"Since when did thinking about, imagining and advocating for real progress become dangerous? (I ask because that is after all, the core reason some of us are criticized for being pro-progress…you know, for being, Lord save our damaged souls, progressive.)"
I am sure, David, that your sentiments are honest and from the heart. So what follows is my thoughts at this juncture of our mutual history in America, the "land of the free".
I am a human Catholic, so all my thoughts and prayers are (in my estimation) are probably flawed and in need of enlightenment to some degree or other. We all are human and flawed because of the original falling away by our two mutual ancestors long ago. We lost the pristineness that Adam and Eve had because of the devious Satanic (whose name means "accuser") intervention of evil. I believe that - - which is probably contrary in logic to a number of people out there who prefer to not think along those Biblical lines - - but in any event, I firmly hold that, until we all turn to the Creator, by whatever name one wants to call Him, we will always be on the ledge of destruction. Satan now, as he did them, urges us then to jump off because Our Lord knows that he (Satan) is the real enemy and is using the present contretemps of "progressiveness" vs. "conservative" (or worse, "regressiveness") to divide us and advocate a truly dismal, worldly way of yclept "life".
Until we, universally, turn to Him in our individual lives, we will be buffeted by the influences that come only from the Evil One. Only He can help us live up to the motto engraved on our currency, "In God we trust".
Yes yes yes! It’s so depressing to just fight all the bad things Trump is doing - to “resist” - rather than work towards a positive vision of the future. We need a revolution, not a resistance!
I agree and think this is brilliantly written, except that I would say that it doesn't go far enough to underline the horrors of the next six months...some of which cannot be predicted fully, I realize. But some of them are already upon us. I do think that Trump & Co. will succeed at destroying our economy, our institutions of democracy and our international alliances in about six months...and that most of the groundwork is being laid right now. In light of that...we must rise up NOW as a country as never before, except for the American Revolution and the Civil War. The purpose of my own Substack is to sound that particular alarm and to say that we must make Days 51-100 of the Trump administration all about the American people fighting like hell (nonviolently) - and offering them ways to do that. But I definitely agree that we also have to think now, about how we lay the groundwork for real economic prosperity and fair representation - and present a clear plan that most Americans will support. You've started that process better than most, I think.
To continue to fund tRump's fascist march into oblivion seems on the surface to be a grave mistake. Much of the funding in this bill is beyond reprehensible. I believe that tRump's Plan B in the face of failed bill was to shut down the Government for good. With the Government shut down, he would most likely declare a national emergency, and maybe martial law. Money would cease to flow, necessary services could come to a halt, and probably the economy with it. His dictatorial powers would be even further strengthened by lack of any oversight whatsoever. He would run roughshod over the courts. Passing this bill, as horrible as it is, may be the only way to keep enough of Government operational to fight back. We have six months to find out, which we wouldn't have with a shutdown. Perhaps Schumer did what he had to do. Time will tell.
I keep coming back to your post. I spent today with my niece who had the day off from her job at the movie theatres. She has faced many struggles and is really working hard to build her life. She says her employer wont schedule her for 40’hours a week and she isn’t sure that anyone is hired full time. We can guess why. So they don’t have to pay benefits. This is the kind of BS that has to stop. We shouldn’t want to go back to the status quo.
I agree. It is time for Dems to lean forward. Instead of American Carnage (yes, T does tell it like is) we need a message of American Rejuvenation. We need to free businesses from their Wall Street imposed yoke of quarterly goals, rein in the inhalation of wealth by the one percenters, finish Biden' infrastructure projects, and for god's sake make the case for good government. The unrelenting carnage of T&E is at least awakening even MAGA folks to the benefits they didn't realize they had been receiving. Seriously we need to offer both inspiration and a call for the coming together of the majority of Americans against this abominable usurpation by unconscionably wealthy.
What a spectacular essay David, yeoman work. You tapped my inner Possibilist. Yes, they were a real thing once upon a time. In a time before fake real took over. Thank you. And thank you for DSR.
These are valid points you make. It is difficult to imagine such changes given the current situation, since we can't even eject Musk after all we've seen. What will it take to derail this runaway train? At least some actions have been reversed. Tim Walz plans on holding town hall meetings in red states.Glimmers of courage do exist.
When 47 is finally stopped we will be swamped with rebuilding basic human dignity. My hope is that this debacle will bring the new leaders to the surface. All tyrants fall, said Ghandi.
Thank you - I appreciate you pushing the conversation into a more radical (and inspiring) visionary direction. It is desperately needed as Dems continue with their polite attempt at "managing" the situation as amoral autocrats take a wrecking ball to our country and plunder the treasury. They are literally cutting funding for food banks and hungry kids' school lunches while seeking to privatize the USPS and Social Security - for their own profit no doubt.
