If We Are Serious About Transforming Our Country...

[MrMickeysMom]

If we are serious about rebuilding the middle class...

If we are serious about reinvigorating our democracy....

We need to develop a political movement which, once again, is prepared to take on and defeat a ruling class whose greed is destroying our nation. The billionaire class cannot have it all. Our government belongs to ALL OF US.... NOT JUST THE ONE PERCENT.

Somebody recently pointed that out. I think every person on this board understands what he meant. It does not mean we are looking for SOMEONE to create this outcome. It doesn't mean that it's transformation is felt with a mere win of the presidency. No, it means that we have to do the hard thing. After all these years of being trained to be so passive, it means it's TIME to do the hard thing.

We need to create a culture which, as Pope Francis reminds us, cannot just be based on the worship of money. We must not accept a nation in which billionaires compete as to the size of their super-yachts, while children in America go hungry and veterans sleep out on the streets.

Many a person doesn't recognize that this country used to practice Democratic Socialism to a much higher degree. It was so high in its accomplishment compared to what passes for Democracy today that we stopped recognizing what it means to socialize the benefits of Democracy.

It means...

We stop having the top one-tenth of 1 percent owning nearly as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent.

It means...

The middle class stops disappearing where median family income is $4,100 less than it was in 1999.

It means...

Americans realize that "the wealthiest country in the history of the world" stops having more than half of older workers without retirement savings... ZERO... while millions of elderly and people with disabilities are trying survive on $12,000 or $13,000 a year.

It means...

Americans stop being known for having 29 million of us with NO health insurance and having even more of us underinsured with outrageously high co-payments and deductibles.

It means...

We stop paying the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs. ONE OUT OF FIVE PATIENTS CAN'T AFFORD TO FILL THE PRESCRIPTIONS THEIR DOCTORS WRITE.

If we no longer wish to be caught up in this obscenity of living between the haves and have nots, we need to realize that this big task is ours.

We own it, so do not think it will take one person to deliver us from this shame ownership.

[1StrongBlackMan]

1. Serious Question ...

We need to develop a political movement which, once again, is prepared to take on and defeat a ruling class whose greed is destroying our nation.

When was the first political movement that took on and defeated the ruling class?

[MrMickeysMom]

3. I'd say it was the departure from the ruling British Empire to CREATE this country...

What's your guess?

[1StrongBlackMan]

5. Ahh. Okay.

I could think of one ... that's why I asked.

[tk2kewl]

9. I would say more recently the labor movement...

Of the early 20th century, the women's suffrage movement, the civil rights movement of the 60s and more recently the gay rights movement were all social / political movements that took on the status quo of the ruling class and resulted in significant changes in society.

[1StrongBlackMan]

10. Okay ... the labor movement ...

but the quote was not about social or political movement; but, movements against billionaires.

[tk2kewl]

11. but to a large degree each of the other movements I mentioned were against the wealthy as well

do the wealthy not control most everything we rail against?

now the op suggests a movement to "defeat" the ruling class... that, indeed, is not something we've seen since the Civil War.

Each of the movements I mentioned forced concessions from the ruling class, and with the complacency eventually that followed each, ground was often lost.

But, for me, without the will and capacity to image that its possible to beat them back again, I'd probably just go live in a bottle somewhere... or jump.

[1StrongBlackMan]

12. NO ...

the wealthy don't control sexism, or racism, or heterosexism. In fact, it is the non-wealthy that affect those riling against those three issues the most.

[tk2kewl]

13. they control the media and thus the discourse.

they control the workplace and the rules therein.

they control politics and therefore the political discussion.

i do understand that they do not directly control the hate, but they promote it constantly and provide financial and logistical support to many of the people and frames that continue to make it acceptable.

just my opinion.

[hifiguy]

18. This, too,

[MrMickeysMom]

19. Yeah, well, that's a good opinion...

The message is controlled by the few family/and/or corporations that decide how everything you see, read, and hear will be delivered.

