So, what should we make of what happened in yesterday’s elections? I want to offer three broad thoughts here.
1. First, the media is over-interpreting the results of the gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey as a “collapse of the Democratic coalition” (this morning’s Washington Post) and raising “fresh doubts about … Biden’s ability to push his domestic agenda across the finish line.”
P-l-e-a-s-e. These were races for governor, not for national office. And in both Virginia and New Jersey, the enthusiasm gap was huge -- affecting turnout. McAuliffe had already been governor. He’s a “centrist” who ran without a clear message. Youngkin was a fresh face, and Republicans turned out in droves. Particularly in Virginia, there’s almost always a backlash against the party in power. Fully 11 of the past 12 Virginia governors have come from the party opposite to that of the incumbent president. There’s only one time in the last 12 elections that the president’s party won a gubernatorial race in Virginia, and that was ... McAuliffe in 2013. Besides, Virginians want their governors to serve one term. No former governor has even been a major-party nominee since 1973.
Oh, and in New Jersey, no Democratic governor has won re-election since 1977.
2. Second, and notwithstanding this, it would be foolish for Democrats to deny that yesterday’s results signal possible trouble ahead – and to mend their ways.
Youngkin poured a huge amount of money into paid advertising and had the added benefit of Fox News and other right-wing outlets to amplify his dog-whistle message about “critical race theory” taught in public schools (even though no school in Virginia actually teaches it). He kept Trump at arm’s length but came off as a more likable version of Trump. That’s the formula to watch out for: Trump-lite, mixing racism and cultural rightwing tropes within a friendly demeanor.
3. The inability of Democrats in Washington to get Biden’s agenda done was another factor here and will be a huge one in the midterms if Biden and the Democrats have nothing to show for their first term. The Democratic coalition depends on highly motivated voters of color (who are watching what happens especially on voting rights and police reform); women (who are watching on paid family leave and childcare); and young people (who are watching on climate change).
And what about the white working class? Hard to tell much from Virginia but New Jersey may bode ill. New Jersey was one of the few places in the nation where the white working class was still reliably Democratic. It seems to have moved toward the Republican Party. Lesson here for Democrats: The only way to regain the loyalty of America’s white working class is through the economy – reversing 40 years of stagnant pay and declining job security.
Midterms are always bad for the party in power because expectations for major change are almost always dashed – resulting in widespread disappointment. I remember Clinton’s trouncing in 1994, when Democrats lost control of both the House and the Senate. Obama got similar treatment in 2010. In the upcoming midterms, Democrats have almost no margin for error: Losing just five House seats or one Senate seat means those chambers go Republican.
Bottom line: We must get Biden's agenda enacted, but go further -- making this economy work for all rather than a small group at the top. Democratic candidates would be wise to talk about "the people versus the privileged and powerful."
I feel we have about a year left of democracy (flimsy wealth-biased version that it is).
How do I know this?
New York, a traditionally Blue state (largely because Democrat Party kisses corrupt Police & Teachers Union’s bums so it’s mostly Dem in name only) is finally stepping out of the closet and admitting it is Red.
Check out how they voted regarding propositions having to do with voting laws.
Ummm why do you keep on defending Dems like they're the better party, or a good party? They're corrupt just like Reps. Progressives just showed they are weak and corrupt too by giving in to Manchin. Nothing has changed and BBB is gutted!
So looks like YOU DO NOT CARE ABOUT AMERICANS. And this is all a show. Do you make money off this?!
I think you are corrupt too. If you weren't you'd be proposing some solutions to this tyranny.
We are the better party. We do not run on racism hatred and anger. We do not stoke fear and division. We do not seek to undermine democracy. We want to expand voting rights for all people including republicans. Our big problem is we are too damn nice. You sound like a troll.
And don't tell us that build back better is gutted; it is not. The dollar cost is not the main point. the main point is the transformative nature of the two bills, the physical infrastructure and the reconciliation bill, that are about to be passed in the next few days that are filled with features that will help all american families, especially those with working mothers who cannot afford care for their children and subsequently are frequently prevented from working at all because of this fact. There is also the child care tax credit, affordable pre-k, climate change provisions, and much more. That is no gutting of a bill.
youre just wrong. but I understand because corrupt media doesn't talk about how the bill was gutted. All the best things were gutted because of corrupt Dems like Sinema and manchin and others. Also the whole right vs left bs is just that. Americans fight each other without realizing they're fighting over crumbs and the ruling class gets the whole sandwich.
Dems and Reps are owned by the rich. Ppl need to get that thru their heads.
You are right to some extent. I confronted elsewhere on this post about Mr. Reich's emphasis that Reps are bad and Dems are good. The Neolibs consist as much of Dems as Reps. The failures of the Dems, as well as Reps, to take care of people is what brought us the Trump presidency. But, calling Mr. Reich "corrupt", and your other accusations, is not only off the mark, but also will get you nowhere. That is, if your aim is to influence. If your aim is just to hate, then have at it.
I'm calling it like I see it. Also, I said it looks like he's corrupt.
Why write fluff pieces about meeting Hillary? She is corrupt. Why isnt Reich focused on explaining to people that both parties are owned. The oligarchy. Provide solutions to corruption. He's a cheerleader for the Dems. Do nothing Dems.
This is the problem. You always ASSUME that people who do not approve of “programs” to help whatever special interest group Democrats are targeting are racists or elitists or sexists. You are always on this moral high ground that takes the sensibilities of many people of color, like me, for granted. You have this paternalistic attitude that is insulting. I’m sure you mean we’ll but what “we” want is to have the opportunity and be free to earn a living and live our lives. Can’t do that when economy is shut down, there is rampant crime, infrastructure is crumbling.
Yes, climate change and clean environment is critical but all leaders and media ignore the crux of the problem-overpopulation. Your talking about bandaids for a gunshot wound. How can you be taken seriously?
All these “programs”, crusades, etc. seem to serve the purpose of keeping those in power and at the top of the economic food chain earning money and in power.
An absurdly rich candidate that had nothing of substance to say to Virginians plus the absurdly shallow performance of the Biden administration sealed the fate of Virginia's election for the Democrats. I say they have no one to blame but themselves. New Jersey is anither case in point. You say that the results are a fluke. That these were State election not national elections. I say beware. And study the situation carefully. Is anyone really going to be encouraged to vote when the major part of Biden's policy has been gutted by two corrupt senators? Would anyone be encouraged to vote when their president doesn't have the will or stamina two bring two corrupt Senators of his own party to tow his main policy? When there are dozens of executive measures that he implement and hasn't done them. If Dems want to save themselves they must star to change their governance. But then, these are not the Democrats of the FDR era. Many are at the calling of their donors and act accordingly. The other are well.... not worth mentioning. If you put your hopes in this party, I think that you are wishfully thinking. They are beyond hope.
I'd like to add one more point -- this one about Biden's low approval rating. I'm not particularly surprised or concerned about it. In this era of harsh divisiveness, when it's hard to get anything done, presidential approvals will drop, But if Biden's his agenda is enacted, COVID cases and deaths continue to decline, and supply bottlenecks are overcome -- all big "ifs" -- Biden's ratings will bounce back.
Biden's ratings will bounce back when he does. When he decides that trying to make deals with Republicans and avowed Trumpists (this may be one and the same thing) and compromising and taking stuff out of his proposals and plans, doesn't really cut it. When he decides to stand up for what's right and fair and take his case to the people, when he decides that those who voted for him also voted for a seat at the table, that they count. As long as BIden tries to placate people who have decided in advance not to be placated, he will hit a wall. He can keep butting his head against the wall and losing his footing or he can stand up for what the progressives and Bernie put out there. Right now, the centrist "try to get along with the opposition" plan is not working. People want to see changes in their lives and, well, most of those changes involve providing direct outlays of money or services that people need. Sorry to be so blunt but after two years of pandemic and economic hardship, the voters want infusions of cash and helpful services. Biden is still back at trying to work deals with the opposition party that really plans on no deal at all. They would rather deprive the public of any change to recover than lose their strengthening grip on even more wealth and power.
He isn’t working any deals with the opposition party, in fact. It’s mainly two Senators in his own party, Joe Manchin, who is from a very red state, besides having money in coal and things that are directly against Biden’s relatively quite comprehensive agenda, and Kristen Sinema, who is an unexplainable, massive frustration.
representatives are a refection of the majority of their region. sadly most folk vote their wallet or are sucked into the maelstrom of misinformation, hence the horrid situation we find ourselves in, united we stand or vote your wallet. you cannot have both
I think AOC is right about most things. The progressives are right about what needs to happen, in my opinion, and that’s why Biden has called for many things they want.
being a sixties civil rights warrior i agree with the progressives. it is the nature of the world to take three steps forward and two steps back. when the devil is your landlord, deals must be made. sigh. it is the way of the world. frankly i am surprised we get anything done that actually helps the common citizen. we are making progress. as the jesuits say, it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.
I am not sure that the working class who has taken the biggest hit during the pandemic and collapse of the economy is concerned about party affiliation. Your point about elected officials being responsible to all their constituents is well-taken; however, you do realize, don't you?, that most elected officials are beholden to their financial backers, the corporate ceos and big-wigs who financed the undertaking. MOney talks and it's essentially money (the possibility of greater wealth, more power, and a lifetime position in the Halls of Congress) that motivates elected public servants. (The actual public who does the electing counts for very little in the overall scheme of things.) Biden and the Democrats are basically no different than the Republicans; they want to stay where they are and make the most of their great financial opportunity. What the voters are concerned about is not staying where they are but (somehow) recovering and moving on. What Biden and his party will do is aim for the absolute minimum they can whittle out to clutch on to power and offer the voters. Of course, that's not good enough but in this wealthiest country in the world, there's not going to be enough to keep the wealthies happy if the issues of working people are given too much weight. Sounds like dog-eat-dog but, well, I think that's where we are.
Most of your remarks are objectively and provably false. You are projecting republican characteristics on democrats which is laughable. You are deluded.
Joe biden and democrats both in government and ordinary citizens are the polar opposite of the republicans. Yes, democrats have financial backers but they do not aspire to authoritarianism or to perpetuating a lie about the superiority only of people who look like themselves as the republicans do every time they open their mouths.
Everybody wants to keep their job whether they are politicians or dishwashers. But in no way is there any parallel between republican money-power hunger and democrats desire to keep their jobs. Democrats are more concerned with improving the lives of not only their supporters but those of the opposition as well. Republican leaders are only concerned with there insatiable need for money and power. Your characterization of the progressive wing of the democratic party is entirely incorrect and unspeakably insulting. I am sick and tired of people like you using Alexandra Ocasio Cortez and Bernie Sanders as a scapegoats for your hateful image of progressive democrats.
progressives lost florida over 'defund the police' which should have been marketed as 'demilitarize the police' and the dems, lost 'miami dade' due to many voting red who to this day think they came from a 'socialist' country when in actuality they came from a 'dictatorship', the DNC failed to differentiate this fact for and to these folk with a flood of informative media and therefore lost florida. just woke up. i apologize for this being somewhat muddled in print lol. waiting for the coffee to kick in
In his efforts to rescue the country from the depths of the Great Depression, FDR chose a direct and constant appeal to the people most effective by the downturn, the ordinary working people of America. He used his own personal powers of persuasion and the clarity of his vision for the US to address the nation via his frequent fireside chats, that is, he involved the people in the fate of the nation. And FDR's direct approach--backed up by what his wife Eleanor and his Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins were reporting to him from the field--managed to win Republicans as well as Democrats to his programs. Of course, we are now dealing with a situation where even the Democrats are likely to put their own personal gain and well-being (and, of course their political futures and power) ahead of the health and security of the nation. Most members of Congress do not surrender their primary interest and concern for their own wealth and power when they take their oaths of office, no those interests and concerns are basically what being in government means to them. If BIden were more concerned with what happens to the ordinary workers in society, he would reach out to them and involve them much as FDR did; Biden has greater tech and far more access to media than FDR ever did. As long as Biden fights a rear-guard operation and insists in trying to go along to get along, the results will be the same and the facts are: that's not going to be a very good deal for those doing the work and paying the bills. Whatever deal Biden finally manages to appease and finagle with those who agree to it, the wealthy and well-connected will be just fine. If he wants something better for the ones paying the bills, he's going to have to demand more from those who will reap the benefits of whatever he and the COngress come up with. That is, if they come up with anything at all.
