Thank you Heather. Certainly Reagan took undue credit for the Berlin wall. The former Soviet Union became entangled in too many conflicts and proxy wars, which drained its economy. For example, their own Afghanistan adventure (which preceded our own).
The conservatives fought against FDR and the New Deal during its implementation. And per…
Thank you Heather. Certainly Reagan took undue credit for the Berlin wall. The former Soviet Union became entangled in too many conflicts and proxy wars, which drained its economy. For example, their own Afghanistan adventure (which preceded our own).
The conservatives fought against FDR and the New Deal during its implementation. And perhaps in some narrow cases, due to the thought of individualism over collectivism. Nevertheless, the funding of the GOP machine is directed, not as a political donation to cause gun rights to proliferate everywhere while eliminating Women's rights (and other important hard-earned rights). The funding is an investment with a return on investment being far more attractive than any yield offered by the stock or bond market. And it is all about the concentration of wealth, and thus power.
The obscenely wealthy don't care whether an impoverished 15 year old has to flee her home state to gain access to healthcare. They don't care if someone is shooting up a public school or mall -they won't be spending time in either. They merely care that there will not be a wealth tax. They care that they can amass generational wealth and pass it along to their heir(s) -unimpeded by estate taxes. They don't want anyone to touch offshore tax havens and loopholes -allowing them to pile wealth on top of wealth -while shifting the burden of debt to the working class in terms of higher income and sales taxes, or to the impoverished -through the elimination of vital social programs.
The USSR was simply a useful boogeyman, the monster under the bed. The real enemy is the public, little profit-centers who should just obediently mass-consume and stay out of topics like equity, justice, and democracy.
If Americans could stop falling into the trap set by people like Grover Norquist, Paul Weyrich, Newt Gingrich, and others, could stop allowing themselves to be intentionally divided by Rupert Murdoch, they could collaborate across declared political ideologies, transcend different religions, and bring responsible gun owners together with those working to prevent gun violence -and put America back on track toward the beacon of democracy it has the potential to be. If we continue on the road we are on it will simply be a footnote in history books of the future as a nice try and failed experiment. Of course, no worries that real history might actually be taught someday.
The USSR was genuinely creepy and dangerous. Russian government continues to be corrupt and dangerous. The "Republican Party" has become corrupt and dangerous. Absolute, unaccountable, concentrated power corrupts absolutely, regardless of branding.
Very true. While not diminishing the threat of any entity amassing significant military capability, my main point is that regardless of the Soviet Union or other adversaries, the obscenely wealthy may have 'pet peeve' social issues, their real focus is concentrating more wealth and power. The last thing someone like Musk, Robert Mercer, or others want (aside from fair taxation), is a mathematics teacher in Kansas having the same political power as their own.
Do a search on what the Powell memo did, and you'll find:
"In 1971, there were only 176 companies in Washington DC. A decade later, in 1980, there are 2,445 companies, 9,000 lobbyists and 60,000 trade association employees."
John Hancock hired John Adams to help him throw off the yoke of British taxes on his illegal rum running into Boston harbor to keep the Irish wards drunk and unaware of their exploitation.
Then, John Hancock helped write, well, everything else. But, Hancock never paid any tax on his business.
So, a big YES.
Now, Adams and Hancock were not corrupt per se. They both were just interested in money.
Mike, I once had an accounting assignment to identify the company that qualified for an income tax exemption passed in the Nixon era. Lobbyists for H. Ross Perot (and others) were very active in supplying tax code amendments to Congress Critters.
“In this age, in this country, public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; against it, nothing can succeed. Whoever molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes, or pronounces judicial decisions.” - Lincoln
Nuclear armed, yes, but for a long time the Soviet Union's "Parade Ground Socialism" was pathetic. Yet Brezhnev's Stagnation was infinitely better for citizens than Putin's Nazi-style war state in which war can't slow down or be stopped because everything will become unstable, then collapse...
