Yes Professor Reich, but how dow we get the Democrats to improve their messaging? My suggestion is to take the word ‘Democrat’ out of messaging and use ‘Majority of Americans’ in messaging, memes, sound bites, video clips and whatever other messaging avenues are used. In my humble opinion, this would diffuse the negativity/weaponization the R’s have created around ‘Democrats’. It would make arguing against ‘The Majority of Americans’ much more difficult. You can do simple searches starting with the words ‘Majority of Americans’ and get numerous great headlines that are indisputable.
After all, the majority of Americans voted against Trump in 2016 and 2020. We truly are the majority of Americans and our messaging should reflect the power of our majority and ride this wave.
Erin, I, too like the way Pete messages. He takes nonsense from no one, but does not raise his voice, insult, or belittle. He just states what is true and what can be done to make things better. He is a patriot.
Erin, Sec. Pete isn’t doing the job he is supposed to be doing now as Sec. of Transportation. He says he is “constrained” from doing anything more to protect people from derailments like the one in Ohio recently that caused the evacuation of thousands of people because of highly flammable chemicals. He might be intelligent and gifted at communicating, but he is showing himself to be gifted at communicating for the purpose of his own advancement, not for protecting the public.
I am sorry Joe, but you clearly do not know the facts. The deregulation of railroads in Republican administrations has allowed a lot of bad actors to permit safety issues to go uncorrected, or even dismissed as safety brakes were ignored by the corporation that runs the line where the derailment occurred. And the Sec. of Trans. or FEMA can't intervene unless invited in by the state's governor and Ohio's gov. didn't do that. Tell me again how that is DOT's fault. Maybe conservatives/Republicans need to relook at their position on deregulation. I guess it's a good thing until it's you or your family that is impacted, and when you need an issue to whine about before understanding the facts. There is a lot of that going on these days.
Straight and true, Ruth. Too many people only read headlines and skip the details. One thing desperately needed in this country is restoration of regulations to control an out of control corporate society.
Exactly correct. Repugnants at every chance deregulate or impede enforcement of regulations meant to protect us. Because even though corporations are "people" they don't need protection, except from us.
What I do really wish is that Sec. Pete be more explicit in relating exactly what constraints repugnants have placed on his agency. Every cabinet secretary should be doing that, vocally and often. And why is dejoy still postmaster?
Because on the Board of the USPS can fire him, and they are a corrupt group. There is one more Democrat than repugnicant on the Board, but he votes with the pugs every time. (I suspect he's being bribed. Just a thought.)
Very true. In the early afternoon today Governor DeWine did finally request Federal help from HHS. Some people blamed Sec. Pete for the Railroad Labor Union issues also which is the wrong department entirely.
Sec Pete is not in Congress. As such, he has NO POWER to fix this problem, and he has NO AUTHORITY to enforce rules that do not exist. REPUBLICANS caused the relevant legislation to be overturned based on a cost-benefit analysis from the railroads. Furthermore, even had it not been overturned, they successfully lobbied to NOT have the special braking protection on cars carrying vinyl chloride, so it would have made no difference. The way to protect against this is to have the braking system in place on individual cars so that they slow to a stop instead of derailing. THIS IS ON THE GOP. So OF COURSE they want to blame Pete. They are incapable of accepting responsibility for anything. They refuse to allow themselves to be held accountable for their errors.
Keith, thank you so much for the concise response to Republican attempts to blame the Department of Transportation for the results Republicans put into place by stopping some important regulations the railroad top guys didn't want. The railroad responsible should have to pay through the nose as they say to fix the problem and cover suffering for the people of the community.
You want Pete to be out with his pick and shovel to repair railroad tracks that are ancient and haven’t been maintained for years???Sure - anything else he can do for you?
Professor Reich, there’s something very wrong with your voice recording mechanism or process. Many words were badly garbled this time, to the point that it was useless to try to listen to it. It started out fairly well but later got pretty bad.
Yes, Laurie, the SOTU was uplifting, but I think Ada is right about messaging. I have been thinking about Democrats urgent need to be clear and strong in imagery and slogans. Every day I am on the phone with voters in Wisconsin, where there is a complete abortion ban based on an 1849 law. Many self-described independents, but many Democrats, too, state firmly their agreement with choice, then start sliding to the right. They express doubt, they mention that they watch many "news" programs and easily blur their original clear commitment and become fuzzy about supporting the progressive candidate. Anti abortion forces have soaked the media with loud and disturbing images that confuse a lot of these Democratic voters. It is urgent that very strong pro-choice messages and images flood the media now (not later!) that clarify the situation and will address and counter the distortions.
There are advertising agencies that, of course, specialize in messaging. If the Dems can’t think up catchy phrases, then they should considering an agency like Wunderman Thompson, which yesterday was awarded a $34M modification to a previously awarded contract for “tactical advertising” for the US Marines.
In defense of Democratic reps, Performative Patriotism from Republicans has gone on for so long, and is so constant, that they would exhaust themselves trying to combat every instance. Claims of police support, then abandoning the Capitol police after they came to save you from an insurrectionist mob. Proclamations of unwavering support for troops, while voting against increased aid to veterans or VA treatment for health impacts from toxic burn pits while deployed. There are more examples but you all have lives and things to do.
I completely agree that the Democratic Party's messaging stinks and has stunk for a while now. However, I don't think the answer is to go out of their way to critique these hypocritical performances. Republicans trot out these multi-act plays to distract from the fact that they don't have creative ideas or a platform that helps regular people. Democratic criticisms should be made in response to reporter questions in the hallways. I suggest workshopping them with AOC and other Squad members. She is especially adept at pointing out Republican hypocrisy in the sharp, soundbite-friendly retorts that accommodate the attention spans of the public and journalists alike. Things like:
Q:What do you think of McCarthy reading the Constitution for an hour?
A:I think he's long overdue. Maybe he and the rest of the Republicans will learn that certified Electoral Votes get counted without mob input, and insurrectionists should not hold office.
Q:What is your response to Republican plans to go to the southern border to witness migrant activity?
A:It's a shame that they choose burning taxpayer money to travel there instead of working with us here at the Capitol, where legislation is created and passed, to solve immigration issues.
Dems have resisted being combatant and calling out foolishness for too long. Uncle Joe showed them the way at the SOTU, and now it's time for the rest of them to take off the white gloves and put on their boxing gloves too.
Absolutely, C. Jacobs. All of the laser sharp Democratic respondents' remarks should be harvested into a few direct, strong, clear, loud ads and sent out everywhere. Now.
Donna Robin Lippman ; Too bad there is not a way to have something like the old 'radio free Europe' ; only here in the USA. Only have it on TV. Or a blog. The main stream media is fairly tone deaf about progressive ideas. Even people like Michael Moore, Robert Reich and Bernie Sanders have limited air time that is tightly controlled. Even better,have 'open talk time' on more liberal networks : have lapses in their coverage of the facts, depending on the program. It's not that Democrats and Progressives have nothing dynamic to say ; but they don't control the media. or get featured on news in the way that would have to happen to really educate ordinary folks.
Tom Steyer would've been much wiser to have spent his money building a progressive Democratic network than running for the presidency last time, but he wasn't interested.
Jaime, Steyer created Next Gen which is a strong and enormous group of college students who register new voters by the millions and then get them out to vote. I did a lot of phone banking with them in the 2022 election. They are enviably comfortable with technology, easy-going and flexible, and are thankfully endlessly patient with and kind to me, who is not.
Yes, of course, Laurie, it would be wonderful to have a non-commercial television station for progressive discourse. There are sources of meaningful news and dialogue available to people who seek them out, though many voters I speak to talk about watching television news on "both sides" as if the right wing high-volume railing is a balance. Some of the people who throw this stuff up are shrill. They seem to be letting off steam about the frustrations that I imagine they experience in their own lives.
Donna Robin Lippman ; Do you have any ideas of how" Democrats urgent need to be clear and strong in imagery and slogans" can be solved or helped at all?
Good question, Laurie. I think about it all the time because I make calls to voters for Democrats. I have found it to be an effort that is worth my precious time. I frequently speak with voters who are on the fence but who are open to conversation and often enough they commit to voting for the Democrat. I am comforted to see that there is an army of phone bankers, tens of thousands in peak season, literally, making calls for progressive organizations and for the Democrats, some even now in February! and around the calendar these days. We urgently need a huge, strong, effective public service campaign in the media. I hope some monied groups put out ads now clarifying pivotal issues. In the phone campaign for the open seat on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court next Tuesday, issues of abortion, voting rights and gerrymandering are front and center. For abortion, the message has to tell the stories of real women so people who don't know personally can see the range of situations. It has to counter the hysteria about aborting live babies that has been heard from republicans in televised Congressional committee hearings on CSpan a few short months ago. It has to make the situations women find themselves in real, to evoke empathy rather than judgment, and counter these holier-than-thou distortions about people seeking abortions being casual about it. For voting rights, it has to focus on the reality of the situation, how tens of millions of Americans don't vote, and that if there are any people voting who are not documented (!) or dead(!!!) those are negligible. The next area of clarity has to be why it is so crucial to vote. There are always people who complain about illegal voting and then who say that millions of eligible voters don't vote because it doesn't matter anyway. Democrats have to get the message out that who we elect and the legislation they pass does affect people's lives. Today when a Wisconsin voter said as much to me, I mentioned an example that hearing aids will be able to be bought over the counter and cost a fraction of what they had cost when people needed a prescription because of legislation by Democrats. The cost of insulin for Medicare recipients will drop to $40 instead of hundreds a month. A lifelong union activist told me he wasn't sure he would vote for a Democrat but he was open to discussion. He agreed when I said that strong unions make a strong middle class and it is Democrats, never republicans, who will help that process. He sheepishly admitted that he will vote for a Democrat next week in Wisconsin. We need a strong, effective public relations campaign to get these messages out loud and clear ASAP.
Its not just Biden....its all the others....House, Senate...and State level 2. We don't get much of the latter in Indiana. Democrats have shriveled up and ceded the playing field to Republicans for the last 40 years.
