I am a 57 yr old white male

[RegieRocker]

and the most joyous thing I have witnessed about this election is the demise of the white males power over others. The direction towards a more world class nation. A nation with a more diverse societal direction. The beginning of the humbling of the white race towards realizing all races and lifestyles deserve respect. They deserve a voice. Let us continue in this direction and never go back. Let us not make the mistake of hoping for Hillary to run in 2016. We do not need this. This will only give Republicans what they need for a comeback. A common goal for battling against an old enemy. No, we need to keep them off balance. What we need is to progress towards completion of breaking mindsets. Of creating of a new America. One that our constitution mandates. Equality and freedom for all. To understand that freedom of religion is for all religions and is also freedom from religion. Not just words on constitutional paper, that is worthless. It must be in the minds of all Americans. Only then will it finally find it's true worth. There is much work to do. For the first time in my life I see that it is possible. It fills my heart with joy.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

1. High five!

[Confusious]

2. Yea, us white people

We're the only ones who do racism, don't respect women, don't respect others.

We're last in line to get our shit together.

[Buzz Clik]

24. Uh... you missed the point.

But don't sweat it

[Confusious]

33. He did say "white race"

that's what I check on the form.

If he meant racist, redneck, white power types, he should have made it more clear.

I know we all look alike, but he could have taken the time.

[RegieRocker]

41. I am a Caucasian

the "white race" does not exist in my mind. The term is a supremacist term.

The term "white race" or "white people" entered the major European languages in the later 17th century, originating with the racialization of slavery at the time, in the context of the Atlantic slave trade and enslavement of native peoples in the Spanish Empire.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_race

[Confusious]

45. Maybe the world will catch up to you someday

Until then, I would suggest you make yourself clear.

Most of us don't speak your "special" language.

I personally don't like being called a racist, even if that's not what you meant.

[RegieRocker]

47. Just where is your name

"Confusious" written in any of my text. You consider yourself part of the white race do you? Very curious indeed.

The term "white race" or "white people" entered the major European languages in the later 17th century, originating with the racialization of slavery at the time, in the context of the Atlantic slave trade and enslavement of native peoples in the Spanish Empire.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_race

have a good evening.

[Confusious]

59. Very curious indeed

Bill mahr used the same words, "white race," in his segment tonight.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101778013

So by your "very curious indeed*," he must be a racist too.

"White people" is the common usage. On forms you check race. Just because you decide to change it doesn't mean everyone else did.

(of course, after "very curious indeed," it makes complete sense*)

*Plausible deniability. ("I didn't actually say anything, and if you say I inferred it, I can deny it. Yet, everyone knows what i mean." )

What a cheap way to go.

[RegieRocker]

62. Everyone...lol

No, I used the term white race. So how does Bill Mahr using it make him a racist when I did. Even more curious. It is the taking of offense against my using it that is the discussion here. Once again the term "white race" is a supremacist term. It is obvious what offends thee. Your beloved white race has been attacked. Everyone? Ego? I've had many positive responses to this post. The fact is, you are a rare one at that, your offense that you have taken. It speaks volumes about you and any others similar response. You can't argue with facts. The "white race" especially the "American white race" is responsible for much and enough of it is not to be proud of. So be offended. I am glad I offended you and your precious "white race". You infer much. No form reads white race!!! It says Caucasian!!! Damn. And in case you have forgotten I am Caucasian.

[nevergiveup]

3. This 67 yr old white male's

heart is also filled with joy.

[hifiguy]

4. 56 YO WM here.

And this was the best election EVER!

[mark eagledove]

5. This 57 y/o WM agrees

& enjoys it too

[Aristus]

6. This 44 year-old white male agrees with you.

[freshwest]

10. OhMyGawd, I'm old enough to be your Momma. Buncha young whippersnappers here.

[Aristus]

14. You're as old as you feel.

I'm bald and have eight grandkids, so I feel a lot older than 44...



freshwest!

[oldhippydude]

22. 66 year old white male +1 n/t

[oswaldactedalone]

7. 57 yo white male also

(Where'd all the time go?) and I second that emotion.

