General Discussion

cali

(114,904 posts)

7. works for me, but as I said, I think the grip that

Mon Sep 16, 2013, 06:54 PM

Sep 2013

wealthy/corporations have on government and the media makes it all but impossible to raise taxes and without doing that, change can't happen.

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The prescription to fix so much of what's wrong with this country is simple [View all] cali Sep 2013 OP

Nice summation! It would take a Democratic House and Senate in 2014, and Squinch Sep 2013 #1

For 2 years Obama had the power of the will of the people leftstreet Sep 2013 #2

Not a big Obama fan but, while he had nominal majorities in Congress truebluegreen Sep 2013 #13

And every time Harry the Wimp... awoke_in_2003 Sep 2013 #22

You realize that ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #64

And that attitude.... awoke_in_2003 Sep 2013 #76

That "attitude" ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #86

When we were the minority party in the senate... awoke_in_2003 Sep 2013 #92

okay ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #96

Or the most likely explanation... awoke_in_2003 Sep 2013 #100

Oh, it's Kabuki theater alright. Enthusiast Sep 2013 #113

Funny ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #149

Well, t least you agree that the Republican Party is not the BIG problem preventing any progress. bvar22 Sep 2013 #164

No ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #203

And you think that if the DEmocrats play nice, then the Republicans will in the future. rhett o rick Sep 2013 #104

I have no doubt ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #145

Just like it did when Bush was President... bvar22 Sep 2013 #188

Thank you. nt awoke_in_2003 Sep 2013 #200

Did you miss the part ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #204

I'm going for Door #2. truebluegreen Sep 2013 #85

Yes, but if we could eliminate that dinosaur we could actually get some totodeinhere Sep 2013 #175

My thoughts exactly. truebluegreen Sep 2013 #199

Democrats have had Control of Congress Cryptoad Sep 2013 #35

Well ya vote em in ...and then they change ...not for the better. n/t L0oniX Sep 2013 #37

True Dat! Phlem Sep 2013 #67

Yes he is n/t 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #69

Oh, OK then. Phlem Sep 2013 #79

Yeah ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #87

yeah well not this time. Phlem Sep 2013 #89

Why do so many of us disagree? Enthusiast Sep 2013 #114

For a variety of reasons ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #148

LOL L0oniX Sep 2013 #162

Am I ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #202

Yep ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #68

So you're saying that without say 64 Senators and 270 House members, we're impotent? Doctor_J Sep 2013 #191

I'm saying that we need not just more, but better Democrats. truebluegreen Sep 2013 #198

Democrats had a majority for 24 working days. Zero if you count Lieberman and Sanders. JaneyVee Sep 2013 #15

It was still a huge amount Mojorabbit Sep 2013 #16

and the economy was losing 750k jobs a month bhikkhu Sep 2013 #53

LBJ ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #71

I know exactly what LBJ had. I remember it well. He used his clout while he Mojorabbit Sep 2013 #77

So was ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #90

It was his ability to wheel and deal and twist arms. nt Mojorabbit Sep 2013 #91

Do you really think ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #93

We will never know will we? That was the point of my comment. nt Mojorabbit Sep 2013 #95

So you advocate an approach... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #97

No, I think it could have been effective. I think he could have turned Mojorabbit Sep 2013 #98

That is pure fantasy ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #101

that's the real truth heaven05 Sep 2013 #26

Both things can be and are true dreamnightwind Sep 2013 #110

I won't disagree. heaven05 Sep 2013 #155

I also like Warren dreamnightwind Sep 2013 #205

we want kardonb Sep 2013 #45

President Obama may have had ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #61

