Along with Dan Rather's "Standing Up to Bullies," France did not elect Putin's ally Marine Le Pen and CNN showed a good exposé of Putin's suppression of democratic forces in Russia. It was great learning about investigative journalist Christo Grozev's uncovering the GRU "Moscow4." At the end, Navalny closed with his message in the event of his demise, riffing on Einstein, saying to all Good People, "Do something!"
“The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.”
Good news about Macron. Will read the analyses this morning to see how he prevailed and by what margin. Are there lessons for the U.S. here? I will check out the CNN special. Thanks!
Robert - I think the Democrats need to go much further than calling out the liars in the GOP. Geez it took the press 4 years to use that word to describe Trump. They need to use much stronger language - start with consistently using traitor for all who participated to any degree in January 6th. Dictator is another word that should be applied to DeSantis and other of his ilk. Comparisons to Putin and Russia should be frequently made when talking about the GOP (he is the dictator of the day the public is most familiar with). Mussolini is another dictator who killed his own people but they will need to say who he is. Tell us about the way of life in China, Turkey and the Philippines as if we have an authoritarian government (but don’t use that word - too big). Draw the inferences to life under dictators, neighbors turning in neighbors as the Stassi incentivized in East Germany and as is already happening with abortion laws. References and graphic visuals to the Handmaids Tale are welcome. The GOP freely uses socialism, immigrants and now critical race theory to stir the pot and scare the heck out of their base. Name the US oligarchs who are controlling US industries and are cosy with the GOP. And they are laughing all the way to the bank as they change laws and regulations to benefit their business. No one else is benefiting - just the rich running the show. The GOP must be cast as pure evil who will destroy our way of life if in power. No more time talking about what the Dems have done, We need to scare independents and Democrats to the voting booth by painting a vivid picture of life under a GOP regime. A Russia or China like world with everyone Speaking English. Horrify them.
We need to stop using the word oligarch. While the description is accurate, let’s use terms more people will understand like robber baron. That’s what they are; they are robbing us all of opportunities to make a decent life for our families and care for the planet. Liars, traitors, and seditionists.
I’m no political scientist but I often shake my head: Every thing that tRump’s base thinks will help them is actually going to cost them plenty. What you said: life in China, and other authoritarian led countries. I’d like to see Lincoln project do a piece on this!
Robert, the Republican penchant for shameless mendacity is not an "illness" as Senator Warren avers; it is a crime. If you or I did what McCarthy and his gang of bootlicking Trump codependents do everyday, under oath, we'd be in prison. Remember, these are elected officials we're talking about, Americans who took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. Why then aren't they being held accountable? If these criminals are not arrested and prosecuted for treason soon, then we no longer have a legitimate democratic government and guerrilla tactics in the quest for justice are in order, which will mean chaos, mayhem and civil war. Sadly, here we are again at James Madison's salient point about the significance of "virtue in the people," and especially in how that virtue is expressed in the rule of law and in the actions of the law enforcement officials elected by the people to serve the common good. I sometimes cynically wonder if Merrick Garland a closet Republican. If the majority of the American people continue to vote for and enable serial liars like Trump, McCarthy, et al, then we are a nation of fools and scalawags and deserve to lose the Republic that Ben Franklin challenged us to keep. Rise up America, before it's too late! "The Barbarians are at the gates," and we're not talking about a corporate takeover. These rascals aim to overthrow the government of the United States of America!
True words, the old crones in my assisted living facility are not shy in expressing their love for the “freedom-loving” republicans. Rupert continues to do what he has done best: demonize Dems, and put a halo over repubs. Way past time to counter this lying 24-7 blather.
Either Merrick Garland is a closet Republican, or he is in over his head in the job of Attorney General and head of the DOJ. I personally think that he is in over his head.
The behavior of most of the members of the GOP is certainly criminal. The disease, I think, is in the body politic. Even the best of us has been willing to look away for too long for the sake of, what? Comfort? Our faith in the goodness of humankind? It's hard to explain but we haven't seen, no matter the answer. And for many decades this American Experiment has been smoldering. I don't think Merrick Garland is a bad guy, and he may surprise us yet. I think he is a man, not unlike Robert Mueller and too many of the rest of us, who is hesitant to go to war, who dislikes the prospect of getting his hands really dirty. The defense of this republic, if it isn't actually too late, is going to have to get loud and obnoxious and shameless if we want to win. But we can't win if we don't want to admit it's a war. A puzzle.
The Republicans are in a pickle. The uncontested leader of the party, Mr. Trump, is a serial liar, philanderer, and bankrupt. You can't acknowledge that and also stay important and gain even greater power. Watch out for the lurkers like Gym Jordan, Elise Stafanik, and others who know better but won't ever say it.
Thanks for reminding me about the 2015 allegations of McCarthy's affair with a member of the House. Wonder whether it will come up next time he seeks the speakership . . . .
So much has come to pass in recent history that was not predictable by pointing to what usually happens. I think we, the US public, actually don't know what the outcome of the 2022 midterm elections will be. It is possible that Americans will see the good effects of Biden's presidency so far, and vote to support his administration by increasing the Democratic representation in Congress.
Todays Edition hit a sore point for me which I have been thinking about for quite some time. Republicans like McCarthy, Cruz, Cotton and others get quoted on TV and the media saying outrageous and proven untrue and racists comments all the time. Sound bites appear on all media amplifying the comments either applauding or condemning the episode. What I have come to realize is it won’t stop until some person, group or voters stands up like Mallory McMorrow has and Elizabeth Warren did last night and call them out. The call out has to be loud consistent and factual and not some sugar coated rebuke. A liar is a liar and a racists is a racists and let’s call it for what it is. Leo Durocher said famously “ Nice guys finish last “ let’s try not to be so nice for a change.
Could not agree more with the premise to call republicans what they are. So sick of watching news that treats them as a legitimate political party. I’m old, it’s way past time. They gave up on “legitimate” when the election of Obama shocked their racist hearts. Chump was just drawn to the evil like a moth to flame…
It is a challenge to write about these matters without tainting it with animus, which I felt in this newsletter today and from some comments below. “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” ~ Ruth Bader Ginsberg
What I read today in this newsletter and a few others, would not encourage me to join such anger: clear, pointed, and depressing.
