As a dual Norwegian and Australian citizen, I can only say - you are right. Seems the republicans have done an outstanding job in scaring the bejeesus out of people. Socialised healthcare! We don't want socialism! It's not socialism, it's humanitarianism. And cheaper, too. Of course everyone who reads this column will know that.
There are more serious sources than Wikipedia, Google, extreme rightwing Republicans and Monty Python for a deeper understanding of what Socialism is. I am talking about Democratic Socialism, which has successfully operated in European countries which have democratic governments. Major businesses like the Post Office, the utilities, etc. which were owned by the government at first, have now been made private, by the way.
If you only rely on Google, then you're not going to see the difference either between Socialism and Communism. I use Google sometimes, but my information comes from books and other printed material, where I can be sure of the sources. There are fundamental differences between Communism and Socialism, as practiced in Europe. It's also a matter of semantics. How about the use of the term "Social Security" in the US -- do you truly believe that is based on Communism?? The word "social" is related to "society," in this case "security for society, in other words for the people. That's all any social program means in the US and Europe, and as you say, has to do with humanitarianism, not Communism. There is confusion over the terms Socialism and Communism because Marx didn't always differentiate clearly between the two. But eventually Communism went beyond Socialism. One basic difference is that no one has personal property under Communism, but under Socialism they do. In Socialism, industrial production is communally owned and run by a democratic government. Another huge difference is the Communist tenet that "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." But in Socialism, each is compensated based on their level of individual contribution to the economy, which is how most countries operate. Social democracy, which is not Communism, as practiced in Europe, desires social reforms and a more fair distribution of wealth. Because it exists alongside capitalism in a democratic nation, there is no question of tyranny as is the case in China and Russia, and its representatives can be voted in and out of office. In its unsupported fear of Communism creeping in through Socialism, Americans treat their citizens inhumanely by not lowering pharmaceutical costs, providing basic health care, etc. - the only wealthy country to do so.
Please accept my apologies for the difficulties I've caused. It wasn't intentional.
I can see that I should've clarified and emphasized that there is a difference between socialism and communism on paper. I assumed that was a given.
But as we know in practice, Communism prevails where socialism is considered the main ideology. "What does USSR stand for?" I'd hoped you'd answer to prove my point.
Aren't Marxist-Leninist policies the foundation for the Chinese Communist Party?
Why couldn't you say a simple yes or no? Do I have to get The Manifesto?
Why do GOP Republicans denounce any policies that appear socialist in benefitting the proletariat, the lower and middle classes, rather than the bourgeoisie, the wealthy elite?
A glaring example of this is when Senator Kyrsten Sinema, D-AZ, gave a thumbs down to raising the minimum wage. And she did it with a curtsy. It's not exactly a Marie Antoinette let-them-eat-cake moment, but close enough, giving us a thumbs down.
And so the rich get richer and poor get poorer which leads to revolutions as history shows.
Karl Marx knew of French elite dragged thru muddy streets wondering what happened.
Why did the proletariat rise up in Russia, China, France, Vietnam et al?
Again, socialism in the right hands helps a nation care for "We The People."
It really is humanitarianism as one person made clear here.
Please know, I can understand your misgivings about search engines. I felt the same initially, until I saw the extensive references cited, which matched books I'd read or heard of in school. Wikipedia isn't perfect and they know it, which is why there's a disclaimer. I've had to submit changes with references on several essays, but not once have I come across intentional or serious misinformation. It really is a start to do further research, but certain things are clear. "What does USSR stand for?"
I'm sorry the Monty Python videos I posted didn't help. It's pretty obvious why ruling class ideologies are doomed to fail, especially when giving the impression of supporting the lower and middle classes, like a used-car salesperson selling a lemon. The deliberate confusion can lead to a revolution, like right wing extremists claiming they're not racist.
Who coined the term co-prosperity? Was it prosperous for all? No more than communism.
Isn't this an example of confusing ideologies to gain power and control?
That's okay, you don't have to give an answer, not even a simple yes or no.
Why cite Marx? Most Americans, IMO, , including, most liberal Dems have little to zero familiarity / understanding of Marx. Other than that, bottom line, he advocated for taking of private business/corporations "means of production", giving it to workers and then ultimately owned by state in paradise solution. WTH. That is never going to happen in US. Never mind that people are familiar with USSR history/economic failure (most prominent example average people know of), our Constitution would never allow for that. I am not someone who has studied much Marx but it seems to me that his vision of proletariat taking over ended, in his view, with "and they all lived happily ever after" fairy tale. Communism proved just another vehicle for evil and corrupt men to dominate societies. Believe in markets. Adam Smith actually warned of unregulated capitalist behavior (first thing they try to do is collude to create cartels and monopolies to control markets, including wage levels). And that wealthier people should be GLAD to pay higher tax rate as it improved societal environment for markets to thrive. Well regulated and defined markets, IMO, can be good method for social change. Most people don't want to destroy our environment - and if you asked them they would generally say that they'd be willing to pay more now to avoid catastrophe later. But, problem seems like: gross misinfo / lies / scare tactics put forth by special interests, and, people do tend to balk when it gets down to nitty gritty of actually approving something like a higher gas tax-so better info campaigns need to be done. My 2 cents.
For a lot of us, we first learned of socialism in high school with Karl Marx and what he intended to shore up the middle and working classes. Presumably he had learned this from the history of revolutions that overthrew the power elite. This is what we're dealing with. Every GOP Republican administration has going back to Nixon/Ford has drug us down into a recession. The checks and balances President Obama put in place on corporations and Wall Street were stripped away by Trump that President Biden has yet to reinstate, as well as restrict presidential powers and privileges so no other president can hold themselves above the law, like Trump.
