Thank you. Me too. That's sort of a reflection of our times in general, right? In a way, you can discard everything I said and simply say that our current moment isn't about politics at all, it's about decency versus whatever it is we call this stuff driven by all the hate and grievance. That's a much longer post that may best be left to philosophers, sociologists, and historians of the future.
I read, or try to read, people who represent as leftist Democrats. Think of the Substacks with huge numbers of subscribers. Those are the kind of voices getting attention.
I find them and their followers to be like my Republican parents in the 50s. They may care more about others than my (quietly) racist parents, but otherwise indistinguishable.
I call myself a Democratic Socialist for the purpose of identification.
I don't see Democrats saving us from much of the damage being done.
Thanks, Hannah. If I had to label myself, I think it would be the same. I was a hypocritical commie in my younger days. But the more I resisted the corporate machine, the poorer I became. So eventually I joined the machine and made pretty good money. Most of which is gone, lol. Back when Republicans were sort of normal, I had a Republican friend in the finance industry tell me that if I made a million dollars, I'd spend a million and one. I told him that money was a stupid invention. I'll never understand the ravenous pursuit of it we see everywhere these days. I don't expect everyone to follow my philosophy about money. But it doesn't seem like a big ask to act like a decent human during one's pursuit of it.
I would so love it if, at the next of his extremely enlightening press conference during which he calls somebody he views as a threat something like "a Marxist lunatic", some brave journalist aske, "Sir, can you tell us please which you view as the three most important tenets of Marxism?"
Great piece...learned a lot. When I was younger, I didnt follow politics much...well, Watergate, which shocked the hell outta me. You're so right about the hapless Democrats today, too. UGH.
You worked hard on this essay and I appreciate it.
Thank you. It's a difficult situation because on one hand, the opposition to the mad clown isn't at all about politics. It's about the separation between the sane and the not sane.
But we need to keep in mind that the far right attacks relentlessly while we bicker over how to make the world a better place. It's not a fair fight.
The far right is like an angry mob of cut throat criminals in suits, supported by a massive propaganda machine, aka Faux News. The Democrats? They're arguing about table linens. 🤦♀️
One thing I would like to remind people about is that in the 1940s - 1960s women in the midst of a miscarriage could be admitted to the hospital and receive the care they needed!!! And those were very strict times.
"Furthermore, immigration is rescuing many small towns from oblivion. Immigrants bring their entrepreneurial hunger and intense work ethic with them. They change these towns for the better. They turn pockmarked roads that crisscross shuttered downtowns into busy avenues of new, renovated districts full of small restaurants, stores, and cultural centers."
Still Standing illustrates the fact that new immigrants are revitalizing dying communities and that most smallish towns are grateful for their participation in community life. It's very "feel good".
Excellent essay, Charles! It’s crazy seeing what was perfectly normal ideology back then is now so controversial.
Your link to Bluesky took me to a meme of Trump and Putin sharing a blanket in the snow with a speech bubble saying, “I’ve missed you. Gavin Newsom is being mean to me.” 🤣
Thanks, Nancy. It's been difficult for him lately, I'm sure, but now that he's received a bit of renewed attention from Putin, I'm sure his mental state will stop detiorating for a few days (hours).
I 🧑🎓 from high school in 1962. My college tuition was $50 per semester! Of course we weren’t paying for all the advanced technology in classrooms today.
Thank you for your article. It helped clarify some things for me. As I’ve aged I’ve moved more to the right and I’m at the point that I cringe when’s I hear Democrats in DC say we need to stay in the middle or that the solution for 2028 is to be more middle. They all need to read your article!
I want clean air, water, food and housing for everyone, even if you’re an idiot. Last I heard, that makes me a commie.
Thank you. Me too. That's sort of a reflection of our times in general, right? In a way, you can discard everything I said and simply say that our current moment isn't about politics at all, it's about decency versus whatever it is we call this stuff driven by all the hate and grievance. That's a much longer post that may best be left to philosophers, sociologists, and historians of the future.
I have no doubt they will.
I am an old free love hippie.
I read, or try to read, people who represent as leftist Democrats. Think of the Substacks with huge numbers of subscribers. Those are the kind of voices getting attention.
