Great column, J. C., one of your best, and wow, Linda. You go, girl. I couldn't agree more.
The only thing you guys are missing, and it's a thing no one likes to talk about, is the racism that propells MAGA and is the basis of Trump support. Trump didn't create the racism. It was always there. He just exploited it, or more likely, lucked upon it. He's really not that smart. I don't know what to do about MAGA, other than out-vote it. Meanwhile, I'm scared to death about Iran. I've accepted the fact that gas will rise to $10 a gallon. It's the world-wide recession that will follow that worries me. What's the old saying, "The lunatics are running the asylum?" And don't get me started on Christian Nationalism and Populism and White Entitlement. And, as long as we're coming up with wishlists, how about some term limits for Congress? Yeah, good luck with that. I want my mommy.
Civics education needs to be a part of elementary, middle and high school education. Young people need to know that being a citizen not only comes with rights, but also involves responsibilities.
Supreme Court yes, Congress, no. Do we really wish we had lost Bernie Sanders like 30 years ago? Term limits on Congress throws the baby out with the bathwater.
It sounds like an excellent plan to me. I especially support all people paying their fair share of taxes and removing the obvious exceptions for the wealthy.
Great Bullet List that would keep Congress busy doing something good. Right now, Congressional members are sending email and text messages asking for money. My response: Do something first!
I also suggest as we move beyond today that we impose tiered voting in all elections to get rid of the polarizing binary choice of our current two party system.
I am with you on everything you have said but I believe we need to add another bullet point.
▪︎ enough of these perpetual, unending campaigns. Candidates should all have exactly the same amount of money to spend on said campaign and they should not be allowed to campaign at all save for 3 months prior to the election
Thank you for a very well written and thoughtful article!
Our country and its political system are floundering. Democracy depends on the electorate being educated, informed and wanting the betterment of society as a whole rather than simply one’s universe. Unfortunately what our politics has evolved into is a popularity contest filled with deceit and a desire to tell people what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear. To move ahead as a society we must stop navel gazing and find genuine empathy and compassion for others. We must be citizens of the world rather than a country, state, locality or political party! As John Lennon sang (and we should all listen to again) “Imagine”!
Yes, I agree with all of your specific suggestions. It's possible that corporate-friendly Democrats could regain some power in upcoming elections. But we the people need a reality embracing party that will encourage progressive candidates and progressive policies. Poor people and workers - well, the 99% or 95% or 90% of us - need to be the central focus of a major political party in the USA. If the Democrats do not put progressive policies front and center, and have likable, believable progressive candidates, little will be accomplished other than stopping the bleeding. And that's not enough.
Hello?? I just read about the "never gonna be king's" latest threat to Iran and anyone else who was listening. Also read about the mess he is making (without permission and with our money) on the white house "ego" addition how we now have about 50,000 service people in the middle east.
Is anyone watching this maniac or even questioning what he is doing, or are they all home on recess (or as working folks call it), paid time off!
As I read it , we have the nutcase trillionaire once again in our business at Blondi"s (i.e. Trump's) request.
This has to stop, people. We must save our Democracy. Let's make sure (peacefully and legally) that this wanna be king and his supporting ilk, never get elected again. It doesn't matter if you are republican or Democrat, you should be very afraid of what's happening in the country!
As someone once wrote in a comment to George Conway, "I know there will be a day when we are on different sides of the coin, but at least it will be the same coin." This. We need this. People forget that Nixon proposed a basic income, and that the Supreme Court used to rule based on something other than blind obedience to a dictator. Also, we must increase taxes on the ultra wealthy, and increase the floor at which the lowest earners become liable for income tax. Restore ACA credits & work to end the Medicaid gap. Provide paths to citizenship. End mass incarceration based on quotas. Prosecute those who have egregiously violated The Constitution. For starters.
100% agreed. Thanks for reassuring different generations that not all hope is lost. We have to take a stand and speak clearly on these issues. It’s a pleasure reading your emails.
I believe we are all weary of the drama, the deceit, the obfuscation.
The criminality of it all.......
My 95 year old mother, who has lived in Tampa since 1963, asked me, "How did we get here?".
Through years of neglect and, honestly, blindness, of what was happening.
Ignorance.
Looking the other way.
The "horse with blinders on" mentality.
Don't acknowledge it; it will go away.
VOTE!!!!
Retake the House and the Senate.
IMPEACH and remove this orange impostor.
And all of his sychophants.
VOTE!!!!
Do everything you can to create awareness.
Wake up, People.
This is our last chance to regain our Democracy!
