Really well stated. An excellent summation. Here is a less eloquent condensed version:
Republican politicians bought by the Oligarchs fed the rich and starved the poor all the while blaming the Democrats. Using bigotry and racism and whistling about "socialism" they projected their own culpability onto "others" as they continued to hoard more of the nations wealth.
But I take issue with blaming "Democrats and progressives". Robert, you speak as if we had a majority. We do not. Yes, technically there are 50 in the Senate. But in reality, Sinema and Manchin are not Democrats at all. The House has passed what we need with a super slim majority. Thank you Leader Pelosi! But the Senate is still in the hands of Mitch McConnell. And there are no longer any REPUBLICAN senators who have the courage to stand against him. McConnell functions in a manner similar to J. Edgar Hoover who kept "files". He expects obedience from his puppets. He gets it in spades.
And none of this is President Biden's fault. It is our fault as voters. We have allowed money to rule. Big money. Dark money. It propels our politicians. It feeds ultra extreme "justices" to the Supreme Court. It funds a TV network that is the American equivalent of TASS. And we vote this system back into office every time.
As voters play Candy Crush and Wordle the rich continue to roll right over us.
Agree, Bill. It's not Biden's fault. The oligarchy's dominance has been growing for years. The Democratic Party is far superior to the Republicans, but it too has succumbed to big money. Both Clinton and Obama abandoned the working class, labor unions, and the sort of kitchen-table economics that most Americans focus on.
The Democrats have a majority in name only in the Senate. Angus King and Bernie Sanders are Independents
who caucus with the Democrats. Sinema and Manchin are not Democrats at all. Pretending to be Democrats at this time gives them visibility and power. 50 “Democrats” in the Senate does not constitute a majority, no matter the arcane rules the Senate operates by. 53 or more reliable votes would be a majority. Such is not our current reality.
Imagine buying a house with a leaking roof, a faulty decrepit furnace that could be leaking carbon monoxide, a cracked foundation, mold issues due to leaky roof, termites causing structural damage. Oh by the way, said house is in the path of a wildfire, and there is a tornado warning. This terrible house situation is what Biden encountered after his inauguration. There have been so many disasters to address, it’s remarkable he’s gotten anything done. He is stuck with opponents who have no intention of doing ANYTHING to let the government work to address problems in the country. The R’s/oligarchs have been trying to dismantle government for years. Just think of a fire department coming, not with water and hoses, but matches and flame throwers. I could go on forever, but I’ll quit there; I think folks get the point.
@JennSH. This is great analysis and very well written. You should write a book! Or at least a newspaper column! Maybe you will just use small "r"s to indicate that those of the anti-liberal viewpoint aren't limited to one party, even though one party is obviously captured by the oligarchs...
I feel so stupid. It never occurred to me that McConnell is controlling his stooges by blackmailing them. That’s amazing. I would like to discuss this further.
I’m not taking any of this blame. Those voters who backed corporate Democrats over progressive Democrats because they swallowed the ever repeated line that winning comes first are now about to have the Republicans kick their teeth in. Manchin and Sinema are Democrats. They are not the only Republocrats in the Democratic Party. Who put them there? Not me. I don’t vote for the lesser to two evils. Dwell on this: I would bet that if there were 60 Republocrat centrists in the Democratic Party in the Senate they would still vote down giving parents of children $3000 a month. That’s the Democratic Party at present about to be obliterated. They can’t split the Republicans because a large number of Democrats are Rockefeller style liberal Republicans not Roosevelt style social Democrats. As Biden said recently, Joe Manchin is my friend. And as Carville said, he’s going to work to get Manchin re-elected.
I only would "blame" those who don't vote. But let's face it. While many Democrats are bought by big money, they are the only defense we have against the brown shirts.
In the beginning we were a "citizen" government. Being a representative of the people was not a career. It was an honor.
While the Democratic Party is better at steering the economy than Republicans, both Clinton and Obama stubbornly clung to neoliberal orthodoxy, which I found to be a great betrayal to middle-class, working-class and poor Americans.
And this is what's so frightening about Trumpism: Americans who aren't wealthy have every right to be angry, because this country has been systematically looted since Reagan's Presidency.
However, anyone expecting the blighted and malevolent Trump and his brownshirts to rescue America is living in a dystopian pipe-dream.
I'm not hopeful that Biden (who was also a neoliberal champion) can now rescue this country from the GOP's autocratic momentum.
While "Democrats" such as Sinema and Manchin should be the targets of our fury, why not direct the bulk of our anger where it belongs right now. On Republicans. Biden can't fix Republican corruption and complicity with the Oligarchs of today. He can't "rescue" us without complete support from Congress. Presidents aren't kings.
Americans DO have every right to be angry. The GOP knows how to harvest that anger and deflect it - they are artists at it. Democrats whine about failing when we don't really have a majority in Congress.
We, the voters, have allowed this to happen. Republicans are better salesman, better at lying, better at scaring people, better at being on message - like storm troopers. And they do it at every level from school boards to state legislatures to the Federalist society quietly planning the fascist takeover of the Supreme Court.
We, as true believers in democracy, are asleep at the switch as the train rolls right by us. The train to Hell.
Deborah, I don't disagree with your assessment of Clinton or Obama. But the battle is today. Let's hope enough Democratic soldiers show up to vote in November. The only answer is for Americans to wake up and turnout. I wish Democratic leaders could get their messaging together to inspire such. I am nervous. Very nervous.
@Bill. You are right! Democrats are not failing in Congress - they are being blocked by the willful running dogs of the wealthy and corporate money influence. The Democratic Party is failing at messaging and this Administration is way behind the eight ball on getting out the word on their successes.
As I think I’ve said before, why can’t this group put our heads together and come up with some potential messaging and present it to the DNC, individual candidates, and advocacy groups? I’ll start. “Save democracy. Vote Democratic.”
@Paula B. I think the Democrats first need to attract an audience among those (perhaps unenthusiastic) Trump voters. As long as the Democrats continue to harp on cultural issues instead of issues relating to economic fairness and social equity, the running dogs of the oligarchs and corporations trot out the cultural wars and their divisive messages attract the Proud Boys (for example). Their messages drive the angry, resentful, fearful into the arms of the Republicans. Democrats need to get the messaging right, as does Professor Reich and most people on this forum. "It's the money stupid..."
So I'll attempt a slogan, "Join the Middle Class - Vote Democratic!"
Here is another, "Make your kids richer - Vote Democratic!"
Here is another, "Save your Farm - Vote Democratic!"
Benjamin, et al., We might consider resuscitating Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone’s campaign slogan: “We all do better when we all do better” to show why the Democratic agenda is in the interest of all voters.
Manchin and Sinema could be held up as the kind of 'representatives' that are not needed and they are not true Democrats because they betrayed their constituents. They go with the Repugs because Repugs do not take care of their people. What do the Repugs do for working people in the middle class?
The angry resentful worker has a good many VALID reasons to be just that. It is condescending to believe they have dumped the Democrats because they are excited by cultural values. They have dumped the Democrats because of promises not kept and economics for them getting worse year after year.
Precisely. And immediately and continually doubling their purchasing power along with resolving a lot of other chronic problems that have plagued economies since Sumerian civilization with a 50% Discount/Rebate policy at the point of retail sale...is what will enable liberalism to craft a political coalition that will last much longer than the New Deal...if we're smart enough and daring enough to effectively communicate the new monetary paradigm of Gifting to the populace.