[Still Sensible]

8. K & R from another 57yo W/M n/t

[Shankapotomus]

9. If I may suggest one

alteration...I would trade the phrase "white race", whenever possible, for "white culture." Many people of different races can adopt white culture....including all its inherent prejudices and failures. And a white person can adopt and be accepted into other cultures. Phrasing it this way takes the racial determinism out of the equation and avoids the hazard of being pegged as singling out people based exclusively on their genetic make up.

[RegieRocker]

13. I understand

however the American white race has the gall to slam other races even though they themselves may have a genetic ancestral history involving one or more of those very same races. Your "white culture" has very many variations. Not all are racists. Those that consider themselves the "white race" in my opinion are without question guilty of treason against the constitution. Their crimes against other races in this country's history is well documented. Northern white culture freed our fellow Americans ancestors. I realize that I am a "Heinz 57". I am everyone's brother. No, it is the white race. That is the term. To agree with you somewhat, some white cultures need to become extinct. The ones that revel in the "white race".

[iemitsu]

11. I'm a 57 year old, white male too

and I agree with everything you say.
During the campaign season, and throughout the last 3 1/2 years, I have been discouraged by the increasingly overt racism in our society, mostly directed at the president, but there for all to see/hear.
I had thought Americans had gotten used to inclusive behaviors, situations, and policies. Boy was I wrong (though where I live and work everyone is brown or related to someone brown).
The venom spit at and the disrespect shown toward President Obama has been shocking but when Romney started making birther jokes and the whole republican campaign narrative was spun around Obama as the "other", I felt fear for our nation and for my "other" wife and children. I couldn't believe that anyone would vote for a party that hoped race hated would allow them to win the election.
But American voters rejected that appeal. A clear majority of us repudiated that world view. Not only was the ugly racism of the republican party exposed during this election season but the anti-women, anti-worker, anti-science, pro-war positions also were exposed. The American electorate also rejected these antiquated, idiotic, and divisive attitudes.
I don't think the war against this sort of Neanderthalism is over by any means but our side just won an important battle.

ps. (Its just my opinion but I think those of us, old white dudes, who remember life before Reagan are not as mean spirited as those ten years younger, the Paul Ryans, Rick Santorums, Eric Cantors, Rand Pauls of America).

[Cha]

12. Hear Hear! Their big mistake was/is

going for OverKill. Their own worst enemy. the People Rose Up and said "NO."

Let us Never Go Back..Always Move FORWARD!

Thanks RegieRocker!

[ocloc12]

15. I really hope we can stop seeing any party as the enemy...

aren't we all Americans? Republicans are our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers... sure we included minorities which is great but let's not forget the new minority... white male republicans

[SparkyOR]

25. I agree,

It grieves me to listen to characterizations by right wing talkshow hosts, as if we're some sort of small, secret threat to freedom, or liberty or America. We are all working next to each other, related to each other, doing business with other, caring for each other, and we've been driven to extremes. When any group is categorically demonized, it hurts everyone. I hope I'm aware and stop myself before I drop into the same trap.

[Shanti Mama]

16. 59yr old white WASP female

Your post is what I love about DU.

And I ask that others, who do not identify as white, not assume we are all racist. I know that most on DU do not make this assumption, but many do assume that all wealthy people are evil incarnate. I know quite a few very wealthy people who rejoiced with us on PBO's reelection.

BTW, I'm NOT wealthy, but had all the benefits to have become so had I chosen to follow that path. I began my career on Wall St, but left after 3 years and never looked back.

[flamingdem]

17. Is it to soon to think about what comes after that?

I agree with what you're saying and find it very hopeful. I'm around your age and have been marked very much by another arrogance. That is US power and domination in the third world. As you remember we grew up with the Vietnam war, then Central America, then the Middle East, and the idea of truly and deeply facing what that was, and how to never repeat it again has got to be the next task. It is improving but still - countries like Honduras and Cuba are suffering from our policies that are remnants of Manifest Destiny and the like. There is very little respect or interest in the Southern Hemisphere and a legacy of exploitation to that needs to be recognized, it hasn't even come that far, and then addressed. I think that is where we go next, and I'm not sure that Obama is up to it.

Hillary and Obama failed miserably in Honduras leaving in place a government that performed a coup on a democratically elected President who supported the workers, they did this because he was friends with Hugo Chavez among other reasons. A real failure in Cuba as well after a hopeful beginning things are mired in a policy controlled by the right wing in Miami. The powers that be are simply not that interested in Latin America and the result is that other countries have made inroads and respectful relations to fill the vacuum. Talk about breaking mindsets, most Americans don't care about what lies outside of our borders.

