Blinkin to break the stalemate in Ukraine by proclaiming a countdown to declaring Russia a State Supporter of Terrorism. To avoid that, Russia must not only cease and desists from targeting civilians but must pull out of ALL Ukrainian territory, return Ukrainian citizens, and compensate for the damages Russia has caused. Perhaps 6 months would be a good target, but with one hour removed for every tank or artillery shell fired; a day for each further Ukrainian death, a day for every rocket, and a week for every missile that lands on a Ukrainian city or civilian target; a month or more for the use of banned weaponry, and an immediate terrorism designation for using nuclear or vacuum weapons. This should provide a powerful incentive because the only way that Russia is likely to shake a terrorism categorization once proclaimed would be by a regime change.
C) Biden should push for legislation to decrease drug prices and otherwise improve Obamacare coverage, with hardship insurance subsidies, and expanded coverage for non-pharmaceutical care-chiropractic and herbal, and other traditional healthcare, and dramatically improve childcare, child nutrition, and for after-school programs, and
D) for Biden to talk about how we need to insure that the Republicans will not be able to destroy healthcare or Social Security, or to increase taxes on the poor and middle class, and to close the loopholes for the rich, and that federal banks need to pay state taxes, just like everyone else, with increased minimum taxation on the rich, and provide economic rewards for carpool clubs for commuters using electric vehicles, thus cutting traffic and gasoline prices
E) For Democrats to start using terms like Moscow Mitch, and asking why people are still listening to Fox, Trump, and Carlson with the question- What will it take for you to wake up to the fact that you are being lied to, over-and over again?
F) Do Op-eds of open letters to Carlson, and Trump, and the Goofy-Over-Putin (GOP) Party asking them why they have undermined the American position in the world, preach on behalf of tyranny even while their hero, Putin, is committing atrocities to subjugate the People of Ukraine, and why did Trump cozy up to North Korea and try to destroy NATO, and harm our allies, and our diplomatic corps, and keep his talks with Putin secret, and destroy the nuclear deal that was keeping Iran from gaining nuclear weapons, and leave office with America so weakened by his actions that Putin believed he could walk into Ukraine and American would do nothing, because he knew that he had Trump, Carlson, and the Fox propaganda machine working on his behalf?
In short, it is time to stop playing nice-guy so the worm can turn.
* Biden should also push for a federal election integrity law where there be a presumption of fraud against the people of the United States if a State Official fails to certify an election without evidence of voter fraud or sufficient credibility to stand up in court and to have changed the result, and such an act caused a result contrary to the total popular vote of the nation.
I appreciate the comment about young people. It’s just so frustrating that many demand things he’s not really in control of, that our education system didn’t somehow get through the power of Congress, that many of them (and many older people) don’t understand the dynamics of the Senate, especially at present.
I’m a huge, huge proponent of prioritizing climate change over all else, and the bigger the bill the better in theory. But demanding the Green New Deal seems to have gotten people’s hopes so up when it’s sadly preposterously unlikely—unless they come out and vote! Politics is maddening! Corporate greed and its hold on politicians is crazy to me! Why are people who went into public service so corruptible?!?!? And the simplifying media continues to amplify Biden’s ratings and blame him unfairly, as far as I can see. AARGH!
A fair number of politicians did not go into public service. They went into self service. Their whole reason for running for office is to make money for themselves. My congressman just wanted to be in office, running for office, any office. He has no concern for our district which is mostly rural and poor.
JennSH from NC ; It's a self defeating thing to have to raise big money, and in order to do it, get 'bought'. So anyone with high aims ends up being a pawn of the wealthy, and a traitor to the Common Good.
Young people spent four years listening to the media telling them how dangerous it was to have Trump in power in the white house. How it was an existential threat. How powerful the presidency is.
Now they see oh shucks Joe Biden - telling people he can't do anything while getting a 40 billion dollar military bill passed in 3 weeks - with only a single person - a republican concerned - or expressing concern about how the money will be spent. Endless war is never questioned. No one stopping military spending bills asking how will we pay for it.
Lot of young people with massive student loans working in jobs not requiring degrees wondering about Bidens campaign pledge to forgive student debt 2 years later. Lots of people wanting and needing 15$ min wage.
Democrats can perform for the donors like Biden allowing Medicare premiums to go up on seniors - but not for the people becuase of "bad guys" in the senate.
We do not trust them - we do not believe they have our interests at heart.
I find it interesting that people who are so upset by stagnant wages, little healthcare availability, and inflation will vote for people (in this case Republicans) who would prefer to see them all working for nothing or as close to it as possible), fending for themselves when it comes to healthcare coverage, skipping college because "it isn't for everyone, you know," paying taxes so the rich won't have to, and more. I think the problems we Democrats have, in addition to those described by Dr. Reich include believing in this nation and our ability to stand up together as Americans, convincing ourselves that unions really are worth the struggle, recognizing that workers like farmers are so essential we need to stop taking their work for granted, and shouting from the rooftops that our children are truly precious enough to make us do whatever is necessary to insure their future. We also have a challenge with our current media that know what will happen to most of them if an autocracy happens here, yet still give Republicans/conservatives (who have no positive, helpful ideas), a greater voice than they deserve. I am not concerned yet whether Joe Biden will run again for a second term or can win. We have a lot of ground to cover before then if we are to preserve our democracy. I like the idea that Biden should produce now, a lot of executive orders for things we as a nation need. It will take time for the challenges to get through the courts and in the meantime, we could be working seriously to stop global warming, to getting apprentice programs going for our young people, offering incentives for communities that are developing new strategies for positive community safety, better protecting our public lands, dealing with waste, and so much more. People will come to want those programs and start demanding them. We Dems need to take the lead instead of just reacting to what Republicans do and say. We already know they have nothing but conflict, division, blaming, and shirking responsibility to offer. We can do better. Let's prove it! R.Sheets
"The fact is America is in a stronger economic position today than just about any other country in the world." Joe Biden June 7.
We're Number One!
Hm
Sadly, Biden can't even fire the postmaster purchasing a new fossil-fuel truck fleet and undermining mail-in voting.
And, the Summit of the Americas seems destined to be another embarrassment for Biden. Despite Harris visiting Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala (supposedly showing how the US values them & wants to work with them), they boycotted the summit because Biden excluded Cuba, Venezuela & Nicaragua (...even though Biden wants Venezuelan oil).
FL presidential electoral votes are no longer available to Democrats. Why are the Democrats stuck in Clinton- and Gore-era policies whereby Cuban-exile votes in Miami (& Bergen County, NJ) might influence whether FL (& NJ) votes Blue or Red?
Consider the alternative.
BTW I live in Florida. The only reason Trump carried the state and brought coattails with him is that the pandemic kept Democrats from going door to door. Still Biden carried Miami Dade County. 17,000 members of Cubanos por Biden on Facebook. Younger voters and tenants trend 70% democratic. We trend high for national gun standards. We have a red flag law. Trend opposed to elimination of Roe v Wade by more than 60%.
DeSantis' negatives are extremely high. Florida undercounted COVID cases and deaths, failed to get test results, state audit says.
Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/.../article262212557.html...
Dead Republicans can't vote.
I've traveled to FL often to visit in-laws. I was there last Fall, for our niece's wedding. Few people wore masks, and the roads were full of MAGA bumper stickers. DeSantis may have won by a narrow amount, but he's restricted voting so that won't happen again.