Words are powerful and they can wound, even kill. I could feel the anger today, the outrage, which is understandable. But, do we realize that the world has, in absolute fact, changed? There is no corner where there isn't unrest, anger over something: a war, strife, atrocities, injustice. Now, those of us who are 'kindred spirits' in our beliefs and thinking are beginning to 'mouth off' like Trump & Associates. If we begin to talk like the white evangelicals of the very right wing or even those angry ones on the extreme left, we are no better.
We are a nation divided. We are a world divided. Let us not reduce ourselves to name calling, demonizing those who are not like us. I don't believe that's a winning strategy for it whips up more anger, hate, and, eventually, violence. Perhaps violence in our own streets. Oh, wait. Isn't that already happening?
Let's lean on organizations like VoteFwd.org and others like them to give up their fervent loyalty to bi-partisanship (which doesn't exist right now and may not for the next little while), writing plain vanilla letters encouraging non-voters to vote by saying NOTHING that would compel anyone not inclined to vote. These letters are a waste of paper, printer ink, envelopes, and postage, not to mention it is highly questionable from an environmental standpoint. These well-intentioned organizations have an opportunity to provide guidance (what one needs to vote, i.e., photo ID, et cetera), and to differentiate in words that define a Democracy from an autocracy, for that IS what's on the ballot.
I apologize if I offended anyone, including Robert, but there is animus here and we're all too intelligent to allow our worst angels to prevail.
Hi, Lee Anne. Thanks for your comment. No offense taken, but I nonetheless disagree. Two things can be true: we can be driven by anger over what Republicans are doing and it can be the right thing to call them by name. Is President Trump really just "President Trump" after he attempted a coup? Is Kevin McCarthy really just "Minority Leader" after lying to you? I fear, Lee Anne, that your counsel will enable bad people to evade accountability for their misdeeds because we are afraid to say hard truths. Hundreds of millions of people will not click on VoteFwd.org and will give only glancing attention to the news. How do we reach them? It may be that the only way to reach them is to appeal to them on the emotional level. Trump and the GOP have figured out that equation. If we ignore it because we fear that we will be seen as angry or divisive, we may cede millions of votes to Republicans.
One final note: people not only feel angry, they feel powerless. Having someone express that anger for them can be helpful -- because it confirms to them they are not alone. And if all I did was to validate their anger, that might be grounds for criticism. But I also urge them to act, five days a week.
With due respect, Robert, I disagree with you. I never suggested, nor did I advocate that the miscreant tRump and his cohorts not be held accountable for their lies, their actions, and deeds. Never. However, emotions are not facts nor are feelings.
Dan Rather's excellent piece on Bullies was outstanding. I felt his frustration, his passion for what is right and noble as well. His words allowed one to read, absorb the impact, and pause to think. His "comments" section was not filled with animus but with gratitude, for the most part. I felt the powerful impact of his words and forwarded it to many people. It was outstanding.
One of your readers asked if I had seen McMurrow's video. Of course I did, many times. I admired her and her conviction. She carefully chose her words that hit home and she was impassioned. But her anger was not reduced to name calling, belittling but raising the bar, saying to ALL Americans without insult this is who I am, what I believe, and why I stand here today.
This is very different from snide remarks.
What I wrote here yesterday was built upon what RBG said: "We must criticize without wounding and debate without dehumanizing our opponents. Fight for the things that you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you." McMurrow delivered on that. Isn't that the goal to persuade, inspire people to see a better point of view and then vote for it? If we're whipping up anger, using crass words to express ourselves for the sake of many out of control emotions then we are no better. There is a lot of anger on these pages whether it's your newsletter or Robert Reich or Heather Cox Richardson. Maybe that's a good thing for it gives people a place in which to direct their anger.
Perhaps this is my problem because it does not enlighten me nor enable me to see the whole chessboard and think critically when I read rage. To clarify: You, Robert Reich, Heather CR, are not writing rage-filled messages. Many "Comments," however, and sadly, contain too much anger, which is unbridled so I tune them out for my own well being. Rage does not inform. Crass language does not enlighten. So let us 'agree to disagree.' I'll continue to read Today's Edition but I'll stay off the Comment page.
Leigh Anne, I really like what RBG advised. We should follow her words when talking with people who have not made up their minds or who are open to discussion.
Perhaps name calling is not quite the way to handle most instances. That is not my personal style, either. But to say what Trump or his associates actually did is not name calling.
We need all points of view here. I certainly don’t want you to do anything that will adversely harm your well being, but we need to hear your point of view as well.
I know that I am frustrated and at times angry, I will admit that, over some of the things Republicans are saying and doing. More than that, I am incredulous that so many Americans believe what the Republicans are doing and saying is right.
Please reconsider commenting when you feel it necessary.
Thank you, Virginia. It is kind of you to be reading this a day later. I was publishing a piece yesterday and never saw what RH said. When I read it this morning, I felt obligated to myself and the thinking I put into a response to note that RH put words in my mouth, saying I implied that those Republicans who lie, slander, support the Big Lie should not be held accountable. It was not only incorrect but bordered on chauvinism, i.e., I'll tell the little lady that I, the man, do not agree. I simply never said or implied the things he said I did.
I, too, get very angry and yell at the TV or a news article. BUT, when speaking in a group, I am careful. It is not just about having one's anger for we are human, but when there is animus in the language it is dumping garbage on others.
Think about how many of the T supporters are at two ends of the spectrum: most are in rural areas with little education and no opportunity to engage in critical thinking. (This is not a critique. I live in a rural area and know how they don't think or refuse to consider another point of view).The other T supporters are some of the wealthiest in our country and support him, not because they like him, but because they get wealthier.
