"It struck me that America’s president was making the point that he’s not really transferring power to Donald Trump and his henchman, but rather to you, me and everyone who cares about democracy and truly loves their country." Wow. Brilliant interpretation.
I wonder if this message even reached those who most need to hear it. I'd be surprised if President Biden's farewell speech was even aired on corporate media outlets, let alone Fox News, et. al..
Oligarchy has been on its way (back) here since at least Reagan, and the Republicans have been very skillful in convincing voters that it is what they should want.
I am discouraged that Democrats still seem to be unable to promote themselves and their policies that have actually helped people, even though those policies may be less than perfect (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, among others).
The few Republican voters that I still must occasionally see, sneer their hatred at Democrats, all the while saying that they can't wait to retire so they can collect Social Security benefits and be insured via Medicare. Yet they're convinced that the felon is 'one of them' and that he, the idea-buying billionaire, and the other employee-abusing billionaires have their best interests at their non-existent hearts.
They gloat at the destruction of the wildfires in California. They were elated, initially, when they thought COVID was just fatal to Democrats. They laughed about the attack on Paul Pelosi. Evidently, the felon and the billionaires are not the only ones without hearts.
They are so blinded by their hate that they don't even care that the coming regime will also hurt them greatly, just as long as the regime hurts those that they hate.
How do we survive this? We are on a path of self-destruction, and almost half of the country thinks it's a good idea.
I wish I had a better plan for avoiding the frightful hate that is descending. It was good news to see President Biden's remarks (in full) on CBS last night, and Steve's wisdom and courage brought the mission home to me.
Democrats have been outmaneuvered for some time; not recognizing the long term plan of the GOP and their owners since Reagan. Kind of like China's 100 year plan to supplant the US as THE World Leader. We need a comprehensive short and long term plan to stop the violent destructive narrative and energized oligarchy. We need to choose our battles - sorry to say - some of the culture war stuff needs to be relegated to the back burner. We are not going to change voters minds until we can control the narrative or at least 100% respond to the GOP narrative. Focus on Wages, Home Ownership, Health Care; especially Women's Health Care, Social Security, Medicare and Education. Call out Corporate tax cuts and loopholes - constantly. Call out Corporate subsidies, constantly. Focus on local policies, races, etc. Invest like the GOP did decades ago - and build, build, build. Communication will be the KEY driver and We (Democrats) mostly suck at this. All our future leaders need to be in tune with media landscape and adapting NOW. This will take dollars and training - my few dollars are only going to leaders/groups that recognize the challenge and have a plan.
Could you explain what you mean by "culture war stuff"? In my experience the term "culture war" is mostly used to undermine those who are fighting on all the fronts you mention.
President Biden's speech came 3 1/2 years too late. The train is gone, and it was missed. For the next 4 years, we must all decide to be as annoying as possible—good trouble for all of us.
I don't believe we have to get on that slow boat to destruction. We can cause enough "good trouble" to keep the oligarchs off balance long enough for us to figure a way out of this mess.
Yes. I definitely felt him passing the torch to the American people and wishing US well in our fight to save our democracy and our rights in the face of the incoming danger. Glad he said it. Wish we were not so far down the road.
If any good is to come out of the horrors of ignorance, greed and.vindictiveness that we are about to confront, may it be to lead us to a period of deep introspection and reinvention.
I hope so, Homi. It's hard to do that when you're struggling to make a living though. And that's why they want to make it as difficult as possible to do that (among other reasons).
Thank you Steven for this commentary and extracting some important points President Biden made. Personally I was struck by these specific appeals to us citizens; … must not be bullied..yes, oligarchy
Yes, perhaps Biden could have done all those things - paragraph six - a dream to-do list; but that’s hindsight wishful thinking: Biden, like many of us antiquated, has ethics rules he’s lived by for eighty years.
