As usual, your comments are to the point... but I wish I could share your optimism about the future for the USA (as you reported on the eve of the mid-term elections). I don't see that Progressives have much chance of becoming the dominant political force in America in the foreseeable future, absent fundamental legal reforms (e.g. finan…
As usual, your comments are to the point... but I wish I could share your optimism about the future for the USA (as you reported on the eve of the mid-term elections). I don't see that Progressives have much chance of becoming the dominant political force in America in the foreseeable future, absent fundamental legal reforms (e.g. financing of elections) which are simply unachievable, and a fundamental change in the composition of the Supreme Court, which could take a generation or more.... not to mention Constitutional changes that are also impossible.
i'd also add that another fundamental shift is necessary for this country: exploding the toxic celebration of "rugged individualism" that is deep-seated in the core of US national mythology and replacing it with acceptance of shared responsibility for the planet and all its inhabitants, present and future
Yes: I just finished reading "Fantasyland; How America Went Haywire--a 500 Year History" by Kurt Andersen. It is a thorough exploration of how the "ideal" of "American exceptionalism and rugged individualism" got started, nurtured and eventually celebrated. Very interesting pov and also some interesting insights.
Great point. This "individualism" was subdued for decades due to a generation affected by Great Depression and WW2, but that generation is now gone. But it is a natural reaction to perceived fear at the national level to pull back to state, local, and neighborhood levels. People are trying to "insulate" against changes they don't understand or like. Ironically this fear has been exacerbated on a national level by social media and national right winged media. It's basically a rural vs urban divide. Those in rural areas are most afraid of what they don't have experience with; meanwhile, urban areas prosper while rural areas continue to get left behind. These are the issues, in addition to urban blue collar grievances, MUST be addressed IMO by the Democratic Party if there is any hope.
As usual, your comments are to the point... but I wish I could share your optimism about the future for the USA (as you reported on the eve of the mid-term elections). I don't see that Progressives have much chance of becoming the dominant political force in America in the foreseeable future, absent fundamental legal reforms (e.g. financing of elections) which are simply unachievable, and a fundamental change in the composition of the Supreme Court, which could take a generation or more.... not to mention Constitutional changes that are also impossible.
i'd also add that another fundamental shift is necessary for this country: exploding the toxic celebration of "rugged individualism" that is deep-seated in the core of US national mythology and replacing it with acceptance of shared responsibility for the planet and all its inhabitants, present and future
Yes: I just finished reading "Fantasyland; How America Went Haywire--a 500 Year History" by Kurt Andersen. It is a thorough exploration of how the "ideal" of "American exceptionalism and rugged individualism" got started, nurtured and eventually celebrated. Very interesting pov and also some interesting insights.
I read it. A fabulous insightful book.
Thanks for the reference, I will read it
Straight talk, Alice. I love your reference to 'the toxic celebration of "rugged indivualism"
Great point. This "individualism" was subdued for decades due to a generation affected by Great Depression and WW2, but that generation is now gone. But it is a natural reaction to perceived fear at the national level to pull back to state, local, and neighborhood levels. People are trying to "insulate" against changes they don't understand or like. Ironically this fear has been exacerbated on a national level by social media and national right winged media. It's basically a rural vs urban divide. Those in rural areas are most afraid of what they don't have experience with; meanwhile, urban areas prosper while rural areas continue to get left behind. These are the issues, in addition to urban blue collar grievances, MUST be addressed IMO by the Democratic Party if there is any hope.