What makes me optimistic is more or less the same thing: a sense of increasing consciousness, mostly among young people, of the need for basic human solidarity and genuine values to believe in. But one thing is to aspire to something better, another is to make it happen. The first thing I can think of is public education and information. I dream of an independent press gaining subscribers by the quality of its work instead of being financed by large corporations' advertising money. We need hundreds of Inequality Media enterprises to cover various fields of public interest from different angles and bring real food for thought.
Einstein said our divisive problems (like we experience today) can only be solved by a higher level of consciousness, than the one that created it. I suggest this means moral philosophy (like Steven Pinker & John Rawls) & sound theology from a religion of your choosing, which truly glorifies our God of inclusive & unconditional love.
It can be very discouraging to see all the actions the GOP is taking to hinder elections, bills - all the lies they keep saying. But I believe the majority of Americans can see through this and that is what keeps me optimistic.
Americans see the grift and narcissitic, racist trump as he truly is but the brain-washed trump cult ignores it. Deep down I believe that most Americans have a sense of decency and will not tolerate his behavior anymore. Hopefully the Republican politicians will realize this when trump's hand-picked candidates lose in 2022.
I agree with your thoughts above, but what stresses me is even if the majority feels this way our system of government does not always support majority rule. The electoral college, gerrymandering, voter suppression, etc. act as governors on the goodwill of most of our citizens. We have to remain optimistic, but no guarantees of success. The Democratic Party let the pendulum swing to far right and the process to correct is underway but will much time. Do we have the necessary patience?
I agree. The ammunition we have is our vote and right now that is compromised by the state laws passed to suppress it. The Electoral College is archaic and needs to be abolished. The Supreme Court ruled that gerrymandering was unconstitutional yet both parties openly do it. Politicians and appointed judges should have term limits. Lobbying is legal bribery and should be outlawed. The problem with this is that the politicians control it.
I am optimistic that changes will happen. Let's hope our patience holds firm. One worry I have is the influence that the current political scene has on our children and the erroneous information some teachers are telling their impressionable students.
Please, David Dilling, do not blame the Democrats! They had their hands in throwing Bernie under the bus, and also take corporate$$, like most everyone has had to do it, but just because they are low hanging fruit; no!
like the vulture on the fence says to the other vulture "patience phooey! I'm gonna kill something!" Patience has gotten us nowhere! We need some strong action! The Republicans have stormed the Capitol! and seem to be getting away with it! Bannon sneers at the possibility that if he gets a year in jail, so what? our government should be purged of all Trumpers! Everyone who voted against even hearing a debate on voting rights is our enemy! Targets should be on their backs! Those who say Jan 6th is a nothingburger are dangerous enemies! I am POSITIVE that we should engage in a good ole WITCH Hunt! Happy Halloween! All those who support Trump and are in office should be stripped of committee assignments (they should be kicked out of office because they are not honoring their oaths of office).They want to prevent us from even voting them out! Homeland Security did not prevent the well known plan to attack the Capitol! They are CLEARLY USELESS to protect our country as we have known it. That was Bush's construct. You know, the guy who stole the first election of the new millennium.
Sue Fulmer, the problem is that the majority of Americans are being prevented from voting by GOP laws. You know when a patient has appendicitis and needs the surgery, or will die, and time is running out? We are in that much danger of losing our democracy. Right now. We either dump the filibuster or flee the country.
Sadly, fleeing may not help and is not an option for the majority. This cancer is metastasizing around the world like climate destruction; even Scandinavia has had large wildfires, and the authoritarianism could reach stable countries.
I live in what I hope is a Democristan, as the states are breaking apart. If it turns out to not be a democristan, we are gonna flee. Fleeing Nazis runs in my family. It's how come I'm alive.
I have thought of leaving the country, but I doubt that Canada will allow me in. plus, what is to stop another 'conservative' from getting into power there? I have not travelled extensively and have no idea where else I would want to live. Plus my two children are here in the states and I was thinking some day one of them might have a child, and this is the only home I know. I keep brainstorming about Robert Reich's current question. How can we think positive about the threats we currently face? They not only want to end Democracy as we think we know it, you know 'towards a more perfect union" but they want to end learning facts and teaching history or anything they disapprove of. I do live in a Democristan, I think. Lots of educated and progressive people. But under duress and chaos I wonder if it would stay that way. It's sad to think that so many of our young have valid reasons to not want to bring children into this world. I think of Bob Dylan's Masters Of War. I thought things were bad then, with Vietnam. But at least the war was ended and we were able to continue living in relative peace and not worry about book banning and eventual censorship and bullying by misinformed and hypnotized neighbors. How can we get the word out that climate disaster is coming soon and the Republican Party is a driver of destruction? I can be positive at times, but it is often overwhelming what is going on. It's laughable, but I keep asking 'Where is the defense of America and democracy? Why can't we have decent media and get rid of toxic 'news' that misinforms and actually kills? When is the former President going to be charged with crimes like murder for blocking the CDC and other experts on pandemics and misinforming the people often on FOX 'News" And his rants against Blacks and poor cities like Detroit and on and on. That is not free speech because it costs lives and it is lies. I am positive!
