Thank you Corbin for putting in words the thoughts I have had for a very long time. I’m 79 years old and have been watching this slide and this politeness kill the possibilities of this country. When I have tried to share these thoughts with friends of my age the reaction includes much eye rolling and looks saying “Here she goes again!”, or worse yet - “We’ve been here before and survived.” I have been a protester most of my life and am beginning to be afraid to march lately! (I can’t run very fast anymore and can’t afford a gas mask!) Please continue your fight because I’m very afraid for our country.🎈
Same here, Judy! Sounding the alarm, getting the eyerolls, and being dismissed. It's hard not to bring out the, "Told you so!" Thanks for succinctly putting into words my same experience. Keep fighting! Maybe we can't run as fast, but it's not a good look to drag around a bunch of old women. 😎✊🏼
Yep. I have been saying it to deaf ears as well although from all generations. The fourth and most powerful pillar - branch - of a democratic people is the Citizen. The most powerful tools we wield are Voice and Vote. Second most powerful is purchasing power which we must use by not needing what the rich offer. They have come for us all. It's time to get busy.
You hit the nail on the head as usual. We can claw our way back but it takes a large consensus of people and politicians to get there. Fortunately, as you know, New Consensus has a plan called Mission For America which can be found at their website newconsensus.com. You gotta admire people who really want this country to succeed and keep trying to make that happen no matter how hard it is or how damn long it's taking. It'd be easier on everyone individually if more people pitched in like you're doing and like they're doing.
Fools errand. Any achievement toward an equitable society envisioned in the constitution has largely been forced and begruged and with reluctance with sullen resignation anticipating the opportunity to rescind any progress toward noble goals and punishing those that would aspire to attain a more equitable society. Our country is divided, has always been divided and I image will always be divided. Prove me wrong.
This is exactly what reality calls for, but it will require a third party that hasn’t been bought and compromised as the two dominant parties have been. Trying to fix something so broken will delay a new start forever. “Vote blue no matter who” is a desperate gamble America cannot afford, based on wishful thinking which is what got us here.
A new thought from this old (80) geezer: follow Bernie's example, with a difference—be party-independent, caucus with the Dems, but pledge to a new "insider's club" (to be named) of progressives who recognize the reality that MMT is how our current federal financial system works. FEDERAL TAXES DO NOT FINANCE CONGRESSIONAL APPROPRIATIONS. It all comes from "new money," no borrowing required either. Defeat Wall Street's gaslighting ("But how will we "PAY" for it?!") that we need a "balanced Federal budget" and that austerity equals "fiscal responsibility." Its how America defeated the Axis Powers, after all; we can defeat fascism again the same way, with economic knowledge and political will.
If more people had voted Democratic, we wouldn't be descending into a dictatorship right now. That's the real choice in the real world. I believe it is more doable to takeover the Democratic Party than stary a new one.
If the elite ran a fair primary and didn’t pre choose the candidate as they have this current century repubs would not have won an election with their BS platform in 2016 if the DNC left Bernie have equal footing as Hillary their chosen one in reality the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq would either been won and over or just over. We would have MED4ALL , hopefully 30-40% of the defense budget would be history, abortion would still be the choice of the impregnated woman, the Supreme Court would either been expanded or the last three would never had been nominated or accepted .And Clarence Thomas would have been impeached.
I think the silence has been more complicity than civility. A lot of people have played along because they had a good job, a house, a car, their kids were doing okay, and so on. So why rock the boat? Enter increased income disparity; severe weather events and environmental degradation; global unrest, and so on. There will now be a lot more losers, and very few winners (who are also increasingly stacking the deck and slamming the door behind them). Glad there's a plan Corbin because democracy needs to be saved before it subverted altogether, or dismantled by people who don't care about any of us or our right to vote.
I am a fan and a paid subscriber. I send your columns far and wide, because I think it is what my friends need to hear. I want to suggest, however, that you construct some kind of a paywall. You should be paid for your thinking and your excellent writing, in my opinion.
I will suggest to people to whom I send it to get a paid subscription. I subscribe to quite a few Substacks, but yours is my favorite. You deserve wide circulation and to get paid for what you write.
It should be clear by now that Trump’s goal is not to RUN the federal government but to DESTROY the federal government and strip it for parts. He needs to be removed from office.
