It doesn't matter how much we may agree on various policies. Without democracy, we will not be able to debate and discuss. We'll be at the whims of an authoritarian. Our democracy faces an existential threat.
Thank you for your comment. I agree in greatest part. To clarify, I would say that *what is left* of our republic is hanging by a thread. Either way, there can be neither democracy nor republic without the support and alliance of our fellow citizens. I can't see how it can happen any other way. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts.
Agree that media may be doing IT's job, as has been the corporate tradition of bias and pandering to a side (advertisers pay for), but I hope the future continues to evolve into independent media. The podcast and substack formats seem to be bringing forward happenings and analysis far before the broadcasts do. News shows have turned into repeat-repeat-repeat soundbite-ology or quite simply been tasked to infomercial selling products and big pharma. Is this because people really don't know when to stop watching the news?
I do share common interests with some of the Rz, especially with independence mind-your-own-business western friends. But, when they start their poor-me vitriol spewing 45's hate-filled points, is too hideous for my sensitive earlobes to tolerate. 10% change isn't enough on the magat side. The terror they are reining on far too many 'others' is horrifying.
I do want women and men to realize that with the myriad of faults of the dems and Rz - the suggestion of the removal of these rights cannot be tolerated: voting rights, women's rights to ALL health care, civil rights of people to exist, right to read books, right to the freedom from legislated confines to any particular religion. I can't see both sideisms in most of these things. I only hope democracy can power through and survive their difficult CHOICE in 2024. My choice is easy.
Thanks for your comment, Jeanette. Agree 100% on MSM ... useless. And the same is true with PBS Newshour. Granted they have made SOME attempt recently to be at least nominally fair on Gaza; but beat the war-drums for Ukraine and by and large they're just a state mouthpiece with a sweet frosting of smug liberal feel-goodism. i would say at this point that 95% of my info comes from independent sources with a smattering of AP, RT, and Al Jazeera.
Regarding your list of 'not tolerated' rights, the interesting thing is that many polls show that nominal MAGAs and other Rs actually support many of them. i continue to believe that the hard-core Christian dominionists, anti-everything and so-called 'pro-life' evangelicals actually account for 30% or less of the electorate ... even smaller percentage in the whole population. But they are ANGRY, MOTIVATED, and ACTIVE. And since most elections see 50% or a bit more of the electorate voting, it magnifies their power out of relation to their actual numbers. And this also overlooks the great number of unregistered citizens who take zero part. Another problem is that the Dem opposition is so corrupt, weak, and co-opted -- not to mention superannuated -- that people can't get excited about them. Instead of offering leadership, they lead us into disastrous wars that bankrupt the country and focus on "identity" issues that excite only a fraction of the populace and piss off the rest. AND the Democrats are a wholly owned subsidiary -- like the Republicans -- of the corporate/financial plutocracy.
Tucker Carlson had a big opportunity on Fox News and wasted it on vitriolic, hateful speech. Now, after time to reflect on his behavior, he’s trying to come across as a reasonable and caring citizen. He says “all Democrats are bad” that’s proof right there that he doesn’t think before he speaks.
thanks for your reply, Rose. YES the 'think before you speak' issue is operative for sure. I also see that Carlson is like broadcasters Left, Right, and Center -- he will say and do whatever gets him more attention and $$. But politics makes strange bedfellows. i think that on issues upon which we agree (with the Right), we must learn to work together.
It doesn't matter how much we may agree on various policies. Without democracy, we will not be able to debate and discuss. We'll be at the whims of an authoritarian. Our democracy faces an existential threat.
Thank you for your comment. I agree in greatest part. To clarify, I would say that *what is left* of our republic is hanging by a thread. Either way, there can be neither democracy nor republic without the support and alliance of our fellow citizens. I can't see how it can happen any other way. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts.
Agree that media may be doing IT's job, as has been the corporate tradition of bias and pandering to a side (advertisers pay for), but I hope the future continues to evolve into independent media. The podcast and substack formats seem to be bringing forward happenings and analysis far before the broadcasts do. News shows have turned into repeat-repeat-repeat soundbite-ology or quite simply been tasked to infomercial selling products and big pharma. Is this because people really don't know when to stop watching the news?
I do share common interests with some of the Rz, especially with independence mind-your-own-business western friends. But, when they start their poor-me vitriol spewing 45's hate-filled points, is too hideous for my sensitive earlobes to tolerate. 10% change isn't enough on the magat side. The terror they are reining on far too many 'others' is horrifying.
I do want women and men to realize that with the myriad of faults of the dems and Rz - the suggestion of the removal of these rights cannot be tolerated: voting rights, women's rights to ALL health care, civil rights of people to exist, right to read books, right to the freedom from legislated confines to any particular religion. I can't see both sideisms in most of these things. I only hope democracy can power through and survive their difficult CHOICE in 2024. My choice is easy.
Thanks for your comment, Jeanette. Agree 100% on MSM ... useless. And the same is true with PBS Newshour. Granted they have made SOME attempt recently to be at least nominally fair on Gaza; but beat the war-drums for Ukraine and by and large they're just a state mouthpiece with a sweet frosting of smug liberal feel-goodism. i would say at this point that 95% of my info comes from independent sources with a smattering of AP, RT, and Al Jazeera.
Regarding your list of 'not tolerated' rights, the interesting thing is that many polls show that nominal MAGAs and other Rs actually support many of them. i continue to believe that the hard-core Christian dominionists, anti-everything and so-called 'pro-life' evangelicals actually account for 30% or less of the electorate ... even smaller percentage in the whole population. But they are ANGRY, MOTIVATED, and ACTIVE. And since most elections see 50% or a bit more of the electorate voting, it magnifies their power out of relation to their actual numbers. And this also overlooks the great number of unregistered citizens who take zero part. Another problem is that the Dem opposition is so corrupt, weak, and co-opted -- not to mention superannuated -- that people can't get excited about them. Instead of offering leadership, they lead us into disastrous wars that bankrupt the country and focus on "identity" issues that excite only a fraction of the populace and piss off the rest. AND the Democrats are a wholly owned subsidiary -- like the Republicans -- of the corporate/financial plutocracy.
Thanks again for your thoughts.
Tucker Carlson had a big opportunity on Fox News and wasted it on vitriolic, hateful speech. Now, after time to reflect on his behavior, he’s trying to come across as a reasonable and caring citizen. He says “all Democrats are bad” that’s proof right there that he doesn’t think before he speaks.
thanks for your reply, Rose. YES the 'think before you speak' issue is operative for sure. I also see that Carlson is like broadcasters Left, Right, and Center -- he will say and do whatever gets him more attention and $$. But politics makes strange bedfellows. i think that on issues upon which we agree (with the Right), we must learn to work together.
Well said.