Democrats' Move to the Right Profoundly Affects our Young People and Our Future.

[Overseas]

53. Sad K&R. Too much to say.

The Clinton Era was also pivotal. "New Democrats" who were pro-corporate, raised taxes on the top brackets which improved the economy, but deregulated and privatized far too much and promoted "free trade" and NAFTA which really hurt our long term economy. And the remarkable right wing PR machinery attacked Clinton mercilessly, knowing that enough Democrats would tell others not to attack the president's policies because he was already under attack by the Republicans. And if Republicans were in power things would be much worse. That has been a very effective technique in moving the country to the right. Because it is still true.

But I honestly thought that after the Bush-Cheney torture regime and rampant war profiteering, and with the very real dangers of runaway climate change ahead, the Democrats could still turn things around. Truth and Reconciliation hearings could slow down the war machine. But Democrats took impeachment off the table. Even after our guy had been subjected to impeachment over much less offensive behavior.

Then I thought the Bush crash could still provide an opportunity for the new president-- we could fight a war on climate change with massive infrastructure projects that would give work to the millions devastated by the financial crimes. I even thought Single Payer would have a chance, given the hundreds of thousands of people losing their homes. Surely our legislators would use basic compassion as leverage to push it strongly.

But I was too naive about the strength of the multi-faceted right wing PR machinery. Hundreds of millions of dollars against the will of the people, defending the cruel fossil fuel economy governed by multinational corporations.