Who and what to blame for Trump, in one image
For a detailed, excellent analysis, see Everything mattered: lessons from 2016’s bizarre presidential election. The election was close, so many groups and people share blame for the outcome. This Politico article and this facebook video from the Young Turks describe how the Hillary campaign ignored the swing states til it was too late. By the…
What happened to the GOP? Look at the 1956 GOP Platform
The 1956 Republican national platform was a progressive document. “We are proud of and shall continue our far-reaching and sound advances in matters of basic human needs—expansion of social security—broadened coverage in unemployment insurance —improved housing—and better health protection for all our people. We are determined that our government remain warmly responsive to the urgent…
Dems should support a grand compromise involving reasonable restrictions on late-term abortions
Alternative titles for this essay: “The natural attitude: pro-choice at conception, pro-life at term.” “Late-term abortions are rare and morally suspect. Compromise!” “I’m pro-choice, but not for late-term fetuses.” “A commonsense compromise on late-term abortions” (if I want to pick a fight): “How Pro-Choice Extremists Sabotaged the Democratic Party.” Are you okay with on-demand abortions…
TheResistance's words of wisdom
From #TheResistance: I listened as they called my President a Muslim. I listened as they called him and his family a pack of monkeys. I listened as they said he wasn’t born here. I watched as they blocked every single path to progress that they could. I watched them shut down the government and hurt…
The Teflon Don and the Triumph of the Republican Noise Machine
The 2016 presidential election was a battle of negatives. Despite Trump’s numerous well-known negatives — including a history of racist and sexist insults, inexperience in politics, impetuousness, sexual scandals, mediocre performance at the debates, and a 70% untrue rating from PolitiFact — Trump managed to convince almost a majority of voters that he was the…
We think when we cease to be at peace with silence.
Kahlil Gibran famously said “We talk when we cease to be at peace with our thoughts.” I humbly suggest the Buddhistic/Advaitistic “We think when we cease to be at peace with silence.”
Obama and other reasons for the election debacle
The emerging consensus of commentators is that Trump won because of populist disgust with politics as usual, because of hatred of Hillary, and because of economic hardship that Trump was able to blame on immigrants, trade deals, regulations, and corrupt elites. Trump pledged to “drain the swamp” in Washington, D.C., and people thought Hillary was…
We Told You So!
We Berniecrats warned people, during the primary, that Hillary was vulnerable, that Bernie would more easily beat Trump. Indeed, Bernie warned the Democrats on August 28, 2015: Let me be very clear. In my view, Democrats will not retain the White House, will not regain the Senate, will not gain the House and will not…