When people say both parties are the same...call their bullshit. One party keeps removing these protections at state and local levels: the GOP. One party keeps making them happen again: The Democratic Party. If the repeal of Roe v. Wade and viciousness of how GOP is using it to go after women's health isn't a wake up call I don't know what will. Remember to get out and vote and vote remember that. #uspoli #Election2024 https://news.yahoo.com/biden-administration-protect-gay-transgender-130028711.html
Biden revives LGBT protections against healthcare discrimination
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Gay and transgender people will be protected against sex discrimination in healthcare, the U.S. health secretary said on Monday, as...Doina Chiacu (Yahoo News)
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randygalbraith
in reply to Hank G ☑️ • • •At a rally in Florida a Trump supporter yelled out "shoot em" in regards immigrants. Immigration is a big issues for many in the GOP. And while the truly mean-spirited individuals who would suggest, even as a sarcastic joke, that it would be okay to "shoot" immigrants, well, no need to reach to them. But to others more traditional GOP supporters, especially those who would identify as Christian, the question is: Do you see yourself as carrying such profound lack of compassion? The plight of every immigrant should be of no concern? What about the birth account of Jesus wherein an Angel of the Lord told Joseph to flee to Egypt because the life of Jesus was being threatened?
A completely idealistic political party is likely one that will never hold power. Compromises and meeting in the middle is sometimes required. George H. W. Bush famously campaigned on "read my lips, no new taxes" -- but to keep a functional USA going he had to let go of that ideal.
Thus I do think "both parties are similar" had some merit -- in the past. But not now. The GOP is not completely
... show moreAt a rally in Florida a Trump supporter yelled out "shoot em" in regards immigrants. Immigration is a big issues for many in the GOP. And while the truly mean-spirited individuals who would suggest, even as a sarcastic joke, that it would be okay to "shoot" immigrants, well, no need to reach to them. But to others more traditional GOP supporters, especially those who would identify as Christian, the question is: Do you see yourself as carrying such profound lack of compassion? The plight of every immigrant should be of no concern? What about the birth account of Jesus wherein an Angel of the Lord told Joseph to flee to Egypt because the life of Jesus was being threatened?
A completely idealistic political party is likely one that will never hold power. Compromises and meeting in the middle is sometimes required. George H. W. Bush famously campaigned on "read my lips, no new taxes" -- but to keep a functional USA going he had to let go of that ideal.
Thus I do think "both parties are similar" had some merit -- in the past. But not now. The GOP is not completely beholding to the whims of Donald Trump. And he in turn is concerned only about one thing -- having power. And having everyone around him be unquestionably loyal to him.
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randygalbraith
in reply to Hank G ☑️ • • •libramoon
in reply to Hank G ☑️ • • •Hank G ☑️ likes this.
tomgrzybow
in reply to Hank G ☑️ • • •Thus I do think “both parties are similar” had some merit
OK, but what are we supposed to do if the Democrats become, or are, old-fashioned Republicans?
