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The Democrats Need To Do First Things First. The First Thing Is To Get Rid Of Trump.

  

Category:  Op/Ed

By:  john-russell  •  5 years ago  •  32 comments

The Democrats Need To Do First Things First. The First Thing Is To Get Rid Of Trump.

For some years there has been an undercurrent of left wing dissatisfaction with the so-called "neo-liberals" who the left considers to be corporate sellouts. These would be the Clintons, the Feinsteins, the Schumers, most Democratic politicians in Washington, even to some extent the Obamas.  The "centrist" Democrats. You could go back 5 -10 years and look at online and You Tube sites such as The Young Turks, The Majority Report, Jimmy Dore, Alternet, Common Dreams, etc. and see that for years they have been railing against the Democratic Party establishment.

It is NOW however that the push is coming to have the left become the voice of the national party,  and it comes at this time with great risk. If the Democratic candidate can be credibly associated with "socialism" it could make it possible for the asshole Donald Trump to be re-elected. Yes, there are people who would rather vote for a proven asshole than someone with even a taint of "socialism" on them.  I don't think this is the right time to give those voters that opportunity.

There was an interview with New York mayor Bill DiBlasio in the past few days where he was asked about Bloomberg not running for president. DiBlasio said that it was good because Bloomberg has no chance, simply because he is a billionaire. He was then asked about Biden and DiBlasio said Biden will not be the nominee because he is associated with corporate Democrats.

The young Democrats are worried about the future. For decades all the growth in personal income is flowing to the top. This trend has only accelerated in recent years. Automation is coming at a rate that was not predicted even a few years ago. In the working lifetime of 25 or 30 year olds today many millions of people will lose their jobs due to automation and robots. They want to know what the government is planning to do about that. The extremely wealthy will own the robots, and masses of the workers will be unemployed or having to work servile jobs. Even uber drivers will soon be put out of business.

The Democrat millenials pushing the drive to the "left" want income inequality addressed NOW, they no longer trust the corporate politicians of either party. This has been coming for some time, as I said, but the present question is, is this the right time to gamble everything on policies that can be tainted as "socialist"?

I think there is great risk in nominating a "far left" candidate (although I don't think there is a far left candidate running) in 2020.  Sanders has great goals , but he will be tagged "radical", perhaps Warren too.

The pundits and advocates on the left believe that there is a vast number of people who will vote for a candidate more to the left , such a number that would overcome any moderate Democrats that stayed home. This idea is getting out the non voter of the past. Under this theory large numbers of young people (and others) will come out and vote for a Sanders or Warren who will not come out for a Biden or Kloubachar, enough to win the election against Trump.

This theory may be accurate. But it also may not be. Is it worthwhile to take such a risk at this time when we have the worst president in history running for re-election ?  I don't think it is. The priority must be removing the plague of trump from our nation.

We can go after the other goals afterwards.


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JohnRussell
Professor Principal
1  author  JohnRussell    5 years ago

We must bide our time for a few more years in terms of confronting income inequality. It's not right, but it is necessary when looking at the present occupant of the White House.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
1.2  Vic Eldred  replied to  JohnRussell @1    5 years ago

It's too late John. Too many democratic candidates have already come out for infanticide, open borders, tax increases and that "green new deal".  It's primary season and every democrat has to satisfy that angry, hate-filled left wing base. Whoever wins the democratic primary is DOOMED to defeat and BTW I predict the dems even lose the House right back next election.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
1.2.1  author  JohnRussell  replied to  Vic Eldred @1.2    5 years ago

Since most of your opinions come from dubious right wing media I feel pretty confident in discounting them.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
1.2.2  Vic Eldred  replied to  JohnRussell @1.2.1    5 years ago

My opinions come from 67 years of life. Instead of questioning peoples reasons & motives, why not just address the comment?

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
1.2.3  author  JohnRussell  replied to  Vic Eldred @1.2.2    5 years ago
Too many democratic candidates have already come out for infanticide, open borders, tax increases and that "green new deal". 

These "opinions" come directly from right wing media. You know it and I know it.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
1.2.4  Vic Eldred  replied to  JohnRussell @1.2.3    5 years ago

How many democratic candidates have come out in favor of the "green new deal?"  Do you know? or do I have to list them?


NEARLY EVERY DECLARED DEMOCRATIC 2020 CANDIDATE SUPPORTS OCASIO-CORTEZ'S 'GREEN NEW DEAL'

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
1.2.5  Vic Eldred  replied to  Vic Eldred @1.2.4    5 years ago

Is Newsweek a part of "right wing media?"

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
1.2.7  Texan1211  replied to  Vic Eldred @1.2.5    5 years ago
Is Newsweek a part of "right wing media?"

Yes, if they have either published an article telling the truth about Democrats or giving even a hint of praise to Republicans.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
1.2.9  author  JohnRussell  replied to    5 years ago

[Deleted]

 
 
 
Ed-NavDoc
Professor Quiet
1.4  Ed-NavDoc  replied to  JohnRussell @1    5 years ago

The Democrats will get their shot again in 2020 but not before then I think. And that's providing they can get a candidate of better quality than the last one that will unite the party. I sincerely hope they can but I am not holding my breath that either side can do so. 

 
 
 
It Is ME
Masters Guide
2  It Is ME    5 years ago

"The Democrats Need To Do First Things First. The First Thing Is To Get Rid Of Trump."