Modern Conservatives/Republicans consistently “confess” what they are doing by what they accuse their opponents of. It’s a standard tactic to deflect attention and sow confusion.
Accordingly, yes, the Constitution DOES have an “enemy within”. Eight hundred military leaders just got a front-row seat to this. Will they now fulfill their oath to “support and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic”?
I used to think a third-party would make all the difference. But now I’m wondering why we need political parties in the first place? George Washington didn’t want them. And I can see absolutely no benefit of having political parties. If we could somehow get term limits in place, one term for elected official, I think that would obviate any need for membership in a political party.
I do appreciate that you’re coming up with solutions. Whether they are perfect or not they are far better than the ceaseless whining and complaining that I see on most posts. I think we’re past The “oooh Trump is so awful” stage. We need to start agreeing on what to do next.
Corbin Trent, I agree with you a million percent! I am so hungry for this unflinching honesty about our society and the articulation of worthy political goals. Thank you for putting into words what is wholesome and true--something to hold onto in the sea of excrement we're swimming in.
I would love to see you reach out to other talented leaders and visionaries and interview them on your Substack and start (or continue) to build connection, coalition, and strength with them. I love what Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani did, for example, joining forces in their mayoral primary campaign. I feel like media--good and bad--is siloed in our internet age. Everyone lives in their own personal internet. It makes it hard to build a broad movement based on these deep democracy values you articulate. Can Substack be used to bring the leaders and visionaries and their followers together and in conversation with each other?
Good question! Is this taking shape as a movement? Are the various progressive candidates aware of the plan? Are they signing on? Each week, I am seeing more great new people running - not only Graham Platner and Zohran, but also Kat Abughazaleh, Ruwa Romman, Rebecca Cooke, Adelita Grijalva (who just won in Arizona), Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, James Talarico (who raised 6.2 million in small dollar donations in 3 weeks), Nathan Sage and others. And how are Bernie, AOC, the squad, and other progressive leaders tied in? Is there a mechanism to foster interchange and collaboration? I'd love to help with that! It fees like people are inspired and responding. Let's seize the moment.
These "three things: making life affordable through real competition, accountability for everyone including the powerful, and democracy that actually functions," will not work by themselves. We also have to recognize the need to stop harvesting natural resources at a faster rate than they can reproduce, stop poisoning the planet, stop burning fossil fuels, and stop over-consumption. The very goals of our "thriving economy" are killing us. The biggest responsibility for this consumption goes to billionaires and millionaires, who have skewed global resources so badly that many of them individually control more resources than entire nations. I do not denigrate your goals, but we do have to recognize ecological limits and the fact that globally we have consumed past planetary boundaries.
I am of the view that quite a few folks authoring thoughtful essays should end up putting them together into a book, a collage of what went wrong and what to do about it.
How many more reams do we dedicate to what went wrong? I'm tired of gazing at the navel. Wtf went right?! Let's figure that out and build on success. Tired of floating in the jetsom
Psychological experiments tell a different story. Daniel Kahneman calls it two selves, the experiential self and the memory self. I prefer to skip the metaphor and accept this is how our brains work.
At the time we feel things are good, bad, indifferent, and we feel likewise some way in the midst. But we remember the experiences differently.
There never was a time when we were all civil. Let's throw in the Overton Window. What the public finds acceptable shifts and differs in time radically. Like David Lynch's Blue Velvet, a peaceful town can turn into a lynch mob.
Our brains have evolved to note salience and change. Risk and reward are weighted to favor the former, unless we focus. Fear is a stronger motivator, unless we fight the impulse.
Let's not be fooled. If we can help it. Start by resisting false fears and easy answers.
Thorough. Well constructed. To say against the current would sorely understate the complexity of the task to actually do it. What the hell else options do we have.
Thank you Corbin for putting in words the thoughts I have had for a very long time. I’m 79 years old and have been watching this slide and this politeness kill the possibilities of this country. When I have tried to share these thoughts with friends of my age the reaction includes much eye rolling and looks saying “Here she goes again!”, or worse yet - “We’ve been here before and survived.” I have been a protester most of my life and am beginning to be afraid to march lately! (I can’t run very fast anymore and can’t afford a gas mask!) Please continue your fight because I’m very afraid for our country.🎈
Same here, Judy! Sounding the alarm, getting the eyerolls, and being dismissed. It's hard not to bring out the, "Told you so!" Thanks for succinctly putting into words my same experience. Keep fighting! Maybe we can't run as fast, but it's not a good look to drag around a bunch of old women. 😎✊🏼
Yep. I have been saying it to deaf ears as well although from all generations. The fourth and most powerful pillar - branch - of a democratic people is the Citizen. The most powerful tools we wield are Voice and Vote. Second most powerful is purchasing power which we must use by not needing what the rich offer. They have come for us all. It's time to get busy.