Don’t misunderstand the silent adults in the midst. Patriotism is not a manufactured set of talking points. There is still a manifest of decency among our people.
Erin Caitlin ; Don't forget that Electoral college that allowed that 'win' for said "Well known, ignorant grifter and con man", along with the Gerrymandering voter roll purging and all the other tricks employed to steal the elections. "We" did not vote for tfg
The SOTU speech was a beginning. I like the idea of reminding Americans of what a majority of Americans means. You could even have some humor in these people who don’t like democracy wrapping themselves in flags as though that Chang
I think it’s wise to reinforce that Democrats are the majority of Americans. I did see the SOTU address and I thought it was outstanding! Biden hit every mark in making our country stronger. Republican rancorous messaging is spread with much more vigor among media outlets. Biden’s accomplishments are rarely front page or even in the top 50 of news headlines. Red states and their representatives are pushing B.S. agendas, and concentrate on trivial matters that have nothing to do with the business of government. I watched Governor John Sununu on Face the National last Sunday. Before he started talking I thought, “Oh a sane republican for a change”. Nope, wrong, after he started with the tired old laundry list of Republican grievances, I lost interest. Democrats are pushing their messaging more now than ever, but that’s not saying much. If Democrats hadn’t abandoned Tim Ryan from OH, a fine statesman, he could have been elected senator. Instead you’ve got another moron who left OH years ago only to return and make stupid comments on fake news about working with FEMA to help with the clean up at the derailment site in East Palestine. Since Gov DeWine has so far refused help from the federal government, FEMA isn’t coming. Keep up with you state, senator.
Both parties routinely ignore us. And, no, I’m not one of those fuzzy thinkers who waffles. I have quite well researched and developed views on any number of policy issues.
Oh totally agree. I do know independents are the largest pool of voters. Now I realize what I goofed is using Democrats as generic term for not Republican aligned. I should have just used Most Americans. That’s more accurate. Both parties, the media, and candidates do not properly acknowledge Independents. Time to start. In PA registered independents are not permitted vote in primaries. Other states have open primaries eg: AZ. That REALLY needs to change nationally. I do not understand AK’s voting process fully, but I think it’s likely to be the most inclusive of it’s residents. I do not think Independents are in anyway fuzzy thinkers. My 3 sons and their wives are registered Independent. (I use the term fuzzy thinkers for Libertarians).
Hey, Karen, thanks for your response. It’s like trying to make the invisible visible. I like Most Americans. It takes up a lot of characters in a Twitter post, but what are we to do to break the polarized pattern of speech?
I’ve been trying to figure out Libertarians’ thinking on various policy issues. I doubt they like being caught up in the culture wars much (except maybe guns?). They sure seem fuzzy on regulation. On taxes, I’ve gotten some ideas proposed that seemed worth understanding better, e.g., land value tax. My earlier impression was of folks who prefer the idea of isolating oneself, accountable to no one. Or Bundy, thinking federal land ought to be available for any American. Sort of like all those people screaming on Jan6 that “this is the people’s house.” I’ve never heard a well articulated view of how libertarians, through the Libertarian Party, view the role of the federal government. Much less the state or local government. Anyway, nice to meet you!
I enjoy the exchange of ideas and information. Libertarians, as far as I know, have no cohesive platform for which to build on. Small government, low taxes and the freedom to live without regulation or any type of social safety nets. Every Libertarian I’ve met, and there have been more than a few, are wealthy, eccentric, selfish and kind of a jerk. I hope to meet one I like one day.
I’ve seen some people say that Independents are really Democrats. Or RINOs. I think of it more as a policy-by-policy preference, rather than party alignment. I’m extremely progressive on social issues, personal choice. I’m unconvinced regarding modern monetary theory, at least as far as it’s been presented to my by my extremely well read son, who says debt is not a problem. Doesn’t it matter who holds the debt? And doesn’t devoting large amounts of the federal budget to paying interest curtail our ability to invest? I just saw someone describe themself as a Progressive Conservative, saying “that’s a thing.” Really? I’m working to bring Ranked Choice Voting to NC, as a lever for the change that I want to see in this country.
The SOTU speech was great, although I think Biden should have explained why helping Ukraine is critical to our own security. But other Democrats' messaging was not great. For example, one way that Republicans took control of the House is that in New York they walked all over Democrats on the issue of crime, and flipped several seats (and put George Santos in the House).
Carolyn Herz : I think the support of Ukraine is a no brainer; It needs no 'explanation' .A Soveriegn Democracy was attacked and invaded after the U.S. had already pledged support for them to defend themselves. We are a Democracy, so far. If another Democracy is attacked, we should help them, too. As for the issue of crime ; The MAGA republican party has been and still is the crime family of the world. Their claim to be against crime is like their insistence on enforcing /compelling 'patriotism' and displays of such, ironically by those who actually ARE real patriots, and have been for awhile. They have their 'nerve' in their pockets! And no shame nor decency at all!
According to polls, more than 50% of Americans support the war in Ukraine, but support has declined as the war drags on. So, millions of Americans, including some members of Congress who vote on funding, are skeptical of the value of the aid. A simple explanation of the reasons for our involvement, along with reassurance that the aid is being closely monitored to ensure that it is going where it's intended would help. It's important for political leaders to acknowledge that not everyone thinks the same, and what might be obvious to some is not at all obvious to others.
Carolyn Herz ; It is obvious why so many are changing from support for helping Ukraine defend itself to being 'skeptical '. The media is owned by the very wealthy, who support more Republicans than Democrats. MAGA people like Putin, who is owned by Oleg Deripaska, who sent $700,000 to George Santos to become a Congressman, so McCarthy had the vote to become speaker in Congress. They buy our country, and it is legal to buy seats: money is speech. It is illegal to get money for such purposes from foreign Russian oligarchs, but who is looking?
While what you say is true, Laurie--about why people are becoming skeptical--it does not convincingly argue against Carolyn’s point that she would have liked Biden to include a brief explanation of U.S. security interests in Putin’s war among the greatest hits of his SOTU speech. In fact, your points could be used as evidence that there was even MORE reason for Biden to state the reasons behind America’s involvement now, in this war, with our allies abroad. Even perhaps to draw a distinction in how our engagement this time has been vastly and substantively different than prior attempts to “promote” democracy abroad.
Laurie, I do think Biden did a good job messaging, but I think Dems can use all the help they can get. The challenge for Biden is that Republican pathetic messaging has him seen as a doddering old man who can't do anything. That works for Republicans and their ilk because they have nothing else since they have done nothing else. Getting younger folks on board to support Biden's message can be huge.
Ruth: Ruth ; Think of what you are saying. If Republicans see Biden "as a doddering old man" , even after the SOTU address, that is not going to change. To hell with them! Our President promised to veto certain things we don't want! And he CAN! 'Doddering'or not. Which side are you on? There is absolutely no need to talk about " A doddering old man"! that is THEIR problem! Our power is in our voters and any truths we can communicate to our young voters! Even old people can get this done! PS : sorry for yelling. And saying 'Hell'.
It is not republican voters we seek; it's the 82 million eligible voters who did not vote in the 2020 election we are after. And yes, Ruth, there are massive campaigns to register young voters to get them to the polls.
Casting Biden as a "doddering old man" is most assuredly our problem. Because people BELIEVE it. It's just another variation on "When did you stop beating your wife?" If you address it, instead of reframing it, you validate the premise.
Yes to all of it, Ruth. Dems have a terrible tendency to say "There, that was great! We scored." As though the "game" was won. The game is most definitely NOT won, and sitting back complacently because 1 speech or 1 law had a positive effect is NOT game over. The system is dynamic or dialectic, and thinking otherwise is the road to disaster.
I agree, Laurie, the State of the Union message of President Biden was the best I've heard. But, you have to admit he referred more often to "the good of the American people" He denounced the Republicans by name, but the thrust of his speech was to say 'let's build from the bottom up and the middle out' I think Ada has a point and one Biden certainly made in his speech. The more we talk about concern for ALL Americans, and uphold the first Amendment in its entirety, the better.
I agree and you sound so thoughtful. I am and have been worried in the damage done during the former presidents' time and messaging tactics. When I have ever used "republican" I am careful because I have good friends who are republican but are not proud of direction of the party. I have also felt some recoil with "well Democrats do the same".... and I need to do push back in a way that isn't insensitive and not fearful. Words, actions and how they are used are so important. This drive to the lack of "media" use by this president is to infer he is old and not doing much. He has a lot more experience in foreign policy, etc than most folks and lets us know what we need to know. Haven't we learned already, entertainment and narcissistic use of the media with all talk and no "do" was destructive. We must be able to speak from the Constitution, (for instance, re: nationalistic and religious extremes) and, as you suggest, use facts and sometime inquisitive how those approaches resonate...?
You had me, Georgia, until you got to "Haven't we learned already....." Unfortunately for the broad audience of the TV watching American public, the answer is NOPE. They do not wish to be enlightened, they want to be entertained and the more lurid the better (also the less content and messaging) The trumpster knew this and delivered it well, probably due to his own inability to think of any subject except himself. Our job is to get out short, pertinent, and meaningful messages frequently, so it finally enters their deadened brain cells - that we are here to help them, help them get their fair share of the economy,. the recognition, and the sense of worth they deserve.
It is in the framing and the way it is demonstrated and most folks I know try to also live the principles most of the time. I see being a democrat as for people, overall good for most type of platforms. I benefited greatly from the centralized type of government that provided the education system, only was able to go to college because the "community colleges became "a new" way to go at night while working during the day (especially for young women). I won't go through the "I think" road right now but our journeys are never perfect. I was an activist in the 60's and 70's and marched and written letters and was thinking this next generation would carry the torch. Yet my anger is subverting the fear that is put out there and is toxic. I don't think "privatizing" works, socialism is a term for financing and includes all paying their fair share (EVERYONE). A democratic society is not as it is portrayed in politics and there are socialist democracies. that work. At any rate,I hear your passion and I absolutely agree that to say what you stand for, positions, ideas questioning if it follows the principles of our founders. Questioning or showing the results of the paths that are taken by the parties, bring in the history and perhaps how something proposed was tried in the past and this is what happened.
