I remember back to my school days, and my history and government classes both in junior/senior high and college, and am struck that my takeaway about the difference between our “democracy” and communism was that our system was “representative”. I believed/understood that our lawmakers actually represented the will of their constituents, …
I remember back to my school days, and my history and government classes both in junior/senior high and college, and am struck that my takeaway about the difference between our “democracy” and communism was that our system was “representative”. I believed/understood that our lawmakers actually represented the will of their constituents, and would not face retribution for doing so. I felt extreme pride about our wonderful system, and profound sadness to know there were countries where people who spoke out against those in power were punished in various ways. I felt peace in my soul to know that that would not/could not happen here.
But, here we are. In the years since the 2016 election, I have watched as any appointed official who dared to appear disloyal to dear leader was demoted/ reassigned/fired. I watched good men like Alexander Vindman, who believed as I did that in America doing the right/honest thing would not mean that I would lose my job and my career, lose his job for speaking truth. I watched Alexander’s twin brother also lose his job for no other reason that that he was Alexander’s brother; both of them escorted out of the White House in “shame”. I watched as Liz Cheney lost her position of power in the House because she dared to speak/seek truth about an attempted coup and insurrection against our government for the sole purpose of keeping dear leader in power. Now I learn that state governments are purging those members of leadership roles who voted faithfully with the will of their constituents, but went against what the majority members (Republicans) want. It feels like every day there are good, honest people being punished for not being sufficiently loyal to dear leader and his cabal of minions. I’m sent right back to my school days and the feeling of sadness for those poor people in countries where they dared not speak out against their dishonest and tyrannical rulers out of fear, and I realize that this is now us, this is now our America. 😢
Hi Cathy. I think one of the remedies for what you describe is for everyone to take the primaries seriously. I know a lot of Democrats, myself included, who did not show up for the primaries, thinking, well, I'll just vote for whomever in my party wins the primary. I have come to realize that this is a bad move, since the primary is the gateway for extremists like MTG et al. And in some states, like my own, every voter can vote in every primary regardless of party. In states other than our own where we have no vote, we can certainly donate even $5.00 to candidates of our choice. In other words, we have to play the process, recognize our superpower and vote and donate what we can in every single election. That is our only way out of this mess.
You are absolutely right - the good is being twisted and punished by selfserving power-seekers. It is painful and soulfully sad to watch.
When considering your vote in primaries, sometimes it is essential to think about voting "strategically. In other words, even if you are a Democrat and there are multiple good candidates running for the Democratic nomination, you may wish to consider organizing for and in the primary supporting the least bad Republican candidate. You still have the opportunity to vote for whomever the Democratic candidate is in the general election. However, if we can stop extreme right candidates from winning primaries we would all be better off. After all, in some red states, those truly bad Republican candidates can go on to win in the general election if we do not stop them in the primaries. So, when primary elections roll around, thinking strategically can be extremely important.
Yes, it is discouraging and frustrating to think this small group of men can so corrupt our government and destroy our democracy.
I was on Twitter last night following Lisa des Jardins reporting on the Infrastructure bill. I noticed on one corner of the page that Matt Damon was trending because of something controversial he’d said about derogatory language regarding homosexuality.
I wanted to scream at these people who make remarks from celebrities trend while paying little or no attention to what is happening in our government, to our country.
A small part of me thinks we might be about to get what we deserve for our greed and lack of caring for anything, or anyone but ourselves and the latest titillating distraction.
Cathy, great points. I was born during the Eisenhower Administration. I have witnessed first hand the race riots in Detroit. The Space Programs, good and bad. Cold War, Vietnam, Kent State and others. John F Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr, Medgar Evers shot dead in their tracks . The Impeachment hearings of Nixon and Clinton. The empathic years of Carter. Chavez fighting for farm workers and much more. I never thought there would possibly be a time where our "leaders" would willfully take us down this path. Never.
I also experienced all of the same events you mention here, and agree that I can’t believe, can’t wrap my head around the things our (Republican) elected officials are doing and saying today that will lead to the destruction of our governments system, while literally killing off their constituents in the process.
You are so right the Primaries are THE most important elections in our current system. The power brokers in both political parties want to downplay the primary and get electorate to believe only party faithful need to participate. If you live in a fully open primary state where can vote in both please do. If you live in semi open state like Virginia where you can only vote in party's primary in a cycle pick one remember that the winner of either the Republican or Democrat primary will win the Office in November. The primary is where the actual election happens!
Voting in a primary, where like you say the eventual winner is chosen, is what led to the death of Macio Snipes in 1946 by white supremacists using violence and terror to prevent minorities from accessing the ballot. In response to his murder, the teen-aged Martin Luther King, Jr wrote his first letter to the editor of the local newspaper.
Voting rights and civil rights are crucial.
The people usurping the name of the Republican Party in subservience to one man and moving to take power against the will of the majority are going to destroy the democratic experiment if they are not stopped.
