The future of our nation is now at risk just as much as it was in 1800, only this time it’s a radicalized Supreme Court that’s hell-bent on rewriting the American social and legal compact
The vision of the Democrat party delivering what you suggest seems to me only possible if the gerontocracy steps aside and lets the new, fresh voices, those that could get behind Bernie Sanders, for example, take their rightful places in the leadership of the party. Schumer, Pelosi and the rest are bone tired and devoid of vision, and anyway, it's RIGHT for the older generation in any organization to step back and let the new one take over the reins. The Democrats have behaved like Republicans when they have been in power, and the idea of "reaching across the aisle" in this current situation is laughable, and irresponsible...shall I say incompetent? The Democrats serve the same masters, especially the older generation, as the Republicans. They have been reluctant to use their power even when they had it. They have continually offered up weak and ineffective candidates for the presidency, including Hillary Clinton who was the quintessential "Good ol' boy" insider, only in a pantsuit. I'm a 70 year-old man, but I want to see Alexandia Occasio-Cortez, Ayanna Presley, Stacey Abrams, Beto O'Rourke and other GENUINE progressives come to the helm. That's where my votes will be going, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to see a progressive landslide in November.
The right-wingers have turned the words "Christian values" into an oxymoron. This has not escaped the youth of this nation. I would know because I'm on the streets with them every chance I get. They know bullies and injustice when they see it and won't stand for the bullshit people try to feed them. These arcane laws will get the same treatment the speed limit does. I can't wait to see the inventive work-rounds people will come up with, not to mention the outright defiance.
The words "loyal opposition" no longer applies to them as well. The Republicans, especially the ones on SCOTUS, have no loyalty to the American people. They have sold-out to corporations, the rich, religious institutions, and the crazies. The Koch's and many others fit all those categories.
The revival has begun; dragging the conservatives kicking and screaming into the future is a real drag. Bless their hearts!
I can't see where your optimism is coming from, Thom. Wish I could, but the few actual progressive websites I'm seeing (Jimmy Dore, Grayzone, Redacted, Useful Idiots, The Left Lens, Consortium News) and Chris Hedges and Glenn Greenwald have a very small audience and our corporate media censor or distort anything of real importance. The so-called progressives in government (funded at least in part by the same corporate interests as the so-called conservatives) have proven themselves impotent wimps and the oligarchs benefitting from the military/industrial/media complex are manning this Ship of Fools, waging wars and draining our commonwealth are getting stronger and fatter hourly.
All while the vast majority of citizens just want to live as sedated as possible.... because it's all so unbearably frightening to do otherwise.
One thing the these fascist bastards love to do is “dog whistle” that is sending signals to their minions and fellow travelers that pass over the heads of us decent Americans.
Take the “Federalist Society” which has successfully packed the court w/ Christo and Neo-Fascists.
As Thom elucidates in this column the early attempts by Adams came from “Federalists” and their overtly anti-democratic world view.
Thom - you are a national treasure for decent Americans who love this nation!
Interesting history lesson, with a little glossing over, but you sound like Biden and the Harris in believing electoral politics is going to get us out of this mess. Democrats keep promising, get into a majority (I don't care how large) and then fail to deliver or more importantly do the precise opposite of what the people need. Then their pundits blame the electorate for not turning out at election time. It is going to take some type of civil disobedience or worse yet civil war to turn this tide. Democrats are weak and you enable them Thom by doing contortions to make excuses for their poor judgment and deadly political expediency.
RE: "History shows that when enough people become politically active, they can rescue the soul of America from sliding into a corrupt, abusive police state."
I love you Thom. But this summary of John Adams is sadly lacking and one- sided. Your comparison with today’s events a bit of a stretch. Deification of Jefferson, not a word about slavery and TJ’s attitudes. Also, Jefferson had no problem with state (VA) sedition laws.
"We must hold the House and gain at least two new seats in the Senate just to do the simple but necessary work of guaranteeing Americans’ rights to vote, privacy, and personal bodily autonomy.
If we’re successful, America may experience a revival every bit as extraordinary as that brought about by the Second American Revolution of 1800, FDR’s New Deal, and LBJ’s Great Society.
If not, America could quickly become unrecognizable to anybody except historians of the Adams presidency."
I agree totally.
And, there also needs to be a backup plan for after November 8th, if voters fail to stop the rampage on that day.
Yesterday I put the finishing touches on my new blog dedicated to that "Plan B":
"New Harmony -Planning a peaceful split of America, now that our worst nightmares have come true"
I am mainly focused on getting voters out on midterm day. But I will keep this website active at the same time, and keep it focused on bad midterm aftermath planning.
Meanwhile, I depend on Thom Hartmann, Daily Kos, Talking Points Memo, and other sources to keep me well informed about the emergency we are in.
Thank you for keeping us aware!
