Politics-What's on your mind?

[BullDog]

I agree with Cin and the article above. I am sickened by how many people voted for Trump and the high percentage of white voters making up that number. I can't say I am completely shocked but it is disgusting. I kept hearing how white suburban women were fleeing Trump in droves. Well, apparently not. I guess they really don't care about children being separated from their parents, having no viable healthcare, or all of the atrocities Trump has committed and his incompetence.

I too believe white nationalism is the driving factor, although to make themselves feel better they will cite economic and other factors. The tax cuts favor the wealthy, not the middle or working classes. They are deluding themselves.

That's why any in-fighting among various factions of the Democratic party or telling Democrats they need to have better messaging, etc. I think is pretty much bullshit. We have an overwhelming problem with 65% of the electorate. They overlook their own economic interests, health, and more not to mention justice and standing up for democracy. That doesn't mean that I think we shouldn't keep fighting or trying harder but let's be clear what the huge problem is.

[Vincent]

I find the transitional period of 3 mths is very problematic in the US.

In a Aust,the govt of the day call an election and the parliament is disolved and is now in caretaker mode.
They cannot spend money or do any govt buisiness IE,pass bills sack public servants,as they are no longer the govt, while the election process is taking place.
After the Election,the new govt is imediately formed and then form a cabinet.
I'm afraid if the old govt maintained power after the election,they would clean out treasury,not that at the last election the current govt,believing they would loose ran up huge debt,then won,so now it is clearly the debt of their own making.
We have the westminster system,I'm wondering how other countries work?

Please don't make this a nationlalistic conversation,for me !!!!!
I am a world citizen.
I have blood ties to this land through Aboriginal elder maternal grandparents

Aboriginals had circular societies and were led by elders,not pyramid like capitalist society.

