Progressives Bernie Sanders/Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Could a grassroots movement elect them?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez/Bernie Sanders

I know, I know, Bernie ran for President in 2016 and lost. I voted for him and think he should have won the primary if not for some questionable moves by Hilary Clinton and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DNC Chair at the time. And yes, Bernie is 84 but acts as sharp as a 20-year-old. Have you guessed by now I am a Bernie Sanders fan, as well as AOC, but don't feel she quite has enough ammunition for the Oval Office yet. And what a teacher Bernie would be, and  what a pair they would be putting America's democracy back together again after Donald Trump.

And the argument against Progressives is apparently no longer credible with all the recent wins by these candidates across the country. Leftist candidates have won in a series of major primary upset victories and contested wins across the country. Here are some...

Colorado: Political newcomer Melat Kiros defeated 15-term establishment incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette for the Democratic nomination in the state's 1st Congressional District.

New York: Backed by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, progressives had a massive primary night. Darlisa Aila Shioalier ousted incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 13th District, Claire Valdez won the primary in the 7th District, and Brad Lander dominated the 10th District.

Pennsylvania: Self-described Democratic socialist Rabb won a closely watched U.S. House primary in Philadelphia, defeating an establishment-backed rival.

New Jersey: Senator Bernie Sanders-backed candidates secured notable nominations, including Adam Hamawy in the 12th District and Analilia Mejia.

New Mexico: Secretary of State Maggie Tuloo Oliver won a highly contested Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor, advancing to the November ballot. 

California: State Sen. Scott Wiener advanced in the jungle primary for a highly prominent U.S. House seat. Meanwhile, Randy Villegas secured a runoff spot in the Central Valley aiming to face an incumbent.

My wife and I received an email from Bernie recently with this headline...

"I understand why many of you in the last week are feeling anxious, angry, and upset..."

Then he continued..

"In this unprecedented moment in American history we, as progressives, are engaged in many struggles."

There's even more... 

"Not only are we trying to defend and improve democracy against those who want to move us toward authoritarianism; we're trying to create an economy that works for all of us and not just billionaires; we're trying to create a public health care system that guarantees health care to all; we're trying to stop U.S. weapons going to the extremist Netanyahu government and end a genocide in Gaza; and there is the not-so-small matter of trying to save our planet from the ravages of climate change so it is habitable for our children and our grandchildren."

I am quoting heavily from Bernie Sanders to show the sharpness of his insight and the depth of his perception. I am not looking for a comparison with the Oval Office moron because there is none. But, a comparison could be drawn if the Bern had won in 2016, had served a second term, and would be handing off the White House to a now well experienced AOC. I don't want to undermine her abilities, rather, she is smart, confident and know what the American publlc wants and needs. This, plus Bernie could be a winning ticket.

In a July 13, Benzinga article, the Bern said,  'American Society Is in Decline,' Calls for Grassroots Movement. "Decline," in my estimation is the understatement of the century. Bernie is a nice guy and never was one to diss others, even his opponents, so you have to take "Decline" with a grain of salt. Donald Trump has obliterated democracy in this country, has sent the economy in a downward tailspin with prices for groceries and gasoline skyrocketing. People can no longer afford to eat or leave the house.

The Vermont Independent doesn't blame Democrats for doing nothing, which they haven't, but offers this strategy, which bites the Dems in a positive way...

"But in the midst of our many struggles, we cannot simply remain on the defensive. The answer to all of this is not simply to bury our heads in the sand or wallow in despair."

Here's the answer...

"It is to continue fighting back as we did in New York City where we won three 

House seats last month, in Colorado where we elected Melat Kiros in a race against a long-time Democratic incumbent representative, as well as many other House victories this year in New Jersey, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, California and more." 

Don't be afraid of Progressives. When you find out what their mission is, equality for all. and if you are not in the wealthy class--millionaires, billionaires--yet still wouldn't like to see impartiality on the social scene, in the marketplace and in politics, then maybe you need authoritarianism. That would be someone telling you every move to make, what you can say, what you can buy, how to raise your kids. (Sound familiar?) This list goes on and on. Now let me leave you with a definition of Progressive that I hope you will read, at least once...

In politics, a progressive is someone who advocates for social and economic reform through government action. The movement focuses on reducing inequality, protecting the environment, expanding civil rights, and ensuring that large corporations and the wealthy pay higher taxes to fund public programs. 

Historically rooted in the early 20th-century, progressive politics prioritizes active government intervention to correct societal wrongs and protect vulnerable populations rather than relying on the free market. While often used interchangeably with "liberal," modern progressives generally distinguish themselves by pushing for more aggressive, structural changes to the economy and healthcare system. 

Peace! 

Women voters will not "skip" but they will "flip" on Donald Trump in November

Democratic strategist Celinda Lake is warning Democrats against "complacency" leading up to the midterms in November, and past that into 2028. Here's her take...

"Republicans still have a massive war chest, Trump loyalists are still winning big, and redistricting efforts are likely to benefit the GOP."

