We’re living in a second Gilded Age of extreme inequality. Trump is on the side of the ultra-wealthy who are rigging the system. Harris should make it clearer she’s on the people’s side.
Wow! You articulated my concerns about the direction of her campaign. Her touting Dick Cheney's support is particularly unnerving as it feels like a shift in her focus away from economic populism. I would feel more comfortable if she committed to keeping on Lina Khan and pushing through aspects of the PRO Act.
I understand how it can seem that way to many people. The issue is that union strength is one of the biggest downward pressures on wealth inequality. If it weren't for unions pressuring corporate executives, we would be
working 140 hours work weeks and living in company dorms. Working conditions so you probably won't lose a limb or your life on the job? That's due to union pressure. That is not including the pay gap. When an executive makes 500 to 600 times the median worker salary per year, it creates a massive wealth gap in power and influence in our country. Is an executive worth 500 to 600 times the median worker? When an executive makes bad decisions like signing bad lease terms, over expanding, poor debt decisions and runs the company into the ground, executives and the top managers get great severance packages. Sure, they may have to postpone a vacation or two but they aren't going to worry about not being able to make their mortgage payments or not being able to pay for food or lose their healthcare. For the median worker who lost their job because of those decisions will have to be concerned about all of those things. Where is the meritocracy in that?
Both of them would be arguing the opposite. Musk is notoriously anti-union. He has fought tooth and nail to prevent his factories from unionizing. Putin would be much the same. His support comes from the wealthy oligarchs who would also be opposed to workers rights. That's why they are so supportive of the Republicans.
Agreed. The pay and wealth gap is to a point in the US very close to Russia. This all needs to get under control. The book “Capitalism and Ideology” by Thomas Piketty explains in great detail why wealth and income is going to the top 1% as well as how it has changed over the last 2 centuries. And it will come as no surprise to you that executive compensation is one major cause. I completely agree that they are not worth it…in the USA especially!
And yes…we would never have has a middle class if not for labor unions. We should be grateful for their tenacity!
On the internet you can be anything. I am a 200 lb, 6.6 Nigerian.
The Democratic party has a myriad of faults and problems. I am an ascerbic critic, but there is only one agenda now and that calls for unity, setting aside grievances and druthers and that is keeping Trump away from the levers of power, Nothing else is important, and the last thing we need is division within the opponents of Trump.
Exactly. Nothing is more important now than preventing that demented, deranged, openly-fascist, malignant narcissist from getting control of the reins of our government again. Quinnipiac says this one is too close to call. Vote as if your life depends on it. Because its does.
The personal tone sounds pretty Trumpish to me!! People never liked politicians of big corporations-that is a fact!! But I think knocking the democrats right now is not the right thing to do! Harris has come a long way! Start a better party for us Elsie-I'm with ya'!
Elsie has nothing but false assertions. Her objective is to get ultra liberal Dems to reject the party because they are imperfect. She should be ignored. She has nothing substantive to offer just her incoherent claims without elaboration.
I don't think we can throw the baby out with the bath water! Not a Cheney fan, but we this is a rough election, and we need more Cheneys to help fight back at the madness of their own party for the good of all! Once we get rid of this new plague, we can go return to more idealistic approaches!!
It’s a common troll assertion that both sides are fascist. That BS is manufactured in Russia. That’s not a disagreement …it’s disinformation and a tool a autocrats and dictators who want to confuse and divide.
I do wish I could give the "like" and the "heart" sign to your comment, but it no longer works on my computer for some reason. (It's become "heartless" apparently!) but if I could, believe me, I would! What you posted is an important point.
I do happen to think that we DO need government reform on all sides, advocacy for CLEAN government, vehemently repudiating all forms and expressions of corruption. That said, there is only one "side" that is blatantly advocating the transition to a fascist government and that is what used to be called "Republican", now just your common MAGats.
There's some good reporting out today about the increasingly frequent appearances of Mark Cuban on TV/in print who has endorsed Harris, although he has endorsed Trump in the past. (I think that ANY history of support for Trump raises credibility issues; Trump has not changed - he was ALWAYS terrible, including when Cuban supported him!) From the reports today, Cuban has not been asked by the Harris campaign to make these appearances and he is saying things that seem to imply things about Harris' positions that may or may not reflect her actual positions.
Like some have written HERE today, there is concern about what her real positions are about big money folks, the middle class, and all that implies.
The reports said that Cuban is giving out information telling "Wall Street" and Big Money not to worry about Harris's positions....
The thing is: she has to win. Even if the ONLY reason for her to win is that she is NOT Trump and that she gives the greater potential for electing "down ballot" Democrats to the House and Senate, THAT is enough! She has to win.
As Nancy Pelosi said in her interview on PBS with Christiane Amanpour (great interview; 84 year old wise, feisty woman!), when asked if our democracy can survive another tRump term, her comment included the poignant assertion that the CHARACTER of our democracy cannot survive what trump and his mob have in mind.
By the way, she correctly pointed out again that Trump projects constantly and that when he says "enemies within" he knows that he and the January 6 mob are the enemies within.
She's a petite 84 year old dynamo that a big, fat oaf bully is afraid of. She won't say his name. Keeping a clean mouth!
Our Democratic nominee wants us to have the most lethal military in the world. Her administration condemned peaceful protesters who were brutalized by police in blue states. Her administration is enabling and defending a genocide/ holocaust. Open your eyes, man. You are blinded by... I don't now what
If you think that the Harris Biden administration is "defending genocide/holocaust" You aint seen jack shit if Trump gets in.
His right hand adviser, Stephen Miller is a right wing Zionist Jew, and Trump is Bibi's brother from another mother, and Oct 7th was Iran's birthday gift to Putin.
what's your goal here Elsie? Yes, the Dems have some real problems. Let's agree. Is there an action you are advocating? Am I like, supposed to sit out this election or something because the Dems are not what I want them to be?
First we win. Cleaning House comes later if we are up to it.
Correction: since ronny regean drooled all over the white house, the RIGHT'S default is facism! If you refuse to vote for a Harris/Walz ticket, you ARE voting for a Facist man-baby felon RAPIST.
Could you tell that to your family wiith a straight face WHEN he gets locked up after losing?
The clear evidence suggests that the Republicans have embraced fascism and abandonment of the rule of law. The Dems have decried Trumps lack of fitness for office, Project 2025/ Agenda 47, Trumps desire to suspend the constitution, prosecute his political opposition, Trump’s lawlessness…yet you call this “both sides” nonsense.
The Dems agenda includes a “for the people” act and programs to boost the middle class, labor and help make housing affordable and support for the rule of law. That doesn’t sound like fascism. Sounds like preserve our democracy
You are either a paid troll or a complete numbskull or both.
C'mon, John. I know it can be frustrating, but aim high. Insults have no place on this forum. Let's treat others as we'd like to be treated. Judging from the likes you get versus Elsie's, you have won the argument hands down. No need to rub it in.
You're definitely a numbskull who refuses to see what's really happening in the Democratic Party. You still believe what they say without seeing what they do (or do not).
There is no road to heaven but there is a road to hell. Trump’s the road to hell. Harris is the road to stability of the republic. There are no other choices.
Just what in your mind makes fascism the default for the Democratic party.
It doesn't matter what is happening in the Democratic party, because if people listened to you Trump would be a shoe in, and then the Gazans, the Palestinians would really suffer, there would be a no holds barred war on Muslims, and Putin would have a free hand in Ukraine and isn't that what you really want "Elsie" or is that your real name.
They'll all be dead by the time the next president is elected, so what does it matter? You can read my effing Substack, numbskull. It's pretty easy to prove who I am and what I stand for.
Elsie, you lost the argument as soon as you called John a numbskull. I have my own criticism of the Democratic Party, or rather specific members of it, but I can articulate it.
At this time of intense danger for the Republic, I speak to my MOCs and give *them* my advice as to how their actions could make the world better. I do not nitpick their a$$hole on Social Media.
The fact that you resort to insults makes you incompetent to debate anything. GTFO. Mute yourself.
Yes, calling someone a numbskull who just called me a numbskull, devalues everything I say. My God, people, you have no idea how serious this all is. You just blindly follow the party while patronizing the other side for doing exactly that. You can't see your own party anymore. I couldn't either until I woke up last year.
I thought it was more important than ever! Trump and Musk together is the worst of our fears! Bizarre and Baloney are not the words that describe what can happen!!
This. The Democrats act like whatever Trump wants to do is inevitable. Like, what are THEY going to do? I've heard nothing they'll do to counter it. Because they have to keep us fearful so we'll ignore all the other stuff and vote for them.
What Trump wants to do is inevitable if he becomes #47. If you are genuine then you are unfamiliar with Project 2025 and Agenda 47, if you are in fact a Russian/Trump troll, that explains your comments.
Project 2025 is already happening! What are Democrats doing about it? The fearmongering is working on a whole bunch of Dems. I don't know what has become of my party.
Politicians cost chump-change for forign countries, billionaires and corporations.
1% of the country has 90% of the wealth.
And besides, those donors didn't stop any cheques to trump or monthly donations. Like I said, it's like you buying penny candy. A nickel here, a quarter there is an actual equivalent 🤦♂️🤦🏿
Cheney might hold sway with old school conservatives so why not? At least he’s abandoned the mainstream Republican agenda under Trump.
The PRO act might be too esoteric for the voters she’s trying to sway. Most unions have already endorsed her. As for Lina, we’ll see. I don’t think it matters for the election. Most people would have no idea.
She needs to reach out to disaffected Republicans. This needs to be all hands on deck and lets focus on what we agree on: democracy and the rule of law. We can argue about policy when trump is back in his cage.
Maybe she's just accepting everyone's votes as just that. There are many Republican congressmen/women who are backing her, judges, lawyers etc. She talks about fighting for the americas people of every race pretty much daily. What more are you asking for?
I know about it and Glass Steagall. I’m just wondering why you are bringing it up now. Aside from the point that “banks are evil”..what’s the current relevance?
No doubt that the crash ended the gilded age and Glass Steagall was put in place to keep banks out of the market speculation game.
Tighter banking regs may help but I doubt it will solve income inequality. Piketty’s book “ Capital and Ideology” tracks the inequality of wealth and income. His solutions are progressive taxes on both wealth and income together a stipend to everyone who meets education or public service minimums.
The real problem is that accumulating more wealth is way too easy if you have wealth and income.
Every thing you say is correct Janet, but there is only one task at hand, and that is electing Kamala, all else can wait, because if we don't we are all screwed.
We can take on, and should take on, President Harris and the Democratic party, and vigorously, without let up. Notice I said President not candidate, till then there is only one job and that is to keep Trump out of the Oval Office, which will become an Offal Office, and the White House an Out House.
I think Harris has made it extremely clear that she is on the side of ‘We the People’ right along - of ALL people - those who voted for her and those who didn’t.
The Magas/trumpers who voted for him will be in for a very rude awakening, when they finally realize the big liar is for his billionaire friends and himself - not for them. Too late!!
