A profound thanks to those who invoke FDR and the New Dealers

[MBS]

93. Thank you for this wonderful,wonderful post

I agree 5 million %.
And to THIS I say:

Corporate control, excessive financialization and greed, economic inequality, deregulated government, loss of labor and worker rights and a dumbed down populace have altered the stability of the US. And climate change. For five years experts have recognized these challenges are as significant as the post- WWII restoration of Europe by the Marshall Plan- what's needed now for 21st century America, a great rebuilding. It can be done, the will exists, so do the wealth and resources. Popular, progressive formations from the bottom by the people are necessary to start US restructure and restoration. There's a lot of work to do to, and The Whole World is Watching. The leader to inspire us is FDR. So glad you're here, and keep the faith.

I was raised in the same atmosphere.
My parents were similarly courageous, hard-working and giving folks with strong Democratic values. They understood the importance of good government, of FDR and (negatively) Reagan.

I would only add to your comments about the importance of change "from the bottom by people" a negative counterpart: my perception/frustration that the Reagan era was the product not just of Reagan and his cronies, but of the people who voted for him, TWICE. And those who continue to worship this grade-B movie actor-posing-as-leader (A bronze statue of him at the DC airport? I mean, wow), despite the evidence of the damage caused by the changes instituted during that period. Ditto those who voted for W (TWICE) and who continue to support right-wing Republicans (or worse, don't even bother to vote).

About the same time that Reagan was governor of California, California voters also began to change. Suddenly, the state that voted for education bonds right through the Depression -- votes that signified the ability of voters to look to the future, to take the long view -- suddenly became too selfish and short-sighted to support education, or anything else that "raised taxes".In short, WE (not DU, but our fellow citizens) are responsible for this sorry state of affairs.
And, as you said so eloquently, WE are the ones who can (and, yes, please, WILL) get us out of it.