Hearing each of you is an encouragement for me to not be silent though I also want to be by my actions effective in the disbelief that folks feel we re on the best path. I like hearing YOUR voices. There is strength in that.
Thank you, Ada. I was starting to think of how best to express this myself. I would add that it is disingenuous at best to decry the tribalism of Republicans by appealing to the tribalism of Democrats -- which excludes the so-called independents who increasingly are the deciding factor in politic races.
But Dems have the figures to back up that "majority" claim in many areas; gun control, abortion, healthcare, and the social safety net being just a few. And they should push back on every GOP lie with the truth, chapter and verse.
The problem is, the Dems pretty much never go on the offensive. I've seen this passive stance in local, state, and national contests. They won't stand toe-to-toe and do battle against the absurd GOP BS.
Denise Donaldson ; Listen to our President's SOTU address, without the pundit's 'interpretations'. I went on you tube and enjoyed it without interruption.
I've read much of the text. A good effort, with a few zingers, but too little, too late.
Biden was forced to compromise on much of his legislation because he initially held out for bipartisanship (trying to negotiate with sharks), then refused to play hardball with Manchin and Sinema. LBJ, he ain't.
He talked a good fight during his campaign---remember how he seemed to embrace
progressive values on kitchen-table issues?---and then abandoned quite a few of those promises after the election. For reference, see public healthcare option, $15 minimum wage, no drilling on public lands, and so on.
Biden has spent most of the last two years trying to be the good guy. His party won't grow a spine. I stand by my observation that the Dems' messaging is defensive and ineffective.
Denise Donaldson ; All good observations. I can't help but try to 'accentuate the positive', all the while knowing that money rules. The Republican party is controlled by and owned by the money, Sadly, with money as speech the Democrat party is affected by that reality too, and weaker because of it, since it has less money.
You're correct on all points, Laurie. The Dems have just as many "owners and donors" as the GOP does. Of course, we've seen that graphically recently, with Manchin openly pandering to Big Oil and Sinema caving to Big Pharma. Biden himself has Big Corp ties, as well, via Delaware. The list goes on. And IMO, it's naive to assume all that money doesn't exert influence. As much as I admire Bernie Sanders, I know that he fought hard to have Lockheed fighter jets stationed in Burlington, VT, over huge protests from residents. As anti-war as he says he is, he's still not immune to lobbying.
The only politician I know for sure who was never bought was my hero, Dennis Kucinich. He refused corporate donations and literally lived more poorly than many of his constituents. But because he wouldn't toe the corporate line, his own party, via the DNC, had him gerrymandered out of office.
This messaging strategy would also often speak inclusively to a majority of unaffiliated, Independent voters. I agree that it is detrimental to amplify the duopoly.
I like an inclusive strategy for what the word stands for and also I don't like the feeling of "sides" rather than a way to talk or debate an issue. I am registered as a democrat but I look to see the candidates really are and, within the context of our discussion, are they parroting the party line or are they open and willing to listen and actually remember the oaths they have and/or will take. If I ran for an office, I would see the Independents and not someone to cater too but to have open dialogue as we should have between all. I cannot see this present Republican Party with such dialog. It is positional, rote, and obstructionist. I just don't remember that in my early voting days. Heated debates were real.
Richard Nixon started the practice, if I remember correctly ,of wearing a Flag pin on his label. I thought the affectation ridiculous. Why would a President have to flaunt his patriotism ? Guess Tricky Dick had something to cover up, one of a multitude of insecurities.
His practice has escalated in succeeding decades. Politicians posturing with Democracy’s symbols, hiding their ignorance of its values and how it functions . Trump’s bunch are the worst of the hypocrites we have had to endure, hiding their ignorance behind symbols while their actions expose the vacuum of their thinking. Their profession of Christian belief is just as telling. Tolerance is the bedrock of both Christianity and our Democratic process. And these autocrats have none.
Nixon. Vietnam War. Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
It's complicated. A friend who is a USNA graduate and who is a retired judge and who is a Democrat rendered a diatribe the other day against Jane Fonda who went to North Vietnam and according to my friend caused two POWs to be beaten to death. It's not a question of our country right or wrong. Has to be inclusive.
We now know Nixon was a traitor and actively undermined a peace treaty in advance of his 1968 election. We also now know that there was no Gulf of Tonkin episode that LBJ used to convince Congress to go to war.
Patriotism remains the last refuge of scoundrels.
What we need to do -- and what members of Congress should do every day is root out insurrectionists. No insurrectionist should sit in Congress. -
Frankly, Daniel, I always admired Jane Fonda for her courage to stand against a war that had no legal, righteous foundation. We supposedly went in to help the beleaguered French Colonial regime, who in fact were exceedingly corrupt. Vietnam was a Civil War with the North part of the country fighting the corrupt South. It was unfortunate that at that time few people understood there was no such thing as 'communism' Russia and China were both dictatorships replacing imperialism with totalitarianism. Neither was good for the vast majority of Russians or Chinese. But, uneducated people seem willing to believe what they are told. Right now, in the United States of America, the trumpian wing of the former Republican Party is hurtling toward a fascist dictatorship but only the few of us on Substack seem to be cognizant.
By that time, I was a Vietnam veteran, opposed to the war. But I know that NOBODY in Hanoi Hilton, including many Democrats, supported it. My preceptor's son, Adm, Robert Shumaker, whose family were all Democrats, was there. It's one thing to oppose the war, another to be seen as a traitor.
This exactly what I mean. The Democratic Party has a big tent. We are the party of inclusion. We lost several presidential elections because we didn't seem like we followed the motto -- we are for ALL the people and not for just a few.
Here's the thing: was Fonda ever apprehended, arrested, jailed, indicted, tried, or convicted of >anything< ‽ I'm assuming that there's at least some kind of law that proscribes aiding & comforting the enemy, here.
She was busted for >nada< ! To me, that's what's most suspicious of all. Just sayin'.
I might add, that just about every kid of the '50s in the US had at least as much a tracible connection with US intelligence as Fonda did. I could even suspect that Henry could've possibly been the one who put her up to it. If I remember correctly, Henry's >image< was of a war-weary WWII veteran, who served honorably - the last person you'd expect to recruit her. Her high-profile made her perfect for such an operation - Barbarella and all!
You have made two points that seem to reflect some of my own impressions of what is said and what it done in practice. My stepmother would have said, " All talk and little do..." However, the misinformation that is given and stated without proof or reflection or even recollection of what was the issue of last week's to bounce around was. If it is the same issue but a different question, is it question. I live in a state of cognitive dissonance when that happens and the 4 years of the last president it was endless. Symbols are to be, perhaps for parades/celebrations/ and , honor in the case of those lost or who have truly served the people. They are empty if not tied to the true importance and function of a Democratic society. I still go to the idea that open debate, especially in the Senate, was a way to get to a solution or policy to serve the needs and best majority of the citizenry. I don't see much but obstruction and arrogance sprinkled on top.
Simply saying the "pledge of allegiance" is an act of fascism because it makes people pledge allegiance to an ideology and the phrase "one nation under god" was slipped in by Christian nationalists long ago and has no place in government. just like "in god we trust" which used to be E pluribus unum.
Eisenhower was baptized as a Presbyterian when in office. Ironically ,his family had been members of "the Brethren" a pacifist sect. Was up to that time, the most openly evangelical president. Brought many religious leaders to the White House. He was responsible for "under God."
Thank you, Peter, for noting this. It was 'slipped' in during Eisenhower's administration, at a time when the Country was still in the thrall of winning WW2. And it was christian nationalists who slipped it in. It needs to be removed.
The true litmus test of a patriot is seeing someone burn a flag. If they own a flag, it is an act of wasting money; someone else's flag, theft; and in any case, perhaps a violation of the town's outdoor burning regulations regarding safety.
That's it.
Ask someone who's fought for it. They might feel flag-burning contemptible or sad, but not an invitation to retribution.
Symbolism matters. We let them steal the flag every damn time. We need to drill in: Dem = Old Glory, the rest = stars&bars, swastikas, and MAGA banners. And not only corporations have the right to burn flags, even USian humans have the right to free expression. .
My father talked with me as a little girl about the Pledge and the words “under God” being added. When I was perhaps 6 or 7, living on an Army base, I did not say those words when the Pledge was spoken at school.
I never spoke the pledge when I was in school because I knew that there was something wrong with making people recite something against their will. Thats why the "pledge" needs to be removed from the government and public schools.
Peter--there is a conversation to be had about how much children understand when and what it means to indoctrinate them, to socialize them, to teach them. There is the felt sense within the child, as well as the sense of self in relation to others around us. Many, many things going on with these little rituals we enact.
My dissertation is called Pressure to Believe, Behave, and Become: Identity Negotiation Stories from People Who Grew up “Cult.” I have a psychosocial frame for understanding the phenomena of coercive communication, rather more than a political one. It’s interesting to me that you frame your experience as coming entirely from within yourself, a felt sense of outrage.
I have many thoughts about just this brief exchange between us, personal, academic, professional. It seems unlikely that we can do the topic justice in these comments.
To do this topic justice will require much more time and space because its a very complex subject and can be approached from many different angles and perspectives.
Why don't Christian apologists follow the teachings of Jesus? Jesus taught and lived inclusiveness, ethics, and respect for people. Christian nationalists and evangelicals do not. Jesus would be rejected and persecuted by many of today's Christians. "If you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me."
"Christian" is a misnomer that the posers use. They are actually "Paulists" like the Puritans who brot that hypocrisy to our shores after being run out of England.
If you are a true patriot, you want to be of genuine service to your country, to its citizens. Honesty and integrity is part of that. Grandstanding and calling names is not. The old biblical, saying “by their fruits you shall know them” comes to mind. If you are a true patriot, there is the no need to wrap yourself in the flag, or carry out ritualistic “proof“ that you are patriotic. The proof is in the pudding! I.e. the actual results of your behavior.
