This is an issue Dems should embrace -- Not run away from (A Golden Oldie from my journal)

[Armstead]

Cleaning up my journal, I ran across this, which I posted in 2006. It's a different world today, but this seems even more relevant in the wake of the economic collapse and the rise of angry populism. It reflects (in my opinion of course) what Democrats ought to be doing today. It also, (IMO of course) gives some context to current issues and progressive frustrations and Democratic schisms.


2006 -- An Issue to embrace, NOT run away from

Corporations have acquired too much power. The economy has become monopolistic, rather than competitive and diverse. Politics has become oriented toward protecting the interests of the wealthy and powerful at the expense of everyone else. Our government has given up on its basic role in promoting the common good. "Free trade" globalization is eroding the base of our domestic economy and middle class, while also screwing the poorer nations by making them into colonies. Ownership of the media has become concentrated in too few mega-corporations, which stifles the basic freedom of speech and narrows our public discourse.

Our priority should be to begin to slow and eventually reverse this process of increased consolidation of Wealth and Power, and return to an economy based on diversity and shared prosperity and political power.

Restore regulation that sets rules to prevent abuse of wealth and power, and opens the door to more new businesses of all sizes. We should also restore the position and appreciation of the role of employees at all levels, and ensure that anyone who works a full time job is paid enough to cover their essentials in life. We also have to maintain support and assistance to those who are unable to enter the mainstream economy, while providing them with the tools to live as self-sufficiently as possible.

We must also renew our appreciation for our domestic economy. While we should be engaged in international trade, we should also ensure that our trade policies both support the continued existence of a middle class in the United States, and also enable poorer nations to develop their own middle class and domestic economy and their societies according to their own values and cultures..

Values? Very simple. The Golden Rule, the importance of neighborliness and community, and an appreciation that the goal of the economy is to lift everyone's boat.

And most importance, we need to return to the balance of economic values with social and human values throughout society.

[M155Y_A1CH]

1. Kick n/t

:kick:

[ShortnFiery]

2. The Democratic Party Leadership is now "as corrupt" as the GOP was during Bush's reign.

We have a CORRUPT and BROKEN political system that can NOT be fixed without a major overhaul.

That requires Americans to get off their asses and VOTE OUT *corporate* political leaders.

We are in for a long, cold winter of discontent ... maybe a generation ... maybe longer?

[Armstead]

3. I basicallhy agree -- But there are a lot of good Democratic politicians too

I don't believe a complete housecleaning is necessary. But a thorough one is.

[ShortnFiery]

4. Agree. The M$M demonizes any politician who has any semblance of populism and/or

assisting those who need a hand-up in life. The M$M wants the rest of what's held by the middle class to be funneled completely to the ultra-rich.

Essentially, until Average hard working Americans realize that "the rich" is running our POLITICAL SYSTEM and DEMAND public financing of campaigns, everyone other than the upper 1% are financially screwed.

[glitch]

5. They probably feel very isolated now. They need our undiluted support.

No more support for the DLC -- no matter how well they are cloaked.

[GiuseppeMazzini]

6. spot on

The DLC is basically Republican lite.

[Armstead]

7. They do need support

[Armstead]

8. I'm gonna give this a kick for the nitetime crowd

[Tippy]

9. K&R....... Very good Armstead......

[wiggs]

10. Hartmann mentioned yesterday that corporations are essentially sociopaths. We

have empowered thousands of sociopaths who have bought our leaders.

[Armstead]

11. Sociopaths with a boatload of money /nt

[avaistheone1]

12. Sociopaths is the right word.

It explains alot about how the people who run so many of these major corporations single-mindedly pursue power and money for their personal gain despite all obstacles, laws, ethics and sometimes even common sense to the contrary.