General Discussion

alarimer

(17,146 posts)

21. Never, as long as the vested interests keep us divided.

Thu Apr 28, 2016, 11:58 AM

Apr 2016

You have Democrats, right here on this board, in this very thread, denying that this is even happening. But it has been happening for decades. It started with Reagan, but accelerated under Clinton and has not stopped since. NAFTA, welfare "reform", mass incarceration- all committed by Bill Clinton. Other triangulators (those in Congress) are also responsible.

But mostly it's because the Democratic Party has strayed from the New Deal in a big way. I think that's what Bernie has been trying to highlight, but I'm afraid it has fallen on deaf ears. The Democratic Party has fallen into the austerity mindset. We can't do those things (single payer, for instance) because it costs too much, when the reality is that they just don't have the guts to pursue it.

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When are we ever, as a people, going to start to _try_ to make this country less miserable [View all] ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 OP

I cannot recommend this enough, short and to the point... AuntPatsy Apr 2016 #1

Never. Wishing the worst for your neighbor is a uniquely american value. n/t lumberjack_jeff Apr 2016 #2

that is an excellent, and sad, way to put it. ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #4

I have to agree. NEVER. We as a people have to feel that we are superior to the person next to us. LiberalArkie Apr 2016 #29

absolutely Fresh_Start Apr 2016 #90

It's not just the GOP lumberjack_jeff Apr 2016 #93

I see it too Fresh_Start Apr 2016 #96

There's so much hatred behind those Kittycat Apr 2016 #151

Sadly, it is in this obscene win/lose society in the US. People feel good about winning and others RKP5637 Apr 2016 #106

I remember the NIKE commercial robbob Apr 2016 #127

It's just absolutely disgusting what the US has become. n/t RKP5637 Apr 2016 #132

Very clever sig image. trof Apr 2016 #133

Many Americans are willing to sacrifice so that others will suffer more. Kablooie Apr 2016 #160

If it were "uniquely American," then... malthaussen Apr 2016 #164

The Germans may have invented the word. Bad Dog Apr 2016 #168

Excellent post, Professor. nm floriduck Apr 2016 #3

Most Americand don't know this nadinbrzezinski Apr 2016 #5

Hyperbole is not your friend... brooklynite Apr 2016 #6

How fortunate for you that your bubble shields you from ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #8

I said nothing about Manhattan... brooklynite Apr 2016 #11

Most lines for Broadway shows are found in Manhattan, no? ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #12

Have you ever looked at the crowd for most Broadway shows today? brooklynite Apr 2016 #14

Your point, again? that some people in the country have some disposable income? ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #17

But that's my point. "Miserable" suggests a far higher level of struggle than I think is the case. brooklynite Apr 2016 #19

"than I think is the case." ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #20

And now you know... SusanLarson Apr 2016 #52

Spot on! ~nt vkkv Apr 2016 #58

So who do you suggest Ds 'support' if Mrs. Clinton is the nominee? Sunlei Apr 2016 #59

This message was self-deleted by its author vkkv Apr 2016 #71

The lesser of two evils, obviously, what did you think? nt vkkv Apr 2016 #72

I don't think Mrs. Clinton is 'evil' so are you still on the 'Bernie or Bust' platform or aTrumpite? Sunlei Apr 2016 #78

Just what I was thinking sammythecat Apr 2016 #70

Yep. nt raouldukelives Apr 2016 #162

I think you are missing the forest for the trees. KPN Apr 2016 #105

you must not get out much Skittles Apr 2016 #135

he " must not get out much" indeed. We recently drove from the east coast Nay Apr 2016 #138

Ahhh the rationalization for letting Wall Street run our government. rhett o rick Apr 2016 #10

Well, his income comes from Wall Street jeff47 Apr 2016 #18

Would that not apply to everyone? treestar Apr 2016 #82

Wall street is not all "business enterprises". jeff47 Apr 2016 #111

My daughter has been looking 840high Apr 2016 #22

It's very hard out there especially for the 40 -50 year olds. No one will hire them. nm rhett o rick Apr 2016 #24

Yes - she's 50. 840high Apr 2016 #39

someone needs a visit from the spirits, past, present, future.... AuntPatsy Apr 2016 #27

And yet suicide rates My Good Babushka Apr 2016 #28

Thanks for that ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #31

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! malaise Apr 2016 #36

just because you don't see us, doesn't mean we aren't here (and reading your words) Viva_La_Revolution Apr 2016 #37

New York is where those who got the cream from the top of the sour milk in 2008 live. JDPriestly Apr 2016 #57

Which is also how the US grew to what it did in the 20th century The2ndWheel Apr 2016 #74

So you are saying that companies should be able to do anything they want? zalinda Apr 2016 #120

I try to stay away from should's The2ndWheel Apr 2016 #183

Try telling that to people who have been zalinda Apr 2016 #184

Back in the 19th and early 20th century, we were a developing country, and there JDPriestly Apr 2016 #134