The vision of the Democrat party delivering what you suggest seems to me only possible if the gerontocracy steps aside and lets the new, fresh voices, those that could get behind Bernie Sanders, for example, take their rightful places in the leadership of the party. Schumer, Pelosi and the rest are bone tired and devoid of vision, and anyway, it's RIGHT for the older generation in any organization to step back and let the new one take over the reins. The Democrats have behaved like Republicans when they have been in power, and the idea of "reaching across the aisle" in this current situation is laughable, and irresponsible...shall I say incompetent? The Democrats serve the same masters, especially the older generation, as the Republicans. They have been reluctant to use their power even when they had it. They have continually offered up weak and ineffective candidates for the presidency, including Hillary Clinton who was the quintessential "Good ol' boy" insider, only in a pantsuit. I'm a 70 year-old man, but I want to see Alexandia Occasio-Cortez, Ayanna Presley, Stacey Abrams, Beto O'Rourke and other GENUINE progressives come to the helm. That's where my votes will be going, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to see a progressive landslide in November.
The right-wingers have turned the words "Christian values" into an oxymoron. This has not escaped the youth of this nation. I would know because I'm on the streets with them every chance I get. They know bullies and injustice when they see it and won't stand for the bullshit people try to feed them. These arcane laws will get the same treatment the speed limit does. I can't wait to see the inventive work-rounds people will come up with, not to mention the outright defiance.
The words "loyal opposition" no longer applies to them as well. The Republicans, especially the ones on SCOTUS, have no loyalty to the American people. They have sold-out to corporations, the rich, religious institutions, and the crazies. The Koch's and many others fit all those categories.
The revival has begun; dragging the conservatives kicking and screaming into the future is a real drag. Bless their hearts!
I can't see where your optimism is coming from, Thom. Wish I could, but the few actual progressive websites I'm seeing (Jimmy Dore, Grayzone, Redacted, Useful Idiots, The Left Lens, Consortium News) and Chris Hedges and Glenn Greenwald have a very small audience and our corporate media censor or distort anything of real importance. The so-called progressives in government (funded at least in part by the same corporate interests as the so-called conservatives) have proven themselves impotent wimps and the oligarchs benefitting from the military/industrial/media complex are manning this Ship of Fools, waging wars and draining our commonwealth are getting stronger and fatter hourly.
All while the vast majority of citizens just want to live as sedated as possible.... because it's all so unbearably frightening to do otherwise.
That's what I'm seeing. And I'm paying attention.
One thing the these fascist bastards love to do is “dog whistle” that is sending signals to their minions and fellow travelers that pass over the heads of us decent Americans.
Take the “Federalist Society” which has successfully packed the court w/ Christo and Neo-Fascists.
As Thom elucidates in this column the early attempts by Adams came from “Federalists” and their overtly anti-democratic world view.
Thom - you are a national treasure for decent Americans who love this nation!
Interesting history lesson, with a little glossing over, but you sound like Biden and the Harris in believing electoral politics is going to get us out of this mess. Democrats keep promising, get into a majority (I don't care how large) and then fail to deliver or more importantly do the precise opposite of what the people need. Then their pundits blame the electorate for not turning out at election time. It is going to take some type of civil disobedience or worse yet civil war to turn this tide. Democrats are weak and you enable them Thom by doing contortions to make excuses for their poor judgment and deadly political expediency.
RE: "History shows that when enough people become politically active, they can rescue the soul of America from sliding into a corrupt, abusive police state."
This is my hope also:
https://www.opednews.com/articles/Voters-Must-Empower-and-Pr-by-Charles-Hailey-Democracy-History_Democracy-In-Action_Executive-Unitary-Theory-Of_History-220704-115.html
So, framework for the christian state!
I love you Thom. But this summary of John Adams is sadly lacking and one- sided. Your comparison with today’s events a bit of a stretch. Deification of Jefferson, not a word about slavery and TJ’s attitudes. Also, Jefferson had no problem with state (VA) sedition laws.
Thank you for keeping us aware!
I am in your camp, learn from you all the time, so don't take this the wrong way. Praise for Lyndon Johnson makes me uneasy.
You said at the end,
"We must hold the House and gain at least two new seats in the Senate just to do the simple but necessary work of guaranteeing Americans’ rights to vote, privacy, and personal bodily autonomy.
If we’re successful, America may experience a revival every bit as extraordinary as that brought about by the Second American Revolution of 1800, FDR’s New Deal, and LBJ’s Great Society.
If not, America could quickly become unrecognizable to anybody except historians of the Adams presidency."
I agree totally.
And, there also needs to be a backup plan for after November 8th, if voters fail to stop the rampage on that day.
Yesterday I put the finishing touches on my new blog dedicated to that "Plan B":
"New Harmony -Planning a peaceful split of America, now that our worst nightmares have come true"
( newharmony.ohioprogressivelife.com )
I am mainly focused on getting voters out on midterm day. But I will keep this website active at the same time, and keep it focused on bad midterm aftermath planning.
Meanwhile, I depend on Thom Hartmann, Daily Kos, Talking Points Memo, and other sources to keep me well informed about the emergency we are in.