Thom Hartmann: A Conservative who got mugged

[alp227]

Run time: 07:17 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYDH4w3nFoM   Posted on YouTube: March 18, 2011 By YouTube Member: thomhartmann Views on YouTube: 564   Posted on DU: March 21, 2011 By DU Member: alp227 Views on DU: 2786

 
Thom Hartmann comments on an email from a conservative with the basis: "Some 30+ years of commitment to a traditionally conservative ideology has very recently given way to my realization that the political movement which gained my loyalty in the '70's has been hijacked by forces of today's right." Hartmann also claims that liberals and conservatives share common ground in education, a strong middle class, etc. but differ on how to achieve those goals and reflects back on the Republican Party of Eisenhower and the 1956 platform (that was actually pro-union!)

Catch Thom weekdays 12-3PM Eastern streaming online at Ustream.tv/thomhartmann or FreeSpeech.org, Free Speech TV on satellite, or on your local radio station. On the second hour of Monday's program, Hartmann will confront conservative economist John Lott regarding his column "Why Unions Are Harmful to Workers" and will have Think Progress' Lee Fang on Hour 3 about the "Chamberleaks" scandal. And of course updates from Wisconsin and listeners' calls.

[GTurck]

1. Nothing to add...

just kudos for saying it so well.

[dotymed]

2. Thanks Thom

As a Progressive with mostly (R) friends and family, it is very hard to convince them that the Republican party they support, no longer exists.(Just as the Democratic party I have supported all of my life, no longer exists.) Honestly, if it did exist (the Republican party of 1956), with most of the bought and paid for "leaders" we have today, I would support that party over our current choices, in a heartbeat.
MSM has more than contributed to this massive lie to the American people, they have propagated it. If our President, IMO, wanted to change the tea-party mindset, the most effective way would be to reinstate THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE. Of course it would have to be "updated" to cover cable, satellite, etc...teevee, but that is where "we the people" could get the most bang for our buck.
Unfortunately, he knows that by doing this, the continuing lies and cover-ups that he and HIS party have continued since BushCo, would also be exposed.

[Populist_Prole]

3. Really good to hear, but

It's too bad Mike ( and others like him? ) waited so long to come to this realization. Based just on his quotes, he sounds like he was still OK with being a conservative GOP supporter until they threatened his job. I'm guessing he was OK with conservatives attacking other groups of organized labor as they have over the past 15-20 years? He may have well been NOT OK with it, but he sure tolerated it apparently.

I know I should be glad he has finally "arrived" but I'm just disappointed at the apparent selfishness that still seems to drive many. Maybe it's just bitter coffee on an empty stomach after only 5 hours of sleep driven cynicism on my part..................

[ElsewheresDaughter]

6. my sentiments exactly

[Mrs. Ted Nancy]

4. Harry Truman quote

This has been posted numerous times, but I think it needs to be posted once again. I can't find the date that he said this. Does anybody know?

"Republicans approve of the American farmer, but they are willing to help him go broke. They stand four-square for the American home--but not for housing.

They are strong for labor--but they are stronger for restricting labor's rights. They favor minimum wage--the smaller the minimum wage the better. They endorse educational opportunity for all--but they won't spend money for teachers or for schools.

They think modern medical care and hospitals are fine--for people who can afford them. They consider electrical power a great blessing--but only when the private power companies get their rake-off.

They think American standard of living is a fine thing--so long as it doesn't spread to all the people. And they admire of Government of the United States so much that they would like to buy it."

— Harry S. Truman

[Marnie]

5. Us rill common sense Amurcans with still spines have been looking for

moderate R's to finally see the light. It is not that another I or D or moderate R vote is not important, it's the wake up that will matter most in the long run.

A lot of us D's, I's, and P's are waking to Obama also. There is lots of common ground, but no real organization to work through right now except the unions. Supporting teacher,and cops,and fire fighters, and nurses ain't a bad place to go.

[bobbolink]

7. "We all want a strong middleclass." Thom, what is it you want for those of us who CAN'T be in the

middleclass?

You have shoved us aside for a long time now... what is it you want us to do?

Vanish? Die? Kill ourselves? WHAT? What is it you want of us?

[jimlup]

8. gee do yah think?

What took you so long?