Organize around a moral justice agenda---Great Read!!

[cally]

BARBER: This breakthrough in a southern state like Virginia, where a candidate won by challenging attacks on healthcare, voter suppression and anti-immigrant policies, exposes an opening. It should say to progressives that they must move away from the left-right framework and instead challenge extremism by saying that some issues, such as denying health care, blocking immigration reform, passing regressive pro-wealthy tax reform, and defending institutional racism, are contrary to our deepest moral and constitutional values. The electorate can be inspired and organized to vote for higher ground. But I would caution Democrats who say last night is now the playbook for the future and nothing else is needed. Voting rights and voter suppression still must be challenged. Deeper organizing with intentional goals must be engaged in the black and brown community to broaden the base. There must be an effort to organize in the so-called red counties around moral and justice agenda.

And lastly, Democrats, or anyone who wants a more just future, has to push deeper into a moral agenda that addresses poverty. In the richest society in the history of the world, a third of our population is crippled by poverty. Republicans often blame the poor for their plight while Democrats insist on talking about “those who strive to enter the middle class.” But some people are just poor.

.... (deleted for copyright but please read in article. It talks about focusing on poor.

The door is open to go deeper. Donald Trump’s unapologetic, extreme white nationalist rhetoric and agenda have created a unique moment in history. We see more clearly than ever in recent history, perhaps, the choice Dr. King asked us to make between a thing-oriented and person-oriented society.


http://time.com/5017348/barber-reconstruction-trump/

[Tobin S.]

1. I don't know if I'm a devil or an angel around here right now.

But here is something I've been looking at for a little while now. Hear me out please. Make sure you read through to the end. There are a lot of people who simply don't vote because they feel like they've been left behind on economic issues. The huge disparity in income stratification we have in this country is a very big problem. Along with climate change, this should be one of the biggest issues in America right now. There are wealthy and powerful Democrats who've been talking about this for a while: Robert Reich and Nick Hanauer to name a couple. Some very wealthy people are actually calling on us to tax them more right now, because they know this is getting out of hand. And when income stratification gets out of hand you start to get political instability. You start to get shit like Trump. It's not just for the benefit of the rest of us that some of these rich people are talking like this. It's also enlightened self interest.

This wonderful diversity we have going on in the party with minorities starting to claim a bigger stake in the political process is ultimately good for everyone. But for many Americans those just aren't their kind of issues. Nothing wrong with that stuff, but for low income straight white people, for example, it simply doesn't help them where they need help the most. So if you continue in that direction without addressing the issue of economic security and social policy that helps poor and working class people in every demographic, it's really not something you can build a long term strategy on for continued success into the future. It's good, but we need to address these economic issues along with that stuff. The issue should be front and center.

One third of the population living in poverty. Poor and working class people from all demographics making up the majority of the population. The middle class shrinking and people continually falling out of it. Even upper middle class people are not completely economically secure if they happen to develop and severe medical issue. These things absolutely have to be addressed or this country is just going to keep getting crazier.

The victories earlier this week are a welcome and refreshing sign. I also know that powerful people in the Democratic Party are aware of the problems I just spoke of, and want to address them. In my view, if the politicians we have keep speaking on these economic issues, more and more people will start to come back around to the Democratic Party. I want to urge you guys not to demonize any demographic including Trump supporters anywhere the Democratic Party is represented, including DU. I know I've done it, too, and I'm here to tell you that was wrong. It might make you guys feel better, but it ultimately doesn't help anyone, and actually hurts your cause. It's okay to cut down the regressive politicians, but work to lift the people up. Working class white men are allies of working class black men. And you know what? Most of them understand that. They really do. Some of them might not be up to par on your social issues, but when it comes to poverty and economic hardship they understand completely.

One of the most important lessons of Obama was that when he spoke of the American people he always spoke inclusively. He did his best to make it clear to us all that he valued every one of us whether we agreed with him or not. He was a true man of the people. He never cut down ordinary Americans even when it was clear about how hated he was by some of them. He is a shining example of what a Democrat should be. He served two terms despite the fact that the most powerful and wealthy people in America were working their hardest to defeat him, and the incredible gridlock his last 6 years in office. Yeah, lots to learn from Obama.

[cally]

2. Very true, thoughtful reply

I'm kicking in the hopes the evening crowd will read this