There needs to be a huge backlash against Trump and the GOP because they deserve it. Their reprehensible behaviour makes them unworthy of being awarded the privilege of governing. Making the choice to win power by misleading 50% of the population through lies and deception is pure malevolence. It demonstrates a complete absence of love of and respect for their country. For that to happen, Democrats need to demonstrate whose side they are on. They need to stop being afraid of standing for policies that will most certainly make people's lives better, like universal public health care, a living wage policy, strong labour rights to give power to workers to gain decent and fair wages, and taxation policy to reduce income inequality. They can't just sit in the middle nibbling at the edges of progressive policies. As the movie said, they need to 'stand and deliver'. That's why I chose 'the Dems become a workers' party' as the silver lining we need.
I think a rereading of The Federalist Papers--arguments in favor of the incipient Constitution--is in order, particularly as to what they (Hamilton, Madison and Jay) thought of the mind and passions of the common man who got to vote ..
the corrupt supremes own the judicial system, Daniel. if a lower court supports corruption, they will uphold them. if a lower court rules on the side of justice, it will overturn that decision. it's as simple as that. they've already demonstrated that (by the way, anyone seen the 11th circuit?)
Just take a look at Trump's nominations for cabinet positions. IMO, they represent a threat to our long-term health much more severe than COVID-19. At least the health industry finally created a virus. Unfortunately, there is no natural way to vaccinate against blatant willful ignorance!
Cindy - I agree with you but we need to be careful. Ramming progressive policies down people’s throats won’t help. People got just as pissed off by pushing progressive policies in the classroom as many of us got pissed off over banning books. One small step at a time builds stairs. Let’s support the resistance and then manage the renaissance.
Maybe because I live in Florida(and outside a liberal bubble) my views are skewed. There's a few of us on the left, but most white people I know speak from a culturally conservative viewpoint...while knowing very little of policy issues.
Yes. I have a niece and a dear friend who live in Florida. They both feel outliers. Yet they are able to maintain their values and standards for appropriate interactions.
I think that's true. The majority lean to the right. Even many democrats are moderate. Look at Nancy Pelosi; someone reported recently that her wealth has grown to 263 million. Bernie Sanders was not even a millionaire when he started his campaign in 2016. He has always wanted to serve and she apparently has always wanted to be very wealthy.
Why are the European liberal democracies swinging right? Their own populations have been stagnating (no I'm not endorsing JD Vance 's nuts reproductive ideology) and H. sapiens globally migrating away from increasingly uninhabitable political and climate zones. As they always have.
The right appeals to those who view liberal policies on women, LGBTQ, immigrants, as conducive to the ultimate destruction of their society. They are fighting it as they would any war.
I was trying to respond to the question of why places like Sweden have tilted more to the right. I have been a member of DiEM25 for several years now, and have tried to understand what's going on.
I agree with this POV, Thomas. It’s like the abortion issue. If you see no moral difference between abortion and infanticide, you fight to the death to prevent it.
That's correct. There are billboards all over the South dedicated to opposition to abortion. I've heard opponents refer to it as "the holocaust of the unborn." I was once very opposed to abortion decades ago.
I now consider it a FAR greater evil to use the power of state to force a woman to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term -- and I can argue that point using language from the old testament, as well as science.
Because economies are shaky after the pandemic, AND because the planet’s southern populations are on the move to escape massive climate change … Two things that the Oligarchs willl not, cannot, and probably don’t really care to stop. But the Oligarchs can USE those trends to scare and move voters into their corrals. And slam the gates on them …
Pat - economies can't fail as long as people need to live. the economy may not be to our liking (inflation, shortages) but it will always serve some majority somewhat, and the rich minority always. we need to get used to it.
I tend to agree with you, Trump is his own worst enemy. We still have those MAGAs to worry about because they are to scared to oppose himm even though they know better.
China did not participate in the psy ops operation. What Russia, their agents and willing idiots did are CRIMES. If the federal government doesn't step up has to be the states.
Like LTG Hodges said, China and others are watching to see if the US and West have the moxie to stop Putin in Ukraine. And they will be drawing conclusions.
Biden has totally lost me for his approach on Ukraine and Gaza the past 2 years.
Marlo, I really truly believe that would be the tipping point for putin; he would declare war. remember that they lost upwards of 40 million during world war 2, they beat the germans, not us. they are very sensitive about borders and buffer zones.
