Biden's message is too complicated for average voters to understand. Democrats are great policy wonks, but most people don't think in those terms. Historians and economists will hopefully give Biden credit for his plan and execution.
Biden's message is too complicated for average voters to understand. Democrats are great policy wonks, but most people don't think in those terms. Historians and economists will hopefully give Biden credit for his plan and execution.
ItтАЩs not that complicated. But it would have been nice to hear repeatedly from multiple sources, almost ad nauseam the entire year before the election. Turned into little sound bite commercials and bumper stickersтАж
I think the Dems know. But when you count in the traditional sources of that knowledge being spread, you are destined to be disappointed. As recently as four years ago, you could count in the NYT or ABC to give facts on economic indicators and cover the president adequately. But as we have seen in the last two years, they have simply abdicated their responsibilities to inform the public of whatтАЩs happening in DC, preferring instead to follow Trump around - again - like lapdogs, chasing ratings and clicks. What do the democrats do when their usual outlets of truth are mired in Jerry Springer-like trash reporting and their corporate owners, seeing an opportunity for themselves, not only condone but encourage it. The fact is, an entire alternate news industry cannot be spun up in less than 24 months and be as effective as traditional news sources. TheyтАЩre trying - where we are now is one of those places. But thatтАЩs not where the non-reading, sixth-grade level viewers are. And with Trump basically taking over power of all MSM by threats of legal actions, donтАЩt look for there to be a useful alternative news source that finds those viewers and non-readers any time soon. We are now a failed democracy and those do not have reliable sources of truth available broadly. ThatтАЩs part of the failure.
Perhaps they could understand a lot more of it if so much reporting of "news" was not controlled by billionaires and driven by more than maximization of profit. If your sole, motive is maximum profit, why not sell fentanyl? Maybe some of what is being sold is not so acutely destructive as fentanyl, but even more erosive of a civilized society. Pre-Reagan I sensed a lot more effort to find the "sweet spots" between diverse individual pursuit of happiness and mutual responsibilities, including graduated collection of taxes. By no means a golden age, but more actively committed to forming more perfect union.
Free speech is an essential component of liberty, but selling lies is a kind of fraud. Successful self-governance cannot be based on lies, or lazy, irresponsible error, lest we face inevitable collisions with unforgiving realities. There will always be egregious liars and bullies in any society, and also, to err is human, but we can at least try to keep that to a minimum, and we must, to make it through what appears to be a number of perilous circumstances.
That тАЬnewsтАЭ outlets can get away with not only inaccuracies, but blatant lies is gobsmacking. And just today Facebook would not post a comment of mine because I said I was тАЬpissed offтАЭ. Then again, IтАЩm not a billionaire corporate media mogul. Sigh.
I read that, Anne, and it disappointed, but didnтАЩt really surprise me. Wonder if he ever saw his тАЬbetter selfтАЭ aspirations leading to thisтАж.a sell out or convert I wonder.
Shaking My HeadтАж.I often have to do an online search to see what тАЬurban slangтАЭ it might be when someone posts an unfamiliar тАЬtermтАЭ. Like the story, true or not, when someone sent a condolence card with тАЬLOLтАЭ above her signatureтАжshe thought it meant тАЬLots Of LoveтАЭ NOT тАЬLaugh(ing) Out LoudтАЭ!!!
Anti-trust. Anti-monopoly. Both the middle class and social justice got a big boost when we stopped the very wealthy from dominating, markets. Dominating elections with unlimited cash. If " government of the people, by the people, for the people" is more than an empty slogan, then we get to make the rules for commerce along with anything else. The notion that the realm of money is somehow exempt is a intensely promoted canard.
I quote Lincoln here is part because I have yet to find a more succinct definition of democracy, and also for greater coherence than Jefferson on universal rights. differing views on "all men".
Jefferson said "the press, confined to truth, needs no other legal restraint; the public judgment will correct false reasonings and opinions, on a full hearing of all parties; and no other definite line can be drawn between the inestimable liberty of the press and its demoralizing licentiousness. If there be still improprieties which this rule would not restrain, its supplement must be sought in the censorship of public opinion."
There are devils in the details but I essentially agree. The main problem is how to provide "a full hearing of all parties" when only a few own modern mass media. In Jefferson day, there were countless independent presses and a vastly smaller population. Today's club of ultra powerful billionaires seems closer to the feudal system the founders fought against than just powers from the consent of the governed when the offered social contract is deliberately and asymmetrically riddled with inaccuracies and fraud.