Nixon nearly got away with it, if Republicans hadn't sided with Democrats. But that has all changed, which is why we need to push a democratic humanitarian agenda to shore up the working and middle classes.
I believe it was Marx who described us as "the legs a nation stands on."
So what are we going to DO? Just keep complaining until it is not safe to complain anymore like the good Germans? What is the PLAN? Where are the movements of the Movement?
The more we complain, the happier the crazy opposition. They only want to see us suffer, to own the libs. Stop engaging with the crazy opposition. We must plan and execute the plan to save democracy or it may be all over in one year from today.
Please stop referring to the "GOP" as if a legitimate political party still exists. Call them the Insurrection Cult.
(part of my response to Penny A. above, one time Copied & Pasted)
I would like to see easily accessed, promoted, media fact checking program on CSPAN. In prime time, every night or at least 3 times a week. (Brian Steltzer not enough, Jon Stewart was very good but probably too biased in his humor - need seriousness.)
IMO, RW Media / terribly dishonest GOP Congress members dominates the narrative in this country - the narrative that average people are mostly exposed to. With Newsmax/OAN propaganda channels added in last year or so, it has gotten beyond really bad, dangerous. Blatant misrepresentations, "strawmen" (fake issues) that are invented or turned into nuke bombs by RW media as representing reality or wide advocacy of "Left/Dems", CRT is a recent perfect example. If one (or, ok, a few) person/people at a BLM rally holds up a sign 'ban the police' or 'defund the police' or something worse (like ___ the cops) RW media immediately seizes that and says entire Dem party agrees with it. I have written CSPAN and said that there should be a daily or multi-times a week time slot to have review of Fox, Newsmax, OAN, MSNBC, CNN most extreme statements/memes that can be examined, rebutted. WHO would do it? I am not sure but I would think that groups like Media Matters and some corresponding group on "Right" could figure out a panel of fact/context checkers. Let each side pick out 5 or 10 (some # that is reasonable for, hopefully, adequate time slot) of bad faith statements made by other side and have the two panels (with FACT-CHECKING networks tied into them so expertise can be rapidly accessed) dissect and rebut the statement/issue.
Trump Party is shameless - they are all in on gaslighting/lies to create nihilism on their way to fascism, IMO.
Some 3 to 10,000 African American slaves fought for the Confederacy with another 50,000 or so serving as laborers. The estimate of 60,000 amounts to less than 5% of black male population at the time.
Trump has maybe 20% of black males supporting him.
Still, it's a racist agenda, especially with voter restrictions.
And no, we can't sit back, we still need to engage the Insurrection Cult as civil as possible, while contacting our Congressional reps, helping with voter registration and voting to gain more seats in 2022 -'24.
I think engaging with the Irrational Insurrectionists is a waste of effort and just feeds their crazy. Bayard Rustin called for us to love the rabid racist Senator Eastland, "and the way that we love him is to take away his power."
Are the Black male trump supporters Christian Nationalists or prosperity gospel cultists? It is difficult to rationally understand.
There's no question "the Irrational Insurrectionists" are acting like treasonous bullies. It's nothing new where there is civil strife with one side threatening the other, such as Hitler did to force his will.
From a martial artist standpoint, especially AiKido, one must keep composure, but also put the energy out there that challenges theirs without escalating a confrontation or letting the worst in others bring out the worst in us.
Morihei Ueshiba, Bruce Lee et al, saw that when we fight with others, we're only fighting with the worst in us. Presumably, they learned this from the Taoist Lao Tzu when he wrote of it 2,500 years ago.
It's also biblical to simply ask questions. Eg Why do you hate the Jews? It's what Sir Winston Churchill asked Hitler, who exploded, "They're taking over the world! The Charlottesville Chant: "Jews will not replace us!"
Michael sets a really good example of asking questions, knowing how it can be.
I will research AA demographics on AA MAGA supporters.
"The rhetoric on the Left"-? I admit that can be a problem (sometimes by Congressmen/women who are stridently pushing back on some current issue, Maxine Waters being someone who sometimes seems a bit off-key to even very liberal people), but far bigger is blatant misrepresentations, "strawmen" (fake issues) that are invented or turned into nuke bombs by RW media as representing reality or wide advocacy of "Left/Dems", CRT is a recent perfect example. If one (or, ok, a few) person/people at a BLM rally holds up a sign 'ban the police' or 'defund the police' or something worse (like ___ the cops) RW media immediately seizes that and says entire Dem party agrees with it. I have written CSPAN and said that there should be a daily or multi-times a week time slot to have review of Fox, Newsmax, OAN, MSNBC, CNN most extreme statements that can be examined, rebutted. WHO would do it? I am not sure but I would think that groups like Media Matters and some corresponding group on "Right" could figure out a panel of fact/context checkers. Let each side pick out 5 or 10 (some # that is reasonable) of bad faith statements made by other side and have the two panels (with FACT-CHECKING networks tied into them so expertise can be rapidly accessed) dissect and rebut the statement/issue. (I am copying and pasting for Jonni's response below)
Again you nailed it with great explanation. I am Canadian living in Arkansas. It’s embarrassing to see powerful law makers afraid of a washed up TV personality and shit for brains business man with long history of racism that insults anyone that doesn’t agree with his world view or him. The rich have created the homelessness, the poor healthcare system, the suffering in the name of more tax cuts, more vacation homes, and greed and more greed. Ted Kennedy said it best, the only way the greed stops, is for us to vote, but doesn’t look like that going to happen.
I am in favour of disrupting capitalism and greed, because it doesn’t work for us.