Brezhnev was successful transforming Lenin’s/Marx’s worldwide worker revolution into the politics of eternity ( nothing can change so dont attempt otherwise its gulag or death). Violence abroad on the Warsaw Pact countries when/if the lean west or democratic. This kept Russia Authoritarian kleptocracy insulated. Today, with internet and proximity to Russian borders, Ukrainian democracy is viewed as an existential threat to Putin’s politics of eternity. I don’t think one over the other was/is better. Winning war in Ukraine should tell us everything we need to know.
I said better, Ted (i.e. tolerable) for those who had to live under the stupid system.
Stalin, not Brezhnev, transformed the system into the monumental monstrosity you describe. Had Trotsky, the dangerous revolutionary, tracked down and killed.
Successors to Khruschev, with his still dangerous adventures, championed mediocrity, conformism and the don't-rock-the-boat status quo, rather than terror. Psychiatric hospitals rather than the bullet in the neck. Brezhnev is said to have been furious with the KGB for inducing him to invade Afghanistan on false pretenses.
Kleptocracy is one word not to apply to this system. Even with its privileged class, no one but the occasional crook grabbed anything to match Stalin's butcher Yagoda (portrait prominent at Navalny's first "trial", to show who has licence to rob, and kill). His last killer, the monstrous Beria, was more into the rape and murder of women.
As for the so called "politics of eternity", haven't we seen, don't we see examples of this all over the place? In banana republics and wherever uniformed bandits have grabbed a country... What else, after all, is America's GOP kleptocracy? Total indifference to anything and everything except having and holding it all. "Conservatism" seen as conserving "what's good for us". Worse than indifference, hatred for any claimants to more than the contents of their trash cans.
The term "politics of eternity" has only one possible use. It reminds us of how stupid human beings are blind to the reality of change and decay, including their own.
Paul Manafort taught them the southern strategy. The Russians taught Paul about post truth, use of political technicians, how to corrupt via massive inputs of $ ( money laundering/blind llc real estate deals, licensing deals, and consulting fees), strongman tactics, and the politics of eternity.
Thank you for expressing my same opinions with more clarity.
I am praying and voting.....for President Joe Biden and for his super amazing team to continue to expand freedom, peace and mutual respect throughout this country and throughout the world. Goodness and peace are not "soft" concepts. They are won and maintained with great effort and sacrifice and wisdom.
Powerfully and eloquently stated Emily. A President is a President by the team he or she selects. We've seen the prior administration provide an example of what an inherently corrupt criminal cabinet could accomplish. And now we are seeing true leadership. And while I don't think any voter could be delighted by every policy implemented, or reaction to any domestic or foreign situation, the Biden-Harris Administration has performed well.
My issue of concern with the Biden administration is not taking a firm hand with Netanyahu. While Israel has a right to exist in peace and security, and certainly act to address Hamas as a terrorist organization, Netanyahu is using U.S. weaponry to cause indiscriminate death and suffering to the Palestinian people. And Netanyahu is creating more risk for, and hatred of, Jewish people in Israel and around the world. And this is precisely what he intends to do. Because "no one can protect you like a far-right strongman". It is a self-perpetuating lie.
If Biden loses in ‘24, it will be because of Gaza. It was going to be tight anyway, a fight between red voters pissed at the economy, and blue voters pissed at Dobbs, with those at the margins on both issues deciding it. Muslim support for Biden has dropped to 18%. Can you say Michigan? Some serious cleanup needed on Aisle 9.
Tom, if Biden wins, it will be because of the overturning of Roe V Wade. Seems people are discounting that fact as if we have moved on. Maybe the men have, but my women friends tell me different.
Spot on, David. Look to every election result since the death of Roe V Wade. Particularly, the statewide races in WI (state supreme court), KY (Dem Gov. Brashear's re-election) and the VA state legislature ...