The message to the DNC is simple. Stop funding corrupt on the take Democrats such as Cuellar in Texas. And encourage both Manchin and his friends in the Republican Party to form a third Party, a real centrist Republocrat Party where David Brooks, Collins, Cheney, Romney and all the anti-tax Republicans can get together and isolate the Trumpers. That would split the Republican Party and shift the political balance to where it belongs.
Yeah, I was talking about messaging to voters but I completely agree with you. I stopped giving money to Emily’s List because they contribute to Diane Feinstein. We need to get rid of the bad apples.
I saw a speech made by Biden a couple evenings ago that really highlighted the job increases and the growth of the economy. He mentioned that the wealthy got most of the gains. He championed unions. I think he may have heard Robert Reich...
Benjamin, Speech takes lots of money. Citizens United made it even worse. When you live paycheck to paycheck it's hard to get by, period. Getting a well worded message out effectively is expensive. The Democratic Party is lucky to exist! And everyone, especially our opponents are beating a practically dead mule!
Yes, yes, yes! The focus is NOW. You make excellent points as do so many others today. Bumper sticker for looming elections: AVOID GRIDLOCK-VOTE DEMOCRATIC
We need a thermo-nuclear get out the vote program for the midterms with the slogan: "Double Your Money. Vote Democratic For A 50% Discount/Rebate Policy At Retail Sale"
Because the "fake Democrats" in the Senate won't vote to remove it - even for a specific bill like voting rights. Because of Manchin and Sinema, we in reality do NOT have a majority in the Senate. We need to pick up at least two more seats for Democrats this November. Until then, Schumer and McConnell might as well be playing parcheesi.
Karen, as even all pundits on msm say, there is no good reason to keep the filibuster still 'a thing'!! Don't you know the senate is now known for the place where all good bills die?? This is the truth for DECADES now.
We need strong majorities and primarily progressive candidates to win. And we need to stop donating to Neoliberal organizations like Emily's List!! as just a starting point. They kill bright, enthusiastic for The People candidates (thank you, Hillary Clinton.)
@Karen. I agree with you of course, only I'd say "have failed to kill the filibuster" because it ain't over yet. My point was more looking across broad policy areas where the Biden administration and this congress have gotten a lot done on the progressive agenda.
I think this is very well said. "We the People" (or at least a lot of us) still have the ability to vote. It is our right and our responsibility to inform ourselves and vote. There are good people out there running for office. Vote them in.
Can't really buy the statement that the voters are to blame. Even if they are informed, the electoral college, gerrymandering, 'purging' of voter rolls and limited polling places and hours also work against even determined voters.
Agree that all those forces are obstacles. But we need to vote in politicians to clean that stuff up.
The percentage of Americans who don't vote is a national embarrassment. It should be mandatory or at least there should be serious incentives to vote and powerful disincentives to not.
I totally agree with you. The working class and lower classes have felt betrayed by the Democratic party and felt that they were abandoned. Enter Trump and his faux populism and a lot of people were fooled or had not done their homework. I was very much hoping that Biden would hit the ground running which he did to some degree but to continue that momentum. Sadly, he tried to reach across the wretched aisle and precious time has been lost. He needs to act now with executive orders where he can and move toward expanding the SCOTUS among other measures. The mainstream media is FINALLY giving him credit for the robust economy garnered in his first year. That is hopeful but a lot more things need to happen in a very short order for Dems to have any success in the mid-terms and in 2024.
Victoria, Seeing that the President needs Congress to expand the High Court, his hands are tied because of the Senate filibuster. Nonetheless, though I imagine this President will exhaust every permissible executive order to advance action on behalf of the people, I submit we use our narrow window before the midterms both to urge for the passage of as much of BBB that can get support from 50 Senators and also to press for whatever voter safeguards somehow can pass through the Senate.
@Deborah. Systematically looted! That is the whole point and you put your finger right on it. The international order of nation states is part of what empowers oligarchs when one of their own captures a country and accelerates the looting that is otherwise constrained by regulation and tax policy. Pure thievery! They are autocratic entrepreneurs, using the power of the State apparatus to enrich themselves. Would be oligarchs in this country are very envious and determined to strike down any tempering powers of government. Government is the tool of the humanitarians and democrats working for justice and equity. We can't let the oligarchs and their running dog republicans (small "r") take final control of the levers of power in Washington!
OMG! Your comments and summaries are so insightful, pithy and concise. They are exactly what people need to hear. Yet so many times after reading your posts, I come away feeling so frustrated, hopeless and resigned to my tendency to be pessimistic about the future of America. I am worried about the ability of "the majority" of the US population to turn around the steamroller of autocracy that is pushing its way into all areas of power. "Majority" does not mean power....just look at South African Apartheid-80% of the population was Black, but the 20% of white people were in control and took all measures to keep their power as "rulers". This is where America is headed and I truly do not believe things will change. We frogs are already in the pot and so many (confused) frogs don't even know that their futures are going to be cooked and eaten by the monied and the corporations who are in positions of control and power. Guess when you keep people fearful and hopeless, they will jump into any pot you tell them to.
Marie, For what it’s worth, my remedy for combatting hopelessness is to engage in the hard work of retail politics: helping with voter registration and voter turnout and also pressing for voter protection legislation despite last month’s setback.
Marie, Hi. Do what you can to get involved locally in politics. Get in touch with your local chapter of Democrats. You meet new people in your own community and volunteer to call/ contact registered Dems to get the voters active. I am sure there are other interesting projects that you just might like.
Though I'm on a fixed income, I will throw a few dollars at my favorite progressive candidates or progressive organizations like Our Revolution which promotes all the great policies we need & the candidates around the country you may want to support.
This is the time not to despair but find work you enjoy for the common good. Enjoy it. We are all in this together.
You know, Benjamin any one of these things you listed is, to me, reason enough to fight with other Dems for that one benefit. Hell, clean water, clean air, even the basics of life is always made worse under Rethuglicon rule!
Robert--You didn't even mention the parts that unions played in America developing a middle-class and how Raygun declared WAR on unions shortly after becoming president!!
Unions had been a major win for workers--actually all Americans because then we could say we were all investing in Americans buying, "Union Made", "Made in USA" everything.
Reagan was head of a union, the Screen Actors Guild, in the 1940s and early 1950s, and led them through several strikes for improved benefits. I wonder what turned him against unions?
Power. The power that came with his marriage to Nancy Reagan and her family, I really can only guess. Big CEOs, & the big $$$ they wielded was intoxicating, I would guess. Raygun was a B grade actor at best, he may not have felt a strong bond with Hollywood at that time. He definitely ruined California as governor. My older sister went to college practically for free in the late 60's, early 70's before Raygun destroyed the whole education system in California.
Being Rethuglicon, it was always the party of special interests, never of The People, certainly union antagonists!
I consider myself a skeptic of the Dems’ ability to get things done, but I don’t ascribe equal blame to the progressive wing and the corporate/Wall Street wing, which holds the bulk of power within the party. I feel like they cheated Bernie out of a fair shot at the democratic nomination in 2016. I also feel that Bernie would have given enough of the justifiably angry and disenfranchised working class and middle class voters a clear choice between establishment politics (as represented by Trojan horse Trump) and insurgent, progressive politics, and Bernie would have become President.
