22 Comments
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David's avatar

I mean why doesn't Corben run? Seems simple enough. I'm a native Tennessean and I am a progressive, I didn't realize there were others like me.

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Barbara Stocker's avatar

I landed my dream job at Ralston Purina in 1980. I was providing literature searches for the research team and I did it well. In addition, recent medical journals came across my desk to see if there was anything of particular interest to our researchers. I also could do some of my own research and write papers, including one on the impact of radiation on food.

Then came the shift from Keynesian and demand side economics to Friedman, supply side economics, and the change was on. Jobs went overseas. Companies got ‘lean and mean.’ Ralston Purina decided that research was ‘fat,’ and one bleak Tuesday, the team all got pink slipped. I wasn’t needed either.

Despair came for many. People lost savings and homes. Debt and poverty grew. Many lived on the streets. I had a cousin who died, a homeless alcoholic on the streets of Kansas City.

Corbin is providing answers. We need to listen and act.

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debra's avatar

The richest people have extracted close to 70 trillion from the rest of us over the last fifty years. When we ask for it back they cry, "Nanny State" or "Communism."

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Greg Bee's avatar

Very, very well said, Corbin. I feel kinda called out, actually, on different levels. I guess my hope is not to escape our problems, but escape the US--period. I'm afraid I don't hold much hope for it (us?) on most days TBH. I will protest and push back and do what I can, and I honestly expect negative consequences for doing so, to what degree, who knows--my choices could hit me and my family severely. And in this stage of my life--latter 50s--there will not be many bounce-back options for me, here or abroad. My hope is in Christ Jesus, my family, a few friends, and not much else. It's a weak but honest self-assessment.

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mefoolonhill's avatar

Disney found out what happens when citizens use consumer power to fight back.

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debra's avatar

Yes. We have to hit them in the only thing they understand: $$$$$$$. Contact advertisers and stop buying their shit. Boycott the billionaires! Cancel Amazon, Prime, Whole Foods and Zappos (owned by Bezos). Cut the cable cord. And stay vigilant!

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Linda McCaughey's avatar

Agreed, 100%. If we are unwilling to make even a few frivolous sacrifices to save our democracy, we don't deserve to have one. Read a book. Watch a DVD. Plant a garden. Take a walk.

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debra's avatar

I do all of the above! Amazing what moving the body will do!

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Richard's avatar

Why are the Democrats worth saving, they are corrupt to the bone. They dont want to change and they just absorb anyone with a vision outside theirs (AOC, Bernie, etc.) They need to be replaced with a real working class party. I don't thinknthe Democrats could ever win me back, they can’t be trusted.

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Linda McCaughey's avatar

Agree in part--time to kick out the corporate Dems. Regenerate with the young activists who actually give a shit and have guts and energy!

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debra's avatar

They are the corporate Democrats of old, and a new day is dawning. Young, liberally minded people will lead it and change the world! Am I a dreamer? Sure. But I'm not the only one.

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JDO's avatar

Corbin, please collaborate with reality -- the democrats are a lost cause. They're a right-wing corporate gsidal entity that does NOT GIVE AF about us. Please stop with this nonsense and do something that will truly help -- start the uphill climb of building a truly representational worker/third party that has zero corporate ties. Butch Ware is a candidate you should be exploring, not any played out corporate dem (and yes, they're ALL corporate at the end of the day). The dems are simply the good cop in the "good cop/bad cop" scenario -- once you accept that BOTH ARE COPS and serve the same masters, everything will make more sense. Please get out of fantasy land and into this reality! We need everyone...

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Chris Wells's avatar

As I understand it, Corbin's plan involves replacing the corporate Dems with real progressives. I don't care what the party is called as long as it is not beholden to the rich and sticks to a few core principles (commitment to active non-violence and dedication to improving the lives of working people). I agree with you about the mainstream Dems but I imagine it's easier to primary the ones that have sold out than to build a new party and the movement could be positioned as reclaiming the true mission of the Democratic Party (to fight for the working class and help out those in need).

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PL Tidwell's avatar

I don’t see him making any of the claims you’re slamming him for here in this article. He is clearly saying that many of those standing in the way of collective progress have a “D” by their names. Honestly, I don’t think anyone here is defending Centrism or the corporate ownership of mainstream political parties—I read quite the opposite. We can’t move forward together toward any kind of reimagining or rebuilding if we won’t listen to each other. Maybe give this another read through?

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David Hope's avatar

“People identify with billionaires instead of their neighbors.”

Yes, and the mainstream media encourages them.

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Reggie Hubbard's avatar

Appreciate you fam. And have for a while. Respect.

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Lewis C. Taishoff's avatar

The biggest narcotics cartel is the Rethuglican billionaires who riddle this shit

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debra's avatar

Corbin: YOU are what America stands for, and your voice speaks to anyone who'll be open minded enough to listen to what you have to say. Trumpers would convert overnight if they heard you. The "south" has been lied to, stereotyped and marginalized long enough (way past long enough). I read a book by Barbara Kingsolver entitled Demon Copperhead, and it all became very clear.

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Katherine's avatar

Not only am I committed to speaking out, I also want to boycott. It is so easy to just buy from Amazon. Can someone tell me if there is an organized group who can help those of us who want to boycott so that we don’t have to figure out which companies to stop buying from?

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debra's avatar

Based on what I have seen from the billionaires, being mega-rich is the last thing I strive for. They pretend to be happy, but I'm guessing they are very hollow on the inside. I think most Americans just want to live their lives, go to a doctor when they're sick without going bankrupt, put their kids through college, and own a house by the time they're old (that they can give to their kids upon death). If we have a chance for all of that and are miserable, it's our own fault. There is enough for everyone, unless those with the most rig it for the rest.

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GS-z-14-1's avatar

No plan predicated on strategic alliance with another Party of fascism intends to establish ‘democracy.’ Nor will it.

Ever has the United States known the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie.

Proletarian democracy is the dictatorship of the working class.

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Niko2323's avatar

Thank you for telling us the truth.

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