Great column, J. C., one of your best, and wow, Linda. You go, girl. I couldn't agree more.
The only thing you guys are missing, and it's a thing no one likes to talk about, is the racism that propells MAGA and is the basis of Trump support. Trump didn't create the racism. It was always there. He just exploited it, or more likely, lucked upon it. He's really not that smart. I don't know what to do about MAGA, other than out-vote it. Meanwhile, I'm scared to death about Iran. I've accepted the fact that gas will rise to $10 a gallon. It's the world-wide recession that will follow that worries me. What's the old saying, "The lunatics are running the asylum?" And don't get me started on Christian Nationalism and Populism and White Entitlement. And, as long as we're coming up with wishlists, how about some term limits for Congress? Yeah, good luck with that. I want my mommy.
Term limits for Congress AND the Supreme Court justices...
Term limits for Congress AND the Supreme Court justices...
I agree!! Get out and VOTE and make our democracy work!
Civics education needs to be a part of elementary, middle and high school education. Young people need to know that being a citizen not only comes with rights, but also involves responsibilities.
Agree with Reich's recommenfmdations and would add abolishing the electoral college.
Term limits on Supreme Court justices as well as Congress.
Supreme Court yes, Congress, no. Do we really wish we had lost Bernie Sanders like 30 years ago? Term limits on Congress throws the baby out with the bathwater.
It sounds like an excellent plan to me. I especially support all people paying their fair share of taxes and removing the obvious exceptions for the wealthy.
Great Bullet List that would keep Congress busy doing something good. Right now, Congressional members are sending email and text messages asking for money. My response: Do something first!
I also suggest as we move beyond today that we impose tiered voting in all elections to get rid of the polarizing binary choice of our current two party system.
I am with you on everything you have said but I believe we need to add another bullet point.
▪︎ enough of these perpetual, unending campaigns. Candidates should all have exactly the same amount of money to spend on said campaign and they should not be allowed to campaign at all save for 3 months prior to the election
I agree with you. I would add taking away nearly total immunity for the President, a privilege granted by a very naive and reckless Supreme Court.
How about term limits for Supreme Court justices?
Term limits for every elected official. Prevent running for office if they’d reach 70 by the end of their term.
Thank you for a very well written and thoughtful article!
Our country and its political system are floundering. Democracy depends on the electorate being educated, informed and wanting the betterment of society as a whole rather than simply one’s universe. Unfortunately what our politics has evolved into is a popularity contest filled with deceit and a desire to tell people what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear. To move ahead as a society we must stop navel gazing and find genuine empathy and compassion for others. We must be citizens of the world rather than a country, state, locality or political party! As John Lennon sang (and we should all listen to again) “Imagine”!
Yes, I agree with all of your specific suggestions. It's possible that corporate-friendly Democrats could regain some power in upcoming elections. But we the people need a reality embracing party that will encourage progressive candidates and progressive policies. Poor people and workers - well, the 99% or 95% or 90% of us - need to be the central focus of a major political party in the USA. If the Democrats do not put progressive policies front and center, and have likable, believable progressive candidates, little will be accomplished other than stopping the bleeding. And that's not enough.
Keep writing!
Hello?? I just read about the "never gonna be king's" latest threat to Iran and anyone else who was listening. Also read about the mess he is making (without permission and with our money) on the white house "ego" addition how we now have about 50,000 service people in the middle east.
Is anyone watching this maniac or even questioning what he is doing, or are they all home on recess (or as working folks call it), paid time off!
As I read it , we have the nutcase trillionaire once again in our business at Blondi"s (i.e. Trump's) request.
This has to stop, people. We must save our Democracy. Let's make sure (peacefully and legally) that this wanna be king and his supporting ilk, never get elected again. It doesn't matter if you are republican or Democrat, you should be very afraid of what's happening in the country!
As someone once wrote in a comment to George Conway, "I know there will be a day when we are on different sides of the coin, but at least it will be the same coin." This. We need this. People forget that Nixon proposed a basic income, and that the Supreme Court used to rule based on something other than blind obedience to a dictator. Also, we must increase taxes on the ultra wealthy, and increase the floor at which the lowest earners become liable for income tax. Restore ACA credits & work to end the Medicaid gap. Provide paths to citizenship. End mass incarceration based on quotas. Prosecute those who have egregiously violated The Constitution. For starters.
Well said, My thoughts Exactly as I stated above
100% agreed. Thanks for reassuring different generations that not all hope is lost. We have to take a stand and speak clearly on these issues. It’s a pleasure reading your emails.
BRAVO and Thank You!