The corporate/ Wall Street Dems bear a good amount of the blame for the mess the country is in today. Even if, somehow, the Dems retain control of the House and the Senate in 2022, I fear we will have more of the same inept governance, and we, the people will pay a terrible price in 2024.
Despite this gloomy scenario, we cannot give up. We must primary Sinema and Manchin, as well as all the corporate/Wall Street House Dems. We must contribute money and volunteer time to elect progressive candidates. Let’s give people a reason to turn out and vote to save our democracy!
Joe, you've got the right idea. We are trying to make the proverbial "lemonade out of the lemons" right now, politically speaking. Yes, corporations and their greedy narcissistic sociopathic CEOs have always been the enemy of democracy. Republican, Teddy Roosevelt & his cousin Franklin were famous for fighting against monopolies and establishing a middle-class. And really all throughout our history The People, workers have shed blood and life fighting these bastards. Since 2010, Citizens United has made politicians even more corrupt & susceptible to power that $$$ buys. This just makes me more angry and ready to fight.
Cute idea. Could you please just imagine the commercials we all would be pummeled on all kinds of media, from all those narcissistic/sociopathic CEOs for fear their taxes would be raised because a progressive is running for office!
Remember that a progressive almost secured the democratic nomination in 2016. Since then the progressive wing of the Democratic Party has become stronger, and the people are more frustrated, pessimistic about what government isn’t doing for them. If we can get our act together, there is a real opportunity for truly progressive candidates in 2022 and 2024.
Close to electing a progressive is a debatable point. A loss is a loss. It's only a "win or lose" race. No inbetween matters.
Re: Progressives making progress depends on a whole lot of variables. Locally, we need to see more in our school boards, council people and pushing campaign organizers for just that. I knocked on doors for Bernie 2016 & found I live in a rural, neoliberal community but overall, Bernie was hot back then!
Donate to our favorite candidates, the more progressive, the better, join local Dem party to get vote out, etc...
Lefties need all the organization they can muster. And beware of Emily's List; infamous for bashing progressive candidates for neoliberal pos. Just saying.
Agree with most of what you say, and thanks for the tip on Emily’s list. Remember when Bernie was running neck and neck with Hillary or was ahead through the early stages of the nomination fight in 2016? Then shananigans were perpetrated by the party machinery, and the super delegates went overwhelmingly for the establishment Dem. I think if the party machinery had stayed neutral Bernie would have secured the nomination.
I posted a comment a few hours ago of "establishment dem machinery" and the evils they work on getting their candidate to the top. Just like Rethuglicons, est. Dems lie, cheat & steal elections. That actually greedy rich donors pulling the strings and Pelosi, Hoyer, Clyburn, & their ilk just follow their $$$ demands. Nothing will get better for lefties unless & until The People wise up and listen to their own demands--over corporate funded politicians.
Clyburn is a major problem for The People, but black Americans follow him like sheep to the slaughter.
Bernie was a winner and should have won! the establishment from all sides who are connected to the Oligarchy attacked! People were saying it was actually irresponsible to vote for him! Talk about self defeating!
Laurie, just the opposite was true if you voted for Bernie. That takes guts to stand up to msm pundits, corporate-paid lobbyists and fight them. Hell, even so-called progressive talk show hosts gave in to promoting Hillary, then Biden over Bernie. Nothing will improve for us until we get more progressives in power. 2022 outcome, not '24 will decide democracy's outcome in US.
Good! Bring on the progressives! I believe the concern about pushback from the R's is what causes even seemingly strong candidates to get wimpy and sell us out.
Yep. Pretty scary. Seems "management" could let the rest of America know the plan so we don't feel so insecure...seems there may not really be a solid plan. Seriously...we need better control over our leaders to get them to do what we want them to do...they do work for us...supposedly.
Given my education and life’s experiences, I faithfully believed in American exceptionalism…that the founding fathers and the colonists created a Democracy for, by, and of the people…I recognized the glaring fault lines inherent in our Constitution regarding African and Native Americans, women, and immigrant groups and the excessive powers of capitalism, but up until 2016, I believed that the “ moral arc bends towards justice”…shaken,I still do, but I’m incredulous and angry with those who align themselves with Trumpism or authoritarianism in the world today…now, more than ever our words and actions and capital must be supportive of Democracy for everyone, everywhere… we must not let them win…
How about censuring Manchin and Sinema and kicking them out of Congress for being liars and traitors - and inviting Cheney and Kinzinger to join the Democratic Party so we can have people who will support the Democratic agenda in their seats instead of sell-outs to corporate money.
Dee, Cheney & Kinzinger are Rethuglicons through & through. Anybody who suggests inviting them into Dem party knows nothing about politics and is very naive, to be polite!!
Would be an effective PR gesture to be sure! At least a good poke! It may upset those Republicans who have been adhering to the Constitution though. they are up against their former party, which is out of their minds!
I agree with the idea on censuring Manchin and Sinema. Unfortunately, I don’t think we can kick them out of the Senate for what they have done. I applaud the work of Cheney and Kissinger in putting country before party, but would not welcome them into a progressive Democratic Party.
Joe Tonini ; Just because the 'Supreme Court' said it's legal to be a sell out of the American People (humans), Your idea of kicking them out for what they have done makes perfect sense. Just because we can't doesn't mean we should not want to.
Dee, they won't be kicked out. Dems are challenged dealing with the insurrection party aka: Rethuglicons, so Dems don't have the stomach to do it to people in their own party. Rethuglicons will kick each other, Dems not their style.
As for Cheney, she is getting big money donors from RW oligarchs, that's NOT a good look to join the opposing party!!! Look, these R's aren't heroes! They are just doing their jobs, following their oath. And both Cheney & Kinzinger are against vothing rights bills.
Another problem I have with your comment is no one on the right wants Voting Rights to pass. Like I said, I think your comment is very naive, to say the least.
Not creative. Stupid. Politicians, especially lefties, must watch their words. For any self-respecting Dem, they would NEVER offer that. Like I said, they'd be the butt of that joke.
Professor, I don't know who could have said it better. Your command of the facts and robust pro-democracy stance are both inspiring and enlightening. However, for once I can argue with your message. Two words, "kinder and gentler" don't seem to fit with your message. From my point of view those words signal an intention on the part of neo-liberals that I don't think is there. I don't think any policies out of THIS congress are intended to be either kinder or gentler than any of the worst autocrats around the world. I don't think that any of the republicans (small "r") are constrained by sentiments such as kindness or gentleness. Rather, I think that our history, including the New Deal, the better parts of the structure of our political system and some remaining effectiveness on the part of real democrats limits the worst that the neo-libs can do in this country! They would do worse if they could! Manchin and Senema are only the two slightly better republicans in this Senate and neither they nor even one of the formal Republicans seem to care what happens to hungry and disadvantaged children!
Is it possible that there is a need to be kinder and gentler to the Democrats who are actually trying to get something done for the people? We don't need any more Democrat bashing, (unless specifically aimed at turncoats). There are many who have been threatened and face a dangerous reality!
Reagan was partly right when he said government is the problem. His government was, and continues to be, a problem. In addition to his promoting the ideology of money worship, it was his justice department that nurtured Chief Plutocrat John Roberts, who now plays a major role in the deregulation horseman. Congressman and constitutional scholar Jamie Raskin has said that Congress, as set forth in Article I, is the predominant branch of government, suggesting that the three branches are not co-equal. He asserted this in reference to the Executive branch, but I wonder why he allows the unelected Judicial branch to override the will of the people's elected Congress.
