One of my frustrations with the Democratic Party is receiving "Surveys" with very good questions but all ending with the one question "will you donate $5; $10; $25?" never an option "not today".
This tells me that they do not care about my response to the survey, they only care about my money!
I think a lot of the mainstream Democratic people are OK with the status quo-- because they aren't actually living it. They get excellent healthcare; they get full pension coverage. They spend HALF their time dialing for dollars. And, oh yes, there's a lot of insider trading that goes on, enriching them.
Retirement from a position of power is, so I understand, a brutal adjustment. It's a sweeping change in your daily life. People you thought were friends no longer have time for you, because you can't do them any favors. There's no one to bring you your chewing gum at the snap of a finger, no one to carry your bags. You can't go on official junkets and stop by Paris on the way home.
And, you may think the nation cannot get on without you.
You have to be 25 or 30 to get into Congress. I think 72 would be a reasonable upper limit. A Bernie will be a Bernie wherever he is, and I'd risk losing him for not having the Feinsteins (90), Nortons (88), Grassleys (92), J. Lewises (80), and Don Youngs (88) staying on and on and on. Others like Grijalva (77), Connolly (75) and Sheila Jackson Lee (74) . died from cancer
There are competent young people around who have more at stake in our future than any 70-something.
I really wonder what other people mean when they say "take on the oligarchs". If it doesn't mean dismantling conglomerates, changing the rules for corporations (including the meaning of fiduciary duty!), taxing rent and capital gains, etc., then it's meaningless. It's those features that cause inequality, and we've let them do it over and over. Why? Do not believe the crap coming from conventional economists, bankers, etc.. Cut them out of the picture. Put working people and conscientious regulators in charge, support them with strong law.
Please don't think that older people aren't in favor of creating a younger-based party. I'm a great-grandmother, devoted to the idea that we must challenge the status quo with new blood and new ideas. I'm there for you, David Hogg - and for your organization.
That the Dem establishment was gobsmacked by Mamdani's win in NYC tells you all you need to know about their mindset: talking to voters about their concerns is hardly a radical approach to running for office, whether in a big liberal city or any mid-sized or small town. Why are they so surprised it worked??? Wake up or get out of our way!
The DNC is SO outdated, out of touch, old school, BLIND to what We The People care about in our lives. The entire structure is not even 20th century. In order to continue they must get an entirely NEW staff at every level. They function purely as a fundraising entity and anything else at this point is antiquated--even though they use modern "tools" it's the same old playbook that hasn't worked in 20 years.
I'm 74. I've been interested and involved in politics as a voter, a protester, and a donor since the Watergate hearings, which I watched intently. After David Hogg left the DNC, I became a recurring contributor to Leaders We Deserve for all the reasons. Particularly exciting to me is your discussion of mentorship. It's something I've been thinking a lot about over the past ten years or so. In more rational and connected cultures, it's a natural role for older folks - and a valued one. This needs to happen for our healthy survival, in my opinion. Entrenched male politicians need to get wise and end their ego trips. And I agree with you, Anand, about that other stage of life. It could be the most beneficial work they ever do for democracy. Thanks to you and to David Hogg for a great conversation.
Fascinating show Anand, thank you. Love learning about the inner workings of the Dem Party. We need change! I support David’s idea of providing a mentor role for the up & coming. This is the kind of thinking that can move us forward as party. There is essential knowledge to be gained from the experiences of those who have lived it.
I had liked David, was hopeful about his work, and dismayed at his treatment by the DNC. So, as a DC metro resident and a past financial supporter of LWD, I thought I would visit the offices of LWD to ask whether it could help ensure one of my Senators get primaried. I looked all over for their location and finally found an address online that turned out to be a PO Box in a UPS store, discovered on a visit there. After that, I tried to contact someone in the org on LIN. No response. Their site solicits donations but doesn't give a way to communicate with them. I was ready to donate much more to see this person primaried, however, now that I can't find their office and can't connect with anyone who works for LWD, I wonder whether this is simply another shill for raising money for themselves. Need more transparency and accountability and ability to connect.
David Hogg is certainly a bright light of the Democratic Party. Knowledgeable, savvy, with high ideals. Thank you for this engaging interview.
One of my frustrations with the Democratic Party is receiving "Surveys" with very good questions but all ending with the one question "will you donate $5; $10; $25?" never an option "not today".