I expect that quite a few of the founders would object to the plutocratic oligarchy we are becoming.
I don't disagree with the essentials but it is also clear that commerce has always been subject to legal restrictions while the press had not for the most part because of the 1st Amendment. There is no "free commerce" amendment in the Constitution except MAYBE the gun clause in the 2nd Amendment.
I would love to see a "truth in the press" amendment but I doubt such a policy could pass muster these days in congress AND 3/4 of the states (the threshold for a new amendment).
"Truth" is tricky territory. Science progressiveness because it is mostly understood the whole enterprise is perpetually under construction. Yet, telling the truth is of two sorts; aspirational conformance to reality, and honesty. The latter is more within our control; We never know for sure to what extent our worldview is true (though life is a process of making decisions one way or another) so best guess is essential) but lies are a decision. Sometimes we can naively repeat lies, even with reasonable diligence, but we certainly know when we are making things up, i.e. 100% responsible.
Yep, and the MAGA playbook knew it. Kept it to Simple one sentence refuting and slogans. Truth and the details are no match for social media memes, $ and algorithms Spreading the propaganda like an aggressive cancer. Time for radiation and chemotherapy?
But the main culprit, the cancer on the body politic, is money: Money, money, money... We don't have time for each other. We don't have time for constituents, except for the givers. Somebody ought to tell the truth about that. - Fritz Hollings
Exactly. The US economy is booming, but Rump says it isnтАЩt - and his cultists believe him.
On January 20th, he will suddenly say тАЬlook how good the economy is doing now that I am president!тАЭ - and his cultists will believe it.
Then, Rump will set Darth Musk loose, who will destroy the American government, democracy and the economy in just half a year, crashing the economy, sinking the American people in poverty and disease, because Elon likes his slaves poor and docile. Rump, who just went golfing all the time, will claim that the economy is doing better than ever before - and his cultists will believe himтАж
LetтАЩs also remember that the Trump cultists are not a majority of Americans. Once the economy tanks and most Americans experience the effects of TrumpтАЩs undoing of BidenтАЩs legacy, they will realize that itтАЩs not working for them or for 99% of Americans. The 2026 midterms will show that discontent and shift the House & Senate to the Democrats.
That can only play out if team MAGA (Making Americans Gullible Again) allows elections - Which frankly at the moment I am doubting. Trump is rapidly being devoured by a small team of uber-wealthy crony oligarchs who are using their wealth to publicly purchase governance that allows them to rape and pillage our wallets and our national resources. They won't permit elections they don't expect to go their way in the future, and they have mastered the art of directing DJT from behind the curtain. Their BLIND (Believing Lies INvites Dictatorship) propaganda, some 50 years in the making, has finally succeeded in numbing American's collective intelligence. We must not underestimate the sacrifices that will be required to undo the consequences of the 2024 election.
I know that the MAGA cultist are not the majority. But too big a number of Americans decided to stay home and let the MAGAts do what they wish. We can only hope that enough Americans realize what Cheetolini and Melon Husk do to them, but I'm afraid these two will simply play the old game and "blame the Dems" for all the bad stuff, and many people will believe it. At least the MAGA cultists, but the media will toot the same tune. I don't know if there will be enough Americans able to look past those lies...
Most of us share the same feelings as you. As a non-partisan, some of my positions defer from many here but I think we can all agree that a dreadful monster won and is about to infect the land with his ignorance again. I happen to be one of those who cares less about the migrants that rushed the border. IтАЩm in favor of lawful immigration not the crap that took place. We lost the election mainly on that one issue. Not totally but ask any Trump voter and itтАЩs the border issue that immediately come to the fore. I lost my government because of these folks therefore, as MelaniaтАЩs tee shirt once said, тАЬI donтАЩt care.тАЭ
And as much good as Biden did as he led us out of the Great Pandemic, he also backtracked on his promise to be a transactional president with one term. That ego always gets in the way.
Democrats have a communications problem, but Republicans communicate well even if what they communicate is dishonest and distorted. The DNC doesnтАЩt get the message.
Terry- yes it is too complicated for the average voter, but if it isn't said then what?
