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RiverLover

(7,830 posts)
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 08:43 AM Dec 2014

The New Populist Movement: Organizing to Take Back America.

The New Populist Movement: Organizing to Take Back America.
Mar 2014

The new progressive populist movement is rising up in the United States. Inspired by an expansive vision of greater economic opportunity for all Americans, this new movement is also fueled by anger over politicians' broken promises. After decades of recurring economic crisis, which now seems systemic and permanent, millions of Americans have come to realize that much of our democratic system is now owned by a moneyed elite that use their power to resist real change and to manipulate the economy for their own financial gain.

Even the mass media know something big is going on. At the end of November, a Washington Post headline announced, "More liberal, populist movement emerging ahead of 2016 elections." And the New York Times, in a September article, reporting on the new progressive insurgency, cited the excitement generated by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and the new populist mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio. These and other media reports have been based on important new populist victories that represent the visible tip of a very large iceberg:

Low-wage workers and their allies have filled the streets of America's major cities, demanding a living wage and the right to bargain for wages and benefits. Their basic demand, echoed now by political leaders, is that full-time work should pay enough to keep a family out of poverty.

The cry of "break up the big banks" is now heard from protests at bank shareholder meetings to the halls of Congress. Many of the groups who worked to pass the Dodd-Frank bill have joined with housing advocates and others to demand Wall Street prosecutions - and real bank reform championed by Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Sen. Warren.

Lawrence Summers, President Obama's top choice for Chair of the Federal Reserve, was stopped from getting that important job by a coalition of civic activists, including women and financial reform groups. Their favorite, Janet Yellen, was appointed instead.

The national debate on the future or Social Security has been flipped - from "Stop cutting benefits" to "Expand Social Security." Activists got Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin to introduce a bill with Sen. Sherrod Brown to expand benefits. Sen. Warren helped achieve critical mass. Conservative "Third Way" operatives attacked, but actual Third Way Members of Congress denounced their own group - and several actually embraced Social Security expansion. And after grassroots pressure, President Obama withdrew his plan to cut Social Security benefits...

Political reporters have tended to frame the New Populism as either a challenge to President Obama - or as an agenda and constituency for whoever might run against Hillary Clinton. But hard experience has taught us we need to build an independent force that can fight the big corporate interests and shape a positive agenda for all politicians who claim be for progressive change.

To be clear, this new movement is still coming together, most visible politically in the grassroots campaigns to raise the minimum wage and extend unemployment insurance.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/roger-hickey/the-new-populist-movement_b_4899347.html


Very good article. It goes on to list the 12 big elements of the emerging New Populist agenda:

1. Revive Sustainable Economic Growth, Creating Jobs for All.

2. Invest in America's Infrastructure and in New Jobs for the 21st Century.

3. Make Work Pay - and Fight to Reduce Inequality in America.

4. If the Rising American Electorate Succeeds, America Succeeds.

5. Guarantee Access to High Quality Public Education for All.

6. Strengthen and Expand Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

7. Make the Rich and Corporations Pay Their Fair Share.

8. Stop Bad Trade Deals, and Balance Trade Based on Global Labor Rights.

9. Reform the Financial System to Safely Serve the Productive Economy.

10. Invest in Energy Technologies that Drive a Sustainable Economy.

11. Reduce the Military Budget and Invest at Home.

12. Strengthen Democracy.
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The New Populist Movement: Organizing to Take Back America. (Original Post) RiverLover Dec 2014 OP
Rank-and-file Democrats have been ready for a while, it's the Party leadership that has to be ... Scuba Dec 2014 #1
Exactly. nt RiverLover Dec 2014 #2
Getting money out of elections is the only riversedge Dec 2014 #6
Absolutely right! They will just knock it down over time, the media will move on. Dustlawyer Dec 2014 #17
Isn't that the truth. nt Nay Dec 2014 #27
Rank and File!? Have been ready!? imthevicar Dec 2014 #55
Occupy definitely changed the dialogue, you are correct. They invaded the space of those who sabrina 1 Dec 2014 #76
A huge obstacle, money in politics, like control of the media. More and more are overworked, appalachiablue Dec 2014 #58
Well said. nm rhett o rick Dec 2014 #63
That was what Democrats ran on in the midterms, the mass media drowned it all out using media Fred Sanders Dec 2014 #3
All I saw were Democrats running as "centrists" RiverLover Dec 2014 #7
That's what I saw, with exception of two - Sanders & Warren and.. Triana Dec 2014 #14
I'm sorry, if that's all you saw. That makes you like all the citizens who chose not to vote. mountain grammy Dec 2014 #24
I voted Democrat straight ticket. I even made sure I had the right judges. RiverLover Dec 2014 #31
The problem is, I think, our message is out there but it's been trashed so mountain grammy Dec 2014 #40
All I saw from ablamj Dec 2014 #53
Do you really think she could have won if she embraced Obama mountain grammy Dec 2014 #72
I think ablamj Dec 2014 #75
"the majority of Americans are ok with the extreme policies of the previous administration" NewDeal_Dem Dec 2014 #67
I'm not talking about the election, it's the polls.. mountain grammy Dec 2014 #71
I think the polls are bunk. It's easy to phrase poll questions to get the answers you want. NewDeal_Dem Dec 2014 #73
WTF. Your remark is inflamatory false equivalence. Majority Democrats ran as centrists/conservatives whereisjustice Dec 2014 #66
Thank you, you are correct. I didn't hear a progressive message here in my state. Cuomo won sabrina 1 Dec 2014 #78
Mean, petty campaigns carried by mean and petty media lusting for ad cash.....we all saw that. Fred Sanders Dec 2014 #70
Voting itself is not the answer. Those that vote blind and bolster the 1% are worse than rhett o rick Dec 2014 #79
I don't think there are "non progressives" among us.. mountain grammy Dec 2014 #81
Part of the "dilemma" is that some here think all DU and all Democrats are liberal/progressives. rhett o rick Dec 2014 #82
I find your standards for a liberal label are pretty sane and reasonable.. mountain grammy Dec 2014 #85
Yes I agree. Another thing I think is very important is that you can't give up your principles rhett o rick Dec 2014 #86
Media terrorism. That's a perfect label for the mainstream garbage. n/t mountain grammy Dec 2014 #41
"That was what Democrats ran on in the midterms," No way. They ran on, "We are not as bad as the rhett o rick Dec 2014 #64
I didn't hear that message. I heard a centrist, 'cautious' message. So did the voters so they sabrina 1 Dec 2014 #77
If you saw Democratic candidates running on progressive issues, then your definition of progressive rhett o rick Dec 2014 #80
I wish it could happen but the system is rigged. The only thing doc03 Dec 2014 #4
Sounds like you are ag the populist movement RiverLover Dec 2014 #5
This message was self-deleted by its author Fred Sanders Dec 2014 #8
Sorry I didn't realize it was a group. I saw this on the latest threads. If we aren't supposed to doc03 Dec 2014 #12
A group is not an echo chamber. ColesCountyDem Dec 2014 #15
OK then. Thanks for clarifying CCD! RiverLover Dec 2014 #16
You're welcome. ColesCountyDem Dec 2014 #19
Depends on how they disagree and what they disagree with. merrily Jan 2015 #89
I agree. n/t ColesCountyDem Jan 2015 #90
#12 Strengthen Democracy Dont call me Shirley Dec 2014 #9
Yes! And your sig line is my FAV ever here. thanks for both!! RiverLover Dec 2014 #10
Thank you River Lover and very Happy Holidays Dont call me Shirley Dec 2014 #11
I hardily agree with all of those goals. zeemike Dec 2014 #18
That's the agenda! NJCher Dec 2014 #20
Now that's a good attitude. RiverLover Dec 2014 #57
Agree Jake2413 Dec 2014 #30
Yes and Alec could almost be an acronym for all lobbyists Dont call me Shirley Dec 2014 #68
Embrace a populist agenda or die. Enthusiast Dec 2014 #13
Balls to this bullshit. We all gotta support Hillary! Hoppy Dec 2014 #21
Why not let the trusted media and Wall Street choose our candidate? raindaddy Dec 2014 #23
I agree. someone auta report this thread as trolling. Hoppy Dec 2014 #33
Jury Results Blue_Adept Dec 2014 #38
Oh dear. Someone actually did jury this? Hoppy Dec 2014 #42
That thingy really does come in handy. RiverLover Dec 2014 #43
The thingy is fine but the fun is if you read a post without it and get that it is humor or whatever Hoppy Dec 2014 #45
I totally agree! Its a bummer that is needed for some people. RiverLover Dec 2014 #48
I rarely if ever use the thingy, but probably 1/2+ of my posts are things.... delrem Dec 2014 #61
The Masses Are NOT Ready for This Demeter Dec 2014 #22
I Fear the Core of America is Rotten mckara Dec 2014 #25
As do I. I have relatives that have turned into hard-core "I got mine, f*** you" Nay Dec 2014 #29
I fear you are right I wrote this a couple weeks back Kalidurga Dec 2014 #35
Yes, I Remember Reading Your Post mckara Dec 2014 #44
As much as I hate to say it, I think you're right.. mountain grammy Dec 2014 #26
The Age of Acquiescence antigop Dec 2014 #28
"...the insanity of Rugged Individualism...the total lack of community and compassion..." CrispyQ Dec 2014 #46
First thing to do Andy823 Dec 2014 #32
Great post. This is key. RiverLover Dec 2014 #34
You are describing one particular faction to a "Tea" Demeter Dec 2014 #37
This: CrispyQ Dec 2014 #49
It is too bad the democratic party didn't continue the 50 state strategy. --nt CrispyQ Dec 2014 #47
That should be the Democratic Party Platform Kalidurga Dec 2014 #36
Right? I thought it was, until I started paying attention around the time of Clinton. nt RiverLover Dec 2014 #39
"Democrats see rising populist sentiment" - Washington Post / Dec 24 RiverLover Dec 2014 #50
Great Post! bvar22 Dec 2014 #51
Thank you. AWESOME post!! RiverLover Dec 2014 #60
Probably luckier to have had Mrs. Roosevelt, since much of what worked was at her insistence. jtuck004 Dec 2014 #74
You're so right, & as a female myself, I should definitely recognise her great influence. RiverLover Dec 2014 #83
" It's just easier to say FDR." < I know <G> I just like to make sure and throw those little jtuck004 Dec 2014 #84
Huge K & R !!! - Thank You !!! WillyT Dec 2014 #52
Good Democratic policy, but it won't ever fly in our current, Corporate, rightwing Democratic Party. blkmusclmachine Dec 2014 #54
I'm in. joanbarnes Dec 2014 #56
Cool! RiverLover Dec 2014 #59
FY! Phlem Dec 2014 #62
kick whereisjustice Dec 2014 #65
K&R. JDPriestly Dec 2014 #69
K&R! Waiting For Everyman Jan 2015 #87
After the crash caused by The Elite, that's the least they could do. RiverLover Jan 2015 #88
I think this should stay pinned to the top of the group. It is an excellent overview of sabrina 1 Jan 2015 #91
 