And what we mostly got were a kinder and gentler society, but with continuing: wars, the indepat Sep 2013 #72

oh, I don't think that would do it unless we elected cali Sep 2013 #4

Yes. Jackpine Radical Sep 2013 #25

yeppers. bbgrunt Sep 2013 #32

+100000000 ^^^this^^^ L0oniX Sep 2013 #38

I got so fooled by your bug, kept trying to smash it. kimbutgar Sep 2013 #51

Another in a long line of victims. L0oniX Sep 2013 #54

Sorry to be a downer, but..... lark Sep 2013 #181

You covered it well, cali. I would add legislation to strengthen unions. n/t pampango Sep 2013 #3

I think it works best to focus on one issue first... Blanks Sep 2013 #5

works for me, but as I said, I think the grip that cali Sep 2013 #7

I agree. Blanks Sep 2013 #12

Holy Hell !!!! Lurker Deluxe Sep 2013 #172

There are 300 million people in this country. You won't get them to walk in lockstep: struggle4progress Sep 2013 #120

I agree. Blanks Sep 2013 #154

This guy was good at "Movement Building". bvar22 Sep 2013 #189

Wow!!!! heaven05 Sep 2013 #156

What will it take? A massive crisis... First Speaker Sep 2013 #6

I agree with you. cali Sep 2013 #8

Maybe campaign reform needs blue14u Sep 2013 #78

Abstract pessimism doesn't accomplish anything. Lots of people out there are unhappy struggle4progress Sep 2013 #121

you are on the case. heaven05 Sep 2013 #157

Economic war against those corporations? Cleita Sep 2013 #9

Don't think too abstractly and don't be too much of an ideologue struggle4progress Sep 2013 #122

Repeal Citizens United verdict, for one Vanje Sep 2013 #10

You first must have transparency in order to increase it. n/t L0oniX Sep 2013 #39

To repeal Citizens United, we need to impeach at least 5 members of the Supreme Court. RC Sep 2013 #44

Prosecute corporate criminals Vanje Sep 2013 #11

That's too abstract. You need more focus struggle4progress Sep 2013 #123

Republicans are the problem. JaneyVee Sep 2013 #14

It's partisan madness not to recognize that cali Sep 2013 #17

Nah, check the voting records of your list. Less republicans = more progress. JaneyVee Sep 2013 #18

Sorry, but denying that the Democratic Party has a "corporation" problem is nutso cali Sep 2013 #24

They aren't pure, but they are also nowhere near as bad. (nt) jeff47 Sep 2013 #178

Winning political fights in the US is not a matter of absolute victories or defeats: it is often struggle4progress Sep 2013 #124

They are not the only problem, sad to say. Vanje Sep 2013 #47

"What would it take to change this dynamic?"... awoke_in_2003 Sep 2013 #19

LSD in the punchbowls at Congressional parties Jackpine Radical Sep 2013 #28

IMO the only thing that will change it can not be spoken of on DU or anywhere. n/t L0oniX Sep 2013 #42

It won't be televised. Vanje Sep 2013 #49

Nice group of quotes Art_from_Ark Sep 2013 #65

I think you post may be depressingly true. nt awoke_in_2003 Sep 2013 #75

I'm feeling it's unspokeness. bluedeathray Sep 2013 #161

Yep. Doctor_J Sep 2013 #192

Worked for France at one time. RC Sep 2013 #46

It worked in Nazi Germany, too. pampango Sep 2013 #56

That is a crude solution, which history shows always cuts both ways: there is a certain struggle4progress Sep 2013 #127

One thing that would help is real policy alternatives from the Left phantom power Sep 2013 #20

The 99% needs to get rid of what I like to call the "Steinbeck Syndrome." Brigid Sep 2013 #41

look up "Overton window" Manifestor_of_Light Sep 2013 #108

Corporate media is not the only way to reach people struggle4progress Sep 2013 #130

The trick here is to re-imagine how a particular aspect of the society could be ordered struggle4progress Sep 2013 #128

Thus has it ever been with the one percent. Brigid Sep 2013 #21

Don't forget...... essaynnc Sep 2013 #23

The advantage of money is that it can hire organization and communication media struggle4progress Sep 2013 #131