Lake says the expected midterm "blowout " could disappear in this mode of "complacency," this term defined as...

"a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc."

Taken from the above, describing Democrats perfectly, are "unaware" and "smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc." Remember Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the DNC head during Hillary Clinton's run for the White House in 2016? Wasserman Schultz not only helped tank Clinton's run but she was apparently sitting around on a Florida beach while Republicans took over state legislatures and governors' offices throughout the country.

I have never seen such contentment in a party that has been struggling for years to find a

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

leader, something they should have recognized when Hillary went down the tube. And the old-line Dems received a harsh wake-up call when Zohran Mamdani, A Democratic Socialist, won the mayoral slot in New York city, and then three of his endorsed candidates won their primaries. Here's the scenario...

"Inside a Brooklyn industrial garage turned underground event venue, local leaders of the Democratic Socialists of America urged hundreds of mostly young people last month to avoid complacency."

There's that word again, complacency and you can be assured, the Progressives are not complacent, with their recent wins in mentioned New York, but also in Denver and Philadelphia. This could and should shake up the Democrats that have slowly moved to moderacy over the years, forgetting their base of non-wealthy working Americans. Bernie Sanders has been preaching inequaltiy for his entire Senate candidacy and presidential run. That, I say, is Democratic Socialism, and America had better get used to it.

And looking to the right, one three-time Trump voter said he was "confused and disappointed," and when asked if he feels richer or poorer since Trump took office, that he feels “poorer.” MS Now's Katy Tur asked former Gov. Pat McCrory (R-NC) what he thought of the governor's comment...

“The disappointing thing is not him getting rich,” McCrory told Tur. “The disappointing thing is he got rich on the backs of people who are getting ripped off on high commissions, because that's how they're making most of their money — on the trading of Bitcoin.

Trump hoarding billions in bitcoin

Ah yes, cryptocurrency, the latest area Donald Trump has turned his corruptive attention to, although artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be the new area he is engrossed in most recently. Trump is the epitome of the saying, 'Go where the money leads you.'

And then Celinda Lake, from The Hill, says that Republicans still have a massive war chest to work with. On the other side of the aisle...

"Democrats are significantly trailing Republicans in national party committee funding ahead of the 2026 midterms, with the DNC reporting about $14.8 million cash on hand compared to the RNC's $125 million war chest. However, many individual Democratic candidates remain highly competitive by out-raising their opponents in key battleground races."

Lake says the Democrats should be worried, even with Donald Trump's abysmal ratings. She says the Iran War debacle could help Republicans in November, but states the Dems cannot...

...rely on Trump administration “missteps” to take back control of Congress in November, but rather must “swell” their turnout at the ballot box.

Lake reports, that turnout relies on women voters — and specifically, those women she calls “skippers” and “flippers.” OK, let's get down to what the headline portends, who are these two categories so important to the left...

"Skippers are Democratic voters who did not turn out in 2024. Flippers are disaffected Republicans who could choose to vote Democratic." 

Here's the scenario...

“Trump has a serious problem when it comes to women’s votes,” says Lake. Citing a recent New York Times-Siena poll, she notes that nearly two-thirds (66 percent) of women disapprove of Trump’s performance. Another poll showed Democrats with a 21-point lead among women over Republicans. And 60 percent of young women disapprove of Trump as well.

Lake mentions an analysis done by her team showing specific GOP flipping around the country in numbers that are huge, like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, could have made a difference in electing Harris. Lake concludes with...

“We need to reach and persuade these women to turn out, especially if the Iran war actually ends and gas prices fall,” she writes. “Democrats must do the work to mobilize skippers and create flippers. If we want to lock up a victory in November, these women hold the keys.”

In the latest figures from the League of Women Voters, 91.3 million women voted in 2024. Here are some interesting stats on women voters...

• white, non-Hispanic women voted in the highest numbers
• women of color are significantly more likely to be impacted by suppressive anti-voter policies
• Women ages 25-64 cast the most votes
• young voters (aged 18-24) cast the fewest

According to data from the Pew Research Center, 51% of women lean Democratic compared to 44% who lean Republican.

These are the numbers...now we'll see what the Democrats do with them for November.

 

 

BERNIE IS BACK!

Bernie Sanders in Colorado

Yes, Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, who has been serving in the U.S. Senate since 2007, and ran for President in 2016 and 2020, is back on the campaign trail fighting Donald Trump's oligarchy. He is being accompanied by the Progressive New York Repreesentative, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In my mind, Bernie had two questionable presidential losses. One, 2016 against Hillary Clinton, orchestrated by the DNC, and two, 2020, against an insurmountable presumptive candidate, Joe Biden.

Okay, Bernie is 83, will be 87 when he would run. But don't forget AOC, only 35, and certainly capable of taking over the presidency if something happened to Bernie. She'd make a great vice president for the Bern since they obviously have the chemistry. And we are seeing a new Bernie Sanders with his current focus on defeating Donald Trump's oligarchy. Not that he had forgotten his working class ideology, it is just obvious today that a strong force from the left is needed to conquer the would-be king.