[TIME TO PANIC]

20. +1

It's all about divide and conquer. Keep the lower classes fighting one another so they don't unite and overthrow the powers that be.

[hifiguy]

26. The oldest strategy in history.

And it nearly always works. Because most humans are short-sighted, stupid, tribalistic or all of the above.

[hifiguy]

16. Education is the only way and that takes generations

unless the Mao/Pol Pot approach to "re-education" is taken. I do presume that is off the table.

There are no magic wands. None. Economic systems can be revamped and significantly changed - FDR showed that, as did Lenin more tyrannically - far more readily than the minds of tens millions of people indoctrinated to a belief system, however toxic that belief system may be. And these ideas will NEVER be eliminated entirely. Human nature and all recorded history show that. To believe that they will or can be in the foreseeable future is far more utopian than anything Sanders supporters are saying.

[tk2kewl]

24. I don't disagree

But education is also intertwined with politics and economics. We see it in the rewriting of textbooks and the wall st charter school sham. I don't believe that economic fairness alone will fix the ills of the world, but I do believe that a leveling of the playing field allows more people to participate in the process of changing the dialog.

[hifiguy]

28. Couldn't agree with you more.

Economics, and who writes the economic rules, determine the structures of other institutions in a modern society. Those with the gold structure the system, both inputs and outputs, to serve their own interests and no one else's. And, comparatively, it's the easiest thing to change because it's a universal and overarching structure subject to effective top-down revision.

[1StrongBlackMan]

37. I can get with that; but, I don't see anything proposed that will ...

level the playing field.

Making the rich pay more in taxes, won't ... increasing the minimum wage, won't ... implementing single-payer, won't ... Jailing the bankers, won't ... reversing Citizens United, won't ... none of what is being proposed will.

But that is not to say we shouldn't pursue any of these ... just we need to be clear as to the effect of what we are doing {ETA: and why}.

[Bubzer]

32. There's so much evidence contrary to what you're saying... why would you take that position?

Media consolidation has long been an enemy of our democracy. Companies like fox news, Comcast, Time Warner, CBS, and myriads of others control discourse, influence public opinion, have significant control over Identity politics... and the list goes on and on.
Sexism, racism and heterosexism and pretty much any other identity-based politics is heavily controlled by the media. There's thousands of research groups that do nothing but figure out how to make you feel like your identity sucks unless you buy a thing or a service. It is literally an industry... one with demographic information being stolen from you and everyone else around you on a daily basis.

Most businesses exist by exploiting human insecurity. This is especially true for wealthy businesses and their owners. So, when the rich want to, the can fairly easily change public opinion to their way of thinking. They benefit from identity division. While the public is busily fighting each other over identity, instead of embracing each other's identity, we're all too distracted to notice those businesses pulling the strings behind the scenes, and lifting wallets from our pockets.

So, please explain your reasoning to me. Seriously. I'd like to know how you've come to the conclusion you've arrive at.

[guillaumeb]

27. An easy question to answer.

The union movement transformed the country. But time, and an educational system that erases history, led workers to believe that the gains made were permanent.

[onecaliberal]

2. We are the ones we've been waiting for. Electing Coporate backed and paid for candidates

is not going to get us there.

[MrMickeysMom]

21. Agreed...

It's what helped us get to the impotent position we're in.

[marym625]

4. K&R!

BRAVA!!

#StartARevolution.

[gelatinous cube]

6. #WeNeedBernie n/t

[hifiguy]

7. Very hard kickety rec for this fine thread.

We are up to our collective armpits in the tenth-percenters' quicksand, and sinking fast.

The Neo-Fascists have been playing their long game since FDR's first term. We'd better wake the hell up. Neo-fascism, a term that can be applied to ANY politician of ANY party that supports corporatism/fascism, is NOT your friend and is an active part of the problem.

