Trump is accelerating democracy’s decline—he’s also exposing institutions hollowed out by privatization and corporate capture. Our task isn’t just to save what’s left; it’s to build something better.
Fixing the problems requires one simple change: get rid of the $$$$$$$$$ in politics. Bernie has said (a thousand times--his whole life) what we need to do. They robbed him in both '16 and '20 because blue fat cats also like the cush. The PEOPLE need to rise like never before and demand our freedom.
I like your essay. Many very good and important observations. Just a little disappointed that you did not mention the looting of trillions from our pockets to fund, not building, but destruction. Like the destruction of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Gaza, Ukraine, and likely soon Iran. Ending our addiction to militarism and endless wars must be a priority effort to return the US to sanity and begin the rebuilding project.
I haven't anyone talking specifics on how to change capitalism or suggest a workable alternative. Everyone knows that CEO's and board members taking advantage of workers is not working. The greed in labor unions has also been bad. Who or where is a financial system that is just for everyone? We can't create social equality if we're not also realistically talking about ways to build a new economy and new business philosophies.
I agree with what you say, I admit. But, I believe it was the justice Democrats who the last time I gave them money several years back gave my email address to every Democratic person running for Congress and or the Senate. I really resent that happening. So I will not be giving you any more money.
Same thing happened to me … but I don’t think we should blame whoever we donated to…it is Actblue who “proposes” other candidates… Actblue also charges a hefty commission and if you read the fine print… holds onto the funds up to 30 days !!!
Better to make donations by cheque to any organisations PO Box ! And we need to defend the US Postal Service because having that in the clutches of another billionaire could cause a serious threat to vote by correspondance as well as put at risk organisations ultra right forces decide to interfere with.
I agree with absolutely everything you say about what the country has been like through my lifetime ...and....I've benefitted from the unfair system but it didn't really make me feel good. I have been looking for those people who will spend time now planning for a more fair future so welcome your writing. Will soon be able to pay for it. Will share this column.
Love all of what you’ve written here- !!!! AND will read it over and over- and repost it👍
One thing I want to add about China(having worked in an industry heavily influenced by Chinese competition) something rarely mentioned in recent years is one of the reasons they’ve become the world’s “factory”- is they freely MANIPULATE their currency!!! A very, very big deal..!!!! - and one that - frankly even huge tariffs won’t impact as much as - with the EU.!!! Manipulating your currency keeps your folks in poverty- but the Chinese Govt. doesn’t care- AND autocracies can easily do it.
Another bit also about China embracing green energy- there are 2 sides to that story- They have the most coal fired power plants- and are always building More!😡- they also burn OUR country’s DIRTIEST Coal- coal that is so high in sulfur that it’s illegal to burn here(hmmmm wonder if those laws will get scrapped by our NEW EPA🤔🤔😩😩) china likely won’t want to buy our dirty-ass coal anymore…!!! But my point is things in China are far more complex when you look under the surface.
agree but one difference: Chine burns less coal than the USA per person. WE are still the dirtiest in terms of fossil fuel use. We should all look to Uruguay.
Perhaps you live in a wealthy state with adequate tax base for fixing potholes. Or lots of other things needed to keep the lights on. I live in the capitol city in my state. We are years behind in potholes, and most things. Until recently we had a low tax income because we have a very non-industrial population, very rural, mostly poor. Capitalism makes sure that 90 percent of the population remains poor. Every dollar made goes back into the consumption system. Now, for a few years, we have a big source of income - oil and gas extraction. Ruining everything, everywhere, but now we have some royalties, but still far behind Texas in the rate of payment. Same oil, different state. What Trent is talking about building is not the private sector, but the public sector building things FOR citizens instead of corporate capitalism building things to make money from by charging citizens for it, while citizens build it for peanuts. We need de-growth, not growth. Bigly. Soonly. The entire human capitalist paradigm needs to be taken apart, like lego blocks, and built out with a new objective - sustainable survival for 2 billion or less humans, because we are way over the top in population, AND most of our consumption and waste is caused by the top 50 percent, not the bottom half, so we have to let the top half work for no more than the bottom half, and consumption will fall, waste will fall, pollution will fall, the population will fall.
Fixing the problems requires one simple change: get rid of the $$$$$$$$$ in politics. Bernie has said (a thousand times--his whole life) what we need to do. They robbed him in both '16 and '20 because blue fat cats also like the cush. The PEOPLE need to rise like never before and demand our freedom.
