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2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumSlouching Toward Washington
by James McEnteer / May 18th, 2016
The corrupt, interminable 2016 presidential primary process has revealed terrible flaws in United States democracy. The biggest takeaway is that our two-party monopoly system is outmoded and inadequate to represent our diverse U.S. population. We need a fresh start, with more and more open parties, more closely resembling other western democracies. Too many Americans are now excluded for various reasons, with no say in their own governance.
It is clear that our two major parties are actually four. The Trump faction of Republicans, the latest incarnation of the Know Nothings, is the feral flowering of inchoate frustration. In Paddy Chayefskys prophetic 1976 movie, Network, newscaster Howard Beale voiced Trumps sentiments: Im as mad as hell and Im not going to take it anymore.
Thats how Trumps followers feel. They favor anger and emotion over any actual policies. That anger is all Trump has. It doesnt matter that he waffles or fails to address most major issues facing the nation and the world. Hes pissed off and dares anyone to fuck with him. Thats his entire campaign and it suffices for those mainly bitter, lower-income white males who feel as he does.
Establishment Republicans, dumped in the dust by Trumps angry followers, have nothing to offer but their time-worn obstruction of whatever might disturb their corporate patrons. These Radical Reactionaries oppose most social or political changes, especially those proposed by the Black President. What the Reactionaries have in common with the Trump Know Nothings is a rabid racism and blind distrust of all ethnic and religious Others.
Thats how Trumps followers feel. They favor anger and emotion over any actual policies. That anger is all Trump has. It doesnt matter that he waffles or fails to address most major issues facing the nation and the world. Hes pissed off and dares anyone to fuck with him. Thats his entire campaign and it suffices for those mainly bitter, lower-income white males who feel as he does.
Establishment Republicans, dumped in the dust by Trumps angry followers, have nothing to offer but their time-worn obstruction of whatever might disturb their corporate patrons. These Radical Reactionaries oppose most social or political changes, especially those proposed by the Black President. What the Reactionaries have in common with the Trump Know Nothings is a rabid racism and blind distrust of all ethnic and religious Others.
The Democrats are also divided. Party Regulars have rigged the outcome for their long-time stalwart, Hillary Clinton. The voice of the people matters less than the confidence of Goldman Sachs and Citibank. Clinton has networked, paid off and otherwise made enough people beholden to her to ensure her ascendance. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Clintons 2008 campaign head, now runs the Democratic nominating show. No one really trusts Hillary Clinton, but that does not matter. Only the presidency does.
Bernie Sanders entered the Democratic race because he knew with the current two-party monopoly of the primary process he had no chance as an independent outsider. The enthusiastic response to his Progressive ideas has surprised the Democrats and perhaps even Sanders himself. People still want hope and change, now more than ever.
Despite the opposition of the mainstream press with especially shameful treatment by The Washington Post and The New York Times Sanders has drawn the hopes of young people with his promises to address income inequality, abolish student debt, tackle climate change, etc. Hes the only candidate running a campaign based on actual issues. But that will not be enough to win him the nomination or perhaps even a voice in the party platform, despite his demonstrably large constituency. Socialist is a dirty work for many people, who cannot look beyond it to hear anything Sanders says.
Bernie Sanders entered the Democratic race because he knew with the current two-party monopoly of the primary process he had no chance as an independent outsider. The enthusiastic response to his Progressive ideas has surprised the Democrats and perhaps even Sanders himself. People still want hope and change, now more than ever.
Despite the opposition of the mainstream press with especially shameful treatment by The Washington Post and The New York Times Sanders has drawn the hopes of young people with his promises to address income inequality, abolish student debt, tackle climate change, etc. Hes the only candidate running a campaign based on actual issues. But that will not be enough to win him the nomination or perhaps even a voice in the party platform, despite his demonstrably large constituency. Socialist is a dirty work for many people, who cannot look beyond it to hear anything Sanders says.
Full article: http://dissidentvoice.org/2016/05/slouching-toward-washington/
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Slouching Toward Washington (Original Post)
polly7
May 2016
OP
senz
(11,945 posts)1. "He’s the only candidate running a campaign based on actual issues."
And yet, they say, it doesn't matter. Issues don't matter.
Shows what a joke our elections have become.
Let's end the joke. Let's get serious.