I think all the current peril will give rise to a paradigm shift for democracy. Trump, DOGE, Project 2025 have laid to waste to what was once a strong, service-based but imperfect government. I believe that very hard economic times are ahead for most of us and that there will be misery and want. Out of that, like a green shoot sprouting after a drought, we can reimagine, restore what is good and reject what hasn't worked for the many. Rebuild America. I can feel that tide of history turning against Trump and MAGA. I am hopeful that the Democrats will shed themselves of the gerontocracy who have no clue, aren't able to lead and stand in the way of righteousness and progress. There are exciting, brilliant, capable and younger candidates out there. The old school must give way to the new if we are to move forward, break the fever dream of hate and disunity, find common ground with our fellow Americans and proceed into the next several decades with confidence because we survived the back-breaking stress of the regime. We will be bolder, stronger, better. Remember that when you evaluate candidates asking for your vote: "Do you have a plan and how will you implement it?" We will leave the hate and vengeance in the rear view mirror as we speed ahead toward the future.
The Democrats need to get rid of the older ones. I’m 73 and see what harm they are doing. They’re stuck in the rut of “this is the way we have previously done it” mindset. So many younger people have fresh, bright minds and ideas. Pelosi was a great leader but she should have retired 10 years ago. Schumer needs to retire and others whose names I don’t know but I see them on the news, the ones in their 80s all need to retire. David Hogg wanted to change things and was ousted.
I had a lot of hope for David Hogg. The old ones are indeed “stuck in their rut”. Democrats suffer from total LACK OF IMAGINATION. Always have and look what has happened.
Nancy (and Robyn), I am in my 80s and agree with most of what you say. My only request would be that you show a bit more nuance. I do not argue that Schumer and too many other older Democrats have outstayed their productive days! On the other hand, I think Bernie Sanders is a perfect example of someone who continues to speak to today’s problems in today’s language. He may occasionally “go along to get along,” but never, I believe, on important issues. Just saying….
I understand what you’re saying. My concern is the older generation doesn’t seem willing to listen or let in the younger generation. Why are they hanging on? I’m 73 and know it’s time for younger people to bring fresh ideas to Congress.
Thank you, Mr. Beschloss. The longer the djt drama goes on, the more convinced I am that the vast majority of the maga/caucus and SCOTUS are 100% behind djt. They may not care for djt’s crude, rude and vulgar approach; but, they are as close to realizing their dreams as they have ever been.
I agree but: They are behind it but the selfish jerks are a minority. It’s the people in the middle that gave up on democracy that gave them power. We can get that middle back once we get a leader to recognize that our schools are what shifted us to the selfish side. They are way more corrupt than anyone thinks. Read my book A Graver Danger, my memoir of my teaching days and you’ll see the issue that will bring the middle back.
Schools use to teach citizenship. Teachers used to be our angels. When that ended democracy lost. We can bring balance back once people understand what happened.
There is still time and hope to Modernize the Constitution, Give More Power TO THE PEOPLE, Reject Self-Serving Oligarchy, and Remove those sponsors of Greed and Corruption.
“”Pelosi reflects on the values that can help Americans in this “moment of extraordinary difficulty” that, like in earlier times in our history, may “seem too strong to ever overcome.” She writes, “Those of us who believe in liberty and dignity, goodness and generosity, must never give in to the forces arrayed against the things we hold dearest. The battle can be exhausting, but it is a battle to which we are called by conscience and by love of country.” “
“Never one to give in to despair, Pelosi offers a compelling statement about the need to maintain hope and act with courage, even when the days are dark and treacherous. “It is easy to despair,” she writes.”
Pelosi did her job well. Seems after her husband was shot is when she lost her enthusiasm & energy. Yes, the Dems have many who must retire and allow younger new 'blood' to bring energy to the Party - Hogg & Buttigeg to name a couple. Frankly, anyone turning 70 during their term should not be re-eleced & that includes the prez & VP. Agree w Robin: what is your plan & how will you implement?
I cannot bring myself into affinity with farmers. They voted for Trump. No doubt farmers would be a lot smarter had they gone to Trump University. Let farmers eat soybeans. Soybeans are a great source of protein.
“All of us who are dismayed by the present state of the union, this is no time to give up,” Biden declared. “It’s time to get up. Get up now, get up.”
If you have become overwhelmed, rely on my 2 buckets to sanity. 2 buckets says stay in the fight. We are winning with a year to midterms. If you stay in, we will shut them down.
I agree. It would be good not to toss out the good with the bad. The Founders wanted a mix of experience & new ideas. Voters need to consider if they want legislators leaders who are unfamiliar with the job running the show. Despite the complaining, Pelosi began at least a decade ago adding young / new House members to committees where they had a vote as they learned the ropes.