We have to engage in more civil disobedience. The Democrats messaging sucks, main stream media is not our friend. General Strike, ask the French? Our government and the corporations need to been afraid of us, they are not.
American Spring? For freedom? I am sick of being a slave to big money!
Would be nice but Americans are just into selfishness. They’re more concerned about sports than their well being. That’s how Rome kept the masses under control until the barbarians broke the gates open.
Not exactly, but close enough. The ancient Roman lower and middle classes had been destroyed economically, kind of like how we are now. We do like sports, but our election of Democratic leaders and protests of GOP war hawks show what is more important. There is a certain apathy, but it has more to do with depressed economic circumstances. I've yet to meet a Democrat who is more interested in sports. I know enough who Republican who also care about Liberty, Justice and Equality for All.
It looks like we (Americans) are NOT alone with ‘creeping fascism’ coupled with people exhibiting horrible behavior & blatant racism as a badge of honor. Bragging about how badly they treated someone else seems to get them that feather in their cap identifying them as a member of the “club”.
I admit my first instinct is to flee…but as I’m learning there really aren’t many places to run to.
Protecting Democracy is our number 1 issue…it goes without saying how perilous this moment is.
What you are saying breaks my heart with its clarity and truth. And so many people now are their own worst enemies because they support those politicians who screw them, who could care less about their needs, only about their own power and wealth. I feel like Trump heralded the beginning of the end of America.
So true....few people understand what it means but those who do are trying to educate people about the obvious evils of capitalism. Capitalism fuels the empire that is America and is in decline. Never thought I would refer to my country as an empire.
History confirms it. And what happens when the lower and middle classes aren't shored up. We are the legs this nation stands on as Michael reminds us, working the factories, farms, stores, driving the trucks that move America and all else, but especially fighting the wars, too many of which have been blood for oil.
As a Canadian looking in, you seem to be all focused on symptoms rather than the illness. The root of your problems is money in politics. Can you please (I am asking nicely, proof I am Canadian), to all of you to work together and solve that problem first? Just imagine where you would be now, if the first thing Obama did was to introduce a bill that would have essentially removed Citizens United and limited corporate fundraising for state and federal politicians. Your system is rotten to the core and you will only be getting the odd token hearing aid until you get the power back to the people. Stop focusing on what you want and fix the system. In Canada we just had a federal election, it lasted 4 weeks, cost $600 million CAN($5 US) total for all candidates and you probably never even noticed.
Sadly, you are correct we Americans are so ego-centric that other country's news is only a slight diversion, if even recognized. The ego-centrism is causing the "it's about me" thinking vs. "we are in this together" mindset. You Canadians ARE nice and Jim Carrey says it's because YOU HAVE HEALTH CARE for all and have less medical worries.
Thanks for the compliment Andrea. Jim is correct we are nice because we have universal health care. It is a fundamental right of all Canadians to receive equal quality health care. We can do better but compared to the US we are miles ahead or should I say KMs! It is much harder to corrupt a politician in Canada so our small interest groups do not have the same power in our political system as yours and as a result our government is more representative of the majority. We don't have the same vitriol in our news. FB and Twitter, yes unfortunately, but our news is informative and based on facts. Kind of like your Walter Cronkite days. Everything comes down to money, corruption and lobbying in your political system. This should be the one thing that a majority of Americans should agree on.
Can’t do. Thanks to the Koch’s and their alliance with the ACLU. Both believe that money = free speech. The corrupted courts have been bought off. We’re stuck with a system that will become more corrupt and eventually the Federal government will collapse from inertia and the US will break into pieces just like the USSR did.
I can see how you would see that as a likely outcome. A Democratic candidate has to run on cleaning up your democracy as a main policy/platform, win and then make it their first priority above everything else. It seems like the only chance to make this change comes with a newly elected democratic president with a super majority of the all 3 branches of government. Unfortunately both Obama and Joe did not prioritize this as their first priority as there always seems to be something more important than saving democracy itself. Health care for Obama and Covid support/Infrastructure for Biden. Once the first 2 years goes by and they inevitably loose the super majority the opportunity is lost. Your next opportunity will (I hate to say this) likely be in 2032 or 2036 unless Joe can win a super majority in 2022 or 2024 which seems highly unlikely.
The fix is in with Republicans continually gerrymandering their way to power. Republicans will get the Congress in 2022 and I fully expect Trump to cheat his way back into the Presidency in 2024.
Yes @Joe Bacon, I believe you are correct. Only thing to stop Trump other than a heart attack is the Republicans. If Biden looks really weak than maybe there will be a shift in Republican support behind the scenes as they are all so hungry for power. It would be very easy for hidden power brokers in the Republican party to allow Trump to be tripped up in a way he could not run. This is a far more likely outcome if they feel they have another candidate that can beat Joe in 2024. The weaker Joe is the less likely Trump will be a candidate which is a very sad silver lining. Mitch is just biding his time and if there is another path without Trump he will take it. Alas, a super majority for Joe in 2020 or 2024 would be the best case scenario for folks in the USA and for the rest of the planet as the world is facing an existential climate crisis but right now this is a very unlikely outcome. If your are going to support your billionaires over government can you at least keep them focused on removing carbon from the atmosphere rather than going into giant penises to space?
Since the New Right came to power with Prop 13 in 1978 we no longer have a National Will. It's now a National Won't since people have been programmed to only look out for #1.
That message is reenforced in churches all over the country every Sunday with Pulpit Pimp Preachers pushing the Prosperity Gospel--The more God loves you the wealthier you are.
If that's so, The Big G really has a crush on Carlos Slim, Musk, Bezos and Gates.
So much for the "United" States of America. What a colossal failure with your shift to extreme Capitalism. Democrats and Republicans are equally to blame. You can't fight evil with evil. Evil will always win.