Jacki, I am trying to think what Kamala Harris can do to show the people just what Trump stands for and how different it is from her positions. Trump blurts out all kinds of hateful insults, threats, and more, but his Klan does not even listen to him anymore, as long as the up and down cadences of his voice continue. Maybe in addition, they share Trump's hates and fears. They are coming to hate immigrants even though many of them have immigrants as grandparents or great grandparents. How soon they forget, not realizing that the same kind of crap Trump and Vance throw at today's immigrants were thrown at their ancestors. White Americans have spent centuries being terrified of everyone who does not look and act like them. Maybe it's time white America should stand up and say, "enough!" Instead of hate, maybe they should consider understanding, appreciation, and nurturing belonging. They would be happier and so would the rest of the country. As a white woman, I know this is a task for all white people, harder for some than others, though.
IMO, the Americans that are admiring Orban and Hungary should move there. If they like it so much, move. If they want a tyrant, move to Russia. If they want a king, move to England or one of the other countries with monarchies. If they can’t stand for our democracy and constitution, get the h@ll out!!
Also, Trump's mother, grandfather, and two of his three wives are/were immigrants. His mother and grandfather poisoned this country by inflicting him on us. But what Trump really dislikes are Black and brown people. Black people who support him are not seeing reality.
Midwest, so it seems the real problem for Trump and Kump is the immigrants who are not white, "pure as the driven." Trump is so scared of people of color and women he must insult, malign, lie about them constantly, often using lies about crime and poisoning the American blood and other such BS to stir the fear, anger, resentment, hatred pot. Trumpers and Trumpettes are attuned to certain trigger words and Trump must be sure they are present or his cult won't know what to think. How sad for all of us!
Victor, which is why I can't understand how any Black person in this country can think it OK to vote for Donald Trump, a guy who would have every Black or Brown person locked up if he could, assuming all are criminals. I honestly don't get it. I don't think they do too, but it seems a point of defiance for them, with a little more than a pinch of misogyny tossed in for good measure.
Yes, it's curious. Black's for Trump are either blockheads or else are paid to show support for him. Trump has money to spare, and Musk is contributing insanely. Elon evidently hopes he will be America's Dr. Porshe, who, with Hitler's backing, created the VW.
Daniel, and they got citizenship quickly while the people who are actually fleeing danger can't, and they are the ones who value our democracy while the guys you mentioned don't.
she needs to win the economic agurment. That's job 1. She has not done that with the voters yet. She needs to convince Joe and Susie Shmo that Trump will hurt them in their pocketpook and she will help them.
Steve, every rally, every speech, every interview (even the ones where the interviewer is trying to sabotage her), Harris has been addressing the economy with an actual plan to help people and our economy. I have no idea what one has to do to convince those folks; it seems they do not want to be convinced of anything. I am guessing they believe they have made up their minds and can't bear anyone challenging them. That is what white privilege does for a lot of people. Trump has only plans to wreck our economy, but they stick with him forgetting that he nearly single-handedly brought down our economy 4 years ago with a bit of help from COVID. Trump is ignorant, has no positive ideas for anything, but he does have a lot of big money behind him and a bunch of cult members who would follow him into hell because they can't break out of their funk and look around at reality. Truly sad!
Agreed. I just heard that Harris is going on Joe Rogan. I think she should make this economic argument for the middle class and taxing the super rich like Musk. Then she should push 3 or 4 more issues:
One, remind JR that the bi-partisan Immigration bill is the best possible solution, and Trump selfishly derailed it for personal and political reasons because he doesnt have any solutions. Trump put politics and party before people which disqualifises himto be President. You don't get to tell the fire department not to respond and then complain that a fire is burning.
Two, the climate crisis is serious and demand action. Her plan is responsible and pro-active. Trump's plan is irresponsible and dereliction of duty. The US demands cliamte action for future generations' National security, sustainable energy policy and a livable planet. The GND creates good jobs while investing in the future to stop a serious climate crisis.
"Look Joe, we now have climate refugees in FL and as far north as North Carolina. We must take action because the scientists and insurance actuaries are certain that climate change is happening and will get worse if we don't diversify our energy with renewable energy and stop buying the worst sources like tar sands. Science matters! We must diversity and promote alternative energy for National Security and future generations. That's how we make America great in the future."
Three, go hard on how short-sighted, cruel and anti-freedon and liberty it is for big government to repeal women's choice. Note Republicans obsession to interfere in private health matters is outrageous and unacceptable in the land of the free. No more big government in the doctors' offices when Republicans have no clue what millions of women and couple face.
Id say, "Joe, how many women are sadly addicted to drugs? Sadly, thousands of addicts are in the US and they can't care for themselves much less a child. Sadly, thousands of women have serious health issues. It's dangerous to women's health, inhumane, wasteful, and insane totalitarian government for politicians to dictate healthcare decisions for woman. We're not going back to wire hangers and other dangerous alternatives to medical abortions by medical experts. Also, Trump's term "after birth abortions" is an unhinged, delusional lie. We're not going back!"
Four: DJT has already tried to abolish the ACA without a better plan. Before the ACA, over 40,000 Americans died EVERY YEAR! The ACA provides consumer protections so insurance companies can't discriminate and ignore the Americans who most need healthcare. Joe, before the ACA, insurance companies denied people who needed care. And when the health pool of people got an illness, they would cancel their policies on grounds of not reporting acne as a teen. That's not healthcare. That's a racket legalized by insurance company lobbyists who created "pre-existing conditions." Do you see how Trump's deregulation would cost American lives and make us like a Third World country? We're not going back to people not getting healthy care and people losing their homes because someone in the family got a diagnosis that needs healthcare. Welith healthcare, Americans are healthier, can work and survive and it saves money by treating issues before the health issue spirals out of control and is unsurvivable. I believe it's important to be pro-life for Americans and families. We're not going back!"
Okay, one more: Trump's own Cabinet members who know him best and say Trump should never get in the WH again. Tillerson, General Milley, his VP and others have taken the extraordinary act to warn Americans about Trump. "Joe, Who are you going to believe, Trump after 32,000 plus lies, or Trump's closest most important appointments who worked with him?"
Fact: The United States has the most expensive healthcare system among advanced Western nations. And our system delivers lower life expectancies and worse outcomes than the socialized European, Scandinavian, and Canadian systems that our leaders pooh-pooh. But the prime objective of our capitalist healthcare system is not to deliver better health outcomes for participants. Rather, it is to make money, and our system does a bang-up job of that. Capitalism is an inferior model for providing healthcare.
Yes, for-proft and healthcare are incompatible. Insurance companies take about 25% just to process the paperwork. Insurance companies took up to 32% before the ACA. Medicare does the same service for 2-3% because it's not processing the paperwork for a huge profit.
I contend that no business model can be efficient if processing the paperwork takes 25% of the pie. A Single Payer, Medicare For All model cuts out the greedy middle man that is insurance companies. BTW, a quarter of TRILLION dollar healthcare industry is roughly $250 BILLION a YEAR. This savings pays for ALL Americans to have good healthcare.
Plus, insurance companies deny coverage when healthcare is needed. They are the worst. It was racket to deny people with "pre-existing" conditions so insurance companies didn't have to provide healthcare to those who most need healthcare.
Thus, insurance companies are an inferior model, to be more specific than capitalist. I see your point, but I think it's best to not pit capitalist vs socialist. It's easier to explain insurance companies vs Medicare because people know how insurance companies are greedy and the worst.
The best thing about the ACA is that it abolishes the pre-existing racket and limited insurance companies take to 25%. While that was an important step, 25% is still too much for an efficient healthcare system.
Disclaimer: I've been fighting with the NNU for Medicare For All (MFA or M4A). Also, my dad did the Treasury Department study on Hillarycare that showed a Single Payer System is the only sustainable model. This is why ALL other Advanced countries use a Single Payer Model like MFA.
Yes, and it is also important to point out that Trump's tariff would shift the taxation burden from the wealthy to to the rest of the population. Say NO to Trump's Tariff, a new tax on hard working Americans!
Mr. Piper: excellent framing; she’s doing some of that, but it’s often buried in other talking points.
Now, got any ideas about the GOTV (Get Out the Vote) effort? I suspect few minds are being changed these days - on both sides. It’s now all about the on-the-ground efforts at getting Dem-inclined voters to actually DO IT!!! Easier said than done.
Thanks, Sean! I think the JR show will be an opportunity to reach white guys that lean Trump. She can take control of the interview and show how the progressive agenda is very logical and necessary for long-term security.
I think Joe is kinda libertarian like a lotta white guys, so we need to make the connection with action to combat climate collapse and abortion is needed so hospitals don't have a fintynyl birth defected baby epidemic. Libertarians will get the need for privacy and abortions. A million dollars for the 1st month of life and a death sentence begs for abortion rights, even to Catholic white guys.
Yes, I have an idea. Major GOTV concerts like they did in 2004, I think? Or was it 2008? Do you realize how much money and energy Swift concerts would make in Madison, Detroit, Philly and Pittsburgh? $40 tickets would be great.
Also, it's freedom vs fascism, and climate action vs climate collapse, so VOTE!
You would think Harris could make more hay on the rising cost of climate change- insurance rates, food costs, etc. and how the US is making progress but Trump elected will mean economic disaster.
I'd like to see her talk on private equity firms and how they destroy companies and hurt the middle class- in 5th grade language people can understand.And how GOP enables them and what she will do to reign them in.
Maybe she should talk about GOP state legislatures that are trying to gut ballot initiatives rights people now have.
Right! I contend that one of the major factors driving up housing costs is climate change because over the last 10 years vast areas, like bigger than Houston, have been wiped out due to storms, hurricanes, tornados and drought-driven fires. This has consumed a large portion of building supplies so the demand for materials has gone up with the high demand. The same thing with labor for construction.
We really need to train more workers for 5, 10 and 20 years down the road. Now NC and FL are going to demand building supplies and construction labor. IMO, our government leaders need to do a better job explain these costs of climate change... Along with hedge funds. That's a bad combination that's significantly driving up housing costs.
While I agree that the disproportionate distribution of wealth, power, and influence that threatens to upend our democratic society is an issue that must be continually raised and pushed, if we’re to win in November, I would submit that Harris’s closing argument chiefly must focus on Donald Trump and the threat he poses to the American republic.
Yes, in a trial--the anlogy here--the closing argument must rest on the evidence presented.
It is abundantly clar that the threat of Trump is not just to the republic but to the lives and livelihood of millions. There are already hundreds of thousands of fatalities from his botched Covid response.
What is promised now in Project 2025 is essentially a "Final Solution" that would end up with far more fatalities, economic disruption, and all-out war in Europe and Asia.
The evidence is there and now it is time for the closing argument.
Dr. Gilbert, here is a take on Leonard Leo, a radical board member of the Opus Dei sect, Federalist Society director, and major proponent of Project 2025, derisively known to be Drumpf's "court whisperer".