Biden can destroy Cuban totalitarian regime in a few weeks via baseball and tourism diplomacy. There is no crime for American tourists to fear, and beach resorts are affordable. Cubans are highly educated. I went there in 1994. Just don't let the Cuban gov't shuttle tourists straight to exclusive resorts. The more they see Americans spending without restraint, the more they'll protest their gov't's restrictions on them, and the faster their gov't will change.
30 years ago there were enough Cuban exiles who would demand no easing of the embargo unless they get their family houses and businesses returned. This is not a factor anymore. So, just flood Cuba with exposure to American $$! Let their doctors come to the US to alleviate our strained hospitals, so they can send their salaries back to their families, and those $$ will undermine Cuban gov't controls further.
You've conflated the facts and confused the issues.
Plenty of Cuban Democrats. If we get the 770,734 unregistered likely Democratic women on board, with younger voters and renters, we can swamp them.
The GOP owns the FL statehouse. DeSantis drew his own districts to reduce Democratic Congressional Reps and FL state office holders. FL couldn't even elect any state-wide Democrats after people marched from Parkland, and Bloomberg paid ex-felons' court fees after FL tried to suppress their vote. DeSantis punished Disney because it objected to his egomania & hystrionics.
Why did Biden think it was a good idea to refuse Cuba participation in the Summit of the Americas?? Why did he stick with a bad idea when it was obvious it was failing? Mexico's leader's boycott, and Venezuela's leader's trip to Turkey upstaged Biden.
With Cuba, it seems the US hangs on to an ineffective embargo for futile political reasons, whereas removing the embargo could lead its well-educated people to overthrow their leaders. Biden should have invited all leaders from this hemisphere.
All good ideas. Time for this nation to move on. Russia is too busy with Ukraine to interfere too much as USA courts Cubans. The more USANs show up on vacation, the less room for those who diss Cuba. The one problem I see is that those in power in Cuba will not be happy about Americans getting too chummy with the Cuban people.OTOH, At least it's reasonably close to US shores, so the travel costs should be easier for the less well-heeled of us to afford. Unless the cruise/air industry sticks it to us in the pocketbook. Time for we ordinary folks to send letters to Biden/ Not post cards. They are too easily extracted from the mail flow by ppl who dont want to see Biden succeed at anydamnthing.
That is the same sentiments that many of my Cuban co-workers have expressed to me.
I worked in South Florida and had several Cuban co-workers that were basically democrats but did not want their older family members to know. As you know two Spanish speaking radio stations were or are being purchased in Miami, by an organization that has contacts with the democratic party. The Cuban Republicans are very displeased about this purchase. I think it was a very good idea to purchase these two radio stations.
No Florida news to speak of here in the western Carolinas. Le's hope this radio plan works, unlike the last big media try by the dems.
(Save the manatees!)
I totally agree about Clinton and Obama. The Democratic Party's embrace of neoliberalism won them Wall Street donors and elections but cost them their soul. I hope Biden leads them back to it before it is lost for good because, once it is gone, so is America's democracy and greatness.
There was nothing inevitable about a "war on terror" - and especially not as a guise for extreme interventionist policies bordering on adventurism (is it really fair to blame Clinton & Obama for such maladministration of our country's international interests?)...
It does not matter that it be fair, as far as they are concerned. Repuglycans now openly lie, cheat and steal because their base will take anything they say as truth. Just listening to their crap makes me sick. There used to be a bit of hobesty in politics. No more!
No.
Maybe they knew as much - like, *a little* (e.g. erring to a bit of courage about Somalia/Yugoslavia in the case of the former & Libya in the case of the latter - say with both assuming posterity to have a fair shot in putting paid to it properly)... but it would have been difficult to anticipate the rise of extreme partisanship a la naked obstructionism (73+ votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Merrick Garland Supreme Court nomination, etc.) & then Trumpism generally...
(Imagine: how much would you set to do if you knew your rivals were planning to succumb to mental illness & murder their own reputations?)
Not much.....is that the correct answer? LOL
Praying for peace is the only answer (here's to better days ahead)...
= )
I'm not a Biden fan. I don't think he has a persuasive, captivating, leader's personality, so I think he's not maximizing potential for Democrats. Still, I don't see how any voter looking for truth and fact couldn't recognize that the reason Biden can't accomplish much is the Senate, and the reason for high gas prices and inflation is corporate greed. When the GOP is responsible for obstructing Biden and is pro-corporate greed and anti-democracy, how the whole situation could translate into "vote Republican," I can't comprehend. Except unfortunately, I guess I can. Scary situation. I fervently hope Democrats find ways to overcome Biden's personality and communictions shortcomings.
Mo777Jet ; I still think it's unlikely that the majority will vote for the Republicans. They are the party of lethal attacks on our children, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Women and decency in general. They have no platform and as Moscow Mitch has said they will tell us what their 'platform' is after they 'win' the election. Only an ignorant masochist would want to be dominated and terrorized by them.
I do hope Republicans won't win in November, but alas, so many Americans vote against their own interests, for people who care nothing for them or their issues. I don't understand it, but it is real.
To win, need to get out Democrats.
Want to change minds? Speak the language of benefits.
For example, Beware. Medicare Advantage may be a scam. It's a Republican plot. Medicare Advantage allows for-profit health insurers to offer privatized benefits through Medicare,
Find people who have been screwed and publicize them.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a report that found that Medicare managed care organizations frequently inappropriately deny medically necessary care to tens of thousands of people enrolled in private Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Advantage can become expensive if you're sick, due to uncovered copays. Additionally, a plan may offer only a limited network of doctors, which can interfere with a patient's choice. It's not easy to change to another plan. If you decide to switch to a Medigap policy, there often are lifetime penalties.
Medicare's reasons for denial can include: Medicare does not deem the service medically necessary. A person has a Medicare Advantage plan, and they used a healthcare provider outside of the plan network.
Trump created another privatization experimental plan that can also catch the unwary in a bind.
Hoping the Biden administration catches on to it.
Daniel, Ruth and Laurie: Medicare Advantage is a wonderful scam, advertised widely. I know it well, and, as a practicing physician, do not take it because it is a scam and a nightmare.
Beware of the guy who wants to sell you the bridge to Brooklyn.
Michael H., Thank you so much for confirming my suspicions about Medicare Advantage. I have wanted to hear specifically from a doctor, but have not been able to find anyone that would give me an opinion about it. I can tell you I have been dogged for over a year by phone & text msg by those scam ins agents! I refused to fall for their advertised enticements of dental, eye & hearing coverage & I now know I did the right thing—stayed with my original Medicare using Tricare for Life as our second payer & for RXs. Many medical offices have asked me if I had Medicare Advantage & seemed shocked when I said No. I have also heard about some clinics changing peoples Medicare plans unbeknownst to them to a Medicare Advantage Plan. That should be grounds for fraud & a lawsuit. tRump even took $30 billion out of Medicare with the idea to force people into a privatized plan according to Social Security Works organization. I’m wondering if medical staffs are having trouble getting claims paid also & then having to push more onto the pt pay side ??
Thanks. BTW, Namath and I went to different high schools together,
Daniel Solomon ; Thank you for pointing this out. There are still plenty of us Baby Boomers who would benefit knowing this before they are enrolled and 'stuck'. Good 'Ammo' too!
I've got a million of them.
Most veterans are unaware that according to Republicans, they're takers.