I voted in the most recent Canadian election, they sent me a ballot because I voted in the last election by mail. They make it so easy to vote. When we lived in the Country, they had several places for advance voting for 3 weeks before vote day, they come to your house to verify you are on the correct voter list and options for advance voting. Proud to be Canadian because Canadians are not trying destroy the Democratic vote.
Yes absolutely. For some reason in the USA the donor class has convinced a significant % of people that more votes are bad for them. When in fact if everyone was allowed and encouraged to vote the country would be a better place for all the people.
I believe we have, going thru Congress, who is responsible for the graft, along with US Supreme Court who upheld corporations in the Gilded Age. Inevitably, the people will rise up as history shows. French elite were dragged thru muddy streets wondering why.
I think Biden is a decent man. He might not be able to wrap his head around how detrimental trump continues to be to our country. It’s unimaginable to decent people! Look at the evil lined up behind trump! There’s no moral center, no patriotism! Only self-serving or cowardice. Thank God for Nancy Pelosi!
Michael, you and I were born in the same year and we both love our country and are sad and devastated by exactly what you’ve written about here.
I don’t know what else we can do to change things. Spreading what you wrote would illuminate and shock many who really just don’t know the facts.
I want so much for this country and have been infuriated, devastated, gutted and frightened by the disgusting acts & behavior of the GOP.
What are we missing? What on earth do we need to do to turn this evil and lawless trajectory into something we all can be proud of?
I’, literally, had a nightmare of a Nazi takeover in this country and was scared out of my wits.
I appreciate what you do and have hope when I take into consideration how many likeminded Americans there are out there; we all just need to know we’re not alone in our thinking and work together to bring about the country we want to live in.
“A lot of what was originally there is now gone. Like free community college is out, and so is paid family and medical leave, which means America will remain the only nation in the world where women try to give birth during their lunch break.” - Trevor Noah
1) The reason other nations are able to spend more on social programs is because we sucker taxpayers pay for their military defense.
2) We are a nation in decline. The best days of the US are behind us and we have to come to the realization that we're coming to the end of the American Empire.
I read recently that we are pretty far down the totem poll in terms of political freedom as well, since one person, whether Mitch McConnell or Kirsten Sinema can derail the will of the majority.
Sadly, the stench long preceded Trump.....starting 1980 with Reagan, continued with Clinton.......slowly but progressively. Like the toad in the pan of water on the stove.
None with the open criminality, the utter ignorance of trump. Reagan, for all his ego and flaws, wanted the US to prosper, as did Clinton who had the same flaws. Trump was in it for the grift without a clue how to govern nor the desire! How do we recover from this? Where do we meet in the middle and come together to heal and move forward? See one another as fellow Americans and not enemies? Can we ever trust the news media in Ratings dependent market? It’s really scary to have no reliable news source. That’s what got us here today, I think. Rupert Murdoch vs the Talking Heads. In a global emergency, where do we turn? The BBC?
no I think, like the the kkk has survived, because our country was broken by the Civil War and we really have not healed from it. One must go back to then, the rise of the carpet baggers and kkk, lying and deceit, it worked then and was not rooted out. Compliancy because we just fought in one war and we don't want to start another war. It seems to be a montra for us. "We are recovering from cival war, can fight now, we just fought the great war . . we can't have discontent now, we just fought WWII don't bring civil unrest now. Yada yada yada. There is always an excuse to put down unrest.
And p.s. Biden said he won't run again, he plans K Harris to run next election. Said that in his campaign.
Hi Michael, you really laid it all out there. Thank you. My Country 'tis of thee Sweet Land of Misery of thee, I can't stand. Down on my knees I am, buckled down and shackled to Republican demands. Oh boy!
Excellent commentary. God help us if people don't care enough to go out and vote more than we've ever seen in 2022. We need a majority of progressives to survive this assault on our democracy and move to facism.
As you so deftly articulate, the political class simply do not care about the American people. However, the American people do not seem to care about themselves and dementedly continue to elect and empower these immoral, self-serving robots. So ... ultimately, who is to blame? The parasitic political enablers? Or US, the root retards mindlessly, apathetically dreaming and arrogantly ignoring reality? Pity Joe? A little... Pity US! We are pitiful.
As a dual Norwegian and Australian citizen, I can only say - you are right. Seems the republicans have done an outstanding job in scaring the bejeesus out of people. Socialised healthcare! We don't want socialism! It's not socialism, it's humanitarianism. And cheaper, too. Of course everyone who reads this column will know that.
It is humanitarianism, Thank You. This is the key word to use.
It is also socialist, by definition, but not in a pejorative sense as most make it out to be.
In the right hands as Karl Marx intended, a nation will thrive when it takes care of its people.
God Bless Michael emphasizing this from time to time.
There's a difference between socialism and communism...
Here's Monty Python interviewing "the founder of modern socialism and communism, Karl Marx," along with Lenin, Che Guevara and Mao Tse Tsung.
Note what he says about the proletariat and the bourgeoisie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ9myHhpS9s
(3:17)
I could paste a wiki explanation. This is better.
Again, what Karl Marx intended didn't materialize.
No pun intended.
There are more serious sources than Wikipedia, Google, extreme rightwing Republicans and Monty Python for a deeper understanding of what Socialism is. I am talking about Democratic Socialism, which has successfully operated in European countries which have democratic governments. Major businesses like the Post Office, the utilities, etc. which were owned by the government at first, have now been made private, by the way.
Oh, really? What does USSR stand for?
Isn't this why GOP Republicans denounce humanitarian legislation as socialist?
How did the Chinese Communist Party come into being?