People understand the assault on reproductive freedom IS the assault on every aspect of Democracy. Lady Liberty will again be victorious in 2024.
A word of caution. Presidential elections are unique. There is no electoral college in state/local races; the popular vote is not the determining factor, as we have seen repeatedly.
I do share your concern. Nevertheless, I resigned from Oracle when the criminal Trump said he intended to start a Muslim database and Oracle's then co-CEO, Safra Catz stated "we're (at Oracle -a major database and cloud company) are here for you."
Perhaps many people will self-disenfranchise, however, when choosing between someone quoting Hitler and wanting to establish "camps" and someone that at least respects civil rights, perhaps there are political calculations being made. And of course there is also the economic incentives that AIPAC puts on the table to drive political behavior. I'm not justifying it, it all makes me sick -all clear manifestations of a flawed and broken political system.
The more I look at the images and accounts coming from Gaza, the more inclined I am to think the Rev. Jeremiah Wright was correct in his denunciation of America back in the day.
Tom-Black people in America know tyranny (cruel and repressive rule) all too well. Imagine not being able to access housing, employment, food, education, health care etc. just because of your skin color. Not to mention the fact that you could randomly be jailed or killed because of skin color. Then there are the massacres of whole communities....
Reverend Wright spoke truth that most Americans don't want to face. Now Israel is emulating the U.S. times ten. Will we ever learn from the suffering imposed on human beings. Nothing good comes from hate, lies and hubris!
Mike, what would you expect a Yellen article to say? That is administration propaganda. Propaganda, mind you, can be true. It can also be an incomplete snapshot to buttress a questionable or false narrative. I don’t care what Yellen says or what Fox says, I care about what is, and I know several things about the nature of ‘prosperity’ in America, including the fact that many millions of Americans are not feeling a single thing Biden has done that are sufficient to overcome their anxiety from a grocery bill that is way higher than under Trump, skyrocketing rents and drug prices, and a rise in homelessness. Until Biden ‘messaging’ can address that anxiety in a meaningful way, all the articles from administration officials and economic elites and numbers crunchers on how the economy is peachy amount to a bucket of spit to those who live in fear of the unexpected $500 bill every day of their lives.
Interesting thought, Tom. I don’t see any possible “right” answer for US response in Gaza. There is one, but I suspect that there is no middle ground for that answer to have a snowball’s chance in hell of success.
Nearly on the mark here George. Ultimately though, the seductive allure of a crony, crooked branded capitalism, headed up by "Russkiavelli" little prince Putin is taking them down a dark road, that I hope we will find common cause to overcome and avoid without too much blood shed. The world's oligarchs along with ours will not be easy to subdue.
I think people are far more united than they realize. And unfortunately, it does not translate into legislation and policy when the GOP roadshow and editorials create fear by talking about job-killing taxes and start labeling the obscenely wealthy as "job creators". For example, the incompetent narcissist Elon Musk is perfectly happy losing $20 billion of wealth as he destroys Twitter, however watch him react to a 1% wealth tax and there will be war cries of socialism and the 'nanny' state.
George, I think you fall into the trap Heather does when you blame the lack of translation into legislation on the GOP roadshow and editorials. Both parties, I would argue, are equally to blame, but for different reasons. Yes, there is the mendacious class warfare, in every facet, by the GOP. But the Dems have been complicit in the corporate donor fealty and the neoliberal wrecking of our economy and culture. I know you have acknowledged this at times, but to me, it needs to always be pointed out as a caveat whenever GOP malfeasance is mentioned. Blaming the GOP for our woes comes across as tribal, and that messaging is counterproductive to bringing about the people’s unification we both desire; the necessary coalition to counter the influence of monied interests.
For some. Millions lost jobs, homes, and wealth in ‘08, and are still hanging on by a thread, or homeless. Your blanket statement is a slap in the face to them.