Dead beat MAGA dads need the $300/child per month in BBB.
Republicans (like Rick Scott, Romney) undermine the SSA, Medicare trust funds.
Mitt Romney has taken 19 million bucks from the NRA!
You know about this,....apparently. I'm guessing here, and wiling to stand corrected, but why are you not writing letters to the editor and op-ed pieces for the newspapers? I always sensed that Advantage was a slimy option. Guess I was right to stick with the old and proven ways. I dont like change, anyway, but when it comes to the govt, I'm all for wise change. It's just a matter of having an instinct for questionable propositions.
Ruth Sheets ; There is a reason that a famous 60's bumper sticker was "Kill your Television"!
Brainwashing on radio/tv over the last 60 +/- years has worked. Dems slept through it all and woke to an entirely new world. Lulled since the 1930s. Apparently they believed that old saw "History is bunk." So they slept though the gradual sleezy, but effective, takeover. I cannot believe I sometimes have dreams about an armed revolution and all that . And me a pacifist, too.
People want to vote for a 'winner' no matter how the 'win' ends.
Sadly, when Dark Money props up religious leaders who tell poorly educated congregants they'll Go to Hell if they vote for politicians who confirm judges who allow legal abortions, these people vote against all their other self-interests.
And, there are too many flawed Democrats in office. Dems want women to vote for them, because we're the pro-choice party, yet Democrats don't take decisive action against sexual abuse (see: https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/An-investigation-found-a-coworker-touched-her-17223175.php?cmpid=gsa-sfgate-result)
Republicans have it easier cuz their solutions are to stop government from doing stuff. And they don’t seem to have morals, so they don’t even try to represent what they’ve done and results. Ayayay!
Hispanic people are not all from the same places and stuff and vote differently. Unfortunately, a good percentage is swayable by Trump types, also cuz they’re often Catholics. I’m NOT an expert. Just we can’t expect that people care about mean comments over (economic) policies
What if dems kept punching the R'thugs by lets to ed. Each one send one. Letters every week hitting the points for/from all the groups you mention.
This is a country full of "ignorant masochists" who don't recognize the designation. Their heads are full of tv/radio/internet propaganda, which stunts the brain, turning ppl into those "sheep" dems are accused of being..They beat their own heads with hammers.
As my little kids used to say :"takes one to know one" except when observant adult ppl see the big picture and know the facts. Which llumination we tend not to explain to kids too young to "get it." Am I making sense or has the destruction of the nation as i know it warped my thinking?
I’m 67, aware of how my own faculties are slowly diminishing. I’m also a nurse of 45 yrs- I know a dottering old man when I see one - he got my vote once, he won’t get it again. The Dems need to correct their cephalrectal inversion and forget 2 terms and get behind strong candidate NOW. Or we’re all screwed
I would take the 'Doddering old man' over the Seditious party man. He does a better job than I could of discussing complex things, and he is older than me. He is up against Treachery and lots of ill gotten gains. The party of Sedition!
Changing 'horses in mid stream' is risky in an already challenging event. Unless there appears a very strong candidate. I wonder who that might be?
Oh, oops, see my comment above. I’m for Jamie Raskin, at the moment.
Jamie Raskin?? My fave in the last election was Cory, but maybe it’s not his time yet due to the utter hostility toward Obama. I don’t think people like Kamala, but they’re kind of in a bind due to her title and precedent. I don’t think Kamala comes across as warm, at least to me. I mean, I wouldn’t either, it’s just an impression, but warmth is a good for being elected. Nonetheless we need everyone to vote for any Democrat to save our country and the PLANET.
Plain vanilla, or coup?
Not a difficult choice indeed.
Why have to settle for such uninspiring choices, though?
Nicely put. I’m a bigger fan of current Biden, but the rest. YUP
Republicans have a loyal base, that is too large to ignore or take lightly.
Their base will vote Republican no matter what. They have proven that with tRump.
If Democrats can't get their base to show up at the polls, the Republicans WILL win.
The second problem is Republicans not only have a loyal base but they are not ashamed to use strategies to de-incentivize Democratic voters.
Third, the Republican base is not affected when their leaders face criticism (legitimate or not). The Democratic base removes their votes when their leaders face criticism (sometimes even just the possibility of wrong doing can end a political career).
Republicans appear to be more committed to face criticism and more willing to use imagination, ingenuity and hard work to win.
Alas, what Republicans actually use are lying, cheating, conspiracy theorizing, fearmongering, voter intimidation, and a bit of effort. They do have a long game strategy that has helped them a lot and they have a captive audience through ?Fox "News" and they have to actually do very little to get what they want.
True but we can overcome all that and voter preclusion, operation crosscheck, "caging" and outright voter intimidation and fraud. In order to win, we need to FLIP four Senate races in Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Field Team 6 has millions of unregistered likely Democratic women in a database from these states, and we need to reach all of them to help them get registered and vote for pro-choice, pro-woman Democrats.
North Carolina
525,337 Unregistered Likely Democratic Women
Florida
770,734 Unregistered Likely Democratic Women
Wisconsin
385,213 Unregistered Likely Democratic Women
Pennsylvania
595,734 Unregistered Likely Democratic Women
Help!!! Contact Mervis Reissig: merv4peace@gmail.com
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
Great!
Melvern Williams ; I keep remembering the fact that Biden won, even though many people wished we had a stronger choice, because the Republican was definitely inferior. I think that will happen again. The Republican party is the party of weapons of war killing our children, the Party of Putin, the party that bans books, and the teaching of History and science. It is a travesty of Justice that money affects Primaries and therefore, our choices.
Melvern, I can’t agree that the Rethugs have a loyal base, ie the Lincoln Project folks who have formally left the GOP & become Independents or Dems. These are prominent GOP folks working to bring more fellow Rs away from the Sedition Party & I really hope they do a fantastic job of it! However, living in KY the past 35 years, a strong Bible Belt red state, I’ve come to realize the rural & poorly educated people in this state DO NOT care about issues other than revoking Roe v Wade & will vote on autopilot every time for the Rethug Party bec they say they are conservatives & will vote for whomever is running regardless of their fitness for office! It just blows my mind how they vote against their best interests every single time! I’ve given up trying to convince any of our 4 sons or their wives to reconsider how they cast their votes & to read up more on candidates’ platforms. Who has time for that they say, we are just living our lives the best we can & hoping for the best outcome! I’m ashamed of their total disregard for Wash & EVEN state politics saying they don’t believe it affects their daily life so why worry about it! I guess once all the Baby Boomers are dead & gone they will deserve whatever kind of gov they inherit!!
Rethug ... haha ... I like it.
Regarding the youth, I believe as they grow older they will begin to see the connection to politics and their everyday lives. They begin to notice the connection around age 35. Now in what political direction they will go is another question.
I believe the disconnect is promoted in the American culture. The established powers and large firms don't want an informed electorate.
Well they are all well past that 35 mark, Mid 40’s & beginning the 50s! None are wealthy but have fairly secure jobs that weathered the Pandemic. Only one is a continual renter & I don’t see that changing. They simply go with the majority of folks @ church I guess! Never seem to know what’s going on or care about Wash politics & really hate it when I share anything I believe they should know. A couple of them listen to talk radio @ work & believe what they hear without question if it sounds right. I was so happy when I learned Rush Limbaugh had died bec a couple thought he was the man? Yea, a dangerous man I told them! I’ve just given up, they should know better but would rather agree with their crowd! Our world will be changing for the worst when Gen X folks start taking over!!