Interesting read. Through my undergraduate I was steeped in much of the history of the Catholic Church and the reformation. It is not a pretty history.
It often amazes me that a cycle of the Church attempting to co-opt government has run in a 4-generational pattern since the 1500s, if not even to 325 (much more limited history there). It usually starts with culture warriors rebelling against modernization and progress. The now aging out Boomers are now mostly at home here. The following generation often can be pragmatic but also cynically utilitarian. Leo fits the latter description.
The results of this cycle have given us Inquisitions, World Wars, Holocasts, ethnic cleansing, etc.
Doug (if I may), Thank you both for writing and for extending my original post to underscore the broader harms Trump’s return to power would inflict. Seeing your comment largely centers on Project 2025, I would note my dismay that attention to this mandate has substantially diminished as of late.
There is an eerie historical date of January 20, 1942 and a gathering in Wannsee in SW Berlin. At the meeting, it was determined the forcing Jews to emigrate from the Reich was insufficient and other measures were needed to accomplish the goals. The resulting plan was the "Final Solution" calling for extermination of 11 million people.
Sound familar? The path of the proposed "mass deportations" of Project 2025 will likely follow this trajectory.
Doug, Admittedly, I don’t know the fate of those who would be detained for deportation. The piece I’m sure of, because it’s inscribed both in Trump’s rhetoric, let alone in Project 2025, is the intent to unleash immeasurable agony and anguish on anyone unwilling to bend to Trump’s will. As for people “need[ing] to wake…up,” if Harris’s Monday evening rally is an indication of what we can expect, I imagine increasingly more people will become increasingly aware of the urgency and necessity.
Trump's world is divided into "winners" and "losers." The poor are losers, and the rich must keep them under control by all means necessary. Splitting the middle class with cultural conflicts is one of the means.
Agreed, Barbara that Harris must drum loudly on these two issues of wealth begetting political power, and of Trump's abusive rhetoric and threats, but she really needs to gash him not only for his hatefulness, but for his abysmal record of betraying the public interest. Harris has the advantage here of her prosecutorial skill, which she must use to sink T's shipwreck of lies. Go to work!
Dennis, In my view, Trump’s ambition extends well beyond “betraying the public interest.” I believe he’s intent on unleashing immeasurable agony and anguish on anyone unwilling to bend to his will. Were I Harris, I would invoke, in some detail, Project 2025 to prosecute the case against Trump.
I agree but the media isn't helping by repackaging her message-look at all the talk about Cheney when really she has said great unifying things and introduced policies! The best thing to recommend is to vote for her and get others too!!
Fraser, Setting aside media and supplementing your last sentence, I would underscore that adding to her vote count, in my view, entails that Harris is able increasingly to manifest the belief, particularly for those harboring grievances, many legitimate, that things can change.
Carolyn, While you’re right that the polling indicates that Trump is regarded more favorably than at any time during his presidency, my instinct mostly would be to surgically prosecute Trump’s expressed intentions moving forward.
I think they have to be backed up with what he did before. Start out with the fact that he was a crybaby sore loser in 2020. In 2020, Biden and Trump were not the only candidates on the ballot. There were hundreds of thousands of races across the country at the federal, state, and local level. For every contested race, at least one candidate lost. The vast majority of them accepted the results and moved on. Only Trump threw a screaming temper tantrum. When he promises to do it again, we should believe him, based on past behavior.
There is an interesting article in the New York Times reporting that many people just don't believe he will enact the destructive policies he promises. His scary promises become more believable if you can show he did or tried to do it before.
Carolyn, In my view, Kamala is most effective in prosecuting the case against Trump by litigating his current words and deeds. I leave it to news media to litigate the past.
The American oligarchs are nothing but bullies who, for the most part, got rich by taking advantage of the working class! Working class Americans will continue to suffer unless they unionize. That is the only way they will have the power to prevent an authoritarian government from taking control of our country! Kamala Harris and Tim Walz care about all American citizens and will never forget all those who fought and died to protect our Democracy. Trump and Vance only care about the people who will be loyal to them and to Hell with everyone who disagrees with them. Take the time to read Project 2025 because that will be our next constitution if Trump wins!
Yes Keith, but we know that. Problem is why the rot has gotten so far, why big money got so powerfull, without countervailing power from both political parties? Was it the polarising style of Newt Gingrich? The lack of spirit in the DOJ?
Tom, I have repeatedly asked this question. I have yet to read Reich address this. My guess is the loss of an honest, forthright 4th estate, News. The loss of the former Fairness Doctrine has smothered, neigh almost extinguished mutual understanding. And, we missed the locomotive. This means re-regulating ALL MEDIA is critical and not even mentioned.
Hi Tom, In the US, we had laws that governed use of the public airways, fm, am radio, tv, news, called The Fairness Doctrine. When Clinton was President, he tanked the law. US Republicans had a long game plan, for the past 50 years, disintegrating government that built our middle class, making laws for corporations and Richy Rich to benefit, including buying all the cheap radio stations and once there was NO FAIRness in News Reporting required, filling airwaves, tv (made room for Rupert Murdoch, the democracy destroyer), with lies, disinformation, rage, scandals, lies. This was defended in US Courts by Murdoch lawyers as 'who would believe that stuff?', but the US fools did, as economics shifted to international cheap labor with corporations moving business out of US small towns to countries with no work standards. Cheap labor, bigger profits, no worker safety standards, no more allegiance to the US. Now, advertising has moved to the internet, our local newspapers are dying, and there are NO internet standards with our fractured nonfunctional Congress, made so by Repugnants. Deep, Deep Corruption by Richy Rich and the Corporations, handed to 'we the people' by our Supreme Jesters with their Citizens United decision which allows MONEY = SPEECH in politics. Devastating.
Tom Van Doormaal : AsAlways, follow the money. Kamala Harris cannot bite the hand that feeds her campaign. Nor would it be great for her to denigrate those Conservatives who have "come around" after seeing 'just' how bad tRUMP IS! Many of these Repuicans have had to spend money just defending themselves and their families from death threats and attacks.
It’s a great post for intellectual people who will understand it. I had a hard time with it, but basically got its message. Yes, the ultra rich, like Musk, realizing it or not, is destroying our economy and our country. How he is backing a past PRESIDENT, who insights an insurrection, just for selfish reasons, not caring at all for the average worker, is just ludicrous if not insane. I hope that many will understand this post and elect Harris. However, I fear the worst. It makes me so angry that Trump is allowed to run for office. Our forefathers added amendment 14, section 3 to protect us from the very situation we are in today. Colorado was the only state to recognize it, but our corrupt Supreme Court shut them down. God help us all.
Dr. Bandy Lee was on the Meidas Touch network. She has been on Five Minute News with Anthony Davis a couple of times talking about Trumps mental health. You can look it up on YouTube!!!
She's been warning about Trump since the very beginning. I got my public library to order her book the minute it came out, and I read every word of it. Why oh why is this flea-ridden POS still hanging around???? I wish he'd go HANG HIMSELF with that horrid red tie he wears every god-damned day of his life!!!!! Please, God, please, God, please, God, send along the next assassin!
Ruth, glad you have! The Republicans can’t throw out our votes. I voted in person, they brought my ballot to my car, for early voting in VA. I voted for our entire Democratic ticket, too!
Virginia--The orange guy will no doubt show his displeasure with the people's choice. Lucifer must have felt the same way when he was directed to his new home.
And why have we done nothing to make sure this never happens again? Why are we allowing Trump to run, Musk, Putin Netanyahu to even exist? Why are we allowing mentally ill men to control our lives????
Betty Moyers: When tRUMP was in power, he salted his 'fiends' everywhere he could in government : state governments, certainly the courts especially the too powerful Supreme Court, which he stacked, and bragged about it openly. The pardon power allowed him to let his co-criminals off the hook. Which I was taught would not be allowed to do with pardons, in a Civics class long ago. Money talks and bullshit walks. Our government is dangerously corrupted from top to bottom, and it was not the Democrats alone. Ronald Reagan allowed Rupert murdoch into our country, at the same time that the Fairness Doctrine disappeared. Murdoch was fast tracked , less than a year. I read. It was a powerful, evil move, and no accident. It has been downhill all the way for working and middle class, even the poor. Newt Gingrich and a couple more "Presidents" who did not win the popular vote, then Citizens United, and here we are. Taking a brave, intelligent candidate to task for not being perfect enough!
I ask that question repeatedly, SCREAMING IT AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS to people like BIBI-BRO BIDEN and to that horrible woose Merrick Garland and the "justice" dept.! Why is this going on everywhere? WHY has it gone on for eons of time, the jaded, corrupt few controlling the masses? I will never, never, never understand this!
And a silver bullet through his brain, and cut out his tongue for good measure, and tie that red necktie in a stranglehold force for extra-added assurance, oh, and then impale him in the broiling hot sun on a pike somewhere . . . That should do it!
You're right. I've always been amazed at the utter emptiness of the man. No decency, no honor, no compassion, no sense of humor. I just don't understand his appeal.
“‘Enormously wealthy and economically powerful men, whose chief object is to hold and increase their power’ could destroy U.S. democracy.”
Theodore Roosevelt called them “malefactors of great wealth.” A catchy, catch-all term for them is needed more than ever, and Theodore’s turn of phrase is probably still the best.
Would you rather have a Fascist Dementia Addled Supreme Narcissistic Moron whose Father Also Had Dementia running this country or the Daughter of Two University Professors?
I think you know the depressing answer to this question.
Professor Reich: i agree with you, of course. but i do have a few questions. first, might alexandria ocasio-cortez be a way forward for america? she's been rather quiet lately (although it was her 35th birthday yesterday, if i recall correctly) and her quietness has made me a bit concerned about how she's doing.
i'm also curious -- VERY curious -- as to your thoughts about the nobel prize winners in economics. presumably, they won because of their studies of why some nations are so wealthy whilst others are not. i've not yet read more deeply about their ideas, but am curious what you think? (i ask because jared diamond made a lengthy and detailed argument -- racist argument, as it turns out -- as to why some nations are so wealthy, so i'd be interested to know what you think?)
I in turn am curious what you are referring to when you say "jared diamond made a lengthy and detailed argument -- racist argument, as it turns out -- as to why some nations are so wealthy". Are you talking about Guns, Germs and Steel? I read that a few years ago, and I don't recall anything remotely racist about the arguments in that book. If anything, the contrary was true, as he was essentially saying that the fact that Europeans ended up dominating the world was _not_ because of any superiority on their part, but because of a number of chance advantages relating to geography.
I agree. Jared Diamond has been accused of racism before, but I have not seen such a bias in any of his books or ideas. It seems very fashionable today to stick labels on people; racist, sexist, misogynist, socialist, communist, etc. rather than enter into proper debate about the merits or otherwise of important contributions to knowledge and science. Intellectual laziness.
These economists have published several important books. They emphasize the importance of institutions in the creation of political stability and wealth. MAGA's tribalism endangers our institutions, leads to chaos, and to the impoverishment of the nation. Trump is riding a tiger.