Excellent post, George as it explains what the super wealthy are doing and that they truly believe their money will save them....particularly from climate change. When I look at the consumerism around the holidays for examples and mega sports events, I am reminded of bread and circuses. Add to this, Fox and the constant negative yapping about Ds and social issues, and you have the lemmings rushing to the edge of the cliff.
Thankfully, there are some normal, hardworking people I've had the pleasure of working with and/or meeting. Senator Jeff Merkley stands out. State Rep. David Gomberg is another. Dedicated to representing all of the constituents -not just those who are party-aligned.
To your point -it requires such a massive amount of money to run, and so much of the job is to raise more money. The flow of money has broken the system, and thus far, people have not had the political will to fix it. Election cycle to election cycle it's just "Mitch McConnell just sneezed!!! Sign our petition and send money!!!!" or "Tell the Supreme Court ..." -instead of truly addressing the root causes of corruption and strengthening democracy. I'm not sure how any normal person can function within the system for long.
I agree! I think Bernie Sanders would have better addressed our problems than Hillary. I did still vote for her, but wasn’t my first choice, and of course I went into a severe depression when she lost. I can’t imagine the level of depression if Biden loses in 2024.
Unfortunately there aren’t enough Sanders or Merkeleys to override the Repubs & the Joe Manchin types in the Dem party - before we even mention special interests like Israel…
I was in a unique position in 2016. I was chair of the Lincoln County Democratic Central Committee, and was an elected Oregon state delegate for Bernie Sanders. While Senator Sanders was my choice of candidate (especially after Hillary gave Henry Kissinger a hug), as soon as Secretary Clinton was the official nominee, I quickly made sure we were united in our support of her candidacy (in spite of the delay of the Sanders campaign to graciously declare their support). I was at an election night gathering, watching the NY Times dial shift from probable Clinton to probable Trump, to Trump. I was physically sick. Many know of my story, publicly resigning from Oracle after then Oracle’s co-CEO Safra Catz joined the Trump transition team. My departure from Oracle was covered by The Guardian and the NY Times.
Nevertheless, I hold hope that a small group of oligarchs tire of the erosion of their wealth and subsequently Putin has an 'accidental' fall from a window like many of his political opponents.
The USSR invasion of Afghanistan proved to be a debacle - and, as you said, helped to end the USSR. But the losses of soldiers and the financial strain of that boondoggle pales in comparison to Putin's failures in Ukraine. I really believe that Ukraine has done more damage in the long run to Putin than he has done to Ukraine.
Here is a good read about the Russian economy and the effects of the war. Putin is on thin ice with his oligarchs and crooks.
With continuing support from the US and the EU, Putin will be toppled by his own people. Oligarchs will tire of being international pariahs and losing so much money....
And mothers will rebel - how many sons will vanish before they lose their love of Putin?
Hear, hear!!!! Usually if you want to read the REAL history, you have to read works of fiction. I am fond of Kenneth Roberts for providing the truth about the Revolutionary War for example.
Thank you Heather. Certainly Reagan took undue credit for the Berlin wall. The former Soviet Union became entangled in too many conflicts and proxy wars, which drained its economy. For example, their own Afghanistan adventure (which preceded our own).
The conservatives fought against FDR and the New Deal during its implementation. And perhaps in some narrow cases, due to the thought of individualism over collectivism. Nevertheless, the funding of the GOP machine is directed, not as a political donation to cause gun rights to proliferate everywhere while eliminating Women's rights (and other important hard-earned rights). The funding is an investment with a return on investment being far more attractive than any yield offered by the stock or bond market. And it is all about the concentration of wealth, and thus power.
The obscenely wealthy don't care whether an impoverished 15 year old has to flee her home state to gain access to healthcare. They don't care if someone is shooting up a public school or mall -they won't be spending time in either. They merely care that there will not be a wealth tax. They care that they can amass generational wealth and pass it along to their heir(s) -unimpeded by estate taxes. They don't want anyone to touch offshore tax havens and loopholes -allowing them to pile wealth on top of wealth -while shifting the burden of debt to the working class in terms of higher income and sales taxes, or to the impoverished -through the elimination of vital social programs.