My experience with undergraduate students is the same as yours. The students in my population geography class, most of whom are international studies majors, are intelligent, keen to get out and help improve the world (many already are doing so through their internships and summer fellowships), and, most importantly, to dig in and understand the root causes to issues. We just finished two weeks on migration, going beyond the numbers and origins and destinations, focusing also on push and pull factors. What makes me most optimistic? They understood that, while migration is a choice, it's often made to escape poverty, lack of opportunity, oppression, and other negative factors, and that while welcoming immigrants is one policy option, actively working to redress the the negative factors that push people to migrate is more important.
Agree with your assessment. I become more optimistic when I consider my granddaughter. She is brilliant! She achieved high honors in high school and graduated near the top of her class in college. She is beautiful and articulate and could have done anything she wanted to do ... and made a whole lot of money. But what did she choose to do with her talent? She chose to TEACH! She is now a fifth grade teacher, showing her young people ... not just how to pass tests and beat the system ... but demonstrating how and urging them to learn to THINK. If there is anything that America needs now, it is a generation focused on building something wonderful FOR ALL, not necessarily trying to see how many green, wrinkled pieces of paper they can gather up and lock away in a big steel box. The temporary defeat of Trump was a battle won, but the war is against ignorance. If we do not take on this battle, our enemies will succeed in leveraging our weakness, and this great nation will fall.
I Believe in democracy and I believe in good people, dictators can get a lucky/good start (1914&1939-1941), but they will lose in the end when, good people/nations join forces. Nazi Germany was crushed, Sovjet crumbled. New Dictators will have the same faith. The USA must again be the arsenal for the free world, stand for democracy and freedom for all. But the USA must first try all the wrong ways ? before it finds the right way. Stop Gerrymandering and give People a fair representation. Trump should never be allowed to run for any office again.
Your undying efforts to enlighten the public with truthful analyses and your perspective just shared with us. Thanks for your undying efforts to right the rudder of our Great Experiment
We are at a hinge moment for our democracy. We must all phone our Senators' offices and our Senators' funders' offices, exhorting them continually to push for voting rights and to eviscerate the filibuster. Find the funders on OpenSecrets.org. If we don't we will have another autocratic, authoritarian state, as Mississippi had and still has to a lesser degree, and which the GOP is working hard to reinstate all over the USA. One cause for optimism is the steep drop in the price of renewable energy. Another is young people's belief in their ability to save the world. I do remember when my cohort felt that way. We got beat by the money and the murderers, who killed our leaders one by one, black, red, brown, and white. So I'm glad the young people think they can save the world and I am happy to help in any way we can. One way is by teaching. Teach the lessons of our lost causes. Teach that dedicating yourself to a meaningful life is more worthy than making a killing as a day trader.
We must learn from the mistakes of our past, by studying history, honestly told. Read "On Fascism" & "These Truths", both books written by excellent historians.
Finding other people who share our concern about humanity, environment, animals as part of the world, not separate from it. But also the younger generation forming groups like Occupy Wall-street, March for our Lives etc We are reaching a point where we understand our numbers exceed those who refuse to look out for the common good.
I love hearing progressives in politics shout out loud the things I would like to see accomplished. And finally, honest discussions about religion that was previously off limits.
In a nutshell, all the evidence of people who care.
The belief that we all have it in us to connect and contribute. Because I have the option to choose, not just externally but more importantly internally, drives my optimism and hope. I choose to be aware and present. I choose to decide my/our future. And my need to include others is strong.
