debt ceiling
I don't even fucking care what they do anymore as long as they just fix it. now.
I've literally never been this frustrated with US politics, and I was a liberal sophomore in college when bush took office, so chew on that awhile.
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Anything goes!
You are correct about a number of important "mainline" democratic positions shifting to right since 2000, and the democratic elites' perception of progressives. I disagree that Nader's run in 2000 has much corealation with our current election.
Nader chose run outside the party, and consequently wasn't as successful in creating a progressive movement that democratic politicians had to court. Since democratic politicians didn't need 3rd party progressives' votes, the democratic party went largely unchanged. What Nader likely did, was take liberal votes from the Dems and make GWB more likely to win. Since GWB was a garbage conservative president, there was perhaps a reaction where dems nominated the more liberal candidate in a choice between Obama and Clinton. If the garbage conservative Trump wins there may be a similar reaction toward liberalism in the democratic party for 2020.
Bernie ran as a Democrat in an attempt to create a more cohesive progressive movement within the party (as he suggested someone do in Obama's last election). This movement created the most progressive democratic party platform in history. As campaign promises are always ephemeral, the progressive movement SHOULD organize to hold Clinton accountable to her party's platform (we'll see how successful they are, as democratic elites are still attempting to marginalize their ideas, i.e. "fair treatment for Palestine").
Also, the example Bernie set for the left, of a democratic-socialist being capable of running a quite competitive campaign against an extremely prominent politician (that most people took for granted as the winner from the beginning), was quite heartening to many. There are already other democratic politicians who have taken up the liberal torch and ran with it, after seeing that there's a constituency that will support them. If they succeed (are elected), the party inches left in as concrete a way as is possible.
Do you propose some other way of pulling the party left (for the sake of the environment, wealth inequality, and better foreign policy), besides supporting reform candidates?
I am not sure I can agree, based upon mainline Democratic positions since the 2000 election suggesting a shift in the OPPOSITE direction in terms of economic policy, foreign policy, Total Information Awareness, et cetera. I think progressives are now recognized as An Irritating Fringe Faction One Must Make a Show of Placating Prior to General Elections Only, and that's about as much impact as the Nader candidacy appears to have had on Center-Right Big Tent B.
The bank sent me a very nice letter to thank me for my business, not long after l made my final home mortgage payment. Their praise was glowing, they were extremely sincere in their gratitude for my perfunctory record as a loyal customer, so much so, they felt compelled to offer me another opportunity to become a debtor again.
The bank extended an invitation for a pre-approved loan, conditional upon branch manager approval. l rang for an appointment, and duly attended the meeting to discuss terms.
Upon arrival l was greeted most warmly by the bank manager, and after being seated, l placed an empty jar on his table. Obviously perplexed, he enquired about my offering. l replied, l'm returning the commodity l've been paying interest on for the last 20 years - fresh air.
Needless to say, l didn't get the loan.
The Bankers Song - 'We Didn't See It Coming'.
I'd agree with you on a few points. but i'd say mainstream American politics as a whole has been shifting right (not the dems, the repubs too).
furthermore, though Jill and Bernie haven't any chance of actually winning, I live in a strongly dem state. Because of that, I can vote my conscience opposing incrementalism in addressing income inequality, foreign policy, wall st, the environment, & the justice system, while my state will more than likely carry Clinton. I feel a narrow dem victory and increased support for progressive politicians is the most effective way of sending the message that the "center" should move left, to democratic party elites. if I lived in a more contested state I might not have the luxury of this position, as opposing Trump is also of paramount importance.
Neither of them will get anywhere. I agree we need more of it, but they truly won't get anywhere. The only chance is to vote Hillary and dems and that way try to sway the party to the left...as it has been going right for decades.
The Bush tax-cuts, the two major unpaid wars, the 2008 economic crash lead to a huge deficit and with it debt.
It's still not as disastrous as some other countries.
However, with the new election ahead things could quickly become even worse, meaning with Trump, who has no excuse of a poor economy.
"The plan would be the second most expensive tax proposal in the GOP presidential field, with only businessman Donald Trump offering a proposal that would add more in government debt over the next 10 years, according to data released Tuesday by the nonpartisan Urban Brookings Tax Policy Center. Trump's plan would cost the government $9.5 trillion in lost revenue."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/02/16/cruz-tax-plan-would-cost-8-6-trillion-second-only-to-trump/
Total 10-Year Increase in Debt Clinton: $0.25 trillion Trump: $11.50 trillion
http://crfb.org/papers/promises-and-price-tags-fiscal-guide-2016-election
He even hoped for a crash:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/may/26/hillary-clinton/hillary-clinton-faults-donald-trump-hoping-real-es/
I feel for you, seeing it happen right before your eyes. You still can do something about it, but if all else fails, you are very welcome to immigrate to our fine country here (where we, however, will probably not be safe from the actions and repercussions of the actions of a president Trump). (Also, on a sidenote, my country is not heading in the best direction either, what with all this scaremongering about the immigrants.) Canada, maybe? Or Iceland? They at least jailed the bankers. ;)
Thanks for digging up this ancient post. And how right you are; the debt ceiling compared to a Trump presidency is rendered virtually irrelevant. Anytime someone seeking power says the world is fucked up (duh), but follows that with: “I AM YOUR VOICE....I ALONE CAN FIX IT...I WILL RESTORE LAW AND ORDER--I’d say a police state is not far away. I live a little over a hundred miles from the Mexican border, and if that psycho gets elected and follows through on his anti immigration rhetoric, the Southwest US will become incendiary to say the least. I never, ever, EVER, thought shit would get this crazy. The lowest common denominator of idiots are buying into the fact that being rich and famous qualifies that person to run the most powerful country in the world. Indeed, the world is nuts; so nuts, that Ozzy has now become a voice of reason.
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