I feel your pain Chaco Dundee Sep 2013 #27

And that's exactly what's meant by RADICAL change-- Jackpine Radical Sep 2013 #29

That may sound clever but in reality it's just an empty abstraction struggle4progress Sep 2013 #132

right Chaco Dundee Sep 2013 #159

A social system is not a plant that can be dug up & replaced or a pair of pants that can be changed: struggle4progress Sep 2013 #190

Exactly gopiscrap Sep 2013 #30

"All that is necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing." raouldukelives Sep 2013 #31

Humans usually have some mixture of motives. Jefferson was a great man in some ways, struggle4progress Sep 2013 #133

So true. And so many ways like today. raouldukelives Sep 2013 #206

Lately all we seem to be able to do is make things half as bad as they are. Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2013 #33

That is much of human history, I am afraid, and the only advice that can offered there struggle4progress Sep 2013 #134

I was hoping to get the ERA passed under Obama.... Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2013 #168

In other words, we need to throw the Republicans out of the House of Representatives Coyotl Sep 2013 #34

Along with the DLC Democrats and the DINO's and with anyone else bought of with big money. RC Sep 2013 #52

What, use Tea Party strategy to defeat Dem incumbents and give the seats to the Rs? BAD idea. Coyotl Sep 2013 #169

So it is OK to elect DINO's or whoever, if the have a (D) by their name? RC Sep 2013 #174

Reread what I just posted instead of rewriting it. Coyotl Sep 2013 #179

Yes, it is wrong to do what the Tea Party is doing RC Sep 2013 #186

There's an excellent suggestion for a large number of political research projects, struggle4progress Sep 2013 #135

+1 SunSeeker Sep 2013 #173

We did that in 2006-2010 Doctor_J Sep 2013 #193

Massive, relentless non-compliance sulphurdunn Sep 2013 #36

Gov snipers already had OWS in their scopes. They are ready to kill for the 1%. L0oniX Sep 2013 #43

No question. Enthusiast Sep 2013 #116

Yes, they are. sulphurdunn Sep 2013 #125

That can work if you can make a convincing moral case for the non-compliance struggle4progress Sep 2013 #136

Lennin sulphurdunn Sep 2013 #146

that, unfortunately, did not turn out particularly well, as trotsky noted: struggle4progress Sep 2013 #150

Certainly, sulphurdunn Sep 2013 #158

Lay out the positive role and need for government action in the areas you mention. Eleanors38 Sep 2013 #40

It is better to show than to tell struggle4progress Sep 2013 #137

Sure. Eleanors38 Sep 2013 #196

Turn out and vote. another_liberal Sep 2013 #48

One of the most depressing sights I've seen lately . . . Brigid Sep 2013 #58

That kind of disregard for the voting public . . . another_liberal Sep 2013 #81

We dont have a "truley informed public". Vanje Sep 2013 #62

I see your point . . . another_liberal Sep 2013 #80

Its a hard road Vanje Sep 2013 #82

Yes maybe it is. another_liberal Sep 2013 #83

In the mean time, keep your congress-dudes and dudettes apprised of your thoughts Vanje Sep 2013 #84

surely people engaged successfully in political action prior to the age of television struggle4progress Sep 2013 #151

Elections are important, but they only determine part of the field. Activity between elections struggle4progress Sep 2013 #138

A true progressive President Jake2413 Sep 2013 #50

Someone not bought and paid for before the fixed elections. RC Sep 2013 #66

Have you ever heard the slogan "If the people lead, the leaders will follow"? struggle4progress Sep 2013 #139

I would add raisng the minumum wage bhikkhu Sep 2013 #55

The dynamic has changed before quaker bill Sep 2013 #57

I would add exiting the costly trade agreements. grahamhgreen Sep 2013 #59

I would say that the very root and core of how positive change is blocked is scarletwoman Sep 2013 #60