I am very optimistic right now tied to Winston Churchill’s famous meter concerning America: “Americans will always do the right thing after they have exhausted all other possibilities.” I figure we are right on the cusp! Hells bells, we have to be! Smile. Curt
My Dear Robert Reich, You always manage to lift my spirits up to a positive level. That is one reason I joined your group. I do consider every day worth living. And I do believe there are ways to make America a better place to live. I find that the 'Messaging' we are all receiving on national broadcast is a major problem for me, personally, and I am sure it is for a lot of other people as well. It would be nice if we were hearing some positive objective news on TV and across the all media. I am able to find more positive thinking on my laptop (I screen all other media off) and it is refreshing to find the people who want to help other people in amazing different ways. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with all of us.
Universities are competing for students. Professors must be adamant about the value of teaching truth as we best understand it and and not succumb to the pressure to allow opinion to override truth.
I have HOPE for our future so long as responsible citizens use science & moral reason to address the problems we encounter. The anti-intellectualism of the Trump cult, though still a minority, is quite troubling. So long as we do not become complacent, & actively fight these fascists, while trusting science & moral reasoning, I will be optimistic about our democratic republic, & our future.
I'm x-pat dual citizen US/UK and raised in the UK and later had to 'learn" to "Be" an American. Many times, I have had to pinch myself as sometimes I feel like I'm in the 1590s or 1620s.* I'm basically an atheist but sometimes I feel that the 'Age of the Enlightenment" has yet to happen or take place on US soil... [I don't seek to disabuse people of their various faiths.].
* Sometimes I feel that it would be easier to be a literal Devil-worshiper than an atheist (in the USA) as at least a devil worshiper believes in the devil which supports the paradigm of there being a struggle between a monotheistic God and a progenitor of all evil. An atheist is is perceived as the ultimate in "Cancel culture" by evangelical Christians and thereby by extension "Morally" Bankrupt. ~ Really bugs me how the religious-right tries to claim 'Moral" superiority in all things while throwing everyone else that doesn't fit into their tiny box/ world view under the bus and ultimately to 'Hell" (at least in their system of beliefs ) [Rolling eyes].
What makes me optimistic is more or less the same thing: a sense of increasing consciousness, mostly among young people, of the need for basic human solidarity and genuine values to believe in. But one thing is to aspire to something better, another is to make it happen. The first thing I can think of is public education and information. I dream of an independent press gaining subscribers by the quality of its work instead of being financed by large corporations' advertising money. We need hundreds of Inequality Media enterprises to cover various fields of public interest from different angles and bring real food for thought.
Einstein said our divisive problems (like we experience today) can only be solved by a higher level of consciousness, than the one that created it. I suggest this means moral philosophy (like Steven Pinker & John Rawls) & sound theology from a religion of your choosing, which truly glorifies our God of inclusive & unconditional love.
I agree. Finding meaning at a higher level of consciousness is the challenge humanity has always been faced with. And then to act upon it.
Wasn't Einstein one of the developers of the Atomic Bomb?
It can be very discouraging to see all the actions the GOP is taking to hinder elections, bills - all the lies they keep saying. But I believe the majority of Americans can see through this and that is what keeps me optimistic.
Sue, I'm curious why you believe most Americans can see through this?
Americans see the grift and narcissitic, racist trump as he truly is but the brain-washed trump cult ignores it. Deep down I believe that most Americans have a sense of decency and will not tolerate his behavior anymore. Hopefully the Republican politicians will realize this when trump's hand-picked candidates lose in 2022.
I agree with your thoughts above, but what stresses me is even if the majority feels this way our system of government does not always support majority rule. The electoral college, gerrymandering, voter suppression, etc. act as governors on the goodwill of most of our citizens. We have to remain optimistic, but no guarantees of success. The Democratic Party let the pendulum swing to far right and the process to correct is underway but will much time. Do we have the necessary patience?
I agree. The ammunition we have is our vote and right now that is compromised by the state laws passed to suppress it. The Electoral College is archaic and needs to be abolished. The Supreme Court ruled that gerrymandering was unconstitutional yet both parties openly do it. Politicians and appointed judges should have term limits. Lobbying is legal bribery and should be outlawed. The problem with this is that the politicians control it.
I am optimistic that changes will happen. Let's hope our patience holds firm. One worry I have is the influence that the current political scene has on our children and the erroneous information some teachers are telling their impressionable students.
We need to support politicians who have good ideas and avoid taking corporate money. Those who will actually work for their constituents!