Fascism should more appropriately be called corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power. -- Giovanni Gentile, entry in the Encyclopedia Italiana, a defnition for which Mussolini later claimed credit.

So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom, those who wish to tyrannize will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent, and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods, religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping men. -- Voltarine de Cleyre

ETA:

Find out just what the people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them; and these will continue until they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress. -- Frederick Douglass.

[99th_Monkey]

8. There is a level of seriousness that will be required

And I'm not sure we are quite there yet.. But after NH .. We shall see if it picks up

[MrMickeysMom]

15. Seriousness, yes...

It's not "meaningful" enough... Huh... I can't but wonder what will make it that way.

Deep down, I know... It has to hit everyone. If it doesn't by that time, there will be a need to catch up like none before!

[99th_Monkey]

22. "against all the odds" <-- this

can -- and I think will -- resonate, when it starts sinking-in deep enough, with enough people,
what all is at stake this time around.

[baldguy]

14. We're standing on a precipice, facing barbarians who seek to push civilization off into the abyss.

Today, at this time in history, the Democratic Party is the last, best hope to prevent that from happening.

Too many who claim to be progressives think that tearing down the Democratic Party is somehow a reasonable & constructive thing to do when facing barbarians. Ask the bickering liberals in 1930's Weimar Germany how that turned out.

[hifiguy]

17. Those "Democrats" who areintent on feeding the middle class

into the corporate meat-grinder along with the working class and the poor in order to advance their own petty goals and feather their own nests by sucking up to the neo-Fascists are not the answer. The are, however, a huge part of the problem.

[baldguy]

35. Thank you for proving my point so succinctly.

[hifiguy]

39. Remember the fable of the wolf

in sheep's clothing? It is true.

[baldguy]

44. You keep pushing that lie and others that insinuate that Dems are no better than the GOP

Then you wonder why a minority party like the GOP has any influence at all.

Just because Democrats like Hillary are only ever able to get 70-80% of their progressive & liberal policies enacted into law does not mean they're Republicans in disguise. On the contrary. It means that they are SUCCESSFUL Democrats!

The very people you're trying to run down. And again - you wonder why a minority party like the GOP has any influence at all.

The thing is, Sanders IS NOT promoting your kind of libelous bullshit. Sanders IS NOT looking to destroy the Democratic Party. He wants to B_U_I_L_D___I_T___U_P ! ! - and if he wins he will seek out successful Democrats like Clinton to help him. Sanders knows that as President he will need strong Democratic majorities in both Houses of Congress to be able even to begin to move forward and get anything positive done.

Since you would obviously rather have him maintain his purity as a failed President in a failed country, I wonder how long it will take after President Sanders makes a few necessary compromises before you abandon him for a new progressive White Knight.

[hifiguy]

46. Show me where I am lying

or cork it.

[baldguy]

47. Really?

Those "Democrats" - <-- a lie implying Hillary isn't a "real" Democrat

intent on feeding the middle class into the corporate meat-grinder along with the working class and the poor <-- another lie

in order to advance their own petty goals and feather their own nests <-- and another

by sucking up to the neo-Fascists <-- and another, here.

Remember the fable of the wolf in sheep's clothing? <-- and another lie implying Hillary isn't a "real" Democrat

You're so intent on falsely labeling Democrats as "neo-fascists", you ignore and underestimate the real, actual, unabashed fascists in the GOP who are the real enemy.

[HereSince1628]

23. assume, as it may be very safe to do, that as a nation we aren't serious.

What changes in the outcome of your calculus?

Absolutely nothing.

We still need to develop a political movement that will result in successful communities, with healthy citizens that provide equal opportunity to everyone.

The only thing that changes is the proportion of the non-serious that have to be motivated, brought on board, educated and activated. And it will require a bigger effort to get that proportion.

Doing that work, is much like moving gravel with a shovel and a wheelbarrow... what has to be done is the same no matter the size of the pile.