[homoe]

~~~
In the past few days, I've noticed several pundits bringing up "should Trump decided to run again in 2024"

STOP please I beg of you just stop it...

[Cin]

Originally Posted by BullDog

That's why any in-fighting among various factions of the Democratic party or telling Democrats they need to have better messaging, etc. I think is pretty much bullshit. We have an overwhelming problem with 65% of the electorate. They overlook their own economic interests, health, and more not to mention justice and standing up for democracy. That doesn't mean that I think we shouldn't keep fighting or trying harder but let's be clear what the huge problem is.

I totally agree that in-fighting is counter productive. I don't know how it will happen but Democrats need to find a way to compromise. I think there is a much better chance for Democrats to find common ground with each other than with Republicans. A focus on Bipartisanship will lead Democrats down a dark path and is an object lesson in futility.

But I don't think constantly pushing for a move away from over focusing on choices that serve Wall St and Silicon Valley, addressing overwhelming income inequality and taking action by putting more money in the hands of the middle and working class, raising the minimum wage, caring for the poor and the homeless, fixing a broken healthcare system, demilitarization, slashing the trillion-dollar-plus annual military budget, putting an end to the country's endless wars, embracing nuclear disarmament and being a part of the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, etc... means you are not clear what a huge problem white nationalism is in the US. It just means we need to keep the focus on what really matters for the average American.

I also don't think calling out the Democratic Party elite for blaming progressives for down ballot losses means you aren't clear on the huge problem white nationalism is in the United States. On the other hand pandering to the white nationalist party, better known as the Republican Party, does make it seem as though the huge problem of white nationalism in the US isn't clear to the Democratic Party. It isn't a good plan to focus on compromising with Republicans. And it doesn't makes it seem as though there is a lot of clarity as to what the huge problem in the US right now is if we chose to do that. We will not win the hearts and minds of the white nationalists who make up most of the Republican Party, so it would be better to focus on the needs of the people who put Biden in power. Don't make choices with the Republicans in mind, they will not make concessions, they do not compromise. Bipartisanship forces Democrats to blur lines and compromise values and the end result allows both parties to only focus on the interests of their donors and not the American people.

The Democratic Party needs to focus on getting those 2 Senate seats. If that doesn't go our way we will have to do the best we can with what we have and forget about the Republicans, we can't ever get them to compromise. All of the democratic party needs to work together, progressives and centrists, left and right, whatever you want to call them. It is a war for our for nation's soul, but it is NOT going to be won through bipartisanship. Working with a party whose agenda is white nationalism and causing chaos will not get us anything. They are not interested in working together and they are not interested in what is good for all Americans. Democrats working together for the common good and letting the American people, who are crying out for change, see that the Biden Administration is interested in bringing that change will do a lot to clarify a Democrat Party agenda so that voting Democrat isn't just voting against something, against Trump, against white nationalism, but voting FOR something, real change, systemic change. It is playing the long game, but it will go a lot further toward winning hearts and minds than focusing on making compromises and concessions that will never happen with the Republican (white nationalist) Party. The Republican party's idea of compromise is that the Democrats roll over every time.

[BullDog]

Originally Posted by Cin

I totally agree that in-fighting is counter productive. I don't know how it will happen but Democrats need to find a way to compromise. I think there is a much better chance for Democrats to find common ground with each other than with Republicans. A focus on Bipartisanship will lead Democrats down a dark path and is an object lesson in futility.

But I don't think constantly pushing for a move away from over focusing on choices that serve Wall St and Silicon Valley, addressing overwhelming income inequality and taking action by putting more money in the hands of the middle and working class, raising the minimum wage, caring for the poor and the homeless, fixing a broken healthcare system, demilitarization, slashing the trillion-dollar-plus annual military budget, putting an end to the country's endless wars, embracing nuclear disarmament and being a part of the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, etc... means you are not clear what a huge problem white nationalism is in the US. It just means we need to keep the focus on what really matters for the average American.

I also don't think calling out the Democratic Party elite for blaming progressives for down ballot losses means you aren't clear on the huge problem white nationalism is in the United States. On the other hand pandering to the white nationalist party, better known as the Republican Party, does make it seem as though the huge problem of white nationalism in the US isn't clear to the Democratic Party. It isn't a good plan to focus on compromising with Republicans. And it doesn't makes it seem as though there is a lot of clarity as to what the huge problem in the US right now is if we chose to do that. We will not win the hearts and minds of the white nationalists who make up most of the Republican Party, so it would be better to focus on the needs of the people who put Biden in power. Don't make choices with the Republicans in mind, they will not make concessions, they do not compromise. Bipartisanship forces Democrats to blur lines and compromise values and the end result allows both parties to only focus on the interests of their donors and not the American people.

The Democratic Party needs to focus on getting those 2 Senate seats. If that doesn't go our way we will have to do the best we can with what we have and forget about the Republicans, we can't ever get them to compromise. All of the democratic party needs to work together, progressives and centrists, left and right, whatever you want to call them. It is a war for our for nation's soul, but it is NOT going to be won through bipartisanship. Working with a party whose agenda is white nationalism and causing chaos will not get us anything. They are not interested in working together and they are not interested in what is good for all Americans. Democrats working together for the common good and letting the American people, who are crying out for change, see that the Biden Administration is interested in bringing that change will do a lot to clarify a Democrat Party agenda so that voting Democrat isn't just voting against something, against Trump, against white nationalism, but voting FOR something, real change, systemic change. It is playing the long game, but it will go a lot further toward winning hearts and minds than focusing on making compromises and concessions that will never happen with the Republican (white nationalist) Party. The Republican party's idea of compromise is that the Democrats roll over every time.