Scuba

(53,475 posts)
1. Rank-and-file Democrats have been ready for a while, it's the Party leadership that has to be ...
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 08:47 AM
Dec 2014

... dragged, kicking and screaming, away from their financial benefactors.

Dustlawyer

(10,518 posts)
17. Absolutely right! They will just knock it down over time, the media will move on.
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 09:32 AM
Dec 2014

Without different groups joining together for a focused attempt at destroying the root problem, we will get nowhere! We need Publicly Funded Elections and an end to campaign contributions. After we load up Congress with these folks we bust up the big banks and the media companies. That would do it! But it's like herding cats to get these different groups to join together.
Bernie Sanders could do it, but we allow him to be marginalized by the opposition and the other Democrats.

 

imthevicar

(811 posts)
55. Rank and File!? Have been ready!?
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 10:37 PM
Dec 2014

The Rank and File, we (yes I said WE!) had to be led by the nose by Occupy Wall street! Before Occupy Wall Street, the discussions in this forum were; How much Austerity? Can we keep the banks from doing it to us again? Can e bring jobs back? After Occupy the discussions were Hey Why aint those rich buggers paying their fair share!? and when are we going to break up the banks!? IOW we grew a spine again, stopped begging, and began to demand! The more vocal we get the bigger the movement will become.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
76. Occupy definitely changed the dialogue, you are correct. They invaded the space of those who
Sat Dec 27, 2014, 01:16 AM
Dec 2014

wanted to argue within the guidelines of Wall St/Third Way politics and got the attention obviously, of just about everyone. Not everyone was happy about OWS though. Even here on DU. We got the same old talking points that were handed out to the media and of course the right wing forums and noise machine.

I took all that negativity from the expected sources as a sign of how successful OWS was/is. When you get all the RIGHT people angry, you know you have hit the mark.

Good post, I could not agree more that the PEOPLE grew a spine. However, it isn't that our elected officials lack spine, they are bought and paid for and don't work for us. Not all of them of course, but more and more each election cycle.

appalachiablue

(42,908 posts)
58. A huge obstacle, money in politics, like control of the media. More and more are overworked,
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 11:01 PM
Dec 2014

struggling to survive economically, and becoming fearful, even unhinged understandably. I am amazed and proud of workers and others against violence who are demonstrating. If many groups aren't united matters will continue to get even worse, obviously. According to many the fear of arrest and debt, which are recorded on people's Credit Report is also factor in influencing people not to be more active.

Fred Sanders

(23,946 posts)
3. That was what Democrats ran on in the midterms, the mass media drowned it all out using media
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 08:57 AM
Dec 2014

terrorism to frighten folks away from the polls.

Each and every true progressive issue from gun control to higher taxes on wealth are individually popular, so the mass media was on a campaign, a mission to drown it all out and thanks to mealy mouthed half baked candidates refusing to advance those issues the media was all too happy to cover the mealy mouthed as representative of the party and its platform.

Who votes mealy mouth?

The controllers of the message will not let opposing messages through, protestors should be in front of me is outlets thought the land of the brave.

Americans are not frightened lemmings, on a media string, are they?

 

Triana

(22,666 posts)
14. That's what I saw, with exception of two - Sanders & Warren and..
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 09:21 AM
Dec 2014

...Sanders isn't even a Dem. NO Dems got the shout out about raising minimum wage. I heard little to nothing from them on any issue really - mostly pleas to give them money "or else".