Republicans are now crediting the end of the child tax credit with the better-than-expected jobs report. They previously blamed the enhanced unemployment benefits enacted as part of pandemic relief for the current worker shortage, although the end of the benefit didn't relieve the shortage. Republicans are masters of destructive rhetoric, and Democrats don't seem to be able to counter it. The Republican modus operandi is for a small group to decide on a message that resonates, and then all of their minions spread it far and wide. Democrats should be able to do the same.
I don't see Joe Manchin changing his mind anytime soon. Pleading with him a little bit more, giving him a few more facts, is just a waste of time and effort. Unless Senate leadership can figure out something he really, really wants to horse trade, or a stick that will alter his calculus, I think they should do what Bernie Sanders has proposed: Just start voting on Build Back Better proposals. And work really, really hard to elect more Democrats to Congress.
Manchin and Sinema have been well paid for their obstruction. Even republicans are having fund raisers for them. I believe it's all part of the deal they made with McConnell.
'Money Worship' is very poignant . The churches are empty . The banks are full . Wealth and it's accumulation is our new god. The separation of church and state is a basic tenet of a successful democracy . A basic realization of this flaw, a basic reprioritization of humanity over greed/gluttony/wealth and social strata is what our goals should be . The Dems need to openly and sincerely reallign themselves with this goal and speak it from the mountain tops ! ! As 'the most developed species', it is high time we took a consorted and conscious step in our own evolution, and recognize these obvious and well documented pitfalls of the human paradigm . And make laws, regulations and road blocks to avoid their sending us all down a dead end road .
I didn't mean the separation of church and state was a flaw . I'm all for it . I meant the fact that our elected officials, Republicans and our culture, as a whole have all bought into the CHURCH OF MONEY......
Unfortunately true! It's exasperating to see them stack the court and awful to see what is unfolding right before our eyes. Like the 'slow' motion coup. Somebody has got to pay!!!
Raygun being right here is because he created the mess, governmental mess. Just like Dump. These same degenerates in office defund important agencies, we, The People rely on, break them, then say, "Look at our broken government! Now, we have to had it over to the CEOs to privatize." Privatization is nothing more than CEO grift of taxpayer money.
Re: Neoliberalism. We can't blame just our president, politicians for the continued destruction using conservative policies! The vast majority of US would benefit from virtually every progressive policy and 1 group that definitely needs progressive help is black Americans. Yet it was a conservadem/corporatist Dem, the late John Lewis who took conservadem/corporatist Hillary to win for Dems in 2016. Then again, in 2020, conservadem/corporatist James Clyburn took conservadem/corporatist Biden to become president!!
So the question is: Why, when sooo many black Americans needs progressive policies--need real change, why do these black voters continue to shoot themselves in the foot, really, all of us by voting for neoliberals over & over again????
Remember: Both John Lewis & James Clyburn were spitting nails every chance they got at progressive candidate, Bernie Sanders!! (No hyperbole here.) Btw: I read some blogger mentioning one of Biden's choices to head SCOTUS is a black jurist who hates unions & guess who Clyburn is pushing Biden to pick???
The People continue to blindly follow neoliberal Dems!! What is wrong with picture???!!!
Citizens United isn't going away so should we all just slit our wrists and not do anything????? You make it sound hopeless. That's exactly what greedy narcissistic sociopaths CEOs want us all to say, think.
You are getting a little negative. I'm suggesting that we would be better off if people 'representing' us were not on the take. Please lighten up Andrea. I'm not an enemy here.
Republican governors and state legislatures are absolutely opposed to helping the children that are already here! This is an example of the function of the culture wars - the small r republicans, who are the running dogs of the oligarchs, fight primary battles on the grounds of (say) opposition to abortion, but once in power they legislate with the intention of reducing the cost of government for wealthy individuals, corporations and oligarchs.
Spend the money instead on birth control. Then put the savings realized from less children in poverty into the children who remain in poverty. Every year, those who are already here will get more help (as the number of impovershed children declines). Taxpayers will like this idea, which means it may stand a chance of sticking around. When the current plan is voted down, that doesn’t help the children who are already here.
Democrats do not control the senate; Manchin and Sinema control the senate. Therefore, Democrats do not really control congress. In addition, the Republican party is the party of "NO", now more than ever. Talk about playing with a stacked deck....
Eugene, absolutely. And Dems need to call out every Rethuglicon as "fascist", "the party of NO" if they are allergic to the f word.
I really believe establishment Dems, the neoliberal dems follow their corporate donors demands that Dems must play nice in the sandbox with Rethuglicons. These same narcissistic sociopath donors don't demand anything of Rethuglicons! So these Dems Pelosi and other neoliberal types call them "colleagues" or "fellow congressmen/women" never saying to millions of Americans who/what Rethuglicons REALLY are! We need to hear the brutal truth yesterday.
I agree with the summation and Alstrom's qualification. From day one, the United States has been ruled by a minority, a Senate representing states, not people, allowing a minority within that minority to paralyze decision-making, and allowing a small group of justices to have the last word . Yet we claim to be the example of democracy in the world.
Then, after World War II and ever since, leading the world in weapons and armaments, much of it driven by corporate profit-seeking.
Meanwhile, 3 centuries of industrialization has despoiled the environment, and the nations of the world failed to unite to deal with climate change. Is that the fifth horseman?
Really well stated. An excellent summation. Here is a less eloquent condensed version:
Republican politicians bought by the Oligarchs fed the rich and starved the poor all the while blaming the Democrats. Using bigotry and racism and whistling about "socialism" they projected their own culpability onto "others" as they continued to hoard more of the nations wealth.
But I take issue with blaming "Democrats and progressives". Robert, you speak as if we had a majority. We do not. Yes, technically there are 50 in the Senate. But in reality, Sinema and Manchin are not Democrats at all. The House has passed what we need with a super slim majority. Thank you Leader Pelosi! But the Senate is still in the hands of Mitch McConnell. And there are no longer any REPUBLICAN senators who have the courage to stand against him. McConnell functions in a manner similar to J. Edgar Hoover who kept "files". He expects obedience from his puppets. He gets it in spades.
And none of this is President Biden's fault. It is our fault as voters. We have allowed money to rule. Big money. Dark money. It propels our politicians. It feeds ultra extreme "justices" to the Supreme Court. It funds a TV network that is the American equivalent of TASS. And we vote this system back into office every time.
As voters play Candy Crush and Wordle the rich continue to roll right over us.
Agree, Bill. It's not Biden's fault. The oligarchy's dominance has been growing for years. The Democratic Party is far superior to the Republicans, but it too has succumbed to big money. Both Clinton and Obama abandoned the working class, labor unions, and the sort of kitchen-table economics that most Americans focus on.
The Democrats have a majority in name only in the Senate. Angus King and Bernie Sanders are Independents
who caucus with the Democrats. Sinema and Manchin are not Democrats at all. Pretending to be Democrats at this time gives them visibility and power. 50 “Democrats” in the Senate does not constitute a majority, no matter the arcane rules the Senate operates by. 53 or more reliable votes would be a majority. Such is not our current reality.