Steven, I’m not trying to be difficult but when you say “We can’t wait four years to begin this work. We need to advocate for changes that will lessen the impact of the billionaire class-and do it before there’s a rising conviction…” please explain how we do this. Collectively we have sent hundreds of thousands of letters, emails and phone calls about the horrific nominees, and the Republicans don’t even pretend to listen. Democrats on the committees have pushed back and been met with condescension and hostility. So what do we do to “advocate”? I’m really stumped.
One example: Pick one issue that’s important to you and find people/organizations that agree and are working on it. Participate and tell others. Hold an event. Increase the numbers of people who care. This is slow, hard work, buy every effort to not cede ground matters.
Don’t forget to tell people to run for school boards on a save democracy platform. Anyone can run. They don’t need children in their district to run. People have never realized how important these boards are to their detriment - corrupt schools helped bring democracy down because few knew to run for these boards. Boards are all over the country. They’re still ours for the taking. It’s the most powerful thing we can do that few know about. They can listen to teacher Whistleblowers at WhiteChalkCrime.com and become educated about the institution that was to uphold democracy but failed us and learn that school boards are education’s ONLY watchdog. We must go for any power possible. This is a big one! It’s best to run in groups of three to make sure that democracy controls that board.
You know, MLK marched and marched and marched. I heard John Lewis say once (I am a native Georgian) you have to put feet in the street. Marching and showing up. Calling attention to the fact that not everyone voted for despots. When people are being really difficult, I always preface my remarks with, "Jesus has laid it on my heart to tell you that's not acceptable." What are they going to say? That Jesus didn't lay it on my heart? Because the Jesus I believe it doesn't play and doesn't take prisoners.
Run for a school board on a save democracy platform. Run in a group of three likeminded individuals. If you can’t run, help solicit those who can. Young or old need to grab this power. People don’t know how much power could be ours. Spread the word. Nothing equalizes power more than education when done right! Don’t let them keep doing it wrong!
I've worried about oligarchy for some time, and now with it hypocritically tied to theocracy it is really scary. Biden's statement at the end was inspirational, but also basically aspirational unless we DO something.
There has been multiple suggestions, from getting involved at the local level to turning WA-OR- CA into Cascadia, the next Canadian province. One thing that has come up recently, however, is what ability we have to drive a wedge between the oligarchs and the MAGA cult--and particularly between oligarchs and the theocratic side of the MAGA cult. Can those who are churchgoers pester their pastors to expound on camels and needles' eyes? Can we start pushing praise at the extremely rich who are NOT heading, at least obviously, towards oligarchy? Mark Cuban comes to mind, and Mackenzie Scott, even George Soros, perhaps Warren Buffet or the Gates Foundation. There must be others. I think it is misguided to simply equate Rich with Evil. (I am, btw, far from rich.) There is that good old American dream--we need to try to turn it from a dream of greed to a dream of good, and not lose it entirely.
Behind Biden's warning, and Ike's too, is something too many USians either don't see or have a hard time acknowledging: that economic power can hamstring, undermine, and even nullify the three legitimate branches of government. It's not too hard to see why, either: since at least the late 19th century any attempt to counter it, or even acknowledge it, has been met with cries of "Socialism! Communism!" Even now, watch how even some congressional Democrats distance themselves from their colleagues who talk about "economic justice."
Since the Reagan administration economic power has been unfettered, or at least under-fettered. "Corporate responsibility" seems to have become a dirty word. Most U.S. citizens alive today can't remember a time when it was something most CEOs took it for granted, or at least pretended to do so.
I think it's a mistake to attribute this to greed, corporate or otherwise. Greed is a human characteristic, and corporations (Citizens United notwithstanding) are not people. This is a systemic problem: our current system handsomely rewards people and companies for undermining democracy, and so, not surprisingly, that's exactly what too many of them are doing.
Thank you for pointing out the transfer of power, not to Trump, but to US! I rejoice with you, and so deeply appreciate your leadership.
"It struck me that America’s president was making the point that he’s not really transferring power to Donald Trump and his henchman, but rather to you, me and everyone who cares about democracy and truly loves their country." Wow. Brilliant interpretation.
Brilliant … and a sad, sad truth.
Yes. Both...
