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Richard Sutherland's avatar

I have a high school buddy (high school class of '58) who is now old and bitter, a true opponent of DEI. There is absolutely no way to reach any middle ground. He'll do anything, even install a dictator as head of the country, to defeat Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. And, let's remember, those marching at Charlottesville in 2017 were shouting "Jews will not replace us." IMO, TFFG is the Chief Wizard of the MAGA/KKK movement and he is extremely aware of it. This is a cancer on the body politic that has been here all along and has been dormant for a few decades, but now it threatens the very existence of our democracy. Perhaps we should all make a pledge to donate ten times more money in this election to various candidates than ever before. After all, it is an investment in something that we need.

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Tracy Sample's avatar

I wouldn't doubt if there was a plan among the trump 2016 campaign to divide liberal Jews and conservative Jews, like conservatives have been trying to divide Black people because both groups have historically always been supporters of the Democratic party. If you look at the Republican donor base and its inner circle, it's a multiethnic group of RW billionaires. trump's support of those marching at Charlottesville and his dining with the likes of Fuentes haven't seemed to bother RW Jews within that inner circle. We're being played by RW billionaires. They are loyal to no one but power. They use religion like a cudgel to keep us at each other's throats. Cynical of me I know.

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Richard Sutherland's avatar

Tracy, you write: " We're being played by RW billionaires. They are loyal to no one but power. " I agree, and this is fairly well documented: "What's the Matter with Kansas?" by Thomas Frank. Project 25 is a pure case of establishing an anti-democratic oligarchy here. The extremely wealthy have found that it is fairly easy to sucker in the white Americans with wedge issues: abortion, race, women's rights, gay rights, immigration, etc. It's tragic that those folks are so ill informed and clueless.

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JDinTX's avatar

I wish I had more money to donate - but the Dems just send me more inane emails

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Connie Warner's avatar

Or text messages telling me the world is ending - today.

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JDinTX's avatar

Will donate to billboards when I get an extra dime.

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Virginia Witmer's avatar

Wasn’t tfg’s father a klan member?

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Richard Sutherland's avatar

Virginia, you ask: "Wasn't tfg's father a klan member?" Maybe not an enrolled member, but clearly a sympathizer, being arrested at a KKK rally in 1927. https://www.newsweek.com/was-donald-trump-father-kkk-1864382

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Virginia Witmer's avatar

Thank you, Richard. Thought I remembered a connection and certainly the films of him making sure there were as few Blacks as possible in his buildings and his suse

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Virginia Witmer's avatar

….subsequent Justice Department case add to the perception of his racism.

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Richard Sutherland's avatar

Absolutely racist to the core. A clear case of failed parenting. Mothers are key to instilling the right values in children. Even when I had to go to school barefoot in the 2nd grade because my one pair of shoes was in the repair shop to repair the soles, my mom was telling me how I needed to be concerned about those less fortunate than me. What?! That I am a committed political Liberal today I trace back directly to my mother. Though I am a total non-believer in any religion, I do advocate for "the least of these." It is also what Frances Perkins would want and what she did advocate.

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Virginia Witmer's avatar

Thank you, Richard. Although I always had shoes, I went to school with people who didn’t. My first grade teacher protected from bullying the son of a bootlegger who came to school dirty and in clothes too big for him. And my mother’s oft repeated dictum was:”The love of money is the root of all evil.” Only seeing where we are now can I fully appreciate the importance of those lessons. As for Frances Perkins: Joe Biden has really learned the lessons of FDR! May he continue!

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Phil Balla's avatar

Yes, Richard. Serious times. Serious needs of serious Dems.

And needs of active Dems, and independents, and former Republicans -- not just donating, but also well-focused on the things Heather arrays for us, our conversations.

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Phil Balla's avatar

". . . old and bitter." Sorry for your friend, Richard.

We all know those who don't age well. Someone else on this thread mentions the love of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Among its concerns, how stereotypes let us wrongly see people, such as the shut-in down the street that the little kids saw and feared as some monster. Though that stereotyped guy turned out to be one of the good guys (and a lifesaver for one of the little kids).

Good, however, Richard, that most of the comments on Heather's site turn out to be by those who've contrarily turned out "old and generous."

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