Really ?

That's their "First" priority ?

"TRUMP IS THE MOST "DANGEROUS" PRESIDENT THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER, EVER,EVER....EVER HAD" ……. right ? jrSmiley_10_smiley_image.gif

Those "Wars" he started were boomers ! 100's of thousands DEAD ! jrSmiley_80_smiley_image.gif

Pre-Trump has been going on for Decades. What were Democrats doing then....same Ol' Same Ol' ? jrSmiley_9_smiley_image.gif

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
5  Texan1211    5 years ago

Isn't it a little funny that Democrats are reduced to "other methods" of getting rid of Trump because they simply couldn't beat him in the election?

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
6  Nerm_L    5 years ago

Neo-liberals are NOT centrists.  Neo-liberals are far left liberals concerning business, finance, and economics.  Neo-liberalism has been gradually morphed into a perverted form of communism controlled by oligarchs.

Neo-liberal economics really has nothing to do with capitalism.  Neo-liberals emphasize removing barriers for trade; they are not concerned with producing anything or with market signals for capital investment.  The United States has been importing over $2 trillion/yr of goods and services for many years.  That's not a market signal; that's an economic nuke.  Where are the capitalists?  If market demand of over 10 pct of GDP won't spur capital investment then it becomes very difficult to claim that the United States is a capitalist economy.

Why do neo-liberals fear socialism?  Because real socialism depends upon producing something and regulating the economy to favor production.  Socialism is fundamentally about workers owning the means of production.  Imports are not about production, free trade is about removing barriers so that goods can flow into the country.  So it doesn't matter who owns the means of production, what matters is who controls access to the marketplace.  An economy dependent upon imports can't become socialist because that economy doesn't produce anything.  Unfortunately an economy dependent upon imports can't be capitalist, either.

Neo-liberals are NOT centrists, they have more in common with communists than capitalists.  

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
7  author  JohnRussell    5 years ago
Neo-liberals are NOT centrists, they have more in common with communists than capitalists.  

To put it kindly, you don't know what you are talking about. And you had to go and write three paragraphs demonstrating it.

  • neoliberalism | Definition, Ideology, & Examples ...

    https:// www.britannica.com /topic/ neoliberalism

    Neoliberalism, ideology and policy model that emphasizes the value of free market competition. Although there is considerable debate as to the defining features of neoliberal thought and practice, it is most commonly associated with laissez-faire economics.

 
 
 
luther28
Sophomore Silent
7.1  luther28  replied to  JohnRussell @7    5 years ago
it is most commonly associated with laissez-faire economics.

Kind of sounds like unbridled Capitalism, but a rose by any other name......

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
7.2  Nerm_L  replied to  JohnRussell @7    5 years ago
Neoliberalism, ideology and policy model that emphasizes the value of free market competition. Although there is considerable debate as to the defining features of neoliberal thought and practice, it is most commonly associated with laissez-faire economics.

That is about trade barriers, not about production.  Capitalism is about utilizing stored capital to create production according to market signals.  Laissez-faire economics is about open borders and unregulated trade, not about creating production.  Neo-liberalism is about supplying the marketplace with imports, not with domestic production.  Neo-liberals want liberalization of trade.  Neo-liberals are as far left on economics as are social liberals on social issues.  Neo-liberals are NOT centrists.

Regurgitating some sort of definition without understanding what that definition means only demonstrates ignorance.  

The United States cannot become a socialist country because socialism depends upon the economy producing what is demanded.  The United States has become a nation of traders, not producers.  And that trade is centrally planned and controlled by oligarchs.  I stand by my statement:  Neo-liberals have more in common with communists than capitalists.  The definition actually provides support for that contention.

 
 
 
luther28
Sophomore Silent
8  luther28    5 years ago

The Democrat millenials pushing the drive to the "left" want income inequality addressed NOW

Allow me to express my 67 years of life opinion ( sorry Vic:)). There be the problem with many of our fellow citizens, they want everything now. Although we might go over any facet of this lets stick with wages as an example: I used to get a kick out of a newbie employee, coming on board they expected to make the same amount of money as I (or it could be anyone) not taking into consideration the forty years experience and proven hard work that brings one to that level.

Yep, give me the I-Phone, MacMansion and Beemer and give it to me now, I hope I am not the first to tell you but it doesn't work that way nor should it.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
8.1  author  JohnRussell  replied to  luther28 @8    5 years ago

The point of "income inequality" as a socio/political issue is a little more macro than just some young people thinking they should make a great salary right off the bat.

 
 
 
luther28
Sophomore Silent
8.1.2  luther28  replied to  JohnRussell @8.1    5 years ago

Income equality is there, if one opts to work for it. Up to the individual as to how much effort one cares to exert and advance themselves.

 
 
 
luther28
Sophomore Silent
8.1.3  luther28  replied to  JohnRussell @8.1    5 years ago
Although we might go over any facet of this lets stick with wages as an example

I am quite aware that is a multi-pronged issue, wages as noted are one example.

 
 
 
MonsterMash
Sophomore Quiet
9  MonsterMash    5 years ago

I think there is great risk in nominating a "far left" candidate (although I don't think there is a far left candidate running) in 2020.

All of the announced Democrat candidates are far left radicals. 

 
 

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