How corporate, hawkish Democrats betrayed the party and elected Trump

The neoliberals [ We elected them, remember? ] and neocons created an unholy matrimony. We let the globalized corporate camel’s nose under the tent and now folks are worried about Trump’s business being a conflict of interest. As I use “we” here, I am reflecting and including myself as part of a people that acted…

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…

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…

Go forward

This week we witnessed another 21st century virtual coup in America. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by well over 600,000 votes and by the time all the ballots are counted, it will be a margin in excess of 1.5 million nationwide. Hillary lost the electoral college vote, an archaic institution fashioned by the founders…

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…

Billionaires trying to buy a Supreme Court seat

Billionaires pour money into state Supreme Court race Will campaign cash corrupt the state Supreme Court? Here’s Why You Should Care About the Tech and Finance Billionaires Trying to Influence State Judicial Races These are the same billionaires who corrupted our legislature and pressured legislators to support an unconstitutional charters school bill last session, SB…