The USSR was simply a useful boogeyman, the monster under the bed. The real enemy is the public, little profit-centers who should just obediently mass-consume and stay out of topics like equity, justice, and democracy.
If Americans could stop falling into the trap set by people like Grover Norquist, Paul Weyrich, Newt Gingrich, and others, could stop allowing themselves to be intentionally divided by Rupert Murdoch, they could collaborate across declared political ideologies, transcend different religions, and bring responsible gun owners together with those working to prevent gun violence -and put America back on track toward the beacon of democracy it has the potential to be. If we continue on the road we are on it will simply be a footnote in history books of the future as a nice try and failed experiment. Of course, no worries that real history might actually be taught someday.
The USSR was genuinely creepy and dangerous. Russian government continues to be corrupt and dangerous. The "Republican Party" has become corrupt and dangerous. Absolute, unaccountable, concentrated power corrupts absolutely, regardless of branding.
Very true. While not diminishing the threat of any entity amassing significant military capability, my main point is that regardless of the Soviet Union or other adversaries, the obscenely wealthy may have 'pet peeve' social issues, their real focus is concentrating more wealth and power. The last thing someone like Musk, Robert Mercer, or others want (aside from fair taxation), is a mathematics teacher in Kansas having the same political power as their own.
I was told "One able lobbyist in Washington is worth ten thousand voters".
More than that Peter.
The lobbyists are now writing the bills and providing them to "our representatives" to pass.
But... didn't they always do that, Mike?
Sometimes a subtle amendment's more than enough.
No, Peter, "they" didn't "always do that."
Do a search on what the Powell memo did, and you'll find:
"In 1971, there were only 176 companies in Washington DC. A decade later, in 1980, there are 2,445 companies, 9,000 lobbyists and 60,000 trade association employees."
Peter, now that you ask. Yes.
John Hancock hired John Adams to help him throw off the yoke of British taxes on his illegal rum running into Boston harbor to keep the Irish wards drunk and unaware of their exploitation.
Then, John Hancock helped write, well, everything else. But, Hancock never paid any tax on his business.
So, a big YES.
Now, Adams and Hancock were not corrupt per se. They both were just interested in money.
Mike, I once had an accounting assignment to identify the company that qualified for an income tax exemption passed in the Nixon era. Lobbyists for H. Ross Perot (and others) were very active in supplying tax code amendments to Congress Critters.
Yes. It really is too bad that the folks who benefit the most from our system desire to support that system the least.
Indeed. And I'd add the lobbyist is merely casting the shadow from the pile of pooled dark money they represent.
The conservative leadership now seeks power.pure and simple.
And they have it. The compromised "supreme" court gives them everything they want.
Except us, if we can somehow muster solidarity.
“In this age, in this country, public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; against it, nothing can succeed. Whoever molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes, or pronounces judicial decisions.” - Lincoln
We seem to be failing at mustering public sentiment. The next few months are crucial.
Forever power.
Souls cut price on isle 3.
Nuclear armed, yes, but for a long time the Soviet Union's "Parade Ground Socialism" was pathetic. Yet Brezhnev's Stagnation was infinitely better for citizens than Putin's Nazi-style war state in which war can't slow down or be stopped because everything will become unstable, then collapse...
Brezhnev was successful transforming Lenin’s/Marx’s worldwide worker revolution into the politics of eternity ( nothing can change so dont attempt otherwise its gulag or death). Violence abroad on the Warsaw Pact countries when/if the lean west or democratic. This kept Russia Authoritarian kleptocracy insulated. Today, with internet and proximity to Russian borders, Ukrainian democracy is viewed as an existential threat to Putin’s politics of eternity. I don’t think one over the other was/is better. Winning war in Ukraine should tell us everything we need to know.