I often think of Adlai Stevenson's exchange with a voter in 1956 -
A popular story is told about Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965) when he was running for president in 1952 (or in 1956). Someone heard StevensonтАЩs impressive speech and said, тАЬEvery thinking person in America will be voting for you.тАЭ Stevenson replied, тАЬIтАЩm afraid that wonтАЩt doтАФI need a majority.тАЭ
Stevenson was as witty as Will Rogers and often quoted in the 1940s - 1960s. Hopefully someday, Heather will have a reason to write about him.
And now, if they have their way, "education" will consist of revisionist history, brushed with the stroke of a pure white hue, with a hefty dose of bible stories to boot.
Thank you for this. I don't know much about Stevenson. I was surprised about the "fragile craft" quote. So true, and would be labeled sentimental today. Maybe it was then.
My pleasure. If he had run against Nixon or the Bush's I think he would have done very well. But like Ben Franklin, he was born 20 years too soon for American history.
Based on the statistics Heather cited on Marketplace's podcast "Make Me Smart" in the episode "TrumpтАЩs contradictory economic agenda" 12/10/24, the voters who were willing to pay attention favored Harris/Walz. The problem seems to have been the voters who either don't pay attention to news or only get their news from right-wing sources. Here's the URL for the episode https://www.marketplace.org/shows/make-me-smart/trumps-contradictory-economic-agenda/
Execution is a very appropriate word, which is exactly what he did to the middle class and poor. Made America un affordable. And open the floodgates for illegal immigration. Well done.
Biden's message is too complicated for average voters to understand. Democrats are great policy wonks, but most people don't think in those terms. Historians and economists will hopefully give Biden credit for his plan and execution.
It needed to be said. The media haven't done so. It needs to be there, on record, and accessible.
And loud enough to be heard.
ItтАЩs not that complicated. But it would have been nice to hear repeatedly from multiple sources, almost ad nauseam the entire year before the election. Turned into little sound bite commercials and bumper stickersтАж
The new Newspeak. We can't successfully self-govern if we are not putting "two and two together".
Kimberly...and that would have taken a page out of the republican playbook, wouldn't it? Hammer the (good) news. Repeat it and repeat it and...
Will the dems learn?
Good news isnтАЩt as juicy.
I think the Dems know. But when you count in the traditional sources of that knowledge being spread, you are destined to be disappointed. As recently as four years ago, you could count in the NYT or ABC to give facts on economic indicators and cover the president adequately. But as we have seen in the last two years, they have simply abdicated their responsibilities to inform the public of whatтАЩs happening in DC, preferring instead to follow Trump around - again - like lapdogs, chasing ratings and clicks. What do the democrats do when their usual outlets of truth are mired in Jerry Springer-like trash reporting and their corporate owners, seeing an opportunity for themselves, not only condone but encourage it. The fact is, an entire alternate news industry cannot be spun up in less than 24 months and be as effective as traditional news sources. TheyтАЩre trying - where we are now is one of those places. But thatтАЩs not where the non-reading, sixth-grade level viewers are. And with Trump basically taking over power of all MSM by threats of legal actions, donтАЩt look for there to be a useful alternative news source that finds those viewers and non-readers any time soon. We are now a failed democracy and those do not have reliable sources of truth available broadly. ThatтАЩs part of the failure.
They had better!
Perhaps they could understand a lot more of it if so much reporting of "news" was not controlled by billionaires and driven by more than maximization of profit. If your sole, motive is maximum profit, why not sell fentanyl? Maybe some of what is being sold is not so acutely destructive as fentanyl, but even more erosive of a civilized society. Pre-Reagan I sensed a lot more effort to find the "sweet spots" between diverse individual pursuit of happiness and mutual responsibilities, including graduated collection of taxes. By no means a golden age, but more actively committed to forming more perfect union.
Free speech is an essential component of liberty, but selling lies is a kind of fraud. Successful self-governance cannot be based on lies, or lazy, irresponsible error, lest we face inevitable collisions with unforgiving realities. There will always be egregious liars and bullies in any society, and also, to err is human, but we can at least try to keep that to a minimum, and we must, to make it through what appears to be a number of perilous circumstances.
That тАЬnewsтАЭ outlets can get away with not only inaccuracies, but blatant lies is gobsmacking. And just today Facebook would not post a comment of mine because I said I was тАЬpissed offтАЭ. Then again, IтАЩm not a billionaire corporate media mogul. Sigh.
And just today, Mark Zuckerberg donated one million dollars to trumps inaugural fund.