The iffiness of the Democratic majority and, especially, the iffiness of Senators Manchin and Sinema are thought to be impeding Biden's efforts to work a deal and get the shadowy leftover of his BBB plan through. He keeps whittling it away to make it more acceptable but no amount of whittling is going to do any good whatsoever if the Republican plan of rewarding those with wealth and power and denying everyone else is really what's at stake. The program to rescue America is beginning to look like: How to Reward the fossil/fuel/establishment/stockholders and ceos without throwing any crumbs to the folks doing the work. Some have decided that the blame lies with Manchin and Sinema who have decided that their own financial and power interests and connections are far more important than the constituents they were elected to serve and, from their point of view, they are correct. How can a 6th grade teacher in West Virginia hope to have a voice and mean anything when she will never be able to provide Manchin with the wealth, power, and security he was aiming for when he was elected and is still aiming for? That leaves West Virginia and Arizona (and other states both blue and red) unrepresented...so who is supposed to speak for them and represent their interests and concerns (read plight) in Congress? Who will speak for them? Ideally, the President of the United States should speak for such unrepresented voters, he should step forward, he should go to the voters in an effort to convince them to demand more from their elected reps. That hasn't happened and likely will not happen as, well, BIden is more interested in getting along with those who (really) oppose his plan/or that he has a plan at all. Remarkably enough, Senator Bernie Sanders CHair of the Budget Committee has played the role that President Biden should have accepted and filled. Bernie doesn't just represent the interests of the voters in Vermont, he also plays a vital role in the programs and proposals offered for all states. I am glad he stepped up to the plate. My question is: Where was Biden? Why didn't he think of taking his case to those with a stake in how BBB spins out? If we continue with whittling away at the thing, I won't be surprised to receive a bill for $250 to cover my participation in the 2020 election.
unfortunately deals must be made with the devil, it has always been so to maintain a measure of functionality for everyone. not perfect but tolerable is not a failure.
To reduce the supply chain issues can Biden implement the Defense Production Act and utilize the National Guard to supplement the work at the docks and truck drivers?
Historically, only a galvanizing force of leadership has healed the division within our society. Trump is a counterfeit version of this and will be back because Biden's an imbecile shill for anyone with a buck or an audience.
Biden talked a lot of smack to get elected. He is backing up none of it, making Trump look like "right all along" and even lending credence to "deep state" conspiracies. Biden is dangerously stupid, providing the perfect fuel for his own demise...
I don't think the vaccine mandates were heavy-handed at all. The health and safety of the community take primacy of place over the choices of the individual. I was a child during the years when polio was a constant worry and fret. It was such as to strike terror in the hearts and souls of practically all parents; there were no cures and, while some victims recovered with few if any disability, many were forced to live their shortened lives in large ventilators called "iron lungs." FDR was an adult victim of polio and the disease no doubt shortened his life and led to pain and suffering which he manfully endured as that was what could be offered. I can remember that parents dreaded the approach of summer when the kids wanted to head for the neighborhood pools and parents had to contain and restrain them. (I never learned to swim very well.) This went on for years and years until the late 50s/early 60s when Dr Jonas Salk offered a viable and effective vaccine and, later, Dr Sabine offered the vaccine in sugar-cube form. When revered Dr Salk's vaccine became available, there was no conflict or assertion of "my personal rights, my choice," oh, no. adults and children alike made a beeline for clinics where the vaccines were readily available. I guess they were mandated if one looks at it that way but people trusted the government, Dr Salk, and the medical establishment to deliver---and they all surely did. Polio is still a disease in some parts of the world but the vaccine turned the corner. We were all grateful and happy to live our lives without fear and we did so with gusto. That now seems like another world but I guess it was.
No, that's true enough. The vaccine used to fight polio is not the vaccine used to combat covid-19 but neither is the measles vaccine the same as the one for small pox. Each vaccine is developed to combat and defeat a specific virus and there is no universal vaccine just as there is no universal virus. I personally am not a great fan of the Moderna vaccine, having had a severe reaction to the second dose and an even more severe reaction to the booster which I foolishly combined with the very first flu shot I ever had. However, I think the statistics coming out of the increase in vaccination prove the point, that the vaccines are getting a handle on the virus. I only hope they don't come out with a second booster shot!
Dem's would do better if 'the rule of law' held up and all those involved in the coup attempt were indicted by now, as they should be. I get the sense that there is a fear of a true civil war if this were to happen. Trumpers are ignorant and angry enough to start shooting. But actual 'justice' would sure slow down the chaos.
Have you ever tried starting a cheer like that? Not specifically "let's go Brandon" but anything. Especially the 4 syllable followed by clap clap clapclapclap cadence they're using. It's surprisingly easy. You don't need even 15% of the crowd in a given area to participate for it to be noticeable if a few people are nice and loud. Try "we want corndogs" at a fair, or just about anything at a sporting event.
It's annoying and classless, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over that specifically.
There are plenty of other issues the Do Nothing Democrats have to worry about than a few jackasses making noise in large crowds. Like passing absolutely NOTHING of importance to their platform and promises except ending the Afghan war, which they did in the most inefficient and embarrassing way possible.
Learned? What I’ve known since Chris Hedges turned me on to Wolin’s ‘Democracy Incorporated’; that until the Democratic Party elites give up their corporate donor fealty, and swing back to FDR’s acknowledging social democratic safety net principles were mandatory for the ideal of democracy to survive, we’re screwed, and will slide into authoritarian rule.
Yes, agreed. The people need to get out into the streets and make the politicians hear & see the anger at their inability or unwillingness to do even the most basic things which every other developed country provides for it’s people. Power concede nothing without a demand.
That rage should be channeled toward the real sources of power and dysfunction in our system -- big corporations and wealthy individuals who are drowning our democracy in big money.
Thank you for all your efforts here. Yes, "the real sources ... ". Until we do something about Money, all our rage, or at least most of it, is for naught.
Stop running Clintonite-retread candidates. Have all the geriatrics at the top retire it's not 1992 anymore. "Not Trump" is not enough -- all ya'll are sounding like the flip side of MAGA. Build up state parties. Stop blaming the electorate for not voting for Democratic candidates, and give us candidates that people WANT to vote for. It's not the voters -- it's the party.
Yes! End of Civility politics is winning hands down. All the voters for repub candidates yesterday know exactly who trump is, and are on board. Therefore the press can stop trying to convince them otherwise. Stop talking about him. Fix the system of gov that has driven them to choose him over anyone else. He is their savior from an ineffective system regardless of whether he will actually make things better. Change is the issue. DNC should start investing in younger more progressive, aggressive candidates. Biden is doing his best but it isnt working. Get a solid Plan B and C into action asap. Learn from the facts of today; not of 1940 something.
A lot of independents and moderate democrats are still around, unfortunately, and I wish more young people voted, but have they ever? They didn’t turn out for Bernie to beat Biden…I’m relatively young and admire the younger generations, but alas, the lesson we continue to learn is we need the moderates. ?? At least in places like Virginia.
He may very well be, but he is brilliant and principled, and keeps current! He still offers sage advice, and shares his knowledge, whoch is power. It because of these things, that I have sought his knowledge and advice for my 2022 Campaign, as California State Insurance Commissioner! My platform is "single payer," Medicare/Med-Cal 4All. He will know how to get me there without bankrupting the state! As we all grow older, there is something to be said about the wisdom that "geriatric retreads," have to offer!💯💚🌎🙏🏽✅🇺🇸
True, but calling older people 'geriatrics' is ageist and if you want to throw out people who know a few more things than you do, you may want to consider that someday you will be old and not want to be discounted! Throwing out those who have been bought out and are afraid to be bold can be effective, regardless of their age. Money is running the show and that is why it's a carnival! If Robert Reich was a running, the same dirty tricks and 'media messaging' would be paid for by the big money. Anyone can be dissed and misrepresented! The two 'moderates' in the Democrat side did not help because they love their money more than their country.
When anyone reminds us that it's all about Money, I have to "like". We have to get the political system out of the control of Big Money. We "fixed" many problems in the 60s, but did not fix the ways in which Money can control govt. So, here we are, refighting the same fights, with no end in sight.
It's time to join the culture war. Not with lies but with truth. That is KISS (keep it simple stupid). Get to the most basic aspect of an issue and make that your main message. On taxes for instance say the GOP is screwing you on behalf of the rich. Show the most basic statistics, like how you do constantly Robert. Decrease in taxes for rich means less money for you. Healthcare - if they don't directly heal you, they shouldn't get your money. Infrastructure - corporations use it and damage it more than average Americans but they don't pay for it. Present issues honestly but as simply as possible so you get a response like "Hey wait a minute, they're right." Once you got their attention present details. Boil issues down to how they directly affect the voters daily life, immediately call lies lies, forget about politeness and dignity when countering falseness but do it with the simplest of facts. Fight like the GOP but do it with the truth. That includes pointing out directly and specifically conflicts of interest, hypocrisy and just plain lies, ,deflections and delaying attempts, no matter the party of the offending politician (you know who.) No more Emily Post, be the Rush Limbaugh of truth.
What I learned attending college on an athletic scholarship and in 50+ years of practicing law, is when you speak softly to a bully, he hits you again. The AG's soft talk, and indecision, is seen by all as weakness in the face of terrorists, the enemies of Democracy
Yes, I am very worried. I believe that Manchin and Sinema truly effected the election outcomes. The irresponsibility of these 2 fat cats has put good legislation and Biden’s approval ratings in jeopardy. We need to get this passed this week. We need to focus on 2022 and tell the story of all the good these bills will do. We are also going to have to scream louder than the MAGA group and tell the truth. Yes, we are the good guys and the good guys are going to have to play harder, smarter, faster and wiser than the evilness of the MAGA party. The consequences are dire…if we don’t. No more nice guys just good guys fighting the good fight!
Nancy, I agree with you. The question I'd like all of us to address is **how** do we play harder, smarter, faster, and wiser -- and at the same time maintain our integrity? I see an asymmetry opening up in American politics that frankly worries me: A Republican Party willing to destroy democracy for the sake of winning, and a Democratic Party (appropriately) seeking to protect democracy at whatever the cost.
I think the two of the biggest problems which need to be changed is:
-Big Money stealing political focus from majority citizens
-Social Media and Mainstream Media. Both are geared towards Conservatism - even the Liberal targeted media who make news sound Liberal while they tepidly report, if not actually withhold, vital information. After all, they are owned by Fat Cats who benefit from Republican’s Trickle-down economics.
Big Money in politics does a lot of damage combined with messages to the masses through Social and Mainstream Media which obscure the truth.
How can we legally defund the Fat Cats and loudly broadcast truth through social & mainstream media?
I appreciate that you are a Democrat; that you have served several Democrats, but I don't think this hard line "Republicans are bad, Democrats are good" serves us. The way Democrats have been doing "business" for decades resembles Republicans more than it provides a way forward. We need the Democratic Party, but we also have to change the money-buys-everything method of governing. Democrats are far more on board with this idea than Republicans are, but obvioiusly not enough.