Please, David Dilling, do not blame the Democrats! They had their hands in throwing Bernie under the bus, and also take corporate$$, like most everyone has had to do it, but just because they are low hanging fruit; no!
like the vulture on the fence says to the other vulture "patience phooey! I'm gonna kill something!" Patience has gotten us nowhere! We need some strong action! The Republicans have stormed the Capitol! and seem to be getting away with it! Bannon sneers at the possibility that if he gets a year in jail, so what? our government should be purged of all Trumpers! Everyone who voted against even hearing a debate on voting rights is our enemy! Targets should be on their backs! Those who say Jan 6th is a nothingburger are dangerous enemies! I am POSITIVE that we should engage in a good ole WITCH Hunt! Happy Halloween! All those who support Trump and are in office should be stripped of committee assignments (they should be kicked out of office because they are not honoring their oaths of office).They want to prevent us from even voting them out! Homeland Security did not prevent the well known plan to attack the Capitol! They are CLEARLY USELESS to protect our country as we have known it. That was Bush's construct. You know, the guy who stole the first election of the new millennium.
Sue Fulmer, the problem is that the majority of Americans are being prevented from voting by GOP laws. You know when a patient has appendicitis and needs the surgery, or will die, and time is running out? We are in that much danger of losing our democracy. Right now. We either dump the filibuster or flee the country.
Sadly, fleeing may not help and is not an option for the majority. This cancer is metastasizing around the world like climate destruction; even Scandinavia has had large wildfires, and the authoritarianism could reach stable countries.
I live in what I hope is a Democristan, as the states are breaking apart. If it turns out to not be a democristan, we are gonna flee. Fleeing Nazis runs in my family. It's how come I'm alive.
I have thought of leaving the country, but I doubt that Canada will allow me in. plus, what is to stop another 'conservative' from getting into power there? I have not travelled extensively and have no idea where else I would want to live. Plus my two children are here in the states and I was thinking some day one of them might have a child, and this is the only home I know. I keep brainstorming about Robert Reich's current question. How can we think positive about the threats we currently face? They not only want to end Democracy as we think we know it, you know 'towards a more perfect union" but they want to end learning facts and teaching history or anything they disapprove of. I do live in a Democristan, I think. Lots of educated and progressive people. But under duress and chaos I wonder if it would stay that way. It's sad to think that so many of our young have valid reasons to not want to bring children into this world. I think of Bob Dylan's Masters Of War. I thought things were bad then, with Vietnam. But at least the war was ended and we were able to continue living in relative peace and not worry about book banning and eventual censorship and bullying by misinformed and hypnotized neighbors. How can we get the word out that climate disaster is coming soon and the Republican Party is a driver of destruction? I can be positive at times, but it is often overwhelming what is going on. It's laughable, but I keep asking 'Where is the defense of America and democracy? Why can't we have decent media and get rid of toxic 'news' that misinforms and actually kills? When is the former President going to be charged with crimes like murder for blocking the CDC and other experts on pandemics and misinforming the people often on FOX 'News" And his rants against Blacks and poor cities like Detroit and on and on. That is not free speech because it costs lives and it is lies. I am positive!
Most Americans MAY see through this. The are disheartened to engage in effecting change. The problem. Leadership is the solution and also the danger.
My experience with undergraduate students is the same as yours. The students in my population geography class, most of whom are international studies majors, are intelligent, keen to get out and help improve the world (many already are doing so through their internships and summer fellowships), and, most importantly, to dig in and understand the root causes to issues. We just finished two weeks on migration, going beyond the numbers and origins and destinations, focusing also on push and pull factors. What makes me most optimistic? They understood that, while migration is a choice, it's often made to escape poverty, lack of opportunity, oppression, and other negative factors, and that while welcoming immigrants is one policy option, actively working to redress the the negative factors that push people to migrate is more important.
Agree with your assessment. I become more optimistic when I consider my granddaughter. She is brilliant! She achieved high honors in high school and graduated near the top of her class in college. She is beautiful and articulate and could have done anything she wanted to do ... and made a whole lot of money. But what did she choose to do with her talent? She chose to TEACH! She is now a fifth grade teacher, showing her young people ... not just how to pass tests and beat the system ... but demonstrating how and urging them to learn to THINK. If there is anything that America needs now, it is a generation focused on building something wonderful FOR ALL, not necessarily trying to see how many green, wrinkled pieces of paper they can gather up and lock away in a big steel box. The temporary defeat of Trump was a battle won, but the war is against ignorance. If we do not take on this battle, our enemies will succeed in leveraging our weakness, and this great nation will fall.
I Believe in democracy and I believe in good people, dictators can get a lucky/good start (1914&1939-1941), but they will lose in the end when, good people/nations join forces. Nazi Germany was crushed, Sovjet crumbled. New Dictators will have the same faith. The USA must again be the arsenal for the free world, stand for democracy and freedom for all. But the USA must first try all the wrong ways ? before it finds the right way. Stop Gerrymandering and give People a fair representation. Trump should never be allowed to run for any office again.
