I can only imagine the unstoppable momentum that could build if the party moved behind a more progressive platform and away from AIPAC funding. It’s the way forward.
The Democratic Party and the DNC is FULLY aware of how to build a party with unstoppable momentum. THEY are preventing formation of such a party. That is DNC's primary job. Like MAGA, the Democratic Party now serves a ruling class, DNC is essentially a servant of wealthy oligarchs, NO ONE ELSE.
..." Martin talks about bringing a bazooka to a knife fight, but when 92% of Democrats and 77% of independents want action on Gaza—the most unified Americans have ever been on any foreign policy issue—he forms a task force. A task force! On genocide."
This would be hilarious were it not so sad. I could not finish the Ken Martin screed, because I was already too depressed. What has happened to us? I remember when Obama was running, and we were juiced and "ready to roll." Now I can't manage to get through some establishment Democrat's bumblefuck plan. It is not just that Dems are too old; I am 85 years old and am excited that we have a candidate like Zohran Mamdani to make us proud. I blame AIPAC and their deep pockets, for Dem's caving on Gaza. Sad to say, it's all about the money, honey.l
Small correction from Maine: Graham PlaTNer. No other quibbles with this excellent post. We stand out in protest weekly in our small town, but I have yet to figure out one good pithy sign saying what we are FOR if (for instance) impeach/convict/remove became a miraculous reality. There's just not much specifically on offer at the national level to hitch the progressive wagon to.
Per Casting Crowns: “Nobody knows what we’re for, only what we’re against, when we judge the wounded. What if we laid down our signs, crossed over the lines, and love like He did?” They were referring to the Westbrook Baptist “Church”, which disrespected soldiers’ funerals with signs bearing anti-gay slogans, but it could easily refer to Democrats talking about the problems Trump and his lackeys are creating without proposing solutions. The essay above says there are solutions, money to fund them, and personnel to implement them; the DNC just isn’t doing anything about it.
Resistance is fine (I've been on the protest lines a few times myself), but we're way ahead of the masses on that one. The average person has no idea what we're resisting. We have to be for something. Authoritarianism in America will likely be of the Orban variety. There will be elections of a sort and you will still have the "freedom" to stand on a street corner and protest. But you will be powerless. The Schumer's and Pelosi's of the world will be fine with that, too. They can be the permanent opposition party and ever so often the Democrats will be allowed to hold the majority of one of the legislative bodies.
I would add a few items to your list of policies that should highlight the list: universal, free, quality public education that pays teachers decently, though at least community college. A strong environmental and ecological regeneration focus that eliminate pollution and enhances life, including elimination of fossil fuels and expansion of solar, wind and geothermal. A banning of corporate money in politics, no more PACs, no more think tank money to politicians and a limit on contribution size. Clarify and strengthen voting rights. Clarify immigration law so that people who wish to come here, can legally come without overwhelming confusion. A graduated income tax system that reduces the huge disparity in wealth, and eliminate corporate bonuses that involve stocks. There are more, but combined with your list it is strong.
Allow me to continue. Regarding the focus on getting rid of Trump should not be limited to his terrible actions and policies, etc. but on why they are happening and on the need for a political intervention. Here's what I am talking about in my Raw Story commentary yesterday:
Sorry, but we do need socialism. It can have elements of capitalism, but we shift the paradigm to guarantee workplace democracy, or we die. Your analysis of the problem is otherwise spot on.
Absolutely. I’m with Richard Wolff on workplace democracy. That doesn’t mean every worker has veto power over means of production, but workers have guaranteed input on wages, benefits, and business models as pertain to issues like climate.
No problem with someone inventing a cash cow and reaping a reward, within limits; i.e. no billionaires allowed. But all utilities necessary for a quality of life standard: health care, housing, banking, broadband, education, water, food, electricity, etc., should have a permanent government-subsidized option to ensure the private sector always remains reined in.
Everything was good until you see aid we don't need socialism. This article is just as bad as the democrats. The system is failing everyday Americans and the system is capitaliam which is the core and foundation of the American system.