Current Republicans are wrong about it every single issue—more than just wrong—the opposite of moral—on most, including climate change. And lie perpetually that they are the moral ones. I agree though that Democrats are subject to corruption from many interests.
Dems are currently less evil than Reps, it's true. But Money doesn't care. It uses whoever will suit it's needs best. There are some basic philosophies that Reps have that suits Money better, but make no mistake: Money is in control of the Dems also.
Or maybe the democratic liberal label is threatening to too many Americans. Almost synonymous with socialism. Bernie’s ideas were not appealing to the vast majority of people and even though he lost and Biden is the president, many minds continue to associate Bernie’s politics with the democrats. Change is very difficult and scary. I think many voters are afraid to vote for the liberal party. Look at slavery and civil rights. Most people clung to the devil they know over the devil they don’t know.
The "devil they know" is created by media, paid for by those with the most money. Change will happen when we reduce the influence of Money. **how**? We first become aware that Money is the key issue, then we talk about it, then we tell our politicians that we are paying attention (Sinema is in for a rude awakening next primary), and then we "vote the money" not what politicians say or images they create, but simply "where do they get thier money".
That’s a fair point. The disinformation & misinformation tactics over generations, and more so now, have really hit their mark.
It’s long past time to put our government on the hot seat and show what happened to Americans (economically & ideologically) from the cause of the Great Depression until today in a frank and honest manner and definitely break it down by income level and by race.
But it has to be done fast and in such a way that the lazy, ignorant masses can really see it. Maybe a reality show if it can get past the wealthy conservative watchdogs ruling Big Media.
The 30% Trumpist masses are beyond help. Frankly, what needs to be done to stop them is not legal, so the focus should be on motivating the majority and they cannot be motivated if they don’t understand the situation and all possible consequences.
I only started learning after reading Heather Cox Richardson’s newsletter like this one. But I was willing to learn. How do we teach the unwilling?
The “how” is a great question that I think each of us must answer. So, for me, it means I have to speak up when I see a wrong or disagree with the craziness we are experiencing. It means I must be braver. It means, I must become as knowledgeable on subjects as possible. It means I have to become smarter! It means I have to get even more involved. I cannot sit on the sidelines thinking everyone else will take care of this. I think one possibility for me, might be to focus on what is being taught in the classroom. Small discussion groups with educators, community members and parents on what curriculum is being taught. Dr Reich, thank you for pushing me on this. Keep pushing! Nancy
One final thought, I think often we are afraid to speak up because we do not want to hurt anyone else. Well, in this new fight, we no longer can afford to be afraid. We must now, speak up with truth, kindness, integrity and fearlessness. I still think we are the good guys!
The Democrats have always operated like this. There's a revolving door of villains that hold them back. Remember Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman? This is by design. The Democratic Party as a whole does not want to win. They would rather lose to a Republican than win with a progressive because that's what their corporate donors want. They do better with fundraising as the underdogs.
Get rid of the pipline blockages, Manchin and Sinema, who are taking in more big oil money, than a bank, and pass Biden's agenda! Once it is passed, and people see what's in the bill, that Sinema and Manchin haven't gutted, or watered down, Americans will love it! Then Biden's approval will skyrocket! Sinema & Manchin, who are being puppeteered by McConnell and big oil, should be put out to pasture! They are Trumpublicans, not Democrats. They are sabotaging the Democratic Party! 🤮🤯💯💔👎🏾💩🇺🇸
What is a workable strategy to get rid of the blockage caused by Manchin and Sinema? It seems the fear is that if too much pressure is applied they will switch parties. Seems like their actions have already demonstrated their party affiliation. How do you put them out to pasture, and what would be the ramifications? The Dems clearly do not have a working majority in the Senate.
What they are doing is being traitors to their party. They played this out and now want to leave their constituents (and the rest of the country) flat. Not only is this unethical, It's cruel and goes along with what has become the norm in this country to do whatever they want and just call it business. Or being 'moderate'. We can't have too much' (Sinema) and become 'entitled' (Manchin). We need a whole new government!
You put them out to pasture, by voting them out of office. Let them switch parties, because as you pointed out, they are already showing their true colors. Granted Biden, and all Dems, should pressure them and both they and Biden should pressure the hell out of them! As I have pointed out many times, though not here, that it is long overdue, to end the two-party system! It clearly does not work, and there is no Republican party, there is only the straight forward, and undercover, Trumpublican party, like the winner of the VA electorate, Youngkin! Anyone who lies, about anything, should be out of office. The ramifications of putting them out to pasture by voting them out, is to put forth progressive candidates, and candidates like other parties, so two people, or the Grim Reaper, no longer have control.
I understand our right and responsibility to vote them out of office. Senators have six years before they face reelection. How much pain can Sinema cause the party before Arizona has the opportunity to vote her out. As it stands today the Democrats do not have a majority in the Senate that the news media continually suggests. We have to deal with the situation at hand and it is not clear that there is much we can do in the short term. Hopefully the Dems vote positive on a watered down bill, and we say better than nothing. Nothing Manchin has said in public would make me think he is willing to eventually compromise.
Yeah, if they don't f#*k the vote! They know how to have us fighting on several fronts to keep us off balance! Our laws are hopelessly out of date and where is justice anyway? Maybe climate destruction will unite us after all!
Your sentiments are very noble. But seems from a phone call from Bernie to Robert Reich - (yesterday) a lot of the corporate donors are threatening to pull out all together. I.e. there's a much larger 'team" of corporate puppets and Muppets; Manchin/Sinema are convenient "Door stops" for a wider scheme of corporate complicity. - Meanwhile STRIDENT compromise [ :-) / :-/ ] on drug prices is something ? Isn't it ? It's something right ?
^^^ ???? such a long time frame / "roll-out" that will have the Republicans focused on reversing any all new and useful legislation.
Being brave and knocking down the Democratic 'Party" and rebuilding it from scratch from the bottom up is fine by me. Without corporate $. THEN we actually stand for something and have a greater capability to advance truly citizen centric policies and legislation. This "Big Tent" BS of "We the Dems" is just Republi-con party 1 and Republi-con party 2 - both drifting in a rightward direction.
It's like the much vaunted 'Affordable Care Act' that we were expected to jump up and down for when passed. It was neither, and a big gift to the medical and big Pharma industries. Just another 'sword of Damocles' to hang over our heads that the Right keeps trying to end. This bill is stingy and will take years to make a difference, plus the costs of many drugs has gone up, most likely in anticipation that they might have to be a little less greedy sometime soon. So what? Another crumb and 'At least it's something'...
The pre-existing conditions was good. But my kids were unable to afford it until my son in law joined the military to get some security and health care for him and my daughter. My son went bankrupt at the age of 23 because he had no health insurance. He had been in a two month waiting period for his insurance to start when he experienced cardiac arrhythmia and was brought to the ER. The resulting bill was in the thousands. He was working but it was unmanageable. Bankruptcy was the best route for him to avoid being in debt for a long time. Great start in life just after college!
hm. That’s awful. Yeah, I guess I didn’t end up using it cuz I was in school and then on disability, with no income and Medicaid, living with my dad. I have two pre-existing conditions, tho, so if I ever get better from my severe depression or get money and can’t be on Medicaid at least I’ll be able to enroll in insurance and not be discriminated against (??).
Hopefully. Even while employed, my kids could not afford the deductibles of the Affordable Care act. , but the pre-existing condition allowance was new and important.
I agree with all you say, but remember Biden, whilst in the Senate, was the single biggest recipient of Pharma, Fossil Fuel & Health Insurance cash. Manchin & Sinema are providing cover for Biden & the Dem leadership who aren’t really trying to get the full bill passed. There is a lot the POTUS can do to “twist arms” & cajole individual Senators to get their votes onside. He appears not to want to do them though.
Like what? He isn’t threatening to primary them, or campaigning in Virginia & Arizona, or getting tough with them, all he’s doing is capitulating to their “red lines” & gutting the bill of all the decent provisions. If you know otherwise I’d love to hear what it is he’s doing.
He’s meeting with them constantly. It’s a fine line, isn’t it? He has to get their votes. They have all the power in a sense, especially Manchin, who really cannot be replaced in WVA with a Democrat, no other Democrat could win there. I’ve heard people farther to the left of him say on TV that we’re lucky we have him, and describe how hard he’s working to get them to vote for the Build Back Better. I forget what they said. Their red lines are not quotation-mark ones, unfortunately, much of the time. I don’t know that much, true.
WVA is a red state yes, but only recently so. Historically it was blue for a long time. Bernie Sanders won the primary there. The policies in the bill are overwhelmingly popular with West Virginians in polls, so Manchin isn’t acting like he is for them. Biden isn’t fighting for this bill, it’s obvious.
The DNC needs to start getting down to the basics. A lot of people, regardless of party, don’t feel that Washington is functional. It’s not working for the average joe, but is fully functioning for big businesses and corporate interests. The DNC needs to really differentiate itself from the GOP through ethics rules. People like Manchin and Sinema are eroding trust in the DNC and proving that big oil, corporations, and personal gain run the party as evidenced by the amount of money they have taken and how much control they have over legislation- so it’s no surprise we are seeing mistrust among non-party voters with the DNC. The Dems need to stick to the basics that are popular across the board:
- Term limits
- Removing money from politics through party ethics rules (I.e. You sign a contract worth the DNC that if you take money and you must resign)
I couldn't agree more. The Democratic Party has no integrity or authority as long as it continues to depend on big corporate money. It must lead the way toward getting big money out of our democracy.
Again and again we see this play out. And the moneyed interests make fun of the workers and middle class and laugh all the way to the bank! And everyone points fingers, often at the Democrats. Does the other party try to do ANYTHING for the people?!?
@hamanu hits the high points perfectly. We need election reform but we need to limit campaigns to 3/4 months prior to voting. These years long campaigns are destroying the message.
@Elizabeth, your recap is great. I believe the biggest challenge for Dems at this point is regaining any credibility with the voting public. This congress has shown just how dysfunctional a party can be. As evil and hateful as the GQP are, they are a band of criminals who stick together. I believe they are afraid of each other. Lack of trust makes them stay very close.
Many of these things are being blocked by Democrats currently in office who are supported by big business. We have to do things we can do now (as big as possible) so we will be able to get majorities (hopefully larger) in 2022. At least these bills will probably pass! We would be really screwed if the 2 Georgian run-offs hadn’t gone a certain way. And missing on your list is by far the most important task, which is tackle climate change. That is the one thing that really has a time limit (on a macro level, obviously individuals’ lives are full of time limits, especially when it comes to health).
money out of politics certainly won't be supported by any republican nor Manchin or Sinema, and term limits is a long shot. In addition, the electorate, at large, is not keen to the nuance of most issues, they are easily mislead and taken advantage of. This makes it even harder to elect ppl who do support these kinds of initiatives. And without a super-majority in congress and the Presidency, none of it will get passed.
The national corporate media is blaming the losses on the too "progressive" agenda of the current bills in Congress, and the need to appease the moderates if they want to win. When in actuality, it's because they cave to moderates and do not deliver on policy that a vast majority of the country wants. But the propaganda machine will be in overdrive on this for the foreseeable future.
Great job? Sinema CAMPAIGNED on lowering drug prices. Then she gets to the Senate and arguably the MOST CONSEQUENTIAL PROVISION she wants gutted is LOWERING DRUG PRICES by allowing Medicare to negotiate with evil Big Pharma - something Dems have been pledging to do for decades. (Think that might have something to do with the $900,000 in donations she took?) So once again, they CAVE (aka compromise) to give a whopping 10 drugs the ability to be negotiated....STARTING IN 2025. There'll be no dental or vision benefits added either, something me and millions of others could benefit from. Look, the GOP knows how to whip people like her and Manchin into shape when they're trying to pass something. That's why they always get what they want, while the Dems end up throwing us crumbs after campaigning on a fair piece of the pie. They're pathetic and why they can never hold power more than one cycle.