I remember back to my school days, and my history and government classes both in junior/senior high and college, and am struck that my takeaway about the difference between our “democracy” and communism was that our system was “representative”. I believed/understood that our lawmakers actually represented the will of their constituents, and would not face retribution for doing so. I felt extreme pride about our wonderful system, and profound sadness to know there were countries where people who spoke out against those in power were punished in various ways. I felt peace in my soul to know that that would not/could not happen here.
But, here we are. In the years since the 2016 election, I have watched as any appointed official who dared to appear disloyal to dear leader was demoted/ reassigned/fired. I watched good men like Alexander Vindman, who believed as I did that in America doing the right/honest thing would not mean that I would lose my job and my career, lose his job for speaking truth. I watched Alexander’s twin brother also lose his job for no other reason that that he was Alexander’s brother; both of them escorted out of the White House in “shame”. I watched as Liz Cheney lost her position of power in the House because she dared to speak/seek truth about an attempted coup and insurrection against our government for the sole purpose of keeping dear leader in power. Now I learn that state governments are purging those members of leadership roles who voted faithfully with the will of their constituents, but went against what the majority members (Republicans) want. It feels like every day there are good, honest people being punished for not being sufficiently loyal to dear leader and his cabal of minions. I’m sent right back to my school days and the feeling of sadness for those poor people in countries where they dared not speak out against their dishonest and tyrannical rulers out of fear, and I realize that this is now us, this is now our America. 😢
Hi Cathy. I think one of the remedies for what you describe is for everyone to take the primaries seriously. I know a lot of Democrats, myself included, who did not show up for the primaries, thinking, well, I'll just vote for whomever in my party wins the primary. I have come to realize that this is a bad move, since the primary is the gateway for extremists like MTG et al. And in some states, like my own, every voter can vote in every primary regardless of party. In states other than our own where we have no vote, we can certainly donate even $5.00 to candidates of our choice. In other words, we have to play the process, recognize our superpower and vote and donate what we can in every single election. That is our only way out of this mess.
You are absolutely right - the good is being twisted and punished by selfserving power-seekers. It is painful and soulfully sad to watch.
I made a donation to Senator Warnock's campaign this week. Cheryl is right.
When considering your vote in primaries, sometimes it is essential to think about voting "strategically. In other words, even if you are a Democrat and there are multiple good candidates running for the Democratic nomination, you may wish to consider organizing for and in the primary supporting the least bad Republican candidate. You still have the opportunity to vote for whomever the Democratic candidate is in the general election. However, if we can stop extreme right candidates from winning primaries we would all be better off. After all, in some red states, those truly bad Republican candidates can go on to win in the general election if we do not stop them in the primaries. So, when primary elections roll around, thinking strategically can be extremely important.
Absolutely. So glad you explained it better than I did.
The way MTG was elected is shameful. That really can't happen again. Glad she will have a dynamite opponent next time.
Marcus Flowers? https://marcusforgeorgia.com/
Yes, it is discouraging and frustrating to think this small group of men can so corrupt our government and destroy our democracy.
I was on Twitter last night following Lisa des Jardins reporting on the Infrastructure bill. I noticed on one corner of the page that Matt Damon was trending because of something controversial he’d said about derogatory language regarding homosexuality.
I wanted to scream at these people who make remarks from celebrities trend while paying little or no attention to what is happening in our government, to our country.
A small part of me thinks we might be about to get what we deserve for our greed and lack of caring for anything, or anyone but ourselves and the latest titillating distraction.
We could go there, but not yet. There can be more of this: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/which-side-are-you-on?source=direct_link&
Cathy, great points. I was born during the Eisenhower Administration. I have witnessed first hand the race riots in Detroit. The Space Programs, good and bad. Cold War, Vietnam, Kent State and others. John F Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr, Medgar Evers shot dead in their tracks . The Impeachment hearings of Nixon and Clinton. The empathic years of Carter. Chavez fighting for farm workers and much more. I never thought there would possibly be a time where our "leaders" would willfully take us down this path. Never.
I also experienced all of the same events you mention here, and agree that I can’t believe, can’t wrap my head around the things our (Republican) elected officials are doing and saying today that will lead to the destruction of our governments system, while literally killing off their constituents in the process.
Both heartbreaking and unbelievable.
Very well said. So sad.
You are so right the Primaries are THE most important elections in our current system. The power brokers in both political parties want to downplay the primary and get electorate to believe only party faithful need to participate. If you live in a fully open primary state where can vote in both please do. If you live in semi open state like Virginia where you can only vote in party's primary in a cycle pick one remember that the winner of either the Republican or Democrat primary will win the Office in November. The primary is where the actual election happens!
Voting in a primary, where like you say the eventual winner is chosen, is what led to the death of Macio Snipes in 1946 by white supremacists using violence and terror to prevent minorities from accessing the ballot. In response to his murder, the teen-aged Martin Luther King, Jr wrote his first letter to the editor of the local newspaper.
Voting rights and civil rights are crucial.
The people usurping the name of the Republican Party in subservience to one man and moving to take power against the will of the majority are going to destroy the democratic experiment if they are not stopped.