The Fight
Last edited Tue Sep 13, 2022, 10:48 PM - Edit history (1)
“In every age it has been the tyrant, the oppressor and the exploiter who has wrapped himself in the cloak of patriotism, or religion, or both to deceive and overawe the People.”
― Eugene Victor Debs
I listen closely every time I hear Rep. Jamie Raskin speak. There are a number of Democrats in the House of Representatives who I really like, but none that I respect more than Raskin. I admire his intellect and especially his ability to communicate with the public.
Raskin pointed out that fascist, authoritarian movements are not defeated by liberals alone. I immediately began thinking about that, in the context of the very real threats to our country that the Trump cult poses. I was reminded of my own experience in 2010.
The supervisor of my hometown had made the news for his attacks on a tiny Sufi settlement in the township. The Sufi's lived on parts of what had been John & Yoko's Dream Street farms. The supervisor and two board members -- one his stepson, the other a business partner -- were best described as "mutant tea-partiers," as they had been kicked out of the region's chapter for being too extreme. When Keith Olbermann named the supervisor as "the worst person on earth," the conflict reached the international media.
I'll post a link to one news story below, then quote one sentence from it that you might notice has a familiar ring to it:
https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/local/n-y-town-supports-sufi-community-in-controversy/article_be6a7e31-63b2-5c7f-ba1e-2e372ae94766.html
" 'I could kill Mother Teresa and this dog would still love me,' he says, before driving away." -- Sidney Town Supervisor Bob McCarthy
The leaders of the town and county Democrat Party contacted me, and requested that I help them combat the local fascists. Although I resided in a different county, I was happy to help. My focus was on uniting good people to oppose the supervisor and two board members. That was accomplished by electing a Democratic majority on the town board, for the first time in its history.
I knew that couldn't happen by appealing to just registered Democrats. For the majority of voters in the town are republicans, followed by independents. Democrats were a distant third in numbers. No, it required uniting people from both the left and right of the Democratic Party against the mutants. It took a heck of a lot of work, mind you, but we did it.
As Rep. Rasking noted, he looks forward to the day when he can again debate republicans on a variety of issues that they disagree on. But, at this time, he has to focus on getting more to oppose the fascist threat. I can relate to that. I was okay with some of the republicans from my hometown, but they aren't people I ever have socialized with. I'm likewise no fan of Liz Cheney or Adam Kinzinger. But I respect their service on the J6 Committee. It is mighty important in confronting the maga monster.
I have always been comfortable with "the left." I recognize that some have issues that are expressed in ways I disagree with. "But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain't going to make with anyone, anyhow," as John sang. I dislike the media at times reinforcing the maga's stance that they represent the Democratic Party. This is particularly annoying, since there are many rational spokesperson for the left, who are never interviewed by the mainstream media.
Rep. Raskin's message is essential, in my opinion, for us not only to win elections in November. It is equally important in slaying the threat from the authoritarian, fascist right-wing threat to our country. Others may disagree, of course. But I think that Raskin is correct.
= new reply since forum marked as read
