I'm going to keep reminding folks that the slate of cabinet nominees is not a done deal for confirnation. Not by a long shot. We have just about 6 weeks to put pressure on legislators to (1) not allow recess appointments to happen under any circumstances and (2) fully vet nominees and reject any who are known to have behaved in ways that are abusive, violent and/or discriminatory.
We the People have a collective voice and it works when we use it. I gathered a bunch of resources here to help folks speak out. https://bit.ly/StopRecessAppts
It's up to us to say "this far and no farther." Democrats are just as responsible for getting us into this mess as the other party. Time to speak out!
Thanks for taking an active hand and popping in a link. Be careful with Bad Behavior no voting. This is a tricky one for me, because folks can be accused of something they didn't do and be hacked out of a productive career for it, vilified in the press and more. We cannot base our actions on unsubstantiated accusations. We need to know 'both sides' use outrage as a weapon.
Of course! So if a nominee has nothing to hide, they should have no objections to going through the full vetting process. It's our right to demand it.
So, this isn't about "both sides" at all. This is about the voices of every person in the U.S. I don't even care who voted for whom at this point. The question is: do YOU want our congresspeople abdicating their basic responsibility to investigate, vet and approve or disapprove cabinet nominees?
I don't. Because that's ten or maybe a thousand steps closer to a dictatorship. And I don't want to live in a dictatorship. I don't support any political party. I simply believe that We the People need to protect our right to demand actual representation from the people We the People elect to work for us.
This isn't about both-sides-ism. This is about individual citizens knowing the truth about our basic rights. Congress works for us and it's their fundamental responsibility to vet cabinet nominees. We must hold them accountable to doing their jobs.
Much of the world's insanity would disappear if extreme #WealthInequalty and extreme #PowerImbalances weren't supported by corrupted systems held in place with coercion. The system we have reflects the manipulation designed to keep most people in check so that a few people can gain at the expense of others.
Take the money out of politics, and most of the stupid ideas government puts forth would disappear too; for example, our politicians wouldn't be funding apartheid or genocide in Palestine and the Middle East would be safer, we would have effective environmental policies, we wouldn't owe trillions of dollars to China, and we would have universal healthcare.
Trump may be the current spokesman for this foolishness, and some of the people he has pissed off in our government may be the end of him, but this foolishness will find another spokesman as long as its allowed a platform.
I try to imagine what taking elitism out of our social constructs would look like. I wasn't there, but I think from the beginning of time the 'strong' take advantage of the weak. I think there are always elites in every culture, and the power of choice comes to them.
One reason we are living the current nightmare, waiting for the coming storm of racism, Islamophobia and attacks on the the poor by corrupt billionaires, is democrats like Mr Harwood who seem to live in a lala land divorced from reality.
According to this column, we are to forget about all the difficulties in the the world many of which are direct consequences of the action this administration and believe that nothing could be better.
If the democratic leadership does not wake up, stop listening to their old guard, and instead live in the current reality and converse with real people. we are looking at a decade of MAGA or worse.
They will simply have the six far-right ideologues on the SCOTUS bench prosecute the conservative movement’s war on anyone who they deem unworthy of participating in society and dismantle any government restraints on the power of corporations and ultra-wealthy individuals.
And, considering that Thomas and Alito will most likely be replaced by far-right extremist judges still in their forties, there will be no effective legal recourse for people for decades. And, thanks to gerrymandering and the undemocratic nature of the senate, there is no hope for a legislative solution to protect people’s rights for the foreseeable future.
Interesting argument, well expressed. However, I think attributing thoughts and values to people whole-clothe is a little tricky. We tend to turn our opponents into caricatures and radically generalize about who they are.
A lot of the mouth pieces of the MAGA movement are different in many ways from a lot of the folks who voted for Trump. A lot of 'good people on both sides', and there is a lot for Democratic government to account for, including Kamala's throwing money around to tell people they should vote for her, and using too much 'I'm not Him' to express what she brings to the table. We are in a tragic debt cycle here, after all.
The good people of the world know something has gotta change, now let's see if someone/s here in the US has/have the insight and guts to help find and lead the way. I'm not saying it will be government... I am not even saying it will happen. I just think it needs to, really, really badly.
Yes, Trump et al are the resistance, they also engage in identity politics - white, straight, Christian and male - which is usually overlooked. I agree with your statement that "They resist the decline of religiosity in American life..." This ties in with their misogynistic views toward women. Religious organizations in the US are all run by men, even if some allow some women more important roles, men are the decision makers. When fewer people are practicing within these religions, the power that these organizations give men is also diminished, as well as their control over women.
The problem is not Trump or Biden. Money continue to influence politics for the make more Money. How can be safeguarded for current Democracy model. Because Court system broken, that why these politicians can use the Power to grab more power they can pardon anybody they want. System definitely broken, how it can be fixed.
Our nation's progress is not very good, and I don't think Trump is holding back.
You left out one crucial element of the Trump coalition: Billionaires. They are crucial. People like Elon Musk are not just an appendage. Also, we should be careful and base analysis on actual data. There is good data that Trump voters tend to be the more wealthy segment of their local population. It appears that the poorest elements of the working class are not voting for Trump.
Should Tik Tok walk away from the USA and carry on providing a great network for the rest of the world. Trump is not going to let them continue as they are, given his tie in to Musk and X.
USA "truly great" John Harwood? One reason why it is not: arming the current Israeli genocide and decades long ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
I'm going to keep reminding folks that the slate of cabinet nominees is not a done deal for confirnation. Not by a long shot. We have just about 6 weeks to put pressure on legislators to (1) not allow recess appointments to happen under any circumstances and (2) fully vet nominees and reject any who are known to have behaved in ways that are abusive, violent and/or discriminatory.