So, why, as RH suggests, would Dems want to begin being loud and crass as T and his cronies are? Dems are more educated on the whole and I don't believe they would appreciate a message that is crude and yelling and angry. What we need in the Dem party is oratory. Great rhetoric that came from Roosevelt, Churchill, MLK, JFK, Obama...where simple words soared, touching people's minds and hearts and motivated us to stand and be better. We don't have that in anyone right now.
President Biden says all the right things, but, alas, he is a bit dull. I am grateful he is our President, and, I am saddened that the media and people do not see his amazing accomplishments. We are missing that 'fire in the belly' oratory, though ... it's not about adopting the ways of T and his terrifying rhetoric. Sorry, for the rant. But I want to say thank you, again.
You are welcome, Leigh Anne. I am like you. I live in a rural area. The T followers, one of whom is my daughter in Alabama and another is my son-in-law who lives on the family land right behind me, won’t listen. I can’t talk to them. They talk right over top of me. His wife, my youngest daughter, agrees with me and so does my oldest and her husband.
I can’t listen to angry people. It upsets me. We do need people with fire in their bellies who speak plainly and earnestly, but who do not denigrate people. We do need to point out lies and wrong doing, but we have to talk to people politely when we are trying to win them over just as we would talk to a friend.
Don’t stop adding your comments. We have to have a balanced discussion.
I agree, Robert. I have always tried to hold my temper and not rock the boat, IN THE PAST! Now I am angry. Trump and his cohorts tried to take over our government and turn it into an autocracy, with Trump president for life! The people he admires are so-called “strong men” who are in office for life.
Thank God Macron won! I prayed that he would. Had his opponent won, She would have had France leave Nato. She is against immigrants. The reason that voters, who did not like Macron because he was not doing anything to help the working men and women, voted for him anyway was because they did not like Le Pen’s relationship with Putin. They stood with Ukraine in their fight to retain their country’s sovereignty in the war brought against them by Russia. We must call a spade a spade in order to save our democracy! We don’t have to get down in the gutter to do it, we just have to speak the plain truth.
Lee Ann, no offense taken and understand your concerns about the possibility of extreme behavior. Did you read the Dan Rather link Robert provided and watch the videos ?
A local Florida House Rep, and DeSantis’ bully buddy, was at it again this w-end attacking a school board member. He has called her a whore, prostitute and child-abuser with assorted vulgarities…..all because she supported a mask mandate !! I would never use his words or vulgarities to attack anyone, and I’m assuming many on this forum would agree, but have no qualms about calling him a bully.
Dan made his point CLEARLY and provided his inclusions of powerful speakers who are against the bullies. (Still reporting after all these years. I remember his reporting from Viet Nam.)
Leigh Anne, I can’t totally agree with you on this. I don’t think we have to be hateful like the Republicans are when talking about Democrats. However, we must be strong and call them what they are, what they have been proven to be.
You couldn't be more right, Robert! The cancer that Trump and his corrupt cronies injected into the Republican bloodstream has metastasized and infected the entire party. It is now a party dominated by liars, traitors, crooks, bigots, and authoritarians. And probably a few, a very few, long-time conservatives who are decent people but don't know which way to turn.
Have you seen “The Race” on ABC? I watched yesterday.
So far they’ve had a feature on the infrastructure bill - asking who benefits- then showing a family that will be able to get great care for their disabled son and the caregiver who will have a living wage.
Second feature on vaccines and showing a family that have benefited. Third on climate change and what Biden is trying to do.
I am so pleased Sen Warren called McCarthy out clearly in plain language. Liar and a traitor. Period. Let's learn to talk like this. Well edited points of fact.
Excellent call to action concluding this morning's letter Robert. In respect of Mr. Garland and possible reasons for his delay in prosecuting Meadows, Bannon, et al, a cardinal principle of justice is a swift trial. Anyone who has house-trained a puppy knows that the action and reward have to be closely related to be effective and, since the media and most politicians have about the same attention span, the longer he delays, the less effective even a conviction is likely to be.
I don’t know if it’s culture warring, but Democrats should be attacking Republicans—fairly—for outrages against common decency.
As for selling Merrick Garland short, on present performance that would be difficult.
Another topic: If Twitter sells out to Elon Musk (or another plutocrat) I shall cancel my account. If you feel the same way, put it on your page, and tell others to do the same. If enough users protest it might strengthen management’s backbone.
The first thing Elon Musk will do is allow Trump back on Twitter, confirming that it is one of the greatest threats to democracy (next to the Supreme Court and Facebook) that we face today.
McCarthy and the GOP are working toward bringing the public to a point where the evidence of our senses are no longer believed... to where there Is no evidence we will accept. I suppose he'll say the recording is a fake. If Liz Cheney comes forward to say the recording is true, they'll just call her a liar. If a liar calls you a liar first, a robber calls you a thief first, and loudly enough, truth just sounds like name calling. We wonder why Russians say the dead in Ukraine are just actors, fakes... and they only have official news sources to listen to. We have options (albeit clearly ones weakened by a confusion over both side-ism) and yet here we are.
Help me understand your point. If Kevin McCarthy denies the facts and says that the NYTimes reporting is "false and wrong," what should we do? Ignore it? Counter it? Something else?
Mostly my point was a prediction about what McCarthy and the GOP will do - we'll see if they do it in this specific case. Even if not in this case, it looks to me like the trend is toward inserting ever greater distance between proof and belief so that like many in the Russian population who view photos of corpses in Ukraine and respond "oh, those are actors", nothing will be adequate proof to bring Americans to reevaluate self-comforting beliefs.
It looks to me like ignoring GOP lies is read as concession or guilt.
I believe any attempts to counter GOP lies with explanations need to be confined to the kind of longer in depth, often footnoted, sometimes nuanced articles that require intellectual engagement. We have to reach both 1) audiences that respond well to more intellectually stimulating discussions that require a little more effort as well as 2) those whose attention spans are fleeting; who want things spoon fed. I tend to feel the former - potential consumers of the meatier articles - are already pretty much on board with the Biden administration goals and understand the challenges. For the second group, anything except the simplest strongest "snap", results in them becoming bored, disengaged and is read as "excuses" or, again, weakness. Shapiro counsels using a variety of tactics to get the other side ("libs") to explain themselves because once you're explaining you're on the defensive and have lost (the audience). That's the level of discourse we're faced with. Yet we have to reach those people too - or at least the ones who are at all reachable.
