"Not reckoning with the George W. Bush years helped weaken American democracy"

[DemocracyMouse]

I think this is a sobering read. History and self-reflection matters. Our progress as a society, and yes, as Democrats, depends on it. Protein for the collective brain...

Democracy Down

An interview with Timothy Snyder about what ails our country, and why so many of us can’t see it.

By ISAAC CHOTINER

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/timothy-snyder-on-bush-the-cold-war-and-our-weakened-democracy.html?

Isaac Chotiner: There has been a debate on the left about how much to focus on Russia—Russian meddling, Russian bots, Russian fake-news tactics—when we’re thinking about threats to our democracy. Some people, especially on the left, think the fear is too Russia-focused, and that many of our democracy’s problems are about us, not about Russia. What do you think?

Timothy Snyder: Here’s how I would characterize some of what I think is going on, on the left: I think it’s a kind of inverted nationalism. I think there’s a tendency, in the U.S. left, to think only in terms of the U.S. and to say, “Whatever’s going wrong, whether it’s abroad or whether it’s at home, let’s think just about America.” That’s comfortable, because we’re Americans. Most of us only know English, so why don’t we start from there?

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. Exactly true. The Dubya years set the precedence for allowing lies in broad daylight go unchallenged

Those years made it clear for the first time that it was only about party, not about what was the right thing to do in any respect. the trump years are the bush years on steroids. We are heading in a horrible direction and something needs to correct it quick!

[JNelson6563]

2. I'd just like to point out

That sElection 2000 infuriated some of us to the point we became real world activists. We hauled ass, working with next to nothing re: resources and left leaners yawned and went on with their lives.

Fast forward to 2016, after elections and ZOWIE, everyone who was just darn busy with life suddenly show up to tell the skeleton crew how they've been doing it ALL WRONG!!

Gonna show up and take over the party. Yeah.

Just throwing that out there.

[DemocracyMouse]

4. You don't want more hands on deck? I don't get your territorial schtick

I was ready to leave the country when Bush stole the election from Gore, but I stuck my neck out to keep campaigning for Democrats – and democracy. I'll take any help that cones along to improve the world and push back fascism. Democracy is for all citizens – by definition.

[JNelson6563]

7. Yes, of course.

To this point I've been pretty quiet on the matter. It has never the less been ever present in my world since election. So much bad mouthing of the long time foot soldiers.

I am glad to say many have gotten involved even tho unable to hijack party right out of the gate. Maybe there's hope for our side yet.

[murielm99]

8. My experience has been much like yours.

There are all sorts of newcomers who think they can do things better. Many of them are uninformed about the law, politics and even basic civics. I have run into a few who are openly hostile to the skeleton crew.

I think many of the new members, even entire grassroots organizations, will dry up and blow away when we don't get everything we want at midterms. And I don't think we will be as successful as we want. We know how hard things can be, and that it takes time.

The best of these people will learn, grow and mature into good activists. There is hope for our side.

Thank you for everything you do.

[JNelson6563]

9. Thank you.

And I agree with your assessment. I do think the special elections have been helpful. Couple of instructive losses in the beginning and then lots of wins to keep momentum going.

We shall see!

[KPN]

13. Who was badmouthing foot soldiers? That seems

like a misrepresentation to me. I don't recall anyone denigrating the workers,. Leadership and acquiescence, yes, but not the people who were rolling up their sleeves, pounding the pavement and manning the phone banks.

[lunasun]

6. And the limited outlook they brought along with them , which he refers to as inverted nationalism

[KPN]

12. Left learners just yawned??!!!!

[magicarpet]

3. The whole scum line of Fascist Rethugs.....

* Nixon
* Reagan
* Bush I
* Bush II
* tRdump

All liars, all cheats, all treasonous, all criminal, stupider and stupider as you go down the list.

[lunasun]

5. Bush II and VP were war criminals period But this is an excellent read for other reasons

Agree about the far left and the inverted nationalism outlook on today's events
And the timing of the Soviet Union fall and our fall in good values vs good economy ( Reagan thatcher )
along with his thoughts on trumps white national socialism
Good read

[pansypoo53219]

10. ronny raygun killing the fairness doctrine. teevee gnewz. FUX gnewz.

[Skittles]

11. NO SHIT

"impeachment is off the table" and "we need to move forward" - NO ONE WAS HELD ACCOUNTABLE and now they are returning.