Agree:
“Thank you, Joe. Message received. Mission accepted.” Steven Beschloss
And thank you Steven
I wonder if this message even reached those who most need to hear it. I'd be surprised if President Biden's farewell speech was even aired on corporate media outlets, let alone Fox News, et. al..
Oligarchy has been on its way (back) here since at least Reagan, and the Republicans have been very skillful in convincing voters that it is what they should want.
I am discouraged that Democrats still seem to be unable to promote themselves and their policies that have actually helped people, even though those policies may be less than perfect (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, among others).
The few Republican voters that I still must occasionally see, sneer their hatred at Democrats, all the while saying that they can't wait to retire so they can collect Social Security benefits and be insured via Medicare. Yet they're convinced that the felon is 'one of them' and that he, the idea-buying billionaire, and the other employee-abusing billionaires have their best interests at their non-existent hearts.
They gloat at the destruction of the wildfires in California. They were elated, initially, when they thought COVID was just fatal to Democrats. They laughed about the attack on Paul Pelosi. Evidently, the felon and the billionaires are not the only ones without hearts.
They are so blinded by their hate that they don't even care that the coming regime will also hurt them greatly, just as long as the regime hurts those that they hate.
How do we survive this? We are on a path of self-destruction, and almost half of the country thinks it's a good idea.
I wish I had a better plan for avoiding the frightful hate that is descending. It was good news to see President Biden's remarks (in full) on CBS last night, and Steve's wisdom and courage brought the mission home to me.
Democrats have been outmaneuvered for some time; not recognizing the long term plan of the GOP and their owners since Reagan. Kind of like China's 100 year plan to supplant the US as THE World Leader. We need a comprehensive short and long term plan to stop the violent destructive narrative and energized oligarchy. We need to choose our battles - sorry to say - some of the culture war stuff needs to be relegated to the back burner. We are not going to change voters minds until we can control the narrative or at least 100% respond to the GOP narrative. Focus on Wages, Home Ownership, Health Care; especially Women's Health Care, Social Security, Medicare and Education. Call out Corporate tax cuts and loopholes - constantly. Call out Corporate subsidies, constantly. Focus on local policies, races, etc. Invest like the GOP did decades ago - and build, build, build. Communication will be the KEY driver and We (Democrats) mostly suck at this. All our future leaders need to be in tune with media landscape and adapting NOW. This will take dollars and training - my few dollars are only going to leaders/groups that recognize the challenge and have a plan.
Could you explain what you mean by "culture war stuff"? In my experience the term "culture war" is mostly used to undermine those who are fighting on all the fronts you mention.
I think she means LGBTQ rights, religion, immigration, etc.
President Biden's speech came 3 1/2 years too late. The train is gone, and it was missed. For the next 4 years, we must all decide to be as annoying as possible—good trouble for all of us.
Yes, indeed and now America is on the slow boat to destruction.
I don't believe we have to get on that slow boat to destruction. We can cause enough "good trouble" to keep the oligarchs off balance long enough for us to figure a way out of this mess.
How do you intend to do this?
What Kay said. And thank you for being one of us.🙏
Yes. I definitely felt him passing the torch to the American people and wishing US well in our fight to save our democracy and our rights in the face of the incoming danger. Glad he said it. Wish we were not so far down the road.
If any good is to come out of the horrors of ignorance, greed and.vindictiveness that we are about to confront, may it be to lead us to a period of deep introspection and reinvention.
I hope so, Homi. It's hard to do that when you're struggling to make a living though. And that's why they want to make it as difficult as possible to do that (among other reasons).
That’s right, Paula: we will have to confront deeply entrenched forces.
Thank you Steven for this commentary and extracting some important points President Biden made. Personally I was struck by these specific appeals to us citizens; … must not be bullied..yes, oligarchy
Will affect individual families…choose between peril or possibility for our country… Our turn to stand guard 🇺🇸
Yes, perhaps Biden could have done all those things - paragraph six - a dream to-do list; but that’s hindsight wishful thinking: Biden, like many of us antiquated, has ethics rules he’s lived by for eighty years.