The Dean of Berkeley Law School (Erwin Chemerinsky) wrote a book about the need for a new Constitution, because the old one has outlived its usefulness. With such flawed representation (CA has the same # of reps as Wyoming; the electoral college repeatedly elects people who lose the popular vote etc.) and the obvious loopholes that are being horribly exploited now, I find this idea more and more appealing. Chemerinsky:
Excellent article and description of what has evolved in this country since the birth of the Constitution! Everything evolves and eventually needs updating, but doing that, for many, is an impossible task. The Republican party doesn't know how to deal with change because they refuse to be civil. Civility requires empathy. And that is something that is devoid with so many Americans, especially with Republicans.
No question, the Democrats have to mount a more effective opposition. But tilting at windmills isn’t the answer. While you denounce the filibuster - and certainly the filibuster could be reformed to make it a better tool - it is ONLY a because the filibuster exists that Democrats had the opportunity this past week to do block the GOP budget. Without the filibuster, the GOP majority in the Senate could have passed the budget without Democratic support, just as they did in the House. To argue that the Senate should get rid of the filibuster AND that the Democrats should have blocked the CR is a contradiction. Second, the way government shutdowns work is that an enormous amount of discretionary power shifts to the Executive Branch. A shutdown would give Trump the power to permanently eviscerate the government. My two cents: https://tomhorner.substack.com/p/presented-with-a-lose-lose-schumer?r=atkse
Excellent, David. We DO need to be moving forwards and not backwards. And yes, it’s damn near impossible to amend our Constitution. We definitely need to be doing something, some of your suggestions, to help us move forward.
A fantastic article! You speak the truth. Yes, the Republicans want to go back to the bad times for the many (good for a handful). And the Democrats only move enough to pacify the working classes. FDR had the vision & courage to get us on the correct path. But since the end of WWII, the Dems only took steps forward when forced by the people. I believe your call for a strong faction within the Party is the answer. The centrist Dems will move forward, but only after being shoved forward every damn day. A house cleaning is in order also. You have be all in with working folks or go somewhere else! It is doable, but it ain’t going to be easy. An opportunity is coming quickly. The shit show will hurt people and ruin the economy. We need young , aggressive, intelligent leaders ready to move the Democratic Party to lead the country once again. I pray in the upcoming elections the voters chose a new class of forward thinking Democrats.
"Since when did thinking about, imagining and advocating for real progress become dangerous? (I ask because that is after all, the core reason some of us are criticized for being pro-progress…you know, for being, Lord save our damaged souls, progressive.)"
I am sure, David, that your sentiments are honest and from the heart. So what follows is my thoughts at this juncture of our mutual history in America, the "land of the free".
I am a human Catholic, so all my thoughts and prayers are (in my estimation) are probably flawed and in need of enlightenment to some degree or other. We all are human and flawed because of the original falling away by our two mutual ancestors long ago. We lost the pristineness that Adam and Eve had because of the devious Satanic (whose name means "accuser") intervention of evil. I believe that - - which is probably contrary in logic to a number of people out there who prefer to not think along those Biblical lines - - but in any event, I firmly hold that, until we all turn to the Creator, by whatever name one wants to call Him, we will always be on the ledge of destruction. Satan now, as he did them, urges us then to jump off because Our Lord knows that he (Satan) is the real enemy and is using the present contretemps of "progressiveness" vs. "conservative" (or worse, "regressiveness") to divide us and advocate a truly dismal, worldly way of yclept "life".
Until we, universally, turn to Him in our individual lives, we will be buffeted by the influences that come only from the Evil One. Only He can help us live up to the motto engraved on our currency, "In God we trust".
Wishing you the best as a subscriber,
Phil Johnson
AF 11384275
Yes yes yes! It’s so depressing to just fight all the bad things Trump is doing - to “resist” - rather than work towards a positive vision of the future. We need a revolution, not a resistance!
I agree and think this is brilliantly written, except that I would say that it doesn't go far enough to underline the horrors of the next six months...some of which cannot be predicted fully, I realize. But some of them are already upon us. I do think that Trump & Co. will succeed at destroying our economy, our institutions of democracy and our international alliances in about six months...and that most of the groundwork is being laid right now. In light of that...we must rise up NOW as a country as never before, except for the American Revolution and the Civil War. The purpose of my own Substack is to sound that particular alarm and to say that we must make Days 51-100 of the Trump administration all about the American people fighting like hell (nonviolently) - and offering them ways to do that. But I definitely agree that we also have to think now, about how we lay the groundwork for real economic prosperity and fair representation - and present a clear plan that most Americans will support. You've started that process better than most, I think.
I am reading your book Traitor. I am curious why you seemed to skip the America First and other such Nazi activity surrounding WWII. Please explain.