We have to tell the truth in simple strong language, pick the clearest most undeniable examples and keep repeating them. Repeat, repeat, repeat. It's disconcerting how many people absorb things better through repetition regardless of the quality of the source. In fact, much of the psychological research shows people remember oft repeated things without retaining the source (so unreliable sources that are repetitious, like TFG, can be better remembered than reliable ones).
Advertisers know the power of the memorable jingle or zinger, too. Humor makes a snap back enjoyable so it's more readily embraced.
Of course, people who read your newsletter, while we all may relish the sparks of humor and bursts of genuine outrage glinting through the steely self control when describing news developments, are among the population willing to follow up on myriad articles you recommend, and put in the effort. You cannot very well cut explanations out of your more nuanced discussions since that is what they Are.
As to what all of us should also be doing is to bombard social media, newspaper editors, comments sections, and not just in our usual more liberal media sources, with short, strong statements calling out lies and sharing good news. Perhaps we should read up on what therapists recommend to treat victims of gas lighting!
I would like to make the point that I feel it is most important to focus on a positive, values based message rather than name calling, shaming, and pointing to all the negative characteristics and actions of Republicans. Yes, they and their supporters and enablers are horrible people, bullies, liars, traitors, authoritarian's, and anti-democracy. However, spending time and energy on emphasizing all those negative characteristics is unlikely to attract a single vote for Democrats. I believe we need to provide something for people to vote for not something to vote against. Republicans are clearly demonstrating they are the party claiming the party of being against...well, practically damn everything. In fact their party, leadership has made it clear they have NO election-year legislative agenda. Rather it is, put us back in power and then we will tell you what we want to do. They are against a whole raft of issues that are in fact generally popular with most Americans from health care and voting rights, to education and the economy.
Democrats need to reclaim the values discussion and show what values they support and how those are related to policies they advance. Don't talk about multi-point programs, talk about values and how those are tied to challenges and opportunities people face in their daily lives. How are we going to make people’s lives better and why that is important.
Hi, Bruce. Democrats spent the last year-and-a-half focusing on helping the American people build better lives, defending vulnerable Americans, and reestablishing America's place in the world as a reliable ally. What has that achieved? A 25% drop in Biden's popularity. Meanwhile, Republicans are appealing to voters' emotions and nothing else. I did not suggest that we abandon values-based principles. I said that we need to stop treating insurrectionists like they are responsible members of politics. Donald Trump is not a "former President Donald Trump"--he is "twice impeached, coup-plotting former president." If we treat him like he is just another guy running for office, that is how Americans will perceive him.
Robert, I understand and agree with your comments. My apologies if I worded my response poorly to make the point on the importance of values-based messaging and providing voters something positive to vote for not something only to vote against.
In my conversations with voters, particularly those from what I will characterize as the moderate, persuadable middle, I have found many are exhausted by the red versus blue division on every issue. They are looking for a reason to get engaged and excited in upcoming elections. I believe strongly that it is more important to provide them something positive to vote for, not only threatening them with visions of the end of democracy. Do I believe that we really face such a threat? Yes, I do. But if we are to win in any elections at any level in 2022, 2024, or anytime in the future we must have a message that provides people with hope for a better tomorrow, not the end of the world as we know or wish it to be.
Bruce. Thanks for clarification I agree on something positive. So tired of democrat fund raising with only scare emails. No vision. Nothing positive. But gop are factually liars. Peace and Courage In these days to all
Bruce, Though I subscribe to much of your thinking, I would submit we also must own the painful truth that in the past 15 months Dems haven’t been able to extend the child tax credit or lower prescription drug costs or improve childcare or raise the minimum wage to $15…, legislation that actually would make people’s lives easier and would be counter-inflationary. Hence, as I repeatedly have suggested, we must prevail upon Senate Dems to pass into law at least a piece of Biden’s BBB social and climate package and present it to voters as a down payment of more to come if Dems retain the House and pick up at least 2 Senate seats. Additionally, were they to build on their majority, Dems, in my view, also would have captured the dynamic of the political conversation in the country for the foreseeable future.
I understand and sympathize with your views. However I remind you that the failure to pass these important legislative items rests primarily with the unanimous Republican opposition to these measures. I encourage all to connect the values in support of those measures to the legislation required. We must try to mobilize voters to help put progressives into positions of power to pass these measures. Simply railing against two recalcitrant Democrats and every Republican will not get any of them passed. We need significant majorities in the House and the Senate to get them done. So let’s tell voters why these are important and what is required to make it happen.
Bruce, Respectfully, my suggestions did not include “railing against two recalcitrant Democrats and every Republican.” That clarified, because politics, largely, is perception and the prevailing sense, fair or not, is that Dems are in charge and largely have been unable to deliver on campaign promises, particularly those that could have a substantial impact on everyday people, prevailing upon Senate Dems to advance at least a piece of Biden’s centerpiece agenda as a down payment of more to come if Dems pick up more seats, frankly, is good politics.
Along with Dan Rather's "Standing Up to Bullies," France did not elect Putin's ally Marine Le Pen and CNN showed a good exposé of Putin's suppression of democratic forces in Russia. It was great learning about investigative journalist Christo Grozev's uncovering the GRU "Moscow4." At the end, Navalny closed with his message in the event of his demise, riffing on Einstein, saying to all Good People, "Do something!"
“The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.”
― Albert Einstein
https://twitter.com/CNN/status/1518382400551673858?s=20&t=LWKg0XgDH00wMmU0pS2PcA
Link to a descriptive article about Navalny, his generation’s effect on Russia’s future, and the documentary on CNN:
https://twitter.com/davidklion/status/1517515800311123970?s=21&t=HAXDnKFrhAp7lKCqqJnPKA
Good read, Ellie. Thank you!