We need a mixed economy some things oughta be state monopolies. I’m just sayin it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. In fact, I think it’s better to have competing interests
I have written (yes, snail mail) to my Democratic senators about how the party’s love for the status quo has brought us to this place. I am 99% certain that my letters get ignored but, perhaps, if we ALL contacted our legislators AND had more progressives running we could rock the boat.
I've tried the same things, email, snail mail, & phone calls. Aaron Bean responded with a scripted response. Nobody else either acknowledges or responds to communication. I'm moving on to a lawn sign, "NO MORE NO ANSWER ________". You can fill in the blank with the politician of your choice.
Stanford University published a study several years ago that showed that what the 99% wants has 0% effect on the actions of Congress and what the 1% wants has 99% effect on the actions of Congress.
Don't bother writing to your representative unless you have a loose $$million to donate to them.
You nailed it. I'm sending a link for this post to the DNC. Will it be ignored? Probably, but if someone actually reads it and we get our asses handed to us election time, at least they'll know why.
I've grown weary expecting the democratic party to be worthy of my support. They had it once, back in the 1970's the lost me by the '80's They have stripped away the mask, I see what it has become and I will never support what I abhor. I have never voted red in my long life sadly I have not been compelled to vote blue since 1980. We need a new choice, the old ones are rotten to the core.
I can only imagine the unstoppable momentum that could build if the party moved behind a more progressive platform and away from AIPAC funding. It’s the way forward.
The Democratic Party and the DNC is FULLY aware of how to build a party with unstoppable momentum. THEY are preventing formation of such a party. That is DNC's primary job. Like MAGA, the Democratic Party now serves a ruling class, DNC is essentially a servant of wealthy oligarchs, NO ONE ELSE.
..." Martin talks about bringing a bazooka to a knife fight, but when 92% of Democrats and 77% of independents want action on Gaza—the most unified Americans have ever been on any foreign policy issue—he forms a task force. A task force! On genocide."
This would be hilarious were it not so sad. I could not finish the Ken Martin screed, because I was already too depressed. What has happened to us? I remember when Obama was running, and we were juiced and "ready to roll." Now I can't manage to get through some establishment Democrat's bumblefuck plan. It is not just that Dems are too old; I am 85 years old and am excited that we have a candidate like Zohran Mamdani to make us proud. I blame AIPAC and their deep pockets, for Dem's caving on Gaza. Sad to say, it's all about the money, honey.l
I remember when Bernie was running in 2015-16 and we were all charged up.
I'm 79
Small correction from Maine: Graham PlaTNer. No other quibbles with this excellent post. We stand out in protest weekly in our small town, but I have yet to figure out one good pithy sign saying what we are FOR if (for instance) impeach/convict/remove became a miraculous reality. There's just not much specifically on offer at the national level to hitch the progressive wagon to.
Per Casting Crowns: “Nobody knows what we’re for, only what we’re against, when we judge the wounded. What if we laid down our signs, crossed over the lines, and love like He did?” They were referring to the Westbrook Baptist “Church”, which disrespected soldiers’ funerals with signs bearing anti-gay slogans, but it could easily refer to Democrats talking about the problems Trump and his lackeys are creating without proposing solutions. The essay above says there are solutions, money to fund them, and personnel to implement them; the DNC just isn’t doing anything about it.
Resistance is fine (I've been on the protest lines a few times myself), but we're way ahead of the masses on that one. The average person has no idea what we're resisting. We have to be for something. Authoritarianism in America will likely be of the Orban variety. There will be elections of a sort and you will still have the "freedom" to stand on a street corner and protest. But you will be powerless. The Schumer's and Pelosi's of the world will be fine with that, too. They can be the permanent opposition party and ever so often the Democrats will be allowed to hold the majority of one of the legislative bodies.
