2023 Archives

If we want America to become the “we society” that represents the highest outcome of democratic governance, we must get a large enough progressive majority in Congress to can actually pull it off… Ron DeSantis, it’s reported this weekend, is targeting giant corporations and billionaires for money in exchange for political favors: he’s essentially soliciting bribes. How the hell did America get here? There are basically two models for social organization, regardless of all the names. They are “me societies” and “we societies.”

The Best of the Rest of the News. — New tapes show the fake electors plot goes all the way back to before the election was even held! — Some on the right are saying “please stop with the progressive hero worship of Jack Smith & Tanya Chutkan” — but aren’t they in fact heroes? — People are “shocked” and have “never seen anything like this” about Jared Kushner’s billions. Where is the investigation? — If the ruling of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is upheld by the Supreme Court, the abortion drug Mifiprestone will become almost impossible for women to access in Republican-controlled states that have outlawed abortion. — Good News Alert! Climate Change: the kids won their trial in Montana! — Electric cars are facing punitive fees in Red states: why are they blocking progress? — Geeky Science: To paraphrase Napoleon Hill, think and grow young! — Crazy Alert! 13 yr old girl emerges as the new head of QANON cult and vows to indoctrinate kids... Read more at HartmannReport.com. -Thom

There’s a deeper truth here: the Trump/MAGA faction of the GOP hasn't just committed electoral crimes -- they've declared war on democracy itself... While it may be satisfying to call Trump and his enablers “fascists,” there’s a deeper truth here, with which America must come to terms: the Trump/MAGA faction of the GOP has declared war on democracy itself. Funded by rightwing billionaires who, themselves, view democracy as an inconvenient pain-in-the-ass and — when Democrats talk about them “paying their fair share” — an actual threat, these MAGA Republicans have also joined forces with wealthy international elements dedicated to ending democracy all around the world. They’re supported by a media machine itself largely created by rightwing billionaires — Murdoch’s Fox “News,” over 1500 rightwing radio stations, and think-tanks and publications based in every state in the union — dedicated to tearing down democracy in our country and promoting the interests of oligarchs, the fossil fuel industry, and autocrats. They gin up suspicion of racial, religious, and gender minorities to replace the natural distrust working class people have historically had of corporate bosses and the morbidly rich.

We can’t afford any more George W. Bush’s or Donald Trump’s, who were both brought to us by Democratic-leaning voters thinking they were doing the right thing by voting for third party candidates... One of the most fashionable statements these days among progressive-leaning voters who pretend to great political insight is: “I want to vote for the person I like the most, not some party or candidate that I only half-agree with.” Its corollary is: “You’re just trying to get me to vote Democratic because you support that party’s corruption. I won’t be intimidated: I’m going to vote for the best person to run the country!”