❤
Good news about Macron. Will read the analyses this morning to see how he prevailed and by what margin. Are there lessons for the U.S. here? I will check out the CNN special. Thanks!
Robert - I think the Democrats need to go much further than calling out the liars in the GOP. Geez it took the press 4 years to use that word to describe Trump. They need to use much stronger language - start with consistently using traitor for all who participated to any degree in January 6th. Dictator is another word that should be applied to DeSantis and other of his ilk. Comparisons to Putin and Russia should be frequently made when talking about the GOP (he is the dictator of the day the public is most familiar with). Mussolini is another dictator who killed his own people but they will need to say who he is. Tell us about the way of life in China, Turkey and the Philippines as if we have an authoritarian government (but don’t use that word - too big). Draw the inferences to life under dictators, neighbors turning in neighbors as the Stassi incentivized in East Germany and as is already happening with abortion laws. References and graphic visuals to the Handmaids Tale are welcome. The GOP freely uses socialism, immigrants and now critical race theory to stir the pot and scare the heck out of their base. Name the US oligarchs who are controlling US industries and are cosy with the GOP. And they are laughing all the way to the bank as they change laws and regulations to benefit their business. No one else is benefiting - just the rich running the show. The GOP must be cast as pure evil who will destroy our way of life if in power. No more time talking about what the Dems have done, We need to scare independents and Democrats to the voting booth by painting a vivid picture of life under a GOP regime. A Russia or China like world with everyone Speaking English. Horrify them.
We need to stop using the word oligarch. While the description is accurate, let’s use terms more people will understand like robber baron. That’s what they are; they are robbing us all of opportunities to make a decent life for our families and care for the planet. Liars, traitors, and seditionists.
Will history write that we waited too late?
We don't know yet, and there is still time to ensure the answer we want.
I hope not, Jeri, but I ask myself what I would write, note for the history books, but in a letter to my grandson.
I’m no political scientist but I often shake my head: Every thing that tRump’s base thinks will help them is actually going to cost them plenty. What you said: life in China, and other authoritarian led countries. I’d like to see Lincoln project do a piece on this!
agree
I agree! I love everything that you said!
Robert, the Republican penchant for shameless mendacity is not an "illness" as Senator Warren avers; it is a crime. If you or I did what McCarthy and his gang of bootlicking Trump codependents do everyday, under oath, we'd be in prison. Remember, these are elected officials we're talking about, Americans who took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. Why then aren't they being held accountable? If these criminals are not arrested and prosecuted for treason soon, then we no longer have a legitimate democratic government and guerrilla tactics in the quest for justice are in order, which will mean chaos, mayhem and civil war. Sadly, here we are again at James Madison's salient point about the significance of "virtue in the people," and especially in how that virtue is expressed in the rule of law and in the actions of the law enforcement officials elected by the people to serve the common good. I sometimes cynically wonder if Merrick Garland a closet Republican. If the majority of the American people continue to vote for and enable serial liars like Trump, McCarthy, et al, then we are a nation of fools and scalawags and deserve to lose the Republic that Ben Franklin challenged us to keep. Rise up America, before it's too late! "The Barbarians are at the gates," and we're not talking about a corporate takeover. These rascals aim to overthrow the government of the United States of America!
True words, the old crones in my assisted living facility are not shy in expressing their love for the “freedom-loving” republicans. Rupert continues to do what he has done best: demonize Dems, and put a halo over repubs. Way past time to counter this lying 24-7 blather.
Amen to that, Jeri. A las Barricadas!
Either Merrick Garland is a closet Republican, or he is in over his head in the job of Attorney General and head of the DOJ. I personally think that he is in over his head.
The behavior of most of the members of the GOP is certainly criminal. The disease, I think, is in the body politic. Even the best of us has been willing to look away for too long for the sake of, what? Comfort? Our faith in the goodness of humankind? It's hard to explain but we haven't seen, no matter the answer. And for many decades this American Experiment has been smoldering. I don't think Merrick Garland is a bad guy, and he may surprise us yet. I think he is a man, not unlike Robert Mueller and too many of the rest of us, who is hesitant to go to war, who dislikes the prospect of getting his hands really dirty. The defense of this republic, if it isn't actually too late, is going to have to get loud and obnoxious and shameless if we want to win. But we can't win if we don't want to admit it's a war. A puzzle.
Thank you for your post.
Go, Elizabeth Warren!
New GOP moniker: Hand-Puppets of Trump (and small they are).
The Republicans are in a pickle. The uncontested leader of the party, Mr. Trump, is a serial liar, philanderer, and bankrupt. You can't acknowledge that and also stay important and gain even greater power. Watch out for the lurkers like Gym Jordan, Elise Stafanik, and others who know better but won't ever say it.
Thanks for reminding me about the 2015 allegations of McCarthy's affair with a member of the House. Wonder whether it will come up next time he seeks the speakership . . . .
Maybe true, but the lurkers have tasted power and will do anything to get it back.
And are still furthering the Big Lie. To their shame.
Too bad that these lurkers can not pull themselves up and do some real work they might better solidify position. Pathetic pipe dream- I know.
So much has come to pass in recent history that was not predictable by pointing to what usually happens. I think we, the US public, actually don't know what the outcome of the 2022 midterm elections will be. It is possible that Americans will see the good effects of Biden's presidency so far, and vote to support his administration by increasing the Democratic representation in Congress.
From your comment to God’s ears.
Todays Edition hit a sore point for me which I have been thinking about for quite some time. Republicans like McCarthy, Cruz, Cotton and others get quoted on TV and the media saying outrageous and proven untrue and racists comments all the time. Sound bites appear on all media amplifying the comments either applauding or condemning the episode. What I have come to realize is it won’t stop until some person, group or voters stands up like Mallory McMorrow has and Elizabeth Warren did last night and call them out. The call out has to be loud consistent and factual and not some sugar coated rebuke. A liar is a liar and a racists is a racists and let’s call it for what it is. Leo Durocher said famously “ Nice guys finish last “ let’s try not to be so nice for a change.