I said better, Ted (i.e. tolerable) for those who had to live under the stupid system.
Stalin, not Brezhnev, transformed the system into the monumental monstrosity you describe. Had Trotsky, the dangerous revolutionary, tracked down and killed.
Successors to Khruschev, with his still dangerous adventures, championed mediocrity, conformism and the don't-rock-the-boat status quo, rather than terror. Psychiatric hospitals rather than the bullet in the neck. Brezhnev is said to have been furious with the KGB for inducing him to invade Afghanistan on false pretenses.
Kleptocracy is one word not to apply to this system. Even with its privileged class, no one but the occasional crook grabbed anything to match Stalin's butcher Yagoda (portrait prominent at Navalny's first "trial", to show who has licence to rob, and kill). His last killer, the monstrous Beria, was more into the rape and murder of women.
As for the so called "politics of eternity", haven't we seen, don't we see examples of this all over the place? In banana republics and wherever uniformed bandits have grabbed a country... What else, after all, is America's GOP kleptocracy? Total indifference to anything and everything except having and holding it all. "Conservatism" seen as conserving "what's good for us". Worse than indifference, hatred for any claimants to more than the contents of their trash cans.
The term "politics of eternity" has only one possible use. It reminds us of how stupid human beings are blind to the reality of change and decay, including their own.
Yep.
Paul Manafort taught them the southern strategy. The Russians taught Paul about post truth, use of political technicians, how to corrupt via massive inputs of $ ( money laundering/blind llc real estate deals, licensing deals, and consulting fees), strongman tactics, and the politics of eternity.
And the "supremes" gave them Citizens United.
George Polisner,
Thank you for expressing my same opinions with more clarity.
I am praying and voting.....for President Joe Biden and for his super amazing team to continue to expand freedom, peace and mutual respect throughout this country and throughout the world. Goodness and peace are not "soft" concepts. They are won and maintained with great effort and sacrifice and wisdom.
Powerfully and eloquently stated Emily. A President is a President by the team he or she selects. We've seen the prior administration provide an example of what an inherently corrupt criminal cabinet could accomplish. And now we are seeing true leadership. And while I don't think any voter could be delighted by every policy implemented, or reaction to any domestic or foreign situation, the Biden-Harris Administration has performed well.
My issue of concern with the Biden administration is not taking a firm hand with Netanyahu. While Israel has a right to exist in peace and security, and certainly act to address Hamas as a terrorist organization, Netanyahu is using U.S. weaponry to cause indiscriminate death and suffering to the Palestinian people. And Netanyahu is creating more risk for, and hatred of, Jewish people in Israel and around the world. And this is precisely what he intends to do. Because "no one can protect you like a far-right strongman". It is a self-perpetuating lie.
If Biden loses in ‘24, it will be because of Gaza. It was going to be tight anyway, a fight between red voters pissed at the economy, and blue voters pissed at Dobbs, with those at the margins on both issues deciding it. Muslim support for Biden has dropped to 18%. Can you say Michigan? Some serious cleanup needed on Aisle 9.
Tom, if Biden wins, it will be because of the overturning of Roe V Wade. Seems people are discounting that fact as if we have moved on. Maybe the men have, but my women friends tell me different.
Spot on, David. Look to every election result since the death of Roe V Wade. Particularly, the statewide races in WI (state supreme court), KY (Dem Gov. Brashear's re-election) and the VA state legislature ...
People understand the assault on reproductive freedom IS the assault on every aspect of Democracy. Lady Liberty will again be victorious in 2024.
A word of caution. Presidential elections are unique. There is no electoral college in state/local races; the popular vote is not the determining factor, as we have seen repeatedly.
I do share your concern. Nevertheless, I resigned from Oracle when the criminal Trump said he intended to start a Muslim database and Oracle's then co-CEO, Safra Catz stated "we're (at Oracle -a major database and cloud company) are here for you."