My wife and I still receive emails from Bernie and just this past week he alerted us to his current trip through Nevada, Arizona and Colorado. The rallies drew 34,000 in Denver, another 11,000 at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Arizona, heavily Republican, had crowds of 15,000 with thousands more watching online. And Nevada numbers aren't clear but the campaign quotes in the thousands. Bernie's and AOC's group said they expected a total of 51,000 for the trip. Arizona, Colorado alone had 60,000.

In his email, Bernie expressed frustration of the last Democratic votes between those who voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024. Also noted was the loss in this election of working people, young people and Latinos. In other words, the Dems have completely lost contact with their base. Added to this is the fact that the Democratic Party has the lowest approval rating in decades. The Bern asks why and answers his own question. The establishment politicians just don't get it anymore.

The good news is that Americans across the country have had it with oligarchy. His three state rally speaks to this end indicating a need to reject the corporate wing of the party and head for the grassroots. People don't want authoritarianism and the huge tax breaks Donald Trump plans for the wealthy people of this country in favor of shifting the emphasis back to working class families. Voters are fired up nationwide, illustrated by the fact that thousands came out to Bernie/AOC meetings in Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan and Wisconsin.

American Oligarchy by Mother Jones

This is what Bernie had to say at the Denver rally...

“In the hundreds of rallies that I have done, we have never, ever had a rally as large as this,” Sanders said. “And Denver, your presence here today is not just significant for Colorado. You are sending a profound message all over the world. The whole world is watching, and they want to know if the people of America are going to stand up to Trumpism, oligarchy and authoritarianism.”

There's more...

“Abraham Lincoln talked about a government of the people, by the people, for the people,” Sanders said. “Well, Trump has a government of the billionaires, by the billionaires, for the billionaires. And what these guys are busy doing right now is going after Medicaid, going after Social Security, going after nutrition. The rich want to get richer and they don’t care who they step on.”

Bernie Sanders has been talking about oligarchy for years, reports NPR, but, now he talks about his favorite subject...

"...the Democratic Party has also turned its back on the American working class and suggested the party capitalize on this moment by championing policies that address things like income inequality, health care and climate change."

I have thought, and still believe, that the Bern should have won in 2016. There was talk that Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Florida representative and head of the DNC at the time, did some finagling that won the Democratic nomination for Hillary Clinton. Clinton, of course, who blew it in the last lap and we ended up with t-RUMP's first term. And it was then the seeds were sowed for the oligarchy Bernie Sanders is fighting today. Here is one of his recent statements...

"We will not allow you to move this country into an oligarchy," Sanders pledged, speaking directly to Trump. "We're not going to allow you and your friend Mr. Musk and the other billionaires to wreak havoc on the working families of this country. No, you're not going to destroy Social Security. You're not going to destroy Medicaid. You're not going to destroy the Veterans administration."

Although the Democratic Party has become unpopular, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

said, "voters still have power to push back against Trump administration policies..." and adds...

"Ironically, the most divisive forces in this country are actually starting to bring more of us together," she said. "And that's important, because the same billionaires who are taking a wrecking ball to our country derive their power from dividing working people apart."

Americans are sick of Trump in only the short time he has been in the White House. I don't know what it will be but I sense we are on the cusp of reestablishing our democracy. 

 

Trump says he's not for sale...BULLSHIT!

Trump's inauguration is today. He beat Kamala Harris in an election that many say the outcome was decided by idiots. Trump voters. But now he's on his way to the White House and the suck-ups are going crazy. To the tune of around $500 million by this summer. Remember when corporate CEOs and those in Congress, even some Republicans, were mocking and ridiculing Donald Trump? Apparently this same group has gotten Trump religion and are now going for the jugular. That, of the American public.

Axios points out...

"By stockpiling so much cash, Trump is signaling he doesn't want to be seen as a lame duck in his second term, and is ready to help political allies, punish opponents and help Republicans keep full control of Congress in 2026."

That is so frightening that it should rattle the cages of the Democrats who have sat on their butts for years and let Republicans take control of this country. It dates back to when Debbie Wasserman Schultz slept through the period where the GOP was winning state and local offices throughout the country. It still haunts the left because it is these very offices that have been so instrumental in gerrymandering and winning elections for the right. That was in 2016, over eight years ago, and the Dems are still flailing in their political decisions.

I won't bore you with the atrocities Donald Trump has committed in the last ten years because if you don't already know you have been under a rock or had your head in the sand so not worth talking to. The facts are out there for all to see, yet an American public still grovels at his feet. One of the most astonishing happenings is the fact the U.S. working class is flocking to his fold, and they are the very ones who will suffer the most under Trump. They have nothing to offer him so he would turn on them in a heartbeat.

Axios says everyone is coming to Trump with the goal a half-billion dollars. Here are the receiving accounts...

"They include the president-elect's inauguration account, the MAGA Inc. super PAC, a political nonprofit called Securing American Greatness, the Republican National Committee and Trump's presidential library fund."

