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Bev's avatar

Both parties pay attention to who funds them, rather than to their constituents. As long as big money..or ANY money is allowed in our elections, the working class will be screwed.

My adult grandchild is going to a NYC protest rally today and has been at two others this year. All money out of all elections. We are, right now, living under an authoritarian regime and it is very possible there will be no more fair elections.

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Philip B.'s avatar

You've summed it up beautifully. The millionaire Dems and the millionaire/billionaire MAGAs are all hedging their bets on how this is going to roll out. Bottom line: Human needs will always be subservient to capital needs. Our aging Dem leadership has lost its moral compass. Time to put any financial considerations aside and take a stand---while they still can.

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Barbara Tolley's avatar

I have also been pleading with my reps from NY to scream, shout, walk out, lie down, do anything to express their outrage.

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David Richardson's avatar

INFLUENCE, ~Robert Cialdini

He writes an entire chapter on SOCIAL PROOF! It is probably why I'm going to demonstrate today at six o'clock. It is why people participate in the "wave" at a football game. It is why buffalo move in herds and fish swim in schools. SOCIAL PiOOF is about survival; it's primitive!

It is a powerful tool used in marketing and politics, unannounced. It is a subconscious reflex that has been used on me and you our entire lives. It requires no conscious thought.

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Regina Islas's avatar

Keep up the good trouble Sisters & Brothers-we must we are called ❤️‍🔥

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Judy Allen's avatar

Go with Mandami! He's the inspiration right now, and stodgy fearful Dems should get out of the way and let younger, courageous, dedicated and determined people lead out of despair and into power and sunshine!

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Agent#99's avatar

Interesting stats, and you really made me think, Anand- I'd be interested in knowing the economic breakdown of those who responded to the survey. Generally, it is much easier to be positive when you are a "have" rather than a "have not". It's also easier to respond "yes" if you moved from a lower economic situation and climbed the proverbial ladder because then, you would know it was possible to achieve. If you are still, not by choice, closer to the bottom economic rung, that ladder climb looks daunting or nearly impossible. It's easier to say "yes" when the dream surrounds you rather than when the dream is 100 feet above you. Another aspect is the expectation of that dream- freedom to be yourself, having a loving family, achieving the job of your choosing, or becoming filthy rich. I'd be interested as well to know the racial composition or citizenship from of those who responded. If I am Black or Brown, maybe I don't see it; if I come from another country maybe getting out WAS the dream! It's a great topic for a capitalistic country, where we were told for our whole lives that you can "achieve anything you want to" or that we can "be whoever we want to be." Have I achieved my dream for me- mostly yes, with a lot of hard work and some opportunities. But have I observed many others who face a daily struggle still, after many years- yes! But after all, this is a capitalistic country, and we all know as such, certain unfairness exists, and the crux of it is that some fulfill their financial dreams... off the backs of others. :( I know this, if a Party is taking away your dream, protest it, email your representatives, change Parties, or build something new. There is a fine line between dreams and nightmares.

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Claridge's avatar

I heard a man from Iceland remark that the protests in America, in this moment of peril are "obedient," that is to say they are convenient, quiet and mostly don't get in anyone's way. I think that is right. Right now we have a democratic emergency. Looking to the 1960s civil rights protests is not the right analog to this moment, IMHO. Seems to me that the Democrats, particularly, and liberals, in general, have been quieted by their politicians to "not go too far." Well, obedient, well-educated as we are, we have learned that lesson too well.

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Steven Knoblauch's avatar

You break it. You own it.

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Barbara Tolley's avatar

But trump gives nothing to his supporters but lies and more lies. It is only for him and the .05 percent.

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