The Democratic Party must return to the party of the 1930's through the 1960's
We need to shuck big donors, corporate leaders and return to the middle class majority. I have stuck with the Democrats since 1967, but recently as the lesser of two evils. While I deplore the apathy of the voters, it's easy to understand their despair. In both parties, moreso in retrumplicans, their main interest seems to be staying in power at any cost. So, they sell their souls, and lower our standard of living, in order to retain that power. If Biden wants to be reelected in 2024, he must forget his longtime friends in the Senate and push hard to end the filibuster. Then he must push to end the endless pursuit of money for the numerous PACs
He needs to convince the Democratic Party to represent ALL the citizens of the USA ignoring the deep pocketed donors. We don't need never ending TV ads, we need good, honest, politicians who keep us informed every step of the way
We also need a Senate rule that NO bill can get put in any Senators desk, never debated, never put to a vote.
Haha with some foreign policy exceptions. But really, it’s the Senate that’s our biggest problem, and gerrymandering. You can’t be an effective party if you have another side playing political games at the expense of the people because it doesn’t even matter to their supporters.
The Senate is certainly our biggest problem and a problem I don't think the Framer's of the Constitution anticipated, According to the Federalist Papers and modern historians of that time period. The landed "Gentlemen" had little faith in the intellectual capacity of the non-landholders. Hence the Senate having two Senators representing each State were elected for longer terms of service and were expected to control the impulses of the more 'radical' House of Representatives. When there were only thirteen (or even 20) States this worked well. What the Founding Fathers did not perceive was the current status of our Nation where the huge majority of Citizens live in very few States, in large urban centers, primarily on both coasts. Because each State is guaranteed two Senators, regardless of population, we have ended with a very small minority of the Citizens in total control of the Senate. Today it makes no sense that California, the most populous State in the Union has the same number of Senators as Montana or any other small State. This leaves us with a meaningless body of legislators who simply prevent any bill from passing if it has anything of importance. Instead of the tyranny of the majority, we have the tyranny of the minority, And worse, there is nothing we can do about it. We cannot amend the Constitution to rectify the situation because Article V states: "The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution............(includes 2/3 of the States...........when ratified by three fourths of the several States............................................... Good luck with tampering with the minority's strangle hold o the majority of us.
Yup, absolutely. And don’t forget DC! And Puerto Rico! And other “territories”! DC I recall reading is more populous than Montana!
You are correct. And their pitch is, "No taxation without representation". In 1974 Congress unfolded enough to allow the City of Washington to elect its own Mayor and disrict reps. The problem is two things: 1 DC residents are overwhelmingly registered Democrats and 2 (and this also spplies to Puerto Rico) they are NOT overwhelmingly white. This certainly does not bother those of SubStack community, but it definitely does bother the white supremists of the GOP
Yeah. Of course, Democrats wouldn’t have an agenda of making them states if they were clearly majority Republican…
Yep, we're always the villains in every retrumplican scenario. Frankly, i think it unjust, unfair, and downright disgusting, that 725,000 people are disenfranchised, for "the crimes of being darkskinned Democrats". I sign every petition to give DC Statehood, but in the present hateful attitude of the minority I don't see much chance. Look at the Equal Rights Amendment. A little better than half the population of United Stares are females, and yet we've never been able to get that ratfied. All it says are women are entitled to equal rights under the law, yet we cannot get 38 States to agree to sign it.
Excellent piece, particularly on the dismal corporate display of the Obama presidency, to which Biden had a front row seat. One tiny criticism, if I may, from the perspective of a liberal scientist who wants progressive societal change, and who has studied and thought about climate change for the last 20 years: the tacit assumption that sufficient numbers of American voters care enough about climate change that they will move elections.
They do not and will not. Understandably, perhaps, what Americans most care about is inflation and gas prices. Reagan in 1982, like Biden in 2022, was hit by both items, which helps explain the similarity of their presidential ratings, despite the gross dissimilarity of their worldview.
Which brings me back to climate change. As a scientist, I disagree with my liberal friends in one thing alone: I'm agnostic on the issue of whether human beings are having a significant impact on the slight upward fluctuation of global temperature in the last century. Unknown to most liberals is that there is a vigorous scientific debate about this, and with very good reason - which I can happily explain if there is any interest.
The reason I bring this up, at the risk of finding myself on the ash heap of your blog, is that I want your readers and you, especially, to just consider the possibility that climate change policies are a losing issue.
I agree with Paul Krugman up to a point: even if there is scientific doubt about the causes of global warming, we should err on the side of assuming that human beings are causing it, because the economic costs are so low, and the potential societal costs of ignoring it are so high.
But in the world of realpolitik things are different. If human beings are indeed causing global warming, the problem will continue to be solved by technology. Windmills, solar power and EVs are all happening now. Diesel will soon be banned in Paris, and by 2030, I believe, we will have a greener, much less polluted planet. And all of this will happen without the meddling of politicians.
Which brings me back to realpolitik, and the reason we have lost some very tangible benefits in the last year. Joe Manchin was prepared to vote for $1.8 trillion of the BBB package, and might have been persuaded to go higher, if we had loosened up a little on the Green New Deal. But no! GND was just too perfect to be held hostage by a corrupt coal magnate. So guess what? BBB, as I predicted, ended up in the crapper. [By the way, to my knowledge, none of the politicians in the "progressive wing" is a scientist. May I suggest the book of my friend and colleague, Franco Battaglia, endorsed by 1,000 scientists, including Nobel Laureates, "There is no Climate Emergency"].
With apologies for this lengthy piece, and in the full knowledge that I will likely be ignored by your readers.
Michael Hutchinson ; Ask farmers if they care about climate change. Ask anyone who lives on either coast or even near an inlet or river near a coastal area. Miami is flooding now even when there is no storm or full moon high tide. Windstorms are getting more fierce just about everywhere. My sister lives in International Falls MN near Rainy Lake. there was a 'bumper crop' of snow this past winter which melted into a flood that is affecting the whole region and will affect people for weeks to come. Here in the Northeast 'Temperate rainforest' we have tree blights coming up from Southern states that are causing bark to fall off the trees and there is so much 'deadfall' in the forests it can't be removed quickly enough. We have had too many fire danger warnings in the spring ; It's a matter of time before we have a great fire with all the fuel that will burn in the next drought. Lake Meade in the west cannot support farms anymore and ranchers have sold out their herds for lack of water. Eventually, this all could threaten food supplies, if it has not already.
See my response to DW. I didn't say global warming is not occurring, I just said it REALLY is not clear that we are contributing to it in any significant way (despite what you read in the NYT). Very large climate fluctuations have been going on for many centuries (remember the dust bowl a century ago?) and also long before the industrial revolution, and all of this is well documented. I remember with a smile a reporter from Portland Oregon on TV last year, where on one day the temperature hit 120 degrees. "We haven't had temperatures like this since 1940!" And the volcanoes (see my response to DW)...and the Vikings colonizing what they called Greenland, because it was then warm and arable.... and so on, etc., etc.
My point was just that, even if we are contributing significantly to global warming, technology is continuing to move us forward, from coal, to oil, to natural gas, to solar panels, windmills and electric vehicles. We will have a greener, much less polluted planet in a decade, with or without the tirades of AOC.