I live in New York, too, and neither I nor any of the people I associate with on a daily basis Gene Debs Apr 2016 #80

Average cost of a Broadway ticket passes $100 for the first time Human101948 Apr 2016 #91

Exhibit A... lakeguy Apr 2016 #99

With all due respect moonbeam23 Apr 2016 #107

Your post makes me madder than hell Stargazer99 Apr 2016 #108

Hmm you need to get out off that bubble nadinbrzezinski Apr 2016 #122

It must be awesome being you tenderfoot Apr 2016 #125

OMFG - get our of NYC and come drive around upstate bread_and_roses Apr 2016 #175

Holy shit, get out of your privileged bubble. Odin2005 May 2016 #186

Miserable is good... Wounded Bear Apr 2016 #7

Every country has a different history The2ndWheel Apr 2016 #9

Nah, that's a negative way to spin our greatest strength, our diversity and tolerance ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #15

Well Star Trek is also a fictional TV show The2ndWheel Apr 2016 #61

They keep us fighting amongst ourselves awoke_in_2003 Apr 2016 #117

Canada does all that Europe does with a near-civil war on its hands for several decades ... MisterP Apr 2016 #41

True, and the context of every country is different The2ndWheel Apr 2016 #67

In about 10-20 years. jeff47 Apr 2016 #13

We live to work Matrosov Apr 2016 #16

Plantation Mentality/Protestant Work Ethic. HughBeaumont Apr 2016 #40

You win! moonbeam23 Apr 2016 #115

Never, as long as the vested interests keep us divided. alarimer Apr 2016 #21

And unfortunately a big share of the country has just voted jwirr Apr 2016 #23

that's right, and the strange reality is that not only do they not cost too much ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #25

Bernie has done an excellent job highlighting the problems with the Democratic Party. Enthusiast Apr 2016 #94

Been holding that in and slightly vexed lately? mrdmk Apr 2016 #155

"Where to Invade Next" by Michael Moore. CrispyQ Apr 2016 #26

A sadistic people My Good Babushka Apr 2016 #30

This is my take on it in a nutshell. Americans are sadistic, seething with Nay Apr 2016 #48

America is that way because that narrative was culitivated by the far right media. Enthusiast Apr 2016 #97

Yeah, I know. That's why I said "I could go on, but I won't." It's not like TPTB Nay Apr 2016 #137

Maybe never. nt ladjf Apr 2016 #32

Want to make this country less Miserable?????? Cryptoad Apr 2016 #33

great advice ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #42

GOD. ++++ a million. nt Nay Apr 2016 #49

Apathetic,,?? Cryptoad Apr 2016 #81

Just what, on earth, are you trying to say? ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #129

If we voted for our local senator and representatives treestar Apr 2016 #87

I think you make the best point yet. llmart Apr 2016 #136

I was just thinking that treestar Apr 2016 #85

What makes my ass want a pinch of snuff,,,,, Cryptoad Apr 2016 #95

No, Democrats are powerless to change zalinda Apr 2016 #123

Thank you. I've endlessly repeated the story of here in VA, where Cantor Nay Apr 2016 #140

the GOP are a problem, but our number one problem is money in politics passiveporcupine Apr 2016 #145

Not until the country breaks up into smaller nations, I'm afraid. tabasco Apr 2016 #34

Once we have supermajorities in both Houses of Congress and a landslide Pony. Octafish Apr 2016 #35

A friend & I saw it about a month ago & I'd like to see it again. CrispyQ Apr 2016 #38

Yep, remember it well. the looks on their faces LittleGirl Apr 2016 #156

can't wait to see it ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #43

Do you want the long answer or the short answer? MrScorpio Apr 2016 #44

Our education system sucks (k-12) and people can't either Phlem Apr 2016 #45

It is Congresses job to raise the Federal minimum wage to $15. Americans have to stop electing Repub Sunlei Apr 2016 #46

Some of those Republicans wear Democrat suits. Phlem Apr 2016 #47

I know but a good start is to not elect Republicans. The worst has come from them. Sunlei Apr 2016 #50

Been doin it since before 2005. Phlem Apr 2016 #56

Yup, more and more of OUR Federal funds go into 'for profit' private pockets. Sunlei Apr 2016 #62

Yup. Phlem Apr 2016 #65

Thanks, you too! Sunlei Apr 2016 #76

BERNIE SANDERS: "Poor people don't vote". vkkv Apr 2016 #51

Because voting is on a Tuesday, and they don't have the luxury. Oneironaut Apr 2016 #86

Mail-in ballots, absentee ballots.. there are other options, but yes, if one isn't all that vkkv Apr 2016 #98

A number of states require a reason for absentee ballots zalinda Apr 2016 #126

""Or just maybe nothing fucking changes whether you vote or not. "" vkkv Apr 2016 #130