I find them and their followers to be like my Republican parents in the 50s. They may care more about others than my (quietly) racist parents, but otherwise indistinguishable.
I call myself a Democratic Socialist for the purpose of identification.
I don't see Democrats saving us from much of the damage being done.
Thanks, Hannah. If I had to label myself, I think it would be the same. I was a hypocritical commie in my younger days. But the more I resisted the corporate machine, the poorer I became. So eventually I joined the machine and made pretty good money. Most of which is gone, lol. Back when Republicans were sort of normal, I had a Republican friend in the finance industry tell me that if I made a million dollars, I'd spend a million and one. I told him that money was a stupid invention. I'll never understand the ravenous pursuit of it we see everywhere these days. I don't expect everyone to follow my philosophy about money. But it doesn't seem like a big ask to act like a decent human during one's pursuit of it.
I would so love it if, at the next of his extremely enlightening press conference during which he calls somebody he views as a threat something like "a Marxist lunatic", some brave journalist aske, "Sir, can you tell us please which you view as the three most important tenets of Marxism?"
He would just say ‘that’s an evil question’.
Merhinks that the mainstream media is too busy reading your purloined autobiography of Herr Puffalo, "My Struggle." Could be wrong, though.
Great piece...learned a lot. When I was younger, I didnt follow politics much...well, Watergate, which shocked the hell outta me. You're so right about the hapless Democrats today, too. UGH.
You worked hard on this essay and I appreciate it.
Thank you. It's a difficult situation because on one hand, the opposition to the mad clown isn't at all about politics. It's about the separation between the sane and the not sane.
But we need to keep in mind that the far right attacks relentlessly while we bicker over how to make the world a better place. It's not a fair fight.
The far right is like an angry mob of cut throat criminals in suits, supported by a massive propaganda machine, aka Faux News. The Democrats? They're arguing about table linens. 🤦♀️
Exactly.
One thing I would like to remind people about is that in the 1940s - 1960s women in the midst of a miscarriage could be admitted to the hospital and receive the care they needed!!! And those were very strict times.
Honest article.
This is also true in Canada. Watch a CBC Series called Still Standing to see proof of this. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Still_Standing_(Canadian_TV_series)
"Furthermore, immigration is rescuing many small towns from oblivion. Immigrants bring their entrepreneurial hunger and intense work ethic with them. They change these towns for the better. They turn pockmarked roads that crisscross shuttered downtowns into busy avenues of new, renovated districts full of small restaurants, stores, and cultural centers."
Yep, the far right media propaganda has an extensive reach.
Still Standing illustrates the fact that new immigrants are revitalizing dying communities and that most smallish towns are grateful for their participation in community life. It's very "feel good".
Also, that's what I get for trying to read a comment on the phone. A nearly impossible task for me.
You’re braver than I am - I don’t even try anymore. I can only read properly on the laptop. Never the phone these days.
Ah, sorry, I thought by "the same thing, you meant changing attitudes.
psst: i think you meant “darker” not lighter re: the pantone comment. i don’t want anyone getting confused at you.
Lol yes. Thank you!
Excellent essay, Charles! It’s crazy seeing what was perfectly normal ideology back then is now so controversial.
Your link to Bluesky took me to a meme of Trump and Putin sharing a blanket in the snow with a speech bubble saying, “I’ve missed you. Gavin Newsom is being mean to me.” 🤣
Thanks, Nancy. It's been difficult for him lately, I'm sure, but now that he's received a bit of renewed attention from Putin, I'm sure his mental state will stop detiorating for a few days (hours).
Great summation. Although, laid out all together like this, the hard right-turn is even more depressing.
I 🧑🎓 from high school in 1962. My college tuition was $50 per semester! Of course we weren’t paying for all the advanced technology in classrooms today.
Thank you for your article. It helped clarify some things for me. As I’ve aged I’ve moved more to the right and I’m at the point that I cringe when’s I hear Democrats in DC say we need to stay in the middle or that the solution for 2028 is to be more middle. They all need to read your article!
Good point about the additional tech. I'm sure the tech bros can afford a tiny percentage of their vast wealth to help pay for it 😁
You would think! Philanthropy!
I use to work in the Electronic library at a university. But I’ve been retired for several years.