To continue to fund tRump's fascist march into oblivion seems on the surface to be a grave mistake. Much of the funding in this bill is beyond reprehensible. I believe that tRump's Plan B in the face of failed bill was to shut down the Government for good. With the Government shut down, he would most likely declare a national emergency, and maybe martial law. Money would cease to flow, necessary services could come to a halt, and probably the economy with it. His dictatorial powers would be even further strengthened by lack of any oversight whatsoever. He would run roughshod over the courts. Passing this bill, as horrible as it is, may be the only way to keep enough of Government operational to fight back. We have six months to find out, which we wouldn't have with a shutdown. Perhaps Schumer did what he had to do. Time will tell.
I keep coming back to your post. I spent today with my niece who had the day off from her job at the movie theatres. She has faced many struggles and is really working hard to build her life. She says her employer wont schedule her for 40’hours a week and she isn’t sure that anyone is hired full time. We can guess why. So they don’t have to pay benefits. This is the kind of BS that has to stop. We shouldn’t want to go back to the status quo.
I agree. It is time for Dems to lean forward. Instead of American Carnage (yes, T does tell it like is) we need a message of American Rejuvenation. We need to free businesses from their Wall Street imposed yoke of quarterly goals, rein in the inhalation of wealth by the one percenters, finish Biden' infrastructure projects, and for god's sake make the case for good government. The unrelenting carnage of T&E is at least awakening even MAGA folks to the benefits they didn't realize they had been receiving. Seriously we need to offer both inspiration and a call for the coming together of the majority of Americans against this abominable usurpation by unconscionably wealthy.
What a spectacular essay David, yeoman work. You tapped my inner Possibilist. Yes, they were a real thing once upon a time. In a time before fake real took over. Thank you. And thank you for DSR.
Bravo
These are valid points you make. It is difficult to imagine such changes given the current situation, since we can't even eject Musk after all we've seen. What will it take to derail this runaway train? At least some actions have been reversed. Tim Walz plans on holding town hall meetings in red states.Glimmers of courage do exist.
When 47 is finally stopped we will be swamped with rebuilding basic human dignity. My hope is that this debacle will bring the new leaders to the surface. All tyrants fall, said Ghandi.
Thank you - I appreciate you pushing the conversation into a more radical (and inspiring) visionary direction. It is desperately needed as Dems continue with their polite attempt at "managing" the situation as amoral autocrats take a wrecking ball to our country and plunder the treasury. They are literally cutting funding for food banks and hungry kids' school lunches while seeking to privatize the USPS and Social Security - for their own profit no doubt.
The Dean of Berkeley Law School (Erwin Chemerinsky) wrote a book about the need for a new Constitution, because the old one has outlived its usefulness. With such flawed representation (CA has the same # of reps as Wyoming; the electoral college repeatedly elects people who lose the popular vote etc.) and the obvious loopholes that are being horribly exploited now, I find this idea more and more appealing. Chemerinsky:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/isnt-it-time-to-start-thinking-of-a-new-constitution-legal-scholar-says-yes/vi-AA1pJhZg
Excellent article and description of what has evolved in this country since the birth of the Constitution! Everything evolves and eventually needs updating, but doing that, for many, is an impossible task. The Republican party doesn't know how to deal with change because they refuse to be civil. Civility requires empathy. And that is something that is devoid with so many Americans, especially with Republicans.
No question, the Democrats have to mount a more effective opposition. But tilting at windmills isn’t the answer. While you denounce the filibuster - and certainly the filibuster could be reformed to make it a better tool - it is ONLY a because the filibuster exists that Democrats had the opportunity this past week to do block the GOP budget. Without the filibuster, the GOP majority in the Senate could have passed the budget without Democratic support, just as they did in the House. To argue that the Senate should get rid of the filibuster AND that the Democrats should have blocked the CR is a contradiction. Second, the way government shutdowns work is that an enormous amount of discretionary power shifts to the Executive Branch. A shutdown would give Trump the power to permanently eviscerate the government. My two cents: https://tomhorner.substack.com/p/presented-with-a-lose-lose-schumer?r=atkse
Excellent, David. We DO need to be moving forwards and not backwards. And yes, it’s damn near impossible to amend our Constitution. We definitely need to be doing something, some of your suggestions, to help us move forward.
Are you familiar with the work of Eric Schnurer? He's on Substack now, and well worth exploring.
https://ericschnurer.substack.com/
A fantastic article! You speak the truth. Yes, the Republicans want to go back to the bad times for the many (good for a handful). And the Democrats only move enough to pacify the working classes. FDR had the vision & courage to get us on the correct path. But since the end of WWII, the Dems only took steps forward when forced by the people. I believe your call for a strong faction within the Party is the answer. The centrist Dems will move forward, but only after being shoved forward every damn day. A house cleaning is in order also. You have be all in with working folks or go somewhere else! It is doable, but it ain’t going to be easy. An opportunity is coming quickly. The shit show will hurt people and ruin the economy. We need young , aggressive, intelligent leaders ready to move the Democratic Party to lead the country once again. I pray in the upcoming elections the voters chose a new class of forward thinking Democrats.