Then why aren't they already angry? The neo-liberalism dogma is in steroids with trump but many of the people who voted for him are victims of these conservative policies including cuts to government services, cuts to the taxes of the wealthy and the removal of guardrails on corporate behaviour.
Daniel, I love what you write. Please let me know how you know -- i'm hoping it's really true and would love to see pointers to some evidence. Thanks in advance!
Only if they start feeling the results of his policies in a very tangible way. Losing health care choice and being excluded for pre-existing conditions as he decimates the Affordable Care Act, a rise in the cost of prescription drugs for Medicare recipients, seeing $ taken away from public schools to fund vouchers for private schools, a stagnant minimum wage, and the higher prices that will come with tariffs. (BTW, I don’t believe the high tariffs he promised will ever become real. Project 2025 leaders will convince him it’s suicide, and he’ll concoct a story that Mexico, Canada, and China are so afraid of him that just the THREAT of 25% tariffs is enough to bring them in line.)
Unfortunately pain will have to be experienced by those more dependent on government services. And, in some instances, some are not aware of the good that government provides.
There is a huge segment of MAGA supporters that will suffer to the death before ever conceding that his policies could possible be responsible for any conceived failures in the MAGA administration. And if those supporters should show any doubt, he will blame it on the Dems. After all, he is their god anointed savior. They will never fault him.
I've been around a little while. Never thought this country would have a cult surrounding a political leader. I guess the actor, Tim Robbins, was a precursor to this in his movie, Bob Roberts.
*I* live in New York, so I'M hopeful WE can weather this disaster. BUNKERBOY'S CULT largely live in anti-American SOUTHERN states. THEY will bare the brunt of King Kong Fatty's facistic policies.
Luckily, nearly 50% ALREADY realize they goof'd! That's progress.
but they'll blame it on the "libs" even though it will have been progressive lawmakers who fought it all the way. remember how the repugnants vote against the common good, then go to their districts and crow about all the good things they're doing for their constituents (Inflation reduction act, with it's infrastructure component)?
There needs to be a huge backlash against Trump and the GOP because they deserve it. Their reprehensible behaviour makes them unworthy of being awarded the privilege of governing. Making the choice to win power by misleading 50% of the population through lies and deception is pure malevolence. It demonstrates a complete absence of love of and respect for their country. For that to happen, Democrats need to demonstrate whose side they are on. They need to stop being afraid of standing for policies that will most certainly make people's lives better, like universal public health care, a living wage policy, strong labour rights to give power to workers to gain decent and fair wages, and taxation policy to reduce income inequality. They can't just sit in the middle nibbling at the edges of progressive policies. As the movie said, they need to 'stand and deliver'. That's why I chose 'the Dems become a workers' party' as the silver lining we need.
I completely agree. That's Bernie Sander's position. Dems have to return to working class support.
The founding Fathers didn't think the general public was smart enough to pick the President. Old minds from our past were indeed wise.
I think a rereading of The Federalist Papers--arguments in favor of the incipient Constitution--is in order, particularly as to what they (Hamilton, Madison and Jay) thought of the mind and passions of the common man who got to vote ..
Hi Donald,hope you had a happy and delicious Thanksgiving
Mr. Hodgins,I sent you a note.
The most plausible silver lining is that final double cheeseburger with fries, followed by JD Vance, from whom everyone will run screaming.
Exactly. The midterms will be FUN ON A BUN! President Couch, (Bunkerboy won't last 6 months), will be BLOCKED from his evil deeds.
What we need is purgation. Classic medicine. Prosecute criminals. Use the tools at hand, because democracy may be over.
CONVICTED FELONS, 99% OR 1%, need to go to STATE PRISONS. (We New Yorkers hated Bunkerboy and put up with his crimes first, DIBS!!!)
the corrupt supremes own the judicial system, Daniel. if a lower court supports corruption, they will uphold them. if a lower court rules on the side of justice, it will overturn that decision. it's as simple as that. they've already demonstrated that (by the way, anyone seen the 11th circuit?)
Howard Dean said: "The courts are stacked."
I liked Dean--it was awful how his campaign got squashed!
I’ll say! And it was Dems in Iowa. The scream was miked and all the rest of us screaming were cut Gross
Never up, never in.
Are you former NC, PA Daniel Solomon?
Yes.
Hard to do when the body, mind and soul of a country and its people are full of toxins.
My view is we will be KEEPING DEMOCRACY no matter what happens!
Daniel,what do you know about HR 9495 or have you heard?