Wasn't it because of Marxist-Leninist policies?
I'd google this for you, but will leave it to you.
If you only rely on Google, then you're not going to see the difference either between Socialism and Communism. I use Google sometimes, but my information comes from books and other printed material, where I can be sure of the sources. There are fundamental differences between Communism and Socialism, as practiced in Europe. It's also a matter of semantics. How about the use of the term "Social Security" in the US -- do you truly believe that is based on Communism?? The word "social" is related to "society," in this case "security for society, in other words for the people. That's all any social program means in the US and Europe, and as you say, has to do with humanitarianism, not Communism. There is confusion over the terms Socialism and Communism because Marx didn't always differentiate clearly between the two. But eventually Communism went beyond Socialism. One basic difference is that no one has personal property under Communism, but under Socialism they do. In Socialism, industrial production is communally owned and run by a democratic government. Another huge difference is the Communist tenet that "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." But in Socialism, each is compensated based on their level of individual contribution to the economy, which is how most countries operate. Social democracy, which is not Communism, as practiced in Europe, desires social reforms and a more fair distribution of wealth. Because it exists alongside capitalism in a democratic nation, there is no question of tyranny as is the case in China and Russia, and its representatives can be voted in and out of office. In its unsupported fear of Communism creeping in through Socialism, Americans treat their citizens inhumanely by not lowering pharmaceutical costs, providing basic health care, etc. - the only wealthy country to do so.
Please accept my apologies for the difficulties I've caused. It wasn't intentional.
I can see that I should've clarified and emphasized that there is a difference between socialism and communism on paper. I assumed that was a given.
But as we know in practice, Communism prevails where socialism is considered the main ideology. "What does USSR stand for?" I'd hoped you'd answer to prove my point.
Aren't Marxist-Leninist policies the foundation for the Chinese Communist Party?
Why couldn't you say a simple yes or no? Do I have to get The Manifesto?
Why do GOP Republicans denounce any policies that appear socialist in benefitting the proletariat, the lower and middle classes, rather than the bourgeoisie, the wealthy elite?
A glaring example of this is when Senator Kyrsten Sinema, D-AZ, gave a thumbs down to raising the minimum wage. And she did it with a curtsy. It's not exactly a Marie Antoinette let-them-eat-cake moment, but close enough, giving us a thumbs down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNo_U7PTGzk
(0:39)
And so the rich get richer and poor get poorer which leads to revolutions as history shows.
Karl Marx knew of French elite dragged thru muddy streets wondering what happened.
Why did the proletariat rise up in Russia, China, France, Vietnam et al?
Again, socialism in the right hands helps a nation care for "We The People."
It really is humanitarianism as one person made clear here.
Please know, I can understand your misgivings about search engines. I felt the same initially, until I saw the extensive references cited, which matched books I'd read or heard of in school. Wikipedia isn't perfect and they know it, which is why there's a disclaimer. I've had to submit changes with references on several essays, but not once have I come across intentional or serious misinformation. It really is a start to do further research, but certain things are clear. "What does USSR stand for?"
I'm sorry the Monty Python videos I posted didn't help. It's pretty obvious why ruling class ideologies are doomed to fail, especially when giving the impression of supporting the lower and middle classes, like a used-car salesperson selling a lemon. The deliberate confusion can lead to a revolution, like right wing extremists claiming they're not racist.
Who coined the term co-prosperity? Was it prosperous for all? No more than communism.
Isn't this an example of confusing ideologies to gain power and control?
That's okay, you don't have to give an answer, not even a simple yes or no.
No it was totally a let them eat cake moment. Where's that guillotine
Why cite Marx? Most Americans, IMO, , including, most liberal Dems have little to zero familiarity / understanding of Marx. Other than that, bottom line, he advocated for taking of private business/corporations "means of production", giving it to workers and then ultimately owned by state in paradise solution. WTH. That is never going to happen in US. Never mind that people are familiar with USSR history/economic failure (most prominent example average people know of), our Constitution would never allow for that. I am not someone who has studied much Marx but it seems to me that his vision of proletariat taking over ended, in his view, with "and they all lived happily ever after" fairy tale. Communism proved just another vehicle for evil and corrupt men to dominate societies. Believe in markets. Adam Smith actually warned of unregulated capitalist behavior (first thing they try to do is collude to create cartels and monopolies to control markets, including wage levels). And that wealthier people should be GLAD to pay higher tax rate as it improved societal environment for markets to thrive. Well regulated and defined markets, IMO, can be good method for social change. Most people don't want to destroy our environment - and if you asked them they would generally say that they'd be willing to pay more now to avoid catastrophe later. But, problem seems like: gross misinfo / lies / scare tactics put forth by special interests, and, people do tend to balk when it gets down to nitty gritty of actually approving something like a higher gas tax-so better info campaigns need to be done. My 2 cents.
For a lot of us, we first learned of socialism in high school with Karl Marx and what he intended to shore up the middle and working classes. Presumably he had learned this from the history of revolutions that overthrew the power elite. This is what we're dealing with. Every GOP Republican administration has going back to Nixon/Ford has drug us down into a recession. The checks and balances President Obama put in place on corporations and Wall Street were stripped away by Trump that President Biden has yet to reinstate, as well as restrict presidential powers and privileges so no other president can hold themselves above the law, like Trump.
Nixon nearly got away with it, if Republicans hadn't sided with Democrats. But that has all changed, which is why we need to push a democratic humanitarian agenda to shore up the working and middle classes.
I believe it was Marx who described us as "the legs a nation stands on."
So what are we going to DO? Just keep complaining until it is not safe to complain anymore like the good Germans? What is the PLAN? Where are the movements of the Movement?