I voted of course, but millions of others didn't. Dems had NO message. They put up NO opposition fight. And there was PLENTY for them to oppose and PLENTY for them to have a message about. But with non-engaged DWS - who is a shitty party leader and the eeyore-type attitudes of most Dems and with most of them hiding in a treehole or somewhere (no offense to Eeyore but that kind of attitude doesn't work for politicians), combined with gerrymandering, voter suppression, citizens united inviting psychopaths to buy their own gov't, well....our ship was sunk. Of course.

mountain grammy

(27,276 posts)
24. I'm sorry, if that's all you saw. That makes you like all the citizens who chose not to vote.
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 11:18 AM
Dec 2014

We had Democratic candidates in Colorado campaigning on a liberal agenda and they lost. I'm sorry that non voters and disgruntled "independents" didn't see this. Maybe they weren't looking or maybe they couldn't see the message through all the negative lies and fear a billion dollar campaign buys. If you can say "all I saw were Democrats running as 'centrists'" then you didn't look very hard.

The problem is the media and the scare tactics they willingly supported. Americans have bought into the negative, mean, hateful bullshit of too much money in campaigns and given up. I have hope they are ready for a new populist movement.

RiverLover

(7,830 posts)
31. I voted Democrat straight ticket. I even made sure I had the right judges.
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 11:34 AM
Dec 2014

And that was in Ohio, where the only signs you saw in favor of Democrats were anti-rethug/Kasich:



And that was because the Democrat running for Governor was a complete idiot.

And rethugs won in a landslide.

mountain grammy

(27,276 posts)
40. The problem is, I think, our message is out there but it's been trashed so
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 01:23 PM
Dec 2014

bad by the last 30 years of relentless anti liberal propaganda that no one is listening and liberals are running for cover.

Let's face it, the majority of Americans are ok with the extreme policies of the previous administration and aren't even upset about the fact that Bush said "we don't torture" even as it was happening. The majority of Americans back the extreme policies of municipal police forces, even as they kill more unarmed civilians every year. The majority of white Americans believe people of color are treated equally in our justice system. I don't know about you, but I'm astounded by these facts.
This is a disturbing trend and without meaningful changes in the hearts and minds of average Americans, we are screwed.

ablamj

(333 posts)
53. All I saw from
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 09:13 PM
Dec 2014

my Dem Senate Candidate was how much she was not like Obama and how much she agreed with Republicans. I held my nose and voted for her anyway but she lost of course. Michelle Nunn if you are wondering.

mountain grammy

(27,276 posts)
72. Do you really think she could have won if she embraced Obama
Fri Dec 26, 2014, 06:38 PM
Dec 2014

and all liberal policies? Honestly, I do agree with you.. I think she should have run an honest campaign as a Democrat, and if she lost, well she lost anyway. That's what I don't understand about Nunn (and Grimes and Udall too.) There are many voters who won't vote for them just because she's a Dem, that's true, so she shouldn't even try to appeal to them. Just get out there and be honest and tell people what you believe and what programs will help average Americans.


I was disappointed in Michelle Nunn too, but her father was a very conservative Democrat.

ablamj

(333 posts)
75. I think
Fri Dec 26, 2014, 08:52 PM
Dec 2014

It might have been closer if she had been honest. I know she's more conservative than I like. I didn't vote for her in the primary. But she could have worked harder to get out the Dem vote. Very few Dems want a Senator to the right of Obama.

 

NewDeal_Dem

(1,049 posts)
67. "the majority of Americans are ok with the extreme policies of the previous administration"
Fri Dec 26, 2014, 01:03 AM
Dec 2014

No, they're not. If they voted for them it's because they didn't get what they were voting for (or against) -- and that's a failure of messaging from the opposition, i.e. the Democrats.
\
No one votes for poverty and unfreedom, sorry. No one is "OK with" it.

mountain grammy

(27,276 posts)
71. I'm not talking about the election, it's the polls..
Fri Dec 26, 2014, 06:26 PM
Dec 2014

and they are showing the majority of Americans are ok with the extreme policies of the previous administration.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/senate-torture-report-public-opinion/

http://www.ibtimes.com/cia-torture-report-poll-half-americans-say-enhanced-interrogation-was-justified-1758576

Personally, I think people don't vote because they really think it doesn't matter; that's all they've heard for 30 plus years and they believe it and are not inclined to find out any differently. The majority of Americans can't name the 9 justices on the Supreme Court. People vote for poverty and unfreedom all the time which is why Americans are getting poorer and it is now acceptable for the American government to torture prisoners. Of course, a look at our prison system would show prisoners are treated inhumanely all the time, just now we know the majority of Americans accept it which is why it happens.

whereisjustice

(2,941 posts)
66. WTF. Your remark is inflamatory false equivalence. Majority Democrats ran as centrists/conservatives
Fri Dec 26, 2014, 12:49 AM
Dec 2014

in Colorado and rest of country. That is a verifiable, indisputable fact.

Does it mean every single candidate ran that way? No. But the significant majority did.

And we are paying for it. Big time.