There's more...

"The donors run the gamut: from health care to agriculture, insurance, financial institutions, tech and cryptocurrency investors."

This is a significant reverse from the Donald Trump of the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, after which, "major GOP donors and corporate interests vowed to either pause or stop donations to Trump or congressional Republicans because of the plot to try to overturn the 2020 presidential election." Some came back but, guess what, the one who never forgets kept a list of deserters which will be added to his laundry list of those to get even with.

The future Oval Office lunatic even makes his case by threatening...

"You guys made this amount of money last year and you're gonna make so much more now because of me," Trump told the representatives of one company, according to a confidant who heard the story from the president-elect.

And then he blurted out...

"But when I needed you, where the f**k were you? You weren't with me and maybe you were with her," referring to Vice President Harris, whom Trump defeated in November.

And it all ends with the most outlandish of expectations. Donald Trump has let it be known that this is a "one-way street." You generously give to him but don't expect anything in return. And do you know what, the corporate world has said, oh well, he doesn't mean that and they keep dishing out the money. Let me repeat: 'Trump says he's not for sale...BULLSHIT!

Is There Some Way to Get Rid of Governors like Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott?

 

As if Donald Trump didn't do everything in his power to demolish democracy in the United States, the focus of late has shifted to states like Texas and Florida. The GOP governors from these two states, Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis, respectively, are now hammering away at our freedoms at an alarming rate. As an example, Abbott recently issued an Executive Order prohibiting vaccine mandates by any entity. And DeSantis refuses to address the current surge of the Omicron virus.

This is not contrary to their past deeds, rather, it just compounds what these morons have been doing to destroy their states during the Covid-19 pandemic. As of today, Florida has 4,213,301 coronavirus cases, 62,480 deaths. In comparison, Texas has 4,752,113 cases, 76,353 deaths. Between the two, 138,833 of their citizens have died, many of which were surely caused by the ineptitude of these two idiots who continue to deny the science of the virus.

Here's the overall picture from Greg Sargent, The Washington Post...

"As the political world stumbles into 2022, the GOP’s grip on state governments appears as formidable as ever. Republicans will fully control the governorship and legislature in nearly half of states, while Democrats will have less than one-third. Republicans control either legislatures or governorships in Democratic-leaning swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Virginia.

Remember Debbie Wasserman Schultz, when she chaired the Democratic National Committee, falling asleep at the switch while the GOP was doing their state-by-state takeover? This was between 2011 and 2016 and the Democrats have never caught up. Actually, they haven't really put in a lot of effort, concentrating, instead, on the national political scene. Sargent believes a host of factors are "dramatically raising the stakes" in this control including a threat to democracy.

Democratic super PAC Forward Majority warns the dems to do something now aggressively to recapture control among the states. However, a combination of Republican gerrymandering in drawing new political districts and a very worrisome 2022 midterm and 2024 elections are keeping them busy now. The Forward Majority study...

ran dozens of potential scenarios over the next decade, adjusting various factors, such as the national mood and support for Democrats among college-educated and non-college-educated voters. It concludes: “We anticipate a defensive map over the next decade.”

And here's a very productive idea...

"The report recommends a major effort to register millions of voters in states that show such growth opportunities. It also suggests a big push to focus more on the importance of suburban and exurban voters in state legislative contests, among many other things.

“There is so much unregistered opportunity,” from David Cohen, a co-founder of Forward Majority."

No matter what strategy the Democrats decide to use, for governors it must focus on the likes of Ron DeSantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas.

There is much more from Greg Sargent's opinion, which I urge you to read. 

 

 

 

The Agony of Stupidity...Should we Make Gerrymandering Illegal?

Republicans know that if voting district lines were drawn as they should be, based on Census population data, results would favor Democrats. That is why years ago, when then DNC head, Debbie Wasserman Schultz was asleep at the switch, the GOP started to make its move taking over state legislatures allowing them to gerrymander at will. That's where we are today the most recent action..."Justice Dept. sues Texas over redistricting, citing discrimination against Latinos."

This is the first challenge for Pres. Biden in legal action for redistricting; hopefully not the last. Here's the scenario...

"While the Supreme Court has declined to put limits on partisan gerrymandering, it is illegal to draw lines that are unfair to racial and ethnic minorities."

It, apparently, is clear in Texas that the lines have been drawn to put Hispanics at a

disadvantage in voting, which has been taken by A.G. Garland as a move to prevent a particular race from going to the polls. And from all indications, that would be right. This act is just a continuation of Republican moves on the Latino vote...

“This is not the first time Texas has acted to minimize the voting rights of its minority citizens. Decade after decade, Texas has enacted redistricting plans that violate the Voting Rights Act,” the Justice Department said in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Western Division of Texas. “In enacting its 2021 Congressional and House plans, the State has again diluted the voting strength of minority Texans.”