OUTSTANDING, Thomas. My thought exactly. Thanks for expressing them.
Your undying efforts to enlighten the public with truthful analyses and your perspective just shared with us. Thanks for your undying efforts to right the rudder of our Great Experiment
My 11 year old great niece recently mentioned she’s working on a plan to clean up the oceans.
Fabulous.
Awesome!
We are at a hinge moment for our democracy. We must all phone our Senators' offices and our Senators' funders' offices, exhorting them continually to push for voting rights and to eviscerate the filibuster. Find the funders on OpenSecrets.org. If we don't we will have another autocratic, authoritarian state, as Mississippi had and still has to a lesser degree, and which the GOP is working hard to reinstate all over the USA. One cause for optimism is the steep drop in the price of renewable energy. Another is young people's belief in their ability to save the world. I do remember when my cohort felt that way. We got beat by the money and the murderers, who killed our leaders one by one, black, red, brown, and white. So I'm glad the young people think they can save the world and I am happy to help in any way we can. One way is by teaching. Teach the lessons of our lost causes. Teach that dedicating yourself to a meaningful life is more worthy than making a killing as a day trader.
We must learn from the mistakes of our past, by studying history, honestly told. Read "On Fascism" & "These Truths", both books written by excellent historians.
Finding other people who share our concern about humanity, environment, animals as part of the world, not separate from it. But also the younger generation forming groups like Occupy Wall-street, March for our Lives etc We are reaching a point where we understand our numbers exceed those who refuse to look out for the common good.
I love hearing progressives in politics shout out loud the things I would like to see accomplished. And finally, honest discussions about religion that was previously off limits.
In a nutshell, all the evidence of people who care.
The belief that we all have it in us to connect and contribute. Because I have the option to choose, not just externally but more importantly internally, drives my optimism and hope. I choose to be aware and present. I choose to decide my/our future. And my need to include others is strong.
Knowing more people really are interested in the truth helps keep me optimistic.
I am very optimistic right now tied to Winston Churchill’s famous meter concerning America: “Americans will always do the right thing after they have exhausted all other possibilities.” I figure we are right on the cusp! Hells bells, we have to be! Smile. Curt
My Dear Robert Reich, You always manage to lift my spirits up to a positive level. That is one reason I joined your group. I do consider every day worth living. And I do believe there are ways to make America a better place to live. I find that the 'Messaging' we are all receiving on national broadcast is a major problem for me, personally, and I am sure it is for a lot of other people as well. It would be nice if we were hearing some positive objective news on TV and across the all media. I am able to find more positive thinking on my laptop (I screen all other media off) and it is refreshing to find the people who want to help other people in amazing different ways. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with all of us.
I agree with you - I just retired after 50 years of university teaching - the kids are the future and they are good.
Universities are competing for students. Professors must be adamant about the value of teaching truth as we best understand it and and not succumb to the pressure to allow opinion to override truth.
The next generation - people who seem to be embracing progressive ideals. They give me hope for the future of this country and this world.
I have HOPE for our future so long as responsible citizens use science & moral reason to address the problems we encounter. The anti-intellectualism of the Trump cult, though still a minority, is quite troubling. So long as we do not become complacent, & actively fight these fascists, while trusting science & moral reasoning, I will be optimistic about our democratic republic, & our future.
I'm x-pat dual citizen US/UK and raised in the UK and later had to 'learn" to "Be" an American. Many times, I have had to pinch myself as sometimes I feel like I'm in the 1590s or 1620s.* I'm basically an atheist but sometimes I feel that the 'Age of the Enlightenment" has yet to happen or take place on US soil... [I don't seek to disabuse people of their various faiths.].
____________________________________________________________________________________
* Sometimes I feel that it would be easier to be a literal Devil-worshiper than an atheist (in the USA) as at least a devil worshiper believes in the devil which supports the paradigm of there being a struggle between a monotheistic God and a progenitor of all evil. An atheist is is perceived as the ultimate in "Cancel culture" by evangelical Christians and thereby by extension "Morally" Bankrupt. ~ Really bugs me how the religious-right tries to claim 'Moral" superiority in all things while throwing everyone else that doesn't fit into their tiny box/ world view under the bus and ultimately to 'Hell" (at least in their system of beliefs ) [Rolling eyes].