Imagine buying a house with a leaking roof, a faulty decrepit furnace that could be leaking carbon monoxide, a cracked foundation, mold issues due to leaky roof, termites causing structural damage. Oh by the way, said house is in the path of a wildfire, and there is a tornado warning. This terrible house situation is what Biden encountered after his inauguration. There have been so many disasters to address, it’s remarkable he’s gotten anything done. He is stuck with opponents who have no intention of doing ANYTHING to let the government work to address problems in the country. The R’s/oligarchs have been trying to dismantle government for years. Just think of a fire department coming, not with water and hoses, but matches and flame throwers. I could go on forever, but I’ll quit there; I think folks get the point.
Excellent analogy. Point well made!
@JennSH. This is great analysis and very well written. You should write a book! Or at least a newspaper column! Maybe you will just use small "r"s to indicate that those of the anti-liberal viewpoint aren't limited to one party, even though one party is obviously captured by the oligarchs...
Read Robert Reich in The Guardian US", not in the NYT!
@Lagardere. I agree! And I do.
Agree. NYT has slid way far to the Right and infotaiment.
Brilliant!
I feel so stupid. It never occurred to me that McConnell is controlling his stooges by blackmailing them. That’s amazing. I would like to discuss this further.
Expose and derail McConnell, the blackmailer in Chief
I’m not taking any of this blame. Those voters who backed corporate Democrats over progressive Democrats because they swallowed the ever repeated line that winning comes first are now about to have the Republicans kick their teeth in. Manchin and Sinema are Democrats. They are not the only Republocrats in the Democratic Party. Who put them there? Not me. I don’t vote for the lesser to two evils. Dwell on this: I would bet that if there were 60 Republocrat centrists in the Democratic Party in the Senate they would still vote down giving parents of children $3000 a month. That’s the Democratic Party at present about to be obliterated. They can’t split the Republicans because a large number of Democrats are Rockefeller style liberal Republicans not Roosevelt style social Democrats. As Biden said recently, Joe Manchin is my friend. And as Carville said, he’s going to work to get Manchin re-elected.
I only would "blame" those who don't vote. But let's face it. While many Democrats are bought by big money, they are the only defense we have against the brown shirts.
In the beginning we were a "citizen" government. Being a representative of the people was not a career. It was an honor.
Expose and derail McConnell, the blackmailer in Chief.
Thank you for this history.
While the Democratic Party is better at steering the economy than Republicans, both Clinton and Obama stubbornly clung to neoliberal orthodoxy, which I found to be a great betrayal to middle-class, working-class and poor Americans.
And this is what's so frightening about Trumpism: Americans who aren't wealthy have every right to be angry, because this country has been systematically looted since Reagan's Presidency.
However, anyone expecting the blighted and malevolent Trump and his brownshirts to rescue America is living in a dystopian pipe-dream.
I'm not hopeful that Biden (who was also a neoliberal champion) can now rescue this country from the GOP's autocratic momentum.
While "Democrats" such as Sinema and Manchin should be the targets of our fury, why not direct the bulk of our anger where it belongs right now. On Republicans. Biden can't fix Republican corruption and complicity with the Oligarchs of today. He can't "rescue" us without complete support from Congress. Presidents aren't kings.
Americans DO have every right to be angry. The GOP knows how to harvest that anger and deflect it - they are artists at it. Democrats whine about failing when we don't really have a majority in Congress.
We, the voters, have allowed this to happen. Republicans are better salesman, better at lying, better at scaring people, better at being on message - like storm troopers. And they do it at every level from school boards to state legislatures to the Federalist society quietly planning the fascist takeover of the Supreme Court.
We, as true believers in democracy, are asleep at the switch as the train rolls right by us. The train to Hell.
Deborah, I don't disagree with your assessment of Clinton or Obama. But the battle is today. Let's hope enough Democratic soldiers show up to vote in November. The only answer is for Americans to wake up and turnout. I wish Democratic leaders could get their messaging together to inspire such. I am nervous. Very nervous.
@Bill. You are right! Democrats are not failing in Congress - they are being blocked by the willful running dogs of the wealthy and corporate money influence. The Democratic Party is failing at messaging and this Administration is way behind the eight ball on getting out the word on their successes.
As I think I’ve said before, why can’t this group put our heads together and come up with some potential messaging and present it to the DNC, individual candidates, and advocacy groups? I’ll start. “Save democracy. Vote Democratic.”
@Paula B. I think the Democrats first need to attract an audience among those (perhaps unenthusiastic) Trump voters. As long as the Democrats continue to harp on cultural issues instead of issues relating to economic fairness and social equity, the running dogs of the oligarchs and corporations trot out the cultural wars and their divisive messages attract the Proud Boys (for example). Their messages drive the angry, resentful, fearful into the arms of the Republicans. Democrats need to get the messaging right, as does Professor Reich and most people on this forum. "It's the money stupid..."
So I'll attempt a slogan, "Join the Middle Class - Vote Democratic!"
Here is another, "Make your kids richer - Vote Democratic!"
Here is another, "Save your Farm - Vote Democratic!"
Benjamin, et al., We might consider resuscitating Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone’s campaign slogan: “We all do better when we all do better” to show why the Democratic agenda is in the interest of all voters.
Manchin and Sinema could be held up as the kind of 'representatives' that are not needed and they are not true Democrats because they betrayed their constituents. They go with the Repugs because Repugs do not take care of their people. What do the Repugs do for working people in the middle class?
The angry resentful worker has a good many VALID reasons to be just that. It is condescending to believe they have dumped the Democrats because they are excited by cultural values. They have dumped the Democrats because of promises not kept and economics for them getting worse year after year.
Precisely. And immediately and continually doubling their purchasing power along with resolving a lot of other chronic problems that have plagued economies since Sumerian civilization with a 50% Discount/Rebate policy at the point of retail sale...is what will enable liberalism to craft a political coalition that will last much longer than the New Deal...if we're smart enough and daring enough to effectively communicate the new monetary paradigm of Gifting to the populace.
Good positive messaging.
How about "Double Your Purchasing Power - Pass A 50% Discount/Rebate Policy At Retail Sale"
good, but too long! LOL
The message to the DNC is simple. Stop funding corrupt on the take Democrats such as Cuellar in Texas. And encourage both Manchin and his friends in the Republican Party to form a third Party, a real centrist Republocrat Party where David Brooks, Collins, Cheney, Romney and all the anti-tax Republicans can get together and isolate the Trumpers. That would split the Republican Party and shift the political balance to where it belongs.
Yeah, I was talking about messaging to voters but I completely agree with you. I stopped giving money to Emily’s List because they contribute to Diane Feinstein. We need to get rid of the bad apples.
I saw a speech made by Biden a couple evenings ago that really highlighted the job increases and the growth of the economy. He mentioned that the wealthy got most of the gains. He championed unions. I think he may have heard Robert Reich...
Benjamin, Speech takes lots of money. Citizens United made it even worse. When you live paycheck to paycheck it's hard to get by, period. Getting a well worded message out effectively is expensive. The Democratic Party is lucky to exist! And everyone, especially our opponents are beating a practically dead mule!