The more we complain, the happier the crazy opposition. They only want to see us suffer, to own the libs. Stop engaging with the crazy opposition. We must plan and execute the plan to save democracy or it may be all over in one year from today.
Please stop referring to the "GOP" as if a legitimate political party still exists. Call them the Insurrection Cult.
(part of my response to Penny A. above, one time Copied & Pasted)
I would like to see easily accessed, promoted, media fact checking program on CSPAN. In prime time, every night or at least 3 times a week. (Brian Steltzer not enough, Jon Stewart was very good but probably too biased in his humor - need seriousness.)
IMO, RW Media / terribly dishonest GOP Congress members dominates the narrative in this country - the narrative that average people are mostly exposed to. With Newsmax/OAN propaganda channels added in last year or so, it has gotten beyond really bad, dangerous. Blatant misrepresentations, "strawmen" (fake issues) that are invented or turned into nuke bombs by RW media as representing reality or wide advocacy of "Left/Dems", CRT is a recent perfect example. If one (or, ok, a few) person/people at a BLM rally holds up a sign 'ban the police' or 'defund the police' or something worse (like ___ the cops) RW media immediately seizes that and says entire Dem party agrees with it. I have written CSPAN and said that there should be a daily or multi-times a week time slot to have review of Fox, Newsmax, OAN, MSNBC, CNN most extreme statements/memes that can be examined, rebutted. WHO would do it? I am not sure but I would think that groups like Media Matters and some corresponding group on "Right" could figure out a panel of fact/context checkers. Let each side pick out 5 or 10 (some # that is reasonable for, hopefully, adequate time slot) of bad faith statements made by other side and have the two panels (with FACT-CHECKING networks tied into them so expertise can be rapidly accessed) dissect and rebut the statement/issue.
Trump Party is shameless - they are all in on gaslighting/lies to create nihilism on their way to fascism, IMO.
Good point about the media. Most of the media seems to be keeping people ignorant and scared.
Right Wing Extremists is the political term.
I prefer white supremacists.
Some 3 to 10,000 African American slaves fought for the Confederacy with another 50,000 or so serving as laborers. The estimate of 60,000 amounts to less than 5% of black male population at the time.
Trump has maybe 20% of black males supporting him.
Still, it's a racist agenda, especially with voter restrictions.
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/09/black-confederates/#:~:text=Blacks%20who%20shouldered%20arms%20for,numbered%20from%2020%2C000%20to%2050%2C000.
Exit polls from 2020 election:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-men-drifted-democrats-toward-trump-record-numbers-polls-show-n1246447
And no, we can't sit back, we still need to engage the Insurrection Cult as civil as possible, while contacting our Congressional reps, helping with voter registration and voting to gain more seats in 2022 -'24.
I think engaging with the Irrational Insurrectionists is a waste of effort and just feeds their crazy. Bayard Rustin called for us to love the rabid racist Senator Eastland, "and the way that we love him is to take away his power."
Are the Black male trump supporters Christian Nationalists or prosperity gospel cultists? It is difficult to rationally understand.
There's no question "the Irrational Insurrectionists" are acting like treasonous bullies. It's nothing new where there is civil strife with one side threatening the other, such as Hitler did to force his will.
From a martial artist standpoint, especially AiKido, one must keep composure, but also put the energy out there that challenges theirs without escalating a confrontation or letting the worst in others bring out the worst in us.
Morihei Ueshiba, Bruce Lee et al, saw that when we fight with others, we're only fighting with the worst in us. Presumably, they learned this from the Taoist Lao Tzu when he wrote of it 2,500 years ago.
It's also biblical to simply ask questions. Eg Why do you hate the Jews? It's what Sir Winston Churchill asked Hitler, who exploded, "They're taking over the world! The Charlottesville Chant: "Jews will not replace us!"
Michael sets a really good example of asking questions, knowing how it can be.
I will research AA demographics on AA MAGA supporters.
Good question.
"The rhetoric on the Left"-? I admit that can be a problem (sometimes by Congressmen/women who are stridently pushing back on some current issue, Maxine Waters being someone who sometimes seems a bit off-key to even very liberal people), but far bigger is blatant misrepresentations, "strawmen" (fake issues) that are invented or turned into nuke bombs by RW media as representing reality or wide advocacy of "Left/Dems", CRT is a recent perfect example. If one (or, ok, a few) person/people at a BLM rally holds up a sign 'ban the police' or 'defund the police' or something worse (like ___ the cops) RW media immediately seizes that and says entire Dem party agrees with it. I have written CSPAN and said that there should be a daily or multi-times a week time slot to have review of Fox, Newsmax, OAN, MSNBC, CNN most extreme statements that can be examined, rebutted. WHO would do it? I am not sure but I would think that groups like Media Matters and some corresponding group on "Right" could figure out a panel of fact/context checkers. Let each side pick out 5 or 10 (some # that is reasonable) of bad faith statements made by other side and have the two panels (with FACT-CHECKING networks tied into them so expertise can be rapidly accessed) dissect and rebut the statement/issue. (I am copying and pasting for Jonni's response below)
Again you nailed it with great explanation. I am Canadian living in Arkansas. It’s embarrassing to see powerful law makers afraid of a washed up TV personality and shit for brains business man with long history of racism that insults anyone that doesn’t agree with his world view or him. The rich have created the homelessness, the poor healthcare system, the suffering in the name of more tax cuts, more vacation homes, and greed and more greed. Ted Kennedy said it best, the only way the greed stops, is for us to vote, but doesn’t look like that going to happen.
I am in favour of disrupting capitalism and greed, because it doesn’t work for us.