Judy Birenbaum ; Yes ; "you know them by their fruits" ; Imposing requirement of displays of 'Patriotism' by the very Seditionists who obviously don't know or care about the Constitution is as telling, as it is hideously wrong. If they get away with this, I wonder what's next? They add insult to injury!
I think Justice failed us when the reversal of Roe v Wade happened , supported and passed by those who, in their confirmation hearings lied about their intent, calling Roe 'settled law' ; and this obviously religious decision passed, against what is in the Constitution. Now. they again cross a line, requiring displays of 'patriotism' , and eventually the recitation of the 'Pledge of Allegiance', with its "under God" statement. What next? genuflect before the 'Speaker'? Cover your arms if you are female? I think if this atrocity 'passes' into rules ; The display of images of Seditionists using flags to assault our Capitol police should be allowed as a counterpoint to the lies, to show the hypocrisy of it all. Every representative who voted against Biden's certification should be out of government!
Wasn't it then president "the chosen one" who demanded all his administration members sign/ swear a loyalty oath soley to himself ? ? ? Yall sure we can't define Extreem Narcism a capital offence incurring appropriate consequences for suc behavior? ? ? Probably just another internal Rant I am prone to imagine , but oh so gratifying non the less.
Patriotism is an odd and twisted concept. In many countries, including our own, it becomes a chant of "I'm better than you are", which is a stance best left on a grade school playground. The immaturity of "American Exceptionalism", which is functionally equivalent to "Christian Nationalism" (an oxymoronic phrase), degrades the other by proclaiming our de facto superiority. This is a patriotism we need to avoid.
So what would a healthy patriotism look like. Perhaps it one based in an ethic and is willing to accept the risk of being seen as woke. Caring for people (equity), caring for land (ecological health), and seeking fairness in our pursuit of integrity, stability and beauty (see the Land Ethic of Aldo Leopold). We can't let patriotism have primacy over our care for the earth and our neighbors, it has to rise from that care. True patriotism also allows others to have their own patriotism as partners on the planet that we all share. If this is the patriotism you seek, then I can stand with you.
But I reject patriotism that excludes the other. Sadly patriotism has become a poisonous word when wielded by many as a political sword to keep the other at bay, whether it is based on color, history, accent or religion.
The Republicans are putting their colleagues in the position of being forced to perform 'patriotic art' : displays like puppets ; echoing the pressure on those in team sports who have valid reasons to push back on 'blind patriotism' of flag salutes and posing during the National Anthem ; making a mockery of freedom, while defiling and cheapening true fealty to our Constitution and the principles of the founders. They completely disrespect the religious beliefs they pretend to know and respect as well.
Terry Franzman ; When I post a comment I'm not tying myself in knots of 'both sides ism' or even attempting 'all sides ism'. I'm stating my view, as a comment should. Their views are known already, it seems.
There are MAGA ADHERENTS visiting all the time. Most of the posters here agree that the present Republican party is not in sync here. Not really a surprise that most of us have very different views than the extremists and tfg followers.
Fine sentiments, but by themselves insufficient. Remember how Joe McCarthy was humbled. To my mind, the way forward is to attack hypocrisy, cruelty, and pomposity--trademarks of today's Republicans. Each expose will weaken the Republicans. It is not necessary for Democrats to wrap themselves in the Stars and Stripes. It is only necessary for Democrats to expose Republicans who so wrap themselves as self-seeking charlatans and sycophants.
Let the Democrats in Congress take turns reading from the Founders. The Federalist Papers and the deliberations over the Constitution underline the absolute good of separation of church and state, not just for the benefit of the latter, but even morefor the benefit of the former. Steve Schmidt and Heather Cox Richardson do a great job of bringing these historical perspectives to current events in their Substacks.
Political parties that wrap themselves in the national flag are not to be trusted.Look at Putin trying to reclaim an empire.All the European nationalist parties are racist movements funded by nefarious means and that has included the oldest Political party founded in the world namely the British Conservative Party. Being proud to be American means tolerance and sharing resources too.
As usual, you hit the nail on the head in this apt and appropriate piece, Professor Reich. I am so glad you brought the topic of patriotism up.
My own mother used to have a flag just outside the front door and told herself she would hang it back up when the former guy was gone. Today the precious banner still sits in the hall closet because it has become tainted forever by those who most flaunt it.
I am afraid the voters who condone the horribleness of the most unpatriotic in office are so blinded by their own twisted “patriotism” that the only thing that can be done is recruit more and more young educated people. The educated have got their number.
A. 🌻
From October 2020 / The New Yorker:
The town of Palm Beach, Florida, limits its flagpoles to a height of forty-two feet, and its flags to four-by-six feet. In 2006, Trump, at his private club there, Mar-a-Lago, erected a flagpole that stood eighty feet tall. He raised a flag that measured at least fifteen-by-twenty-five feet—a square footage greater than that of some New York City apartments. Neighbors complained; Trump defied municipal orders to scale back, then sued the town for twenty-five million dollars, claiming infringement of his constitutional and civil rights. He reportedly argued that he needed such a mammoth flag in order to “appropriately express the magnitude” of his “patriotism.”
I'm not one that hangs the flag in my front yard like a couple of my "patriot" neighbors. But recently I acquired a long collapsable pole that I really have no use for, I decided to hang onto it in hopes that the rule of law will be upheld in this country. The day that Donald Trump is put away is the day that the pole will go up with a proudly displayed American flag high over my house! If the rule of law is restored in this country, it will then again be the U.S.A. until then...well, it simply isn't.
When the March winds tone down, my flag will fly. Our President is a patriot and there still are some decent people in government , MAGAs do not own our flag. They want to, but they cannot. Actions speak louder than accusations and lies.
Yes Professor Reich, but how dow we get the Democrats to improve their messaging? My suggestion is to take the word ‘Democrat’ out of messaging and use ‘Majority of Americans’ in messaging, memes, sound bites, video clips and whatever other messaging avenues are used. In my humble opinion, this would diffuse the negativity/weaponization the R’s have created around ‘Democrats’. It would make arguing against ‘The Majority of Americans’ much more difficult. You can do simple searches starting with the words ‘Majority of Americans’ and get numerous great headlines that are indisputable.
After all, the majority of Americans voted against Trump in 2016 and 2020. We truly are the majority of Americans and our messaging should reflect the power of our majority and ride this wave.
Secretary Pete should be in charge of Communications ...
Erin, I, too like the way Pete messages. He takes nonsense from no one, but does not raise his voice, insult, or belittle. He just states what is true and what can be done to make things better. He is a patriot.
Erin, Sec. Pete isn’t doing the job he is supposed to be doing now as Sec. of Transportation. He says he is “constrained” from doing anything more to protect people from derailments like the one in Ohio recently that caused the evacuation of thousands of people because of highly flammable chemicals. He might be intelligent and gifted at communicating, but he is showing himself to be gifted at communicating for the purpose of his own advancement, not for protecting the public.
I am sorry Joe, but you clearly do not know the facts. The deregulation of railroads in Republican administrations has allowed a lot of bad actors to permit safety issues to go uncorrected, or even dismissed as safety brakes were ignored by the corporation that runs the line where the derailment occurred. And the Sec. of Trans. or FEMA can't intervene unless invited in by the state's governor and Ohio's gov. didn't do that. Tell me again how that is DOT's fault. Maybe conservatives/Republicans need to relook at their position on deregulation. I guess it's a good thing until it's you or your family that is impacted, and when you need an issue to whine about before understanding the facts. There is a lot of that going on these days.
Straight and true, Ruth. Too many people only read headlines and skip the details. One thing desperately needed in this country is restoration of regulations to control an out of control corporate society.
Agree, Ruth and Fay.
Imo it's the basic dichotomy of states rights vs. federal protections. For decades Congress has shown less and less appetite to enforce laws.
Ruth: Great educational response to Joe.
Exactly correct. Repugnants at every chance deregulate or impede enforcement of regulations meant to protect us. Because even though corporations are "people" they don't need protection, except from us.
What I do really wish is that Sec. Pete be more explicit in relating exactly what constraints repugnants have placed on his agency. Every cabinet secretary should be doing that, vocally and often. And why is dejoy still postmaster?
Because on the Board of the USPS can fire him, and they are a corrupt group. There is one more Democrat than repugnicant on the Board, but he votes with the pugs every time. (I suspect he's being bribed. Just a thought.)
I've been wondering the same thing
Very true. In the early afternoon today Governor DeWine did finally request Federal help from HHS. Some people blamed Sec. Pete for the Railroad Labor Union issues also which is the wrong department entirely.
Totally agree, Ruth !! So many American are ill-informed !
Sec Pete is not in Congress. As such, he has NO POWER to fix this problem, and he has NO AUTHORITY to enforce rules that do not exist. REPUBLICANS caused the relevant legislation to be overturned based on a cost-benefit analysis from the railroads. Furthermore, even had it not been overturned, they successfully lobbied to NOT have the special braking protection on cars carrying vinyl chloride, so it would have made no difference. The way to protect against this is to have the braking system in place on individual cars so that they slow to a stop instead of derailing. THIS IS ON THE GOP. So OF COURSE they want to blame Pete. They are incapable of accepting responsibility for anything. They refuse to allow themselves to be held accountable for their errors.
Keith, thank you so much for the concise response to Republican attempts to blame the Department of Transportation for the results Republicans put into place by stopping some important regulations the railroad top guys didn't want. The railroad responsible should have to pay through the nose as they say to fix the problem and cover suffering for the people of the community.
Keith: Thank you for clarifying the dynamics of those who are responsible for the railroad disaster.
You want Pete to be out with his pick and shovel to repair railroad tracks that are ancient and haven’t been maintained for years???Sure - anything else he can do for you?
As far as I know, the railroads are responsible for maintaining the tracks, NOT the Dept of Transportation. Your blame is misplaced.
Professor Reich, there’s something very wrong with your voice recording mechanism or process. Many words were badly garbled this time, to the point that it was useless to try to listen to it. It started out fairly well but later got pretty bad.
I’ve noticed this on several of his posts with his voice on the recorded audio.
Me also- thought it was my computer.
