Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Armstead

(47,803 posts)
Wed May 18, 2016, 10:05 AM May 2016

Meaningful Reform and Populist Liberalism vs. Stale Status Quo of Gridlock and the Gilded Age

I'm not going to mention the name of either candidate because what has been at stake in this election is much larger than candidate A or B -- and more complex than their differing personalities and style.

In the 1990's the Democratic Party rejected liberalism officially. The "L" word became the word that cannot be spoken.

That's more than a linguistic shift. It was a change in orientation from being the opponent of Republican Conservatism to being a collaborator on issues of Wealth and Power.

It encouraged us to fight the GOP over issues that do not interfere with the Corporate and Wall St. Imperative of Profit Uber Alles, and the concentration of wealth and power, and the takeover of government.

So while the members of two parties became more polarized over social issues, we ignored the economic half and the power dynamics of true social justice. Behind the scenes, and occasionally in front of them, deals were struck that have handed the keys over to the elite oligarchs and power-hungry corporations.

And we collectively bought into it. Democrats have become the "feel good" party of progressives, while ignoring the pillaging that was going on while we were fixated on bright shiny objects.

And we accepted the narrowing of political definitions so that anything left of the Corporate Conservative "Center" was branded as "far-left angry bitter fringe." Mainstream Keynesian economic liberalism and progressive populism were tossed into the dumpster.

And we're about to do it yet again.

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Meaningful Reform and Populist Liberalism vs. Stale Status Quo of Gridlock and the Gilded Age (Original Post) Armstead May 2016 OP
Exactly right on all points. djean111 May 2016 #1
Equal rights to shitty wages and abuse of consumers and the blowback of bad policies Armstead May 2016 #2
You seem to forget apcalc May 2016 #3
I don't forget.... Armstead May 2016 #4
Kick Armstead May 2016 #5
 

djean111

(14,255 posts)
1. Exactly right on all points.
Wed May 18, 2016, 10:10 AM
May 2016

Last year I said the the Third Way's tactic was to wave around social issues that really cost them nothing,
and then pillage at will on economic issues while we were distracted. And I was snapped at for not caring about gay marriage.

Guess the Third Way won, if it convinced enough people that they can have social progress or economic progress - but not both, oh no no no.

Not my party any more, sadly.

apcalc

(4,461 posts)
3. You seem to forget
Wed May 18, 2016, 10:16 AM
May 2016

That there was and still is meaningful , significant and entrenched opposition. The Republicans control congress and the Senate, maybe soon the presidency.
We are still suffering in many ways from the disastrous eight years of W.
Democrats stopped things from becoming worse. Maybe we can begin to do some constructive thibgs if Democrats get control of the Senate.

 

Armstead

(47,803 posts)
4. I don't forget....
Wed May 18, 2016, 10:19 AM
May 2016

Whenever the Democrats have the WH, Congress or both we still give the GOP and corporations and Wall St. inordinate power.

The GOP are like relentless wolverines. They never stop, they keep attacking, whether in the minority or majority.





Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»2016 Postmortem»Meaningful Reform and Pop...