Patriotism & religion are luxuries. When you can’t pay the rent or feed your family, when you’re pestered by bill collectors, it’s hard to think of anything other than money…
Politically active . Now in whatever way we can . We definitely need to show up to vote in every election . Just as important as presidential elections are local elections. Republicans cash in on local elections , which Democrats are just starting to see the importance of . And we learned the hard way . Look at De Santis in Florida making changes( arguably not his to make) but held up by white supremecists’ at the local levels.
And their numbers are increasing . We need to be vocal about things happening in our communities locally as well . Many people get more well informed w government at the local level. I know here in my city in NYS , Democrats are the majority but in the County Republicans rule. Its damn frustrating to see how hands are tied by these GOP politicians who loved Reagans ‘ non principles ‘ and still play with them today . Mean spirited as Reagan , Bush , Trump and now the Supreme Court has been engineered around these same non principles.
The love of money has infected everything. I am remiss in giving publicity to another substack letter
by this scares the Bejesus out of me. Jamie Dimon, who along with Pete Peterson has been deadset on privatizing Social Security and Medicare is apparently being considered as Secretary of the Treasury when Janet Yellen leaves the office. I thought it was a betrayal when Obama had Geither as his Sec Treasury, Rahm Emanuel as his Chief of Staff, Larry Summers as his advisor, but Biden following suit and making Dimon sec of Treasury, I can only hope that his repuration goes in the toilet with Epstein and Trump. https://powercorridor.substack.com/p/moment-of-trump?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
"JPMorgan Chase’s chief executive Jamie Dimon achieved borderline action hero status as he raced the clock alongside U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to shore up the foundering U.S. banking system.
This was meant (mostly) in jest, and I feel the need to point out that I should not need to point this out. Hyperbole, people.
Nonetheless, talk that Dimon may be asked by President Biden as early as this year to possibly succeed Yellen is getting a tiny bit louder, and is seen by some as a fitting retirement lap to his nearly two-decade-long reign as Wall Street’s top banker.
After Dimon gamely pitched in to help co-lead last month’s rescue operation, resulting in 11 banks joining forces to stabilize the financial system (a herculean effort that The New York Times breathlessly called the “Jamie and Janet show”), it does not strain the imagination to think he might be an appealing candidate for the job.
Yet Dimon’s hero halo is looking a little tarnished by fresh allegations that high-ranking executives at JPMorgan knew about – and made light of – the behavior of late child predator, convicted sex criminal, and financier Jeffrey Epstein, a client of the bank."
I disagree on your basic premise: religion and patriotism are not luxuries, they are essentials. The problem is, money/greed have usurped them both, along with a healthy dose of fear. My millennial child doesn't plan on having children because of the Climate Crisis. He and his partner are both scientists, have worked on environmental climate studies and ...know. Religion (Christianity, at least) has been corrupted by child abuse scandals; we no longer have spiritual connections, we have dogma. "The Over-Soul' by Emerson is my favorite essay of all time! In it, Emerson describes the soul in each of us and how we connect to each other and to an 'over-soul' - one God for all religions. If only we had this spirituality as the foundation of our religions, we'd be in much better shape. Patriotism in my humble opinion, started to die when we stopped teaching Civics in grammar schools - I learned how our Country works and it made me proud to be an American. If only we went back to Civics and added 1619 Project, et al. for the whole truth, our children could stem the tide.
The current 38 and 39% levels you mention for patriotism and religion respectively sound about right, and the realistic level is probably lower. It's referred to by church-goers, of which I used to be one, as the "refiner's fire"; that is, a person's true character comes out when times get tough. When I attended church, it was obvious that some see it as a social event, very much a "luxury", as you put it. For those who are single, it's a good place to meet a mate, that sort of luxury. And as life gets tougher and more demanding expect to see those numbers decline even further -- it's how you get to the "gold", hence the term refiner's fire.
The latest illustration of what is wrong with the country and why it's so difficult to correct our course occurred on the most recent 60 minutes broadcast. The experienced journalist, Stahl was told by the corrupt M.T. Greene that this country should have laws straight out of the bible since our founders were very religious and read the bible. She was not told that actually they were mostly Deists and wanted nothing to do with religion in government after seeing the hundreds of years of religious wars devastating Europe. That was the last thing we needed here. Alas, look how far we have regressed.
Exactly the kind of history book that should be used in schools throughout the country. But also, the kind of book that'd give people like Ron Desantis an apoplectic fit. Maybe I'll send him a copy.
I would absolutely say that there is no room left for anything when you are just trying to survive.
There are always many factors with major change. One thing that drove the decrease concerning religion has to be the incredible hypocrisy and actual criminality involved with organized religions. I know I had a terrible experience that affected my attitude toward churches.
