Really thoughtful conversation. Maybe because most people don't follow our overseas interventions that closely, and they've been so destructive, it's easy for progressives to use them to write off America entirely, discarding the traditions of all who have struggled and sometimes made progress for justice. And because Trump has been so damaging, to write off those who voted for him without recognizing that they were voting from misinformation and pain and that some of them could be won back and long term must be won back.
Paul Loeb, author Soul of a Citizen and The Impossible Will Take a Little While
“The way to move past Trumpism is to champion drastically, boldly upending what wasn’t working…”
One way to champion drastically boldly upending what is not working is nonviolent revolution. Just because we were not the first country to make a significant change through nonviolent revolution does not mean we should not look at others who have changed the government and economy successfully without violence.
The definition of revolution is a rapid, fundamental change in a countries political system, government or social structure usually driven by wide spread action. A revolution doesn't just change who is in charge, it changes how the system works. (This eerily sounds like what project 2025 planned to do, and in a very short time have fulfilled their goals!)
Here are 9 examples of successful nonviolent revolutions.
POLAND and Solidarity (1980s)- led by Lech Walesa with mass labor strikes and negotiations led to a peaceful transition to Democracy.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA-Velvet Revolution in 1989. The result was the end of communist rule with almost no violence.
EAST GERMANY-Peaceful Revolution 1989 resulting in the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification with Germany.
PHILIPPINES -People Power Revolution in 1986- removed Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of democracy under Corazon Aquino
ESTONIA-The Singing Revolution (1987to1991) led to Estonia regaining independence from the Soviet Union. It is considered one of the most successful examples of mass nonviolent resistance in modern history.
TUNISIA-The Jasmine Revolution (2011) Nonviolent protests led to leadership change and democratic reforms.
SERBIA-Bulldozer Revolution (2000) Student led movement used Nonviolent tactics-Overthrew Slobodan Miolosevic with a transition to democracy
GEORGIA- Rose Revolution (2003) Peaceful resignation of the president and new elections.
UKRAINE-Orange Revolution (2004) Mas protests against election fraud resulting in re-run election and political reforms.
WITH ALL OF THIS HISTORY TO BUILD ON, WHY NOT US? Certainly we will try all strategies at our disposal, but if they fail, do not give up! We have options.
You have correctly analyzed Abdul's approach and analysis. I have seen him give more than four presentations this primary season and have been backing him since he ran for Gov. in 2017. We need him and 49 more U.S. Senators like him. Than we could take care of business -- no problem.
I agree wholeheartedly with this perspective. Listen first; empathy first; people come to their convictions honestly. Then you can talk -- not fight, talk. Mamdani in NY is a good example of something that worked and works. Granted, the USA is not New York City.
Yes, definitely address what made Trump(ism) possible. Yet that is a tall order of multiple, interacting reasons and issues including political frameworks, legal systems that work against less well-off, unfair distribution of resources. That just names some that militate against effective policy making, power sharing and organizing. Nor does it address the ping pong of progress and regression of our history. What is the synthesis to transcend? Who are the people that will lead this and what resources will have to be marshaled? Ruth Schimel
You won't get the Democratic establishment agree, I bet. The change he wants they don't really want. The renewal he seeks, they don't really want. And, now, watch as they start talking about "electability" in Maine and elsewhere -- so we have to settle for vanilla? I hope not.
Agree absolutely that Democrats have been screaming "Vanilla". The virtue signaling has got to stop. They need to get a clue and get rid of the virtual septum piercings and compost buckets. America is not the old New Yorker cartoon map of New York, nothing in the middle 3,000 miles, and then California. And Democrats need to wake up to the fact that a Swiss Army knife is not protection against a Republican Uzi, and for heaven's sake, take a page from trump's not so secret verbal weapon tic: repetition, repetition, repetition - until it's an alternative truth worm wriggled into the national consciousness.
Exhibit #1 of the Democratic failure was the jaw dropping timidity and lack of aggressive action around showing - repeatedly- the feces smeared on the walls in the Capitol on January 6, 2021, the gruesome wounds to the police protecting it, the cowardice and hideous photographic reality, pre- AI manipulation. It should have been shown on a network, cable, social media loop for months until it became the de facto reality of truth about trump and maga, crushing their narrative. That was the chance, the time to rally the U.S around patriotic democracy. The thread was lost, and we can have all the No Kings rallies for the next decade to our peril. Funny posters, the Obama " We go high" is a losing proposition now.