[SmittynMo]

25. Can I get a Harumph?

[MrMickeysMom]

30. LOL!!!

Yes!

[SmittynMo]

31. Loved your post

Bernie needs to read your post. And use it word for word.

Well done.

[MrMickeysMom]

33. The reason it's well done is simple...

I block quoted HIS VERY OWN words!

I'm not such a smarty after all... except that I've learned a few things from running and being a public official. This, plus paying attention, enables me and so many others to HEAR, and impart the very spirit of the Sanders speech. It was on Democratic Socialism.

I was interested to see how it connected, and it DID.. not just with Sanders supporters, SmittynMo!

Thank you

[SmittynMo]

36. Now that's friggin awesome

[SoapBox]

29. Total K & R!

[Unknown Beatle]

34. Let's get ready to TUMBREL!!!

[MrMickeysMom]

38. ...

[hifiguy]

41. It very well may have to come to that.

I can think of no monied aristocracy in history that has ever been taken down any other way.

[AOR]

40. The phrase "rebuilding the middle class" represents business as usual...

in regards to the capitalist power structure. The "middle class" is a social structure created for the benefit of the ruling class in power to divide workers and keep them divided. It is the language of the ruling class and the status quo. The existence of a "middle class" demands the existence of a "lower class." The working class as a whole must fight against those divides. Workers create all wealth and that wealth is not realized by all workers in any way that represents anything close to equitable distribution. There are no "lowly" workers. The "middle class" is the crumbs the owners dangle to the workers to divide and conquer. That so many promote that division - as something to strive for - is clear evidence that the owners and the ruling class have done what they set out to do.

To have a "middle class" there must be a "ruling class" and a "lower class." Not exactly a ringing endorsement for Social and Economic Justice for ALL. The "middle class" is the primary line of defense for the ruling class to keep power and stop the working class from ever gaining it and controlling our own destiny.

[MrMickeysMom]

43. There are some things on which we agree, but I'm not sure the scheme works that way in reality...

I don't believe the rich want anything more than to be left alone. They don't want to understand who creates wealth when it comes to the delivery system, since money is a great insulator.

When I was a little girl and the early 60's meant something for everyone in my neighborhood, I didn't know the stratification (lower, middle lower, lower middle, middle, upper middle and the unknown "rich&quot . I wasn't aware even when it changed so that some family like my blue collar upper lower (I suppose) would morph into what would be middle class these days.

I know that change comes with a price. It's going to cost all across the strata.

[riderinthestorm]

42. K and freaking R!!!!! nt

[raouldukelives]

45. K&R It ain't just the 1% who are owners are corporations.

That obscenely profit every time the will of the people is rebuffed. When science is ignored. When the truth is buried.

It has been a joint effort with some big winners, lots of losers and in the end, many players. None of which can count themselves as any form of an instrument for grassroots change unless it is for the betterment of their own financial bottom line.

I'm afraid it has gone too far now. The lies and deceit. The environmental exploitation. The hate and racism. The wars and coups. The child labor and outright bondage.

It is going to be harder than one can imagine. The combined will of Wall St shareholders has ignored that they are destroying the very ecosystems we rely on to feed and clothe us when all else has gone to hell.

I used to always hold a little flame of optimism in the back of the mind. That once we were gone, things would revert back to the way they were before we walked upright. That the flora and fauna of the world would overrun the ruins of our failed society. Sadly, it is our failed society that is overrunning them, forever.

We have to figure out a way to retain a small slice of our natural world as it exists today while at the same time talking care of each other. We cannot grow our way out of this mess. It is the prior "growth" out of messes that has brought us to this particular ruin. I wish I knew the answer. I am only certain more of the same will guarantee everything less of a chance at survival.

[MrMickeysMom]

48. You never know about being in the middle of a mess...

After some pretty awful shit which makes you feel like the human race has given up on itself, as series of events can force evolution on our species. It won't be without some kind of price, I'm betting.