It all has a feeling of inevitability about it. We Democrats sent a crippled "majority" to Congress and that as much as anything is responsible for Biden's lackluster presidency. With two turncoats in the Senate and several questionable Democrats in the House, we gave the Republicans the ability to sandbag and blame Biden and the congressional Democrats for doing nothing. With the filibuster in the Senate, the Republicans can kill any legislation that lacks a supermajority anyway. So more dysfunction means less support for Dems, and the Republicans will sweep the midterms. This is a pure struggle for power in Washington now. The nation's business is unimportant.
In days gone by, they usually used pork to oil the squeaky wheels. The late Sen. Byrd from WV was famous for the amount of bacon he brought back to his tiny state and he ended up with a huge list of bridges, streets, schools, etc., named after him. Are Manchinema immune to this sort of thing?
Forget Sinema, she’s only interested in her future book deals and lobby jobs. Biden would be better served trying to get a vote deal from Murkowski, or a mea culpa vote from Collins for her SCOTUS malfeasance, in exchange for $ for their states. Manchin? That’s easy. Call him to the White House and tell him to vote for the deal, even if Medicare expansion, drug price controls, and paid family leave are added, or Biden will ask the relevant committees to open ethics, fraud, and RICO investigations on drug pricing, specifically targeting individuals, including, pointedly, his daughter.
Dr. Reich: Your opening comment back on October 13th focused specifically on Manchin and Sinema. Based on their wanting different things, you explained how you would approach each separately, “offering carrots and threatening sticks.” Mulling over your listing of tactics, I recall thinking that, sometimes, “to do a big right, we have to do a little wrong” (almost Shakespeare).
It’s hard to say, we don’t know what he’s already tried/trying. Someone mentioned selling Build Back Better way more effectively or at all in AZ and WVA. I don’t know what he’s done on that front.
Biden could talk to the mine workers union (UMW) who is apparently a Manchin buddy due to "common interests." Biden could point that Manchin's interest is way different from the mine workers. Coal is on the way out. Mine workers would be better served by a "just transition" that guarantees training and pensions.
Republican leaders know that the electorate is not well versed on a host of things, like how congress works (majority vs super-majority), and the media has predominately focused on democrats negotiation of a number and have spent little to no time talking about whats the bill will do for ppl or the fact that Republican's are rejecting those benefits to ppl by not supporting or thinly supporting them- perpetuating this lack of knowledge in the electorate. Republican leaders take advantage of this lack of knowledge to mislead and win advantage and in fact, desire to perpetuate this lack of knowledge, misinformation and lies to their advantage.
Back in the 60's there was a bumper sticker that read 'Kill your Television' . This corporate owned media does not truly inform. Its owners have their own interests that have nothing or little to do with the people's interests. Has not changed as far as I can see.
your are absolutely right, they will only go so far, but will not expose the root problem(s), because they implicate themselves which would negatively impact their 'bottom line'.
There were some good trends and some bad outcomes in yesterday's elections, but the race in Virginia tells us that the Republican fever is still high and the fact that CRT was an issues tells us that Fox News is still the media of choice for many Americans. The fact that a coastal state chooses to focus on issues of white supremacy and not coastal flooding does not bode well for 2022. I believe Democrats should try to win with all the energy they can muster, but if Americans are intent on living the future Republicans will provide I believe they will live to regret their choice and so will I. As to President Biden he is a good man and he was a choice forced on Democrats by moderates, the media and dispossessed Conservatives who are all now turning against the guy they chose. As you know who would say, "sad".
Nancy, Fox News and its imitators, along with social media, are posing a huge challenge to American democracy and American decency right now. Youngkin could not have made "critical race theory" into an issue -- let alone a winning issue -- without amplification by the rightwing media machine. I don't have a clear answer. I'm tempted to call for a return to the old "fairness doctrine," but there's so little trust for government these days that I doubt it would work. The other possibility is a massive boycott of all corporations that advertise on Fox News. What do you think?
We had a good left-leaning news channel on MSNBC but they went mainstream after the election. We could find a network slot (no cable needed) for MSNBC, get some really good writers like Rachel Maddow and broadcast left-wing outrage (which is based in reality) 24/7 and steal Fox sponsors. We could buy up local news channels and compete with Sinclair. We get hire a media crew to turn out great commercials and organize a media pac to fund well-placed ads.
It seems as though the fairness doctrine would have serious 'policing' issues simply because of today's huge number of media sources. Or am I missing something?
It would be a giant 'whack -a -mole'! Would need staffing for sure. And would it be workable? would need a lot of lawyers and teeth! Or very bad publicity!
Well said- this is a pattern always seen around this time in a presidency, when the sheen has worn off a little, and the big ideas have not yet been implemented. I think a positive approach is called for here- and a mighty heave in the direction of Manchin and Sinema to stop f#$%^&*ing around and get the deal done.
The Democrats under Biden have had damn near a year and nothing of substance or permanence has been accomplished. Nothing. It's almost like they want the fascists to win and kill millions of us.
The "political reality" is the vast majority of Dems in both the House and Senate are really working for their donor class, not us. Thus they don't FIGHT for what the people demand! That is the political reality.
No; their donor class consists of plutocrats wanting to maintain the status quo and build their influence. Why do you think Biden said "nothing will fundamentally change" when he was candidate for POTUS? This country is in a death spiral and without a deep and lasting rising of us plebs against the elites running this shit show, we'll go the way of Russia and Rome.
Also the Big Money do not like to support the idea of giving the taxpayers anything. They consider our treasury, (the People's Treasury) Their slush fund!
That's because "Repbli-crats" keep being elected to hamstring their efforts to >do< anything. I couldn't think of any better Republican strategy - in my humble opinion.
In addition to all the astute political correctives I read here I’d like to suggest another: to give voice to our own emotionality, borne out of our firm belief in and passion for democracy. Ideas and road maps for the future are all well and good but unless we can stir some bloody passion in our souls and speak from that place, we’ll continue to fight the fire on the right with little more than a belief in our own rightness.
When a person is being emotional and irrational, the last thing they need to hear is all the logical and reasonable reasons why they shouldn’t feel the way they do. Yet that is exactly how Democrats traditionally respond to the Right’s blinkered and fevered perspectives; and it’s what happened in Virginia. We become the pedantic and logical adults, which simply enflame the excitable person even more.
We keep saying that democracy is on the line but if we actually believe that we’d better find our own fire and act from and through it. Without that passion we'll always be playing defense.
Yes. But ... we also need a powerful political strategy. In my experience, progressives are terrific at showing their anger -- at demonstrating and marching -- but are not nearly as good when it comes to political organizing.
I am probably the most progressive person you have ever heard of. I've turned out for demonstrations against Trump, for those concerned about climate change, racism, Trump's taxes. Why am I such a failure--or non-participant--when it comes to what you term political organizing? Well, that's simple. When it comes to protests and marching up and down the streets of San Jose, California, or attending a rally or town meeting with my rep Zoe Lofgren at the Westminster Church, I (a retired, ssa recipient, with debts for medical/dental/eye care, a non-car owner, a person with a single discretionary expense that I stubbornly cling to as a sign that I am indeed still a person) I am just as good and viable as the next registered voter. When it comes to political organizing, I am definitely not as worthy: there is going to be a membership fee or a participation fee or a subscription fee and--to be blunt--if it interferes with my discretionary expense, I am out. You take all those progressives--the ones with solid education, experience, and empathy, resentment and anger at optimum levels but no funds--out of the picture and you have your answer. Like everything else, political organizing requires money (it's the most important thing) and I--and many like me--do not have it.
I agree that it comes down to money, who has it and who doesn't. Some of the money that I haven't been spending during the pandemic, I use to support progressives, but there's always the question of where that money will be most effective. I do appreciate your dedication and contributions to this newsletter!
Hard to imagine the low approval rating not being tied to the hatchet job the news media has been doing on Biden for the last several months. They have blamed him for everything, even things he has no control over, as though he is expected to be a superhuman in response to Trump's incompetence. The most unfair blow was in condemning Biden for the withdrawal from Afghanistan and its relatively few casualties. Nine months into his presidency and they now claim he is an abject failure. They're salivating over the likely return of Trump. The media doesn't seem to care that Trump will destroy this country. I'm not worried, I'm disgusted.
I think Biden's low approval rating at this point in his presidency is inevitable. If his agenda is enacted, COVID cases and deaths continue to decline, and supply bottlenecks are overcome -- his ratings will bounce back. (But these are all big "ifs").
There is little Biden can do about the number of Covid cases or the supply problems. You know this but you say nothing. Why? You may not think it's of concern, but this is the drum the media is beating, and it's having a big effect on the public's opinion.
I think we know that Biden cannot control the media. We must consider the source. The media is corporately owned, and it may not be interested in the truth. It has an agenda. Obviously, Fox is a Trump supporting source. But even CNN and MSNBC has bottom lines. They are corporations and can be affected by Biden's bills, like taxation of the upper income population and the 'people' ie corporations that are, under the Citizens' United legislation, our Supreme Court passed, in an awful decision. The people must read and get information, like is what this forum is about. It's good that you are here.
We've had "corporate media" for at least a century. If you think they all lie, where do you get your information from? They don't lie so much as they pander and gear their reporting to attract attention in order to get readers and viewers. And they don't always do it. I am not "here." I like Mr Reich but I don't always agree with him. He is definitely less narcissistic than Michael Moore. I canceled my subscriptions to both because I'm not comfortable in echo chambers.
I still have hope in Biden. He could be just 'biden' his time, letting the republicans show their ass. In one fail swoop, Biden could Bust the Filibuster, sign a few executive orders and turn things around in a matter of weeks. I don't think he will run again in 2024, so he has nothing to loose and everything to gain.
Good morning, friends,
So, what should we make of what happened in yesterday’s elections? I want to offer three broad thoughts here.
1. First, the media is over-interpreting the results of the gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey as a “collapse of the Democratic coalition” (this morning’s Washington Post) and raising “fresh doubts about … Biden’s ability to push his domestic agenda across the finish line.”
P-l-e-a-s-e. These were races for governor, not for national office. And in both Virginia and New Jersey, the enthusiasm gap was huge -- affecting turnout. McAuliffe had already been governor. He’s a “centrist” who ran without a clear message. Youngkin was a fresh face, and Republicans turned out in droves. Particularly in Virginia, there’s almost always a backlash against the party in power. Fully 11 of the past 12 Virginia governors have come from the party opposite to that of the incumbent president. There’s only one time in the last 12 elections that the president’s party won a gubernatorial race in Virginia, and that was ... McAuliffe in 2013. Besides, Virginians want their governors to serve one term. No former governor has even been a major-party nominee since 1973.
Oh, and in New Jersey, no Democratic governor has won re-election since 1977.
2. Second, and notwithstanding this, it would be foolish for Democrats to deny that yesterday’s results signal possible trouble ahead – and to mend their ways.
Youngkin poured a huge amount of money into paid advertising and had the added benefit of Fox News and other right-wing outlets to amplify his dog-whistle message about “critical race theory” taught in public schools (even though no school in Virginia actually teaches it). He kept Trump at arm’s length but came off as a more likable version of Trump. That’s the formula to watch out for: Trump-lite, mixing racism and cultural rightwing tropes within a friendly demeanor.