Yes, I think it's noble that Biden wants to work with everyone but he needs to be disabused of the notion that Republicans will work with him ASAP and not waste a second on it. They won't even acknowledge that he won a clear-cut victory.

I agree. Focus on the needs of those who support you. One place where Democrats I think could improve is with Latino voters. Biden is going to sign an executive order to protect the Dreamers and has pledged to try to reunite the children who are separated from their parents. Obviously, these things should be done because they are the right thing to do but hopefully, it will also show the Democrats commitment and they will continue to work on issues that impact Latino lives.

Of course, African American interests should be front and center. They are the backbone of our party.

Biden, of course, needs to focus on the coronavirus and beyond that, I say really basic economic issues that affect the lives of working-class and middle-class Americans. Get money into people's pockets and focus on job opportunities. I think an infrastructure plan would also be great because our roads, bridges, etc. are crumbling and it would create jobs. These things have nothing to do with progressive versus moderate or whatever. People need to be able to pay their bills and support their families.

I get irritated with the media about how the Democrats are supposed to better understand the Trump voter and that the messaging is all wrong. That's not to say Democrats can't do better but I sure as hell don't hear anyone saying now that Trump has lost that the Republicans really need to reach out to Democrats and understand their voters. The fact of the matter is during this crisis the Democrats tried to pass legislation to help people in need and the Republicans got rewarded for being obstructionists. It's disgusting.

Anyway, we need to continue to grow our base and just outnumber them.

[Kätzchen]

I am resonating greatly with posts by Cin & Bulldog.

Here is what I think needs to be dealt with, head on. White Nationalism, toxic white priviledge, and the cancerous hold it has on those who espouse these tenets and values. Every time i see McConnel's face or Graham's face, i see the embodiment of White Nationalism and the racist choices both make in the name of the Republican (White Nationalist) party.

They are both creepy, and people like them and stand beside them are equally creepy and toxic and (...).

I am beyond grateful for the sledgehammer effect of those who voted for the Democratic party.

And, yes, we got to keep on top of this situation until every last breath of White Nationalism is eradicated from American society.

[~ocean]

trump wanting to pardon himself along with known criminals ~ is an admission of guilt ~ he needs to be brought to justice no more allowances .the administration regardless of party, needs to intercept all of the actions of a crazy dictator named DONALD TRUMP . without these actions they are enabling a this man to jeopardize our security and needed actions to act on the pandemic. TRUMP doesn't care who dies or suffers. this virus is going to leave millions of people mentally disturbed. Including himself even more than he is now. What does this say about the AMERICAN government ? I ponder this argument constantly to myself. This is my own theory... WE ARE NOT FREE. This tyrant has us up against the wall. The people don't want him to stifle us when it comes to the pandemic. WE want to be saved. WE built this country it's ours. not HIS or a government that bends over for fear. He can't handle money ~ or the lives of the Americans. TRUMP bends over for evil leaders . He disrespects woman. TRUMP is a sexual deviate. ALL we know about him and we let him run OUR COUNTRY... Where is our legal justice ?? I'm not for violence, but we need to take TRUMP out of the WH physically. with OUR military behind us. The military is OURS . They are tax paying citizens who chose to uphold justice. OUR HEROES not TRUMPS TOYS. CIVILIAN TAKEOVER ... citizens arrest. He needs to GO. This is what casts over my daily thoughts. I am a creative person who is being robbed of my freedom, to feel and think of all of life's aspects because of the shadow that engulfs us. I have tried to preoccupy my thoughts. I can't when every part of thinking refers to business, health , freedom of going OUTDOORS to shop or walk ~ smile at a stranger and make their day or mine. YOU can't see a smile under a mask. TRUMP took our living daily lives away. TRUMP needs to GO. ~ and with this I need to go wash the escarole for tonight's soup. sorry for the rant ~

[Vincent]

fri DN
https://www.democracynow.org/shows/2020/11/13

[homoe]

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede the election has entered a more dangerous phase as he stokes resistance and unrest among his supporters and spreads falsehoods aimed at undermining the integrity of the American voting system.

More than a week after President-elect Joe Biden was declared the winner, Trump continues to block his successor’s transition, withholding intelligence briefings, critical information about the coronavirus pandemic and access to the vast machinery of government that Biden will soon oversee.

Some former top advisers to Trump have said that his refusal to cooperate is reckless and unwise. John F. Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff, called it “crazy” on Friday. John R. Bolton, the president’s former national security adviser who wrote a scathing memoir about his time in the administration, said the refusal “harms the country.” “Every day that he delays under the pretense that he’s simply asking for his legal remedies ultimately is to the country’s disadvantage,” Bolton said on ABC’s “This Week” program on Sunday morning.

[~ocean]

Trump is going to flee. He knows he lost. He can't live in the US a free man so he's going to flee after a violent act. Many will lose their lives . National Security along with world security are watching him and his children. I feel for Giuliani's children will have to lose their father He will either go with Trump or he will be a subject of Trump's fleeing. I dunno , maybe I'm writing my own movie in my head lol ~~ or ? lol oy vey . That insane mind of his is throwing up all these smoke screens by not conceding and false accusations for an exit only he knows how it will be. The whole time Trump is watching TV or reading tweets he is scheming , and pre meditating is deff. his forte'. I don't know if Trumps not attending the virus briefings is illegal not to do his job, and where is Mike Pence if the president isn't going . The pandemic was put in his hands.