Meanwhile, because of these liberal antics, we have lost BBB.
Michael Hutchinson ; Liberal 'antics' is what created the United States of America, and formed our attempt at "A More Perfect Union" of such. "Democracy of , by and for the People". It's messy and humans make mistakes. We can solve them too, if we are honest.
Michael Hutchinson ; The dust bowl was man made. It wasn't until it blew into Washington and literally into the windows of the building lawmakers were as they were having a debate on whether to finance planting the types of grasses in the plains that would stave off more erosion. Even ships at sea (The Atlantic) were in the haboob of dust from the great plains. The lawmakers did decide to fund the solutions.
OK, I grant you that the dust bowl was in part man-made, but it began with the great drought, which lasted from 1930 to 1939, and which, I'm sure you'll agree, was not in the least bit man-made.
Look, like you, I am all in favor of a greener, bluer, less-polluted planet. I just think we can get there without the destructive antics of AOC and her pals.
Really? you are going to blame a politically active young woman and her friends for the entire demise of our corrupt greed addled government? Oh! you blame 'the squad', (and stick Bernie in there to try to hide the fact of your racist/ sexist intent)? You put easily the last 40 years of stagnant wages, weakened regulations and increasing corruption in government and the banking industry and polluting superfund disasters on a 20 something who cares about decency, our environment and Democracy? Nice try, you won't get much traction here!
Michael Hutchinson ; The drought may have been exacerbated by poor farming practices and land/water management. It was lessened by the replacement of grasses that helped to conserve the soil on the windy plains. You have heard the expression "a land office business"? I think it was coined after the phenomenon of the popularity of people being able to get land during the time of settlement expansion. there were lots of farms and not everyone knew how to farm properly. They did not know contour plowing methods, and crop rotation or even to allow the land to go fallow (rest) once in awhile. They overgrazed and made a lot of mistakes. The government started programs to help restore and protect the land.
Michael, I don’t believe you can bring the “dust bowl” into the equation. The dust bowl was a direct result of the US Government giving away sensitive land that they turned into farmland that never should have been farmed. The soil and vegetation that pre existed the farms was a delicate balance that was terribly upset with the introduction of agriculture.
Todd: yes, but as I mentioned to Laurie, there was a climate change that predated the dust bowl: the great drought in the middle plains, from 1930 to 1939. Human activity just worsened things. Anyway, the point is that there are countless historical accounts consistent with much higher temperature swings, long before the industrial revolution. The bigger point is that even if we are contributing to global warming, it doesn't matter: windmills, solar power, EVs are multi[plying in ways I would never have imagined even 5 years ago. Why, even in NYC many of the buses are back to being electric, and it's a delight to ride in them. Coal is dead and gasoline is dying.
Therefore, the BIGGEST point is, bargain with Manchin, don't vilify him. Sinema would have clicked her heels, and we could have had a decent BBB package. In other words, don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
I never really expected my early morning contribution would get any kind of response, very gratifying that it did!
NYC is like the epicenter of people caring about liberal causes
I think you are trying to straddle a line here. Yes, we had a 'mini ice age' precipitated by a volcanic eruption that had a role in the Irish potato famine. Grasses and grass like crops like wheat could not grow because of the high winds. So, much of Europe planted tubers, like potatoes. The Irish made the mistake of only planting a preferred type instead of a variety. When it was hit by blight, the famine occurred. People in places like Austria had to move down the mountain, because the ice formed and it was too cold to live there. There were ice cores taken at the North Pole that showed it once had a climate similar to Florida because of the plant life preserved in that ice. There are also ice cores that show that carbon levels increased after the Industrial age, as well as differences in oxygen and nitrogen levels that show human activity seriously affecting our planet's temperature. Water levels are rising with the melting of massive glaciers, especially now in Antarctica. We could see a rise of 10 feet in the next decade. You are a climate denier, I think. A very small change in global temperature can cause a lot of destruction. Also, AOC has nothing on the 'wingers' for tirades! At least she cares about the Common Good! It is because of people like AOC that we have solar panels (remember Jimmy Carter putting them on the White House?), wind farms and electric vehicles. I bet you don't like Jimmy either.
As I've heard it, the Irish didn't make a mistake in planting only potatoes. That's all they were allowed to keep & crops of other vegetables went to England. Ireland was starved by England (nothing to do with the climate, which is my biggest concern).
Eileen McInerny ; I don't doubt that England would do that, but another source mentioned the favored one type of spud and that developed blight. Maybe both happened, but at different times. Some Irish died trying to eat grass.
The English must have written the source you mention. LOL
Laurie: I actually thought Carter was one of our better presidents. I am not a climate denier, I agree that the temperature of the troposphere has been rising at a rate of 0.1 degrees centigrade per decade for the last 40 years (that's right, one tenth of a degree per decade). As for a ten foot rise in sea levels, well Al Gore and the NYT were predicting even bigger changes 25 years ago.
I'm actually on your side. Look, my only reason for contributing to the blog earlier was to point out that our carbon footprint will be very much smaller in ten years, through technology alone.
Coal is already dead, and gasoline is on its deathbed. Long live wind and solar! AOC is not responsible for solar panels, but must, surely, accept part of the blame for the loss of BBB. And BBB would have helped Biden and the Democrats in November....
How can a member of the House be responsible for the loss of BBB in the Senate?
Paula B. Good question! How can a House member be responsible for a loss in the Senate?
Then let me answer your question with another question: Why was Manchin's offer of $1.8 trillion for BBB turned down?
AOC is not responsible for the end of the BBB. We should not have to push for the things contained in that proposal, that are available to people in most developed countries and paid for by taxpayers. Giving subsidies to billionaires is why 'we can't afford them'. As far as technology goes, like solar panels, electric cars and wind mills, people invented them and fought to implement their use and I don't think that removes concern for climate deniers pooh pooing the very real threat of climate damage. In Nicolai Tesla's time, people like J.P. Morgan opposed Tesla's attempt to develop electrical grids without power lines, and electric cars, which were definitely competitive with those run on fossil fuel. We still have J.P. Morgan Chase as a powerful and corrupt capitalist blight on the land, with a history of criminal activity and, of course, greed.
Oh geez, I thought I was the only one of the planet who thought Carter was one of our better presidents!
AOC happens to be right. We need something bigger than the Green New Deal. But she is perhaps passing on to young people some mistaken notion that all-or-nothing on Green New Deal is the way to go. We just need any help at all we can get. We need it now. opposition to climate change mitigation measures in government is for selfish dick-wads who don’t care about the quite dire fate of countless species including ours. They have a chance to be truly heroic, save the world, and they PASS.
Not fast enough.
Thanks for your input, some interesting points to consider. Will take your word for what a segment of the scientific community thinks about politics in a debate on global warming. A point of contention in what you have written though, you say "Joe Manchin was prepared to vote for 1.8 trillion of the BBB package", I say Manchin knew BBB was going no place anyway, he could say that. Talk in Washington D.C. has never been cheaper.
Wow, I really didn't expect anyone to reply to this.