To then tell someone they are as bad as a non-voter for pointing out verifiable fact is EXACTLY what is wrong with Democratic Party.

There is a REAL purity test here. And it is not liberals who are administering it.

It's the centrists, aka - right wing conservatives, republican wannabees.

If Republicans adopted gay marriage and pro-choice platforms, the socially liberal, fiscally conservative douchebags fucking up the Democratic Party would bail out in a heart beat.

Good riddance. Let them go fuck over the Republicans.

They've done their damage here.



sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
78. Thank you, you are correct. I didn't hear a progressive message here in my state. Cuomo won
Sat Dec 27, 2014, 01:35 AM
Dec 2014

but the alternative was a totally corrupt Republican. I am glad Cuomo won, he knew he was not all that popular with Dems. But he has banned Fracking in NYS, a big issue here in NY State where I live, so I am glad he finally listened to the people.

 

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)
79. Voting itself is not the answer. Those that vote blind and bolster the 1% are worse than
Sat Dec 27, 2014, 10:55 AM
Dec 2014

those that vote not at all. Blindly following any party is unhealthy and why the Democrats are where we are today. I would rather see candidates run and lose on the Democratic Principles, than run and win on Republican Principles.

Some here have lowered their expectations of progressives so low that they think Republican Lite is progressive. You said, "We had Democratic candidates in Colorado campaigning on a liberal agenda and they lost." I am guessing your definition of "liberal agenda" is a long wayz from mine. For example, did they run on getting single payer health coverage?

The non-progressives among us want to blame their failures on progressives.

mountain grammy

(27,276 posts)
81. I don't think there are "non progressives" among us..
Sat Dec 27, 2014, 12:43 PM
Dec 2014

We don't and shouldn't agree on everything. My definition of a "liberal agenda" I sure is not a long wayz from yours, especially if your defining policy is single payer which I believe is the best policy. If I disagree with you on any part of your liberal agenda does that make me not a liberal?

Here's the thing: We have a great Colorado single payer loving liberal in Andrew Romanoff who had been an excellent Speaker of the Colorado House. He ran on an anti Wall Street platform against Michael Bennet in the 2010 Senate primary. Bennet is a fairly conservative Dem who had been appointed to his seat in 2008. Bennet won the primary and the Senate seat.
This year Andrew ran for the Congressional seat held by Mike Coffman. He ran on the liberal issues he's always run on, including single payer, in a mixed district with all mail in ballots. Andrew had a lot of money and was able to make his case loud and clear, turnout was strong, and he lost. Of course, the media is never a friend to a liberal candidate and did their thing, but to say he ran as anything but a liberal Dem would be wrong, and he lost. Mike Coffman, who has moved even farther to the right, kept his seat.

I'm having a hard time understanding your last statement. Why would "non progressives" blame anyone for their losses when they're NOT losing? This is the Democratic Underground and, with the exception of a few trolls, we are all Democrats and we are losing. You blame the so called "non progressive" Democrats for our losses and believe "non progressives" Dems blame progressives. Do you see the dilemma here?


 

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)
82. Part of the "dilemma" is that some here think all DU and all Democrats are liberal/progressives.
Sat Dec 27, 2014, 02:57 PM
Dec 2014

But as DU is a good example, showing that we have two major factions. While both factions seem to agree pretty much on social issues they are miles apart on fracking, NSA/CIA Deep State spying, torture, the Patriot Act, the continuous middle east war, sever punishment of whistle-blowers, regulation of Wall Street, non-regulation of journalists, the Defense budget, etc.

The non-liberal/progressive among us have stands on issues, other than social issues, very close to the conservatives of the other party. Joe Lieberman, Zell Miller, and Arlen Specter were Democrats but never liberal/progressive.

I say if you support the continuous war in the middle east, the TPP, fracking, and the deregulation of Wall Street, you can't be a liberal/progressive even if you support same sex marriage.

mountain grammy

(27,276 posts)
85. I find your standards for a liberal label are pretty sane and reasonable..
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 10:56 AM
Dec 2014

but I'm willing and open to reasonable and honest debate on any subject. I believe keeping an open mind is one of the most important assets of progressives.

My very favorite JFK quote is about being a liberal. I believe we can do it and, like Kennedy, in my own way, I'm working on it.

“If by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people-their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights and their civil liberties-someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal", then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal.”

 

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)
86. Yes I agree. Another thing I think is very important is that you can't give up your principles
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 01:10 PM
Dec 2014

for expediency. You can't give up your principles just to get a "win". That's why I will never support H. Clinton. Her betrayal is unforgivable. In the play/movie "Damn Yankees", Joe Hardy traded his soul for a win. IMO a true liberal/progressive would never do that.

 

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)
64. "That was what Democrats ran on in the midterms," No way. They ran on, "We are not as bad as the
Fri Dec 26, 2014, 12:20 AM
Dec 2014

mean Republicans."