However, as someone who has spent a lifetime twisting my self into a pretzel trying to see other's POV and empathize (usually men), holding out umpteen olive branches, trying to understand "where they were coming from", how they got there, and what made them that way (the psychology of it), I must say that, now, I'm done. Not crying over trump's poor, misguided enablers who voted against their own self interests (twice). They made their bed of thorns, and I'm not going to help them change the mattress and sheets. F**k it, they can lie in it.
I think this is overly simplistic. Of course, there are some things that are keepers in the American democratic system, at least some things the founders put on paper. But the same issues that have plagued the country since its inception are still there. The fact that the founders could not live out their enlightenment values and those that were put on paper have just been stomped on by SCOTUS again in 2026 tell us a lot. The same issues still plague us. Thinking these very deep-rooted problems can be solved with empathy is incredibly naive.
Do we need to win people over, so to speak, in order to move forward with more progressive policy? If so, God help us. Or do we need to JUST DO IT and the people will follow later when they see the benefits?
Exhibit A: Obamacare - the "conservatives" were against it until they experienced the benefits.
It boils down to this question: what are Americans going to be doing in this century besides being baristas and international policemen? It will require retraining for people- so everyone can work at a well paying job. But this question is at the heart of the problem and MAGA. If this is not addressed, nothing will change. Apple, Meta etc can pay for this. They will need trained people.
Thank you for running this again. I loved him the first time! I'm a doc, too, though retired. He's really smart and thoughtful, and has a big heart! I hope he wins!
Really thoughtful conversation. Maybe because most people don't follow our overseas interventions that closely, and they've been so destructive, it's easy for progressives to use them to write off America entirely, discarding the traditions of all who have struggled and sometimes made progress for justice. And because Trump has been so damaging, to write off those who voted for him without recognizing that they were voting from misinformation and pain and that some of them could be won back and long term must be won back.
Paul Loeb, author Soul of a Citizen and The Impossible Will Take a Little While
“The way to move past Trumpism is to champion drastically, boldly upending what wasn’t working…”
One way to champion drastically boldly upending what is not working is nonviolent revolution. Just because we were not the first country to make a significant change through nonviolent revolution does not mean we should not look at others who have changed the government and economy successfully without violence.
The definition of revolution is a rapid, fundamental change in a countries political system, government or social structure usually driven by wide spread action. A revolution doesn't just change who is in charge, it changes how the system works. (This eerily sounds like what project 2025 planned to do, and in a very short time have fulfilled their goals!)
Here are 9 examples of successful nonviolent revolutions.
POLAND and Solidarity (1980s)- led by Lech Walesa with mass labor strikes and negotiations led to a peaceful transition to Democracy.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA-Velvet Revolution in 1989. The result was the end of communist rule with almost no violence.
EAST GERMANY-Peaceful Revolution 1989 resulting in the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification with Germany.
PHILIPPINES -People Power Revolution in 1986- removed Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of democracy under Corazon Aquino
ESTONIA-The Singing Revolution (1987to1991) led to Estonia regaining independence from the Soviet Union. It is considered one of the most successful examples of mass nonviolent resistance in modern history.
TUNISIA-The Jasmine Revolution (2011) Nonviolent protests led to leadership change and democratic reforms.
SERBIA-Bulldozer Revolution (2000) Student led movement used Nonviolent tactics-Overthrew Slobodan Miolosevic with a transition to democracy
GEORGIA- Rose Revolution (2003) Peaceful resignation of the president and new elections.
UKRAINE-Orange Revolution (2004) Mas protests against election fraud resulting in re-run election and political reforms.
WITH ALL OF THIS HISTORY TO BUILD ON, WHY NOT US? Certainly we will try all strategies at our disposal, but if they fail, do not give up! We have options.
You have correctly analyzed Abdul's approach and analysis. I have seen him give more than four presentations this primary season and have been backing him since he ran for Gov. in 2017. We need him and 49 more U.S. Senators like him. Than we could take care of business -- no problem.
He brings a scientific analysis of public policy to the average person.
Michigander’s love him and hope he becomes their Senator soon.