Climate change is actually a very interesting issue We have 43 years of data, since accurate satellite measurements have been made, and the temperature of the troposphere has risen only 0.4 degrees in that time, but the way it is portrayed in the NYT (for the last 25 years) is that catastrophe is here, now! Well they were saying that in 1998, and they're saying it now, and I see absolutely no evidence for it. It must be remembered that volcanoes have been spewing vast amounts of CO2 for the last 4 billion years. Where did it all go ? Answer: mud at the bottom of the oceans. As you know, we have this extraordinarily unusual planet where, because of being at just the right distance from the sun, our planetary water has remained liquid, and it acts like a gigantic buffer (and no, the oceans are not becoming more acidic, despite what you read in the NYT).
In any case, it doesn't much matter, even if we are causing part of the warming, technology is solving the problem. Our planet will be much less polluted in a decade.
You make a good point about Manchin, and he probably is just another slimy, cynical pol. But what he asked for (understandably) was some back-pedaling from AOC. If she and Bernie and the rest of the Squad had done just that, I think he could have presented it to his constituents as a major victory, good for West Virginians (who want coal). And a decade from now coal will be dead anyway.
But no! Once again The Squad blew it.
This is not right. Technology is not solving the problem at the rate we are causing the damage. Technology is the cause of the damage and it is not catching up at enough speed to solve it. The more technologically advanced we are the less planet we are having. The more computerized we are becoming the less conscious we are. The less conscious we are the more damage and consumption we engage in. And, water is not liquid because of the earth’s distance to the sun. And, volcanoes are erupting more because of the use of sulphuric injections in the stratosphere. And, the land in ny became eroded because of the type of soil, over plowing and man eradicating its natural animal fauna. And, should create serous policies to preserve what is left of the agricultural soil and rain forests if you want your family to eat past the next decade. Our children now are feeble and sickly a combination of our life style due to technology, due to
unconscious health approches and
due to removal of people from nature and it’s settings. Earth can balance itself in some of its larger cycles but the conservation of the soil and the water is our responsibility as famines and lack of water are happening right now. Science, technology and faulty data and assumptions are contributing to our demise because there is no greater danger than using ignorance as the basis of our solutions.
👏👏👏
tRump and his crew certainly did not help matters in the climate challenge.
Finally (sorry for responding so many times), I am not a scientist. I’ve read about climate change many places, legit sources, and talked to people who know more. I haven’t read that book. I’ll look into it. But I guess I hope you’re right. I actually care about the fate of all the other creatures on earth most of all, and secondly, about the fate of art, as I am an artist and writer and care deeply about much that has come before and put my heart into working on my art as if it might last. It’s been hard. But I care most about non-human animals!
Throughout the history of the Earth there has been an ebb and flow of ice ages and warming trends. The question is not entirely have humans created this current warming period, but rather, have we significantly contributed to it by spewing trillions upon trillions of tons of carbon (and other pollutants) into the atmosphere? I believe we have contributed to the warming trend and we can buy a significant amount of time by reducing the pollution we’re emitting.
Transitioning to a more climate friendly energy system will be much, MUCH, less costly and devastating than the path we are currently on. So, aside from the petroleum industry losing profits, (which, if they had climbed aboard the “green energy” bandwagon in the beginning they would be receiving substantial returns on their investments by this time), it’s a win - win proposition.
Imagine what the size of the hole in the Ozone layer would be if we did nothing in the 1970’s? We were able to counter and reverse that issue, (under a Republican President, no less).
The lack of sense and sensibility today is absolutely astounding.
Also it’s gonna take forever even if we do put climate first as an agenda. Everything runs on fossil fuels. Food. Electricity. Clean energy.
You’re correct, TODAY everything runs on fossil fuels. But that wasn’t always the way. In the 1800 mills we’re water powered and diesel was vegetable oil. Fossil fuels, once they became more easily and cheaply processed, became the default energy. There are steps we can take to revert to some of the “old ways”. But it’s an entirely different mindset than what we have become accustomed too.
But there weren’t quite so many people living such fast-paced lives back then?
If you need a good introduction to climate change, I recommend the book "Farewell to Ice" by Peter Wadhams. CO2 in the atmosphere absorbs long wavelength radiation (heat) from the earth, so more CO2 in the atmosphere causes more warming - that is basic physics. The CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is measured and it is increasing rapidly. The world emits 50 gigatonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere per year. Feedbacks (release of methane from melting tundra, burning of forests from drought, etc) release even more greenhouse gases. There is really no serious debate about this issue, it has been well understood for a very long time.
The real reason we won’t vote to do what is necessary to try to have an effect on climate change is that we have not been presented with practical and affordable ways to keep current levels of personal comfort or given a clear picture of what kind of lifestyle will bring us to net zero. Climate change is about chemical imbalance and the effects of that chemical imbalance are predictable and observable. Our lives will change whether we want them to or not. Wouldn’t it be better to try to steer the changes in directions we can live with. We also have very wealthy people who will stay with the status quo until we all live in misery. They believe they can somehow escape.
My point in the context of this discussion is that, as we imagine history, we should imagine devastation. The things we can do: not invest in companies involved with fossil fuels, vote, get others to vote. I care a lot about everyone’s equality and wellbeing (although I feel strongly we are always omitting animals from the creatures that should have well-being). I do think climate will make everything a whole lot worse, worse than the aggregate effect Trump has had, with the help of his party. I can barely make it in the world NOW. I’m screwed in the future, if we don’t act now. Why I’m saying this here.
And of course, I would beseech people to consider being a vegetarian or vegan. I’m technically a failed-vegan vegetarian. But they treat cows they milk even worse. And, methane. And, loss of a lot of land. There might be a way around the methane almost completely by feeding cows seaweed? That was something I learned on NPR like 2 years ago
I suggest you look through the Agenda 21 PDF if you haven’t already and read the Gates book on How to Solve a Climate Disaster. The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson and Termination Shock be Neal Stephenson. (or Stevenson) talk about what could happen if we wait too long.
Thanks. It’s hard to even read about climate oftentimes. Though I’m nowhere near uninformed, I could be better informed for convincing people. Although, maybe your reply was to someone else?
It could be for anyone. You sound well-informed and passionate about climate. We don’t have the money to be effective except with our voices.
Good way to put it
Plastic is our other big problem. Our oceans will be dead seas if we don’t solve our plastic addiction soon.
I agree that we should come up with something that isn’t the exact “Green New Deal”—any steps in the right direction we can do. But, I’m sorry, it’s pretty obvious and almost all scientists agree that CO2 heats up the planet and out monstrous use of it is disastrous, not only for us. We’ve also been cutting down forests that sequester carbon, and apparently the tipping point for the ocean’s heat to really have serious effect (for us—already does for other animals) is SOON. Governments across the world acknowledge this. NOAA acknowledges climate change as due to us. I can’t believe anyone is wasting their time trying to disprove this. The uptick really isn’t slight for most of the living creatures in the world. Earth’s balance is critical, as you know.
What I find interesting is scientists have discussed utilizing releasing carbon into the atmosphere of Mars to “terraform” (make Earth like) the planet for human occupation which consists pretty much of the same thing we’ve been doing on Earth since the Industrial Revolution, (albeit for Mars it would require a much hastier process.)
So, releasing vast amounts of carbon would heat up the planet of Mars but has zero effect on Earth?
Unbelievable!
Michael, you don't have to apologize to me for the length of your piece, I read all of it. I believe Americans care more about climate change and it will factor into their voting but you've convinced me I'm wrong on this. You made some very salient points that definitely hit home with me. So this issue ranks pretty low. I was cheered a bit by how you believe climate will be addressed and solved. Definitely not politicians, that's for sure. Thank you for taking the time to write this.