3. The inability of Democrats in Washington to get Biden’s agenda done was another factor here and will be a huge one in the midterms if Biden and the Democrats have nothing to show for their first term. The Democratic coalition depends on highly motivated voters of color (who are watching what happens especially on voting rights and police reform); women (who are watching on paid family leave and childcare); and young people (who are watching on climate change).
And what about the white working class? Hard to tell much from Virginia but New Jersey may bode ill. New Jersey was one of the few places in the nation where the white working class was still reliably Democratic. It seems to have moved toward the Republican Party. Lesson here for Democrats: The only way to regain the loyalty of America’s white working class is through the economy – reversing 40 years of stagnant pay and declining job security.
Midterms are always bad for the party in power because expectations for major change are almost always dashed – resulting in widespread disappointment. I remember Clinton’s trouncing in 1994, when Democrats lost control of both the House and the Senate. Obama got similar treatment in 2010. In the upcoming midterms, Democrats have almost no margin for error: Losing just five House seats or one Senate seat means those chambers go Republican.
Bottom line: We must get Biden's agenda enacted, but go further -- making this economy work for all rather than a small group at the top. Democratic candidates would be wise to talk about "the people versus the privileged and powerful."
Dear Mr Reich,
I feel we have about a year left of democracy (flimsy wealth-biased version that it is).
How do I know this?
New York, a traditionally Blue state (largely because Democrat Party kisses corrupt Police & Teachers Union’s bums so it’s mostly Dem in name only) is finally stepping out of the closet and admitting it is Red.
Check out how they voted regarding propositions having to do with voting laws.
https://www.syracuse.com/politics/2021/11/see-2021-election-results-for-new-york-state-propositions.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=syracuse_sf
Ummm why do you keep on defending Dems like they're the better party, or a good party? They're corrupt just like Reps. Progressives just showed they are weak and corrupt too by giving in to Manchin. Nothing has changed and BBB is gutted!
So looks like YOU DO NOT CARE ABOUT AMERICANS. And this is all a show. Do you make money off this?!
I think you are corrupt too. If you weren't you'd be proposing some solutions to this tyranny.
I'D LOVE TO SEE YOUR REPLY.
We are the better party. We do not run on racism hatred and anger. We do not stoke fear and division. We do not seek to undermine democracy. We want to expand voting rights for all people including republicans. Our big problem is we are too damn nice. You sound like a troll.
And don't tell us that build back better is gutted; it is not. The dollar cost is not the main point. the main point is the transformative nature of the two bills, the physical infrastructure and the reconciliation bill, that are about to be passed in the next few days that are filled with features that will help all american families, especially those with working mothers who cannot afford care for their children and subsequently are frequently prevented from working at all because of this fact. There is also the child care tax credit, affordable pre-k, climate change provisions, and much more. That is no gutting of a bill.
youre just wrong. but I understand because corrupt media doesn't talk about how the bill was gutted. All the best things were gutted because of corrupt Dems like Sinema and manchin and others. Also the whole right vs left bs is just that. Americans fight each other without realizing they're fighting over crumbs and the ruling class gets the whole sandwich.
Dems and Reps are owned by the rich. Ppl need to get that thru their heads.
Spread the word.
listen to Breaking Points on YouTube.
You are right to some extent. I confronted elsewhere on this post about Mr. Reich's emphasis that Reps are bad and Dems are good. The Neolibs consist as much of Dems as Reps. The failures of the Dems, as well as Reps, to take care of people is what brought us the Trump presidency. But, calling Mr. Reich "corrupt", and your other accusations, is not only off the mark, but also will get you nowhere. That is, if your aim is to influence. If your aim is just to hate, then have at it.
united we stand, we are falling
I have been wrongly writing "Mr. Reich". It's "Dr. Reich. Sorry.
I'm calling it like I see it. Also, I said it looks like he's corrupt.
Why write fluff pieces about meeting Hillary? She is corrupt. Why isnt Reich focused on explaining to people that both parties are owned. The oligarchy. Provide solutions to corruption. He's a cheerleader for the Dems. Do nothing Dems.
sinema and manchin are corporate puppets, not dems, who are the others ?
This is the problem. You always ASSUME that people who do not approve of “programs” to help whatever special interest group Democrats are targeting are racists or elitists or sexists. You are always on this moral high ground that takes the sensibilities of many people of color, like me, for granted. You have this paternalistic attitude that is insulting. I’m sure you mean we’ll but what “we” want is to have the opportunity and be free to earn a living and live our lives. Can’t do that when economy is shut down, there is rampant crime, infrastructure is crumbling.
Yes, climate change and clean environment is critical but all leaders and media ignore the crux of the problem-overpopulation. Your talking about bandaids for a gunshot wound. How can you be taken seriously?
All these “programs”, crusades, etc. seem to serve the purpose of keeping those in power and at the top of the economic food chain earning money and in power.
An absurdly rich candidate that had nothing of substance to say to Virginians plus the absurdly shallow performance of the Biden administration sealed the fate of Virginia's election for the Democrats. I say they have no one to blame but themselves. New Jersey is anither case in point. You say that the results are a fluke. That these were State election not national elections. I say beware. And study the situation carefully. Is anyone really going to be encouraged to vote when the major part of Biden's policy has been gutted by two corrupt senators? Would anyone be encouraged to vote when their president doesn't have the will or stamina two bring two corrupt Senators of his own party to tow his main policy? When there are dozens of executive measures that he implement and hasn't done them. If Dems want to save themselves they must star to change their governance. But then, these are not the Democrats of the FDR era. Many are at the calling of their donors and act accordingly. The other are well.... not worth mentioning. If you put your hopes in this party, I think that you are wishfully thinking. They are beyond hope.
I'd like to add one more point -- this one about Biden's low approval rating. I'm not particularly surprised or concerned about it. In this era of harsh divisiveness, when it's hard to get anything done, presidential approvals will drop, But if Biden's his agenda is enacted, COVID cases and deaths continue to decline, and supply bottlenecks are overcome -- all big "ifs" -- Biden's ratings will bounce back.
Biden's ratings will bounce back when he does. When he decides that trying to make deals with Republicans and avowed Trumpists (this may be one and the same thing) and compromising and taking stuff out of his proposals and plans, doesn't really cut it. When he decides to stand up for what's right and fair and take his case to the people, when he decides that those who voted for him also voted for a seat at the table, that they count. As long as BIden tries to placate people who have decided in advance not to be placated, he will hit a wall. He can keep butting his head against the wall and losing his footing or he can stand up for what the progressives and Bernie put out there. Right now, the centrist "try to get along with the opposition" plan is not working. People want to see changes in their lives and, well, most of those changes involve providing direct outlays of money or services that people need. Sorry to be so blunt but after two years of pandemic and economic hardship, the voters want infusions of cash and helpful services. Biden is still back at trying to work deals with the opposition party that really plans on no deal at all. They would rather deprive the public of any change to recover than lose their strengthening grip on even more wealth and power.
Biden does not have enough of a majority in Congress to leave the “centrists” on our side out of his plans.
He isn’t working any deals with the opposition party, in fact. It’s mainly two Senators in his own party, Joe Manchin, who is from a very red state, besides having money in coal and things that are directly against Biden’s relatively quite comprehensive agenda, and Kristen Sinema, who is an unexplainable, massive frustration.
representatives are a refection of the majority of their region. sadly most folk vote their wallet or are sucked into the maelstrom of misinformation, hence the horrid situation we find ourselves in, united we stand or vote your wallet. you cannot have both
I think AOC is right about most things. The progressives are right about what needs to happen, in my opinion, and that’s why Biden has called for many things they want.
being a sixties civil rights warrior i agree with the progressives. it is the nature of the world to take three steps forward and two steps back. when the devil is your landlord, deals must be made. sigh. it is the way of the world. frankly i am surprised we get anything done that actually helps the common citizen. we are making progress. as the jesuits say, it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.
I am not sure that the working class who has taken the biggest hit during the pandemic and collapse of the economy is concerned about party affiliation. Your point about elected officials being responsible to all their constituents is well-taken; however, you do realize, don't you?, that most elected officials are beholden to their financial backers, the corporate ceos and big-wigs who financed the undertaking. MOney talks and it's essentially money (the possibility of greater wealth, more power, and a lifetime position in the Halls of Congress) that motivates elected public servants. (The actual public who does the electing counts for very little in the overall scheme of things.) Biden and the Democrats are basically no different than the Republicans; they want to stay where they are and make the most of their great financial opportunity. What the voters are concerned about is not staying where they are but (somehow) recovering and moving on. What Biden and his party will do is aim for the absolute minimum they can whittle out to clutch on to power and offer the voters. Of course, that's not good enough but in this wealthiest country in the world, there's not going to be enough to keep the wealthies happy if the issues of working people are given too much weight. Sounds like dog-eat-dog but, well, I think that's where we are.
Most of your remarks are objectively and provably false. You are projecting republican characteristics on democrats which is laughable. You are deluded.
Joe biden and democrats both in government and ordinary citizens are the polar opposite of the republicans. Yes, democrats have financial backers but they do not aspire to authoritarianism or to perpetuating a lie about the superiority only of people who look like themselves as the republicans do every time they open their mouths.
Everybody wants to keep their job whether they are politicians or dishwashers. But in no way is there any parallel between republican money-power hunger and democrats desire to keep their jobs. Democrats are more concerned with improving the lives of not only their supporters but those of the opposition as well. Republican leaders are only concerned with there insatiable need for money and power. Your characterization of the progressive wing of the democratic party is entirely incorrect and unspeakably insulting. I am sick and tired of people like you using Alexandra Ocasio Cortez and Bernie Sanders as a scapegoats for your hateful image of progressive democrats.
progressives lost florida over 'defund the police' which should have been marketed as 'demilitarize the police' and the dems, lost 'miami dade' due to many voting red who to this day think they came from a 'socialist' country when in actuality they came from a 'dictatorship', the DNC failed to differentiate this fact for and to these folk with a flood of informative media and therefore lost florida. just woke up. i apologize for this being somewhat muddled in print lol. waiting for the coffee to kick in
Demilitarize the Police! Whoa that’s exactly what the slogan should have been! That’s what’s being objected to…
In his efforts to rescue the country from the depths of the Great Depression, FDR chose a direct and constant appeal to the people most effective by the downturn, the ordinary working people of America. He used his own personal powers of persuasion and the clarity of his vision for the US to address the nation via his frequent fireside chats, that is, he involved the people in the fate of the nation. And FDR's direct approach--backed up by what his wife Eleanor and his Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins were reporting to him from the field--managed to win Republicans as well as Democrats to his programs. Of course, we are now dealing with a situation where even the Democrats are likely to put their own personal gain and well-being (and, of course their political futures and power) ahead of the health and security of the nation. Most members of Congress do not surrender their primary interest and concern for their own wealth and power when they take their oaths of office, no those interests and concerns are basically what being in government means to them. If BIden were more concerned with what happens to the ordinary workers in society, he would reach out to them and involve them much as FDR did; Biden has greater tech and far more access to media than FDR ever did. As long as Biden fights a rear-guard operation and insists in trying to go along to get along, the results will be the same and the facts are: that's not going to be a very good deal for those doing the work and paying the bills. Whatever deal Biden finally manages to appease and finagle with those who agree to it, the wealthy and well-connected will be just fine. If he wants something better for the ones paying the bills, he's going to have to demand more from those who will reap the benefits of whatever he and the COngress come up with. That is, if they come up with anything at all.
But he had an overwhelming majority in Congress at the beginning of his Presidency.
