“Autocratic leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin, have said that democracy is obsolete and autocracy is the form of government that will dominate the future.”
Republicans have more in common with Xi and Putin than they do with us. Hmmmm
“Autocratic leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin, have said that democracy is obsolete and autocracy is the form of government that will dominate the future.”
Republicans have more in common with Xi and Putin than they do with us. Hmmmm
From the time I was a kid in the '50s it was stressed to me that one of the biggest differences between the US and the rest of the world (and particularly Russia) was that we Americans were above "The State".
In the US, the government did not exist externally to its people; here the people were the government! Nowhere else was that true... That "notion" that a government should be beholden to its people was the key idea that underscored the American Revolution and MADE it so revolutionary. It defines the "American Experiment".
For people who have such a treasure in their hands and then be willing today to trade it away to an autocracy dumbfounds me!
As it’s the anniversary of his untimely death, “I am opposed to communism as it exalts the state over the individual”-RFK
Russia still does this, while it exploits and steals from its people through the export of natural resources, then exporting the grifters profit, laundering it, and stashing it in foreign real estate and shady banks.
China does the same. It’s natural resource is human labor, and the profits go toward investments in oppression, surveillance, and building its military.
What is the American system once the middle class is gone?
That's the big rub isn't it. The Republicans are cannibalizing the middle class and therefore destroying capitalism as well as democracy. My kudos to Secretary Yellen. That will do more to stabilize the world economy and therefore allow it to grow than I could have imagined.
Time will come for the “Nuclear” option. ( I don’t like that term either. See how clever word smithing has a psychological effect? Republicans have, in pre fascist style corrupted the language. These are just rules to be set by the senate.
This is McConnell's role in all this. He made it his mission for Obama, and is duplicating his stance for Biden. Come hell or high water, one man is on a mission to sabotage the Democratic president.
We see the same picture. It isn't totally gone from the country but, for the most part, far from the Democratic Party. The Independents outnumber the Democrats, and they must be won over.
Fern, I think you are totally right. Win the independents first, in order to fix what is broken 2nd. A successful test of that strategy is pressure on Manchin and Sinnema in their home states. When that independent pressure is turned up on them or they are defeated by a middle ground but leaning progressive candidate. November 2022 is so critically important. ERghhhh. And waiting is no fun at all.
53 years ago tomorrow night. It seems like yesterday. I can remember exactly what I was doing when I heard the news, just like his brother, MLK, and John Lennon.
I remember seeing him in Union Square in SF the week before. "Some men look at things as they are and say, why? I look at things that never were and say, why not?"
Endorsed, apart from a single sentence: "Nowhere else was that true..."
Nevertheless, if this principle is so threatened today, it is because of mutual neglect on the part of elected officials and, above all, the people. And the deliberate neglect, indeed suppression, of the rights of minorities, especially those whose skin color is not “white”.
Here, I must, as a foreigner, add my bewilderment and horror at the continued indication in the US of “race” in official identity documents. A citizen is a citizen is a citizen—A Man’s a Man for a’ that!
Democracy is a living entity and its health, indeed its survival, depend on care and nurture by the people and their representatives.
R. Dooley has made very clear the role to be played by education in this process.
Gary, it is not enough to believe in the principles, then take them for granted. They must be consciously upheld by citizens—sisters, brothers. A lifelong duty.
I often wonder if they really understand the devastating consequences of what they are supporting. I know that there are several Republicans that have taken trips to Russia. For what exactly, I don't know, but you don't hear about Democrats yammering to get a seat at a high-ranking Russian diplomat's table. Is power and money the only motive for these authoritarian pursuers?
They go there because they are invited. Russia hosts all kinds of state sponsored right wing events, except pro gun. White supremist are paid to come and speak at conferences. White Evangelicals also. This is how Russia uses its State Department to foment discord in republicans rival counties.
"...a government should be beholden to its people was the key idea that underscored the American Revolution and MADE it so revolutionary. It defines the "American Experiment". - Then, enter the politicians.........
“Autocratic leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin, have said that democracy is obsolete and autocracy is the form of government that will dominate the future.”
Republicans have more in common with Xi and Putin than they do with us. Hmmmm
From the time I was a kid in the '50s it was stressed to me that one of the biggest differences between the US and the rest of the world (and particularly Russia) was that we Americans were above "The State".
In the US, the government did not exist externally to its people; here the people were the government! Nowhere else was that true... That "notion" that a government should be beholden to its people was the key idea that underscored the American Revolution and MADE it so revolutionary. It defines the "American Experiment".
For people who have such a treasure in their hands and then be willing today to trade it away to an autocracy dumbfounds me!
As it’s the anniversary of his untimely death, “I am opposed to communism as it exalts the state over the individual”-RFK
Russia still does this, while it exploits and steals from its people through the export of natural resources, then exporting the grifters profit, laundering it, and stashing it in foreign real estate and shady banks.