Harris should make it perfectly clear whose side she is on . She should call out people like Elon musk as malefactors of great wealth whose aim in life is to make the lives of the poor and working class as miserable as possible. She should lleave no doupt that she is going to raise the minimum wage apass the John Lewis Voting rights sact do every thing she can to let the middle class working class and poor that she is on their side and that Trump and Musk are garbage. Also Biden should send the National Guard down to Florida and North Carolina to arrest those storm troopers that are threatening Fema Workers. This is all Trump and he should be punished for all of it.
Like, like, like, like, like, like, like!!!!! Astounding, isn't it, the BULLSHIT TRUMP KEEPS GETTING AWAY WITH! WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS WRONG WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS COUNTRY???? IT SEEMS TO BE NONEXISTENT WHEN IT COMES TO TRUMP!!!!!
Well said. Speaking of Sanders and economic populism, I followed 538 closely in 2016, and in hypothetical matchups between Sanders and Trump, it was roughly Sanders 70 to Trump 30, with almost nobody undecided. Hillary vs Trump was about 35/35 with about 30% undecided. So, I knew in the Spring of 2016, before the DNC dumped Sanders, that Sanders would sweep a landslide and Hillary would be a disaster. After the dumping, I watched in horror as the slow motion trainwreck unspooled.
Every time I see her aggrieved, entitled, expressions on TV I feel like throwing up.
Viscerally don't like her, eh? She has facial features which when she uses certain muscles in her face - she appears smug. She's not smug - she's smart. She's a woman <that is what puts voters off. A woman can't be President - it's a man's job. Look thru American History - or other nation's histories - women who wield power & diplomacy aren't featured much. Queen Elizabeth I (daddy, brother and sister died); Tsarina Catherine the Great (husband died). Modernly, Angela Merkel (German Chancellor), Jacinda Arden (popular & smart NZ PM), E.Johnson-Surleaf, and others in our times.
I'm not arguing against male leaders - I'm arguing for a wiser world order - not one of swagger & weapons & unstable leaders.
Instability drives us to retreat to past safe times. Look back at the cyclic nature of times.
Two steps forward, one step back <
this is my impression of US Politics & we, the people suffer for this step shuffle in our social interactions & progress.
We've technology to kill and to save. But we're oblivious of our citizens who are hungry, poor. houseless.
Tent cities come to our attention only when they grow, especially when they get close to our front doors, not before, why?
Our Healthcare system is unbalanced, why?
There are many experts. But are their voices heard and acted on.
There's cacophony and few moves to action & progress, why?
Oh please. This has nothing to do with gender (speaking for myself). I have great respect for the powerful powerful women leaders you mention (although where is Margaret Thatcher?).
Hillary lost not because she's a woman but because she's Hillary Clinton. She's no Catherine the Great, she's no Thatcher. I don't agree with the oft-expressed opinion that she's smart. As Christopher Hitchens asked: Name me one great thing that she has said or done that would qualify her for POTUS.
True, and allow me to say entirely irrelevant. Democrats tend to think of Clinton as "smart." IMHO there is just no evidence for this opinion. Don't listen to me, read Christopher Hitchens.
Hillary Clinton is VERY smart. Her husband, when he first met her at Yale, said she was the smartest woman he'd ever met (and he was a Rhodes Scholar). Other students in her classes said she always had her hand up and her answers were brilliant. Hillary Clinton has received a mega number of awards for her work for women around the world. It was her work on healthcare that unfortunately the Clinton administration couldn't get passed. She just didn't run a good campaign.
Ahem. When I said that Hillary is not smart, I was referring to her political skills.
1) I do know a little about healthcare, and I'm afraid you are just wrong here. Hillary was tasked with the problem of how to cover someone who has lost his or her job through no fault of their own. She took something simple and made it complicated (Hint: the answer is, you give them Medicare coverage temporarily). Her solution? To let the fox into the henhouse. She basically destroyed the medical profession and created the current mess in healthcare.
2) She lied three times about taking her daughter across a battlefield in Bosnia. She was told by her campaign to stop doing this because she would be called out, but she continued anyway, and the third time she was called out.
3) She lied that her mother called her Hillary after Edmund Hillary, who climbed Everest 7 years after she was born. Why would anyone make up such a lie?
4) As Secretary of State she blundered in taking on Gaddafi ( a bulwark against ISIS) and ignoring the entreaties of the US Consulate long after the British and the Red Cross had evacuated Libya. The result? Five dead US diplomats and the resurgence of ISIS.
5) As Secretary of State she made Obama wobbly on Syria.
6) Running in late 2016, she famously referred to Trump voters as "The basket of deplorables."
7) In October 2016 She had very tight margins in Wisconsin and Minnesota, yet despite the entreaties of her campaign managers refused to go to those states to shore up her support. When those managers sent the Clinton bus out to Wisconsin anyway, she flew into one of her rages and ordered it back to Iowa. Iowa??? How was she ever going to win there? Incompetent.
It's true that Comey acted shamefully, but the point is, Trump should never have been close.
In summary, Hillary Clinton could easily have won in 2016, but basically lost an unloseable election by being - well - Hillary Clinton. This loss was the prelude to four years of chaos and the present nail-biting mess. Just how smart is that?
I am glad Kamala is OK with the working people, but even if she sided with the wealthy, she would always be the better choice compared with the lying felon narcissistic moron.
There are countless reasons to vote for Harris over Traitor Tot. But for me it boils down to the fact that Harris understands that the country is bigger and more important than she is. Orange Foolius is incapable of grasping the concept that anything is bigger or more important than he is.
William, I may not be the brightest bulb in the pack, but I cannot understand that if these richy rich want unregulated capitalism, won't they still need workers for their corporations? Workers being those of us that need to work in order to put food on the table. I can't help but think that because of their greed, wouldn't there be more of us establishing small mom and pop businesses, co-ops, farmer's markets and the like instead of having a dependence on these greedy corporations? As they continue their march toward unregulated capitalism, wouldn't we in turn start finding ways to exists without depending on these corporations? As their dollars dry up from workers and middle class and poor, wouldn't they just go under? I don't know, I probably sound like an idiot. I just feel there are so many more of us than there are of them, we should be able to figure out our existence without them. The corporations are like Marie-Antoinette when she was told her peasants were starving and she said, "Let them eat cake." That is their attitude and I would like to take that cake and cram it down their throats! Just me wondering about things.
BRAVO! I could see your position on socio-economic class and economic populism was being held back for the last several weeks, but you have chosen the right time to spring it. Thank you, Robert Reich! Now, my Harris and Walz have the courage to spring it. Trump has doubled down on his strategy, and so should they.
Trump and Musk are quintessential examples of Social Darwinists of the [First] Gilded Age. If anyone has a time machine, we should send them back to about 1880. If not possible, let’s defeat Trump and never allow him back into politics. And don’t buy Teslas!
Wow! You articulated my concerns about the direction of her campaign. Her touting Dick Cheney's support is particularly unnerving as it feels like a shift in her focus away from economic populism. I would feel more comfortable if she committed to keeping on Lina Khan and pushing through aspects of the PRO Act.
Quit whining and get to work. The default is fascism.
I understand how it can seem that way to many people. The issue is that union strength is one of the biggest downward pressures on wealth inequality. If it weren't for unions pressuring corporate executives, we would be
working 140 hours work weeks and living in company dorms. Working conditions so you probably won't lose a limb or your life on the job? That's due to union pressure. That is not including the pay gap. When an executive makes 500 to 600 times the median worker salary per year, it creates a massive wealth gap in power and influence in our country. Is an executive worth 500 to 600 times the median worker? When an executive makes bad decisions like signing bad lease terms, over expanding, poor debt decisions and runs the company into the ground, executives and the top managers get great severance packages. Sure, they may have to postpone a vacation or two but they aren't going to worry about not being able to make their mortgage payments or not being able to pay for food or lose their healthcare. For the median worker who lost their job because of those decisions will have to be concerned about all of those things. Where is the meritocracy in that?
CK. Is Putin paying you? Musk?
Both of them would be arguing the opposite. Musk is notoriously anti-union. He has fought tooth and nail to prevent his factories from unionizing. Putin would be much the same. His support comes from the wealthy oligarchs who would also be opposed to workers rights. That's why they are so supportive of the Republicans.
Putin supports whoever is bad for the USA.The North Korean dictator wants Trump to win for the same reason.
Agreed. The pay and wealth gap is to a point in the US very close to Russia. This all needs to get under control. The book “Capitalism and Ideology” by Thomas Piketty explains in great detail why wealth and income is going to the top 1% as well as how it has changed over the last 2 centuries. And it will come as no surprise to you that executive compensation is one major cause. I completely agree that they are not worth it…in the USA especially!
And yes…we would never have has a middle class if not for labor unions. We should be grateful for their tenacity!
Are YOU a troll? When something talks like a troll, it opens this question. Are you a freelancer or does Putin pay you directly?
Only one party in this election has fascist leanings. Its "leader" wears a red tie like a warning sign of his fascist intentions.
Yes, the default for both parties is fascism. Why aren't we doing something about our own party?
Troll.
I'm a lifelong Democrat who woke up to a lot of things in the last year. You should wake up, too. I'm woke in a way you're not.
On the internet you can be anything. I am a 200 lb, 6.6 Nigerian.
The Democratic party has a myriad of faults and problems. I am an ascerbic critic, but there is only one agenda now and that calls for unity, setting aside grievances and druthers and that is keeping Trump away from the levers of power, Nothing else is important, and the last thing we need is division within the opponents of Trump.
Exactly. Nothing is more important now than preventing that demented, deranged, openly-fascist, malignant narcissist from getting control of the reins of our government again. Quinnipiac says this one is too close to call. Vote as if your life depends on it. Because its does.
The personal tone sounds pretty Trumpish to me!! People never liked politicians of big corporations-that is a fact!! But I think knocking the democrats right now is not the right thing to do! Harris has come a long way! Start a better party for us Elsie-I'm with ya'!
Elsie has nothing but false assertions. Her objective is to get ultra liberal Dems to reject the party because they are imperfect. She should be ignored. She has nothing substantive to offer just her incoherent claims without elaboration.
Yeah Elsie take the party over already.
I don't think we can throw the baby out with the bath water! Not a Cheney fan, but we this is a rough election, and we need more Cheneys to help fight back at the madness of their own party for the good of all! Once we get rid of this new plague, we can go return to more idealistic approaches!!
I agree isn’t it about getting as many electorates as possible??
It’s a common troll assertion that both sides are fascist. That BS is manufactured in Russia. That’s not a disagreement …it’s disinformation and a tool a autocrats and dictators who want to confuse and divide.
I do wish I could give the "like" and the "heart" sign to your comment, but it no longer works on my computer for some reason. (It's become "heartless" apparently!) but if I could, believe me, I would! What you posted is an important point.