Eric Holder is getting involved as the left tires of GOP constant blocking of voting rights legislation, the reason for pressure on Merrick Garland to take action against cases like the move in Texas. Earlier it was required that DOJ had to approve redistricting maps to prevent discrimination. No longer the case, Texas is free to draw the line within the above parameters. Clearly, no one in the Democratic Party trusts Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, rightfully so considering his record.

And here is where we are today...

"But when the Supreme Court eliminated pre-clearance in Shelby, it effectively said that instead of the Justice Department judging whether states are passing discriminatory laws, it will be the courts that decide. Which means it will be the Supreme Court that decides."

Ari Berman: With Extreme Gerrymandering, the Republicans Are Rigging the Next Decade of Elections...

And with a solid conservative majority at SCOTUS, it's pretty obvious the decision we can expect. Joe Biden's commission on expanding the Supreme Court cannot decide currently if this is appropriate. One more decision like voting rights in favor of the GOP should certainly change their minds. Mother Jones says, "Republicans Are Rigging Elections for the Next Decade," covering activity in four states, including Texas...

• In Georgia, Republicans passed a new congressional map on Monday giving their party 64 percent of US House seats in the state...
• In Ohio, Republicans passed a new congressional map on November 18 giving their party at least 80 percent of seats in the state...
• In North Carolina, Republicans passed a new congressional map on November 4 giving their party between 71 to 78 percent of seats in the state...
• In Texas, Republicans passed a new congressional map on October 18 giving their party 65 percent of seats in the state...

Mother Jones adds...

"You get the idea. In state after state under GOP control, Republicans are passing extreme gerrymandered maps that will allow them to pick up enough seats to retake the US House in 2022 and lock-in dominance of state legislatures for the next decade.

This is clearly not democracy when a political party can rig elections, and so far into the future, to be able to insure they win majorities. This is a fight Democrats are losing, and I still say the reason is the left has not been aggressive enough in the past several years. It may be too late, which means simply, democracy will go up in flames in America. 

Republicans continue to dissect the democratic process

 

Richard L. Hasen, is a professor at the University of California, Irvine, School of Law, and an expert in election law, according to the New York Times, and he is concerned that the GOP is quietly but effectively undermining the democratic voting process. You might recall a few years ago when the radical right, again, quietly and effectively, completely flummoxed DNC head, Debbie Wasserman Schultz in taking over Governors' offices and state legislatures, leading to won elections.

Hansen reminds us of the recent Jan. 6, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, basically for the purpose of denying the validity of the 2020 election, which 

The Donald Trump sneer

Donald Trump has continued in a number of ways by energizing his group of double-digit supporters. This, alone, carried into the 2024 election, would be enough to disrupt the democratic process. But, Hansen says the next coup attempt will be executed by “lawyers in fine suits.”

Here are the facts...

"Between January and June, Republican-controlled legislatures passed 24 laws across 14 states to increase their control over how elections are run, stripping secretaries of state of their power and making it easier to overturn results."

And there is, of course, the ever-present Moscow Mitch McConnell, known as the "Grim Reaper," since President Barack Obama he has decreed to block anything "Democrat." His most recent drive against our country is to block 
"Democrats’ effort to act responsibly and step up to the thankless task of raising the debt limit." Here's the Daily Beast's take...

There are lots of things you can say about Cocaine Mitch, but you can’t say he broke his vow to make stopping Biden “100 percent of his focus.” His willingness to imperil the full faith and credit of the United States to do so is more proof than the country can stand.

Here's a typical Republican quote for you by Sam Brodey: "Republicans Don't Want a Debt Default—Just Democratic Chaos."

But what we must never lose sight of is the fact that Trump supporters are just as

mentally unbalanced as the simpleton they follow. Here's a headline from Salon: "White terror: Millions of Americans say they'd support violence to restore Trump to power." That should scare the hell out of anyone who is in full command of his or her mental faculties. There has even been talk of another civil war like we experienced in 1861, with the Jan. 6, insurrection a preview.

A couple weeks ago the Trump goons held a "Justice for J6" rally, which pretty much fizzled with a very low turnout. Salon's reaction was...

Trump's Republican-fascists and their propagandists have elevated these hooligans, vandals and (in many cases) terrorists to the status of martyrs and patriots as a way of legitimizing their anti-democratic movement, creating sympathy among Trump's faithful that can be exploited for fundraising and, of course, recruiting and encouraging more extremists to the cause.

To underwrite this bizarre Trump movement, AlterNet reports there is a group, The Claremont Institute that will tell you...

that Republicans and Democrats aren't just members of competing political parties, but are, in effect, living in two separate countries. Describing Claremont as the "intellectual home of America's Trumpist right," Green notes that Claremont President Ryan Williams and his colleagues "believe that America has" become "two fundamentally different countries, not least because of the rise of secularism."

Can you imagine what Abraham Lincoln would have thought had he been confronted by a bunch of lunatics like this? Racists aren't the most mentally stable individuals, but at least the cause was simpler. The South favored slavery; the North did not. It is no longer simple, but still very similar to 1861, two very different groups that are determined to, each, have its way. Only one side can win, and it is that which will determine the future of democracy.