I understand that the Corp-Media wouldn't report it but other outlets would and didn't because they didn't say it.

Maybe you didn't read the list:

1. Revive Sustainable Economic Growth, Creating Jobs for All.

2. Invest in America's Infrastructure and in New Jobs for the 21st Century.

3. Make Work Pay - and Fight to Reduce Inequality in America.

4. If the Rising American Electorate Succeeds, America Succeeds.

5. Guarantee Access to High Quality Public Education for All.

6. Strengthen and Expand Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

7. Make the Rich and Corporations Pay Their Fair Share.

8. Stop Bad Trade Deals, and Balance Trade Based on Global Labor Rights.

9. Reform the Financial System to Safely Serve the Productive Economy.

10. Invest in Energy Technologies that Drive a Sustainable Economy.

11. Reduce the Military Budget and Invest at Home.

12. Strengthen Democracy.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
77. I didn't hear that message. I heard a centrist, 'cautious' message. So did the voters so they
Sat Dec 27, 2014, 01:20 AM
Dec 2014

focused on where they could have an impact, which they decided wasn't DC. They fought to put Progressive issues on ballots across the country and then voted for them. Across party lines people choose Progressive issues when they are presented to them. WE have been told the OPPOSITE by our own party. NOW we know, thanks to the midterms, that we are being lied to.

While voters voted for Progressive issues, they did not vote for elected officials who did not push those issues. And Dems lost because of that.

 

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)
80. If you saw Democratic candidates running on progressive issues, then your definition of progressive
Sat Dec 27, 2014, 10:59 AM
Dec 2014

has been eroded. I would be interested in the positions that these candidates took that you think is progressive.

doc03

(36,709 posts)
4. I wish it could happen but the system is rigged. The only thing
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 08:59 AM
Dec 2014

it could accomplish is put a Republican in the Whitehouse.

RiverLover

(7,830 posts)
5. Sounds like you are ag the populist movement
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 09:04 AM
Dec 2014

if you think the only thing it can accomplish is electing republicans.

You must have missed on the front page here~

This is a group, not a forum. Groups often serve as safe havens for members who share similar interests and viewpoints.

Response to RiverLover (Reply #5)

doc03

(36,709 posts)
12. Sorry I didn't realize it was a group. I saw this on the latest threads. If we aren't supposed to
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 09:17 AM
Dec 2014

comment on these threads you should have to sign into them. Anyway I would love to see such a movement but I think
just like the Tea Party has done for the Republicans it would make any Democrat that makes it though the primary unelectable.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
89. Depends on how they disagree and what they disagree with.
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 10:27 AM
Jan 2015

Groups are supposed to be something of a safe haven for beliefs relating to the purpose of the group. Hence, even if you have umpteen links to support a criticism of Hillary, the place to post them is not the Hillary Group, but some other part of the board.

This is a group, not a forum. Groups often serve as safe havens for members who share similar interests and viewpoints. Individuals who post messages contrary to a particular group's stated purpose can be excluded from posting in that group. For detailed information about this group and its purpose, click here.

Dont call me Shirley

(10,998 posts)
9. #12 Strengthen Democracy
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 09:10 AM
Dec 2014

By rolling back the gop voter suppression laws, making voting mandatory as done in Australia, instate instant run off voting, public financial support only of candidates, illlegalize groups like alec, heavily regulate business, etc

zeemike

(18,998 posts)
18. I hardily agree with all of those goals.
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 09:39 AM
Dec 2014

But know this, we will never see those changes unless we have a populist movement.

And the first thing the PTB will do is divide up the movement with dozens of methods they have at their disposal...and we see it all the time now. And we seem to fall for it.

Hopefully we have learned from it and can keep our eyes on the prize...if we don't we will never see change that is not cosmetic.

NJCher

(37,889 posts)
20. That's the agenda!
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 10:15 AM
Dec 2014

I think we're seeing massive organization across the country. Personally, I've been heartened and astonished at the numbers in the demonstrations regarding the paramilitary turn of the police. It's not just national: it's international!

Re the naysayers, we just need to move on. They'll hop on the bandwagon eventually. Right now it's a lot easier to sit back in their easy chair and scoff at the efforts of others. Pay them no mind; unfortunately, it's the best they can do at the moment.




Cher

Jake2413

(228 posts)
30. Agree
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 11:31 AM
Dec 2014

But let's not forget about lobbiests, they should go on the outlaw list. While we are at it, legislators should be writing the laws and only one topic per bill if you want to add amendments they must pertain to the bills subject.

raindaddy

(1,370 posts)
23. Why not let the trusted media and Wall Street choose our candidate?
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 10:38 AM
Dec 2014

Because Hillary will campaign on supporting traditional populist Democrat values. That should be more than enough!