Could not agree more with the premise to call republicans what they are. So sick of watching news that treats them as a legitimate political party. I’m old, it’s way past time. They gave up on “legitimate” when the election of Obama shocked their racist hearts. Chump was just drawn to the evil like a moth to flame…
It is a challenge to write about these matters without tainting it with animus, which I felt in this newsletter today and from some comments below. “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” ~ Ruth Bader Ginsberg
What I read today in this newsletter and a few others, would not encourage me to join such anger: clear, pointed, and depressing.
Words are powerful and they can wound, even kill. I could feel the anger today, the outrage, which is understandable. But, do we realize that the world has, in absolute fact, changed? There is no corner where there isn't unrest, anger over something: a war, strife, atrocities, injustice. Now, those of us who are 'kindred spirits' in our beliefs and thinking are beginning to 'mouth off' like Trump & Associates. If we begin to talk like the white evangelicals of the very right wing or even those angry ones on the extreme left, we are no better.
We are a nation divided. We are a world divided. Let us not reduce ourselves to name calling, demonizing those who are not like us. I don't believe that's a winning strategy for it whips up more anger, hate, and, eventually, violence. Perhaps violence in our own streets. Oh, wait. Isn't that already happening?
Let's lean on organizations like VoteFwd.org and others like them to give up their fervent loyalty to bi-partisanship (which doesn't exist right now and may not for the next little while), writing plain vanilla letters encouraging non-voters to vote by saying NOTHING that would compel anyone not inclined to vote. These letters are a waste of paper, printer ink, envelopes, and postage, not to mention it is highly questionable from an environmental standpoint. These well-intentioned organizations have an opportunity to provide guidance (what one needs to vote, i.e., photo ID, et cetera), and to differentiate in words that define a Democracy from an autocracy, for that IS what's on the ballot.
I apologize if I offended anyone, including Robert, but there is animus here and we're all too intelligent to allow our worst angels to prevail.
Hi, Lee Anne. Thanks for your comment. No offense taken, but I nonetheless disagree. Two things can be true: we can be driven by anger over what Republicans are doing and it can be the right thing to call them by name. Is President Trump really just "President Trump" after he attempted a coup? Is Kevin McCarthy really just "Minority Leader" after lying to you? I fear, Lee Anne, that your counsel will enable bad people to evade accountability for their misdeeds because we are afraid to say hard truths. Hundreds of millions of people will not click on VoteFwd.org and will give only glancing attention to the news. How do we reach them? It may be that the only way to reach them is to appeal to them on the emotional level. Trump and the GOP have figured out that equation. If we ignore it because we fear that we will be seen as angry or divisive, we may cede millions of votes to Republicans.
One final note: people not only feel angry, they feel powerless. Having someone express that anger for them can be helpful -- because it confirms to them they are not alone. And if all I did was to validate their anger, that might be grounds for criticism. But I also urge them to act, five days a week.
With due respect, Robert, I disagree with you. I never suggested, nor did I advocate that the miscreant tRump and his cohorts not be held accountable for their lies, their actions, and deeds. Never. However, emotions are not facts nor are feelings.
Dan Rather's excellent piece on Bullies was outstanding. I felt his frustration, his passion for what is right and noble as well. His words allowed one to read, absorb the impact, and pause to think. His "comments" section was not filled with animus but with gratitude, for the most part. I felt the powerful impact of his words and forwarded it to many people. It was outstanding.
One of your readers asked if I had seen McMurrow's video. Of course I did, many times. I admired her and her conviction. She carefully chose her words that hit home and she was impassioned. But her anger was not reduced to name calling, belittling but raising the bar, saying to ALL Americans without insult this is who I am, what I believe, and why I stand here today.
This is very different from snide remarks.
What I wrote here yesterday was built upon what RBG said: "We must criticize without wounding and debate without dehumanizing our opponents. Fight for the things that you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you." McMurrow delivered on that. Isn't that the goal to persuade, inspire people to see a better point of view and then vote for it? If we're whipping up anger, using crass words to express ourselves for the sake of many out of control emotions then we are no better. There is a lot of anger on these pages whether it's your newsletter or Robert Reich or Heather Cox Richardson. Maybe that's a good thing for it gives people a place in which to direct their anger.
Perhaps this is my problem because it does not enlighten me nor enable me to see the whole chessboard and think critically when I read rage. To clarify: You, Robert Reich, Heather CR, are not writing rage-filled messages. Many "Comments," however, and sadly, contain too much anger, which is unbridled so I tune them out for my own well being. Rage does not inform. Crass language does not enlighten. So let us 'agree to disagree.' I'll continue to read Today's Edition but I'll stay off the Comment page.
Leigh Anne, I really like what RBG advised. We should follow her words when talking with people who have not made up their minds or who are open to discussion.
Perhaps name calling is not quite the way to handle most instances. That is not my personal style, either. But to say what Trump or his associates actually did is not name calling.
We need all points of view here. I certainly don’t want you to do anything that will adversely harm your well being, but we need to hear your point of view as well.
I know that I am frustrated and at times angry, I will admit that, over some of the things Republicans are saying and doing. More than that, I am incredulous that so many Americans believe what the Republicans are doing and saying is right.
Please reconsider commenting when you feel it necessary.
Thank you, Virginia. It is kind of you to be reading this a day later. I was publishing a piece yesterday and never saw what RH said. When I read it this morning, I felt obligated to myself and the thinking I put into a response to note that RH put words in my mouth, saying I implied that those Republicans who lie, slander, support the Big Lie should not be held accountable. It was not only incorrect but bordered on chauvinism, i.e., I'll tell the little lady that I, the man, do not agree. I simply never said or implied the things he said I did.
I, too, get very angry and yell at the TV or a news article. BUT, when speaking in a group, I am careful. It is not just about having one's anger for we are human, but when there is animus in the language it is dumping garbage on others.
Think about how many of the T supporters are at two ends of the spectrum: most are in rural areas with little education and no opportunity to engage in critical thinking. (This is not a critique. I live in a rural area and know how they don't think or refuse to consider another point of view).The other T supporters are some of the wealthiest in our country and support him, not because they like him, but because they get wealthier.
