Thomas Frank..Whatsa Matta Wit Kansas...chilling.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

I have seen the writing on the wall, but it not on the wall but in Franks' book.

Its really chilling seening Frank quote a religous rightist from Wichita (Mark Gietzen, GOP county chair and antiabortion activitst) saying the exact same things I have been thinking:

"If basic economic issues are removed from the table, Gietzen has writting, only the social issues remain to distinguish the partys"


This book really is an excellent journey into political nihilism. I've always liked Franks work, and this is his best political book. I really appreciate the insights here...mainly because he's saying what I've been thinking....

[cprise]

1. Which means

a) On most issues we have a single-party system (remember that when Kerry wins: the word coming out of their mouths constantly will be "BI-PARTISANSHIP")

b) When the male WASPs have bled too much and finally revolt, they will tip economic policy to the Left and may get to define the social policy for the entire country. Calvinist Bolsheviks.


The only way to stop this is to re-make or replace the Democrats.

[Kanary]

3. shhhh, carefulll............

We're not supposed to entertain those thoughts........

Any minnit now, someone will jump out and yelll.......

NADER SUPPORTER!

Of course, they're wrong, but that won't stop 'em....

Your conclusion, of course, is correct.

Wish us luck...

Kanary

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

5. Calvinist Bolsheviks...cool!

....wasnt sort of the ground Pat Buchanen was trying to plow a bit.

I always wondered why that approach didnt work...cultural conservative....anti-abortion.anti-gay, anti-evolution, pro-prayer.....
.....but also pretty left when it came to economics.

[cprise]

8. We're talking about black-and-white thinkers

...they won't be "pretty left" when they're starving and out for blood. They will be extreme Left, and could start a civil war.

Not cool.

[DFLforever]

2. Thanks for reminding me of this book. I'll get myself

on the reserve list for it at the public library.

I saw both Moyer's and Charlie Rose's interview of Frank and that in itself was chilling. It was as if they were discussing two different books with Moyer's emphasizing the economic aspects and Rose, the social ones.

This is a book I hope Howard Dean will also read.

[Kanary]

4. somehow, your words about this, right next to Paul's picture

is so perfectly fitting.

I'd give anything to have that man back with us.......

:cry:

Kanary

[DFLforever]

9. Thanks, Kanary, so would I.

But the good news is his inspiration is with us all the time.
No one here can forget him.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

6. Actually the social and cultural ones are really iimporant.

To Franks credit he does recognize the religous right as a legimate grassroots movement, not something orchestrated from "above".

[Warpy]

10. yes, but it's not just putting women back into the kitchen

and out of control of their reproductive lives. It's also those tax cuts.

Think about it. The Democrats have offered the working class nothing for 40 years, and the working class has been taking a real beating. The GOP came in and talked social conservatism and offered them help in the form of a tax cut. The combination is what was appealing. Neither would have done it by itself.

It's time for the DNC to get its head out of its pasty white arse and can the DLC forever. They have got to offer the suffering working people of this country something if they want to get elected to anything.

The only reason Kerry has a chance is because Bush is the worst president this country has ever seen. He hasn't got a prayer in 2008 unless the party changes its economic tune.

[Kanary]

7. Thanks for the reminder...... I'm now #82 on the reserve list.. ^_^

Think I'll live that long?

:)

Kanary

[never cry wolf]

11. I'm on page 102

Was on vacation last week, about the only time I have to read, unless I sacrifice my precious DU time, and I read Blinded by the Right, by David Brock first. Got a good start on "Kansas" but so far I have found "Blinded" more insightful.

Both are good, however.