Blue_Adept

(6,436 posts)
38. Jury Results
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 12:43 PM
Dec 2014

Balls to this bullshit. We all gotta support Hillary!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1277&pid=2036

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

hijacking the thread

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Thu Dec 25, 2014, 05:40 PM, and the Jury voted 0-7 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: i've seen hi-jacked threads - this is not one of them
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Sure thing, Commissar! May I just send you my ballot to fill in, or can we dispense with such trivialities?
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Last I heard, thread hijacking was not hideable. True, s/he forgot the thingy, but so what?
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Threadjack?
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: One reply is hijacking the thread? C'mon.

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

RiverLover

(7,830 posts)
43. That thingy really does come in handy.
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 01:43 PM
Dec 2014


Or someone knew you were being sarcastic and just didn't like your point. It definitely wasn't a "hijack".

hmmmm...
 

Hoppy

(3,595 posts)
45. The thingy is fine but the fun is if you read a post without it and get that it is humor or whatever
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 02:56 PM
Dec 2014
 

Demeter

(85,373 posts)
22. The Masses Are NOT Ready for This
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 10:36 AM
Dec 2014

Not even the "educated" masses...I'm on a condo board 11 years in a college town, and you would not BELIEVE the insanity of Rugged Individualism...the total lack of community and compassion...which keeps the condo association at the barely functional level, socially.

The fear and the distrust and the miserliness...the envy, greed and jealousy...I've seen so little goodness in this population. And there's a lot of phsyical, emotional and mental illness, too.

American people are not in good shape mentally, physically, economically, to make changes that matter, not even for their own well-being, let alone their neighbors.



 

mckara

(1,708 posts)
25. I Fear the Core of America is Rotten
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 11:20 AM
Dec 2014

Society must collapse upon itself for real change to occur. Perhaps we're not there yet, but it's coming.

Nay

(12,051 posts)
29. As do I. I have relatives that have turned into hard-core "I got mine, f*** you"
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 11:31 AM
Dec 2014

types and I see no possibility of salvation for them. It's amazing how that selfish mindset has spread. I think the core is rotten, too.

CrispyQ

(38,269 posts)
46. "...the insanity of Rugged Individualism...the total lack of community and compassion..."
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 03:06 PM
Dec 2014

Sad, sad words, but true. Too many Americans have fallen for the lie that they pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps. The hatred toward people who get government assistance but acceptance of corporate giveaways is stunning.

I have a friend, republican, who abhors government assistance programs for people, although she has two daughters benefiting from these programs, but she will defend all the tax breaks & cuts for the corporations, because, "they provide jobs & would raise prices if we don't." I reminded her that they are shipping our jobs overseas & prices go up all the time, but she just says, "it would be worse if we taxed them."

How do you even combat that kind of thinking?

Andy823

(11,527 posts)
32. First thing to do
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 11:44 AM
Dec 2014

Is to start finding candidates to run in your local, state, and federal elections. It starts at the local level and state levels, then on to the federal level. There is no way any change will come until you find good "strong" candidates to work their way up the ladder. It won't happen over night, but until you can get enough candidates the the people will actually vote for to run, there is no chance of change.

As has been mention the big issue is all the money in politics, but getting the money out of politics won't happen unless you can elect candidates that will actually take on this issue, and keep pushing it day after day after day. Until then the main thing is to remove all the republicans we can, even if the candidate that is running against them may not be the perfect candidate, they will be better than any republican. Republicans have learned that taking control of local and sate politics is working for them, we have to do the same.

 

Demeter

(85,373 posts)
37. You are describing one particular faction to a "Tea"
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 12:35 PM
Dec 2014

The Tea Party are fanatics: willing to sacrifice everything to their overwhelming power grab. The grassroots has taken over from the Astroturfing, but the astroturfing supports them, even if it's a bit off message. Unfortunately, there isn't sufficient distinction between the two so that good things can happen, like destruction or disaffiliation...

The kind of people we have, the kind we need, don't do that. They strive for healthy, balanced lives and keeping it all together so everybody is healthy and happy....if it came to any kind of conflict, they'd bug out. Their lives are not geared for total warfare. Very few ordinary people can do an Occupation, a Die-In, or other such theater. They have to stay alive and keep their dependent families alive.

We need a kind of political warfare that fits into the survival of ordinary people, and doesn't imperil their very existence.

CrispyQ

(38,269 posts)
49. This:
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 03:20 PM
Dec 2014
Very few ordinary people can do an Occupation, a Die-In, or other such theater. They have to stay alive and keep their dependent families alive.

...

We need a kind of political warfare that fits into the survival of ordinary people, and doesn't imperil their very existence.


This is why I think that talks of a general strike are just that, talk. Most Americans don't have enough paid time off to protest for any length of time that will change the system. Also, they still have way too much to lose to risk their 1, 2 or 3 jobs, to protest & possibly end up in jail. I worry that as long as we can buy a 50" TV for under $1000 & get the latest smartphone for $50 a month we are a lost cause.