What if you found out you couldn't vote in the next election?

 

Would you be pissed? Or would you be relieved that you don't have to fulfill your voting responsibility? The latter is what Republicans want you to feel, and they are again working hard on their ideological voter suppression, targeting Democratic strongholds. A good example of this comes from the Atlanta Constitution citing new laws passed in the state House...

"A bill to restrict ballot drop boxes, require more ID for absentee voting and limit weekend early voting days passed the Georgia House on Monday amid protests that the proposals would make it harder for voters to participate in democracy."

The key words here are "make it harder for voters to participate in democracy," words you should not expect from a free country with a mentally stable voting population. But we haven't had either since Donald Trump walked into the White House just over four years ago. Although Joe Biden's administration is trying to rectify what Trump put into motion, we still have an anarchy working in this country and a gang of double-digits who still worship their emperor. Read more...

But you remember Georgia, the state where Donald Trump made his last stand

screaming voter fraud in the 2020 election. Also the state that lost 2 Senators to the Democrats, giving them a bare majority. If you don't keep your eyes on every move Republicans make, you can bet your life the left will lose something. They skirted a nation of state legislators right under our nose and during the DNC tenure of Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Now Moscow Mitch is after judgeships.  

However the biggie is the 253 bills in 43 states on the heels of a "rash of baseless and racist allegations of voter fraud and election irregularities," according to AlterNet. Here's why Republicans are doing this according to "Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic attorney and founder of the voting rights advocacy group Democracy Docket...

"Republicans are doing this because they think they can gain an electoral advantage from making it harder for Black, brown and young voters to participate in the process. This is the reaction of a party that knows it can't compete for a majority of the votes."

Eventually you have to take off the gloves and give back to the right the same thing they are spewing at the left. 

 

 

Bernie out of 2020 race

The Bern has left the race, but not the building...

Bernie's big decision

These are headlines I hoped I would never write. But it happened and this great warrior has lost too much of his support to continue. He is solidly behind Joe Biden, but said he would...

"continue to gather delegates — a move that would give him leverage to influence the Democratic platform and continue carrying his message."

We cannot afford to lose Bernie's mission, nor can we let the Progressive movement forget his primary presence. Oh, Bernie Sanders will always be there, as long as he is able to breathe and stand before a loving audience. But now is the time to stand behind likely Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, to beat Donald Trump, no matter what has to be done. Bernie sent emails to his tribe heaping thanks on all those who helped, saying...

"Together, we have transformed American consciousness as to what kind of country we can become, and have taken this country a major step forward in the never-ending struggle for economic justice, social justice, racial justice and environmental justice."

Bernie Sanders with balls

Bernie helped to turn Democratic Socialism into an understandable term to the point today that 25% of the American people embrace some form of socialism. Clearly an underdog in Wisconsin, he still recommended a stay-at-home policy due to the COVID-19 problem. Here is what he said in defiance of a clueless governor supported by a very partisan Supreme Court...

"Let's be clear: holding this election amid the coronavirus outbreak is dangerous, disregards the guidance of public health experts, and may very well prove deadly," Sanders said in a statement released Monday night.

I have covered Bernie Sanders extensively since his first run for president in 2016. You can see those posts here... 

How do I say it, I think there is a great amount of disappointment among his loyal followers, and those who have fallen by the wayside, some of it due to the interferences he has run into along the way. As an example, the tampering with the 2016 primary by then NC chair, since disgraced, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, in favor of Hillary Clinton. Many think the Vermont Senator would have beaten Donald Trump.

I

It was apparently the loss of an abundance of young voters that made the difference. The question is now is whether these young people now change their support to Joe Biden or, disillusioned, stay home and not vote. Somehow, we cannot allow that, and with the Bern's exit, Biden must concentrate on bringing this group back into the fold. It will require moving further to the lef,t but Joe Biden must do what is necessary to beat Donald Trump.

And here's the kicker, since Bernie Sanders is officially out of the race, this leaves prior president, Barack Obama, open to campaign for his former vice president. Here's the scenario from This week...

"Obama has refused to endorse a primary candidate since the 2020 Democratic race's jam-packed beginnings, though reports did suggest he was quietly backing Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Other reports suggested he wasn't thrilled about Biden getting in the race, and told Biden's campaign staff to make sure he didn't 'embarrass himself.'"

That is certainly no blessing for Joe Biden, but Barack Obama knows more than anyone just how important it is to beat Donald Trump, so I believe he will come in swinging soon. In the meantime, I plan to practice the Progressive philosophy in what I do or say, and keep the Democratic Socialist concept out there for all who want to learn. The one thing necessary today is beating the coronavirus and hopefully, Dr. Anthony Fauci will remain in control.

You're on Progressive Street...Where Liberals Walk...

Youth vote deserted Bernie...

At least we know they weren't at the polls for Super Tuesday, so Joe Biden made a sweep of 9 of the 14 states. The Bern took Utah, Vermont, Colorado and the big delegate state, California. Apparently the loss of those states Bernie expected to win, like Texas, hasn't slowed down the Vermont Senator. USA Today says...