We have to engage in more civil disobedience. The Democrats messaging sucks, main stream media is not our friend. General Strike, ask the French? Our government and the corporations need to been afraid of us, they are not.
American Spring? For freedom? I am sick of being a slave to big money!
Would be nice but Americans are just into selfishness. They’re more concerned about sports than their well being. That’s how Rome kept the masses under control until the barbarians broke the gates open.
Not exactly, but close enough. The ancient Roman lower and middle classes had been destroyed economically, kind of like how we are now. We do like sports, but our election of Democratic leaders and protests of GOP war hawks show what is more important. There is a certain apathy, but it has more to do with depressed economic circumstances. I've yet to meet a Democrat who is more interested in sports. I know enough who Republican who also care about Liberty, Justice and Equality for All.
I’m all for it!
It looks like we (Americans) are NOT alone with ‘creeping fascism’ coupled with people exhibiting horrible behavior & blatant racism as a badge of honor. Bragging about how badly they treated someone else seems to get them that feather in their cap identifying them as a member of the “club”.
I admit my first instinct is to flee…but as I’m learning there really aren’t many places to run to.
Protecting Democracy is our number 1 issue…it goes without saying how perilous this moment is.
We must let those who doubt understand.
A Canadian living in Arkansas,....I feel your pain. :)
What you are saying breaks my heart with its clarity and truth. And so many people now are their own worst enemies because they support those politicians who screw them, who could care less about their needs, only about their own power and wealth. I feel like Trump heralded the beginning of the end of America.
So true....few people understand what it means but those who do are trying to educate people about the obvious evils of capitalism. Capitalism fuels the empire that is America and is in decline. Never thought I would refer to my country as an empire.
History confirms it. And what happens when the lower and middle classes aren't shored up. We are the legs this nation stands on as Michael reminds us, working the factories, farms, stores, driving the trucks that move America and all else, but especially fighting the wars, too many of which have been blood for oil.
True, maybe young people will save us from the mistakes of the baby boomers.
That aint happening as long as the kids feel helpless and stoned. We need to clean up our own act.
As a Canadian looking in, you seem to be all focused on symptoms rather than the illness. The root of your problems is money in politics. Can you please (I am asking nicely, proof I am Canadian), to all of you to work together and solve that problem first? Just imagine where you would be now, if the first thing Obama did was to introduce a bill that would have essentially removed Citizens United and limited corporate fundraising for state and federal politicians. Your system is rotten to the core and you will only be getting the odd token hearing aid until you get the power back to the people. Stop focusing on what you want and fix the system. In Canada we just had a federal election, it lasted 4 weeks, cost $600 million CAN($5 US) total for all candidates and you probably never even noticed.
Sadly, you are correct we Americans are so ego-centric that other country's news is only a slight diversion, if even recognized. The ego-centrism is causing the "it's about me" thinking vs. "we are in this together" mindset. You Canadians ARE nice and Jim Carrey says it's because YOU HAVE HEALTH CARE for all and have less medical worries.
Thanks for the compliment Andrea. Jim is correct we are nice because we have universal health care. It is a fundamental right of all Canadians to receive equal quality health care. We can do better but compared to the US we are miles ahead or should I say KMs! It is much harder to corrupt a politician in Canada so our small interest groups do not have the same power in our political system as yours and as a result our government is more representative of the majority. We don't have the same vitriol in our news. FB and Twitter, yes unfortunately, but our news is informative and based on facts. Kind of like your Walter Cronkite days. Everything comes down to money, corruption and lobbying in your political system. This should be the one thing that a majority of Americans should agree on.
Can’t do. Thanks to the Koch’s and their alliance with the ACLU. Both believe that money = free speech. The corrupted courts have been bought off. We’re stuck with a system that will become more corrupt and eventually the Federal government will collapse from inertia and the US will break into pieces just like the USSR did.
I can see how you would see that as a likely outcome. A Democratic candidate has to run on cleaning up your democracy as a main policy/platform, win and then make it their first priority above everything else. It seems like the only chance to make this change comes with a newly elected democratic president with a super majority of the all 3 branches of government. Unfortunately both Obama and Joe did not prioritize this as their first priority as there always seems to be something more important than saving democracy itself. Health care for Obama and Covid support/Infrastructure for Biden. Once the first 2 years goes by and they inevitably loose the super majority the opportunity is lost. Your next opportunity will (I hate to say this) likely be in 2032 or 2036 unless Joe can win a super majority in 2022 or 2024 which seems highly unlikely.
The fix is in with Republicans continually gerrymandering their way to power. Republicans will get the Congress in 2022 and I fully expect Trump to cheat his way back into the Presidency in 2024.
Yes @Joe Bacon, I believe you are correct. Only thing to stop Trump other than a heart attack is the Republicans. If Biden looks really weak than maybe there will be a shift in Republican support behind the scenes as they are all so hungry for power. It would be very easy for hidden power brokers in the Republican party to allow Trump to be tripped up in a way he could not run. This is a far more likely outcome if they feel they have another candidate that can beat Joe in 2024. The weaker Joe is the less likely Trump will be a candidate which is a very sad silver lining. Mitch is just biding his time and if there is another path without Trump he will take it. Alas, a super majority for Joe in 2020 or 2024 would be the best case scenario for folks in the USA and for the rest of the planet as the world is facing an existential climate crisis but right now this is a very unlikely outcome. If your are going to support your billionaires over government can you at least keep them focused on removing carbon from the atmosphere rather than going into giant penises to space?
Since the New Right came to power with Prop 13 in 1978 we no longer have a National Will. It's now a National Won't since people have been programmed to only look out for #1.
That message is reenforced in churches all over the country every Sunday with Pulpit Pimp Preachers pushing the Prosperity Gospel--The more God loves you the wealthier you are.