Yes, yes, yes! The focus is NOW. You make excellent points as do so many others today. Bumper sticker for looming elections: AVOID GRIDLOCK-VOTE DEMOCRATIC
We need a thermo-nuclear get out the vote program for the midterms with the slogan: "Double Your Money. Vote Democratic For A 50% Discount/Rebate Policy At Retail Sale"
If Dems aren't failing, why do we still have the filibuster? Its completely unconstitutional and undemocratic to keep votes from happening.
Because the "fake Democrats" in the Senate won't vote to remove it - even for a specific bill like voting rights. Because of Manchin and Sinema, we in reality do NOT have a majority in the Senate. We need to pick up at least two more seats for Democrats this November. Until then, Schumer and McConnell might as well be playing parcheesi.
Karen, as even all pundits on msm say, there is no good reason to keep the filibuster still 'a thing'!! Don't you know the senate is now known for the place where all good bills die?? This is the truth for DECADES now.
We need strong majorities and primarily progressive candidates to win. And we need to stop donating to Neoliberal organizations like Emily's List!! as just a starting point. They kill bright, enthusiastic for The People candidates (thank you, Hillary Clinton.)
@Karen. I agree with you of course, only I'd say "have failed to kill the filibuster" because it ain't over yet. My point was more looking across broad policy areas where the Biden administration and this congress have gotten a lot done on the progressive agenda.
I think this is very well said. "We the People" (or at least a lot of us) still have the ability to vote. It is our right and our responsibility to inform ourselves and vote. There are good people out there running for office. Vote them in.
Can't really buy the statement that the voters are to blame. Even if they are informed, the electoral college, gerrymandering, 'purging' of voter rolls and limited polling places and hours also work against even determined voters.
Agree that all those forces are obstacles. But we need to vote in politicians to clean that stuff up.
The percentage of Americans who don't vote is a national embarrassment. It should be mandatory or at least there should be serious incentives to vote and powerful disincentives to not.
I totally agree with you. The working class and lower classes have felt betrayed by the Democratic party and felt that they were abandoned. Enter Trump and his faux populism and a lot of people were fooled or had not done their homework. I was very much hoping that Biden would hit the ground running which he did to some degree but to continue that momentum. Sadly, he tried to reach across the wretched aisle and precious time has been lost. He needs to act now with executive orders where he can and move toward expanding the SCOTUS among other measures. The mainstream media is FINALLY giving him credit for the robust economy garnered in his first year. That is hopeful but a lot more things need to happen in a very short order for Dems to have any success in the mid-terms and in 2024.
Victoria, Seeing that the President needs Congress to expand the High Court, his hands are tied because of the Senate filibuster. Nonetheless, though I imagine this President will exhaust every permissible executive order to advance action on behalf of the people, I submit we use our narrow window before the midterms both to urge for the passage of as much of BBB that can get support from 50 Senators and also to press for whatever voter safeguards somehow can pass through the Senate.
@Deborah. Systematically looted! That is the whole point and you put your finger right on it. The international order of nation states is part of what empowers oligarchs when one of their own captures a country and accelerates the looting that is otherwise constrained by regulation and tax policy. Pure thievery! They are autocratic entrepreneurs, using the power of the State apparatus to enrich themselves. Would be oligarchs in this country are very envious and determined to strike down any tempering powers of government. Government is the tool of the humanitarians and democrats working for justice and equity. We can't let the oligarchs and their running dog republicans (small "r") take final control of the levers of power in Washington!
OMG! Your comments and summaries are so insightful, pithy and concise. They are exactly what people need to hear. Yet so many times after reading your posts, I come away feeling so frustrated, hopeless and resigned to my tendency to be pessimistic about the future of America. I am worried about the ability of "the majority" of the US population to turn around the steamroller of autocracy that is pushing its way into all areas of power. "Majority" does not mean power....just look at South African Apartheid-80% of the population was Black, but the 20% of white people were in control and took all measures to keep their power as "rulers". This is where America is headed and I truly do not believe things will change. We frogs are already in the pot and so many (confused) frogs don't even know that their futures are going to be cooked and eaten by the monied and the corporations who are in positions of control and power. Guess when you keep people fearful and hopeless, they will jump into any pot you tell them to.
Please don't be hopeless, Marie. We can -- and will -- turn this around. The question is when, and how difficult the process will be.
My sentiments exactly.
Marie, For what it’s worth, my remedy for combatting hopelessness is to engage in the hard work of retail politics: helping with voter registration and voter turnout and also pressing for voter protection legislation despite last month’s setback.
Marie, Hi. Do what you can to get involved locally in politics. Get in touch with your local chapter of Democrats. You meet new people in your own community and volunteer to call/ contact registered Dems to get the voters active. I am sure there are other interesting projects that you just might like.
Though I'm on a fixed income, I will throw a few dollars at my favorite progressive candidates or progressive organizations like Our Revolution which promotes all the great policies we need & the candidates around the country you may want to support.
This is the time not to despair but find work you enjoy for the common good. Enjoy it. We are all in this together.
Need a raise? Vote Democratic
Can't make your rent? Vote Democratic
Need a job? Vote Democratic
Feed the kids? Vote Democratic
Pay for college? Vote Democratic
Clean up your city? Vote Democratic
Afraid of gun violence? Vote Democratic
Against permanent war? Vote for Bernie Sanders! LOL
You know, Benjamin any one of these things you listed is, to me, reason enough to fight with other Dems for that one benefit. Hell, clean water, clean air, even the basics of life is always made worse under Rethuglicon rule!
Yes, Bernie! he may be old, but he is the best leader.
These are wonderful, Benjamin! I’m going to save them.
I'm going to see about having them printed on tee shirts (hats too small). Who wants one? LOL
Me!
Robert--You didn't even mention the parts that unions played in America developing a middle-class and how Raygun declared WAR on unions shortly after becoming president!!
Unions had been a major win for workers--actually all Americans because then we could say we were all investing in Americans buying, "Union Made", "Made in USA" everything.
You missed this very important issue.
I don't think Robert Reich missed anything about labor unions. As the former Secretary of Labor he wrote the books on the subject.
This comment started a conversation. Are you the comment watchdog here??
I certainly hope not, but had a response.
Reagan was head of a union, the Screen Actors Guild, in the 1940s and early 1950s, and led them through several strikes for improved benefits. I wonder what turned him against unions?
Power. The power that came with his marriage to Nancy Reagan and her family, I really can only guess. Big CEOs, & the big $$$ they wielded was intoxicating, I would guess. Raygun was a B grade actor at best, he may not have felt a strong bond with Hollywood at that time. He definitely ruined California as governor. My older sister went to college practically for free in the late 60's, early 70's before Raygun destroyed the whole education system in California.
Being Rethuglicon, it was always the party of special interests, never of The People, certainly union antagonists!
Follow the money.
I consider myself a skeptic of the Dems’ ability to get things done, but I don’t ascribe equal blame to the progressive wing and the corporate/Wall Street wing, which holds the bulk of power within the party. I feel like they cheated Bernie out of a fair shot at the democratic nomination in 2016. I also feel that Bernie would have given enough of the justifiably angry and disenfranchised working class and middle class voters a clear choice between establishment politics (as represented by Trojan horse Trump) and insurgent, progressive politics, and Bernie would have become President.
The corporate/ Wall Street Dems bear a good amount of the blame for the mess the country is in today. Even if, somehow, the Dems retain control of the House and the Senate in 2022, I fear we will have more of the same inept governance, and we, the people will pay a terrible price in 2024.