Bless you Judy! ❤️
This link was missing in my email.
https://www.americasundoing.com/p/how-to-beat-maga-in-2026-2028-and
You hit the nail on the head as usual. We can claw our way back but it takes a large consensus of people and politicians to get there. Fortunately, as you know, New Consensus has a plan called Mission For America which can be found at their website newconsensus.com. You gotta admire people who really want this country to succeed and keep trying to make that happen no matter how hard it is or how damn long it's taking. It'd be easier on everyone individually if more people pitched in like you're doing and like they're doing.
Fools errand. Any achievement toward an equitable society envisioned in the constitution has largely been forced and begruged and with reluctance with sullen resignation anticipating the opportunity to rescind any progress toward noble goals and punishing those that would aspire to attain a more equitable society. Our country is divided, has always been divided and I image will always be divided. Prove me wrong.
I am doing my best to prove you wrong.
I want nothing more than to be. I became a paid subscriber a testimony that I want to be proven wrong.
This is exactly what reality calls for, but it will require a third party that hasn’t been bought and compromised as the two dominant parties have been. Trying to fix something so broken will delay a new start forever. “Vote blue no matter who” is a desperate gamble America cannot afford, based on wishful thinking which is what got us here.
A new thought from this old (80) geezer: follow Bernie's example, with a difference—be party-independent, caucus with the Dems, but pledge to a new "insider's club" (to be named) of progressives who recognize the reality that MMT is how our current federal financial system works. FEDERAL TAXES DO NOT FINANCE CONGRESSIONAL APPROPRIATIONS. It all comes from "new money," no borrowing required either. Defeat Wall Street's gaslighting ("But how will we "PAY" for it?!") that we need a "balanced Federal budget" and that austerity equals "fiscal responsibility." Its how America defeated the Axis Powers, after all; we can defeat fascism again the same way, with economic knowledge and political will.
I am working out a strategy here: https://www.americasundoing.com/p/how-to-beat-maga-in-2026-2028-and
OMG! Truth undiluted at last! Thank you!
Don’t let anyone say it’s impossible. That’s how we block ourselves from even trying. The time for preemptive capitulation is finally dead!
If more people had voted Democratic, we wouldn't be descending into a dictatorship right now. That's the real choice in the real world. I believe it is more doable to takeover the Democratic Party than stary a new one.
If the elite ran a fair primary and didn’t pre choose the candidate as they have this current century repubs would not have won an election with their BS platform in 2016 if the DNC left Bernie have equal footing as Hillary their chosen one in reality the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq would either been won and over or just over. We would have MED4ALL , hopefully 30-40% of the defense budget would be history, abortion would still be the choice of the impregnated woman, the Supreme Court would either been expanded or the last three would never had been nominated or accepted .And Clarence Thomas would have been impeached.
Citizens United would have been shit canned
I think the silence has been more complicity than civility. A lot of people have played along because they had a good job, a house, a car, their kids were doing okay, and so on. So why rock the boat? Enter increased income disparity; severe weather events and environmental degradation; global unrest, and so on. There will now be a lot more losers, and very few winners (who are also increasingly stacking the deck and slamming the door behind them). Glad there's a plan Corbin because democracy needs to be saved before it subverted altogether, or dismantled by people who don't care about any of us or our right to vote.
I am a fan and a paid subscriber. I send your columns far and wide, because I think it is what my friends need to hear. I want to suggest, however, that you construct some kind of a paywall. You should be paid for your thinking and your excellent writing, in my opinion.
I do think of it sometimes. However, I want to get as many eyes as possible in hopes that something clicks.
I will suggest to people to whom I send it to get a paid subscription. I subscribe to quite a few Substacks, but yours is my favorite. You deserve wide circulation and to get paid for what you write.
Another unspoken tactic for population intimidation is placing people in Nursing Facilities involuntarily and indefinitely
This is quietly accelerating in New York City, a Democratic stronghold.
I am a 93 year old woman and I KNOW that every word you spoke is the TRUUTH.