The Dems have stopped running for many state & local offices. It’s hard to build leaders that way. Every few years the DNC takes on the debts of presidential candidate campaigns. Instead of its full attention going working to building the party it spends a lot of time & enter digging out of a hole$. I’m afraid that’s where it is again with the added disadvantage of inheriting a very ticked off grassroots.
The House has a greater diversity of ages & is trending slightly younger. The Senate has set records moving in the other direction. 70 is not really that old for many people. When you get toward 80 and 90 that’s another matter.
In 2020, our democratic congressional candidate Christy Smith lost to the conservative republican candidate Mike Garcia by a few hundred votes. His funding massively outraised hers, because she wasn’t supported by the DNC. I realized then my money had to go directly to candidates, not funneled through DNC.
I mostly give to candidates. Not having a strong DNC is a problem. I think it is a main reason there’s a messaging gap, the news media pays little attention to it & there’s no strong organizing structure.
Yes, it is expensive to run for office. Also, being in Congress puts a strain on one's family, as Adam Schiff admits in his last book. Midnight in Washington. Members are in Washington Tuesday through Thursday, then back to their districts or states. That means having a place to stay in D.C. as well as a home, and a supportive spouse who is willing to take on more of the work if there are children back home. I recall that Maxwell Frost had to max out his credit cards, then find a place in D.C. before he even had his first paycheck. All of that is after getting elected. It takes a sustained year, or sometimes two, to campaign for office. I have watched too many candidates here in Indiana fail because they enter the race in the spring of the election year. That is far too late, but it is expensive to start earlier.
I think all the current peril will give rise to a paradigm shift for democracy. Trump, DOGE, Project 2025 have laid to waste to what was once a strong, service-based but imperfect government. I believe that very hard economic times are ahead for most of us and that there will be misery and want. Out of that, like a green shoot sprouting after a drought, we can reimagine, restore what is good and reject what hasn't worked for the many. Rebuild America. I can feel that tide of history turning against Trump and MAGA. I am hopeful that the Democrats will shed themselves of the gerontocracy who have no clue, aren't able to lead and stand in the way of righteousness and progress. There are exciting, brilliant, capable and younger candidates out there. The old school must give way to the new if we are to move forward, break the fever dream of hate and disunity, find common ground with our fellow Americans and proceed into the next several decades with confidence because we survived the back-breaking stress of the regime. We will be bolder, stronger, better. Remember that when you evaluate candidates asking for your vote: "Do you have a plan and how will you implement it?" We will leave the hate and vengeance in the rear view mirror as we speed ahead toward the future.
The Democrats need to get rid of the older ones. I’m 73 and see what harm they are doing. They’re stuck in the rut of “this is the way we have previously done it” mindset. So many younger people have fresh, bright minds and ideas. Pelosi was a great leader but she should have retired 10 years ago. Schumer needs to retire and others whose names I don’t know but I see them on the news, the ones in their 80s all need to retire. David Hogg wanted to change things and was ousted.
I had a lot of hope for David Hogg. The old ones are indeed “stuck in their rut”. Democrats suffer from total LACK OF IMAGINATION. Always have and look what has happened.
I had hoped David Hogg would light a fire under the Democrats but they’re bigger than he is. They didn’t want to listen to new ideas.
Nancy (and Robyn), I am in my 80s and agree with most of what you say. My only request would be that you show a bit more nuance. I do not argue that Schumer and too many other older Democrats have outstayed their productive days! On the other hand, I think Bernie Sanders is a perfect example of someone who continues to speak to today’s problems in today’s language. He may occasionally “go along to get along,” but never, I believe, on important issues. Just saying….
I understand what you’re saying. My concern is the older generation doesn’t seem willing to listen or let in the younger generation. Why are they hanging on? I’m 73 and know it’s time for younger people to bring fresh ideas to Congress.
Nancy, I agree. One of the reasons I like Bernie is that he does listen. Too many others don’t.
When Bernie ran for president I voted for him in the primary. It’s too bad he had that heart attack while campaigning.
The “Old School” will hang on by any means possible.
Maybe Schumer’s inability to hold his caucus together will be the catalyst to boot him. I sure hope so.
Thank you, Mr. Beschloss. The longer the djt drama goes on, the more convinced I am that the vast majority of the maga/caucus and SCOTUS are 100% behind djt. They may not care for djt’s crude, rude and vulgar approach; but, they are as close to realizing their dreams as they have ever been.
Every day it is “WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S”.
