"the conventional liberal agenda does not go far enough to capture the hearts of everyday Americans"

[Better Believe It]

The following article is not copyrighted material. BBI


Got Hope?
Where do we go from here after the budget deal disaster?
By Jay WalljasperShare
August 3, 2011

I’ve been walking around in state of disbelief since hearing about the 11th hour budget deal reached between the White House and Congressional Republicans. It feels like a transformative moment in our history, the economic equivalent of December 6, 1941 or August 6, 1945.

Are the American people blithely making the best of this, causing no fuss, because we no longer can imagine anything other than giving corporations and the richer-than-rich one-percent everything they demand?

I still wonder, over and over, how this happened despite the fact that countless opinion polls—and even the bi-partisan Gang of Six—voiced support for a more equitable solution to the budget crisis. The Democrats still control the White House and the Senate, yet they surrendered without much of a fight to a small band of Tea Party zealots in the House of Representatives.

So I still hold hope that this political moment will spark a massive populist reaction over the next 16 months against the forces of greed that highjacked our nation. With a resounding victory in 2012, maybe Obama can finally fulfill his campaign promise of “Yes, we can.” So I will certainly work for the electoral repudiation of politicians who believe that slashing social programs is preferable to stopping corporate give-aways, raising taxes on million-dollar earners, and trimming the oceans of fat in the Pentagon budget.

But I’m not putting all my eggs in that basket. No way. Remember 2010, 2004, 2002 and 2000 (even though it was stolen), not to mention 1994, 1988, 1984 and 1980.

We can’t focus exclusively on the next election. This moment is also a time to look deeper, to acknowledge that the conventional liberal agenda does not go far enough to capture the hearts of everyday Americans. This is a time in history to explore bold ideas and craft new strategies. If the Tea Party taught us anything about the game of politics, it’s that vocal passion trumps reticent namby-pambyism.

What’s a new banner under which Americans of all backgrounds could work together to create a better future for their kids—and everyone else’s kids? How do we forge a political movement that stresses the importance of the we over the me?

As Paul Wellstone used to say, “We all do better when we all do better.” That’s the spirit of the commons, which I believe lies at the core of our best hope for the future.

Please read the full article at:

http://onthecommons.org/got-hope

[TwilightGardener]

1. Probably half the country doesn't WANT everyone to "do better". Just themselves.

That's the heart of Republicanism.

[Raven]

2. Exactly! You have to believe in community to believe that a rising

tide lifts all boats...a JFK statement. These folks do not beileve in the larger community or the common good and that, in a nutshell, is the problem.

[polichick]

4. They believe in limited resources - if the other guy does well; it takes from me.

[TwilightGardener]

7. Yes--and they also believe in winners and losers. "I've got mine--why don't

you have yours? I must be better than you. You don't deserve what I have." Of course, they either don't care or don't see how the game is rigged.

[polichick]

8. I think they use that "I must be better than you" to justify their greed...

That, and they lack empathy - and, in some cases, even a conscience.

[TwilightGardener]

9. For the top tier of Republicans (the elected Repubs and the wealthy), it's

greed, pure and simple. I think for the average Joe Teapublican, it's utter insecurity and a low IQ. They NEED to feel like they're superior to SOMEBODY, need to feel like they're blessed with speshul qualities (like being white/Christian), need to believe that if other people are poor and struggling, it's THEIR fault, because I'm better than that. The upper class Repubs in power play on those resentments and insecurities like a violin.

[polichick]

10. And they sure are masters at manipulating that group...

They shamelessly use the flag and the Bible to fool them - since those voters wouldn't think of using those items in that way.

Brilliantly evil!

[polichick]

3. That's true and so sad.

[Cool Logic]

5. "the conventional liberal agenda does not go far enough..."

Actually, the problem is that liberals are no longer "liberal."

[Amonester]

6. "causing no fuss" (be patient, because it's coming...) re: Oct. 6, until...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=606521&mesg_id=606521

[hfojvt]

11. I don't expect good ideas from somebody who applauds the gang of six

"even the bi-partisan Gang of Six—voiced support for a more equitable solution to the budget crisis"

The fucking gang of six proposal was about the worst proposal made in the whole charade. That's the one that caused me to call three Senators hoping to kill it.