Steven, I’m not trying to be difficult but when you say “We can’t wait four years to begin this work. We need to advocate for changes that will lessen the impact of the billionaire class-and do it before there’s a rising conviction…” please explain how we do this. Collectively we have sent hundreds of thousands of letters, emails and phone calls about the horrific nominees, and the Republicans don’t even pretend to listen. Democrats on the committees have pushed back and been met with condescension and hostility. So what do we do to “advocate”? I’m really stumped.
One example: Pick one issue that’s important to you and find people/organizations that agree and are working on it. Participate and tell others. Hold an event. Increase the numbers of people who care. This is slow, hard work, buy every effort to not cede ground matters.
Don’t forget to tell people to run for school boards on a save democracy platform. Anyone can run. They don’t need children in their district to run. People have never realized how important these boards are to their detriment - corrupt schools helped bring democracy down because few knew to run for these boards. Boards are all over the country. They’re still ours for the taking. It’s the most powerful thing we can do that few know about. They can listen to teacher Whistleblowers at WhiteChalkCrime.com and become educated about the institution that was to uphold democracy but failed us and learn that school boards are education’s ONLY watchdog. We must go for any power possible. This is a big one! It’s best to run in groups of three to make sure that democracy controls that board.
You know, MLK marched and marched and marched. I heard John Lewis say once (I am a native Georgian) you have to put feet in the street. Marching and showing up. Calling attention to the fact that not everyone voted for despots. When people are being really difficult, I always preface my remarks with, "Jesus has laid it on my heart to tell you that's not acceptable." What are they going to say? That Jesus didn't lay it on my heart? Because the Jesus I believe it doesn't play and doesn't take prisoners.
Run for a school board on a save democracy platform. Run in a group of three likeminded individuals. If you can’t run, help solicit those who can. Young or old need to grab this power. People don’t know how much power could be ours. Spread the word. Nothing equalizes power more than education when done right! Don’t let them keep doing it wrong!
Biden’s warning reminds me of Ike’s similar warning about the industrial military complex. Equally earnest, equally ignored.
I've worried about oligarchy for some time, and now with it hypocritically tied to theocracy it is really scary. Biden's statement at the end was inspirational, but also basically aspirational unless we DO something.
There has been multiple suggestions, from getting involved at the local level to turning WA-OR- CA into Cascadia, the next Canadian province. One thing that has come up recently, however, is what ability we have to drive a wedge between the oligarchs and the MAGA cult--and particularly between oligarchs and the theocratic side of the MAGA cult. Can those who are churchgoers pester their pastors to expound on camels and needles' eyes? Can we start pushing praise at the extremely rich who are NOT heading, at least obviously, towards oligarchy? Mark Cuban comes to mind, and Mackenzie Scott, even George Soros, perhaps Warren Buffet or the Gates Foundation. There must be others. I think it is misguided to simply equate Rich with Evil. (I am, btw, far from rich.) There is that good old American dream--we need to try to turn it from a dream of greed to a dream of good, and not lose it entirely.
Behind Biden's warning, and Ike's too, is something too many USians either don't see or have a hard time acknowledging: that economic power can hamstring, undermine, and even nullify the three legitimate branches of government. It's not too hard to see why, either: since at least the late 19th century any attempt to counter it, or even acknowledge it, has been met with cries of "Socialism! Communism!" Even now, watch how even some congressional Democrats distance themselves from their colleagues who talk about "economic justice."
Since the Reagan administration economic power has been unfettered, or at least under-fettered. "Corporate responsibility" seems to have become a dirty word. Most U.S. citizens alive today can't remember a time when it was something most CEOs took it for granted, or at least pretended to do so.
I think it's a mistake to attribute this to greed, corporate or otherwise. Greed is a human characteristic, and corporations (Citizens United notwithstanding) are not people. This is a systemic problem: our current system handsomely rewards people and companies for undermining democracy, and so, not surprisingly, that's exactly what too many of them are doing.