Having blind-faith with religion and patriotism is not healthy. I love this country because it is constantly reinventing itself. There is a state of collective learning involved. Bernie, AOC, and so many progressives have reached the masses. We will overcome the money obsession along with wasting our lives on corporations that demand loyalty but give none in return. Young people are on to this. It is the very reason Bernie can write a book called "It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism". They will read it---the libraries will have it. Could you fathom that happening 25 years ago?
Money equals freedom for the 99%. Money for the rich bastards not paying their share is just a means of keeping score.
The mis-aligned focus is increasingly understood but the question arises how to get to a solution.
Most would argue that the Constitution needs amendment to eliminate the "speech is money" corruption regime that has taken over since Citizens United. Asking Congress to propose and refer such an amendment when they are feeding at the trough of monied corruption is hoping for too much.
Perhaps an Article V convention with a very limited scope should be considered. This would originate in the states and, arguably, could leverage citizen initiative processes--assuming that the initiative is the same as a legislature--of the 26 states with one. Leveraging this process may help overcome some Red state legislatures and get to the 34 needed to call the Convention.
As was done with the call for a Convention for the direct election of senators, the language of the call can be very restrictive. The threat of that Convention led to Congress actually submitting the 17th Amendment to the States, which was followed by rather fast adoption.
At the very least, a call to an Article V Convention for ending the "money is speech corruption" will wake up Congress. The effort is not easy or without risk but it is better than the alternative at always pointing to the problem and getting stuck watching politicians feed at the trough of corruption.
You know, Tom? I respectfully disagree with your premise. I don’t think Americans were actually all that more patriotic then, unless you cherry-pick post 9-11, and as for religion? That’s a crock of people wanting to say something that looks good on paper, but don’t really believe.
Exhibit A is Michael Moore’s brilliant (except for the cringe-worthy, typical Moore scene where he snuck in and mocked dementia victim Charlton Heston…ugh) movie, “Bowling for Columbine.” As you remember, the movie revealed that the primary cause for mass shootings and the proliferation of military weapons in civilian hands is actually the MARKETING OF FEAR.
Now, it’s the marketing of greed, wealth and excess at work. “Get the (fill in the blank) you deserve!”
Politically active . Now in whatever way we can . We definitely need to show up to vote in every election . Just as important as presidential elections are local elections. Republicans cash in on local elections , which Democrats are just starting to see the importance of . And we learned the hard way . Look at De Santis in Florida making changes( arguably not his to make) but held up by white supremecists’ at the local levels.
And their numbers are increasing . We need to be vocal about things happening in our communities locally as well . Many people get more well informed w government at the local level. I know here in my city in NYS , Democrats are the majority but in the County Republicans rule. Its damn frustrating to see how hands are tied by these GOP politicians who loved Reagans ‘ non principles ‘ and still play with them today . Mean spirited as Reagan , Bush , Trump and now the Supreme Court has been engineered around these same non principles.
We must get to work .
The love of money has infected everything. I am remiss in giving publicity to another substack letter
by this scares the Bejesus out of me. Jamie Dimon, who along with Pete Peterson has been deadset on privatizing Social Security and Medicare is apparently being considered as Secretary of the Treasury when Janet Yellen leaves the office. I thought it was a betrayal when Obama had Geither as his Sec Treasury, Rahm Emanuel as his Chief of Staff, Larry Summers as his advisor, but Biden following suit and making Dimon sec of Treasury, I can only hope that his repuration goes in the toilet with Epstein and Trump. https://powercorridor.substack.com/p/moment-of-trump?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
"JPMorgan Chase’s chief executive Jamie Dimon achieved borderline action hero status as he raced the clock alongside U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to shore up the foundering U.S. banking system.
This was meant (mostly) in jest, and I feel the need to point out that I should not need to point this out. Hyperbole, people.
Nonetheless, talk that Dimon may be asked by President Biden as early as this year to possibly succeed Yellen is getting a tiny bit louder, and is seen by some as a fitting retirement lap to his nearly two-decade-long reign as Wall Street’s top banker.
After Dimon gamely pitched in to help co-lead last month’s rescue operation, resulting in 11 banks joining forces to stabilize the financial system (a herculean effort that The New York Times breathlessly called the “Jamie and Janet show”), it does not strain the imagination to think he might be an appealing candidate for the job.
Yet Dimon’s hero halo is looking a little tarnished by fresh allegations that high-ranking executives at JPMorgan knew about – and made light of – the behavior of late child predator, convicted sex criminal, and financier Jeffrey Epstein, a client of the bank."