We the People have a collective voice and it works when we use it. I gathered a bunch of resources here to help folks speak out. https://bit.ly/StopRecessAppts
It's up to us to say "this far and no farther." Democrats are just as responsible for getting us into this mess as the other party. Time to speak out!
Thanks for taking an active hand and popping in a link. Be careful with Bad Behavior no voting. This is a tricky one for me, because folks can be accused of something they didn't do and be hacked out of a productive career for it, vilified in the press and more. We cannot base our actions on unsubstantiated accusations. We need to know 'both sides' use outrage as a weapon.
Of course! So if a nominee has nothing to hide, they should have no objections to going through the full vetting process. It's our right to demand it.
So, this isn't about "both sides" at all. This is about the voices of every person in the U.S. I don't even care who voted for whom at this point. The question is: do YOU want our congresspeople abdicating their basic responsibility to investigate, vet and approve or disapprove cabinet nominees?
I don't. Because that's ten or maybe a thousand steps closer to a dictatorship. And I don't want to live in a dictatorship. I don't support any political party. I simply believe that We the People need to protect our right to demand actual representation from the people We the People elect to work for us.
This isn't about both-sides-ism. This is about individual citizens knowing the truth about our basic rights. Congress works for us and it's their fundamental responsibility to vet cabinet nominees. We must hold them accountable to doing their jobs.
Much of the world's insanity would disappear if extreme #WealthInequalty and extreme #PowerImbalances weren't supported by corrupted systems held in place with coercion. The system we have reflects the manipulation designed to keep most people in check so that a few people can gain at the expense of others.
Take the money out of politics, and most of the stupid ideas government puts forth would disappear too; for example, our politicians wouldn't be funding apartheid or genocide in Palestine and the Middle East would be safer, we would have effective environmental policies, we wouldn't owe trillions of dollars to China, and we would have universal healthcare.
Trump may be the current spokesman for this foolishness, and some of the people he has pissed off in our government may be the end of him, but this foolishness will find another spokesman as long as its allowed a platform.
So painfully true.
I try to imagine what taking elitism out of our social constructs would look like. I wasn't there, but I think from the beginning of time the 'strong' take advantage of the weak. I think there are always elites in every culture, and the power of choice comes to them.
One reason we are living the current nightmare, waiting for the coming storm of racism, Islamophobia and attacks on the the poor by corrupt billionaires, is democrats like Mr Harwood who seem to live in a lala land divorced from reality.
According to this column, we are to forget about all the difficulties in the the world many of which are direct consequences of the action this administration and believe that nothing could be better.
If the democratic leadership does not wake up, stop listening to their old guard, and instead live in the current reality and converse with real people. we are looking at a decade of MAGA or worse.
It’s over. They have won.
They will simply have the six far-right ideologues on the SCOTUS bench prosecute the conservative movement’s war on anyone who they deem unworthy of participating in society and dismantle any government restraints on the power of corporations and ultra-wealthy individuals.
And, considering that Thomas and Alito will most likely be replaced by far-right extremist judges still in their forties, there will be no effective legal recourse for people for decades. And, thanks to gerrymandering and the undemocratic nature of the senate, there is no hope for a legislative solution to protect people’s rights for the foreseeable future.
Only one observation. I don't see globalization as a net positive for our society.
Interesting argument, well expressed. However, I think attributing thoughts and values to people whole-clothe is a little tricky. We tend to turn our opponents into caricatures and radically generalize about who they are.
A lot of the mouth pieces of the MAGA movement are different in many ways from a lot of the folks who voted for Trump. A lot of 'good people on both sides', and there is a lot for Democratic government to account for, including Kamala's throwing money around to tell people they should vote for her, and using too much 'I'm not Him' to express what she brings to the table. We are in a tragic debt cycle here, after all.
The good people of the world know something has gotta change, now let's see if someone/s here in the US has/have the insight and guts to help find and lead the way. I'm not saying it will be government... I am not even saying it will happen. I just think it needs to, really, really badly.
Describes MAGA to a tee. Bravo.
Noooo, the resistance is usually the good guys. Don't call them that. How about "the disinformed"?
Yes, Trump et al are the resistance, they also engage in identity politics - white, straight, Christian and male - which is usually overlooked. I agree with your statement that "They resist the decline of religiosity in American life..." This ties in with their misogynistic views toward women. Religious organizations in the US are all run by men, even if some allow some women more important roles, men are the decision makers. When fewer people are practicing within these religions, the power that these organizations give men is also diminished, as well as their control over women.
The problem is not Trump or Biden. Money continue to influence politics for the make more Money. How can be safeguarded for current Democracy model. Because Court system broken, that why these politicians can use the Power to grab more power they can pardon anybody they want. System definitely broken, how it can be fixed.
Our nation's progress is not very good, and I don't think Trump is holding back.
You left out one crucial element of the Trump coalition: Billionaires. They are crucial. People like Elon Musk are not just an appendage. Also, we should be careful and base analysis on actual data. There is good data that Trump voters tend to be the more wealthy segment of their local population. It appears that the poorest elements of the working class are not voting for Trump.
...or voting at all.
Should Tik Tok walk away from the USA and carry on providing a great network for the rest of the world. Trump is not going to let them continue as they are, given his tie in to Musk and X.
My guess is that (1) there is nothing Trumpers won’t support if Trump deems it and (2) we’ll mostly lay down for it.