I read that, Anne, and it disappointed, but didnтАЩt really surprise me. Wonder if he ever saw his тАЬbetter selfтАЭ aspirations leading to thisтАж.a sell out or convert I wonder.
SMH
Sorry, what does that mean?
Shaking My HeadтАж.I often have to do an online search to see what тАЬurban slangтАЭ it might be when someone posts an unfamiliar тАЬtermтАЭ. Like the story, true or not, when someone sent a condolence card with тАЬLOLтАЭ above her signatureтАжshe thought it meant тАЬLots Of LoveтАЭ NOT тАЬLaugh(ing) Out LoudтАЭ!!!
SMH
ЁЯШл
ThatтАЩs why I get p!ssed off
I think as long as Fox News, Newsmax, Sinclair media, X, etc. exist we will never make progress.
Worse, we will continue to regress.
So what would you propose? Liberal censorship of the media? Forcing right wing media empires out of business? SERIOUSLY?
That cure is absolutely worse than the disease. Jefferson would be turning over in his grave.
Anti-trust. Anti-monopoly. Both the middle class and social justice got a big boost when we stopped the very wealthy from dominating, markets. Dominating elections with unlimited cash. If " government of the people, by the people, for the people" is more than an empty slogan, then we get to make the rules for commerce along with anything else. The notion that the realm of money is somehow exempt is a intensely promoted canard.
I quote Lincoln here is part because I have yet to find a more succinct definition of democracy, and also for greater coherence than Jefferson on universal rights. differing views on "all men".
Jefferson said "the press, confined to truth, needs no other legal restraint; the public judgment will correct false reasonings and opinions, on a full hearing of all parties; and no other definite line can be drawn between the inestimable liberty of the press and its demoralizing licentiousness. If there be still improprieties which this rule would not restrain, its supplement must be sought in the censorship of public opinion."
There are devils in the details but I essentially agree. The main problem is how to provide "a full hearing of all parties" when only a few own modern mass media. In Jefferson day, there were countless independent presses and a vastly smaller population. Today's club of ultra powerful billionaires seems closer to the feudal system the founders fought against than just powers from the consent of the governed when the offered social contract is deliberately and asymmetrically riddled with inaccuracies and fraud.
I expect that quite a few of the founders would object to the plutocratic oligarchy we are becoming.
I don't disagree with the essentials but it is also clear that commerce has always been subject to legal restrictions while the press had not for the most part because of the 1st Amendment. There is no "free commerce" amendment in the Constitution except MAYBE the gun clause in the 2nd Amendment.
I would love to see a "truth in the press" amendment but I doubt such a policy could pass muster these days in congress AND 3/4 of the states (the threshold for a new amendment).
"Truth" is tricky territory. Science progressiveness because it is mostly understood the whole enterprise is perpetually under construction. Yet, telling the truth is of two sorts; aspirational conformance to reality, and honesty. The latter is more within our control; We never know for sure to what extent our worldview is true (though life is a process of making decisions one way or another) so best guess is essential) but lies are a decision. Sometimes we can naively repeat lies, even with reasonable diligence, but we certainly know when we are making things up, i.e. 100% responsible.
Listening to Biden's legacy, I couldn't help picturing a precious flower about to be trampled by hideous gold boots.
ЁЯШЮ
ЁЯШв
Yep, and the MAGA playbook knew it. Kept it to Simple one sentence refuting and slogans. Truth and the details are no match for social media memes, $ and algorithms Spreading the propaganda like an aggressive cancer. Time for radiation and chemotherapy?
But the main culprit, the cancer on the body politic, is money: Money, money, money... We don't have time for each other. We don't have time for constituents, except for the givers. Somebody ought to tell the truth about that. - Fritz Hollings
Major surgery...
Or Democrats should take a page from their playbook.
Exactly. The US economy is booming, but Rump says it isnтАЩt - and his cultists believe him.
On January 20th, he will suddenly say тАЬlook how good the economy is doing now that I am president!тАЭ - and his cultists will believe it.
Then, Rump will set Darth Musk loose, who will destroy the American government, democracy and the economy in just half a year, crashing the economy, sinking the American people in poverty and disease, because Elon likes his slaves poor and docile. Rump, who just went golfing all the time, will claim that the economy is doing better than ever before - and his cultists will believe himтАж
LetтАЩs also remember that the Trump cultists are not a majority of Americans. Once the economy tanks and most Americans experience the effects of TrumpтАЩs undoing of BidenтАЩs legacy, they will realize that itтАЩs not working for them or for 99% of Americans. The 2026 midterms will show that discontent and shift the House & Senate to the Democrats.