I’m not so sure about JD Vance. If Trump goes away, Project 2025 will spend whatever is necessary to get him elected to do their bidding.
A strong reason for money to be eliminated as a factor in elections. Start by putting roadblocks in to Citizens United.
A useful idiot.
Good instincts. He's a mysogonistic creep.
Just take a look at Trump's nominations for cabinet positions. IMO, they represent a threat to our long-term health much more severe than COVID-19. At least the health industry finally created a virus. Unfortunately, there is no natural way to vaccinate against blatant willful ignorance!
Cindy - I agree with you but we need to be careful. Ramming progressive policies down people’s throats won’t help. People got just as pissed off by pushing progressive policies in the classroom as many of us got pissed off over banning books. One small step at a time builds stairs. Let’s support the resistance and then manage the renaissance.
I say we strategically do both--don't let the bastrds win!
Great point. Could it be Americans, as a whole, are just not that progressive?
No. Trump won by only around 2 million votes. And over 15 million eligible voters didn’t vote this time when they did the last time.
Maybe because I live in Florida(and outside a liberal bubble) my views are skewed. There's a few of us on the left, but most white people I know speak from a culturally conservative viewpoint...while knowing very little of policy issues.
Yes. I have a niece and a dear friend who live in Florida. They both feel outliers. Yet they are able to maintain their values and standards for appropriate interactions.
Too many are discouraged and under educated to see the nuances of daily life it seems.
I think that's true. The majority lean to the right. Even many democrats are moderate. Look at Nancy Pelosi; someone reported recently that her wealth has grown to 263 million. Bernie Sanders was not even a millionaire when he started his campaign in 2016. He has always wanted to serve and she apparently has always wanted to be very wealthy.
Yes.
Why are the European liberal democracies swinging right? Their own populations have been stagnating (no I'm not endorsing JD Vance 's nuts reproductive ideology) and H. sapiens globally migrating away from increasingly uninhabitable political and climate zones. As they always have.
The right appeals to those who view liberal policies on women, LGBTQ, immigrants, as conducive to the ultimate destruction of their society. They are fighting it as they would any war.
Thomas, this is so pathetic. They are not innovative or creative--so much progress can be made to uplift our planet.
I was trying to respond to the question of why places like Sweden have tilted more to the right. I have been a member of DiEM25 for several years now, and have tried to understand what's going on.
I agree with this POV, Thomas. It’s like the abortion issue. If you see no moral difference between abortion and infanticide, you fight to the death to prevent it.
That's correct. There are billboards all over the South dedicated to opposition to abortion. I've heard opponents refer to it as "the holocaust of the unborn." I was once very opposed to abortion decades ago.
I now consider it a FAR greater evil to use the power of state to force a woman to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term -- and I can argue that point using language from the old testament, as well as science.
Because economies are shaky after the pandemic, AND because the planet’s southern populations are on the move to escape massive climate change … Two things that the Oligarchs willl not, cannot, and probably don’t really care to stop. But the Oligarchs can USE those trends to scare and move voters into their corrals. And slam the gates on them …
Pat - economies can't fail as long as people need to live. the economy may not be to our liking (inflation, shortages) but it will always serve some majority somewhat, and the rich minority always. we need to get used to it.
No. Never accept the massive, historical inequality on Earth today. I will never stop beating the drum on this essential human economic right.
They've created a graven image of their fear and are calling it god.
https://youtu.be/sfvtky4o5YI?si=dJya-5fNfwRJ2rvK
Dream on, Cindy.
You're living inside the bubble, Cindy. And you spell like a Brit.
No, Daniel, it's you who is living in Trump's bubble of hate. He's his own worst enemy and doesn't even know it.
I tend to agree with you, Trump is his own worst enemy. We still have those MAGAs to worry about because they are to scared to oppose himm even though they know better.
Hope you aren't waiting for entropy.
We should be zoned in on Russia, national security. That's Trump's fatal flaw.
Folks in the circular firing squad formation, don't know how to fight. There is no silver lining, Reverend.
What happens here affects the entire world. A trump presidency is not to be celebrated here or elsewhere except by the world’s dictators
Daniel, lol, "behaviour." I read so many English novels in my youth that I sometimes spell that way.
And "labour", too? Huh.
Canadians spell that way too! Long live "our".
What?
Huh?
Yes exactly thank you!
I believe the most obvious silver lining is the Trump supporters will be eating lots of crow!
The real winner is Putin. Reversal of our victory of the cold war.