[spooky3]

18. I was with you until I saw an incongruous reference to H. Clinton.

You may have noticed that women are rather underrepresented in the history of the presidency. Why are you not as concerned that women are given the same opportunities that seem to be the focus of your post? Because of this, the rest of your post rings hollow to me.

As she is a highly qualified woman, Hillary Clinton should NOT be excluded from consideration for our 2016 candidates. Republicans will have to "get over it" no matter whom we nominate. If they cannot (as has been the case with PBO), the voters will have the final say.

[RegieRocker]

23. There are more women other than

Hillary. Women who have more experience than our president did when he ran.

[JI7]

31. it's not that, i just don't see what Hillary has to do with the point you are making

[RegieRocker]

36. I will try but don't understand why you missed it.

What we need is to progress toward completion of breaking mindsets.

"Breaking mindsets". When Obama ran in 2008 it was a first. He was a senator for only four years. Before that, for 7 years he was a district representative in Illinois. Hardly an over abundance of qualifications for the presidency. To some, not enough. He was 47 yrs of age. Hillary will be 69. I would have been all for her in 2008 but her time for the presidency is passed. Sure, she is definitely qualified but will be too old. The same age as Ronald Raygun. It some peoples minds it will be another Clinton era. We've had that. All those that wish her to run in 2016 are basing this on emotions and not logic. Run a women. Definitely. I would prefer that. Preferably a non white woman. That is "breaking mindsets" duallistically. We can disagree. I hope I've cleared it up for you.

[JI7]

39. not really, whoever wants to run will run, we don't know how they will be until/unless they run

of those who run Hillary may be the best.

[RegieRocker]

42. You say that without even knowing

who will run and what other women candidates that might run. OK sure.....no emotion there.

[JI7]

53. huh ? my point was that we don't know who is going to run and how they will be

until they run. and that Hillary may end up being best or she may not. she may not even run.

[RegieRocker]

55. Fair enough.

I still feel as much as I like her, that it would be a bad thing. Just because I don't want my 85yr old father to drive doesn't mean I don't love him.

Oh and I know Hillary isn't 85!

[JI7]

57. if it is a bad thing we will see it if/when she runs

[PBass]

29. I agree with spooky3

Hillary Clinton deserves to be considered as a presidential candidate.

For one thing, she is highly qualified. And secondly, she is arguably more liberal than Bill Clinton or Barack Obama.

Here's the main reason Hillary should be considered... you Democrats wanna see another huge voter turnout in 2016? You wanna see voters who are FIRED UP AND READY TO GO?

Then nominate a woman. Because it's going to be the same thing we had in 2008, all over again. HUGE turnouts and highly motivated electorate. And we will win.

It doesn't have to be Hillary Clinton, but she deserves consideration for sure. Personally, I love her and think she has been doing a great job as Secretary of State.

[GObamaGO]

32. I agree with you

I don't get what Hillary Clinton has to do with this current election. And since nobody has thrown their hat into the ring for 2016, we will just have to wait for tht to play out.

And quite frankly, I voted for Ms. Clinton in the 2008 primary, I would enthusiastically support her in a run at 2016. I do not get the hate that people have for her. She is an accomplished, educated, competent, and confident leader.

[RobertEarl]

19. We have been very privileged

Born a white male meant that we had been given a few steps forward already in this wm dominated world.

Now that some of us recognize, as you do here, that we have abused that fortune, we can now begin to ameliorate our society.

Thanks for this, Regie.

[Zax2me]

20. Boy, I don't know what the definition of white guilt is -

But I bet you are damn close to being it.

[RegieRocker]

28. I have no guilt when it comes to racism.

Maybe you need to look in the mirror and search for your own guilt. The fact you accuse me of this states you have some.....

[SCVDem]

21. It seems there are a lot of us

57 year old white males here agreeing with you!

[leanforward]

26. Diversity

It brings out the best ideas and subsequent results of helping others through social support or opportunity. BTW, I'm 69 YO.

[SparkyOR]

27. definitely warmed my heart to see the diversity of the crowds

at Times Square, and at the acceptance speech in Chicago, which stood out in stark contrast to the makeup of the gathering for Romney's anticipated victory speech.