When you have been voting for Democrats zalinda Apr 2016 #131

I have heard this so many times nadinbrzezinski Apr 2016 #148

Amen! redstatebluegirl Apr 2016 #53

K&R yuiyoshida Apr 2016 #54

Getting the money out of politics is a start... modestybl Apr 2016 #55

Bhutan? They don't focus on Gross Domestic Product numbers... mwooldri Apr 2016 #60

Hey, the banksters are happy and that should be good enough for all of us, eh? Scuba Apr 2016 #63

Well Damnits, They should be even more happy that their choices are now Phlem Apr 2016 #69

Cost of my daughter's 4 year education at a LibDemAlways Apr 2016 #64

Yep. Phlem Apr 2016 #66

There are still too many people who either benefit from the status quo or... antigop Apr 2016 #68

With no guarantee that it gets better The2ndWheel Apr 2016 #75

K & R mountain grammy Apr 2016 #73

When this country stops squeezing turnips for blood. romanic Apr 2016 #77

Wow Scarsdale Apr 2016 #79

Never. People are addicted to misery. Oneironaut Apr 2016 #83

You have a point there treestar Apr 2016 #88

This message was self-deleted by its author carolinayellowdog Apr 2016 #84

Proud to be your 100th rec, PP. blm Apr 2016 #89

Thanks blm ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #92

K & R! Excellent post! TIME TO PANIC Apr 2016 #100

We are being manipulated psychologically felix_numinous Apr 2016 #101

This message was self-deleted by its author carolinayellowdog Apr 2016 #109

Silly rabbit. Happiness is for corporations. Arugula Latte Apr 2016 #102

Amenz! northernsouthern Apr 2016 #103

Americans have been bred to think this is the norm and many don't even look out of the box, falling RKP5637 Apr 2016 #104

Great post!! Thom Hartmann is reading it on his show!! SalviaBlue Apr 2016 #110

that's humbling ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #112

This message was self-deleted by its author carolinayellowdog Apr 2016 #113

Oh, but you are worthy. SalviaBlue Apr 2016 #118

When there's money in it for those at the top Punx Apr 2016 #114

This message was self-deleted by its author carolinayellowdog Apr 2016 #116

great comment ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #119

It will have to get worse before it gets better, I hate to say steve2470 Apr 2016 #121

NO! You cannot take away a family's Rolls and make them ride in an Escalade, or plain old Caddy. eom Festivito Apr 2016 #124

When we vote to make them miserable. Who do they really not want to work with? ViseGrip Apr 2016 #128

Yes, of course you're right. Rec'd sadly. nt babylonsister Apr 2016 #139

When collective compassion exceeds collective greed. nt NorthCarolina Apr 2016 #141

Fuck you! I have mine....... Hotler Apr 2016 #142

We need a revolution Plucketeer Apr 2016 #143

Thom Hartmann read most of your post on his show today. Ilsa Apr 2016 #144

thank you for the heads up. ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #165

Found it! ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #171

I think that many ostensible Liberals have thrown in the towel. Maedhros Apr 2016 #146

But I have a smart phone! Depaysement Apr 2016 #147

Western Europe has blood on its hands. It still exploits the third world for the wealth McCamy Taylor Apr 2016 #149

K&R Paka Apr 2016 #150

YES! CarrieLynne Apr 2016 #152

Many here don't want that. That's why they don't protest Hillary Clinton as candidate... whereisjustice Apr 2016 #153

people in Norway are Happy! KT2000 Apr 2016 #154

I live in the south, the poorest part of our country, and yet anniebelle Apr 2016 #157

We have been colonized by our own capitalism. n/t eShirl Apr 2016 #158

K&R! secondwind Apr 2016 #159

We are in really tough shape Progressive dog Apr 2016 #161

I'm pretty sure I'm not making an argument in favor of slavery ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #166

I did't claim you were, I just pointed out Progressive dog Apr 2016 #173

ok - which argument? Used by whom? ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #176

Go back and read my post that you replied to originally. Progressive dog Apr 2016 #177

no, it isn't ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #178

Exactly, after your "except", you repeated Progressive dog Apr 2016 #180

you will be the first person I've put on ignore here in 12 years ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #181

I feel honored Progressive dog May 2016 #185

also, there really are places in Europe where the people happier ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #167

So you think I didn't understand what you said. Progressive dog Apr 2016 #172

Unfortunately I think we're seeing our only chance sinkingfeeling Apr 2016 #163

yeah, that is really depressing ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #169

It's not just this country, it's humanity in general. randome Apr 2016 #170

K&R & crosspost to 'working poor' n/t w0nderer Apr 2016 #174

thank you ProfessorPlum Apr 2016 #179

When we stop blaming everyone else for the misery and stop the misery we are causing ourselves. nt Jitter65 Apr 2016 #182