The iffiness of the Democratic majority and, especially, the iffiness of Senators Manchin and Sinema are thought to be impeding Biden's efforts to work a deal and get the shadowy leftover of his BBB plan through. He keeps whittling it away to make it more acceptable but no amount of whittling is going to do any good whatsoever if the Republican plan of rewarding those with wealth and power and denying everyone else is really what's at stake. The program to rescue America is beginning to look like: How to Reward the fossil/fuel/establishment/stockholders and ceos without throwing any crumbs to the folks doing the work. Some have decided that the blame lies with Manchin and Sinema who have decided that their own financial and power interests and connections are far more important than the constituents they were elected to serve and, from their point of view, they are correct. How can a 6th grade teacher in West Virginia hope to have a voice and mean anything when she will never be able to provide Manchin with the wealth, power, and security he was aiming for when he was elected and is still aiming for? That leaves West Virginia and Arizona (and other states both blue and red) unrepresented...so who is supposed to speak for them and represent their interests and concerns (read plight) in Congress? Who will speak for them? Ideally, the President of the United States should speak for such unrepresented voters, he should step forward, he should go to the voters in an effort to convince them to demand more from their elected reps. That hasn't happened and likely will not happen as, well, BIden is more interested in getting along with those who (really) oppose his plan/or that he has a plan at all. Remarkably enough, Senator Bernie Sanders CHair of the Budget Committee has played the role that President Biden should have accepted and filled. Bernie doesn't just represent the interests of the voters in Vermont, he also plays a vital role in the programs and proposals offered for all states. I am glad he stepped up to the plate. My question is: Where was Biden? Why didn't he think of taking his case to those with a stake in how BBB spins out? If we continue with whittling away at the thing, I won't be surprised to receive a bill for $250 to cover my participation in the 2020 election.
I think FDR must be turning in his grave.
unfortunately deals must be made with the devil, it has always been so to maintain a measure of functionality for everyone. not perfect but tolerable is not a failure.
To reduce the supply chain issues can Biden implement the Defense Production Act and utilize the National Guard to supplement the work at the docks and truck drivers?
Historically, only a galvanizing force of leadership has healed the division within our society. Trump is a counterfeit version of this and will be back because Biden's an imbecile shill for anyone with a buck or an audience.
Biden talked a lot of smack to get elected. He is backing up none of it, making Trump look like "right all along" and even lending credence to "deep state" conspiracies. Biden is dangerously stupid, providing the perfect fuel for his own demise...
Can you say “projection”?
I don't think the vaccine mandates were heavy-handed at all. The health and safety of the community take primacy of place over the choices of the individual. I was a child during the years when polio was a constant worry and fret. It was such as to strike terror in the hearts and souls of practically all parents; there were no cures and, while some victims recovered with few if any disability, many were forced to live their shortened lives in large ventilators called "iron lungs." FDR was an adult victim of polio and the disease no doubt shortened his life and led to pain and suffering which he manfully endured as that was what could be offered. I can remember that parents dreaded the approach of summer when the kids wanted to head for the neighborhood pools and parents had to contain and restrain them. (I never learned to swim very well.) This went on for years and years until the late 50s/early 60s when Dr Jonas Salk offered a viable and effective vaccine and, later, Dr Sabine offered the vaccine in sugar-cube form. When revered Dr Salk's vaccine became available, there was no conflict or assertion of "my personal rights, my choice," oh, no. adults and children alike made a beeline for clinics where the vaccines were readily available. I guess they were mandated if one looks at it that way but people trusted the government, Dr Salk, and the medical establishment to deliver---and they all surely did. Polio is still a disease in some parts of the world but the vaccine turned the corner. We were all grateful and happy to live our lives without fear and we did so with gusto. That now seems like another world but I guess it was.
No, that's true enough. The vaccine used to fight polio is not the vaccine used to combat covid-19 but neither is the measles vaccine the same as the one for small pox. Each vaccine is developed to combat and defeat a specific virus and there is no universal vaccine just as there is no universal virus. I personally am not a great fan of the Moderna vaccine, having had a severe reaction to the second dose and an even more severe reaction to the booster which I foolishly combined with the very first flu shot I ever had. However, I think the statistics coming out of the increase in vaccination prove the point, that the vaccines are getting a handle on the virus. I only hope they don't come out with a second booster shot!
Dem's would do better if 'the rule of law' held up and all those involved in the coup attempt were indicted by now, as they should be. I get the sense that there is a fear of a true civil war if this were to happen. Trumpers are ignorant and angry enough to start shooting. But actual 'justice' would sure slow down the chaos.
Have you ever tried starting a cheer like that? Not specifically "let's go Brandon" but anything. Especially the 4 syllable followed by clap clap clapclapclap cadence they're using. It's surprisingly easy. You don't need even 15% of the crowd in a given area to participate for it to be noticeable if a few people are nice and loud. Try "we want corndogs" at a fair, or just about anything at a sporting event.
It's annoying and classless, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over that specifically.
There are plenty of other issues the Do Nothing Democrats have to worry about than a few jackasses making noise in large crowds. Like passing absolutely NOTHING of importance to their platform and promises except ending the Afghan war, which they did in the most inefficient and embarrassing way possible.
Dead on, Janet, I say.
Learned? What I’ve known since Chris Hedges turned me on to Wolin’s ‘Democracy Incorporated’; that until the Democratic Party elites give up their corporate donor fealty, and swing back to FDR’s acknowledging social democratic safety net principles were mandatory for the ideal of democracy to survive, we’re screwed, and will slide into authoritarian rule.
Exactly.
Yes, agreed. The people need to get out into the streets and make the politicians hear & see the anger at their inability or unwillingness to do even the most basic things which every other developed country provides for it’s people. Power concede nothing without a demand.
"Exactly" second. This is it. If we focus only on this, we can change the future.
I rate Chris Hedges very highly & I have a few of his excellent books. He’s always bang on the mark with his diagnoses.
That rage should be channeled toward the real sources of power and dysfunction in our system -- big corporations and wealthy individuals who are drowning our democracy in big money.
Thank you for all your efforts here. Yes, "the real sources ... ". Until we do something about Money, all our rage, or at least most of it, is for naught.
Stop running Clintonite-retread candidates. Have all the geriatrics at the top retire it's not 1992 anymore. "Not Trump" is not enough -- all ya'll are sounding like the flip side of MAGA. Build up state parties. Stop blaming the electorate for not voting for Democratic candidates, and give us candidates that people WANT to vote for. It's not the voters -- it's the party.
Yes! End of Civility politics is winning hands down. All the voters for repub candidates yesterday know exactly who trump is, and are on board. Therefore the press can stop trying to convince them otherwise. Stop talking about him. Fix the system of gov that has driven them to choose him over anyone else. He is their savior from an ineffective system regardless of whether he will actually make things better. Change is the issue. DNC should start investing in younger more progressive, aggressive candidates. Biden is doing his best but it isnt working. Get a solid Plan B and C into action asap. Learn from the facts of today; not of 1940 something.
A lot of independents and moderate democrats are still around, unfortunately, and I wish more young people voted, but have they ever? They didn’t turn out for Bernie to beat Biden…I’m relatively young and admire the younger generations, but alas, the lesson we continue to learn is we need the moderates. ?? At least in places like Virginia.
Is Dr. Reich a geriatric retread?
Yes!
He may very well be, but he is brilliant and principled, and keeps current! He still offers sage advice, and shares his knowledge, whoch is power. It because of these things, that I have sought his knowledge and advice for my 2022 Campaign, as California State Insurance Commissioner! My platform is "single payer," Medicare/Med-Cal 4All. He will know how to get me there without bankrupting the state! As we all grow older, there is something to be said about the wisdom that "geriatric retreads," have to offer!💯💚🌎🙏🏽✅🇺🇸
He's not a candidate or elected official.
True, but calling older people 'geriatrics' is ageist and if you want to throw out people who know a few more things than you do, you may want to consider that someday you will be old and not want to be discounted! Throwing out those who have been bought out and are afraid to be bold can be effective, regardless of their age. Money is running the show and that is why it's a carnival! If Robert Reich was a running, the same dirty tricks and 'media messaging' would be paid for by the big money. Anyone can be dissed and misrepresented! The two 'moderates' in the Democrat side did not help because they love their money more than their country.
When anyone reminds us that it's all about Money, I have to "like". We have to get the political system out of the control of Big Money. We "fixed" many problems in the 60s, but did not fix the ways in which Money can control govt. So, here we are, refighting the same fights, with no end in sight.
y'all are sounding like MAGA
It's time to join the culture war. Not with lies but with truth. That is KISS (keep it simple stupid). Get to the most basic aspect of an issue and make that your main message. On taxes for instance say the GOP is screwing you on behalf of the rich. Show the most basic statistics, like how you do constantly Robert. Decrease in taxes for rich means less money for you. Healthcare - if they don't directly heal you, they shouldn't get your money. Infrastructure - corporations use it and damage it more than average Americans but they don't pay for it. Present issues honestly but as simply as possible so you get a response like "Hey wait a minute, they're right." Once you got their attention present details. Boil issues down to how they directly affect the voters daily life, immediately call lies lies, forget about politeness and dignity when countering falseness but do it with the simplest of facts. Fight like the GOP but do it with the truth. That includes pointing out directly and specifically conflicts of interest, hypocrisy and just plain lies, ,deflections and delaying attempts, no matter the party of the offending politician (you know who.) No more Emily Post, be the Rush Limbaugh of truth.
On the money!!!
What I learned attending college on an athletic scholarship and in 50+ years of practicing law, is when you speak softly to a bully, he hits you again. The AG's soft talk, and indecision, is seen by all as weakness in the face of terrorists, the enemies of Democracy
Very true and well said!
Yes, I am very worried. I believe that Manchin and Sinema truly effected the election outcomes. The irresponsibility of these 2 fat cats has put good legislation and Biden’s approval ratings in jeopardy. We need to get this passed this week. We need to focus on 2022 and tell the story of all the good these bills will do. We are also going to have to scream louder than the MAGA group and tell the truth. Yes, we are the good guys and the good guys are going to have to play harder, smarter, faster and wiser than the evilness of the MAGA party. The consequences are dire…if we don’t. No more nice guys just good guys fighting the good fight!
Nancy, I agree with you. The question I'd like all of us to address is **how** do we play harder, smarter, faster, and wiser -- and at the same time maintain our integrity? I see an asymmetry opening up in American politics that frankly worries me: A Republican Party willing to destroy democracy for the sake of winning, and a Democratic Party (appropriately) seeking to protect democracy at whatever the cost.
I think the two of the biggest problems which need to be changed is:
-Big Money stealing political focus from majority citizens
-Social Media and Mainstream Media. Both are geared towards Conservatism - even the Liberal targeted media who make news sound Liberal while they tepidly report, if not actually withhold, vital information. After all, they are owned by Fat Cats who benefit from Republican’s Trickle-down economics.
Big Money in politics does a lot of damage combined with messages to the masses through Social and Mainstream Media which obscure the truth.
How can we legally defund the Fat Cats and loudly broadcast truth through social & mainstream media?
I appreciate that you are a Democrat; that you have served several Democrats, but I don't think this hard line "Republicans are bad, Democrats are good" serves us. The way Democrats have been doing "business" for decades resembles Republicans more than it provides a way forward. We need the Democratic Party, but we also have to change the money-buys-everything method of governing. Democrats are far more on board with this idea than Republicans are, but obvioiusly not enough.
Current Republicans are wrong about it every single issue—more than just wrong—the opposite of moral—on most, including climate change. And lie perpetually that they are the moral ones. I agree though that Democrats are subject to corruption from many interests.