RiverLover

(7,830 posts)
50. "Democrats see rising populist sentiment" - Washington Post / Dec 24
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 03:25 PM
Dec 2014
Democrats see rising populist sentiment. But can it shake Hillary Clinton?
12/24/14

That there is such a debate over the direction of the Democratic Party is without question, and the differences have become louder in the wake of the drubbing the Democrats suffered in the midterm elections.

...Populist energy pulsates within the party to the point that Democrats cannot agree on whether it has become its dominant ideological strain. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who has championed a populist message as much as Warren, said: “It’s a good, strong message, and it’s a message that she’s carried very well, and it’s a message that a number of us have put out there for a number of years, and it’s catching on. . . . I don’t think it’s there yet.”

But Gov. Jack Markell of Delaware, who comes out of the centrist Democratic tradition, said he believes the party has tipped in favor of Warren’s anti-Wall Street, populist message. “I don’t think there’s any question,” he said of a shift that he finds worrisome for the party’s future hopes of winning over independents and swing voters.

Jim Dean, who heads Democracy for America, said that until recently, the party had “regressed” on the relationship between business and government. “With the ascendance of Elizabeth Warren and the way she has built power for herself, we are seeing a lot of movement for the party to get back to its core values,” he said....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democrats-see-rising-populist-sentiment-but-can-it-shake-hillary-clinton/2014/12/22/a07434c4-8801-11e4-b9b7-b8632ae73d25_story.html


bvar22

(39,909 posts)
51. Great Post!
Thu Dec 25, 2014, 05:32 PM
Dec 2014

It reminds me of this:

In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be[font size=3] established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.[/font]

Among these are:

*The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

*The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

*The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

*The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

*The right of every family to a decent home;

*The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

*The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

*The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.


FDR, 1944 State of the Union Address[/font]


Please note that the above are stipulated as Basic Human RIGHTS to be protected by our government,
and NOT as COMMODITIES to be SOLD to Americans by For Profit Corporations.

My vote and support WILL go to whoever BEST embodies these values.
I am too old and tired to again support the Least of the Worst.
Let the chips fall where they may.
 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
74. Probably luckier to have had Mrs. Roosevelt, since much of what worked was at her insistence.
Fri Dec 26, 2014, 08:28 PM
Dec 2014

Pretty clear, once you read what they and others wrote. And it is important to remember, should we ever get someone on the side of working peopl again.

RiverLover

(7,830 posts)
83. You're so right, & as a female myself, I should definitely recognise her great influence.
Sat Dec 27, 2014, 05:01 PM
Dec 2014

It's just easier to say FDR.

But she was especially important to the start of the Civil Rights Movement~

Eleanor became an important connection for Franklin's administration to the African-American population during the segregation era. Despite the President's desire to placate Southern sentiment, Eleanor was vocal in her support of the African-American civil rights movement. After her experience with Arthurdale and her inspections of New Deal programs in Southern states, she concluded that New Deal programs were discriminating against African-Americans, who received a disproportionately small share of relief moneys. Eleanor became one of the only voices in the Roosevelt White House insisting that benefits be equally extended to Americans of all races.[82]

Eleanor also broke with precedent by inviting hundreds of African American guests to the White House.[83] When the black singer Marian Anderson was denied the use of Washington's Constitution Hall in 1939 by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Eleanor resigned from the group in protest and helped arrange another concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.[49] Roosevelt later presented Anderson to the King and Queen of the United Kingdom after Anderson performed at a White House dinner.[84] Roosevelt also arranged the appointment of African-American educator Mary McLeod Bethune, with whom she had struck up a friendship, as Director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration.[85][86] To avoid problems with the staff when Bethune would visit the White House, Eleanor would meet her at the gate, embrace her, and walk in with her arm-in-arm.[87].

...Roosevelt's support of African-American rights made her an unpopular figure among whites in the South. Rumors spread of "Eleanor Clubs" formed by servants to oppose their employers and "Eleanor Tuesdays" on which African-American men would knock down white women on the street, though no evidence has ever been found of either practice.[91] When race riots broke out in Detroit in June 1943, critics in both the North and South wrote that Roosevelt was to blame.[92] At the same time, she grew so popular among African-Americans, previously a reliable Republican voting bloc, that they became a consistent base of support for the Democratic Party.[93]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_Roosevelt


And just as a fun side note, she was good friends with Amelia Earhart.
 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
84. " It's just easier to say FDR." < I know <G> I just like to make sure and throw those little
Sat Dec 27, 2014, 05:18 PM
Dec 2014

bits of historical fact in there, because people forget, part of why we are where we are today.

Waiting For Everyman

(9,385 posts)
87. K&R!
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 09:16 AM
Jan 2015

I'd like to see a point added to that, about getting the credit reporting agencies and banks off the little guys' backs. Those monsters need to be cut down to size and have the super powers they were given to oppress people taken away.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
91. I think this should stay pinned to the top of the group. It is an excellent overview of
Mon Jan 5, 2015, 12:49 AM
Jan 2015

the changes that are happening in this country.

Just my opinion of course!

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