Why would anyone be anything but a "populist"?

[marym625]

The definition of "populist" from Princeton University Word Net,

(someone who advocates the rights of the common people over those of the elite)

Isn't that what we're supposed to be about?

There is no doubt that there have been improvements, over the years, in certain areas. Even in modern history, we've come a long way when it comes to social justice. I'm sure I don't need to list those out for anyone here. But we've taken steps backward in so many ways and, worse yet, we have changed so greatly in economics that we barely recognize ourselves. We're headed for the days of pre WWII. Hoovervilles, armed fighting just for the right to be paid a living wage, women having to seek "back alley abortions" and god forbid they are caught. We're actually jailing women for controlling their own bodies. Worse yet, if you can't prove you miscarried you could end up in jail. "GOD" is ruling our local and State governments in many instances and the Supreme Court has allowed religion in politics and public arenas. The Hobby Lobby decision is one of the worst to come down the pike in decades.

Additionally, we have a government that spies on us without warrant, "free speech zones," taxes on the poor and middle class (what's left of it) that the wealthiest don't pay, endless wars, bankers that go free after illegal acts, paying fines with money made off the backs of the working stiffs, dismantling of the Voters' Rights Act, the denial of climate change, war crimes and torture just forgotten, privatization of prisons aka prisons for profit, and just about everything the government can privatize, incarceration rates and lengths of sentences that are beyond excessive, especially for young black men and women, murder in the streets by cops with prosecutors complicit in the impunity, etc., etc., etc.

Sometimes, reading through the latest posts here is just depressing. It feels like there is no end in sight to the injustices, the pollution. We're actually, for the first time ever, at a point where we may wipe ourselves off the planet. Wars are starting over water in other countries. We are not far off from that ourselves. California is basically drying up. It won't be long before someone is killed over the water shortage.

And yet, corporations are stealing water in California, public water, and selling it for a profit. What has been done? Nothing.

Does anyone remember when the banks paid you to keep your money? You used to receive interest on both checking and savings accounts. Even for as little of as $25. Now, if you don't have a large, minimum amount, you pay them. You pay them to get your money out of an ATM. You pay them for making deposits. You pay them for just about everything. Sometimes, you pay twice. You can take $20 out of an ATM and pay $3 to the ATM bank, $2.50 to your bank, while you are already paying for the privilege of letting them hold your money. That's at least 28% fees! And believe me, the banks are paying MUCH LESS to operate than when they paid us to hold our money. Everything is automated, including the fed. The exchange of funds happens almost instantaneously. They'll take a check out of your account the day before, and hold your deposit up to seven days while they receive interest on it. It's the best racket that ever came around and we're paying for it.

There is absolutely no doubt that we need many social issues changed, drastically. We cannot allow women to be jailed for controlling their bodies, people of color to be jailed, profiled, even killed, just because of the color of their skin. We cannot allow police to rob, beat and murder people and prosecutors to give them a pass. This has to end.

But none of this will end without economic change. We cannot pass laws that will ensure social justice as long as corporations buy our politicians. We cannot reverse the privatization of prisons, parking, etc. without enacting and enforcing laws that no longer allow it. We cannot help Unions build the organizations they need without the end of lobbying.

The TPP, the end of Glass-Steagall, Citizen's United, the dismantling of Dodd-Frank, the unbelievable allowance of derivatives, "right to work" laws, corporate welfare, and so much more, has to end before we can accomplish any real, lasting change in social justice. We absolutely need to fight for social justice at every turn. We cannot stop. We know by the simple, and yet incredibly brave act of two people, James Tyson and Bree Newsome, taking down the Confederate flag, change can happen almost over night. They changed so much, in so many ways. But it is the corporatocracy we have become which allows so much of the horrors we see when it comes to "justice."

Populism in the Democratic Party. It means we have to end capitalism. It means the end of the Ayn Rand era we currently find ourselves. The perverse, sick, world where humanity is less valuable than money. Atlas didn't just shrug, he laughed himself all the way to the bank.

[Maedhros]

1. 'Cause there's money in shilling for the 1% [n/t]

[marym625]

2. That's a really sad reason.

I understand it's a reason, but it's a bad one. Not an excuse for anyone that calls themselves a Democrat or a liberal, IMHO

[Warpy]

3. Some people are comfortable only when they're playing follow the leader.

They don't like uncertainty, they don't like too many choices, and especially, they don't like to have to think about too many things. It's why they're such suckers for wingnut churches and the Republican Party.

Knowing where they stand is important to them, even if it's on the bottom of the heap.

[marym625]

4. Complacency..

Sometimes I think that should be a dirty word.

You're right. I'm sure that has a great deal to do with it. It's much easier to just stay in your comfort zone, even if the comfort zone is uncomfortable.

Thanks.

[Octafish]

5. What President Kennedy said...

For too long my country, the wealthiest nation in a continent which is not wealthy, failed to carry out its full responsibilities to its sister Republics. We have now accepted that responsibility. In the same way those who possess wealth and power in poor nations must accept their own responsibilities. They must lead the fight for those basic reforms which alone can preserve the fabric of their societies. Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

SOURCE: Address on the first Anniversary of the Alliance for Progress, March 13, 1962

Today, we have 20 times (who knows besides David Stockman) the wealth as 1962. I wonder whose pockets it lines?

[marym625]

6. +100! Great post!

All of it! Here and the linked posts.

I didn't read your links in the post you linked to yet, just the posts. But I will go back and do so now.

Thank you for all the information. I wish I could rec this!

[whereisjustice]

7. Big K & R

[marym625]

8. Thank you!

I wasn't sure about this, it being so long. I appreciate this.

[Enthusiast]

9. Wack! Out of the park! Kicked and recommended to the absolute Max!

Way to go, marym625!

Embrace populism or we're fucked.

[marym625]

11. Thank you!

I appreciate that.

[historylovr]

10. K & R for a righteous post!

[marym625]

12. Thank you!

I like that, righteous post Thanks!

[demwing]

13. Excellent post marym!

I'm very glad you left it in place

[marym625]

14. Thank you very much!