I like your essay. Many very good and important observations. Just a little disappointed that you did not mention the looting of trillions from our pockets to fund, not building, but destruction. Like the destruction of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Gaza, Ukraine, and likely soon Iran. Ending our addiction to militarism and endless wars must be a priority effort to return the US to sanity and begin the rebuilding project.
I haven't anyone talking specifics on how to change capitalism or suggest a workable alternative. Everyone knows that CEO's and board members taking advantage of workers is not working. The greed in labor unions has also been bad. Who or where is a financial system that is just for everyone? We can't create social equality if we're not also realistically talking about ways to build a new economy and new business philosophies.
I agree with what you say, I admit. But, I believe it was the justice Democrats who the last time I gave them money several years back gave my email address to every Democratic person running for Congress and or the Senate. I really resent that happening. So I will not be giving you any more money.
Same thing happened to me … but I don’t think we should blame whoever we donated to…it is Actblue who “proposes” other candidates… Actblue also charges a hefty commission and if you read the fine print… holds onto the funds up to 30 days !!!
Better to make donations by cheque to any organisations PO Box ! And we need to defend the US Postal Service because having that in the clutches of another billionaire could cause a serious threat to vote by correspondance as well as put at risk organisations ultra right forces decide to interfere with.
I agree with absolutely everything you say about what the country has been like through my lifetime ...and....I've benefitted from the unfair system but it didn't really make me feel good. I have been looking for those people who will spend time now planning for a more fair future so welcome your writing. Will soon be able to pay for it. Will share this column.
Love all of what you’ve written here- !!!! AND will read it over and over- and repost it👍
One thing I want to add about China(having worked in an industry heavily influenced by Chinese competition) something rarely mentioned in recent years is one of the reasons they’ve become the world’s “factory”- is they freely MANIPULATE their currency!!! A very, very big deal..!!!! - and one that - frankly even huge tariffs won’t impact as much as - with the EU.!!! Manipulating your currency keeps your folks in poverty- but the Chinese Govt. doesn’t care- AND autocracies can easily do it.
Another bit also about China embracing green energy- there are 2 sides to that story- They have the most coal fired power plants- and are always building More!😡- they also burn OUR country’s DIRTIEST Coal- coal that is so high in sulfur that it’s illegal to burn here(hmmmm wonder if those laws will get scrapped by our NEW EPA🤔🤔😩😩) china likely won’t want to buy our dirty-ass coal anymore…!!! But my point is things in China are far more complex when you look under the surface.
agree but one difference: Chine burns less coal than the USA per person. WE are still the dirtiest in terms of fossil fuel use. We should all look to Uruguay.
Building a new fully democratic constitution is the only way out of this debacle.
Here's what it should include:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1-e4-patterns-of-democracy-with-arend-lijphart/id1592429626?i=1000543022499
This is how we do it:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1-e14-making-a-new-american-constitution-with/id1592429626?i=1000571137797
Yes, lets get started building a full and effective democracy.
Right on!
This sounds like a great positive thoughtful take on the “now”! Thank you
Please let me know if there is something I can do to help. I will be out of a job very soon.
"They plan and build for the decades ahead. We can’t even fix potholes."
What nonsense. We can and do fix potholes every day.
If you want to see US planning and building for the decades ahead, check out this video (it's 22 minutes, and worth every minute):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw5zzrOpo2s
Perhaps you live in a wealthy state with adequate tax base for fixing potholes. Or lots of other things needed to keep the lights on. I live in the capitol city in my state. We are years behind in potholes, and most things. Until recently we had a low tax income because we have a very non-industrial population, very rural, mostly poor. Capitalism makes sure that 90 percent of the population remains poor. Every dollar made goes back into the consumption system. Now, for a few years, we have a big source of income - oil and gas extraction. Ruining everything, everywhere, but now we have some royalties, but still far behind Texas in the rate of payment. Same oil, different state. What Trent is talking about building is not the private sector, but the public sector building things FOR citizens instead of corporate capitalism building things to make money from by charging citizens for it, while citizens build it for peanuts. We need de-growth, not growth. Bigly. Soonly. The entire human capitalist paradigm needs to be taken apart, like lego blocks, and built out with a new objective - sustainable survival for 2 billion or less humans, because we are way over the top in population, AND most of our consumption and waste is caused by the top 50 percent, not the bottom half, so we have to let the top half work for no more than the bottom half, and consumption will fall, waste will fall, pollution will fall, the population will fall.