"Not reckoning with the George W. Bush years helped weaken American democracy"
I think this is a sobering read. History and self-reflection matters. Our progress as a society, and yes, as Democrats, depends on it. Protein for the collective brain...
Democracy Down
An interview with Timothy Snyder about what ails our country, and why so many of us cant see it.
By ISAAC CHOTINER
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/timothy-snyder-on-bush-the-cold-war-and-our-weakened-democracy.html?
Timothy Snyder: Heres how I would characterize some of what I think is going on, on the left: I think its a kind of inverted nationalism. I think theres a tendency, in the U.S. left, to think only in terms of the U.S. and to say, Whatevers going wrong, whether its abroad or whether its at home, lets think just about America. Thats comfortable, because were Americans. Most of us only know English, so why dont we start from there?
NRaleighLiberal
(60,022 posts)Those years made it clear for the first time that it was only about party, not about what was the right thing to do in any respect. the trump years are the bush years on steroids. We are heading in a horrible direction and something needs to correct it quick!
JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)That sElection 2000 infuriated some of us to the point we became real world activists. We hauled ass, working with next to nothing re: resources and left leaners yawned and went on with their lives.
Fast forward to 2016, after elections and ZOWIE, everyone who was just darn busy with life suddenly show up to tell the skeleton crew how they've been doing it ALL WRONG!!
Gonna show up and take over the party. Yeah.
Just throwing that out there.
DemocracyMouse
(2,275 posts)I was ready to leave the country when Bush stole the election from Gore, but I stuck my neck out to keep campaigning for Democrats and democracy. I'll take any help that cones along to improve the world and push back fascism. Democracy is for all citizens by definition.
JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)To this point I've been pretty quiet on the matter. It has never the less been ever present in my world since election. So much bad mouthing of the long time foot soldiers.
I am glad to say many have gotten involved even tho unable to hijack party right out of the gate. Maybe there's hope for our side yet.
murielm99
(30,765 posts)There are all sorts of newcomers who think they can do things better. Many of them are uninformed about the law, politics and even basic civics. I have run into a few who are openly hostile to the skeleton crew.
I think many of the new members, even entire grassroots organizations, will dry up and blow away when we don't get everything we want at midterms. And I don't think we will be as successful as we want. We know how hard things can be, and that it takes time.
The best of these people will learn, grow and mature into good activists. There is hope for our side.
Thank you for everything you do.
JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)And I agree with your assessment. I do think the special elections have been helpful. Couple of instructive losses in the beginning and then lots of wins to keep momentum going.
We shall see!
KPN
(15,662 posts)like a misrepresentation to me. I don't recall anyone denigrating the workers,. Leadership and acquiescence, yes, but not the people who were rolling up their sleeves, pounding the pavement and manning the phone banks.
lunasun
(21,646 posts)KPN
(15,662 posts)magicarpet
(14,175 posts)* Nixon
* Reagan
* Bush I
* Bush II
* tRdump
All liars, all cheats, all treasonous, all criminal, stupider and stupider as you go down the list.
lunasun
(21,646 posts)Agree about the far left and the inverted nationalism outlook on today's events
And the timing of the Soviet Union fall and our fall in good values vs good economy ( Reagan thatcher )
along with his thoughts on trumps white national socialism
Good read
pansypoo53219
(20,997 posts)Skittles
(153,193 posts)"impeachment is off the table" and "we need to move forward" - NO ONE WAS HELD ACCOUNTABLE and now they are returning.