It should be clear by now that Trump’s goal is not to RUN the federal government but to DESTROY the federal government and strip it for parts. He needs to be removed from office.
Modern Conservatives/Republicans consistently “confess” what they are doing by what they accuse their opponents of. It’s a standard tactic to deflect attention and sow confusion.
Accordingly, yes, the Constitution DOES have an “enemy within”. Eight hundred military leaders just got a front-row seat to this. Will they now fulfill their oath to “support and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic”?
I used to think a third-party would make all the difference. But now I’m wondering why we need political parties in the first place? George Washington didn’t want them. And I can see absolutely no benefit of having political parties. If we could somehow get term limits in place, one term for elected official, I think that would obviate any need for membership in a political party.
I do appreciate that you’re coming up with solutions. Whether they are perfect or not they are far better than the ceaseless whining and complaining that I see on most posts. I think we’re past The “oooh Trump is so awful” stage. We need to start agreeing on what to do next.
Ranked choice voting makes party affiliation far less relevant.
If frongs had wings...you get it
Corbin Trent, I agree with you a million percent! I am so hungry for this unflinching honesty about our society and the articulation of worthy political goals. Thank you for putting into words what is wholesome and true--something to hold onto in the sea of excrement we're swimming in.
I would love to see you reach out to other talented leaders and visionaries and interview them on your Substack and start (or continue) to build connection, coalition, and strength with them. I love what Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani did, for example, joining forces in their mayoral primary campaign. I feel like media--good and bad--is siloed in our internet age. Everyone lives in their own personal internet. It makes it hard to build a broad movement based on these deep democracy values you articulate. Can Substack be used to bring the leaders and visionaries and their followers together and in conversation with each other?
Good question! Is this taking shape as a movement? Are the various progressive candidates aware of the plan? Are they signing on? Each week, I am seeing more great new people running - not only Graham Platner and Zohran, but also Kat Abughazaleh, Ruwa Romman, Rebecca Cooke, Adelita Grijalva (who just won in Arizona), Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, James Talarico (who raised 6.2 million in small dollar donations in 3 weeks), Nathan Sage and others. And how are Bernie, AOC, the squad, and other progressive leaders tied in? Is there a mechanism to foster interchange and collaboration? I'd love to help with that! It fees like people are inspired and responding. Let's seize the moment.
These "three things: making life affordable through real competition, accountability for everyone including the powerful, and democracy that actually functions," will not work by themselves. We also have to recognize the need to stop harvesting natural resources at a faster rate than they can reproduce, stop poisoning the planet, stop burning fossil fuels, and stop over-consumption. The very goals of our "thriving economy" are killing us. The biggest responsibility for this consumption goes to billionaires and millionaires, who have skewed global resources so badly that many of them individually control more resources than entire nations. I do not denigrate your goals, but we do have to recognize ecological limits and the fact that globally we have consumed past planetary boundaries.
I am of the view that quite a few folks authoring thoughtful essays should end up putting them together into a book, a collage of what went wrong and what to do about it.
That’s not a bad idea.
It could be a book individually by author or a collection of essays by different authors--or both. Give folks a broader perspective.
How many more reams do we dedicate to what went wrong? I'm tired of gazing at the navel. Wtf went right?! Let's figure that out and build on success. Tired of floating in the jetsom
Not much went right.
Psychological experiments tell a different story. Daniel Kahneman calls it two selves, the experiential self and the memory self. I prefer to skip the metaphor and accept this is how our brains work.
At the time we feel things are good, bad, indifferent, and we feel likewise some way in the midst. But we remember the experiences differently.
There never was a time when we were all civil. Let's throw in the Overton Window. What the public finds acceptable shifts and differs in time radically. Like David Lynch's Blue Velvet, a peaceful town can turn into a lynch mob.
Our brains have evolved to note salience and change. Risk and reward are weighted to favor the former, unless we focus. Fear is a stronger motivator, unless we fight the impulse.
Let's not be fooled. If we can help it. Start by resisting false fears and easy answers.
Lovely sentiments, I feel the passion, I embrace the message. Now what?
https://www.americasundoing.com/p/how-to-beat-maga-in-2026-2028-and
Thorough. Well constructed. To say against the current would sorely understate the complexity of the task to actually do it. What the hell else options do we have.
Thank you for saying what standard media and standard politicians will not.