There is Realpolitik but it can cross a line to indefensible cruelty, calculated deception. But, dude, you can doubt anything. For example, I technically as a big phenomenology fan must always be agnostic as to whether the world exists. But, you have at least come to a conclusion in line also with phenomenological thinking: still, we have to act as though it does. Nobody could disprove Descartes. But you have to live.
https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2943/study-confirms-climate-models-are-getting-future-warming-projections-right/
I know currently that climate is a losing issue, and it is deeply saddening. It’s not like there won’t be economic turmoil like no other in fifty years. But people—including moi—are selfish and only think about tomorrow.
One thing I am saying is I’m just really happy that anyone even responded to my post about climate, or is talking about it when Trump’s fate is the ostensible topic! 🫶🏻
You guys, how lame of me. This is not the conversation via Reich where I brought up climate. Yep, no one cares what I say.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
I appreciate the distinction between acknowledging (or not) climate change and its importance to voters. While important, it’s not at the top of my list.
Maybe if he can get some of his agenda passed but it seems highly unlikely. We really need a wealth tax so we have money for things we need!
My optimistic self (very bruised at this point) says we will reverse the trend at mid-terms! My cynical self (snarky more often) sees more of the same we have now. The young people MUST vote and the Dems need youthful leadership to lead the way. Let's be optimistic and get out the vote!!
So agreed
I think it's critically important Tim Ryan wins the seat Portman's walking away from.
I agree with your analysis. Another big problem is that the Democrats don’t seem to have a younger leader ready and able to be elected President in 2024. We need a leader old enough to have learned through life experiences and young enough to have full energy and be more connected with the younger people in our country, who, after all, are the future. I hope that President Biden recognizes this and helps the right younger person become the Democratic nominee instead of running again himself.
I agree; I think we need a hitherto unknown to suddenly appear, like the governor of a small southern state or that community organizer from Chicago. Both proved to be disappointing in many ways, but I never felt utter despair with them in the WH the way I did when DJT squatted there. They came seemingly from nowhere, blazed like stars in the night sky, and took our breath away. We need that sort of firebrand now. Where is he/she? I don't know but I have my fingers crossed.
I personally think Booker would be great, but no one agreed
Yes, he would certainly be on my short list of possibilities.
I think that Biden was elected with the realistic expectation that he wasn't ol' Tweety. I think his approval rating has fallen because of unrealistic expectations concerning what is constitutionally possible to accomplish as president. There's also an unrealistic expectation that the current crop of Republicans will >ever< approve of >anything< >any< Democrat will do in office. (Indeed, the >general< polls >never< identify the political affiliation break-down of the respondents polled, while treating the outcome as if the polls' respondents are politically independent. Approval ratings by party affiliation give a clearer picture.)
I personally hope Biden does not even run. In my opinion, as an outsider, the Dems need to move away from the Center, and aim about 8 o'clock to the left, if not more. American caspitalism is failing the workers, and just about everyone else too. America needs not only a wealth tax, but also to either put a cap on election spending, or give every politician a set amount of money from a mixed fund of political contributions. In other words, those who want to donate to election funding donate into a non-partisan fund from which each politician can withdraw up to, but not over, that set amount. Obviously a lot of corporations will stop donating, but that can be countered by designating a definite percentage of the monies from the wealth tax directly into the Electioneering War Chest. How the funds will be distributed and to who will take a lot of skill, no doubt, but if the two parties, and Independent representatives do not work together, then the fund gets frozen until they do. The point is for everyone to have adequate funding, but just enough to campaign without going overboard on spending. This will also allow less wealthy people to run for office snd still have a reasonable chance of winning.
Why do I suggest that Biden not even run? Because while he is a nice guy, and leaders of nations cannot really be "nice guys" in our current social and political situations. In order to help the average American, whatever "average" is allowed to mean, capitalism must be tamed and brought under govermment control. Administration salaries, profit percentages, where government spends its monies, all those things and more need a total overhaul, and "rich white evangelicsls" cannot be allowed to remain in control of how everyone else lives. Biden does not appear to have the courage of convicton needed to accomplish these types of changes. America needs someone who can create real change.
rawgod ; well , You're a Canadian, so it does not matter.
Thsnks for csring. While I was born in Canada, I am a child of the universe. All people matter to me. All l8ving beings matter to me. Just so you know.
So Canadian
???????
I was joking, affectionately
Ah. Jokes are so hard to tell sometimes, when there is no body language, and so many Republican fools around. Repuglycans don't like me. Go figure!
Canadians know what’s up
But as a Canadian you cannot vote in an American election. At least not legally.
I still want to see you get a good government, and get rid of those political imposters. Just because I cannot vote where you live does not mean I cannot fight for you. And I have no intention of voting illegally. That would desttoy my credibility.
It is good to support Democracy everywhere.
I. reluctantly, have come to the conclusion that one party, the Republicans, have earned we, the people's NO CONFIDENCE vote. They have become a party of manipulators; heartless, cruel demagogues; autocrats; liars, cheats, and all-around
no-goodniks.
However, I reluctantly, have also come to the conclusion that the Democrats are behind-the scenes aiders and abettors of the status quo, saying one thing and doing another. President Biden (and Kamala Harris) have repeatedly refused to use the power they have to intervene in the outrageous overreach occurring at the state level, in primarily Republican-run states, but also in some Democrat-run states. President Biden has the U.S. Constitution's Guarantee Clause he is required by the word SHALL in its wording, to invoke to ensure a Republic style of democracy in every state. What is a Republic style of democracy? One where the power is vested in the people; one where the people choose their representatives; one where representatives only govern by consent of the governed; one where the will of the people prevails. State after state no longer operate as Republics, yet our President takes no action to enforce the U.S. Constitution's Guaarantee Clause. Pundits say the Guarantee Clause was written for another time and was never meant to curtail state power. Really? I think a strong case can be made that it is a clear mandate to our federal government to intervene when and if the states deny a Republic form of democracy to their constituents, as many currently do. It takes political will and courage to intervene in the current over-reach by the states who are engaging in partisan and racial gerrymandering; repeated violations of state constitutions, the rule of law, and the will of the people as expressed in referenda legislation; and in votersuppressiom and election subversion. President Biden could also convene a Citizens Roundtable, which meets virtually on a monthly or quarterly schedule and is action-oriented to keep the President aware of the issues confronting the American People and how they must be resolved, so he never loses sight of why he was elected and by whom. President Biden also has the power to intervene in the states through the power granted in the statement: the states have the power to determine the manner, time, and place of elections, BUT, the federal government may override such, if necessary. (I am paraphrasing). That is what the Freedom to Vote Act was all about, in my opinion. He does not need Congress's vote to intervene when the states are denying access to the ballot box through voter suppression tactics, nor carrying out the will of the people by employing election subversion tactics. Do these federal state intervention abilities need guardrails written in law? Of course. Not all Presidents are able to.handle their power well. Ther must be parameters, IN LAW, which delineate when and how such intervention in the states can occur. But surely, when states are denying a Republic form of democracy...whether that is in the decions made about manner, place, and time of elections; through voter suppression or election subversion; or in violations of the rule of law or in violations of state Constitutions in their respective states, the power of the federal government has to intervene on behalf of the people is already present and should be invoked.
Donna Plunkett ; Very interesting. It seems there are many laws that are not enforced or have been unused or misinterpreted. What's a voter to do? Any legal scholars here want to weigh in?