Hank G ☑️
in reply to tomgrzybow • •Old fashioned Republicans got a lot of things right. Modern day Democratic Party is moving in the correct general direction on most issues. Even the worst of them, Manchin for example, is just moving too slowly on some even if he is in the wrong direction on others (reducing GHG emissions for example). Which is very very much better than racing in the wrong direction with the GOP. So the answer is locally try to raise candidates that move more in the correct direction that can still win elections at the local, state, and federal level. The latter, winning elections, is the primary thing still though. That is where the actual power is. Fuck this "moral victory" bullshit of "making a point". A secondary thing is actually start working on the infuencing people with marketing/messaging etc. This is a structural problem on the left. How is it that the right can win so many of the messaging arguments and take ownership of foundational words like "freedom", "patriotism", "Real Americans", "pro-family", etc. which people on the left being painted in CW as the opposite of that? They know h
... show moreOld fashioned Republicans got a lot of things right. Modern day Democratic Party is moving in the correct general direction on most issues. Even the worst of them, Manchin for example, is just moving too slowly on some even if he is in the wrong direction on others (reducing GHG emissions for example). Which is very very much better than racing in the wrong direction with the GOP. So the answer is locally try to raise candidates that move more in the correct direction that can still win elections at the local, state, and federal level. The latter, winning elections, is the primary thing still though. That is where the actual power is. Fuck this "moral victory" bullshit of "making a point". A secondary thing is actually start working on the infuencing people with marketing/messaging etc. This is a structural problem on the left. How is it that the right can win so many of the messaging arguments and take ownership of foundational words like "freedom", "patriotism", "Real Americans", "pro-family", etc. which people on the left being painted in CW as the opposite of that? They know how to work the media system to push those narratives. That's not something individuals can do. That's going to take real organizing. Protests, marches, etc. have their place too but skipping the influencing things in a more persistent, almost subconscious, mainstream information flow way has been chronically missing for way way too long. The right wing has natural advantages making it easier for them to do it as well. Whether it is easier or not it is still something that needs to be done to really move the needle.
This is going to be a multi-decade process. The right wing has had the patience to do that and been very well rewarded for it. Now look at the situation we are in.
randygalbraith
in reply to Hank G ☑️ • • •Yes, very good question @tomgrzybow@societas.online. For me part of the answer relates to published party platform. Am I comfortable with the platform? Generally I am. So I'm a registered Democrat. But of course there are specific choices made by Democrats, including President Biden, I may disagree with. I take note. If the drift went too far then I would leave the party. That is part of my argument here. That Republicans from the George H. W. Bush era should take stock and for some come to the conclusion their beloved party is basically no more.
The "both parties are the same" can lead to apathy. And objectively it is false. The Supreme Court nominees Hillary Clinton would have put forth would not have been the ones ultimately installed by Trump and the GOP senate.
Thus, I'd argue, our voting matters, even when we cast a vote for a candidate who is not perfectly aligned with our point of view.
My other argument is voting is just one thing. Th
... show moreYes, very good question @tomgrzybow@societas.online. For me part of the answer relates to published party platform. Am I comfortable with the platform? Generally I am. So I'm a registered Democrat. But of course there are specific choices made by Democrats, including President Biden, I may disagree with. I take note. If the drift went too far then I would leave the party. That is part of my argument here. That Republicans from the George H. W. Bush era should take stock and for some come to the conclusion their beloved party is basically no more.
The "both parties are the same" can lead to apathy. And objectively it is false. The Supreme Court nominees Hillary Clinton would have put forth would not have been the ones ultimately installed by Trump and the GOP senate.
Thus, I'd argue, our voting matters, even when we cast a vote for a candidate who is not perfectly aligned with our point of view.
My other argument is voting is just one thing. There is much we can do beyond voting. My wife Wendy volunteers at a cat rescue. At Wal-Mart the other day there was an opportunity to buy food bank pre-packaged brown bag. Now, I don't like Wal-Mart and generally I avoid them. At the same time, I don't want to be in a constant moral fight-space with family members. In this case, I know Wendy doesn't like the fact our Honda Pilot is often so dirty. So given that she was returning some Wal-Mart items anyway we picked up the power-spray wash we'll use on the car. But, hey, I saw those brown-bags, so lets pick one of those up too.
Posting here in social media, some may suggest, is not much. I disagree. I haven't said much about the war in Israel. I'm fairly ignorant on such subjects, so I'm not sure what I can add. But... I appreciate what others have posted and I'm reading. And of course, my heart breaks, to see such violence visited upon innocent people.
So, even if Democrat party were to drift in this or that direction, I'd argue it still doesn't stop us from trying to do the most good we can each day.
Cheers, -Randy
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tomgrzybow
in reply to Hank G ☑️ • • •Hank G ☑️ likes this.
tomgrzybow
in reply to Hank G ☑️ • • •