I agree but: They are behind it but the selfish jerks are a minority. It’s the people in the middle that gave up on democracy that gave them power. We can get that middle back once we get a leader to recognize that our schools are what shifted us to the selfish side. They are way more corrupt than anyone thinks. Read my book A Graver Danger, my memoir of my teaching days and you’ll see the issue that will bring the middle back.
Schools use to teach citizenship. Teachers used to be our angels. When that ended democracy lost. We can bring balance back once people understand what happened.
There is still time and hope to Modernize the Constitution, Give More Power TO THE PEOPLE, Reject Self-Serving Oligarchy, and Remove those sponsors of Greed and Corruption.
And thank you Steven, for this quote as well:
“”Pelosi reflects on the values that can help Americans in this “moment of extraordinary difficulty” that, like in earlier times in our history, may “seem too strong to ever overcome.” She writes, “Those of us who believe in liberty and dignity, goodness and generosity, must never give in to the forces arrayed against the things we hold dearest. The battle can be exhausting, but it is a battle to which we are called by conscience and by love of country.” “
Let's hope the writer of this Proverb was correct: "Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses."
Thank you for this quote:
“Never one to give in to despair, Pelosi offers a compelling statement about the need to maintain hope and act with courage, even when the days are dark and treacherous. “It is easy to despair,” she writes.”
I read one of Nancy Pelosi‘s books years ago. As an Italian American woman it really inspired me. She exemplifies fortitude.
Pelosi did her job well. Seems after her husband was shot is when she lost her enthusiasm & energy. Yes, the Dems have many who must retire and allow younger new 'blood' to bring energy to the Party - Hogg & Buttigeg to name a couple. Frankly, anyone turning 70 during their term should not be re-eleced & that includes the prez & VP. Agree w Robin: what is your plan & how will you implement?
Pelosi's husband was not shot. He was battered with a hammer by a deranged Trump supporter.
TY Marliss for correction.Shot or battered,was horrifying event. Appreciate your comment
I cannot bring myself into affinity with farmers. They voted for Trump. No doubt farmers would be a lot smarter had they gone to Trump University. Let farmers eat soybeans. Soybeans are a great source of protein.
“All of us who are dismayed by the present state of the union, this is no time to give up,” Biden declared. “It’s time to get up. Get up now, get up.”
If you have become overwhelmed, rely on my 2 buckets to sanity. 2 buckets says stay in the fight. We are winning with a year to midterms. If you stay in, we will shut them down.
https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/too-much-two-buckets-to-sanity?r=3m1bs
If the farmers had attended Trump Scampus, ooops, I mean "university," they would have maybe gotten some cash from the out of court settlement
I don’t believe we should get rid of Jeff merkley, the Oregon senator. Or Bernie sanders.
I agree. It would be good not to toss out the good with the bad. The Founders wanted a mix of experience & new ideas. Voters need to consider if they want legislators leaders who are unfamiliar with the job running the show. Despite the complaining, Pelosi began at least a decade ago adding young / new House members to committees where they had a vote as they learned the ropes.
The Dems have stopped running for many state & local offices. It’s hard to build leaders that way. Every few years the DNC takes on the debts of presidential candidate campaigns. Instead of its full attention going working to building the party it spends a lot of time & enter digging out of a hole$. I’m afraid that’s where it is again with the added disadvantage of inheriting a very ticked off grassroots.
The House has a greater diversity of ages & is trending slightly younger. The Senate has set records moving in the other direction. 70 is not really that old for many people. When you get toward 80 and 90 that’s another matter.
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/charted-the-age-of-every-republican-senator-in-2025/
In 2020, our democratic congressional candidate Christy Smith lost to the conservative republican candidate Mike Garcia by a few hundred votes. His funding massively outraised hers, because she wasn’t supported by the DNC. I realized then my money had to go directly to candidates, not funneled through DNC.
I mostly give to candidates. Not having a strong DNC is a problem. I think it is a main reason there’s a messaging gap, the news media pays little attention to it & there’s no strong organizing structure.
Yes, it is expensive to run for office. Also, being in Congress puts a strain on one's family, as Adam Schiff admits in his last book. Midnight in Washington. Members are in Washington Tuesday through Thursday, then back to their districts or states. That means having a place to stay in D.C. as well as a home, and a supportive spouse who is willing to take on more of the work if there are children back home. I recall that Maxwell Frost had to max out his credit cards, then find a place in D.C. before he even had his first paycheck. All of that is after getting elected. It takes a sustained year, or sometimes two, to campaign for office. I have watched too many candidates here in Indiana fail because they enter the race in the spring of the election year. That is far too late, but it is expensive to start earlier.
If she used the word obese like she did in a previous statement, that would remove all doubt about who she is referring to
Just tr/read this. Lovely
Ain’t
It
The
Truth