Dems are currently less evil than Reps, it's true. But Money doesn't care. It uses whoever will suit it's needs best. There are some basic philosophies that Reps have that suits Money better, but make no mistake: Money is in control of the Dems also.
money interests
Or maybe the democratic liberal label is threatening to too many Americans. Almost synonymous with socialism. Bernie’s ideas were not appealing to the vast majority of people and even though he lost and Biden is the president, many minds continue to associate Bernie’s politics with the democrats. Change is very difficult and scary. I think many voters are afraid to vote for the liberal party. Look at slavery and civil rights. Most people clung to the devil they know over the devil they don’t know.
The "devil they know" is created by media, paid for by those with the most money. Change will happen when we reduce the influence of Money. **how**? We first become aware that Money is the key issue, then we talk about it, then we tell our politicians that we are paying attention (Sinema is in for a rude awakening next primary), and then we "vote the money" not what politicians say or images they create, but simply "where do they get thier money".
That’s a fair point. The disinformation & misinformation tactics over generations, and more so now, have really hit their mark.
It’s long past time to put our government on the hot seat and show what happened to Americans (economically & ideologically) from the cause of the Great Depression until today in a frank and honest manner and definitely break it down by income level and by race.
But it has to be done fast and in such a way that the lazy, ignorant masses can really see it. Maybe a reality show if it can get past the wealthy conservative watchdogs ruling Big Media.
The 30% Trumpist masses are beyond help. Frankly, what needs to be done to stop them is not legal, so the focus should be on motivating the majority and they cannot be motivated if they don’t understand the situation and all possible consequences.
I only started learning after reading Heather Cox Richardson’s newsletter like this one. But I was willing to learn. How do we teach the unwilling?
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/november-1-2021
The “how” is a great question that I think each of us must answer. So, for me, it means I have to speak up when I see a wrong or disagree with the craziness we are experiencing. It means I must be braver. It means, I must become as knowledgeable on subjects as possible. It means I have to become smarter! It means I have to get even more involved. I cannot sit on the sidelines thinking everyone else will take care of this. I think one possibility for me, might be to focus on what is being taught in the classroom. Small discussion groups with educators, community members and parents on what curriculum is being taught. Dr Reich, thank you for pushing me on this. Keep pushing! Nancy
One final thought, I think often we are afraid to speak up because we do not want to hurt anyone else. Well, in this new fight, we no longer can afford to be afraid. We must now, speak up with truth, kindness, integrity and fearlessness. I still think we are the good guys!
The Democrats have always operated like this. There's a revolving door of villains that hold them back. Remember Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman? This is by design. The Democratic Party as a whole does not want to win. They would rather lose to a Republican than win with a progressive because that's what their corporate donors want. They do better with fundraising as the underdogs.
Get rid of the pipline blockages, Manchin and Sinema, who are taking in more big oil money, than a bank, and pass Biden's agenda! Once it is passed, and people see what's in the bill, that Sinema and Manchin haven't gutted, or watered down, Americans will love it! Then Biden's approval will skyrocket! Sinema & Manchin, who are being puppeteered by McConnell and big oil, should be put out to pasture! They are Trumpublicans, not Democrats. They are sabotaging the Democratic Party! 🤮🤯💯💔👎🏾💩🇺🇸
What is a workable strategy to get rid of the blockage caused by Manchin and Sinema? It seems the fear is that if too much pressure is applied they will switch parties. Seems like their actions have already demonstrated their party affiliation. How do you put them out to pasture, and what would be the ramifications? The Dems clearly do not have a working majority in the Senate.
What they are doing is being traitors to their party. They played this out and now want to leave their constituents (and the rest of the country) flat. Not only is this unethical, It's cruel and goes along with what has become the norm in this country to do whatever they want and just call it business. Or being 'moderate'. We can't have too much' (Sinema) and become 'entitled' (Manchin). We need a whole new government!
You put them out to pasture, by voting them out of office. Let them switch parties, because as you pointed out, they are already showing their true colors. Granted Biden, and all Dems, should pressure them and both they and Biden should pressure the hell out of them! As I have pointed out many times, though not here, that it is long overdue, to end the two-party system! It clearly does not work, and there is no Republican party, there is only the straight forward, and undercover, Trumpublican party, like the winner of the VA electorate, Youngkin! Anyone who lies, about anything, should be out of office. The ramifications of putting them out to pasture by voting them out, is to put forth progressive candidates, and candidates like other parties, so two people, or the Grim Reaper, no longer have control.
I understand our right and responsibility to vote them out of office. Senators have six years before they face reelection. How much pain can Sinema cause the party before Arizona has the opportunity to vote her out. As it stands today the Democrats do not have a majority in the Senate that the news media continually suggests. We have to deal with the situation at hand and it is not clear that there is much we can do in the short term. Hopefully the Dems vote positive on a watered down bill, and we say better than nothing. Nothing Manchin has said in public would make me think he is willing to eventually compromise.
I concur! 🥰💯
Yeah, if they don't f#*k the vote! They know how to have us fighting on several fronts to keep us off balance! Our laws are hopelessly out of date and where is justice anyway? Maybe climate destruction will unite us after all!
Your sentiments are very noble. But seems from a phone call from Bernie to Robert Reich - (yesterday) a lot of the corporate donors are threatening to pull out all together. I.e. there's a much larger 'team" of corporate puppets and Muppets; Manchin/Sinema are convenient "Door stops" for a wider scheme of corporate complicity. - Meanwhile STRIDENT compromise [ :-) / :-/ ] on drug prices is something ? Isn't it ? It's something right ?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/it-s-smaller-than-they-d-hoped-but-democrats-have-their-win-on-drug-prices/ar-AAQgNVV?ocid=msedgntp
^^^ ???? such a long time frame / "roll-out" that will have the Republicans focused on reversing any all new and useful legislation.
Being brave and knocking down the Democratic 'Party" and rebuilding it from scratch from the bottom up is fine by me. Without corporate $. THEN we actually stand for something and have a greater capability to advance truly citizen centric policies and legislation. This "Big Tent" BS of "We the Dems" is just Republi-con party 1 and Republi-con party 2 - both drifting in a rightward direction.
It's like the much vaunted 'Affordable Care Act' that we were expected to jump up and down for when passed. It was neither, and a big gift to the medical and big Pharma industries. Just another 'sword of Damocles' to hang over our heads that the Right keeps trying to end. This bill is stingy and will take years to make a difference, plus the costs of many drugs has gone up, most likely in anticipation that they might have to be a little less greedy sometime soon. So what? Another crumb and 'At least it's something'...
It helped a lot of people, millions, though! The thing about pre-existing conditions alone was very important to many, including me
The pre-existing conditions was good. But my kids were unable to afford it until my son in law joined the military to get some security and health care for him and my daughter. My son went bankrupt at the age of 23 because he had no health insurance. He had been in a two month waiting period for his insurance to start when he experienced cardiac arrhythmia and was brought to the ER. The resulting bill was in the thousands. He was working but it was unmanageable. Bankruptcy was the best route for him to avoid being in debt for a long time. Great start in life just after college!
hm. That’s awful. Yeah, I guess I didn’t end up using it cuz I was in school and then on disability, with no income and Medicaid, living with my dad. I have two pre-existing conditions, tho, so if I ever get better from my severe depression or get money and can’t be on Medicaid at least I’ll be able to enroll in insurance and not be discriminated against (??).
Hopefully. Even while employed, my kids could not afford the deductibles of the Affordable Care act. , but the pre-existing condition allowance was new and important.
I agree with all you say, but remember Biden, whilst in the Senate, was the single biggest recipient of Pharma, Fossil Fuel & Health Insurance cash. Manchin & Sinema are providing cover for Biden & the Dem leadership who aren’t really trying to get the full bill passed. There is a lot the POTUS can do to “twist arms” & cajole individual Senators to get their votes onside. He appears not to want to do them though.
He is doing them!
Like what? He isn’t threatening to primary them, or campaigning in Virginia & Arizona, or getting tough with them, all he’s doing is capitulating to their “red lines” & gutting the bill of all the decent provisions. If you know otherwise I’d love to hear what it is he’s doing.
He’s meeting with them constantly. It’s a fine line, isn’t it? He has to get their votes. They have all the power in a sense, especially Manchin, who really cannot be replaced in WVA with a Democrat, no other Democrat could win there. I’ve heard people farther to the left of him say on TV that we’re lucky we have him, and describe how hard he’s working to get them to vote for the Build Back Better. I forget what they said. Their red lines are not quotation-mark ones, unfortunately, much of the time. I don’t know that much, true.
WVA is a red state yes, but only recently so. Historically it was blue for a long time. Bernie Sanders won the primary there. The policies in the bill are overwhelmingly popular with West Virginians in polls, so Manchin isn’t acting like he is for them. Biden isn’t fighting for this bill, it’s obvious.
I think that’s too way cynical.
The DNC needs to start getting down to the basics. A lot of people, regardless of party, don’t feel that Washington is functional. It’s not working for the average joe, but is fully functioning for big businesses and corporate interests. The DNC needs to really differentiate itself from the GOP through ethics rules. People like Manchin and Sinema are eroding trust in the DNC and proving that big oil, corporations, and personal gain run the party as evidenced by the amount of money they have taken and how much control they have over legislation- so it’s no surprise we are seeing mistrust among non-party voters with the DNC. The Dems need to stick to the basics that are popular across the board:
- Term limits
- Removing money from politics through party ethics rules (I.e. You sign a contract worth the DNC that if you take money and you must resign)
- Supporting small biz
- Farmer protections
- Lower medical costs across the board
- Remove student debt
I couldn't agree more. The Democratic Party has no integrity or authority as long as it continues to depend on big corporate money. It must lead the way toward getting big money out of our democracy.
Again and again we see this play out. And the moneyed interests make fun of the workers and middle class and laugh all the way to the bank! And everyone points fingers, often at the Democrats. Does the other party try to do ANYTHING for the people?!?
No they certainly do not. It is mind boggling the total lack of empathy the GOP has for the citizens of our country.
@hamanu hits the high points perfectly. We need election reform but we need to limit campaigns to 3/4 months prior to voting. These years long campaigns are destroying the message.
So, to recap..
1) Term limits
2) 3-4 month limited campaign periods.
As well as
3) Government provided, limited campaign funds
4) A one month voting period in all states
5) A national voting holiday
6) An end to monetary lobbying
7) An end to the filibuster or reversion to traditional filibuster rules, at a minimum
8) An expanded Supreme Court. If 9 justices were good for 38 million people, then it should be like 85 now.
Feel free to add to the list…!
@Elizabeth, your recap is great. I believe the biggest challenge for Dems at this point is regaining any credibility with the voting public. This congress has shown just how dysfunctional a party can be. As evil and hateful as the GQP are, they are a band of criminals who stick together. I believe they are afraid of each other. Lack of trust makes them stay very close.
Many of these things are being blocked by Democrats currently in office who are supported by big business. We have to do things we can do now (as big as possible) so we will be able to get majorities (hopefully larger) in 2022. At least these bills will probably pass! We would be really screwed if the 2 Georgian run-offs hadn’t gone a certain way. And missing on your list is by far the most important task, which is tackle climate change. That is the one thing that really has a time limit (on a macro level, obviously individuals’ lives are full of time limits, especially when it comes to health).
money out of politics certainly won't be supported by any republican nor Manchin or Sinema, and term limits is a long shot. In addition, the electorate, at large, is not keen to the nuance of most issues, they are easily mislead and taken advantage of. This makes it even harder to elect ppl who do support these kinds of initiatives. And without a super-majority in congress and the Presidency, none of it will get passed.
The national corporate media is blaming the losses on the too "progressive" agenda of the current bills in Congress, and the need to appease the moderates if they want to win. When in actuality, it's because they cave to moderates and do not deliver on policy that a vast majority of the country wants. But the propaganda machine will be in overdrive on this for the foreseeable future.
They certainly don't work for us.