China does the same. It’s natural resource is human labor, and the profits go toward investments in oppression, surveillance, and building its military.
What is the American system once the middle class is gone?
That's the big rub isn't it. The Republicans are cannibalizing the middle class and therefore destroying capitalism as well as democracy. My kudos to Secretary Yellen. That will do more to stabilize the world economy and therefore allow it to grow than I could have imagined.
It won't pass the senate, Cathy. Take a look at the Letter again.
Time will come for the “Nuclear” option. ( I don’t like that term either. See how clever word smithing has a psychological effect? Republicans have, in pre fascist style corrupted the language. These are just rules to be set by the senate.
Yes, so 1984 if chills me.
Let's not underestimate Secretary Yellen! She is so respected that even the Republicans might follow her lead.
I think business will back her plan. Business has to see that to keep the golden goose (America) laying golden eggs, we can’t have authoritarianism.
Agreed.
If Biden is for it McConnell is against it. It’s really that simple. No political wins allowed for Democrats.
This is McConnell's role in all this. He made it his mission for Obama, and is duplicating his stance for Biden. Come hell or high water, one man is on a mission to sabotage the Democratic president.
As I commented earlier, keep the eye on the Slinky that is the sycophant elephant party right now.
Not so sure about that. The alliance of the G7 is tough. By August, look at some Repubs to act like the toy Slinky and reverse.
OK, I'll remember to do that.
Somehow a country more like Russia is more appealing than a country more like Denmark. Go figure.
Exactly.
I cant think of a past or present Oligarchy or Authoritarian state where a middle class existed for very long.
We see the same picture. It isn't totally gone from the country but, for the most part, far from the Democratic Party. The Independents outnumber the Democrats, and they must be won over.
Fern, I think you are totally right. Win the independents first, in order to fix what is broken 2nd. A successful test of that strategy is pressure on Manchin and Sinnema in their home states. When that independent pressure is turned up on them or they are defeated by a middle ground but leaning progressive candidate. November 2022 is so critically important. ERghhhh. And waiting is no fun at all.
"The Republicans are cannibalizing the middle class and therefore destroying capitalism as well as democracy." Wow. That's It! May I quote you Cathy?
53 years ago tomorrow night. It seems like yesterday. I can remember exactly what I was doing when I heard the news, just like his brother, MLK, and John Lennon.
I remember seeing him in Union Square in SF the week before. "Some men look at things as they are and say, why? I look at things that never were and say, why not?"
TC, I can hear his voice so clearly. Such a light.
Might it be more apt to say: "as" the middle class shrinks to an afterthought?
Endorsed, apart from a single sentence: "Nowhere else was that true..."
Nevertheless, if this principle is so threatened today, it is because of mutual neglect on the part of elected officials and, above all, the people. And the deliberate neglect, indeed suppression, of the rights of minorities, especially those whose skin color is not “white”.
Here, I must, as a foreigner, add my bewilderment and horror at the continued indication in the US of “race” in official identity documents. A citizen is a citizen is a citizen—A Man’s a Man for a’ that!
Democracy is a living entity and its health, indeed its survival, depend on care and nurture by the people and their representatives.
R. Dooley has made very clear the role to be played by education in this process.
Gary, it is not enough to believe in the principles, then take them for granted. They must be consciously upheld by citizens—sisters, brothers. A lifelong duty.
Then let us pray that come it may,
As come it will for a’ that,
That Sense and Worth, o’er a’ the earth
Shall bear the gree an’ a’ that.
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
It’s comin yet for a’ that,
That Man to Man the warld o’er
Shall brithers be for a’ that.
https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/mans-man-0/
The voice of Robert Burns!
I often wonder if they really understand the devastating consequences of what they are supporting. I know that there are several Republicans that have taken trips to Russia. For what exactly, I don't know, but you don't hear about Democrats yammering to get a seat at a high-ranking Russian diplomat's table. Is power and money the only motive for these authoritarian pursuers?
They go there because they are invited. Russia hosts all kinds of state sponsored right wing events, except pro gun. White supremist are paid to come and speak at conferences. White Evangelicals also. This is how Russia uses its State Department to foment discord in republicans rival counties.
I believe they’ve been blackmailed or threatened with blackmail. They are afraid of exposure.
Not necessarily blackmail. They know what they've done. They are definitely afraid of exposure from an investigation
I’m talking about starting with their hometown sex scandals, from the ‘50s
Good question
"...a government should be beholden to its people was the key idea that underscored the American Revolution and MADE it so revolutionary. It defines the "American Experiment". - Then, enter the politicians.........
"Democracy" remains a radical idea steeped in the promise of the enlightenment.
It’s only radical to the oligarchy.
Gary, well done. Love your government as your friend without it the end.