This optimistic yet realistic piece is like a breath of fresh air. It allows us to savor the vision of a positive outcome. I find this motivating and empowering. Thank you for letting the light shine in. I look forward to tomorrow's piece.
Excellent and the forward looking piece that is largely missing but sorely needed today David. I believe if we can reduce money from politics and effectively reverse Citizens United, we will have a chance. But to do so involves several structural changes such as eliminating the filibuster, reforming the Supreme Court and strengthening voting rights for all. These are a minimum and will not be easy but we must try again and again until we succeed.
MAGA will continue even if Trump loses. Even after months of 2024 election litigation, even in the unlikely event that the 3 pending criminal cases move forward, Trump will replay the same playbook: lying about 2024 and immediately announcing his 2028 candidacy. MAGA candidates up and down ballot will continue to run on cruelty and decimation of rights.
SCOTUS will continue to shred decades of precedence, further eroding women's rights, voting rights, dismantling the administrative state, blocking expansion of safety nets, blocking environmental protections, etc. until the Democratic party expands the Court. This requires strong leadership and stronger communication skills. Expanding the Court isn't radical, it's rebalancing.
Capitalism isn't going anywhere, but regulation and higher corporate/wealth taxes are essential. Schumer will never whip votes for such laws, just as Durbin will never take actions to force SCOTUS accountability. If the Democrats manage to retain the Senate, these weak folks must be replaced.
Eventually, even his most rabid supporters may be embarrassed about having voted for him. We'll celebrate the day our goofy neighbors finally pull down their faded, tattered "don't blame me, I voted for trump" banner.
Great article. My only thought is "the central divide in the US....is democracy vs. capitalism", is more like democracy vs. an insufficiently equitably regulated capitalism, as Robert Reich often explains.
I’m new to this author. Very much needed take on a story that MSM has ignored. For the good of all we must imagine a post-Trumpocalypse America ruled in the relative absence of fascist elements. As David suggests, it’s time to sort out our next political moves in a likely future where Biden continues the Presidency and Trump is in prison. Of course I say this with a sense of relief (imagined for now) but also a sense that the sclerotic rule of our gerontocracy will finally begin to give way to a younger generation.
The divide is not democracy versus capitalism. This will always be a capitalist country with a democratic government. The divide is how we regulate capitalism, or just let it regulate itself which is what the Nazi billionaires want, that and their get out of jail free cards. The divide is whether we have democracy and the rule of law and properly regulated capitalism or just chaos and lawlessness from top to bottom. Stupid will still be there, just hopefully not in charge.
I hope you will keep reading this series as it comes out. Yes, the issue is unregulated capitalism. But the question becomes how we not only regulate capitalism, but harness it...how we deal with issues like inequality, distribution and redistribution of income, social safety nets, etc...in short, how and whether we address and embrace ideas currently associated with Eurosocialism (recognizing that currently the term socialism is like a third rail in US politics.) The current form of capitalism practiced in the US is incompatible with democratic ideals or the functioning of a democracy. It is time for an open debate about how it must change so both ideals can be maintained or at least aspired to.
Thank you for this piece of wonderful writing, David. I agree completely with you. Late stage capitalism is simply misaligned with the cause of democracy in many ways.
It is possible to be right about Trump but be wrong about Biden. The deficit spending may destroy US regardless of who is president. Democracy needs capitalism to survive. That is free market capitalism, not crony capitalism.
Really well written, and some great points are made. But, alas, Emperor Biden has no clothes. Although, thanks to a rising stock market, and better post-Covid business climate, revenues to the federal government are much higher; yet annual deficits approach an unsustainable $2 trillion. Federal spending now consumes an astounding 25% of GDP. Even under Obama, spending was 1819% of GDP. The combination of Biden's pro-illegal alien entry (greatly expanding the amnesty loophole), with sanctuary cities policies, have had a detrimental effect upon the urban poor, mostly minorities upon whom Democrats rely as reliable votes.
Biden won in 2020 over a very unpopular twice impeached President by some 47,000 votes over 3 swing states. The numbers this year are looking worse for Democrats. The recent European elections could be the canary in the coal mine.
I am undecided, and look forward to hearing the candidates' vision for America. Hopefully, the debate will not deteriorate into ad hominem attacks.
One last point; will Nature intervene prior to JRB's 86th birthday? If so, hello President Harris, an accidental tourist.
This optimistic yet realistic piece is like a breath of fresh air. It allows us to savor the vision of a positive outcome. I find this motivating and empowering. Thank you for letting the light shine in. I look forward to tomorrow's piece.
Thank you.
