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Naima  (NM)'s avatar

We can think of them as Prodigal Children, brethren, and indeed welcome them. Ridiculing them, calling them names, etc., is not the way to unify our democracy. Loving our neighbor as ourselves, remember. And hell no, it ain’t always easy. But worthwhile and the compassionate way? I think so. Thank you Anand.

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Barbara Stumpf's avatar

Hi, Naima. A prodigal child, prodigal kin. Great connection. Thank you for situating our response in its highest ethical context. And heartfelt thanks to Anand for his powerful exhortation.

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Regina Islas's avatar

It's not just math or politics-it's humility and forgiveness too AG. Great to see you 'animated' and passionate. True inclusiveness, Bridge building matters now, especially now. TY for the reminder.

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Priya K's avatar

100%! I understand the anger, but we need a bigger “us”. Time to practice some acceptance and lead by a better example. For MATH reasons and for centering humanity.

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Roman Goz's avatar

Please remember that nobody is “running to us”!! We are like some children waiting for the miracle of that Glorious Moment! No one is running to you Democrats, please let us remember that— yes they have a domestic squabble yes it’s real, but they hate us and everything we stand for— remember “liberalism is a disease!” You really think that they will run to our camp?! Hopping for a hug of forgiveness? The thing that they are going to do is to band together in more militia and now they will hate both Reps and Dems and Anand is a very good writer and journalist and human being but he is not (I think and maybe I’m wrong!) part of humanity who lived for many years under fascism and the way Americans “tease” themselves— oh yeah, now they are finally coming apart at the seams and they are eating each other and you just wait and day after tomorrow and probably Monday you’ll see an event that will bring them together even harder!! They are playing us and I don’t have any specific knowledge about how it’s going to be done but it’s coming and we are going to be disappointed because we took our eyes off the ball of Gest-Gaspacho in masks kidnapping people in our city and country and we are getting used to be disappointed and they see it and how easily they changed the subject from ICE to Epstein conspiracy theory but who actually believes that they are going to release something other than what works for them?!

Please don’t be played again and again!! And if I am not sounding jubilant about THE FILES well I am sorry but I have seen masters doing this and the whole thing is from KGB playbook and it was done like def not something tman created and executed, it is professional job and it working!

Thank you for reading this

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Wendy Voahangy Ravano's avatar

Yes, all of what is happening to the United States now has the stink of KGB playbook and it is going to be worse because of the portion ICE and private contractors will obtain under the Ugly bill. Seriously, everyone shut this down ASAP ✨🙏🏽✨♥️✌🏾✨

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Sandra Alvarez's avatar

I appreciate your rant even though I felt a little guilty. I haven’t piled on any maga people myself but certainly understand the wanting to. You’re absolutely correct. We need open arms. 🤗

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Diane Kirkland's avatar

Thank you, Anand, for your directness in addressing this issue!

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Michele McGurrin's avatar

I agree…. Forgiveness

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kbacon's avatar

thank you for this "rant". Your explanation has really helped in so many ways (e.g. "do you know how many racists voted for Obama?", "did your facts help with your last argument with your spouse" LOL ).

Unfortunately the MAGA folk (in our family!) do not appear to be questioning this yet because they are so angry. But I am hoping

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Friedrike Merck's avatar

As Eckhart Tolle advises, (which re-inforces what the Buddha advised), the power of now, the present is all we have. Grasping for anything else causes pain and suffering.

The past, which gives us identity, and the future, which holds the promise of fulfillment, are illusions that we create or keep alive in our minds.

In order to welcome to the cause of democracy, those who once may have damaged it in the past, we must be present with their reality that now, they are stepping onto a new path. No judgement. Who are we to judge?

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.”

“The Power of Now” Eckhard Tolle

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Penelope Guyton's avatar

I'm SO glad to hear you saying this, Anand. The evolution of consciousness occurs when a group sees that their leader has feet of clay. Our task is definitely to welcome them and help them feel at home in a new way.

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Penelope Guyton's avatar

There is a system that describes the evolution of consciousness in groups called Spiral Dynamics. I wish it was more widely known as it gives clear descriptions as to how we evolve.

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Pat Duke's avatar

It’s a big ask to open the tent. Values are not shared.

Maybe I should take heart and look at how the Germans handled post-nazi. One thing they did was make certain things illegal, such as the swastika. Is it time for us to update the First Amendment?

I certainly think we have to rethink what is treason, which is a knife that can cut both ways in the wrong hands.

I do think a lot of people voted for one issue, and have been backstabbed. To me, that is a clarion call for abandoning the electoral college.

We need a lot of change. We need a progressive, not centrist, platform.

I would love to see churches lose their power and taxation exemption permanently. Make a fool of the pastors who embraced this immoral, sick, man-child.

We cannot vote for anyone who does not see green energy as one of the top 5 challenges. It’s not enough to say it. Who has a plan?

It must be rant day.

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Sophie's avatar

Of course the electoral college has to go. Also the legality of corporate bribery. Lobbying ought to be a verbal, not a financial exercise, as in other countries (at least according to the law). Also, ranked choice voting seems to give people a better choice.

But, I digress.

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Rachel Fisher's avatar

Yes! Now is the time for us to bond with our fellow Americans over having been duped. We ALL want to know the truth about Trump's relationship with Epstein. Let's join the Trump supporters in demanding the truth. We should say to THEM -- This Epstein thing is suspicious. Let's find out the truth together. THEN once we have a relationship, we start asking other questions, and that leads them to wonder what else they didn't ask and what else they were misled about.

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Ida Martinac's avatar

💯

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Marsha Lieberman's avatar

Rant accepted?

Rant EMBRACED!

Brilliant.

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Philip B.'s avatar

This has been a brilliant analysis and summation!!

There is extraordinary potential here, but a splintered MAGA may be more dangerous because of their pent up rage. MAGA folks will not take it Washington. They will not take it to the Capitalists. They will take it out on the “usual suspects”, i.e., the most vulnerable and most

marginalized.

That’s why taking the MAGA defectors in (as Anand has outlined) can serve as a buffer for the most vulnerable and marginalized .

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Tracy Cummings's avatar

I love you! You are so right about all this -- When a person joins a cult, they often join a community and have one. When they leave a cult, they need community. We can be that community. After all, there is no one but us here.

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