I disagree on your basic premise: religion and patriotism are not luxuries, they are essentials. The problem is, money/greed have usurped them both, along with a healthy dose of fear. My millennial child doesn't plan on having children because of the Climate Crisis. He and his partner are both scientists, have worked on environmental climate studies and ...know. Religion (Christianity, at least) has been corrupted by child abuse scandals; we no longer have spiritual connections, we have dogma. "The Over-Soul' by Emerson is my favorite essay of all time! In it, Emerson describes the soul in each of us and how we connect to each other and to an 'over-soul' - one God for all religions. If only we had this spirituality as the foundation of our religions, we'd be in much better shape. Patriotism in my humble opinion, started to die when we stopped teaching Civics in grammar schools - I learned how our Country works and it made me proud to be an American. If only we went back to Civics and added 1619 Project, et al. for the whole truth, our children could stem the tide.
The current 38 and 39% levels you mention for patriotism and religion respectively sound about right, and the realistic level is probably lower. It's referred to by church-goers, of which I used to be one, as the "refiner's fire"; that is, a person's true character comes out when times get tough. When I attended church, it was obvious that some see it as a social event, very much a "luxury", as you put it. For those who are single, it's a good place to meet a mate, that sort of luxury. And as life gets tougher and more demanding expect to see those numbers decline even further -- it's how you get to the "gold", hence the term refiner's fire.
The latest illustration of what is wrong with the country and why it's so difficult to correct our course occurred on the most recent 60 minutes broadcast. The experienced journalist, Stahl was told by the corrupt M.T. Greene that this country should have laws straight out of the bible since our founders were very religious and read the bible. She was not told that actually they were mostly Deists and wanted nothing to do with religion in government after seeing the hundreds of years of religious wars devastating Europe. That was the last thing we needed here. Alas, look how far we have regressed.
I'm not one to quote the bible, but Paul got this right: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." 1. Timothy 6:10.
Exactly the kind of history book that should be used in schools throughout the country. But also, the kind of book that'd give people like Ron Desantis an apoplectic fit. Maybe I'll send him a copy.
I would absolutely say that there is no room left for anything when you are just trying to survive.
There are always many factors with major change. One thing that drove the decrease concerning religion has to be the incredible hypocrisy and actual criminality involved with organized religions. I know I had a terrible experience that affected my attitude toward churches.
Having blind-faith with religion and patriotism is not healthy. I love this country because it is constantly reinventing itself. There is a state of collective learning involved. Bernie, AOC, and so many progressives have reached the masses. We will overcome the money obsession along with wasting our lives on corporations that demand loyalty but give none in return. Young people are on to this. It is the very reason Bernie can write a book called "It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism". They will read it---the libraries will have it. Could you fathom that happening 25 years ago?
Money equals freedom for the 99%. Money for the rich bastards not paying their share is just a means of keeping score.
Patriotism is showing faith and our Nation and voting. When only half of us believe in voting we get a Congress with an 18% job approval rating.
The mis-aligned focus is increasingly understood but the question arises how to get to a solution.
Most would argue that the Constitution needs amendment to eliminate the "speech is money" corruption regime that has taken over since Citizens United. Asking Congress to propose and refer such an amendment when they are feeding at the trough of monied corruption is hoping for too much.
Perhaps an Article V convention with a very limited scope should be considered. This would originate in the states and, arguably, could leverage citizen initiative processes--assuming that the initiative is the same as a legislature--of the 26 states with one. Leveraging this process may help overcome some Red state legislatures and get to the 34 needed to call the Convention.
The "smoke and mirrors" scare tactics around a runaway Convention should be avoided. Article V was included in the Constitution to "amend" the constitution not replace it. There have been fairly exhaustive analyses that conclude that limits exist and further limits can be implemented by Congress. See https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/report-attorney-general-limited-constitutional-conventions-under.
As was done with the call for a Convention for the direct election of senators, the language of the call can be very restrictive. The threat of that Convention led to Congress actually submitting the 17th Amendment to the States, which was followed by rather fast adoption.
At the very least, a call to an Article V Convention for ending the "money is speech corruption" will wake up Congress. The effort is not easy or without risk but it is better than the alternative at always pointing to the problem and getting stuck watching politicians feed at the trough of corruption.
P
You know, Tom? I respectfully disagree with your premise. I don’t think Americans were actually all that more patriotic then, unless you cherry-pick post 9-11, and as for religion? That’s a crock of people wanting to say something that looks good on paper, but don’t really believe.
Exhibit A is Michael Moore’s brilliant (except for the cringe-worthy, typical Moore scene where he snuck in and mocked dementia victim Charlton Heston…ugh) movie, “Bowling for Columbine.” As you remember, the movie revealed that the primary cause for mass shootings and the proliferation of military weapons in civilian hands is actually the MARKETING OF FEAR.
Now, it’s the marketing of greed, wealth and excess at work. “Get the (fill in the blank) you deserve!”
Deserve? Huh….
So your premise is just wrong.