To change it peacefully? TBF Sep 2013 #63

We need all three branches LondonReign2 Sep 2013 #70

In answer to your question: I am beginning to think "a revolution like the French Revolution" emsimon33 Sep 2013 #73

The effect would not be as salutarious as you imagine: the politics of blood-in-the-streets struggle4progress Sep 2013 #140

The beginning libdude Sep 2013 #74

It is silly to think that the problem is one of finding good leaders, if one is interested struggle4progress Sep 2013 #141

The problem with fixing this country is determining where to begin. AdHocSolver Sep 2013 #88

"..."we" import nearly everything we buy." Trade is 22% of our economy. It's 50% in Canada, 80% in pampango Sep 2013 #115

I agree with your take. Enthusiast Sep 2013 #117

That undercutting of American worker also corresponds to the exploitation of workers abroad struggle4progress Sep 2013 #142

Not all of us can support your agenda. We have families to support. Llewlladdwr Sep 2013 #94

What are your principles worth? You choose to be where you are, do you have principles Egalitarian Thug Sep 2013 #99

I'm looking to feed my family. Llewlladdwr Sep 2013 #106

I am aware that "cutting environmental protection" quaker bill Sep 2013 #119

There it is. IGMFU. Egalitarian Thug Sep 2013 #152

Smash capitalism. Utterly and completely. Nothing less will do. ~nt~ b.durruti Sep 2013 #102

That, however, is too abstract to be meaningful. What we need are struggle4progress Sep 2013 #144

Term limits Revanchist Sep 2013 #103

Term limits merely guarantee that elected officials don't have time to learn the issues struggle4progress Sep 2013 #118

A tipping point is coming. The consequences of corruption can not be put off forever. Omnith Sep 2013 #105

Everyone voting Precisely Sep 2013 #107

Do they still prescribe Thorazine? jberryhill Sep 2013 #109

What would it take to change this dynamic? Enthusiast Sep 2013 #111

Putin, the favorite of so many around here lately, established a flat 13% tax rate in Russia. pnwmom Sep 2013 #112

As long as Putin is anti Obama he'll be popular here Democat Sep 2013 #147

Well, one can start by listening to this guy, PotatoChip Sep 2013 #126

Some time ago, I wrote an essay that responds directly to your question. Laelth Sep 2013 #129

It takes people . . . Utopian Leftist Sep 2013 #143

Changing the dynamic: LWolf Sep 2013 #153

The people I know are not as well off as 5-10 years ago, CrispyQ Sep 2013 #160

It's very simple what would change the dynamic... RevStPatrick Sep 2013 #163

That is fixable on an individual or family basis Precisely Sep 2013 #166

Yes, of course. You're right. RevStPatrick Sep 2013 #170

you're right about how important it is Precisely Sep 2013 #171

When the derivatives casino collapses Warpy Sep 2013 #165

Every candidate running for office since I've been alive has promised to do at least one of those. Dash87 Sep 2013 #167

It'snot the only thing that needs to be fixed because it is more complicated than Skidmore Sep 2013 #176

yes, and YES - we need to put economy back in perspective BelgianMadCow Sep 2013 #207

All it takes is time jeff47 Sep 2013 #177

Here's some good news: ProSense Sep 2013 #180

IMO, the response is a simple one. Tiredofthesame Sep 2013 #182

Separation of Corporation and State......... NOW! ErikJ Sep 2013 #183

As long as the most important thing in the world is to keep very rich people rich and make them valerief Sep 2013 #184

It's Time...But colsohlibgal Sep 2013 #185

What would it take to change this dynamic? Prophet 451 Sep 2013 #187

Publicly funded elections, that's where you start NCcoast Sep 2013 #194

Kick the bums out.... BlueJac Sep 2013 #195

Great discussion.... perkygrubb Sep 2013 #197

Nothing is going to happen Link Speed Sep 2013 #201