That can only play out if team MAGA (Making Americans Gullible Again) allows elections - Which frankly at the moment I am doubting. Trump is rapidly being devoured by a small team of uber-wealthy crony oligarchs who are using their wealth to publicly purchase governance that allows them to rape and pillage our wallets and our national resources. They won't permit elections they don't expect to go their way in the future, and they have mastered the art of directing DJT from behind the curtain. Their BLIND (Believing Lies INvites Dictatorship) propaganda, some 50 years in the making, has finally succeeded in numbing American's collective intelligence. We must not underestimate the sacrifices that will be required to undo the consequences of the 2024 election.
The COF promised it himself: you only need to vote one more time. Then, I will fix it for you, you will never have to vote again...
I know that the MAGA cultist are not the majority. But too big a number of Americans decided to stay home and let the MAGAts do what they wish. We can only hope that enough Americans realize what Cheetolini and Melon Husk do to them, but I'm afraid these two will simply play the old game and "blame the Dems" for all the bad stuff, and many people will believe it. At least the MAGA cultists, but the media will toot the same tune. I don't know if there will be enough Americans able to look past those lies...
I hope!
Most of us share the same feelings as you. As a non-partisan, some of my positions defer from many here but I think we can all agree that a dreadful monster won and is about to infect the land with his ignorance again. I happen to be one of those who cares less about the migrants that rushed the border. IтАЩm in favor of lawful immigration not the crap that took place. We lost the election mainly on that one issue. Not totally but ask any Trump voter and itтАЩs the border issue that immediately come to the fore. I lost my government because of these folks therefore, as MelaniaтАЩs tee shirt once said, тАЬI donтАЩt care.тАЭ
And as much good as Biden did as he led us out of the Great Pandemic, he also backtracked on his promise to be a transactional president with one term. That ego always gets in the way.
ЁЯСНЁЯлдЁЯТА
Democrats have a communications problem, but Republicans communicate well even if what they communicate is dishonest and distorted. The DNC doesnтАЩt get the message.
The corporate media is in free fall. The NY Times, the WAPO, USA Today and other major papers have lost tens of thousands of subscribers.
Cable subscriptions have dropped below 50% of eligible subscribers and still dropping.
Millions of Americans get their information from social media where truth and integrity are severally lacking.
What is your solution Kathy?
Terry- yes it is too complicated for the average voter, but if it isn't said then what?
I often think of Adlai Stevenson's exchange with a voter in 1956 -
A popular story is told about Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965) when he was running for president in 1952 (or in 1956). Someone heard StevensonтАЩs impressive speech and said, тАЬEvery thinking person in America will be voting for you.тАЭ Stevenson replied, тАЬIтАЩm afraid that wonтАЩt doтАФI need a majority.тАЭ
Stevenson was as witty as Will Rogers and often quoted in the 1940s - 1960s. Hopefully someday, Heather will have a reason to write about him.
https://www.azquotes.com/author/14116-Adlai_E_Stevenson
And now, if they have their way, "education" will consist of revisionist history, brushed with the stroke of a pure white hue, with a hefty dose of bible stories to boot.
Thank you for this. I don't know much about Stevenson. I was surprised about the "fragile craft" quote. So true, and would be labeled sentimental today. Maybe it was then.
My pleasure. If he had run against Nixon or the Bush's I think he would have done very well. But like Ben Franklin, he was born 20 years too soon for American history.
Based on the statistics Heather cited on Marketplace's podcast "Make Me Smart" in the episode "TrumpтАЩs contradictory economic agenda" 12/10/24, the voters who were willing to pay attention favored Harris/Walz. The problem seems to have been the voters who either don't pay attention to news or only get their news from right-wing sources. Here's the URL for the episode https://www.marketplace.org/shows/make-me-smart/trumps-contradictory-economic-agenda/
Someday
The English major at universities has been all but eliminated. Liberal arts would have made a come back had the American people voted in Kamala.
Execution is a very appropriate word, which is exactly what he did to the middle class and poor. Made America un affordable. And open the floodgates for illegal immigration. Well done.