"We haven’t bled enough. It’s never enough for these sons of bitches."

[BlueMTexpat]

93. Welcome to DU!

A lot of what happened to generate well-being for many in the US and in Europe post-WWII was because most world leaders espoused Keynesian economic theories in varying degrees and implemented them in their national and international policies.

Those theories worked well for the most part, and with tweaking would have worked even more to make this world a better place. Unfortunately, the rise of Milton Friedman's "Chicago School" and the insidious RW anti-Keynesian theories that were espoused, even enshrined, by the likes of Greenspan, etc., as well as the rise of the theory that a corporation's purpose is to enrich its shareholders above all else - no matter what consequences to other stakeholders - have changed the US from the shining economic and political model that it used to be in the mid-20th century into a parable to be avoided. Things were not perfect then, especially for women and minorities, but Johnson's signature of civil rights legislation was a huge step forward. Humphrey would have continued those policies and added to them.

Unfortunately, the war was disastrous to Humphrey's future as a candidate. Even with that horrible albatross around his neck, he had gained momentum in the latter stages of the campaign. Had Election Day occurred even a week later, it is possible that the outcome might have been different. But life is full of "what ifs" ... unfortunately.

The election of Richard Nixon in 1968 was at a key moment for US history and tragically, we made the wrong decision, as was the case again in 1980 with Reagan. Among other long lasting consequences, it enabled the rise, spread, mainstreaming and adoption of Friedman's theories - and also many disastrous foreign policy decisions - that later not only enabled the rise of Reagan - but of shadowy amoral figures such as the Kochs, et al. All have resulted in the disastrous economic and foreign policies this nation pursues today.

But this is why even today, we must ALL keep our eyes on the long term, because the two parties are NOT alike. No GOPer Presidential candidate is acceptable. NONE. EVER.