I do happen to think that we DO need government reform on all sides, advocacy for CLEAN government, vehemently repudiating all forms and expressions of corruption. That said, there is only one "side" that is blatantly advocating the transition to a fascist government and that is what used to be called "Republican", now just your common MAGats.
Janet, and win for everyone who earns a pay check.
There's some good reporting out today about the increasingly frequent appearances of Mark Cuban on TV/in print who has endorsed Harris, although he has endorsed Trump in the past. (I think that ANY history of support for Trump raises credibility issues; Trump has not changed - he was ALWAYS terrible, including when Cuban supported him!) From the reports today, Cuban has not been asked by the Harris campaign to make these appearances and he is saying things that seem to imply things about Harris' positions that may or may not reflect her actual positions.
Like some have written HERE today, there is concern about what her real positions are about big money folks, the middle class, and all that implies.
The reports said that Cuban is giving out information telling "Wall Street" and Big Money not to worry about Harris's positions....
The thing is: she has to win. Even if the ONLY reason for her to win is that she is NOT Trump and that she gives the greater potential for electing "down ballot" Democrats to the House and Senate, THAT is enough! She has to win.
As Nancy Pelosi said in her interview on PBS with Christiane Amanpour (great interview; 84 year old wise, feisty woman!), when asked if our democracy can survive another tRump term, her comment included the poignant assertion that the CHARACTER of our democracy cannot survive what trump and his mob have in mind.
By the way, she correctly pointed out again that Trump projects constantly and that when he says "enemies within" he knows that he and the January 6 mob are the enemies within.
She's a petite 84 year old dynamo that a big, fat oaf bully is afraid of. She won't say his name. Keeping a clean mouth!
What Janet is saying is that Trump represents the interests of the middle class.
Well, right now Elsie, I think we need to concentrate on saving the country!
If you equate Republicans and Democrats we have lost you already!!
Elsie’s a troll. Ignore.
Tell me how Democrats are going to save the country? They're already letting Project 2025 happen right now. What's their plan?
Listen to Kamala, my friend! IÉt will all come clear to you, even you!!
You fear Trump because he threatens YOU but you care nothing about what the current administration is already doing to others.
Our Democratic nominee wants us to have the most lethal military in the world. Her administration condemned peaceful protesters who were brutalized by police in blue states. Her administration is enabling and defending a genocide/ holocaust. Open your eyes, man. You are blinded by... I don't now what
If you think that the Harris Biden administration is "defending genocide/holocaust" You aint seen jack shit if Trump gets in.
His right hand adviser, Stephen Miller is a right wing Zionist Jew, and Trump is Bibi's brother from another mother, and Oct 7th was Iran's birthday gift to Putin.
Elsie has been reported as a 🧌 here she is dialing it up a notch.
what's your goal here Elsie? Yes, the Dems have some real problems. Let's agree. Is there an action you are advocating? Am I like, supposed to sit out this election or something because the Dems are not what I want them to be?
First we win. Cleaning House comes later if we are up to it.
Correction: since ronny regean drooled all over the white house, the RIGHT'S default is facism! If you refuse to vote for a Harris/Walz ticket, you ARE voting for a Facist man-baby felon RAPIST.
Could you tell that to your family wiith a straight face WHEN he gets locked up after losing?
The clear evidence suggests that the Republicans have embraced fascism and abandonment of the rule of law. The Dems have decried Trumps lack of fitness for office, Project 2025/ Agenda 47, Trumps desire to suspend the constitution, prosecute his political opposition, Trump’s lawlessness…yet you call this “both sides” nonsense.
The Dems agenda includes a “for the people” act and programs to boost the middle class, labor and help make housing affordable and support for the rule of law. That doesn’t sound like fascism. Sounds like preserve our democracy
You are either a paid troll or a complete numbskull or both.
C'mon, John. I know it can be frustrating, but aim high. Insults have no place on this forum. Let's treat others as we'd like to be treated. Judging from the likes you get versus Elsie's, you have won the argument hands down. No need to rub it in.
You’re right but when I see a troll I simply try to provoke to see what they have. And in Elsie’s case it’s nothin but assertions…no substance.
🔥🔥🔥🔥. This! Troll has been reported
You're definitely a numbskull who refuses to see what's really happening in the Democratic Party. You still believe what they say without seeing what they do (or do not).
There is no road to heaven but there is a road to hell. Trump’s the road to hell. Harris is the road to stability of the republic. There are no other choices.
Just what in your mind makes fascism the default for the Democratic party.
Just want to test your mettle Elsie. Send us all a note saying that you hate Vlad Putin and all he stands for.
It doesn't matter what is happening in the Democratic party, because if people listened to you Trump would be a shoe in, and then the Gazans, the Palestinians would really suffer, there would be a no holds barred war on Muslims, and Putin would have a free hand in Ukraine and isn't that what you really want "Elsie" or is that your real name.
They'll all be dead by the time the next president is elected, so what does it matter? You can read my effing Substack, numbskull. It's pretty easy to prove who I am and what I stand for.
Elsie, you lost the argument as soon as you called John a numbskull. I have my own criticism of the Democratic Party, or rather specific members of it, but I can articulate it.
At this time of intense danger for the Republic, I speak to my MOCs and give *them* my advice as to how their actions could make the world better. I do not nitpick their a$$hole on Social Media.
The fact that you resort to insults makes you incompetent to debate anything. GTFO. Mute yourself.
Yes, calling someone a numbskull who just called me a numbskull, devalues everything I say. My God, people, you have no idea how serious this all is. You just blindly follow the party while patronizing the other side for doing exactly that. You can't see your own party anymore. I couldn't either until I woke up last year.
I thought it was more important than ever! Trump and Musk together is the worst of our fears! Bizarre and Baloney are not the words that describe what can happen!!
This. The Democrats act like whatever Trump wants to do is inevitable. Like, what are THEY going to do? I've heard nothing they'll do to counter it. Because they have to keep us fearful so we'll ignore all the other stuff and vote for them.
What Trump wants to do is inevitable if he becomes #47. If you are genuine then you are unfamiliar with Project 2025 and Agenda 47, if you are in fact a Russian/Trump troll, that explains your comments.
Elsie and Janet are bolsheviks. They infiltrate to split, saw discontent, and radicalize.
Project 2025 is already happening! What are Democrats doing about it? The fearmongering is working on a whole bunch of Dems. I don't know what has become of my party.
okay i agree with the others here. You are a troll.
It's for the candidate, not the voters to change.🙄
Trump will kill people but none of the donors to the Harris campaign because they're also donors to the trump campaign 🤦🏿🤦♂️
THANK YOU!!!!! I'm glad someone said it! It's not my fault Harris is screwing up royally!!!
Not necessarily. Some rich donors have switched to Harris.
Qui bono?
Who benefits?
Politicians cost chump-change for forign countries, billionaires and corporations.
1% of the country has 90% of the wealth.
And besides, those donors didn't stop any cheques to trump or monthly donations. Like I said, it's like you buying penny candy. A nickel here, a quarter there is an actual equivalent 🤦♂️🤦🏿
Not the fworst right-wingers!
Right you are, Daniel. The default is fascism. The Constitution is in peril.
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Cheney might hold sway with old school conservatives so why not? At least he’s abandoned the mainstream Republican agenda under Trump.
The PRO act might be too esoteric for the voters she’s trying to sway. Most unions have already endorsed her. As for Lina, we’ll see. I don’t think it matters for the election. Most people would have no idea.
Corporate democrats always try for those sweet, sweet undecided republican voters and will actively attack anyone to the left of Joe mansion.
Both parties share d'owners 🤑💰🤑
Those are the Republicans the dnc want 🙄 🤦♂️🤦🏿
Publicly funded election campaigns ONLY.
Jean Guy, the syntax of your comment tells me that you are not an English speaker, and more likely a Russian troll.
Your argument is in essence, pro Trump and Trump is Putins asset.
Maybe listen instead of calling everyone trolls. You're part of the problem.
Says Elsie looking into the mirror, "you;re part of the problem"
She needs to reach out to disaffected Republicans. This needs to be all hands on deck and lets focus on what we agree on: democracy and the rule of law. We can argue about policy when trump is back in his cage.
Maybe she's just accepting everyone's votes as just that. There are many Republican congressmen/women who are backing her, judges, lawyers etc. She talks about fighting for the americas people of every race pretty much daily. What more are you asking for?
I have mixed feelings. I not thrilled by it, but if it adds votes to her tally, should that be more important?
uh, yeah.
I think the Maine ballot initative to kneecap Superpacs is a great start.
https://equalcitizens.us/against-super-pacs/ You can support.
Honestly, it may be too late to turn the tide of corruption in our country. But we should try.
What the focus on Pecora hearings?
Thank you, Janet for buttressing what you say with actual sources. On social media, we get too many opinions and not enough facts.
I knew about the Glass Steagall Act but I was fuzzy on the Pecora hearings.
Yes, I was not aware of Pecora.
I know about it and Glass Steagall. I’m just wondering why you are bringing it up now. Aside from the point that “banks are evil”..what’s the current relevance?
No doubt that the crash ended the gilded age and Glass Steagall was put in place to keep banks out of the market speculation game.
Tighter banking regs may help but I doubt it will solve income inequality. Piketty’s book “ Capital and Ideology” tracks the inequality of wealth and income. His solutions are progressive taxes on both wealth and income together a stipend to everyone who meets education or public service minimums.
The real problem is that accumulating more wealth is way too easy if you have wealth and income.
Every thing you say is correct Janet, but there is only one task at hand, and that is electing Kamala, all else can wait, because if we don't we are all screwed.
We can take on, and should take on, President Harris and the Democratic party, and vigorously, without let up. Notice I said President not candidate, till then there is only one job and that is to keep Trump out of the Oval Office, which will become an Offal Office, and the White House an Out House.
I think Harris has made it extremely clear that she is on the side of ‘We the People’ right along - of ALL people - those who voted for her and those who didn’t.
The Magas/trumpers who voted for him will be in for a very rude awakening, when they finally realize the big liar is for his billionaire friends and himself - not for them. Too late!!
Jacki, I am trying to think what Kamala Harris can do to show the people just what Trump stands for and how different it is from her positions. Trump blurts out all kinds of hateful insults, threats, and more, but his Klan does not even listen to him anymore, as long as the up and down cadences of his voice continue. Maybe in addition, they share Trump's hates and fears. They are coming to hate immigrants even though many of them have immigrants as grandparents or great grandparents. How soon they forget, not realizing that the same kind of crap Trump and Vance throw at today's immigrants were thrown at their ancestors. White Americans have spent centuries being terrified of everyone who does not look and act like them. Maybe it's time white America should stand up and say, "enough!" Instead of hate, maybe they should consider understanding, appreciation, and nurturing belonging. They would be happier and so would the rest of the country. As a white woman, I know this is a task for all white people, harder for some than others, though.
White people are all immigrants - we’re all immigrants - only native Americans are the original people of this land called USA
IMO, the Americans that are admiring Orban and Hungary should move there. If they like it so much, move. If they want a tyrant, move to Russia. If they want a king, move to England or one of the other countries with monarchies. If they can’t stand for our democracy and constitution, get the h@ll out!!
there goes most of Missouri....