Despite this gloomy scenario, we cannot give up. We must primary Sinema and Manchin, as well as all the corporate/Wall Street House Dems. We must contribute money and volunteer time to elect progressive candidates. Let’s give people a reason to turn out and vote to save our democracy!
Joe, you've got the right idea. We are trying to make the proverbial "lemonade out of the lemons" right now, politically speaking. Yes, corporations and their greedy narcissistic sociopathic CEOs have always been the enemy of democracy. Republican, Teddy Roosevelt & his cousin Franklin were famous for fighting against monopolies and establishing a middle-class. And really all throughout our history The People, workers have shed blood and life fighting these bastards. Since 2010, Citizens United has made politicians even more corrupt & susceptible to power that $$$ buys. This just makes me more angry and ready to fight.
Give small donor support to the progressive candidates of your choice!
Robert Reich for President in 2024!!!
Cute idea. Could you please just imagine the commercials we all would be pummeled on all kinds of media, from all those narcissistic/sociopathic CEOs for fear their taxes would be raised because a progressive is running for office!
Remember that a progressive almost secured the democratic nomination in 2016. Since then the progressive wing of the Democratic Party has become stronger, and the people are more frustrated, pessimistic about what government isn’t doing for them. If we can get our act together, there is a real opportunity for truly progressive candidates in 2022 and 2024.
Close to electing a progressive is a debatable point. A loss is a loss. It's only a "win or lose" race. No inbetween matters.
Re: Progressives making progress depends on a whole lot of variables. Locally, we need to see more in our school boards, council people and pushing campaign organizers for just that. I knocked on doors for Bernie 2016 & found I live in a rural, neoliberal community but overall, Bernie was hot back then!
Donate to our favorite candidates, the more progressive, the better, join local Dem party to get vote out, etc...
Lefties need all the organization they can muster. And beware of Emily's List; infamous for bashing progressive candidates for neoliberal pos. Just saying.
Agree with most of what you say, and thanks for the tip on Emily’s list. Remember when Bernie was running neck and neck with Hillary or was ahead through the early stages of the nomination fight in 2016? Then shananigans were perpetrated by the party machinery, and the super delegates went overwhelmingly for the establishment Dem. I think if the party machinery had stayed neutral Bernie would have secured the nomination.
I posted a comment a few hours ago of "establishment dem machinery" and the evils they work on getting their candidate to the top. Just like Rethuglicons, est. Dems lie, cheat & steal elections. That actually greedy rich donors pulling the strings and Pelosi, Hoyer, Clyburn, & their ilk just follow their $$$ demands. Nothing will get better for lefties unless & until The People wise up and listen to their own demands--over corporate funded politicians.
Clyburn is a major problem for The People, but black Americans follow him like sheep to the slaughter.
Andrea, people need to kill their televisions and beware of trolls on the internet! The pushback against true progressives is enormous!
Bernie was a winner and should have won! the establishment from all sides who are connected to the Oligarchy attacked! People were saying it was actually irresponsible to vote for him! Talk about self defeating!
Laurie, just the opposite was true if you voted for Bernie. That takes guts to stand up to msm pundits, corporate-paid lobbyists and fight them. Hell, even so-called progressive talk show hosts gave in to promoting Hillary, then Biden over Bernie. Nothing will improve for us until we get more progressives in power. 2022 outcome, not '24 will decide democracy's outcome in US.
Good! Bring on the progressives! I believe the concern about pushback from the R's is what causes even seemingly strong candidates to get wimpy and sell us out.
Yep. Pretty scary. Seems "management" could let the rest of America know the plan so we don't feel so insecure...seems there may not really be a solid plan. Seriously...we need better control over our leaders to get them to do what we want them to do...they do work for us...supposedly.
Laughable to think of our 'leaders' as public servants'.
Given my education and life’s experiences, I faithfully believed in American exceptionalism…that the founding fathers and the colonists created a Democracy for, by, and of the people…I recognized the glaring fault lines inherent in our Constitution regarding African and Native Americans, women, and immigrant groups and the excessive powers of capitalism, but up until 2016, I believed that the “ moral arc bends towards justice”…shaken,I still do, but I’m incredulous and angry with those who align themselves with Trumpism or authoritarianism in the world today…now, more than ever our words and actions and capital must be supportive of Democracy for everyone, everywhere… we must not let them win…
Tony ; 'Towards a more perfect union'. We are continually learning,(hopefully) and growing up.
How about censuring Manchin and Sinema and kicking them out of Congress for being liars and traitors - and inviting Cheney and Kinzinger to join the Democratic Party so we can have people who will support the Democratic agenda in their seats instead of sell-outs to corporate money.
Dee, Cheney & Kinzinger are Rethuglicons through & through. Anybody who suggests inviting them into Dem party knows nothing about politics and is very naive, to be polite!!
I think she’s talking about a gesture for PR purposes.
Would be an effective PR gesture to be sure! At least a good poke! It may upset those Republicans who have been adhering to the Constitution though. they are up against their former party, which is out of their minds!
Smart messaging!
It's a joke and anybody-any politician who mentions that would be the butt of that joke, very publicly!!
It may get people thinking though. Something that may help. Shake 'em up!
If this were legal, how would be left in Congress? Enough to fill an aged VW bus?
I agree with the idea on censuring Manchin and Sinema. Unfortunately, I don’t think we can kick them out of the Senate for what they have done. I applaud the work of Cheney and Kissinger in putting country before party, but would not welcome them into a progressive Democratic Party.
Just who is going to censor them--Rachel Maddow or Joy Reid?
Hey, don't knock 'em! Somebody has to do it! And why just them?
Joe Tonini ; Just because the 'Supreme Court' said it's legal to be a sell out of the American People (humans), Your idea of kicking them out for what they have done makes perfect sense. Just because we can't doesn't mean we should not want to.
I really like the way you think, Dee.
Paula B. ; Me too! I like the way Dee thinks! We should be able to kick out traitors to Democracy and ethics!!!
Dee’s had some great ideas lately.
Dee, they won't be kicked out. Dems are challenged dealing with the insurrection party aka: Rethuglicons, so Dems don't have the stomach to do it to people in their own party. Rethuglicons will kick each other, Dems not their style.
As for Cheney, she is getting big money donors from RW oligarchs, that's NOT a good look to join the opposing party!!! Look, these R's aren't heroes! They are just doing their jobs, following their oath. And both Cheney & Kinzinger are against vothing rights bills.
Another problem I have with your comment is no one on the right wants Voting Rights to pass. Like I said, I think your comment is very naive, to say the least.
Andrea, it is good to think out of the box. Being creative is not necessarily naïve.
Not creative. Stupid. Politicians, especially lefties, must watch their words. For any self-respecting Dem, they would NEVER offer that. Like I said, they'd be the butt of that joke.
Same to you, Andrea!
to whom are you speaking? not me....
Professor, I don't know who could have said it better. Your command of the facts and robust pro-democracy stance are both inspiring and enlightening. However, for once I can argue with your message. Two words, "kinder and gentler" don't seem to fit with your message. From my point of view those words signal an intention on the part of neo-liberals that I don't think is there. I don't think any policies out of THIS congress are intended to be either kinder or gentler than any of the worst autocrats around the world. I don't think that any of the republicans (small "r") are constrained by sentiments such as kindness or gentleness. Rather, I think that our history, including the New Deal, the better parts of the structure of our political system and some remaining effectiveness on the part of real democrats limits the worst that the neo-libs can do in this country! They would do worse if they could! Manchin and Senema are only the two slightly better republicans in this Senate and neither they nor even one of the formal Republicans seem to care what happens to hungry and disadvantaged children!
