You put very eloquently what I have long felt about centrism. To the rest of the world, our leftists are centrist, our centrists are right wing, and our right wing are fascists. And that is the simple truth.
If the Democrats want to both survive and make a difference, they need to move left. WAY left. Today's young voters feel unrepresented by the Dems; I don't know why the party doesn't see that. I'm 67. I want the party to move left.
The MAGATS have made liberal a dirty word…and we let them. Same thing with “progressive.” I’m a liberal progressive and I can’t understand why we should be ashamed of saying that. Say it loud and proud.
The idea of going into town on Monday and watching the Memotial Day celebrations, with all that's going on these days, is nausiating. I don't think they can round up any tanks and missle launchers for the parade, but who knows?.
Maybe the Zor Shriners can come up with some mini-tanks to drive around to give out candy like those little T-Birds they used to drive around in. Walter - remember those?
They would look kind of like Michael Dukakus in that army tank - while G H W Bush visited a flag factory.. Optics. Polutical discourse at its finest.
Canada has to deal with the white supremacy thing as well, although for much of the 20th century we lived in a state of denial about it. But we were really racist in the 19th century: we repressed our Indigenous people very harshly, at the same time that "patriotic" songs like "The Maple Leaf Forever" celebrated Canada as a "white" country in much the same way Americans did then.
I think Trump's "51st State" rhetoric got us all mad because, subconsciously, we know that we do politics and sociology in a "different" way than the U.S., despite all the similarities.
But our politics continually shift from left to right in parallel to each other's political change (I don't think Brian Mulroney could have ever become Prime Minister, for example, if Ronald Reagan had not become President, because they had very similar political philosophies). And there is no center because, as Yeats put it, "the center cannot hold".
Thank you Isabel! I appreciate that! Sponsorships at any membership level are extremely welcome! I hope the bank sorts out that mess for you with minimum inconvenience!
I previously commented on another post of yours that centrism was put on the political map by Arthur Schlessinger Jr in his 1950 book "The Vital Center". While I still regard that as a brilliant book, it does not change the fact that in the mid-1990s he published a tone deaf attack on identity politics called "The Disuniting of America". So even the best of centrism has limitations.
This is a really good essay. "The simple fact is that white supremacy indoctrination isn't hypothetical, it's happening." Yes, it is happening, and people act like they haven't yet woken up. The United States was, is, and will be racist.
This is just my opinion, but the right wing continues to play dirty and be so incredibly vocal about their warped ideas. Why aren't liberals playing the same dirty game?
We don't have to be dirty, but we do have to counter their toxic indoctrination. The problem is that establishment democrats are the "center" that's actually pulling the strings. We need to swing left and hard!
Perfectly spoken. I do not know how many times I heard democrats are too far left and therefore unelectable. Move to the center. Center is where you get your votes. You are correct, their center of which they speak is far right. That sheft has now caused a major crisis for the democratic constitutional Republic. It is being devoured by the power crazed right. They see no room for all. Too long the democrats tried to make room for all. What we need is something to jar the exclusive club awake.
You put very eloquently what I have long felt about centrism. To the rest of the world, our leftists are centrist, our centrists are right wing, and our right wing are fascists. And that is the simple truth.
If the Democrats want to both survive and make a difference, they need to move left. WAY left. Today's young voters feel unrepresented by the Dems; I don't know why the party doesn't see that. I'm 67. I want the party to move left.
The goal of the centrist is to find the middle ground as its name would suggest, but there is no middle ground between issues such as slavery and freedom; feeding hungry families and punishing parents for not earning a living wage by letting children go hungry; or free speech versus jailing anyone who says something you don’t like. By searching for this middle ground centrists maintain the status quo and nothing changes or they give in on one atrocity to prevent another. Jim Crow Laws would have never existed without the centrist placating the bruised egos of the defeated Southern state legislators.
I think the idea of finding middle ground is their deceit. They really want to delay progress. You're absolutely right that we shouldn't entertain justifications for crimes against humanity. Thank you!
Your opinion is just that -- your opinion. Those who hide behind 'more complex' are those who usually make things opaque and verbose to hide the original simplicity of the idea. The conversation is over; you have convinced me of nothing except that everything is too complex for understanding.
Progress as it is presently manifesting is not progress. It is actually a devolution to a Wild-West mentality of nothingness. Of course there is a center. Nothing balances on a pole. Perhaps the center is a starting point, but it must be there. It is the mean.
You put very eloquently what I have long felt about centrism. To the rest of the world, our leftists are centrist, our centrists are right wing, and our right wing are fascists. And that is the simple truth.
If the Democrats want to both survive and make a difference, they need to move left. WAY left. Today's young voters feel unrepresented by the Dems; I don't know why the party doesn't see that. I'm 67. I want the party to move left.
Yup. Moving left will be the only way to undo the damage we're going through right now. We have to keep saying it and be loud.
The MAGATS have made liberal a dirty word…and we let them. Same thing with “progressive.” I’m a liberal progressive and I can’t understand why we should be ashamed of saying that. Say it loud and proud.
The idea of going into town on Monday and watching the Memotial Day celebrations, with all that's going on these days, is nausiating. I don't think they can round up any tanks and missle launchers for the parade, but who knows?.