So, why, as RH suggests, would Dems want to begin being loud and crass as T and his cronies are? Dems are more educated on the whole and I don't believe they would appreciate a message that is crude and yelling and angry. What we need in the Dem party is oratory. Great rhetoric that came from Roosevelt, Churchill, MLK, JFK, Obama...where simple words soared, touching people's minds and hearts and motivated us to stand and be better. We don't have that in anyone right now.
President Biden says all the right things, but, alas, he is a bit dull. I am grateful he is our President, and, I am saddened that the media and people do not see his amazing accomplishments. We are missing that 'fire in the belly' oratory, though ... it's not about adopting the ways of T and his terrifying rhetoric. Sorry, for the rant. But I want to say thank you, again.
You are welcome, Leigh Anne. I am like you. I live in a rural area. The T followers, one of whom is my daughter in Alabama and another is my son-in-law who lives on the family land right behind me, won’t listen. I can’t talk to them. They talk right over top of me. His wife, my youngest daughter, agrees with me and so does my oldest and her husband.
I can’t listen to angry people. It upsets me. We do need people with fire in their bellies who speak plainly and earnestly, but who do not denigrate people. We do need to point out lies and wrong doing, but we have to talk to people politely when we are trying to win them over just as we would talk to a friend.
Don’t stop adding your comments. We have to have a balanced discussion.
I agree, Robert. I have always tried to hold my temper and not rock the boat, IN THE PAST! Now I am angry. Trump and his cohorts tried to take over our government and turn it into an autocracy, with Trump president for life! The people he admires are so-called “strong men” who are in office for life.
Thank God Macron won! I prayed that he would. Had his opponent won, She would have had France leave Nato. She is against immigrants. The reason that voters, who did not like Macron because he was not doing anything to help the working men and women, voted for him anyway was because they did not like Le Pen’s relationship with Putin. They stood with Ukraine in their fight to retain their country’s sovereignty in the war brought against them by Russia. We must call a spade a spade in order to save our democracy! We don’t have to get down in the gutter to do it, we just have to speak the plain truth.
Lee Ann, no offense taken and understand your concerns about the possibility of extreme behavior. Did you read the Dan Rather link Robert provided and watch the videos ?
A local Florida House Rep, and DeSantis’ bully buddy, was at it again this w-end attacking a school board member. He has called her a whore, prostitute and child-abuser with assorted vulgarities…..all because she supported a mask mandate !! I would never use his words or vulgarities to attack anyone, and I’m assuming many on this forum would agree, but have no qualms about calling him a bully.
Dan made his point CLEARLY and provided his inclusions of powerful speakers who are against the bullies. (Still reporting after all these years. I remember his reporting from Viet Nam.)
Time to call it what it proudly is
Leigh Anne, I can’t totally agree with you on this. I don’t think we have to be hateful like the Republicans are when talking about Democrats. However, we must be strong and call them what they are, what they have been proven to be.
You couldn't be more right, Robert! The cancer that Trump and his corrupt cronies injected into the Republican bloodstream has metastasized and infected the entire party. It is now a party dominated by liars, traitors, crooks, bigots, and authoritarians. And probably a few, a very few, long-time conservatives who are decent people but don't know which way to turn.
Yes Charles. Metastasized and it needs to be treated and not left to further invade
Morning!
Have you seen “The Race” on ABC? I watched yesterday.
So far they’ve had a feature on the infrastructure bill - asking who benefits- then showing a family that will be able to get great care for their disabled son and the caregiver who will have a living wage.
Second feature on vaccines and showing a family that have benefited. Third on climate change and what Biden is trying to do.
All positive. Amazing 😀
I am so pleased Sen Warren called McCarthy out clearly in plain language. Liar and a traitor. Period. Let's learn to talk like this. Well edited points of fact.
Excellent call to action concluding this morning's letter Robert. In respect of Mr. Garland and possible reasons for his delay in prosecuting Meadows, Bannon, et al, a cardinal principle of justice is a swift trial. Anyone who has house-trained a puppy knows that the action and reward have to be closely related to be effective and, since the media and most politicians have about the same attention span, the longer he delays, the less effective even a conviction is likely to be.
I don’t know if it’s culture warring, but Democrats should be attacking Republicans—fairly—for outrages against common decency.
As for selling Merrick Garland short, on present performance that would be difficult.
Another topic: If Twitter sells out to Elon Musk (or another plutocrat) I shall cancel my account. If you feel the same way, put it on your page, and tell others to do the same. If enough users protest it might strengthen management’s backbone.
The first thing Elon Musk will do is allow Trump back on Twitter, confirming that it is one of the greatest threats to democracy (next to the Supreme Court and Facebook) that we face today.
I just posted one of my rare tweets, declaring that if Musk gets the company I'll leave. #twitterfothepublic, #nomusktwitter
I just followed suit and used your hashtag: #nomusktwitter. Thanks!
Oh, Ellen.....if only Musk and Twitter gave a damn about our leaving.
If a few million of us do, they'll care.
:-)
...and the irony is that he's doing this in the name of "Free Speech" when what he apparently wants to do is get rid of anyone who calls him out.
McCarthy and the GOP are working toward bringing the public to a point where the evidence of our senses are no longer believed... to where there Is no evidence we will accept. I suppose he'll say the recording is a fake. If Liz Cheney comes forward to say the recording is true, they'll just call her a liar. If a liar calls you a liar first, a robber calls you a thief first, and loudly enough, truth just sounds like name calling. We wonder why Russians say the dead in Ukraine are just actors, fakes... and they only have official news sources to listen to. We have options (albeit clearly ones weakened by a confusion over both side-ism) and yet here we are.
Help me understand your point. If Kevin McCarthy denies the facts and says that the NYTimes reporting is "false and wrong," what should we do? Ignore it? Counter it? Something else?