Is it possible that there is a need to be kinder and gentler to the Democrats who are actually trying to get something done for the people? We don't need any more Democrat bashing, (unless specifically aimed at turncoats). There are many who have been threatened and face a dangerous reality!
Reagan was partly right when he said government is the problem. His government was, and continues to be, a problem. In addition to his promoting the ideology of money worship, it was his justice department that nurtured Chief Plutocrat John Roberts, who now plays a major role in the deregulation horseman. Congressman and constitutional scholar Jamie Raskin has said that Congress, as set forth in Article I, is the predominant branch of government, suggesting that the three branches are not co-equal. He asserted this in reference to the Executive branch, but I wonder why he allows the unelected Judicial branch to override the will of the people's elected Congress.
Republicans are now crediting the end of the child tax credit with the better-than-expected jobs report. They previously blamed the enhanced unemployment benefits enacted as part of pandemic relief for the current worker shortage, although the end of the benefit didn't relieve the shortage. Republicans are masters of destructive rhetoric, and Democrats don't seem to be able to counter it. The Republican modus operandi is for a small group to decide on a message that resonates, and then all of their minions spread it far and wide. Democrats should be able to do the same.
I don't see Joe Manchin changing his mind anytime soon. Pleading with him a little bit more, giving him a few more facts, is just a waste of time and effort. Unless Senate leadership can figure out something he really, really wants to horse trade, or a stick that will alter his calculus, I think they should do what Bernie Sanders has proposed: Just start voting on Build Back Better proposals. And work really, really hard to elect more Democrats to Congress.
Manchin and Sinema have been well paid for their obstruction. Even republicans are having fund raisers for them. I believe it's all part of the deal they made with McConnell.
William Cash ; representatives should not be allowed to sell out their constituents once elected to office and taking their oaths! Legalized betrayal!
'Money Worship' is very poignant . The churches are empty . The banks are full . Wealth and it's accumulation is our new god. The separation of church and state is a basic tenet of a successful democracy . A basic realization of this flaw, a basic reprioritization of humanity over greed/gluttony/wealth and social strata is what our goals should be . The Dems need to openly and sincerely reallign themselves with this goal and speak it from the mountain tops ! ! As 'the most developed species', it is high time we took a consorted and conscious step in our own evolution, and recognize these obvious and well documented pitfalls of the human paradigm . And make laws, regulations and road blocks to avoid their sending us all down a dead end road .
Mark Murphy ; The money has often gone directly to the Church in the past. Separation of church and state is in our Constitution for a reason!
I didn't mean the separation of church and state was a flaw . I'm all for it . I meant the fact that our elected officials, Republicans and our culture, as a whole have all bought into the CHURCH OF MONEY......
Unfortunately true! It's exasperating to see them stack the court and awful to see what is unfolding right before our eyes. Like the 'slow' motion coup. Somebody has got to pay!!!
Raygun being right here is because he created the mess, governmental mess. Just like Dump. These same degenerates in office defund important agencies, we, The People rely on, break them, then say, "Look at our broken government! Now, we have to had it over to the CEOs to privatize." Privatization is nothing more than CEO grift of taxpayer money.
Re: Neoliberalism. We can't blame just our president, politicians for the continued destruction using conservative policies! The vast majority of US would benefit from virtually every progressive policy and 1 group that definitely needs progressive help is black Americans. Yet it was a conservadem/corporatist Dem, the late John Lewis who took conservadem/corporatist Hillary to win for Dems in 2016. Then again, in 2020, conservadem/corporatist James Clyburn took conservadem/corporatist Biden to become president!!
So the question is: Why, when sooo many black Americans needs progressive policies--need real change, why do these black voters continue to shoot themselves in the foot, really, all of us by voting for neoliberals over & over again????
Remember: Both John Lewis & James Clyburn were spitting nails every chance they got at progressive candidate, Bernie Sanders!! (No hyperbole here.) Btw: I read some blogger mentioning one of Biden's choices to head SCOTUS is a black jurist who hates unions & guess who Clyburn is pushing Biden to pick???
The People continue to blindly follow neoliberal Dems!! What is wrong with picture???!!!
As long as candidates have to 'Bow and scrape" to the big money we will all be defeated!
Citizens United isn't going away so should we all just slit our wrists and not do anything????? You make it sound hopeless. That's exactly what greedy narcissistic sociopaths CEOs want us all to say, think.
You are getting a little negative. I'm suggesting that we would be better off if people 'representing' us were not on the take. Please lighten up Andrea. I'm not an enemy here.
You are taking this waaay too personally. I stated a fact. That's all.
Help me understand how expanding access to birth control would not be a better, less costly in the long run, way to reduce childhood poverty.
It doesn’t help the children who are already here.
Republican governors and state legislatures are absolutely opposed to helping the children that are already here! This is an example of the function of the culture wars - the small r republicans, who are the running dogs of the oligarchs, fight primary battles on the grounds of (say) opposition to abortion, but once in power they legislate with the intention of reducing the cost of government for wealthy individuals, corporations and oligarchs.
Yes, exactly. And I must say it’s been a long time since I’ve heard the expression “running dogs.” 😀
Nor the adults who are already here, too.
Spend the money instead on birth control. Then put the savings realized from less children in poverty into the children who remain in poverty. Every year, those who are already here will get more help (as the number of impovershed children declines). Taxpayers will like this idea, which means it may stand a chance of sticking around. When the current plan is voted down, that doesn’t help the children who are already here.
I agree with you, in the long run it is a great idea. Some Rethuglicons are even against that!!
Democrats do not control the senate; Manchin and Sinema control the senate. Therefore, Democrats do not really control congress. In addition, the Republican party is the party of "NO", now more than ever. Talk about playing with a stacked deck....
Eugene, absolutely. And Dems need to call out every Rethuglicon as "fascist", "the party of NO" if they are allergic to the f word.
I really believe establishment Dems, the neoliberal dems follow their corporate donors demands that Dems must play nice in the sandbox with Rethuglicons. These same narcissistic sociopath donors don't demand anything of Rethuglicons! So these Dems Pelosi and other neoliberal types call them "colleagues" or "fellow congressmen/women" never saying to millions of Americans who/what Rethuglicons REALLY are! We need to hear the brutal truth yesterday.
Oooh, you just came up with another potential slogan: “Vote Democrats, the party of YES.”
Brilliant!
Unfortunately, this slogan isn't working right now, not with Never-too-big Mansion & Saboteur Sinema having their way with great big "Nos".
Yeah, but who respects them? Certainly not the ones who have bought them!
I agree with the summation and Alstrom's qualification. From day one, the United States has been ruled by a minority, a Senate representing states, not people, allowing a minority within that minority to paralyze decision-making, and allowing a small group of justices to have the last word . Yet we claim to be the example of democracy in the world.
Then, after World War II and ever since, leading the world in weapons and armaments, much of it driven by corporate profit-seeking.
Meanwhile, 3 centuries of industrialization has despoiled the environment, and the nations of the world failed to unite to deal with climate change. Is that the fifth horseman?