I’m working my way through “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
It was despicable how the indigenous peoples were treated.
In many ways, it still is.
Hate immigrants? Musk, Thiel and Murdock!
Also, Trump's mother, grandfather, and two of his three wives are/were immigrants. His mother and grandfather poisoned this country by inflicting him on us. But what Trump really dislikes are Black and brown people. Black people who support him are not seeing reality.
And trump’s wife, Melania, brought her parents to America too!
Midwest, so it seems the real problem for Trump and Kump is the immigrants who are not white, "pure as the driven." Trump is so scared of people of color and women he must insult, malign, lie about them constantly, often using lies about crime and poisoning the American blood and other such BS to stir the fear, anger, resentment, hatred pot. Trumpers and Trumpettes are attuned to certain trigger words and Trump must be sure they are present or his cult won't know what to think. How sad for all of us!
Except JD Vance’s wife is from India. And I heard she has not converted to Catholicism. (It seems religion is becoming another divider)
Trump dislikes dark skinned people, but he harbors a deep contempt for poor people, and calls the "losers."
Victor, which is why I can't understand how any Black person in this country can think it OK to vote for Donald Trump, a guy who would have every Black or Brown person locked up if he could, assuming all are criminals. I honestly don't get it. I don't think they do too, but it seems a point of defiance for them, with a little more than a pinch of misogyny tossed in for good measure.
Yes, it's curious. Black's for Trump are either blockheads or else are paid to show support for him. Trump has money to spare, and Musk is contributing insanely. Elon evidently hopes he will be America's Dr. Porshe, who, with Hitler's backing, created the VW.
Daniel, and they got citizenship quickly while the people who are actually fleeing danger can't, and they are the ones who value our democracy while the guys you mentioned don't.
Irony.
Also sarcasm.
Did they even take the citizenship test?
Midwest, of course those super rich guys took the citizenship test; they're rich and male. That's all that's required.
Yes, but they are white and rich. Trump hates poor people, especially if the have dark skin.
...melania
she needs to win the economic agurment. That's job 1. She has not done that with the voters yet. She needs to convince Joe and Susie Shmo that Trump will hurt them in their pocketpook and she will help them.
The election could be won or lost on this, imo.
Steve, every rally, every speech, every interview (even the ones where the interviewer is trying to sabotage her), Harris has been addressing the economy with an actual plan to help people and our economy. I have no idea what one has to do to convince those folks; it seems they do not want to be convinced of anything. I am guessing they believe they have made up their minds and can't bear anyone challenging them. That is what white privilege does for a lot of people. Trump has only plans to wreck our economy, but they stick with him forgetting that he nearly single-handedly brought down our economy 4 years ago with a bit of help from COVID. Trump is ignorant, has no positive ideas for anything, but he does have a lot of big money behind him and a bunch of cult members who would follow him into hell because they can't break out of their funk and look around at reality. Truly sad!
Looks like she is doing better recently on the economy if polls are right. Very good news. Work to do on groceries, gas, trade.
https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2024/10/4/harris-leads-trump-by-3-improves-standing-on-economic-issues
Agreed. I just heard that Harris is going on Joe Rogan. I think she should make this economic argument for the middle class and taxing the super rich like Musk. Then she should push 3 or 4 more issues:
One, remind JR that the bi-partisan Immigration bill is the best possible solution, and Trump selfishly derailed it for personal and political reasons because he doesnt have any solutions. Trump put politics and party before people which disqualifises himto be President. You don't get to tell the fire department not to respond and then complain that a fire is burning.
Two, the climate crisis is serious and demand action. Her plan is responsible and pro-active. Trump's plan is irresponsible and dereliction of duty. The US demands cliamte action for future generations' National security, sustainable energy policy and a livable planet. The GND creates good jobs while investing in the future to stop a serious climate crisis.
"Look Joe, we now have climate refugees in FL and as far north as North Carolina. We must take action because the scientists and insurance actuaries are certain that climate change is happening and will get worse if we don't diversify our energy with renewable energy and stop buying the worst sources like tar sands. Science matters! We must diversity and promote alternative energy for National Security and future generations. That's how we make America great in the future."
Three, go hard on how short-sighted, cruel and anti-freedon and liberty it is for big government to repeal women's choice. Note Republicans obsession to interfere in private health matters is outrageous and unacceptable in the land of the free. No more big government in the doctors' offices when Republicans have no clue what millions of women and couple face.
Id say, "Joe, how many women are sadly addicted to drugs? Sadly, thousands of addicts are in the US and they can't care for themselves much less a child. Sadly, thousands of women have serious health issues. It's dangerous to women's health, inhumane, wasteful, and insane totalitarian government for politicians to dictate healthcare decisions for woman. We're not going back to wire hangers and other dangerous alternatives to medical abortions by medical experts. Also, Trump's term "after birth abortions" is an unhinged, delusional lie. We're not going back!"
Four: DJT has already tried to abolish the ACA without a better plan. Before the ACA, over 40,000 Americans died EVERY YEAR! The ACA provides consumer protections so insurance companies can't discriminate and ignore the Americans who most need healthcare. Joe, before the ACA, insurance companies denied people who needed care. And when the health pool of people got an illness, they would cancel their policies on grounds of not reporting acne as a teen. That's not healthcare. That's a racket legalized by insurance company lobbyists who created "pre-existing conditions." Do you see how Trump's deregulation would cost American lives and make us like a Third World country? We're not going back to people not getting healthy care and people losing their homes because someone in the family got a diagnosis that needs healthcare. Welith healthcare, Americans are healthier, can work and survive and it saves money by treating issues before the health issue spirals out of control and is unsurvivable. I believe it's important to be pro-life for Americans and families. We're not going back!"
Okay, one more: Trump's own Cabinet members who know him best and say Trump should never get in the WH again. Tillerson, General Milley, his VP and others have taken the extraordinary act to warn Americans about Trump. "Joe, Who are you going to believe, Trump after 32,000 plus lies, or Trump's closest most important appointments who worked with him?"
Fact: The United States has the most expensive healthcare system among advanced Western nations. And our system delivers lower life expectancies and worse outcomes than the socialized European, Scandinavian, and Canadian systems that our leaders pooh-pooh. But the prime objective of our capitalist healthcare system is not to deliver better health outcomes for participants. Rather, it is to make money, and our system does a bang-up job of that. Capitalism is an inferior model for providing healthcare.
Yes, for-proft and healthcare are incompatible. Insurance companies take about 25% just to process the paperwork. Insurance companies took up to 32% before the ACA. Medicare does the same service for 2-3% because it's not processing the paperwork for a huge profit.
I contend that no business model can be efficient if processing the paperwork takes 25% of the pie. A Single Payer, Medicare For All model cuts out the greedy middle man that is insurance companies. BTW, a quarter of TRILLION dollar healthcare industry is roughly $250 BILLION a YEAR. This savings pays for ALL Americans to have good healthcare.
Plus, insurance companies deny coverage when healthcare is needed. They are the worst. It was racket to deny people with "pre-existing" conditions so insurance companies didn't have to provide healthcare to those who most need healthcare.
Thus, insurance companies are an inferior model, to be more specific than capitalist. I see your point, but I think it's best to not pit capitalist vs socialist. It's easier to explain insurance companies vs Medicare because people know how insurance companies are greedy and the worst.
The best thing about the ACA is that it abolishes the pre-existing racket and limited insurance companies take to 25%. While that was an important step, 25% is still too much for an efficient healthcare system.
Disclaimer: I've been fighting with the NNU for Medicare For All (MFA or M4A). Also, my dad did the Treasury Department study on Hillarycare that showed a Single Payer System is the only sustainable model. This is why ALL other Advanced countries use a Single Payer Model like MFA.
There are capitalist economies that are better than the US in delivering healthcare. It's more complictaed than just saying the problem is capitalism.
Yes, and it is also important to point out that Trump's tariff would shift the taxation burden from the wealthy to to the rest of the population. Say NO to Trump's Tariff, a new tax on hard working Americans!
Mr. Piper: excellent framing; she’s doing some of that, but it’s often buried in other talking points.
Now, got any ideas about the GOTV (Get Out the Vote) effort? I suspect few minds are being changed these days - on both sides. It’s now all about the on-the-ground efforts at getting Dem-inclined voters to actually DO IT!!! Easier said than done.
Thanks, Sean! I think the JR show will be an opportunity to reach white guys that lean Trump. She can take control of the interview and show how the progressive agenda is very logical and necessary for long-term security.
I think Joe is kinda libertarian like a lotta white guys, so we need to make the connection with action to combat climate collapse and abortion is needed so hospitals don't have a fintynyl birth defected baby epidemic. Libertarians will get the need for privacy and abortions. A million dollars for the 1st month of life and a death sentence begs for abortion rights, even to Catholic white guys.
Yes, I have an idea. Major GOTV concerts like they did in 2004, I think? Or was it 2008? Do you realize how much money and energy Swift concerts would make in Madison, Detroit, Philly and Pittsburgh? $40 tickets would be great.
Also, it's freedom vs fascism, and climate action vs climate collapse, so VOTE!
I would vote - for Harris - if I didn’t live in Canada. 🇨🇦
You would think Harris could make more hay on the rising cost of climate change- insurance rates, food costs, etc. and how the US is making progress but Trump elected will mean economic disaster.
I'd like to see her talk on private equity firms and how they destroy companies and hurt the middle class- in 5th grade language people can understand.And how GOP enables them and what she will do to reign them in.
Maybe she should talk about GOP state legislatures that are trying to gut ballot initiatives rights people now have.
Right! I contend that one of the major factors driving up housing costs is climate change because over the last 10 years vast areas, like bigger than Houston, have been wiped out due to storms, hurricanes, tornados and drought-driven fires. This has consumed a large portion of building supplies so the demand for materials has gone up with the high demand. The same thing with labor for construction.
We really need to train more workers for 5, 10 and 20 years down the road. Now NC and FL are going to demand building supplies and construction labor. IMO, our government leaders need to do a better job explain these costs of climate change... Along with hedge funds. That's a bad combination that's significantly driving up housing costs.
Dear Lord,please keep “THE USA SAFE FROM PREDATORS”!
In Jesus Name, Amen 🙏🏼
I hope the Lord hears your prayer, but to my mind, the best outcome for all of us is largely up to us.
Yes, she has, Jacki!
While I agree that the disproportionate distribution of wealth, power, and influence that threatens to upend our democratic society is an issue that must be continually raised and pushed, if we’re to win in November, I would submit that Harris’s closing argument chiefly must focus on Donald Trump and the threat he poses to the American republic.
Yes, in a trial--the anlogy here--the closing argument must rest on the evidence presented.
It is abundantly clar that the threat of Trump is not just to the republic but to the lives and livelihood of millions. There are already hundreds of thousands of fatalities from his botched Covid response.