Mostly my point was a prediction about what McCarthy and the GOP will do - we'll see if they do it in this specific case. Even if not in this case, it looks to me like the trend is toward inserting ever greater distance between proof and belief so that like many in the Russian population who view photos of corpses in Ukraine and respond "oh, those are actors", nothing will be adequate proof to bring Americans to reevaluate self-comforting beliefs.
It looks to me like ignoring GOP lies is read as concession or guilt.
I believe any attempts to counter GOP lies with explanations need to be confined to the kind of longer in depth, often footnoted, sometimes nuanced articles that require intellectual engagement. We have to reach both 1) audiences that respond well to more intellectually stimulating discussions that require a little more effort as well as 2) those whose attention spans are fleeting; who want things spoon fed. I tend to feel the former - potential consumers of the meatier articles - are already pretty much on board with the Biden administration goals and understand the challenges. For the second group, anything except the simplest strongest "snap", results in them becoming bored, disengaged and is read as "excuses" or, again, weakness. Shapiro counsels using a variety of tactics to get the other side ("libs") to explain themselves because once you're explaining you're on the defensive and have lost (the audience). That's the level of discourse we're faced with. Yet we have to reach those people too - or at least the ones who are at all reachable.
We have to tell the truth in simple strong language, pick the clearest most undeniable examples and keep repeating them. Repeat, repeat, repeat. It's disconcerting how many people absorb things better through repetition regardless of the quality of the source. In fact, much of the psychological research shows people remember oft repeated things without retaining the source (so unreliable sources that are repetitious, like TFG, can be better remembered than reliable ones).
Advertisers know the power of the memorable jingle or zinger, too. Humor makes a snap back enjoyable so it's more readily embraced.
Of course, people who read your newsletter, while we all may relish the sparks of humor and bursts of genuine outrage glinting through the steely self control when describing news developments, are among the population willing to follow up on myriad articles you recommend, and put in the effort. You cannot very well cut explanations out of your more nuanced discussions since that is what they Are.
As to what all of us should also be doing is to bombard social media, newspaper editors, comments sections, and not just in our usual more liberal media sources, with short, strong statements calling out lies and sharing good news. Perhaps we should read up on what therapists recommend to treat victims of gas lighting!
I would like to make the point that I feel it is most important to focus on a positive, values based message rather than name calling, shaming, and pointing to all the negative characteristics and actions of Republicans. Yes, they and their supporters and enablers are horrible people, bullies, liars, traitors, authoritarian's, and anti-democracy. However, spending time and energy on emphasizing all those negative characteristics is unlikely to attract a single vote for Democrats. I believe we need to provide something for people to vote for not something to vote against. Republicans are clearly demonstrating they are the party claiming the party of being against...well, practically damn everything. In fact their party, leadership has made it clear they have NO election-year legislative agenda. Rather it is, put us back in power and then we will tell you what we want to do. They are against a whole raft of issues that are in fact generally popular with most Americans from health care and voting rights, to education and the economy.
Democrats need to reclaim the values discussion and show what values they support and how those are related to policies they advance. Don't talk about multi-point programs, talk about values and how those are tied to challenges and opportunities people face in their daily lives. How are we going to make people’s lives better and why that is important.
Hi, Bruce. Democrats spent the last year-and-a-half focusing on helping the American people build better lives, defending vulnerable Americans, and reestablishing America's place in the world as a reliable ally. What has that achieved? A 25% drop in Biden's popularity. Meanwhile, Republicans are appealing to voters' emotions and nothing else. I did not suggest that we abandon values-based principles. I said that we need to stop treating insurrectionists like they are responsible members of politics. Donald Trump is not a "former President Donald Trump"--he is "twice impeached, coup-plotting former president." If we treat him like he is just another guy running for office, that is how Americans will perceive him.
Robert, I understand and agree with your comments. My apologies if I worded my response poorly to make the point on the importance of values-based messaging and providing voters something positive to vote for not something only to vote against.
In my conversations with voters, particularly those from what I will characterize as the moderate, persuadable middle, I have found many are exhausted by the red versus blue division on every issue. They are looking for a reason to get engaged and excited in upcoming elections. I believe strongly that it is more important to provide them something positive to vote for, not only threatening them with visions of the end of democracy. Do I believe that we really face such a threat? Yes, I do. But if we are to win in any elections at any level in 2022, 2024, or anytime in the future we must have a message that provides people with hope for a better tomorrow, not the end of the world as we know or wish it to be.
Bruce. Thanks for clarification I agree on something positive. So tired of democrat fund raising with only scare emails. No vision. Nothing positive. But gop are factually liars. Peace and Courage In these days to all
I’m in the “Amen corner” Robert. This is truth speaking!!
Bruce, Though I subscribe to much of your thinking, I would submit we also must own the painful truth that in the past 15 months Dems haven’t been able to extend the child tax credit or lower prescription drug costs or improve childcare or raise the minimum wage to $15…, legislation that actually would make people’s lives easier and would be counter-inflationary. Hence, as I repeatedly have suggested, we must prevail upon Senate Dems to pass into law at least a piece of Biden’s BBB social and climate package and present it to voters as a down payment of more to come if Dems retain the House and pick up at least 2 Senate seats. Additionally, were they to build on their majority, Dems, in my view, also would have captured the dynamic of the political conversation in the country for the foreseeable future.
I understand and sympathize with your views. However I remind you that the failure to pass these important legislative items rests primarily with the unanimous Republican opposition to these measures. I encourage all to connect the values in support of those measures to the legislation required. We must try to mobilize voters to help put progressives into positions of power to pass these measures. Simply railing against two recalcitrant Democrats and every Republican will not get any of them passed. We need significant majorities in the House and the Senate to get them done. So let’s tell voters why these are important and what is required to make it happen.
Bruce, Respectfully, my suggestions did not include “railing against two recalcitrant Democrats and every Republican.” That clarified, because politics, largely, is perception and the prevailing sense, fair or not, is that Dems are in charge and largely have been unable to deliver on campaign promises, particularly those that could have a substantial impact on everyday people, prevailing upon Senate Dems to advance at least a piece of Biden’s centerpiece agenda as a down payment of more to come if Dems pick up more seats, frankly, is good politics.