The common theme in all those [Joe Biden wins, Texas, No. Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Tenn., Arkansas, Okla., Minn., Mass., with Maine leading Biden] states: "Sanders fared worse this year than he did when he faced eventual nominee Hillary Clinton four years ago."

But this didn't dampen Bernie Sanders enthusiasm for the nomination professing that he is still headed for success in November...

"We are going to defeat Trump because we are putting together an unprecedented grass-roots, multi-generational, multi-racial movement."

Mixed race, multi-generational family

I explained Bernie's "multi-generational, multi-racial movement," in a blog post yesterday However, the political pundits still say, "young voters’ energy rarely matches their turnout on Election Day." But then, millennial turnout did double from 2014 to 2018, according to Pew Research, so go figure. Here's an interesting comment from Griffin Schutte, 21, of Virginia Beach who said he "he switched from Clinton in 2016 to Sanders this year because he thinks the Vermont senator is best to stand up to Trump...

"And I think Bernie Sanders is well equipped to stand by his ideals and his policies that he’s been standing by during his long and very consistent career in politics," Schutte said as he stood in line for a Sanders rally in Richmond Thursday.

Howard Dean, former DNC Chair, puzzled by lack of youth vote on Super Tuesday...

Not that Joe Biden doesn't stand on his record; in fact most of what we hear from him is what he did in the Obama administration as Vice President. CNN reports that Biden's campaign was staggering until his win in the So. Carolina Primary, brought about by the black vote which translated into his southern states win in the Super Tuesday Primary. Of course Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg dropping out of the race and both endorsing Biden certainly didn't hurt.

The Washington Post says,  "All of a sudden, Sanders’s 2020 looks a lot like his 2016," which in my mind was a primary with Hillary Clinton that was hijacked by then DNC head, but now disgraced Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Many think Bernie could have beat Donald Trump then, and we wouldn't have been exposed to the Oval Office lunatics corruption for four years. The general consensus today is that Joe Biden is best fitted to win in November.

Here's the scenario from the WP with two approaches...

"In one narrative, Sanders picked up where he left off four years ago, coming into the 2020 contest retaining the core base of support he had built in that nomination fight. He rolled up three wins in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada — better than he did in 2016 — and seemed for a while to be in contention in South Carolina, a state he lost by 50 points then."

The assessment is after the California count, the Bern will "likely to be at or near the top of the delegate count."

Bernie Sander talks about Super Tuesday results and his "unique" campaign...

The second...

"Sanders’s presidential campaign starts with a tie in Iowa and an easy New Hampshire win — just as happened in 2016. He won the Nevada caucuses in which he came short four years ago but lost South Carolina by a similar margin. On Super Tuesday, his primary competitor, former vice president Joe Biden, ran the table in the South, winning a straight line of states from Texas to Virginia. He also picked up states that seemed within Sanders’s grasp, including Minnesota and Massachusetts."

Here is a list of upcoming Democratic primaries following Super Tuesday. As you can see there are several with sizeable number of delegates: Michigan, 125; Florida, 219; Illinois, 155; Ohio, 136; Georgia, 105; New York, 224; Pennsylvania, 153; and New Jersey, 107. We'll keep you posted on these in the future, but in the meantime Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden will be going head-to-head to get ready for Florida on March 17.

The Clinton-era expert speaks out

Sporting a new bow tie but brandishing the same political philosophy as earlier, this liberal icon of American political commentary is fired up and telling the Democrat Party off. “We’re losing our damn minds,” he exclaims, with the urgency of someone about to be pushed over the edge. Carville is the epitome of strategists, making Republicans look like crooks in a mediocre way by keeping his tactics, and those around him, principled and honorable.

He says the Dems must be "Majoritarian," a word I have missed, if a part of the current liberal jargon. Here's the definition...

"From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Majoritarian democracy, as opposed to constitutional democracy, refers to democracy based upon majority rule of a society's citizens. Majoritarian democracy is the conventional form of democracy used as a political system in many countries."

What worries me most is his opinion of the current tribe of 2020 Democratic candidates; he's not impressed with any of them, including Bernie Sanders and Mike Bloomberg. All this amid a chaotic Iowa Caucus that it isn't clear is settled yet. In the middle of this article, there is another piece, "Bernie Sanders leads Donald Trump in polls, even when you remind people he’s a socialist," and Carville has this comment...

"But back to Sanders — what I’m saying is the Democratic Party isn’t Bernie Sanders, whatever you think about Sanders."

And he's right, Bernie Sanders is where the liberals, call them Progressives or Democrats, are going for the future. Hillary Clinton screwed up 2016, ably assisted by the conniving of then DNC head, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, leading to an Electoral loss but a huge margin in the popular vote winning by over 3-million. Carville thinks Bernie could win the electoral--and I believe the popular vote in larger numbers than Clinton--but we won't regain the Senate.