But an outside PAC with an agenda have dumped many millions to steal the election, AIPAC.
I did not vote for Bibi!
I agree wholeheartedly with this perspective. Listen first; empathy first; people come to their convictions honestly. Then you can talk -- not fight, talk. Mamdani in NY is a good example of something that worked and works. Granted, the USA is not New York City.
Yes, definitely address what made Trump(ism) possible. Yet that is a tall order of multiple, interacting reasons and issues including political frameworks, legal systems that work against less well-off, unfair distribution of resources. That just names some that militate against effective policy making, power sharing and organizing. Nor does it address the ping pong of progress and regression of our history. What is the synthesis to transcend? Who are the people that will lead this and what resources will have to be marshaled? Ruth Schimel
This was actually one of the the most powerful and important term stories. I’ve read in a long while. I think he’s really got it right
thank you, i need to be reminded to shut my mouth and open my arms. and i look forward to voting for him soon!
You won't get the Democratic establishment agree, I bet. The change he wants they don't really want. The renewal he seeks, they don't really want. And, now, watch as they start talking about "electability" in Maine and elsewhere -- so we have to settle for vanilla? I hope not.
Agree absolutely that Democrats have been screaming "Vanilla". The virtue signaling has got to stop. They need to get a clue and get rid of the virtual septum piercings and compost buckets. America is not the old New Yorker cartoon map of New York, nothing in the middle 3,000 miles, and then California. And Democrats need to wake up to the fact that a Swiss Army knife is not protection against a Republican Uzi, and for heaven's sake, take a page from trump's not so secret verbal weapon tic: repetition, repetition, repetition - until it's an alternative truth worm wriggled into the national consciousness.
Exhibit #1 of the Democratic failure was the jaw dropping timidity and lack of aggressive action around showing - repeatedly- the feces smeared on the walls in the Capitol on January 6, 2021, the gruesome wounds to the police protecting it, the cowardice and hideous photographic reality, pre- AI manipulation. It should have been shown on a network, cable, social media loop for months until it became the de facto reality of truth about trump and maga, crushing their narrative. That was the chance, the time to rally the U.S around patriotic democracy. The thread was lost, and we can have all the No Kings rallies for the next decade to our peril. Funny posters, the Obama " We go high" is a losing proposition now.
However, as someone who has spent a lifetime twisting my self into a pretzel trying to see other's POV and empathize (usually men), holding out umpteen olive branches, trying to understand "where they were coming from", how they got there, and what made them that way (the psychology of it), I must say that, now, I'm done. Not crying over trump's poor, misguided enablers who voted against their own self interests (twice). They made their bed of thorns, and I'm not going to help them change the mattress and sheets. F**k it, they can lie in it.
I’m in whole-hearted 💖agreement with him!! And I have a poli-sci/sociology masters, not a MD! Thx for this great introduction!👍🙏
Such a refreshing, much needed perspective. Thank you for sharing.
I greatly admire Abdul & support his campaign. Wish he was in CA running for Governor. Maybe then I could get excited.
I think this is overly simplistic. Of course, there are some things that are keepers in the American democratic system, at least some things the founders put on paper. But the same issues that have plagued the country since its inception are still there. The fact that the founders could not live out their enlightenment values and those that were put on paper have just been stomped on by SCOTUS again in 2026 tell us a lot. The same issues still plague us. Thinking these very deep-rooted problems can be solved with empathy is incredibly naive.
Do we need to win people over, so to speak, in order to move forward with more progressive policy? If so, God help us. Or do we need to JUST DO IT and the people will follow later when they see the benefits?
Exhibit A: Obamacare - the "conservatives" were against it until they experienced the benefits.
I say just drag them in kicking and screaming.
I am so tired of the contempt, the scorn.
I am learning to ask, "Why?"
one of my problems is that I am not very well schooled in responses.
It boils down to this question: what are Americans going to be doing in this century besides being baristas and international policemen? It will require retraining for people- so everyone can work at a well paying job. But this question is at the heart of the problem and MAGA. If this is not addressed, nothing will change. Apple, Meta etc can pay for this. They will need trained people.
Thank you for running this again. I loved him the first time! I'm a doc, too, though retired. He's really smart and thoughtful, and has a big heart! I hope he wins!