If that's so, The Big G really has a crush on Carlos Slim, Musk, Bezos and Gates.
So much for the "United" States of America. What a colossal failure with your shift to extreme Capitalism. Democrats and Republicans are equally to blame. You can't fight evil with evil. Evil will always win.
Trump will try to cheat again, but with the lawsuits and possible criminal trials, he may not get that chance.
I voted in the most recent Canadian election, they sent me a ballot because I voted in the last election by mail. They make it so easy to vote. When we lived in the Country, they had several places for advance voting for 3 weeks before vote day, they come to your house to verify you are on the correct voter list and options for advance voting. Proud to be Canadian because Canadians are not trying destroy the Democratic vote.
Yes absolutely. For some reason in the USA the donor class has convinced a significant % of people that more votes are bad for them. When in fact if everyone was allowed and encouraged to vote the country would be a better place for all the people.
I believe we have, going thru Congress, who is responsible for the graft, along with US Supreme Court who upheld corporations in the Gilded Age. Inevitably, the people will rise up as history shows. French elite were dragged thru muddy streets wondering why.
Cf Age of Betrayal by Jack Beatty.
I think Biden is a decent man. He might not be able to wrap his head around how detrimental trump continues to be to our country. It’s unimaginable to decent people! Look at the evil lined up behind trump! There’s no moral center, no patriotism! Only self-serving or cowardice. Thank God for Nancy Pelosi!
There is strength in numbers with DSA. Thank You for reminding us to join up.
I love watching House Speaker Nancy Pelosi set things straight in the House.
She led the charge in getting Trump impeached twice.
Congress needs to restrict presidential powers, now.
Michael, you and I were born in the same year and we both love our country and are sad and devastated by exactly what you’ve written about here.
I don’t know what else we can do to change things. Spreading what you wrote would illuminate and shock many who really just don’t know the facts.
I want so much for this country and have been infuriated, devastated, gutted and frightened by the disgusting acts & behavior of the GOP.
What are we missing? What on earth do we need to do to turn this evil and lawless trajectory into something we all can be proud of?
I’, literally, had a nightmare of a Nazi takeover in this country and was scared out of my wits.
I appreciate what you do and have hope when I take into consideration how many likeminded Americans there are out there; we all just need to know we’re not alone in our thinking and work together to bring about the country we want to live in.
The Progressives are on the “good guys” team!
“A lot of what was originally there is now gone. Like free community college is out, and so is paid family and medical leave, which means America will remain the only nation in the world where women try to give birth during their lunch break.” - Trevor Noah
#BuildBackBetter
Two things
1) The reason other nations are able to spend more on social programs is because we sucker taxpayers pay for their military defense.
2) We are a nation in decline. The best days of the US are behind us and we have to come to the realization that we're coming to the end of the American Empire.
A dying, dismantling empire.....think Rome...very militaristic, overextended.
Oh I remember Chris Hedges talking with East German dissidents and their consensus was that the Berlin Wall would fall in 3-5 years.
The wall fell one week after Hedges talked to them.
You can’t have dental care or glasses but by god you can carry a gun!!!!!
And those pushing concealed carry guns for everyone are going to regret it when the guns are turned on them...
I read recently that we are pretty far down the totem poll in terms of political freedom as well, since one person, whether Mitch McConnell or Kirsten Sinema can derail the will of the majority.
I feel like crying. Will we ever lose the stench of trump?
Sadly, the stench long preceded Trump.....starting 1980 with Reagan, continued with Clinton.......slowly but progressively. Like the toad in the pan of water on the stove.
None with the open criminality, the utter ignorance of trump. Reagan, for all his ego and flaws, wanted the US to prosper, as did Clinton who had the same flaws. Trump was in it for the grift without a clue how to govern nor the desire! How do we recover from this? Where do we meet in the middle and come together to heal and move forward? See one another as fellow Americans and not enemies? Can we ever trust the news media in Ratings dependent market? It’s really scary to have no reliable news source. That’s what got us here today, I think. Rupert Murdoch vs the Talking Heads. In a global emergency, where do we turn? The BBC?
no I think, like the the kkk has survived, because our country was broken by the Civil War and we really have not healed from it. One must go back to then, the rise of the carpet baggers and kkk, lying and deceit, it worked then and was not rooted out. Compliancy because we just fought in one war and we don't want to start another war. It seems to be a montra for us. "We are recovering from cival war, can fight now, we just fought the great war . . we can't have discontent now, we just fought WWII don't bring civil unrest now. Yada yada yada. There is always an excuse to put down unrest.
And p.s. Biden said he won't run again, he plans K Harris to run next election. Said that in his campaign.
Hi Michael, you really laid it all out there. Thank you. My Country 'tis of thee Sweet Land of Misery of thee, I can't stand. Down on my knees I am, buckled down and shackled to Republican demands. Oh boy!
Excellent commentary. God help us if people don't care enough to go out and vote more than we've ever seen in 2022. We need a majority of progressives to survive this assault on our democracy and move to facism.
As you so deftly articulate, the political class simply do not care about the American people. However, the American people do not seem to care about themselves and dementedly continue to elect and empower these immoral, self-serving robots. So ... ultimately, who is to blame? The parasitic political enablers? Or US, the root retards mindlessly, apathetically dreaming and arrogantly ignoring reality? Pity Joe? A little... Pity US! We are pitiful.
Dont get MAD! Vote!
And support our candidates.
I already live in a Democrat state! My vote would only count if I move to a republican state and vote the scumbag off the senate.
Your vote only counts when you vote.
everytime!
Whew! Thank you for putting into truths I can't wrap my brain around.