This tells me that they do not care about my response to the survey, they only care about my money!
yup
I think a lot of the mainstream Democratic people are OK with the status quo-- because they aren't actually living it. They get excellent healthcare; they get full pension coverage. They spend HALF their time dialing for dollars. And, oh yes, there's a lot of insider trading that goes on, enriching them.
Retirement from a position of power is, so I understand, a brutal adjustment. It's a sweeping change in your daily life. People you thought were friends no longer have time for you, because you can't do them any favors. There's no one to bring you your chewing gum at the snap of a finger, no one to carry your bags. You can't go on official junkets and stop by Paris on the way home.
And, you may think the nation cannot get on without you.
You have to be 25 or 30 to get into Congress. I think 72 would be a reasonable upper limit. A Bernie will be a Bernie wherever he is, and I'd risk losing him for not having the Feinsteins (90), Nortons (88), Grassleys (92), J. Lewises (80), and Don Youngs (88) staying on and on and on. Others like Grijalva (77), Connolly (75) and Sheila Jackson Lee (74) . died from cancer
There are competent young people around who have more at stake in our future than any 70-something.
I really wonder what other people mean when they say "take on the oligarchs". If it doesn't mean dismantling conglomerates, changing the rules for corporations (including the meaning of fiduciary duty!), taxing rent and capital gains, etc., then it's meaningless. It's those features that cause inequality, and we've let them do it over and over. Why? Do not believe the crap coming from conventional economists, bankers, etc.. Cut them out of the picture. Put working people and conscientious regulators in charge, support them with strong law.
The unmotivated voter is the most powerful voter, yes that nails it.
David Hogg is so inspiring. I’m a monthly giver to his PAC. I’m so excited about 2026 primary season!
Please don't think that older people aren't in favor of creating a younger-based party. I'm a great-grandmother, devoted to the idea that we must challenge the status quo with new blood and new ideas. I'm there for you, David Hogg - and for your organization.
That the Dem establishment was gobsmacked by Mamdani's win in NYC tells you all you need to know about their mindset: talking to voters about their concerns is hardly a radical approach to running for office, whether in a big liberal city or any mid-sized or small town. Why are they so surprised it worked??? Wake up or get out of our way!
The DNC is SO outdated, out of touch, old school, BLIND to what We The People care about in our lives. The entire structure is not even 20th century. In order to continue they must get an entirely NEW staff at every level. They function purely as a fundraising entity and anything else at this point is antiquated--even though they use modern "tools" it's the same old playbook that hasn't worked in 20 years.
Y-E-S we've been saying for so long: what are we FOR not just we're against MAGA... Bravo David !!!
I also give monthly. I think I asked Anand to have him on in a previous comment. :) This was very inspiring. And I love the mentorship idea.
Mentorship!!!! Yes!!!!!
I'm 74. I've been interested and involved in politics as a voter, a protester, and a donor since the Watergate hearings, which I watched intently. After David Hogg left the DNC, I became a recurring contributor to Leaders We Deserve for all the reasons. Particularly exciting to me is your discussion of mentorship. It's something I've been thinking a lot about over the past ten years or so. In more rational and connected cultures, it's a natural role for older folks - and a valued one. This needs to happen for our healthy survival, in my opinion. Entrenched male politicians need to get wise and end their ego trips. And I agree with you, Anand, about that other stage of life. It could be the most beneficial work they ever do for democracy. Thanks to you and to David Hogg for a great conversation.
Fascinating show Anand, thank you. Love learning about the inner workings of the Dem Party. We need change! I support David’s idea of providing a mentor role for the up & coming. This is the kind of thinking that can move us forward as party. There is essential knowledge to be gained from the experiences of those who have lived it.
I had liked David, was hopeful about his work, and dismayed at his treatment by the DNC. So, as a DC metro resident and a past financial supporter of LWD, I thought I would visit the offices of LWD to ask whether it could help ensure one of my Senators get primaried. I looked all over for their location and finally found an address online that turned out to be a PO Box in a UPS store, discovered on a visit there. After that, I tried to contact someone in the org on LIN. No response. Their site solicits donations but doesn't give a way to communicate with them. I was ready to donate much more to see this person primaried, however, now that I can't find their office and can't connect with anyone who works for LWD, I wonder whether this is simply another shill for raising money for themselves. Need more transparency and accountability and ability to connect.
It’s not about ageism; it’s about dynamism—as you put it Anand. You can’t put Bernie in the same boat as Chuck Schumer.