And China.
China did not participate in the psy ops operation. What Russia, their agents and willing idiots did are CRIMES. If the federal government doesn't step up has to be the states.
Daniel Solomon ; I wonder how the states can step up?
Start charging perps. Demand hand recounts where appropriate.
I agree, Republicans would not hesitate; especially those who are MAGA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrFb-rLVF10
What if NATO immediately accepts Ukraine? Maybe Putin would be threatened to stop. We have to stop him. It’s like a game of chess.
Like LTG Hodges said, China and others are watching to see if the US and West have the moxie to stop Putin in Ukraine. And they will be drawing conclusions.
Biden has totally lost me for his approach on Ukraine and Gaza the past 2 years.
Very harmful to the US.
Marlo, I really truly believe that would be the tipping point for putin; he would declare war. remember that they lost upwards of 40 million during world war 2, they beat the germans, not us. they are very sensitive about borders and buffer zones.
The US will veto any attempt to bring Ukraine into NATO.
I hope the US is not that stupid. Ukraine as a NATO member would be of great value.
I agree with this answer. When they discover that Trump has been lying to them for years, they are going to be very angry!
Don't hold your breath.
Who spit in your coffee this morning, Dan? You are awfully grumpy today.
WE have to get proactive. Biden is still president.
The "lumpen" amount to nothing.
Agree that we need to be singing Biden’s accomplishments at the top of our lungs
Then why aren't they already angry? The neo-liberalism dogma is in steroids with trump but many of the people who voted for him are victims of these conservative policies including cuts to government services, cuts to the taxes of the wealthy and the removal of guardrails on corporate behaviour.
It will take them awhile. They don’t want to admit they’ve been wrong about tRump. They just need to start learning the truth.
They are! MOST that voted for "The King of Pedophilia" ALREADY regret they were so stupid!
Daniel, I love what you write. Please let me know how you know -- i'm hoping it's really true and would love to see pointers to some evidence. Thanks in advance!
What gives you that idea. I honestly don't see any evidence. Thankis
Only if they start feeling the results of his policies in a very tangible way. Losing health care choice and being excluded for pre-existing conditions as he decimates the Affordable Care Act, a rise in the cost of prescription drugs for Medicare recipients, seeing $ taken away from public schools to fund vouchers for private schools, a stagnant minimum wage, and the higher prices that will come with tariffs. (BTW, I don’t believe the high tariffs he promised will ever become real. Project 2025 leaders will convince him it’s suicide, and he’ll concoct a story that Mexico, Canada, and China are so afraid of him that just the THREAT of 25% tariffs is enough to bring them in line.)
Unfortunately pain will have to be experienced by those more dependent on government services. And, in some instances, some are not aware of the good that government provides.
There is a huge segment of MAGA supporters that will suffer to the death before ever conceding that his policies could possible be responsible for any conceived failures in the MAGA administration. And if those supporters should show any doubt, he will blame it on the Dems. After all, he is their god anointed savior. They will never fault him.
I've been around a little while. Never thought this country would have a cult surrounding a political leader. I guess the actor, Tim Robbins, was a precursor to this in his movie, Bob Roberts.
Bob Roberts is a terrific film -- seen by too few. Loved Gore Vidal as Senator Brickley Paiste.
There is a glitch in the system that said I reported your comment. I didn't.
Gloria, I just had a comment disappear. Weird.
Mine usually disappear. They seem to be rearranged.
they are rearranged by time order
*I* live in New York, so I'M hopeful WE can weather this disaster. BUNKERBOY'S CULT largely live in anti-American SOUTHERN states. THEY will bare the brunt of King Kong Fatty's facistic policies.
Luckily, nearly 50% ALREADY realize they goof'd! That's progress.
Daniel - everybody keeps saying that the magats are having second thoughts? could you point me in the direction of reliable reporting that shows that?
Ditto what Paul said. I'm eager to get pointers to evidence that the MAGATs are already regretting what they've done ....
They won’t care
Yes they will when they lose their jobs and prices go up a lot.
Scott Neuman ; Who "won't care", about what?
but they'll blame it on the "libs" even though it will have been progressive lawmakers who fought it all the way. remember how the repugnants vote against the common good, then go to their districts and crow about all the good things they're doing for their constituents (Inflation reduction act, with it's infrastructure component)?
Think so too
I'm afraid I don't see a silver lining at this point in time.
Ido not either. What I do see is America is in decline, just like all past empires did.