Maybe the Zor Shriners can come up with some mini-tanks to drive around to give out candy like those little T-Birds they used to drive around in. Walter - remember those?
They would look kind of like Michael Dukakus in that army tank - while G H W Bush visited a flag factory.. Optics. Polutical discourse at its finest.
Me too. This presidency has ruined the military for me. What freedoms did they preserve. The traitor has taken them away. It's frustrating.
Canada has to deal with the white supremacy thing as well, although for much of the 20th century we lived in a state of denial about it. But we were really racist in the 19th century: we repressed our Indigenous people very harshly, at the same time that "patriotic" songs like "The Maple Leaf Forever" celebrated Canada as a "white" country in much the same way Americans did then.
I think Trump's "51st State" rhetoric got us all mad because, subconsciously, we know that we do politics and sociology in a "different" way than the U.S., despite all the similarities.
But our politics continually shift from left to right in parallel to each other's political change (I don't think Brian Mulroney could have ever become Prime Minister, for example, if Ronald Reagan had not become President, because they had very similar political philosophies). And there is no center because, as Yeats put it, "the center cannot hold".
There's always going to be a swing between right and left, the problem in the US is that we never swing left.
This is absolutely a splendid article. Thank you. My cc has been hacked so I can’t upgrade now, but I really want to continue with you.
Thank you Isabel! I appreciate that! Sponsorships at any membership level are extremely welcome! I hope the bank sorts out that mess for you with minimum inconvenience!
I previously commented on another post of yours that centrism was put on the political map by Arthur Schlessinger Jr in his 1950 book "The Vital Center". While I still regard that as a brilliant book, it does not change the fact that in the mid-1990s he published a tone deaf attack on identity politics called "The Disuniting of America". So even the best of centrism has limitations.
Walter,
This is a really good essay. "The simple fact is that white supremacy indoctrination isn't hypothetical, it's happening." Yes, it is happening, and people act like they haven't yet woken up. The United States was, is, and will be racist.
This is just my opinion, but the right wing continues to play dirty and be so incredibly vocal about their warped ideas. Why aren't liberals playing the same dirty game?
We don't have to be dirty, but we do have to counter their toxic indoctrination. The problem is that establishment democrats are the "center" that's actually pulling the strings. We need to swing left and hard!
Yes!
Thanks Beth!
"You mean I should emulate the respectful and courteous way that conservatives have always talked about liberals?”
Good shot.
Perfectly spoken. I do not know how many times I heard democrats are too far left and therefore unelectable. Move to the center. Center is where you get your votes. You are correct, their center of which they speak is far right. That sheft has now caused a major crisis for the democratic constitutional Republic. It is being devoured by the power crazed right. They see no room for all. Too long the democrats tried to make room for all. What we need is something to jar the exclusive club awake.
Absolutely excellent!!
Thank you Shari!
I think you’re correct. The jig is up.
You put very eloquently what I have long felt about centrism. To the rest of the world, our leftists are centrist, our centrists are right wing, and our right wing are fascists. And that is the simple truth.
If the Democrats want to both survive and make a difference, they need to move left. WAY left. Today's young voters feel unrepresented by the Dems; I don't know why the party doesn't see that. I'm 67. I want the party to move left.
Absolutely true.
The goal of the centrist is to find the middle ground as its name would suggest, but there is no middle ground between issues such as slavery and freedom; feeding hungry families and punishing parents for not earning a living wage by letting children go hungry; or free speech versus jailing anyone who says something you don’t like. By searching for this middle ground centrists maintain the status quo and nothing changes or they give in on one atrocity to prevent another. Jim Crow Laws would have never existed without the centrist placating the bruised egos of the defeated Southern state legislators.
I think the idea of finding middle ground is their deceit. They really want to delay progress. You're absolutely right that we shouldn't entertain justifications for crimes against humanity. Thank you!
Your opinion is just that -- your opinion. Those who hide behind 'more complex' are those who usually make things opaque and verbose to hide the original simplicity of the idea. The conversation is over; you have convinced me of nothing except that everything is too complex for understanding.
No. Center is where issues are mutually shared. It is where conversation can begin. Without a center, there is nothing.
No. The "center" doesn't exist. It's a lie designed to halt progress.
Progress as it is presently manifesting is not progress. It is actually a devolution to a Wild-West mentality of nothingness. Of course there is a center. Nothing balances on a pole. Perhaps the center is a starting point, but it must be there. It is the mean.
Nope. The center is the lie that obstructs progress. You’re imposing a false model on a reality that is far more complex than you want to see.
Overt authenticity is ALWAYS preferable to mealy-mouthed hypocrisy and fencesitting.
If you espouse repulsive views: state it openly, no shame.
Be loud and proud.
After all, your president and his henchmen will back you up 100%.
why do people insist on elections?
Sortition is the ONLY way.
With elections youre perpetuating lobbyists like PACs and Super-PACs.
Youre perpetuating the status quo: one of rich psychos with pedigrees and MBA/JDs.
I dont know any rich; i dont know any MBAs or lawyers.
And i -wouldnt- hang out with them if i did.
If you want leadership find philosophers and ethicists and economists: not...businessmen bankers and lawyers