On the other hand, "heart" ing seems to be working all the time now....
I wondered if it was just me, but now I see I’m not alone and having difficulty listening, and would love to hear it recorded again
The Professor sounds like Max Headroom, which is distressing because the TV character was an avatar of Reagan.
It would be nothing less than heartwarming if Secretary of Transportation responded to Joe Tonini's misguided perspective about Pete Buttigieg.
We can call them out when they reduce us from the Democratic Party to the “ democrat “ party … language is culture
Perhaps we should start referring to them as the Replublick Party-emphasis on the ICK.
Good one!
🤣😂
I noticed the “democrat” party usage, too, and felt disturbed. Thx for pointing it out in this messaging discussion.
Ada ; I think Democrat messaging is just fine. Did you see/hear the SOTU speech?
Yes, Laurie, the SOTU was uplifting, but I think Ada is right about messaging. I have been thinking about Democrats urgent need to be clear and strong in imagery and slogans. Every day I am on the phone with voters in Wisconsin, where there is a complete abortion ban based on an 1849 law. Many self-described independents, but many Democrats, too, state firmly their agreement with choice, then start sliding to the right. They express doubt, they mention that they watch many "news" programs and easily blur their original clear commitment and become fuzzy about supporting the progressive candidate. Anti abortion forces have soaked the media with loud and disturbing images that confuse a lot of these Democratic voters. It is urgent that very strong pro-choice messages and images flood the media now (not later!) that clarify the situation and will address and counter the distortions.
There are advertising agencies that, of course, specialize in messaging. If the Dems can’t think up catchy phrases, then they should considering an agency like Wunderman Thompson, which yesterday was awarded a $34M modification to a previously awarded contract for “tactical advertising” for the US Marines.
Yes. Priorities.
Ike warned us a long time ago about the 'Military/Industrial Complex.
Stan of Stanistan ; Maybe we can have a bake sale (or a million), to get that kind of dough to get Wunderman Thompson. (or they can help US out!?).
Wunderman should have the brains to petition the Dems now in view of their messaging weaknes.
Stan ; listen to President Biden's SOTU address. Not weak at all!
In defense of Democratic reps, Performative Patriotism from Republicans has gone on for so long, and is so constant, that they would exhaust themselves trying to combat every instance. Claims of police support, then abandoning the Capitol police after they came to save you from an insurrectionist mob. Proclamations of unwavering support for troops, while voting against increased aid to veterans or VA treatment for health impacts from toxic burn pits while deployed. There are more examples but you all have lives and things to do.
I completely agree that the Democratic Party's messaging stinks and has stunk for a while now. However, I don't think the answer is to go out of their way to critique these hypocritical performances. Republicans trot out these multi-act plays to distract from the fact that they don't have creative ideas or a platform that helps regular people. Democratic criticisms should be made in response to reporter questions in the hallways. I suggest workshopping them with AOC and other Squad members. She is especially adept at pointing out Republican hypocrisy in the sharp, soundbite-friendly retorts that accommodate the attention spans of the public and journalists alike. Things like:
Q:What do you think of McCarthy reading the Constitution for an hour?
A:I think he's long overdue. Maybe he and the rest of the Republicans will learn that certified Electoral Votes get counted without mob input, and insurrectionists should not hold office.
Q:What is your response to Republican plans to go to the southern border to witness migrant activity?
A:It's a shame that they choose burning taxpayer money to travel there instead of working with us here at the Capitol, where legislation is created and passed, to solve immigration issues.
Dems have resisted being combatant and calling out foolishness for too long. Uncle Joe showed them the way at the SOTU, and now it's time for the rest of them to take off the white gloves and put on their boxing gloves too.
Absolutely, C. Jacobs. All of the laser sharp Democratic respondents' remarks should be harvested into a few direct, strong, clear, loud ads and sent out everywhere. Now.
Donna Robin Lippman ; Too bad there is not a way to have something like the old 'radio free Europe' ; only here in the USA. Only have it on TV. Or a blog. The main stream media is fairly tone deaf about progressive ideas. Even people like Michael Moore, Robert Reich and Bernie Sanders have limited air time that is tightly controlled. Even better,have 'open talk time' on more liberal networks : have lapses in their coverage of the facts, depending on the program. It's not that Democrats and Progressives have nothing dynamic to say ; but they don't control the media. or get featured on news in the way that would have to happen to really educate ordinary folks.
Tom Steyer would've been much wiser to have spent his money building a progressive Democratic network than running for the presidency last time, but he wasn't interested.
Jaime, Steyer created Next Gen which is a strong and enormous group of college students who register new voters by the millions and then get them out to vote. I did a lot of phone banking with them in the 2022 election. They are enviably comfortable with technology, easy-going and flexible, and are thankfully endlessly patient with and kind to me, who is not.
Jaime Ramirez ; It was about him, as it is for most , as usual. If there was a truly altruistic billionaire (oxymoron), that would be interesting.
Yes, of course, Laurie, it would be wonderful to have a non-commercial television station for progressive discourse. There are sources of meaningful news and dialogue available to people who seek them out, though many voters I speak to talk about watching television news on "both sides" as if the right wing high-volume railing is a balance. Some of the people who throw this stuff up are shrill. They seem to be letting off steam about the frustrations that I imagine they experience in their own lives.
Donna Robin Lippman ; Do you have any ideas of how" Democrats urgent need to be clear and strong in imagery and slogans" can be solved or helped at all?
Good question, Laurie. I think about it all the time because I make calls to voters for Democrats. I have found it to be an effort that is worth my precious time. I frequently speak with voters who are on the fence but who are open to conversation and often enough they commit to voting for the Democrat. I am comforted to see that there is an army of phone bankers, tens of thousands in peak season, literally, making calls for progressive organizations and for the Democrats, some even now in February! and around the calendar these days. We urgently need a huge, strong, effective public service campaign in the media. I hope some monied groups put out ads now clarifying pivotal issues. In the phone campaign for the open seat on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court next Tuesday, issues of abortion, voting rights and gerrymandering are front and center. For abortion, the message has to tell the stories of real women so people who don't know personally can see the range of situations. It has to counter the hysteria about aborting live babies that has been heard from republicans in televised Congressional committee hearings on CSpan a few short months ago. It has to make the situations women find themselves in real, to evoke empathy rather than judgment, and counter these holier-than-thou distortions about people seeking abortions being casual about it. For voting rights, it has to focus on the reality of the situation, how tens of millions of Americans don't vote, and that if there are any people voting who are not documented (!) or dead(!!!) those are negligible. The next area of clarity has to be why it is so crucial to vote. There are always people who complain about illegal voting and then who say that millions of eligible voters don't vote because it doesn't matter anyway. Democrats have to get the message out that who we elect and the legislation they pass does affect people's lives. Today when a Wisconsin voter said as much to me, I mentioned an example that hearing aids will be able to be bought over the counter and cost a fraction of what they had cost when people needed a prescription because of legislation by Democrats. The cost of insulin for Medicare recipients will drop to $40 instead of hundreds a month. A lifelong union activist told me he wasn't sure he would vote for a Democrat but he was open to discussion. He agreed when I said that strong unions make a strong middle class and it is Democrats, never republicans, who will help that process. He sheepishly admitted that he will vote for a Democrat next week in Wisconsin. We need a strong, effective public relations campaign to get these messages out loud and clear ASAP.
Its not just Biden....its all the others....House, Senate...and State level 2. We don't get much of the latter in Indiana. Democrats have shriveled up and ceded the playing field to Republicans for the last 40 years.
Don’t misunderstand the silent adults in the midst. Patriotism is not a manufactured set of talking points. There is still a manifest of decency among our people.
Certainly hope so, among citizens of a nation that voted for a well-known, ignorant grifter and con man and put him 8n the WH !!!!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
Erin Caitlin ; Don't forget that Electoral college that allowed that 'win' for said "Well known, ignorant grifter and con man", along with the Gerrymandering voter roll purging and all the other tricks employed to steal the elections. "We" did not vote for tfg
Granted. Well aware of the corrupt electoral systeme that exists in the USA today.
The SOTU speech was a beginning. I like the idea of reminding Americans of what a majority of Americans means. You could even have some humor in these people who don’t like democracy wrapping themselves in flags as though that Chang
I think it’s wise to reinforce that Democrats are the majority of Americans. I did see the SOTU address and I thought it was outstanding! Biden hit every mark in making our country stronger. Republican rancorous messaging is spread with much more vigor among media outlets. Biden’s accomplishments are rarely front page or even in the top 50 of news headlines. Red states and their representatives are pushing B.S. agendas, and concentrate on trivial matters that have nothing to do with the business of government. I watched Governor John Sununu on Face the National last Sunday. Before he started talking I thought, “Oh a sane republican for a change”. Nope, wrong, after he started with the tired old laundry list of Republican grievances, I lost interest. Democrats are pushing their messaging more now than ever, but that’s not saying much. If Democrats hadn’t abandoned Tim Ryan from OH, a fine statesman, he could have been elected senator. Instead you’ve got another moron who left OH years ago only to return and make stupid comments on fake news about working with FEMA to help with the clean up at the derailment site in East Palestine. Since Gov DeWine has so far refused help from the federal government, FEMA isn’t coming. Keep up with you state, senator.
Independents outnumber both major parties in NC. https://www.ncdemography.org/2022/05/09/unaffiliated-voter-shifts-in-nc-and-the-nation/
Both parties routinely ignore us. And, no, I’m not one of those fuzzy thinkers who waffles. I have quite well researched and developed views on any number of policy issues.
Oh totally agree. I do know independents are the largest pool of voters. Now I realize what I goofed is using Democrats as generic term for not Republican aligned. I should have just used Most Americans. That’s more accurate. Both parties, the media, and candidates do not properly acknowledge Independents. Time to start. In PA registered independents are not permitted vote in primaries. Other states have open primaries eg: AZ. That REALLY needs to change nationally. I do not understand AK’s voting process fully, but I think it’s likely to be the most inclusive of it’s residents. I do not think Independents are in anyway fuzzy thinkers. My 3 sons and their wives are registered Independent. (I use the term fuzzy thinkers for Libertarians).