And, of course, there is no way a Democrat/Progressive would get anything done in the White House with Moscow Mitch McConnell heading up the Senate, even though the Bern would probably hold on to the House. David Faris outlines his plan to fix all this in his book, "It's Time to Fight Dirty." This is how James Carville would fix it...

"The Democratic Party is the party of African Americans. It’s becoming a party of educated suburbanites, particularly women. It’s the party of Latinos. We’re a party of immigrants. Most of the people aren’t into all this distracting shit about open borders and letting prisoners vote. They don’t care. They have lives to lead. They have kids. They have parents that are sick. That’s what we have to talk about. That’s all we should talk about."

But when you look at the other Democratic candidates, it is clear that their focus is on those people above with programs like Sanders' fight against inequality, Bloomberg's gun control, Biden's appeal to the blacks, to name a few. James is right on racism; the only one in the campaign who really emphasized this issue was Corey Booker, and he is no longer running. And surprisingly, the ragin Cajun doesn't support free education for fear of pisssing off those who had to work their way through school.

Another thing I don't understand is his inability to grasp the fact that liberals are, in fact, slowly moving farther to the left and there is a quiet revolution of those of us who are fed up with the overall inequities between the elite wealthy and us normal folks. James Carville is looking for a "winning message," as he describes it, and I am not sure his reasoning here when Bernie Sanders has a hold on millennials numbering 71 million; that's a hell of a base to start with.

Carville closes with...

"I think the other side wants us to think there are no swing voters, that we’re doomed and it doesn’t even matter if you have a message because you can’t reach anyone. I think that’s bullshit. I think that’s a wholly incorrect view of American politics. But look, if no one’s persuadable, then let’s just have the revolution.

"Falling into despair won’t help anyone, though. I mean, you can curse the darkness or you can light a candle. I’m getting a fucking welding torch. Okay?"

You have to give the ragin Cajun his due, successfully steering Bill Clinton to wins in two presidential campaigns. I think the point here is to temper what he has said with the solid push to the left, which long time Democrats can't seem to get their minds around and come up with the winning combination. Not only to just win big in 2020, but to carry the left ahead in the future with solid issues there affect not only the left, but the right as well.   A MUST READ HERE!

Donald Trump has Conservative pundit Rick Wilson on his back...again

If conservative Rick Wilson's bite is as bad as his words, Donald Trump not only has the left to fear in November; having raised the ire of another Republican who has sworn to turn his Lincoln Project group loose on T-rump exclaiming he is...

"set to do everything thing they can to oust Donald Trump and his Congressional enablers out of office in 2020 with, in his words, a 'pretty frigging nasty' blitz of ads."

I just did a post on Davis Faris' book, "It's Time To Fight Dirty," which comes from a staunch Progressive, but pushes the same agenda as Wilson. Hey, we'll take all the help we can get, and this GOP strategist is right at the top of his Party when it comes to substance. Here's the scenario...

"Asked by [HBO “Real Time”] host Bill Maher if his group will be endorsing a Democrat or another Republican for president, the acerbic Wilson said that is not their plan and that they will instead focus on hammering Donald Trump and vulnerable Republican lawmakers who defend him."

Wilson continues, but here chides Democrats for their miserable recent actions against Republicans...

“As an outside force that can do things that the Democrats have demonstrably failed on doing a lot of the time, like actually getting in people’s sh*t, we’re sort of a pirate ship in that regard.”

There is absolutely no excuse for the way Dems have handled the "war" against the GOP, starting with Debbie Wasserman Schultz's running of the DNC in the 2016 election, up to the feeble attempts made by House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and Senator Chuck Schummer to move the Democratic Party forward. Like Davis Faris said, the left has been guilty of coddling the right with no real plan to put the Dems back on top. The Party is simmering in the juices of mediocrity.

If the Democrats don't come up with some "friggin nasty" tactics real soon, this November will go back in the books as just another Republican political nightmare.   READ MORE...

Who says nobody likes Bernie Sanders?

Hillary Clinton statement "Nobody likes Bernie Sanders" backfires

Here is Newsweek's headline: "#ILIKEBERNIE TRENDS AFTER HILLARY CLINTON SAYS 'NOBODY LIKES' BERNIE SANDERS." This sent Bernie's supporters to the Internet in the thousands to show just how much they do like Bernie Sanders. And you would think someone as disliked as Clinton was in 2016, when she and Debbie Wasserman Schultz colluded to secretly give the Democratic nomination to Hillary, would keep her mouth shut. But she didn't, and now it is clear who the most liked of the two is.

Clinton even indicated the possibility that she might not support Sanders if he receives the nomination for this November's election. This at a time when Bernie is surging in the polls...

"Overall, 27% of registered voters who are Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents back Sanders, while 24% favor Biden."

It is clear moderate Democrats are hell-bound to knock Bernie Sanders out of the race simply because he is both Progressive and an Independent. It isn't working because there are 57.7 million Progressives out there and of the 137.4 million Independents, 52% are Progressive, Get used to it old line Democrats.   READ MORE...