I would add a few items to your list of policies that should highlight the list: universal, free, quality public education that pays teachers decently, though at least community college. A strong environmental and ecological regeneration focus that eliminate pollution and enhances life, including elimination of fossil fuels and expansion of solar, wind and geothermal. A banning of corporate money in politics, no more PACs, no more think tank money to politicians and a limit on contribution size. Clarify and strengthen voting rights. Clarify immigration law so that people who wish to come here, can legally come without overwhelming confusion. A graduated income tax system that reduces the huge disparity in wealth, and eliminate corporate bonuses that involve stocks. There are more, but combined with your list it is strong.
100%
Excellent piece that should be read by all people especially by the old guard democrats standing in the way.
Allow me to continue. Regarding the focus on getting rid of Trump should not be limited to his terrible actions and policies, etc. but on why they are happening and on the need for a political intervention. Here's what I am talking about in my Raw Story commentary yesterday:
https://www.rawstory.com/raw-investigates/is-trump-a-psychopath/.
PAYWALL
‘…that's two goals, not one.’
Au Contraire, that’s two slogans and no goals.
‘Transfer all authority and power to the proletariat’ is goal-oriented thought.
See the difference?
Sorry, but we do need socialism. It can have elements of capitalism, but we shift the paradigm to guarantee workplace democracy, or we die. Your analysis of the problem is otherwise spot on.
Here’s the point being made re. health care. - https://cepr.net/publications/putting-universal-medicare-front-and-center/
Mixed economy then?
Absolutely. I’m with Richard Wolff on workplace democracy. That doesn’t mean every worker has veto power over means of production, but workers have guaranteed input on wages, benefits, and business models as pertain to issues like climate.
No problem with someone inventing a cash cow and reaping a reward, within limits; i.e. no billionaires allowed. But all utilities necessary for a quality of life standard: health care, housing, banking, broadband, education, water, food, electricity, etc., should have a permanent government-subsidized option to ensure the private sector always remains reined in.
All of his solutions actually ARE socialism. But that's a dirty word still and McCarthyism was 70 years ago.
Pump it up thx
Everything was good until you see aid we don't need socialism. This article is just as bad as the democrats. The system is failing everyday Americans and the system is capitaliam which is the core and foundation of the American system.
We need a mixed economy some things oughta be state monopolies. I’m just sayin it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. In fact, I think it’s better to have competing interests
Agreed. I don't even know what socialism means anymore and that may be a good thing. Socialism has become whatever you want it to be.
"Socialism" has become a hate word which is substituted for "something I hate." Don't like a comment left online? "You must be a socialist."
Privatization destroys Democracy. Good call!
I have written (yes, snail mail) to my Democratic senators about how the party’s love for the status quo has brought us to this place. I am 99% certain that my letters get ignored but, perhaps, if we ALL contacted our legislators AND had more progressives running we could rock the boat.
I've tried the same things, email, snail mail, & phone calls. Aaron Bean responded with a scripted response. Nobody else either acknowledges or responds to communication. I'm moving on to a lawn sign, "NO MORE NO ANSWER ________". You can fill in the blank with the politician of your choice.
Stanford University published a study several years ago that showed that what the 99% wants has 0% effect on the actions of Congress and what the 1% wants has 99% effect on the actions of Congress.
Don't bother writing to your representative unless you have a loose $$million to donate to them.
I still see NO MENTION of Democratic leaders who advocate a ceasefire on Palestinians. Genocide is happening! Why is this not an issue for Democrats?
AIPAC. And the fear of it.
You nailed it. I'm sending a link for this post to the DNC. Will it be ignored? Probably, but if someone actually reads it and we get our asses handed to us election time, at least they'll know why.
This is it in a nutshell. You hit the nail on the head.
I've grown weary expecting the democratic party to be worthy of my support. They had it once, back in the 1970's the lost me by the '80's They have stripped away the mask, I see what it has become and I will never support what I abhor. I have never voted red in my long life sadly I have not been compelled to vote blue since 1980. We need a new choice, the old ones are rotten to the core.
I’ve been donating to Bernie and AOC nonstop for years now. Maybe it’s time to rethink all of this.