Perhaps many people will self-disenfranchise, however, when choosing between someone quoting Hitler and wanting to establish "camps" and someone that at least respects civil rights, perhaps there are political calculations being made. And of course there is also the economic incentives that AIPAC puts on the table to drive political behavior. I'm not justifying it, it all makes me sick -all clear manifestations of a flawed and broken political system.
I’m sick as well. The rot is extensive.
The more I look at the images and accounts coming from Gaza, the more inclined I am to think the Rev. Jeremiah Wright was correct in his denunciation of America back in the day.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/israel-refugee-camps
Tom-Black people in America know tyranny (cruel and repressive rule) all too well. Imagine not being able to access housing, employment, food, education, health care etc. just because of your skin color. Not to mention the fact that you could randomly be jailed or killed because of skin color. Then there are the massacres of whole communities....
Reverend Wright spoke truth that most Americans don't want to face. Now Israel is emulating the U.S. times ten. Will we ever learn from the suffering imposed on human beings. Nothing good comes from hate, lies and hubris!
For once we argue.
Tom, See Janet Yellen’s WSJ article on how successful the Biden admin has been bringing prosperity to America.
All that bad stuff on Fox News about Biden is Russia funded propaganda.
Mike, what would you expect a Yellen article to say? That is administration propaganda. Propaganda, mind you, can be true. It can also be an incomplete snapshot to buttress a questionable or false narrative. I don’t care what Yellen says or what Fox says, I care about what is, and I know several things about the nature of ‘prosperity’ in America, including the fact that many millions of Americans are not feeling a single thing Biden has done that are sufficient to overcome their anxiety from a grocery bill that is way higher than under Trump, skyrocketing rents and drug prices, and a rise in homelessness. Until Biden ‘messaging’ can address that anxiety in a meaningful way, all the articles from administration officials and economic elites and numbers crunchers on how the economy is peachy amount to a bucket of spit to those who live in fear of the unexpected $500 bill every day of their lives.
Interesting thought, Tom. I don’t see any possible “right” answer for US response in Gaza. There is one, but I suspect that there is no middle ground for that answer to have a snowball’s chance in hell of success.
George, YES, "A President is a President by the team he or she selects" ...and LISTENS to! ...as with Lincoln's "Team of Rivals."
Nearly on the mark here George. Ultimately though, the seductive allure of a crony, crooked branded capitalism, headed up by "Russkiavelli" little prince Putin is taking them down a dark road, that I hope we will find common cause to overcome and avoid without too much blood shed. The world's oligarchs along with ours will not be easy to subdue.
Interestingly, large majorities of both Dems and Reps favour reducing wealth influence according to a Pew poll . Isn't translating into legislation i gather ... https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/09/19/money-power-and-the-influence-of-ordinary-people-in-american-politics/
I think people are far more united than they realize. And unfortunately, it does not translate into legislation and policy when the GOP roadshow and editorials create fear by talking about job-killing taxes and start labeling the obscenely wealthy as "job creators". For example, the incompetent narcissist Elon Musk is perfectly happy losing $20 billion of wealth as he destroys Twitter, however watch him react to a 1% wealth tax and there will be war cries of socialism and the 'nanny' state.
George, I think you fall into the trap Heather does when you blame the lack of translation into legislation on the GOP roadshow and editorials. Both parties, I would argue, are equally to blame, but for different reasons. Yes, there is the mendacious class warfare, in every facet, by the GOP. But the Dems have been complicit in the corporate donor fealty and the neoliberal wrecking of our economy and culture. I know you have acknowledged this at times, but to me, it needs to always be pointed out as a caveat whenever GOP malfeasance is mentioned. Blaming the GOP for our woes comes across as tribal, and that messaging is counterproductive to bringing about the people’s unification we both desire; the necessary coalition to counter the influence of monied interests.
Our economy is in the best shape since before Reagan wrecked it.