Hey, Karen, thanks for your response. It’s like trying to make the invisible visible. I like Most Americans. It takes up a lot of characters in a Twitter post, but what are we to do to break the polarized pattern of speech?
I’ve been trying to figure out Libertarians’ thinking on various policy issues. I doubt they like being caught up in the culture wars much (except maybe guns?). They sure seem fuzzy on regulation. On taxes, I’ve gotten some ideas proposed that seemed worth understanding better, e.g., land value tax. My earlier impression was of folks who prefer the idea of isolating oneself, accountable to no one. Or Bundy, thinking federal land ought to be available for any American. Sort of like all those people screaming on Jan6 that “this is the people’s house.” I’ve never heard a well articulated view of how libertarians, through the Libertarian Party, view the role of the federal government. Much less the state or local government. Anyway, nice to meet you!
I enjoy the exchange of ideas and information. Libertarians, as far as I know, have no cohesive platform for which to build on. Small government, low taxes and the freedom to live without regulation or any type of social safety nets. Every Libertarian I’ve met, and there have been more than a few, are wealthy, eccentric, selfish and kind of a jerk. I hope to meet one I like one day.
I’ve seen some people say that Independents are really Democrats. Or RINOs. I think of it more as a policy-by-policy preference, rather than party alignment. I’m extremely progressive on social issues, personal choice. I’m unconvinced regarding modern monetary theory, at least as far as it’s been presented to my by my extremely well read son, who says debt is not a problem. Doesn’t it matter who holds the debt? And doesn’t devoting large amounts of the federal budget to paying interest curtail our ability to invest? I just saw someone describe themself as a Progressive Conservative, saying “that’s a thing.” Really? I’m working to bring Ranked Choice Voting to NC, as a lever for the change that I want to see in this country.
It is disappointing to look for good leadership and find it a mirage.
Ohio is just beginning with 'sorry'
The SOTU speech was great, although I think Biden should have explained why helping Ukraine is critical to our own security. But other Democrats' messaging was not great. For example, one way that Republicans took control of the House is that in New York they walked all over Democrats on the issue of crime, and flipped several seats (and put George Santos in the House).
Carolyn Herz : I think the support of Ukraine is a no brainer; It needs no 'explanation' .A Soveriegn Democracy was attacked and invaded after the U.S. had already pledged support for them to defend themselves. We are a Democracy, so far. If another Democracy is attacked, we should help them, too. As for the issue of crime ; The MAGA republican party has been and still is the crime family of the world. Their claim to be against crime is like their insistence on enforcing /compelling 'patriotism' and displays of such, ironically by those who actually ARE real patriots, and have been for awhile. They have their 'nerve' in their pockets! And no shame nor decency at all!
According to polls, more than 50% of Americans support the war in Ukraine, but support has declined as the war drags on. So, millions of Americans, including some members of Congress who vote on funding, are skeptical of the value of the aid. A simple explanation of the reasons for our involvement, along with reassurance that the aid is being closely monitored to ensure that it is going where it's intended would help. It's important for political leaders to acknowledge that not everyone thinks the same, and what might be obvious to some is not at all obvious to others.
Carolyn Herz ; It is obvious why so many are changing from support for helping Ukraine defend itself to being 'skeptical '. The media is owned by the very wealthy, who support more Republicans than Democrats. MAGA people like Putin, who is owned by Oleg Deripaska, who sent $700,000 to George Santos to become a Congressman, so McCarthy had the vote to become speaker in Congress. They buy our country, and it is legal to buy seats: money is speech. It is illegal to get money for such purposes from foreign Russian oligarchs, but who is looking?
Reverse Cotizens United.
While what you say is true, Laurie--about why people are becoming skeptical--it does not convincingly argue against Carolyn’s point that she would have liked Biden to include a brief explanation of U.S. security interests in Putin’s war among the greatest hits of his SOTU speech. In fact, your points could be used as evidence that there was even MORE reason for Biden to state the reasons behind America’s involvement now, in this war, with our allies abroad. Even perhaps to draw a distinction in how our engagement this time has been vastly and substantively different than prior attempts to “promote” democracy abroad.
Laurie, I do think Biden did a good job messaging, but I think Dems can use all the help they can get. The challenge for Biden is that Republican pathetic messaging has him seen as a doddering old man who can't do anything. That works for Republicans and their ilk because they have nothing else since they have done nothing else. Getting younger folks on board to support Biden's message can be huge.
Ruth: Ruth ; Think of what you are saying. If Republicans see Biden "as a doddering old man" , even after the SOTU address, that is not going to change. To hell with them! Our President promised to veto certain things we don't want! And he CAN! 'Doddering'or not. Which side are you on? There is absolutely no need to talk about " A doddering old man"! that is THEIR problem! Our power is in our voters and any truths we can communicate to our young voters! Even old people can get this done! PS : sorry for yelling. And saying 'Hell'.
It is not republican voters we seek; it's the 82 million eligible voters who did not vote in the 2020 election we are after. And yes, Ruth, there are massive campaigns to register young voters to get them to the polls.
Casting Biden as a "doddering old man" is most assuredly our problem. Because people BELIEVE it. It's just another variation on "When did you stop beating your wife?" If you address it, instead of reframing it, you validate the premise.
Dems SUCK at reframing.
Yes to all of it, Ruth. Dems have a terrible tendency to say "There, that was great! We scored." As though the "game" was won. The game is most definitely NOT won, and sitting back complacently because 1 speech or 1 law had a positive effect is NOT game over. The system is dynamic or dialectic, and thinking otherwise is the road to disaster.
Shakespeare to the rescue: "We have scotched the snake, not killed it...." Macbeth
I agree, Laurie, the State of the Union message of President Biden was the best I've heard. But, you have to admit he referred more often to "the good of the American people" He denounced the Republicans by name, but the thrust of his speech was to say 'let's build from the bottom up and the middle out' I think Ada has a point and one Biden certainly made in his speech. The more we talk about concern for ALL Americans, and uphold the first Amendment in its entirety, the better.
Superb and I just love the way he outfoxed them,LOL!
Great speech. He needs a better press secretary!
"The majority of Americans support democrats & democracy."
"Democrats support democracy. Republicans subvert the republic."
Jaime Ramirez : the MAGA Republicans are almost impossible to work with. Their 'patriotisim' is illegitimate! It's glaringly evident.
But, see . .covert commie dem'crats are Undermining the Republic!!
Hahaha!
I agree and you sound so thoughtful. I am and have been worried in the damage done during the former presidents' time and messaging tactics. When I have ever used "republican" I am careful because I have good friends who are republican but are not proud of direction of the party. I have also felt some recoil with "well Democrats do the same".... and I need to do push back in a way that isn't insensitive and not fearful. Words, actions and how they are used are so important. This drive to the lack of "media" use by this president is to infer he is old and not doing much. He has a lot more experience in foreign policy, etc than most folks and lets us know what we need to know. Haven't we learned already, entertainment and narcissistic use of the media with all talk and no "do" was destructive. We must be able to speak from the Constitution, (for instance, re: nationalistic and religious extremes) and, as you suggest, use facts and sometime inquisitive how those approaches resonate...?
You had me, Georgia, until you got to "Haven't we learned already....." Unfortunately for the broad audience of the TV watching American public, the answer is NOPE. They do not wish to be enlightened, they want to be entertained and the more lurid the better (also the less content and messaging) The trumpster knew this and delivered it well, probably due to his own inability to think of any subject except himself. Our job is to get out short, pertinent, and meaningful messages frequently, so it finally enters their deadened brain cells - that we are here to help them, help them get their fair share of the economy,. the recognition, and the sense of worth they deserve.
Talk too much, say not enough, do nothing at all, nothing acheived but rehtorical meaningless drivel.
Ada!
You are absolutely right!
Stop using 'Social' in social security. Why? Call it retirement security!
Because it's 'socialism!!! That is what the former democrats who vote republican have been
convinced that it is !
And the Trump signs have not been removed from quite a few yards here in a former swing state.
They migrate between here and Florida which should tell us why Floridia is so republician.
Democratic canidates talk of how bad Trump is, how bad their opponent is and the evil republican party. All of that is good but . . .
They are talking about repubilcans and their schtick !
You don't sell more Fords by having the new Chevys in your show room for comparision!!
You will get some of your 'former' customers to switch to your competitor's brand!!!
Democratic candidates and their 'advisors' . . . have the mistaken belief that public political self flagellation is appealing to voters.
It's not.
It is viewed as a weakness!
Voters don't need candidates telling them about the 'opposition's positions'!
They've already voted for those once!
They need you telling them about yourself and 'your positons' ! ! !
That is what I've called and written to my senators, congressmen, and president.
Maybe one day they'll figure it out.
It is in the framing and the way it is demonstrated and most folks I know try to also live the principles most of the time. I see being a democrat as for people, overall good for most type of platforms. I benefited greatly from the centralized type of government that provided the education system, only was able to go to college because the "community colleges became "a new" way to go at night while working during the day (especially for young women). I won't go through the "I think" road right now but our journeys are never perfect. I was an activist in the 60's and 70's and marched and written letters and was thinking this next generation would carry the torch. Yet my anger is subverting the fear that is put out there and is toxic. I don't think "privatizing" works, socialism is a term for financing and includes all paying their fair share (EVERYONE). A democratic society is not as it is portrayed in politics and there are socialist democracies. that work. At any rate,I hear your passion and I absolutely agree that to say what you stand for, positions, ideas questioning if it follows the principles of our founders. Questioning or showing the results of the paths that are taken by the parties, bring in the history and perhaps how something proposed was tried in the past and this is what happened.
Hearing each of you is an encouragement for me to not be silent though I also want to be by my actions effective in the disbelief that folks feel we re on the best path. I like hearing YOUR voices. There is strength in that.
That's good!
Bob Reich: Work on getting this to your friends in Congress.
At least SOME will be receptive!
What can they do with it? They are working with illegitimates!