I will never support a Republican for any office, but no longer support Joe Biden - all he did this year was kiss Joe Manchin's ass and Manchin blocked progress at every turn - to hell with bipartisanship and all that let's be friends nonsense. He also didn't DEMAND that Congress ban assault rifles - what B.S !! Biden has proved to be just another "politician" and either doesn't know or want to learn how to turn the screws to get things done.
Dee Long ; He doesn't want to upset the applecart (his friends in the Senate and other places). It's possible in this current lawless climate that he wants to get out alive and see his family unharmed.
he comes across as gutless
Definitely! It would be great to see some moxie! Try some Commander in Chief things, like an executive freaking order to halt the killing of our children and other defenseless people!
He could go out as a real hero!!!
There are limits to his power in a good way. That would get struck down in court with vehemence. People are way too hard on Biden.
I think limiting a president 's ability to save lives of innocents is not 'a good way' ! we are at war with hostile domestic terrorists!
The laws seem to block progress, even safety for children in school.
Well, how would he do it? It has to be within the law, and the 2nd amendment is not going anywhere with this Supreme Court. I do think he’ll do what he can…I just recall Trump sending in those troops against the Portland protesters. It was terrible, and a bad look, especially to Democrats. Biden can’t wage war on his own people like that, not that I assume that’s what you mean.
He can’t demand anything right now. He does not have an upper hand on the Senate due to its composition. Are 10 Republicans going to vote yea? Highly unlikely. It would make him look even worse. Instead, he made the moral case eloquently and with hope, but knowing bitter resignation.
I sincerely hope that people see the light and realize that improving their collective quality of life, economic or otherwize, does not lie wiith Republicans.
Thank you, Sir: Once again, you made excellent points. However you did not address the question that you postulated at the start of your talk- “How can Biden get re-elected?”
I would like to reference some of the comments that I made a week ago or so to a similar query- which I believe few people saw because they were late in the cycle:
Other than Biden keeping a focus on the fact that the House passed a measure to increase the age to buy semi-automatic weapons and high capacity magazines, keys for Biden to be re-elected will be:
A) Garland must follow through with the prosecution of the Jan. 6th perps after announcing the demarcation of the line that must be crossed before a President should rightfully be charged with a crime for acts taken while president (as American politicians have lived in a bubble that rightfully must continue to ensure that the judiciary is not used for political purposes- as Trump certainly did): When a sitting President breaks so many ethics rules and then, from the evidence, plots to subvert democracy, and policemen die as a result of an attempted coup, there must be repercussions to ensure it will never happen again.
B) Putin’s rationalizations in Ukraine have stemmed from his initial rationalization for attacking Ukraine in 2014 - to arm the terrorist separatists in Eastern Ukraine to seize Ukrainian territory that Putin now seeks to annex-clearly to benefit from those initial terrorist acts. In light of that fact, Putin’s announcing that he will be targeting new things in Ukraine if America sends the advanced missile systems that can take out the Russian artillery makes it time for Biden and Blinkin to break the stalemate in Ukraine by proclaiming a countdown to declaring Russia a State Supporter of Terrorism. To avoid that, Russia must not only cease and desists from targeting civilians but must pull out of ALL Ukrainian territory, return Ukrainian citizens, and compensate for the damages Russia has caused. Perhaps 6 months would be a good target, but with one hour removed for every tank or artillery shell fired; a day for each further Ukrainian death, a day for every rocket, and a week for every missile that lands on a Ukrainian city or civilian target; a month or more for the use of banned weaponry, and an immediate terrorism designation for using nuclear or vacuum weapons. This should provide a powerful incentive because the only way that Russia is likely to shake a terrorism categorization once proclaimed would be by a regime change.
C) Biden should push for legislation to decrease drug prices and otherwise improve Obamacare coverage, with hardship insurance subsidies, and expanded coverage for non-pharmaceutical care-chiropractic and herbal, and other traditional healthcare, and dramatically improve childcare, child nutrition, and for after-school programs, and
D) for Biden to talk about how we need to insure that the Republicans will not be able to destroy healthcare or Social Security, or to increase taxes on the poor and middle class, and to close the loopholes for the rich, and that federal banks need to pay state taxes, just like everyone else, with increased minimum taxation on the rich, and provide economic rewards for carpool clubs for commuters using electric vehicles, thus cutting traffic and gasoline prices
E) For Democrats to start using terms like Moscow Mitch, and asking why people are still listening to Fox, Trump, and Carlson with the question- What will it take for you to wake up to the fact that you are being lied to, over-and over again?
F) Do Op-eds of open letters to Carlson, and Trump, and the Goofy-Over-Putin (GOP) Party asking them why they have undermined the American position in the world, preach on behalf of tyranny even while their hero, Putin, is committing atrocities to subjugate the People of Ukraine, and why did Trump cozy up to North Korea and try to destroy NATO, and harm our allies, and our diplomatic corps, and keep his talks with Putin secret, and destroy the nuclear deal that was keeping Iran from gaining nuclear weapons, and leave office with America so weakened by his actions that Putin believed he could walk into Ukraine and American would do nothing, because he knew that he had Trump, Carlson, and the Fox propaganda machine working on his behalf?
In short, it is time to stop playing nice-guy so the worm can turn.
* Biden should also push for a federal election integrity law where there be a presumption of fraud against the people of the United States if a State Official fails to certify an election without evidence of voter fraud or sufficient credibility to stand up in court and to have changed the result, and such an act caused a result contrary to the total popular vote of the nation.
Thanks for listening.
I appreciate the comment about young people. It’s just so frustrating that many demand things he’s not really in control of, that our education system didn’t somehow get through the power of Congress, that many of them (and many older people) don’t understand the dynamics of the Senate, especially at present.
I’m a huge, huge proponent of prioritizing climate change over all else, and the bigger the bill the better in theory. But demanding the Green New Deal seems to have gotten people’s hopes so up when it’s sadly preposterously unlikely—unless they come out and vote! Politics is maddening! Corporate greed and its hold on politicians is crazy to me! Why are people who went into public service so corruptible?!?!? And the simplifying media continues to amplify Biden’s ratings and blame him unfairly, as far as I can see. AARGH!
A fair number of politicians did not go into public service. They went into self service. Their whole reason for running for office is to make money for themselves. My congressman just wanted to be in office, running for office, any office. He has no concern for our district which is mostly rural and poor.
JennSH from NC ; It's a self defeating thing to have to raise big money, and in order to do it, get 'bought'. So anyone with high aims ends up being a pawn of the wealthy, and a traitor to the Common Good.
Young people spent four years listening to the media telling them how dangerous it was to have Trump in power in the white house. How it was an existential threat. How powerful the presidency is.
Now they see oh shucks Joe Biden - telling people he can't do anything while getting a 40 billion dollar military bill passed in 3 weeks - with only a single person - a republican concerned - or expressing concern about how the money will be spent. Endless war is never questioned. No one stopping military spending bills asking how will we pay for it.
Lot of young people with massive student loans working in jobs not requiring degrees wondering about Bidens campaign pledge to forgive student debt 2 years later. Lots of people wanting and needing 15$ min wage.
Democrats can perform for the donors like Biden allowing Medicare premiums to go up on seniors - but not for the people becuase of "bad guys" in the senate.
We do not trust them - we do not believe they have our interests at heart.