What is promised now in Project 2025 is essentially a "Final Solution" that would end up with far more fatalities, economic disruption, and all-out war in Europe and Asia.
The evidence is there and now it is time for the closing argument.
Dr. Gilbert, here is a take on Leonard Leo, a radical board member of the Opus Dei sect, Federalist Society director, and major proponent of Project 2025, derisively known to be Drumpf's "court whisperer".
https://www.propublica.org/article/we-dont-talk-about-leonard-leo-supreme-court-supermajority
Interesting read. Through my undergraduate I was steeped in much of the history of the Catholic Church and the reformation. It is not a pretty history.
It often amazes me that a cycle of the Church attempting to co-opt government has run in a 4-generational pattern since the 1500s, if not even to 325 (much more limited history there). It usually starts with culture warriors rebelling against modernization and progress. The now aging out Boomers are now mostly at home here. The following generation often can be pragmatic but also cynically utilitarian. Leo fits the latter description.
The results of this cycle have given us Inquisitions, World Wars, Holocasts, ethnic cleansing, etc.
Doug (if I may), Thank you both for writing and for extending my original post to underscore the broader harms Trump’s return to power would inflict. Seeing your comment largely centers on Project 2025, I would note my dismay that attention to this mandate has substantially diminished as of late.
There is an eerie historical date of January 20, 1942 and a gathering in Wannsee in SW Berlin. At the meeting, it was determined the forcing Jews to emigrate from the Reich was insufficient and other measures were needed to accomplish the goals. The resulting plan was the "Final Solution" calling for extermination of 11 million people.
Sound familar? The path of the proposed "mass deportations" of Project 2025 will likely follow this trajectory.
People need to wake the heck up!
Doug, Admittedly, I don’t know the fate of those who would be detained for deportation. The piece I’m sure of, because it’s inscribed both in Trump’s rhetoric, let alone in Project 2025, is the intent to unleash immeasurable agony and anguish on anyone unwilling to bend to Trump’s will. As for people “need[ing] to wake…up,” if Harris’s Monday evening rally is an indication of what we can expect, I imagine increasingly more people will become increasingly aware of the urgency and necessity.
Trump's world is divided into "winners" and "losers." The poor are losers, and the rich must keep them under control by all means necessary. Splitting the middle class with cultural conflicts is one of the means.
Agreed, Barbara that Harris must drum loudly on these two issues of wealth begetting political power, and of Trump's abusive rhetoric and threats, but she really needs to gash him not only for his hatefulness, but for his abysmal record of betraying the public interest. Harris has the advantage here of her prosecutorial skill, which she must use to sink T's shipwreck of lies. Go to work!
Prof. Reich, thank you for your resounding critique of the soulless power grabbers who undermine society's interests.
Dennis, In my view, Trump’s ambition extends well beyond “betraying the public interest.” I believe he’s intent on unleashing immeasurable agony and anguish on anyone unwilling to bend to his will. Were I Harris, I would invoke, in some detail, Project 2025 to prosecute the case against Trump.
I agree but the media isn't helping by repackaging her message-look at all the talk about Cheney when really she has said great unifying things and introduced policies! The best thing to recommend is to vote for her and get others too!!
Fraser, Setting aside media and supplementing your last sentence, I would underscore that adding to her vote count, in my view, entails that Harris is able increasingly to manifest the belief, particularly for those harboring grievances, many legitimate, that things can change.
And sharply criticize the terrible job he did as president. Most voters polled seem to have forgotten.
Carolyn, While you’re right that the polling indicates that Trump is regarded more favorably than at any time during his presidency, my instinct mostly would be to surgically prosecute Trump’s expressed intentions moving forward.
I think they have to be backed up with what he did before. Start out with the fact that he was a crybaby sore loser in 2020. In 2020, Biden and Trump were not the only candidates on the ballot. There were hundreds of thousands of races across the country at the federal, state, and local level. For every contested race, at least one candidate lost. The vast majority of them accepted the results and moved on. Only Trump threw a screaming temper tantrum. When he promises to do it again, we should believe him, based on past behavior.
There is an interesting article in the New York Times reporting that many people just don't believe he will enact the destructive policies he promises. His scary promises become more believable if you can show he did or tried to do it before.
Here is a link to the article I mentioned:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/14/us/elections/trump-promises-extreme-rhetoric.html?unlocked_article_code=1.SU4.tMjj.cp9wgzViCISF&smid=url-share
Carolyn, In my view, Kamala is most effective in prosecuting the case against Trump by litigating his current words and deeds. I leave it to news media to litigate the past.
You are SO-O-O-O IRRELEVANT!!!!!!!!!!!
The American oligarchs are nothing but bullies who, for the most part, got rich by taking advantage of the working class! Working class Americans will continue to suffer unless they unionize. That is the only way they will have the power to prevent an authoritarian government from taking control of our country! Kamala Harris and Tim Walz care about all American citizens and will never forget all those who fought and died to protect our Democracy. Trump and Vance only care about the people who will be loyal to them and to Hell with everyone who disagrees with them. Take the time to read Project 2025 because that will be our next constitution if Trump wins!
Much of the wealth was generated for these oligarchs by governmental support, protections, or concessions:
• Amazon: Not paying sales taxes for decades. Allowing siting of warehouses in low tax states.
• Tesla: Tax subsidies for EVs.
• SpaceX: Generous government contracts directed by certain persons in the Trump administration.
• Social media: No legal responsiblity for product liability (Section 230).
• Weapons: Liability shields.
The Federal government has created the wealth of these individuals through a decades-long picking of winners and losers.
Our government has not worked for the people.
And SCOTUS made the corruption even worse.
Unless enough people understand who is on their side we are sunk.
Say NO to the Trump Tariff! It would shift the tax burden from the wealthy onto hard working Americans.
Yes Keith, but we know that. Problem is why the rot has gotten so far, why big money got so powerfull, without countervailing power from both political parties? Was it the polarising style of Newt Gingrich? The lack of spirit in the DOJ?
Tom, I have repeatedly asked this question. I have yet to read Reich address this. My guess is the loss of an honest, forthright 4th estate, News. The loss of the former Fairness Doctrine has smothered, neigh almost extinguished mutual understanding. And, we missed the locomotive. This means re-regulating ALL MEDIA is critical and not even mentioned.
In the Netherlands we have a hybrid financing of the mass media, so they can play a role to further mutual understanding.
Still, why is it impossible when you are paid by advertising? Is it corruption?
Hi Tom, In the US, we had laws that governed use of the public airways, fm, am radio, tv, news, called The Fairness Doctrine. When Clinton was President, he tanked the law. US Republicans had a long game plan, for the past 50 years, disintegrating government that built our middle class, making laws for corporations and Richy Rich to benefit, including buying all the cheap radio stations and once there was NO FAIRness in News Reporting required, filling airwaves, tv (made room for Rupert Murdoch, the democracy destroyer), with lies, disinformation, rage, scandals, lies. This was defended in US Courts by Murdoch lawyers as 'who would believe that stuff?', but the US fools did, as economics shifted to international cheap labor with corporations moving business out of US small towns to countries with no work standards. Cheap labor, bigger profits, no worker safety standards, no more allegiance to the US. Now, advertising has moved to the internet, our local newspapers are dying, and there are NO internet standards with our fractured nonfunctional Congress, made so by Repugnants. Deep, Deep Corruption by Richy Rich and the Corporations, handed to 'we the people' by our Supreme Jesters with their Citizens United decision which allows MONEY = SPEECH in politics. Devastating.
Tom Van Doormaal : AsAlways, follow the money. Kamala Harris cannot bite the hand that feeds her campaign. Nor would it be great for her to denigrate those Conservatives who have "come around" after seeing 'just' how bad tRUMP IS! Many of these Repuicans have had to spend money just defending themselves and their families from death threats and attacks.
Is that not a shame?
Keith is right: Project 2025 will destroy the Constitution.
It’s a great post for intellectual people who will understand it. I had a hard time with it, but basically got its message. Yes, the ultra rich, like Musk, realizing it or not, is destroying our economy and our country. How he is backing a past PRESIDENT, who insights an insurrection, just for selfish reasons, not caring at all for the average worker, is just ludicrous if not insane. I hope that many will understand this post and elect Harris. However, I fear the worst. It makes me so angry that Trump is allowed to run for office. Our forefathers added amendment 14, section 3 to protect us from the very situation we are in today. Colorado was the only state to recognize it, but our corrupt Supreme Court shut them down. God help us all.
Dr. Bandy Lee was on the Meidas Touch network. She has been on Five Minute News with Anthony Davis a couple of times talking about Trumps mental health. You can look it up on YouTube!!!
She's been warning about Trump since the very beginning. I got my public library to order her book the minute it came out, and I read every word of it. Why oh why is this flea-ridden POS still hanging around???? I wish he'd go HANG HIMSELF with that horrid red tie he wears every god-damned day of his life!!!!! Please, God, please, God, please, God, send along the next assassin!
Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen!
"Sean," you are one sick demented fool.
She already has made it clear that she is on our side! That is the reason that I voted for her on 9/24/2024!
virginia--As did I.
Donald, so happy that you did! We are going to win this thing!
Virginia, I, too have already voted for Harris-Walz, and the whole Democratic ticket in PA. My vote was mailed yesterday!
Ruth, glad you have! The Republicans can’t throw out our votes. I voted in person, they brought my ballot to my car, for early voting in VA. I voted for our entire Democratic ticket, too!
Virginia, Donald, Ruth, I mailed in my absentee ballot the 2nd of October, and the State of Tenn. confirmed their receipt of it on the 7th. Done!
Virginia--The orange guy will no doubt show his displeasure with the people's choice. Lucifer must have felt the same way when he was directed to his new home.
Donald, you are too funny!
Klare--In time perhaps, there will be a second hell, one in which Donald J. Trump presides over, for all eternity.
Donald, that would be too good for him -- he would love it!
As did I. #NotGoingBack
And why have we done nothing to make sure this never happens again? Why are we allowing Trump to run, Musk, Putin Netanyahu to even exist? Why are we allowing mentally ill men to control our lives????
Betty Moyers: When tRUMP was in power, he salted his 'fiends' everywhere he could in government : state governments, certainly the courts especially the too powerful Supreme Court, which he stacked, and bragged about it openly. The pardon power allowed him to let his co-criminals off the hook. Which I was taught would not be allowed to do with pardons, in a Civics class long ago. Money talks and bullshit walks. Our government is dangerously corrupted from top to bottom, and it was not the Democrats alone. Ronald Reagan allowed Rupert murdoch into our country, at the same time that the Fairness Doctrine disappeared. Murdoch was fast tracked , less than a year. I read. It was a powerful, evil move, and no accident. It has been downhill all the way for working and middle class, even the poor. Newt Gingrich and a couple more "Presidents" who did not win the popular vote, then Citizens United, and here we are. Taking a brave, intelligent candidate to task for not being perfect enough!