Yes, Ada. We should not give the Maga brain dead cult members labels with which to spread their propaganda!
Thank you, Ada. I was starting to think of how best to express this myself. I would add that it is disingenuous at best to decry the tribalism of Republicans by appealing to the tribalism of Democrats -- which excludes the so-called independents who increasingly are the deciding factor in politic races.
Alas, the Republicans are claiming that they are speaking on behalf of 'we the people' as wel ...
But Dems have the figures to back up that "majority" claim in many areas; gun control, abortion, healthcare, and the social safety net being just a few. And they should push back on every GOP lie with the truth, chapter and verse.
The problem is, the Dems pretty much never go on the offensive. I've seen this passive stance in local, state, and national contests. They won't stand toe-to-toe and do battle against the absurd GOP BS.
Denise Donaldson ; Listen to our President's SOTU address, without the pundit's 'interpretations'. I went on you tube and enjoyed it without interruption.
I've read much of the text. A good effort, with a few zingers, but too little, too late.
Biden was forced to compromise on much of his legislation because he initially held out for bipartisanship (trying to negotiate with sharks), then refused to play hardball with Manchin and Sinema. LBJ, he ain't.
He talked a good fight during his campaign---remember how he seemed to embrace
progressive values on kitchen-table issues?---and then abandoned quite a few of those promises after the election. For reference, see public healthcare option, $15 minimum wage, no drilling on public lands, and so on.
Biden has spent most of the last two years trying to be the good guy. His party won't grow a spine. I stand by my observation that the Dems' messaging is defensive and ineffective.
Denise Donaldson ; All good observations. I can't help but try to 'accentuate the positive', all the while knowing that money rules. The Republican party is controlled by and owned by the money, Sadly, with money as speech the Democrat party is affected by that reality too, and weaker because of it, since it has less money.
You're correct on all points, Laurie. The Dems have just as many "owners and donors" as the GOP does. Of course, we've seen that graphically recently, with Manchin openly pandering to Big Oil and Sinema caving to Big Pharma. Biden himself has Big Corp ties, as well, via Delaware. The list goes on. And IMO, it's naive to assume all that money doesn't exert influence. As much as I admire Bernie Sanders, I know that he fought hard to have Lockheed fighter jets stationed in Burlington, VT, over huge protests from residents. As anti-war as he says he is, he's still not immune to lobbying.
The only politician I know for sure who was never bought was my hero, Dennis Kucinich. He refused corporate donations and literally lived more poorly than many of his constituents. But because he wouldn't toe the corporate line, his own party, via the DNC, had him gerrymandered out of office.
The republicans are the minority ; especially the MAGA ones.
Minority, yes, but with a hugely disproportionate share of power.
This messaging strategy would also often speak inclusively to a majority of unaffiliated, Independent voters. I agree that it is detrimental to amplify the duopoly.
I like an inclusive strategy for what the word stands for and also I don't like the feeling of "sides" rather than a way to talk or debate an issue. I am registered as a democrat but I look to see the candidates really are and, within the context of our discussion, are they parroting the party line or are they open and willing to listen and actually remember the oaths they have and/or will take. If I ran for an office, I would see the Independents and not someone to cater too but to have open dialogue as we should have between all. I cannot see this present Republican Party with such dialog. It is positional, rote, and obstructionist. I just don't remember that in my early voting days. Heated debates were real.
The Grand Old made a Faustian bargain from which it will not recover, It Escalated Down and still is.
100% Ada
You are a wise lady.
That is a terrific idea. Pound on the majority of Americans
Step 1
Now and for the foreseeable future, the GOP should always be referred to as:
RADICAL REPUBLICANS
Hey, it's even got that nice alliteration!
Regressive, reactionary, repulsive & repugnant do, too!
I think that makes it easier to remember.
Ada, what an obvious but apparently obscure idea! Fabulous! Bless your common sense!😊🇺🇸
Brilliant, Ada! Well done! Just that one word change totally takes the framing away from the GOP.
Richard Nixon started the practice, if I remember correctly ,of wearing a Flag pin on his label. I thought the affectation ridiculous. Why would a President have to flaunt his patriotism ? Guess Tricky Dick had something to cover up, one of a multitude of insecurities.
His practice has escalated in succeeding decades. Politicians posturing with Democracy’s symbols, hiding their ignorance of its values and how it functions . Trump’s bunch are the worst of the hypocrites we have had to endure, hiding their ignorance behind symbols while their actions expose the vacuum of their thinking. Their profession of Christian belief is just as telling. Tolerance is the bedrock of both Christianity and our Democratic process. And these autocrats have none.
Nixon. Vietnam War. Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
It's complicated. A friend who is a USNA graduate and who is a retired judge and who is a Democrat rendered a diatribe the other day against Jane Fonda who went to North Vietnam and according to my friend caused two POWs to be beaten to death. It's not a question of our country right or wrong. Has to be inclusive.
We now know Nixon was a traitor and actively undermined a peace treaty in advance of his 1968 election. We also now know that there was no Gulf of Tonkin episode that LBJ used to convince Congress to go to war.
Patriotism remains the last refuge of scoundrels.
What we need to do -- and what members of Congress should do every day is root out insurrectionists. No insurrectionist should sit in Congress. -
Frankly, Daniel, I always admired Jane Fonda for her courage to stand against a war that had no legal, righteous foundation. We supposedly went in to help the beleaguered French Colonial regime, who in fact were exceedingly corrupt. Vietnam was a Civil War with the North part of the country fighting the corrupt South. It was unfortunate that at that time few people understood there was no such thing as 'communism' Russia and China were both dictatorships replacing imperialism with totalitarianism. Neither was good for the vast majority of Russians or Chinese. But, uneducated people seem willing to believe what they are told. Right now, in the United States of America, the trumpian wing of the former Republican Party is hurtling toward a fascist dictatorship but only the few of us on Substack seem to be cognizant.
We were at war.
By that time, I was a Vietnam veteran, opposed to the war. But I know that NOBODY in Hanoi Hilton, including many Democrats, supported it. My preceptor's son, Adm, Robert Shumaker, whose family were all Democrats, was there. It's one thing to oppose the war, another to be seen as a traitor.
This exactly what I mean. The Democratic Party has a big tent. We are the party of inclusion. We lost several presidential elections because we didn't seem like we followed the motto -- we are for ALL the people and not for just a few.
I still highly suspect Jane Fonda's stay in N Viet Nam was one of the CIA's cleverest intelligence operations. Can you say: Mata Hari?
Here's the thing: was Fonda ever apprehended, arrested, jailed, indicted, tried, or convicted of >anything< ‽ I'm assuming that there's at least some kind of law that proscribes aiding & comforting the enemy, here.
She was busted for >nada< ! To me, that's what's most suspicious of all. Just sayin'.
Correct no consequences I agree with your suspicions, I just have a hard time understanding how she didn't know she was being manipulated.
Think "propaganda," and see where that takes you, starting with Mr Roberts.
I might add, that just about every kid of the '50s in the US had at least as much a tracible connection with US intelligence as Fonda did. I could even suspect that Henry could've possibly been the one who put her up to it. If I remember correctly, Henry's >image< was of a war-weary WWII veteran, who served honorably - the last person you'd expect to recruit her. Her high-profile made her perfect for such an operation - Barbarella and all!
As a kid of the 50's I'm conflicted 🤔
>Only< her public >image< was manipulated. If my suspicion is correct, it would've been an operation that would've required a fully informed volunteer, who had no tracible connections with US intelligence, other than her father: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/actors-uniform-lieutenant-henry-fonda-mister-roberts I don't recall her father speaking out against her, if he did.
Hmmmm
Maybe 🤔 hmmmm
I just modified my comment with: "Can you say: Mata Hari?"
I remember that whole sequence of events...
The CIA were the bad guys Jane was supporting the communists; it was the ultimate rejection of what the US stood for... At that time.
As a parallel, consider the Howard W Campbell character in "Mother Night:" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Night
https://archive.org/details/mothernight00vonn
Clever, don'cha think?
You have made two points that seem to reflect some of my own impressions of what is said and what it done in practice. My stepmother would have said, " All talk and little do..." However, the misinformation that is given and stated without proof or reflection or even recollection of what was the issue of last week's to bounce around was. If it is the same issue but a different question, is it question. I live in a state of cognitive dissonance when that happens and the 4 years of the last president it was endless. Symbols are to be, perhaps for parades/celebrations/ and , honor in the case of those lost or who have truly served the people. They are empty if not tied to the true importance and function of a Democratic society. I still go to the idea that open debate, especially in the Senate, was a way to get to a solution or policy to serve the needs and best majority of the citizenry. I don't see much but obstruction and arrogance sprinkled on top.
Simply saying the "pledge of allegiance" is an act of fascism because it makes people pledge allegiance to an ideology and the phrase "one nation under god" was slipped in by Christian nationalists long ago and has no place in government. just like "in god we trust" which used to be E pluribus unum.
Simply because the gqp are Pharisees who are looking out only for themselves and manipulating the vulnerable to stay in power ...
Eisenhower was baptized as a Presbyterian when in office. Ironically ,his family had been members of "the Brethren" a pacifist sect. Was up to that time, the most openly evangelical president. Brought many religious leaders to the White House. He was responsible for "under God."
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/09/04/5-facts-about-the-pledge-of-allegiance/
christianity vs communism
Personally I abhor organized religion. Its roots have been poisoned and entrenched in the gop/maga/magaq.
Thank you, Peter, for noting this. It was 'slipped' in during Eisenhower's administration, at a time when the Country was still in the thrall of winning WW2. And it was christian nationalists who slipped it in. It needs to be removed.
The true litmus test of a patriot is seeing someone burn a flag. If they own a flag, it is an act of wasting money; someone else's flag, theft; and in any case, perhaps a violation of the town's outdoor burning regulations regarding safety.
That's it.
Ask someone who's fought for it. They might feel flag-burning contemptible or sad, but not an invitation to retribution.
Symbolism matters. We let them steal the flag every damn time. We need to drill in: Dem = Old Glory, the rest = stars&bars, swastikas, and MAGA banners. And not only corporations have the right to burn flags, even USian humans have the right to free expression. .