For some. Millions lost jobs, homes, and wealth in ‘08, and are still hanging on by a thread, or homeless. Your blanket statement is a slap in the face to them.
Excellent post, George as it explains what the super wealthy are doing and that they truly believe their money will save them....particularly from climate change. When I look at the consumerism around the holidays for examples and mega sports events, I am reminded of bread and circuses. Add to this, Fox and the constant negative yapping about Ds and social issues, and you have the lemmings rushing to the edge of the cliff.
Bread and circuses indeed!
U.S. voters don’t often get good choices for elected officials. Many “normal” people don’t even want to run for office.
Thankfully, there are some normal, hardworking people I've had the pleasure of working with and/or meeting. Senator Jeff Merkley stands out. State Rep. David Gomberg is another. Dedicated to representing all of the constituents -not just those who are party-aligned.
To your point -it requires such a massive amount of money to run, and so much of the job is to raise more money. The flow of money has broken the system, and thus far, people have not had the political will to fix it. Election cycle to election cycle it's just "Mitch McConnell just sneezed!!! Sign our petition and send money!!!!" or "Tell the Supreme Court ..." -instead of truly addressing the root causes of corruption and strengthening democracy. I'm not sure how any normal person can function within the system for long.
Thanks for the shout out for one of my senators!
I agree! I think Bernie Sanders would have better addressed our problems than Hillary. I did still vote for her, but wasn’t my first choice, and of course I went into a severe depression when she lost. I can’t imagine the level of depression if Biden loses in 2024.
Unfortunately there aren’t enough Sanders or Merkeleys to override the Repubs & the Joe Manchin types in the Dem party - before we even mention special interests like Israel…
I was in a unique position in 2016. I was chair of the Lincoln County Democratic Central Committee, and was an elected Oregon state delegate for Bernie Sanders. While Senator Sanders was my choice of candidate (especially after Hillary gave Henry Kissinger a hug), as soon as Secretary Clinton was the official nominee, I quickly made sure we were united in our support of her candidacy (in spite of the delay of the Sanders campaign to graciously declare their support). I was at an election night gathering, watching the NY Times dial shift from probable Clinton to probable Trump, to Trump. I was physically sick. Many know of my story, publicly resigning from Oracle after then Oracle’s co-CEO Safra Catz joined the Trump transition team. My departure from Oracle was covered by The Guardian and the NY Times.
That was a TERRIBLE time for all Democrats. I couldn’t believe (still can’t) that ANYONE could vote for that criminal.
Good for you for quitting publicly.
I hope you’re doing even better now than with Oracle.
George, out of curiosity, what has been the financial impact of the Ukraine war on Russia, versus, Afghanistan, which helped implode the USSR?
Research indicates a mixed bag. https://www.forbes.com/sites/globalcitizen/2023/12/22/russian-sanctions-offer-hope-to-ukraine-in-2024-despite-aid-setback/
Nevertheless, I hold hope that a small group of oligarchs tire of the erosion of their wealth and subsequently Putin has an 'accidental' fall from a window like many of his political opponents.
thanks George.
The USSR invasion of Afghanistan proved to be a debacle - and, as you said, helped to end the USSR. But the losses of soldiers and the financial strain of that boondoggle pales in comparison to Putin's failures in Ukraine. I really believe that Ukraine has done more damage in the long run to Putin than he has done to Ukraine.
Here is a good read about the Russian economy and the effects of the war. Putin is on thin ice with his oligarchs and crooks.
https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/russian-war-economy-is-overheating-powder-keg-2023-10-25/
With continuing support from the US and the EU, Putin will be toppled by his own people. Oligarchs will tire of being international pariahs and losing so much money....
And mothers will rebel - how many sons will vanish before they lose their love of Putin?
You hit it when you said conservatives.
Hear, hear!!!! Usually if you want to read the REAL history, you have to read works of fiction. I am fond of Kenneth Roberts for providing the truth about the Revolutionary War for example.