I ask that question repeatedly, SCREAMING IT AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS to people like BIBI-BRO BIDEN and to that horrible woose Merrick Garland and the "justice" dept.! Why is this going on everywhere? WHY has it gone on for eons of time, the jaded, corrupt few controlling the masses? I will never, never, never understand this!
Kamala is the people while Trump is over.
Trump won't be over until someone drives a wooden stake through the place where his heart is supposed to be.
The dark, swirling vortex of hell.
And a silver bullet through his brain, and cut out his tongue for good measure, and tie that red necktie in a stranglehold force for extra-added assurance, oh, and then impale him in the broiling hot sun on a pike somewhere . . . That should do it!
Humorous, but it touches something important: the lacking love and humanity of Trump...
You're right. I've always been amazed at the utter emptiness of the man. No decency, no honor, no compassion, no sense of humor. I just don't understand his appeal.
“‘Enormously wealthy and economically powerful men, whose chief object is to hold and increase their power’ could destroy U.S. democracy.”
Theodore Roosevelt called them “malefactors of great wealth.” A catchy, catch-all term for them is needed more than ever, and Theodore’s turn of phrase is probably still the best.
tax-evading-me-only people ?
Donald, I like your title from TR. Maybe in addition, something like "Thieves of Democracy" could work too.
Would you rather have a Fascist Dementia Addled Supreme Narcissistic Moron whose Father Also Had Dementia running this country or the Daughter of Two University Professors?
I think you know the depressing answer to this question.
Professor Reich: i agree with you, of course. but i do have a few questions. first, might alexandria ocasio-cortez be a way forward for america? she's been rather quiet lately (although it was her 35th birthday yesterday, if i recall correctly) and her quietness has made me a bit concerned about how she's doing.
i'm also curious -- VERY curious -- as to your thoughts about the nobel prize winners in economics. presumably, they won because of their studies of why some nations are so wealthy whilst others are not. i've not yet read more deeply about their ideas, but am curious what you think? (i ask because jared diamond made a lengthy and detailed argument -- racist argument, as it turns out -- as to why some nations are so wealthy, so i'd be interested to know what you think?)
I in turn am curious what you are referring to when you say "jared diamond made a lengthy and detailed argument -- racist argument, as it turns out -- as to why some nations are so wealthy". Are you talking about Guns, Germs and Steel? I read that a few years ago, and I don't recall anything remotely racist about the arguments in that book. If anything, the contrary was true, as he was essentially saying that the fact that Europeans ended up dominating the world was _not_ because of any superiority on their part, but because of a number of chance advantages relating to geography.
I agree. Jared Diamond has been accused of racism before, but I have not seen such a bias in any of his books or ideas. It seems very fashionable today to stick labels on people; racist, sexist, misogynist, socialist, communist, etc. rather than enter into proper debate about the merits or otherwise of important contributions to knowledge and science. Intellectual laziness.
White supremacists despise Jared Diamond.
Tell me what you think of this. An expert is asked, "How far is America on the path to civil war?"
Well worth watching, I think.
https://youtu.be/IOQuymOvZzo
Extremists exploit confirmation bias to radicalize people. Beware.!
Presumably because he's debunked their entire belief system. But they also object to genetics that show we all came out of Africa, and Darwinism too.
Let's just say they hate facts and prefer beliefs. Like many people too stupid to understand reality.
By emphasizing the importance of institutions the Nobel winner may be said to have underestimated the role of historical processes.
These economists have published several important books. They emphasize the importance of institutions in the creation of political stability and wealth. MAGA's tribalism endangers our institutions, leads to chaos, and to the impoverishment of the nation. Trump is riding a tiger.
Harris should make it perfectly clear whose side she is on . She should call out people like Elon musk as malefactors of great wealth whose aim in life is to make the lives of the poor and working class as miserable as possible. She should lleave no doupt that she is going to raise the minimum wage apass the John Lewis Voting rights sact do every thing she can to let the middle class working class and poor that she is on their side and that Trump and Musk are garbage. Also Biden should send the National Guard down to Florida and North Carolina to arrest those storm troopers that are threatening Fema Workers. This is all Trump and he should be punished for all of it.
Like, like, like, like, like, like, like!!!!! Astounding, isn't it, the BULLSHIT TRUMP KEEPS GETTING AWAY WITH! WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS WRONG WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS COUNTRY???? IT SEEMS TO BE NONEXISTENT WHEN IT COMES TO TRUMP!!!!!
And pass the PRO Act.
It is a proposed law to better protect the right of workers to form a union.
What is the PRO Act? I seem to have missed something.
Well said. Speaking of Sanders and economic populism, I followed 538 closely in 2016, and in hypothetical matchups between Sanders and Trump, it was roughly Sanders 70 to Trump 30, with almost nobody undecided. Hillary vs Trump was about 35/35 with about 30% undecided. So, I knew in the Spring of 2016, before the DNC dumped Sanders, that Sanders would sweep a landslide and Hillary would be a disaster. After the dumping, I watched in horror as the slow motion trainwreck unspooled.
Every time I see her aggrieved, entitled, expressions on TV I feel like throwing up.
Viscerally don't like her, eh? She has facial features which when she uses certain muscles in her face - she appears smug. She's not smug - she's smart. She's a woman <that is what puts voters off. A woman can't be President - it's a man's job. Look thru American History - or other nation's histories - women who wield power & diplomacy aren't featured much. Queen Elizabeth I (daddy, brother and sister died); Tsarina Catherine the Great (husband died). Modernly, Angela Merkel (German Chancellor), Jacinda Arden (popular & smart NZ PM), E.Johnson-Surleaf, and others in our times.
I'm not arguing against male leaders - I'm arguing for a wiser world order - not one of swagger & weapons & unstable leaders.
Instability drives us to retreat to past safe times. Look back at the cyclic nature of times.
Two steps forward, one step back <
this is my impression of US Politics & we, the people suffer for this step shuffle in our social interactions & progress.
We've technology to kill and to save. But we're oblivious of our citizens who are hungry, poor. houseless.
Tent cities come to our attention only when they grow, especially when they get close to our front doors, not before, why?
Our Healthcare system is unbalanced, why?
There are many experts. But are their voices heard and acted on.
There's cacophony and few moves to action & progress, why?
Oh please. This has nothing to do with gender (speaking for myself). I have great respect for the powerful powerful women leaders you mention (although where is Margaret Thatcher?).
Hillary lost not because she's a woman but because she's Hillary Clinton. She's no Catherine the Great, she's no Thatcher. I don't agree with the oft-expressed opinion that she's smart. As Christopher Hitchens asked: Name me one great thing that she has said or done that would qualify her for POTUS.
Compared to Trump Hillary Clinton is a genius.
True, and allow me to say entirely irrelevant. Democrats tend to think of Clinton as "smart." IMHO there is just no evidence for this opinion. Don't listen to me, read Christopher Hitchens.
Hillary Clinton is VERY smart. Her husband, when he first met her at Yale, said she was the smartest woman he'd ever met (and he was a Rhodes Scholar). Other students in her classes said she always had her hand up and her answers were brilliant. Hillary Clinton has received a mega number of awards for her work for women around the world. It was her work on healthcare that unfortunately the Clinton administration couldn't get passed. She just didn't run a good campaign.
Ahem. When I said that Hillary is not smart, I was referring to her political skills.
1) I do know a little about healthcare, and I'm afraid you are just wrong here. Hillary was tasked with the problem of how to cover someone who has lost his or her job through no fault of their own. She took something simple and made it complicated (Hint: the answer is, you give them Medicare coverage temporarily). Her solution? To let the fox into the henhouse. She basically destroyed the medical profession and created the current mess in healthcare.
2) She lied three times about taking her daughter across a battlefield in Bosnia. She was told by her campaign to stop doing this because she would be called out, but she continued anyway, and the third time she was called out.
3) She lied that her mother called her Hillary after Edmund Hillary, who climbed Everest 7 years after she was born. Why would anyone make up such a lie?
4) As Secretary of State she blundered in taking on Gaddafi ( a bulwark against ISIS) and ignoring the entreaties of the US Consulate long after the British and the Red Cross had evacuated Libya. The result? Five dead US diplomats and the resurgence of ISIS.
5) As Secretary of State she made Obama wobbly on Syria.
6) Running in late 2016, she famously referred to Trump voters as "The basket of deplorables."
7) In October 2016 She had very tight margins in Wisconsin and Minnesota, yet despite the entreaties of her campaign managers refused to go to those states to shore up her support. When those managers sent the Clinton bus out to Wisconsin anyway, she flew into one of her rages and ordered it back to Iowa. Iowa??? How was she ever going to win there? Incompetent.
It's true that Comey acted shamefully, but the point is, Trump should never have been close.
In summary, Hillary Clinton could easily have won in 2016, but basically lost an unloseable election by being - well - Hillary Clinton. This loss was the prelude to four years of chaos and the present nail-biting mess. Just how smart is that?
Anne, Because the entire US set up was based on stealing land/ all value by white men and the country set up for white land rich (stolen) men.
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo -- Mexico
I am glad Kamala is OK with the working people, but even if she sided with the wealthy, she would always be the better choice compared with the lying felon narcissistic moron.
There are countless reasons to vote for Harris over Traitor Tot. But for me it boils down to the fact that Harris understands that the country is bigger and more important than she is. Orange Foolius is incapable of grasping the concept that anything is bigger or more important than he is.
The super-rich tech turdds dream of unregulated capitalism
The 'super rich tech turds' ARE LIVING unregulated ,cut throat US capitalism turned Oligarchy.
William, I may not be the brightest bulb in the pack, but I cannot understand that if these richy rich want unregulated capitalism, won't they still need workers for their corporations? Workers being those of us that need to work in order to put food on the table. I can't help but think that because of their greed, wouldn't there be more of us establishing small mom and pop businesses, co-ops, farmer's markets and the like instead of having a dependence on these greedy corporations? As they continue their march toward unregulated capitalism, wouldn't we in turn start finding ways to exists without depending on these corporations? As their dollars dry up from workers and middle class and poor, wouldn't they just go under? I don't know, I probably sound like an idiot. I just feel there are so many more of us than there are of them, we should be able to figure out our existence without them. The corporations are like Marie-Antoinette when she was told her peasants were starving and she said, "Let them eat cake." That is their attitude and I would like to take that cake and cram it down their throats! Just me wondering about things.
They dream of sweatshop America.
Some people are just narrow-minded.
The sole purpose of the corporate media is to make money. Truth is incidental
BRAVO! I could see your position on socio-economic class and economic populism was being held back for the last several weeks, but you have chosen the right time to spring it. Thank you, Robert Reich! Now, my Harris and Walz have the courage to spring it. Trump has doubled down on his strategy, and so should they.
Steven Webster, Auckland N.Z.
Trump and Musk are quintessential examples of Social Darwinists of the [First] Gilded Age. If anyone has a time machine, we should send them back to about 1880. If not possible, let’s defeat Trump and never allow him back into politics. And don’t buy Teslas!