Excellent and the forward looking piece that is largely missing but sorely needed today David. I believe if we can reduce money from politics and effectively reverse Citizens United, we will have a chance. But to do so involves several structural changes such as eliminating the filibuster, reforming the Supreme Court and strengthening voting rights for all. These are a minimum and will not be easy but we must try again and again until we succeed.
Exactly right.
Spot on! The Oligarchy vs The People!
Thank you.
I would disagree on several points.
MAGA will continue even if Trump loses. Even after months of 2024 election litigation, even in the unlikely event that the 3 pending criminal cases move forward, Trump will replay the same playbook: lying about 2024 and immediately announcing his 2028 candidacy. MAGA candidates up and down ballot will continue to run on cruelty and decimation of rights.
SCOTUS will continue to shred decades of precedence, further eroding women's rights, voting rights, dismantling the administrative state, blocking expansion of safety nets, blocking environmental protections, etc. until the Democratic party expands the Court. This requires strong leadership and stronger communication skills. Expanding the Court isn't radical, it's rebalancing.
Capitalism isn't going anywhere, but regulation and higher corporate/wealth taxes are essential. Schumer will never whip votes for such laws, just as Durbin will never take actions to force SCOTUS accountability. If the Democrats manage to retain the Senate, these weak folks must be replaced.
Eventually, even his most rabid supporters may be embarrassed about having voted for him. We'll celebrate the day our goofy neighbors finally pull down their faded, tattered "don't blame me, I voted for trump" banner.
I have already seen trump as a puppet - of McConnell/Heritage Foundation, of US right-wing oligarchs and, as Hillary said, of Putin.
Great article. My only thought is "the central divide in the US....is democracy vs. capitalism", is more like democracy vs. an insufficiently equitably regulated capitalism, as Robert Reich often explains.
Agree with this—as future pieces on this divide will reveal.
Agree, The central divide is between democracy vs unregulated capitalism
Precisely.
I’m new to this author. Very much needed take on a story that MSM has ignored. For the good of all we must imagine a post-Trumpocalypse America ruled in the relative absence of fascist elements. As David suggests, it’s time to sort out our next political moves in a likely future where Biden continues the Presidency and Trump is in prison. Of course I say this with a sense of relief (imagined for now) but also a sense that the sclerotic rule of our gerontocracy will finally begin to give way to a younger generation.
Thank you.
The divide is not democracy versus capitalism. This will always be a capitalist country with a democratic government. The divide is how we regulate capitalism, or just let it regulate itself which is what the Nazi billionaires want, that and their get out of jail free cards. The divide is whether we have democracy and the rule of law and properly regulated capitalism or just chaos and lawlessness from top to bottom. Stupid will still be there, just hopefully not in charge.
I hope you will keep reading this series as it comes out. Yes, the issue is unregulated capitalism. But the question becomes how we not only regulate capitalism, but harness it...how we deal with issues like inequality, distribution and redistribution of income, social safety nets, etc...in short, how and whether we address and embrace ideas currently associated with Eurosocialism (recognizing that currently the term socialism is like a third rail in US politics.) The current form of capitalism practiced in the US is incompatible with democratic ideals or the functioning of a democracy. It is time for an open debate about how it must change so both ideals can be maintained or at least aspired to.
Oh let’s not hope, let’s do - be positive folks, and use our energy for the good of everyone! Vote!
Thank you for this piece of wonderful writing, David. I agree completely with you. Late stage capitalism is simply misaligned with the cause of democracy in many ways.
Thank you.
Stopped at the repetition of the bleach lie.
Falsus in unum…
It is possible to be right about Trump but be wrong about Biden. The deficit spending may destroy US regardless of who is president. Democracy needs capitalism to survive. That is free market capitalism, not crony capitalism.
Really well written, and some great points are made. But, alas, Emperor Biden has no clothes. Although, thanks to a rising stock market, and better post-Covid business climate, revenues to the federal government are much higher; yet annual deficits approach an unsustainable $2 trillion. Federal spending now consumes an astounding 25% of GDP. Even under Obama, spending was 1819% of GDP. The combination of Biden's pro-illegal alien entry (greatly expanding the amnesty loophole), with sanctuary cities policies, have had a detrimental effect upon the urban poor, mostly minorities upon whom Democrats rely as reliable votes.
Biden won in 2020 over a very unpopular twice impeached President by some 47,000 votes over 3 swing states. The numbers this year are looking worse for Democrats. The recent European elections could be the canary in the coal mine.
I am undecided, and look forward to hearing the candidates' vision for America. Hopefully, the debate will not deteriorate into ad hominem attacks.
One last point; will Nature intervene prior to JRB's 86th birthday? If so, hello President Harris, an accidental tourist.
I needed that.
One could hope that there is a Russian Dorothy that could disappear the evil Putin and his ilk. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aopdD9Cu-So