My father talked with me as a little girl about the Pledge and the words “under God” being added. When I was perhaps 6 or 7, living on an Army base, I did not say those words when the Pledge was spoken at school.
I never spoke the pledge when I was in school because I knew that there was something wrong with making people recite something against their will. Thats why the "pledge" needs to be removed from the government and public schools.
Peter--there is a conversation to be had about how much children understand when and what it means to indoctrinate them, to socialize them, to teach them. There is the felt sense within the child, as well as the sense of self in relation to others around us. Many, many things going on with these little rituals we enact.
My dissertation is called Pressure to Believe, Behave, and Become: Identity Negotiation Stories from People Who Grew up “Cult.” I have a psychosocial frame for understanding the phenomena of coercive communication, rather more than a political one. It’s interesting to me that you frame your experience as coming entirely from within yourself, a felt sense of outrage.
I have many thoughts about just this brief exchange between us, personal, academic, professional. It seems unlikely that we can do the topic justice in these comments.
To do this topic justice will require much more time and space because its a very complex subject and can be approached from many different angles and perspectives.
Why don't Christian apologists follow the teachings of Jesus? Jesus taught and lived inclusiveness, ethics, and respect for people. Christian nationalists and evangelicals do not. Jesus would be rejected and persecuted by many of today's Christians. "If you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me."
Why don't Christian apologists follow the teachings of Jesus?
Predisposed by a collective racist subconscious?
Indeed - note the criticism of the 'He Gets Us' ad during this year's Super Bowl (it was swift, if not immediate)...
They don’t follow Jesus because they’re too busy following Paul of Tarsus.
"Christian" is a misnomer that the posers use. They are actually "Paulists" like the Puritans who brot that hypocrisy to our shores after being run out of England.
Christian Nationalism is not Christianity either.
"Never trust a politician who tells you how to pray, and
never trust a preacher who tells you how to vote."
I propose organizing sit-ins in the galleries of Congress and state-houses, by people chanting those two simple principles.
I propose sit ins in churches where the minister is a MAGat.
Yes. Let me revise my proposal accordingly, to:
I propose organizing sit-ins in the churches and galleries of Congress and state-houses, by people chanting those two simple principles.
Sit-ins in churches with MAGA ministers might actually have a productive, pro-social effect.
Nazis . . . they were all nostalgic for a storybook world that never existed.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/nov/20/nostalgia-for-things-that-never-happened
We don't proselytize religion but if we did I'd offer free space lasers and circumcisions.
But not at the same time?
Exactly!
Another relevant comment worth the 7-odd minutes: https://youtu.be/9uyYh4I0Hp4
On a more serious note than ol' Randy, consider this comment by Christopher Hitchens: https://youtu.be/P1hl2jdfIiA
Also see: https://youtu.be/JUhcTjs3jP0
Everybody may enjoy this little relevant comment: https://youtu.be/7hk4TGuedxA
Christian Nationalists = White Supremacists
This format works fine
If you are a true patriot, you want to be of genuine service to your country, to its citizens. Honesty and integrity is part of that. Grandstanding and calling names is not. The old biblical, saying “by their fruits you shall know them” comes to mind. If you are a true patriot, there is the no need to wrap yourself in the flag, or carry out ritualistic “proof“ that you are patriotic. The proof is in the pudding! I.e. the actual results of your behavior.
Judy Birenbaum ; Yes ; "you know them by their fruits" ; Imposing requirement of displays of 'Patriotism' by the very Seditionists who obviously don't know or care about the Constitution is as telling, as it is hideously wrong. If they get away with this, I wonder what's next? They add insult to injury!
I agree!
well said!!!
I think Justice failed us when the reversal of Roe v Wade happened , supported and passed by those who, in their confirmation hearings lied about their intent, calling Roe 'settled law' ; and this obviously religious decision passed, against what is in the Constitution. Now. they again cross a line, requiring displays of 'patriotism' , and eventually the recitation of the 'Pledge of Allegiance', with its "under God" statement. What next? genuflect before the 'Speaker'? Cover your arms if you are female? I think if this atrocity 'passes' into rules ; The display of images of Seditionists using flags to assault our Capitol police should be allowed as a counterpoint to the lies, to show the hypocrisy of it all. Every representative who voted against Biden's certification should be out of government!
Agree !
Wasn't it then president "the chosen one" who demanded all his administration members sign/ swear a loyalty oath soley to himself ? ? ? Yall sure we can't define Extreem Narcism a capital offence incurring appropriate consequences for suc behavior? ? ? Probably just another internal Rant I am prone to imagine , but oh so gratifying non the less.
Patriotism is an odd and twisted concept. In many countries, including our own, it becomes a chant of "I'm better than you are", which is a stance best left on a grade school playground. The immaturity of "American Exceptionalism", which is functionally equivalent to "Christian Nationalism" (an oxymoronic phrase), degrades the other by proclaiming our de facto superiority. This is a patriotism we need to avoid.
So what would a healthy patriotism look like. Perhaps it one based in an ethic and is willing to accept the risk of being seen as woke. Caring for people (equity), caring for land (ecological health), and seeking fairness in our pursuit of integrity, stability and beauty (see the Land Ethic of Aldo Leopold). We can't let patriotism have primacy over our care for the earth and our neighbors, it has to rise from that care. True patriotism also allows others to have their own patriotism as partners on the planet that we all share. If this is the patriotism you seek, then I can stand with you.
But I reject patriotism that excludes the other. Sadly patriotism has become a poisonous word when wielded by many as a political sword to keep the other at bay, whether it is based on color, history, accent or religion.
I wouldn't change a word!!! nor add anything but my "well said" and think of HOW we do this.
IT is the framing, the words, the ability to fact check.
The Republicans are putting their colleagues in the position of being forced to perform 'patriotic art' : displays like puppets ; echoing the pressure on those in team sports who have valid reasons to push back on 'blind patriotism' of flag salutes and posing during the National Anthem ; making a mockery of freedom, while defiling and cheapening true fealty to our Constitution and the principles of the founders. They completely disrespect the religious beliefs they pretend to know and respect as well.
Maybe true, but do they see it the way you do? Remember the people on here are 99% Choir.
Terry Franzman ; When I post a comment I'm not tying myself in knots of 'both sides ism' or even attempting 'all sides ism'. I'm stating my view, as a comment should. Their views are known already, it seems.
Prof. Reich is preaching to the converted. It would be interesting to see the demographics of this echo chamber.
There are MAGA ADHERENTS visiting all the time. Most of the posters here agree that the present Republican party is not in sync here. Not really a surprise that most of us have very different views than the extremists and tfg followers.
Fine sentiments, but by themselves insufficient. Remember how Joe McCarthy was humbled. To my mind, the way forward is to attack hypocrisy, cruelty, and pomposity--trademarks of today's Republicans. Each expose will weaken the Republicans. It is not necessary for Democrats to wrap themselves in the Stars and Stripes. It is only necessary for Democrats to expose Republicans who so wrap themselves as self-seeking charlatans and sycophants.
Hear Hear !!!!
Let the Democrats in Congress take turns reading from the Founders. The Federalist Papers and the deliberations over the Constitution underline the absolute good of separation of church and state, not just for the benefit of the latter, but even morefor the benefit of the former. Steve Schmidt and Heather Cox Richardson do a great job of bringing these historical perspectives to current events in their Substacks.
Political parties that wrap themselves in the national flag are not to be trusted.Look at Putin trying to reclaim an empire.All the European nationalist parties are racist movements funded by nefarious means and that has included the oldest Political party founded in the world namely the British Conservative Party. Being proud to be American means tolerance and sharing resources too.
Hear ! Hear !
I’m curious, did they recite the Amendments as well? They’re a part of the Constitution as well.
Wonderful article! We all need to call out the right wing nut jobs from narratives that are lies.
As usual, you hit the nail on the head in this apt and appropriate piece, Professor Reich. I am so glad you brought the topic of patriotism up.
My own mother used to have a flag just outside the front door and told herself she would hang it back up when the former guy was gone. Today the precious banner still sits in the hall closet because it has become tainted forever by those who most flaunt it.
I am afraid the voters who condone the horribleness of the most unpatriotic in office are so blinded by their own twisted “patriotism” that the only thing that can be done is recruit more and more young educated people. The educated have got their number.
A. 🌻
From October 2020 / The New Yorker:
The town of Palm Beach, Florida, limits its flagpoles to a height of forty-two feet, and its flags to four-by-six feet. In 2006, Trump, at his private club there, Mar-a-Lago, erected a flagpole that stood eighty feet tall. He raised a flag that measured at least fifteen-by-twenty-five feet—a square footage greater than that of some New York City apartments. Neighbors complained; Trump defied municipal orders to scale back, then sued the town for twenty-five million dollars, claiming infringement of his constitutional and civil rights. He reportedly argued that he needed such a mammoth flag in order to “appropriately express the magnitude” of his “patriotism.”
Anne ; "Donald ; It was a huge fail!"
Indeed, Laurie! Got that right!
Best to you and yours 🌞
Compensatory for anatomical deficiencies?
Cadet Bonespur who ridiculed and harassed real military servicemen was not a Patriot.
Rob Boyte : Million hearts!
I'm not one that hangs the flag in my front yard like a couple of my "patriot" neighbors. But recently I acquired a long collapsable pole that I really have no use for, I decided to hang onto it in hopes that the rule of law will be upheld in this country. The day that Donald Trump is put away is the day that the pole will go up with a proudly displayed American flag high over my house! If the rule of law is restored in this country, it will then again be the U.S.A. until then...well, it simply isn't.
Jer, I intend to do the same. There is absolutely no reason tofly a flag for Fascism & Stupidity ruling the US.
If and when TFG gets imprisoned, I will fly that flag. Without that, the flag will be torn and placed in the bin.
When the March winds tone down, my flag will fly. Our President is a patriot and there still are some decent people in government , MAGAs do not own our flag. They want to, but they cannot. Actions speak louder than accusations and lies.