They can’t not “cave” at present, and are doing a great job doing that as little as possible, as is Biden
Great job? Sinema CAMPAIGNED on lowering drug prices. Then she gets to the Senate and arguably the MOST CONSEQUENTIAL PROVISION she wants gutted is LOWERING DRUG PRICES by allowing Medicare to negotiate with evil Big Pharma - something Dems have been pledging to do for decades. (Think that might have something to do with the $900,000 in donations she took?) So once again, they CAVE (aka compromise) to give a whopping 10 drugs the ability to be negotiated....STARTING IN 2025. There'll be no dental or vision benefits added either, something me and millions of others could benefit from. Look, the GOP knows how to whip people like her and Manchin into shape when they're trying to pass something. That's why they always get what they want, while the Dems end up throwing us crumbs after campaigning on a fair piece of the pie. They're pathetic and why they can never hold power more than one cycle.
Well, it’s so easy for the opposition to say no. I guess they are pathetic. They were facing an onslaught of lobbyists, but so?
It all has a feeling of inevitability about it. We Democrats sent a crippled "majority" to Congress and that as much as anything is responsible for Biden's lackluster presidency. With two turncoats in the Senate and several questionable Democrats in the House, we gave the Republicans the ability to sandbag and blame Biden and the congressional Democrats for doing nothing. With the filibuster in the Senate, the Republicans can kill any legislation that lacks a supermajority anyway. So more dysfunction means less support for Dems, and the Republicans will sweep the midterms. This is a pure struggle for power in Washington now. The nation's business is unimportant.
The question I keep coming back to is whether Biden could do more to influence Manchin and Sinema -- and if so, what?
In days gone by, they usually used pork to oil the squeaky wheels. The late Sen. Byrd from WV was famous for the amount of bacon he brought back to his tiny state and he ended up with a huge list of bridges, streets, schools, etc., named after him. Are Manchinema immune to this sort of thing?
Now we are longing for the good old days when bills were laden with pork. Seemed bad but it actually had some positive effect.
Forget Sinema, she’s only interested in her future book deals and lobby jobs. Biden would be better served trying to get a vote deal from Murkowski, or a mea culpa vote from Collins for her SCOTUS malfeasance, in exchange for $ for their states. Manchin? That’s easy. Call him to the White House and tell him to vote for the deal, even if Medicare expansion, drug price controls, and paid family leave are added, or Biden will ask the relevant committees to open ethics, fraud, and RICO investigations on drug pricing, specifically targeting individuals, including, pointedly, his daughter.
Dr. Reich: Your opening comment back on October 13th focused specifically on Manchin and Sinema. Based on their wanting different things, you explained how you would approach each separately, “offering carrots and threatening sticks.” Mulling over your listing of tactics, I recall thinking that, sometimes, “to do a big right, we have to do a little wrong” (almost Shakespeare).
It’s hard to say, we don’t know what he’s already tried/trying. Someone mentioned selling Build Back Better way more effectively or at all in AZ and WVA. I don’t know what he’s done on that front.
Biden could talk to the mine workers union (UMW) who is apparently a Manchin buddy due to "common interests." Biden could point that Manchin's interest is way different from the mine workers. Coal is on the way out. Mine workers would be better served by a "just transition" that guarantees training and pensions.
I thought the national mine workers union was pro-BBB or supported any source of jobs sent their way, like renewable energy
I read some statement a little while ago
I read that the president of the UMW is very close to Manchin. Neither of them likes the emissions reduction measures in BBB.
Republican leaders know that the electorate is not well versed on a host of things, like how congress works (majority vs super-majority), and the media has predominately focused on democrats negotiation of a number and have spent little to no time talking about whats the bill will do for ppl or the fact that Republican's are rejecting those benefits to ppl by not supporting or thinly supporting them- perpetuating this lack of knowledge in the electorate. Republican leaders take advantage of this lack of knowledge to mislead and win advantage and in fact, desire to perpetuate this lack of knowledge, misinformation and lies to their advantage.
Back in the 60's there was a bumper sticker that read 'Kill your Television' . This corporate owned media does not truly inform. Its owners have their own interests that have nothing or little to do with the people's interests. Has not changed as far as I can see.
your are absolutely right, they will only go so far, but will not expose the root problem(s), because they implicate themselves which would negatively impact their 'bottom line'.
There were some good trends and some bad outcomes in yesterday's elections, but the race in Virginia tells us that the Republican fever is still high and the fact that CRT was an issues tells us that Fox News is still the media of choice for many Americans. The fact that a coastal state chooses to focus on issues of white supremacy and not coastal flooding does not bode well for 2022. I believe Democrats should try to win with all the energy they can muster, but if Americans are intent on living the future Republicans will provide I believe they will live to regret their choice and so will I. As to President Biden he is a good man and he was a choice forced on Democrats by moderates, the media and dispossessed Conservatives who are all now turning against the guy they chose. As you know who would say, "sad".
Nancy, Fox News and its imitators, along with social media, are posing a huge challenge to American democracy and American decency right now. Youngkin could not have made "critical race theory" into an issue -- let alone a winning issue -- without amplification by the rightwing media machine. I don't have a clear answer. I'm tempted to call for a return to the old "fairness doctrine," but there's so little trust for government these days that I doubt it would work. The other possibility is a massive boycott of all corporations that advertise on Fox News. What do you think?
We had a good left-leaning news channel on MSNBC but they went mainstream after the election. We could find a network slot (no cable needed) for MSNBC, get some really good writers like Rachel Maddow and broadcast left-wing outrage (which is based in reality) 24/7 and steal Fox sponsors. We could buy up local news channels and compete with Sinclair. We get hire a media crew to turn out great commercials and organize a media pac to fund well-placed ads.
I think boycotting the corporations who advertise onFox is one of the few cards that can be played. In the end it is all about the money.
Maybe the NCAA, professional sports leagues, etc. could stop broadcasting via Fox Sports... I've stopped watching Fox Sport broadcasts!
It seems as though the fairness doctrine would have serious 'policing' issues simply because of today's huge number of media sources. Or am I missing something?
It would be a giant 'whack -a -mole'! Would need staffing for sure. And would it be workable? would need a lot of lawyers and teeth! Or very bad publicity!
How do I know who they are when I don't have a TV, & how many here watch Faux News?
I like the massive boycott of all corporations that advertise on Fox News idea. I want to know who they are.
Excellent idea!
Well said- this is a pattern always seen around this time in a presidency, when the sheen has worn off a little, and the big ideas have not yet been implemented. I think a positive approach is called for here- and a mighty heave in the direction of Manchin and Sinema to stop f#$%^&*ing around and get the deal done.
The Democrats under Biden have had damn near a year and nothing of substance or permanence has been accomplished. Nothing. It's almost like they want the fascists to win and kill millions of us.
There are political realities you are not taking into account. We don't have the votes in Congress.
The "political reality" is the vast majority of Dems in both the House and Senate are really working for their donor class, not us. Thus they don't FIGHT for what the people demand! That is the political reality.
Their donors ARE the Republican party!
No; their donor class consists of plutocrats wanting to maintain the status quo and build their influence. Why do you think Biden said "nothing will fundamentally change" when he was candidate for POTUS? This country is in a death spiral and without a deep and lasting rising of us plebs against the elites running this shit show, we'll go the way of Russia and Rome.
Also the Big Money do not like to support the idea of giving the taxpayers anything. They consider our treasury, (the People's Treasury) Their slush fund!
That's because "Repbli-crats" keep being elected to hamstring their efforts to >do< anything. I couldn't think of any better Republican strategy - in my humble opinion.
In addition to all the astute political correctives I read here I’d like to suggest another: to give voice to our own emotionality, borne out of our firm belief in and passion for democracy. Ideas and road maps for the future are all well and good but unless we can stir some bloody passion in our souls and speak from that place, we’ll continue to fight the fire on the right with little more than a belief in our own rightness.
When a person is being emotional and irrational, the last thing they need to hear is all the logical and reasonable reasons why they shouldn’t feel the way they do. Yet that is exactly how Democrats traditionally respond to the Right’s blinkered and fevered perspectives; and it’s what happened in Virginia. We become the pedantic and logical adults, which simply enflame the excitable person even more.
We keep saying that democracy is on the line but if we actually believe that we’d better find our own fire and act from and through it. Without that passion we'll always be playing defense.
Yes. But ... we also need a powerful political strategy. In my experience, progressives are terrific at showing their anger -- at demonstrating and marching -- but are not nearly as good when it comes to political organizing.
I am probably the most progressive person you have ever heard of. I've turned out for demonstrations against Trump, for those concerned about climate change, racism, Trump's taxes. Why am I such a failure--or non-participant--when it comes to what you term political organizing? Well, that's simple. When it comes to protests and marching up and down the streets of San Jose, California, or attending a rally or town meeting with my rep Zoe Lofgren at the Westminster Church, I (a retired, ssa recipient, with debts for medical/dental/eye care, a non-car owner, a person with a single discretionary expense that I stubbornly cling to as a sign that I am indeed still a person) I am just as good and viable as the next registered voter. When it comes to political organizing, I am definitely not as worthy: there is going to be a membership fee or a participation fee or a subscription fee and--to be blunt--if it interferes with my discretionary expense, I am out. You take all those progressives--the ones with solid education, experience, and empathy, resentment and anger at optimum levels but no funds--out of the picture and you have your answer. Like everything else, political organizing requires money (it's the most important thing) and I--and many like me--do not have it.
I agree that it comes down to money, who has it and who doesn't. Some of the money that I haven't been spending during the pandemic, I use to support progressives, but there's always the question of where that money will be most effective. I do appreciate your dedication and contributions to this newsletter!
It seems that the money required to organize and support good candidates has become the biggest poll tax in history. And most of us are broke!
Hard to imagine the low approval rating not being tied to the hatchet job the news media has been doing on Biden for the last several months. They have blamed him for everything, even things he has no control over, as though he is expected to be a superhuman in response to Trump's incompetence. The most unfair blow was in condemning Biden for the withdrawal from Afghanistan and its relatively few casualties. Nine months into his presidency and they now claim he is an abject failure. They're salivating over the likely return of Trump. The media doesn't seem to care that Trump will destroy this country. I'm not worried, I'm disgusted.
I think Biden's low approval rating at this point in his presidency is inevitable. If his agenda is enacted, COVID cases and deaths continue to decline, and supply bottlenecks are overcome -- his ratings will bounce back. (But these are all big "ifs").
There is little Biden can do about the number of Covid cases or the supply problems. You know this but you say nothing. Why? You may not think it's of concern, but this is the drum the media is beating, and it's having a big effect on the public's opinion.
I think we know that Biden cannot control the media. We must consider the source. The media is corporately owned, and it may not be interested in the truth. It has an agenda. Obviously, Fox is a Trump supporting source. But even CNN and MSNBC has bottom lines. They are corporations and can be affected by Biden's bills, like taxation of the upper income population and the 'people' ie corporations that are, under the Citizens' United legislation, our Supreme Court passed, in an awful decision. The people must read and get information, like is what this forum is about. It's good that you are here.
We've had "corporate media" for at least a century. If you think they all lie, where do you get your information from? They don't lie so much as they pander and gear their reporting to attract attention in order to get readers and viewers. And they don't always do it. I am not "here." I like Mr Reich but I don't always agree with him. He is definitely less narcissistic than Michael Moore. I canceled my subscriptions to both because I'm not comfortable in echo chambers.
Same!
I still have hope in Biden. He could be just 'biden' his time, letting the republicans show their ass. In one fail swoop, Biden could Bust the Filibuster, sign a few executive orders and turn things around in a matter of weeks. I don't think he will run again in 2024, so he has nothing to loose and everything to gain.