[Mister Ed]

30. 55 year old white male here, puzzled by your objection to Hilary Clinton

Wouldn't the ascension of a woman to the most powerful post in the world be part and parcel of the "demise of the white males' power over others" that you applaud and celebrate?

[RegieRocker]

37. read 36

[Populist_Prole]

34. K & R from this 50 y/o blue collar white male

I've found the meltdown of the grumpy reactionaries an unexpected pleasure added to the loss of rich pricks like Rmoney.

[oldbanjo]

35. I'm a 67 yr old white male

I have no real problem with Hillary she has showed that she is more qualified for President than anyone the Republicans ran. Obama would not have done nearly as good without the Clintons help. The biggest problem that the Republicans need to do is get the Church out of Politics. Many years ago the Church showed they were not fit to rule this Country, during that time they were burning witches. These phony Christians need to get out of politics. Today I WOULD VOTE for a Muslum before I would vote for a Christian. Any religion is better than what these people are preaching, they need to break out the kool aid and have a drink.

[ReRe]

38. It IS possible

It is quite a joyous time for me too, RegieRocker, as I am a few years older than you.
It just seems like we've been on a long slide down down down. Now, I'm filled with hope for the future for ALL of us.

[Rain Mcloud]

40. I'm 49 but only white on the outside.

A quote from Albert Murray and his essay the Omni-American:
"The so-called black and so-called white people of the United States resemble nobody else in the world so much as they resemble each other."

I reject the notion that being a white guy in his middle-ages that lives in the buckle of the bible belt but who has lost his faith and yet found his salvation must hate others for being different,i don't believe it of me and i don't believe it is or has to be that way from anyone else.

Together,we are strong.
Apart,we are lost.

[RegieRocker]

43. Nice

[Rain Mcloud]

49. Ta!

[bhikkhu]

44. This 47 year old white male agrees completely

"All people are inherently equal in rights and dignity" should be the at the core of any government and system of justice, and that only works if the people themselves hold it true. Even the best of the republicans only wants to see equality as something that they choose to grant, or that is bestowed upon people out of goodness - which is a pile of self-serving crap.

People of all kinds, regardless of language or color or whatever else, are mostly good and honest, mostly hard-working and generous, most everybody everywhere has a life that centers around cherished family and friends, and most people get out of life less than they deserve. We all share the same biology and we all think with the same basic human mind.

[former-republican]

46. O' brother

[RegieRocker]

48. Where art thou?

[former-republican]

50. Well lets break it down

What runs Washington?

[RegieRocker]

51. Runs?

Ambiguous. Clarify.

[former-republican]

52. I am happy as a nation we were able to not only elect an African American President but also to

reelect one.

And I'm not trying to rain on your parade but the only thing that matters to most there is one color
and that's green. It is still run by old white rich people and it always will be in our lifetime.

They are bought and paid by lobbyist that represent old rich white guys in the insurance industry , pharmaceutical , defense industry , Agriculture industry etc..

Nothing has changed yet.

[RegieRocker]

54. I grasp what you're saying

but disagree that nothing has changed. Just having an African American president was a HUGE change. The other senators and the amount of women in the senate is also a testimony to this change. One of my points was it must not stop.

[former-republican]

56. It was a huge change but no thanks to what goes on in Washington

It's was the common folks that did that. I give the senate and congress no credit for that.

We are the change not them. I agree with you wholeheartedly that we must move forward with this but
it will be Washington that stands in our way not the people of our nation.

and by the way , I'm a 50 year old white male.

[RegieRocker]

65. Change

Always comes from within. Your assessment is correct. We are the government and if not, we gave it away somewhere in the past and must regain our control or we never truly had it and must acquire it. With technology we have the ability to become a true democratic society.

[John1956PA]

58. Youth and diversity are the hope for the future. (n/t)

[Scuba]

60. This old white man agrees.

[mstinamotorcity2]

61. Republicans must be treated like little children

taking bad tasting medicine. They will shake their head no, no, I don't want it. And being the adults in charge we are going to have to hold their nose and give it to them any way. Its for their own GOOD!!!!!

[RegieRocker]

63. LOL

[mstinamotorcity2]

64. Can't you see us chasing

Rush, Sean, Greta,Bill and Ann. They sure can RUN.