Sayed is an excellent thinker and communicator, knowledgeable, nimble thinker. His hands-on experience in medicine and the health care system put him in an excellent position to improve ours. Europe and Israel all have medical care provided by government. The cost is less than our for-profit system and the people live longer. Why
Shouldn’t we have a system that works, that operates for people?
The world has a problem in the Middle East. The conflict between Israel and Palestine looks to be impossible to solve. There are few leaders, including the president of the United States, who would even attempt to reach peace. But that does not mean we have to give up. I think Dr. El-Sayed is one of those who would not.
I do not equate criticism of Israel with anti-semitism. The Netanyahu government is committing genocide, and I find no reason not to call it out for that crime.
Thank you so much for replaying this conversation. Ever since I first heard it, I’ve been carrying Abdul’s words in me, hoping for what he envisions. I have limited means, and he is the only candidate I donate to monthly, or at all, and I’m in Oregon, not Michigan. I’m so glad to hear his words and ideas again! Thank you!
Abdul’s thoughts track pretty closely with mine. Especially when he talks about the factors that drove people to vote for t. We definitely have work to do to create conditions that work for all people. I hope Abdul prevails…..
The interview you had a few months ago with Dr. El-Sayed was poignant. By the end of the interview I was convinced, "Yes we can!" We can change the course with people like Dr. El-Sayed who want to work for peace, and have the courage to boldly state how we do it. Same as Kathleen Kendrick states below. I too am an Oregonian and a monthly supporter of Dr. El-Sayed and his vision. Fingers-crossed that he keeps his lead tonight and wins. Thank you for bringing this amazing person into view!
Sayed’s positions match the “ progressive” wing of the Democratic Party. Unlike parliamentary systems, each of the two parties, by default, have to include a wide range of views and somehow hold itself together to present a unified vision, at least on major issues. Where individual Democrats can strike their own path is in emphasis. Each state, each region, has their own unique problems, and so Democratic candidates can tailor their message more closely to what their local voters deem most important. Relations between Israel and the Palestinians may be more important to voters in parts of Michigan with its large Middle Eastern population and in NY, with its large Jewish population in the city and surrounding suburbs. Democrats in Indiana and Nevada may not put Israel/Palestinian relations as high on their list of concerns. Regardless, the Democratic Party eventually has to speak with one voice on what path they seek in the Middle East that will seem reasonable in Michigan and New York.
Again, given our system, we usually have to wait to pick a standard bearer, a person who will be the voice of the Party so they can highlight most clearly what Democrats want for their voters. And that doesn’t come until we choose a Presidential candidate. Jeffries and Schumer are legislative people, not leaders of a party and therein lies the major problem. We have individual candidates as with El-Sayed, who are viewed as “ fighters” with clear views, while others in the Party fear taking too strong a stand and appear wishy, washy. Until we get a Party leader, the Democratic Party will not appear to be unified and will be stymied in delivering a clear message, progressive or not. But in the meantime, strong new voices, like Dr. El-Sayed, will, hopefully, start a movement to produce a leader who can unify the Party’s disparate elements and will follow many of the strong positions being put forth by him.
The empathy rather than condemnation for the “other side.” is worth promoting. However, I did not hear any practical ideas as to how to get to , for example, Medicare for All. Bernie Sanders has been talking about that for decades, it seems, with no luck. I also must strongly object to El-Sayed’s views on Israel--which has become a kind of “progressive” mantra for other progressive candidates too. It seems popular to bash on Israel, which is simply a cover for anti-semitism. Look at Hasan Piker, a proud anti-semite, and Zohran Mamdani whose true intentions are coming to light. They support people like El-Sayed and Troy Jackson, who do not disavow those views and distance themselves from their support. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. The US spends a huge amount of money on military support to many other countries---but the anti-Semitic hatred in this country picks on tiny Israel (the size of New Jersey) who has been attacked by Arab countries in 1948, 1967, 1973, the Munich Olympics and now the Oct 7 massacre. Where is El-Sayed’s Egypt or any of the other Arab countries for that matter in the latest effort to help the people of Gaza and disarm the terrorist group Hamas? No where. They are silent. The US gave tons of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, stolen by Hamas for tunnels and weapons. Where is El-Sayed’s outcry about that? Where are all the progressive candidates' outcry? No outcry. No condemnation. They have bought into all the propaganda, from Russia and Iran and quietly from Qatar, (funding campus protests), and Saudi Arabia (remember 9/11). Their outspoken one-sided critique of Israel alone has spiked anti-semitism in this country with increasing hate crimes. So “progressives” need to re-think and revise their political agendas on this topic. I’d prefer not to be a single issue voter, especially when these candidate advocate for many good democratic values and principles and programs. But I draw the line here.
For me, the thank you is mostly reminding what i sort of pretty much know. Radical empathy is hard for those of us vulnerable, past or present, to bullying, rejection and humiliation. When we feel scorned by the posse, we get mean.
I am a psychotherapist who just wrote a book called Vulnerability Protected. I believe radical empathy can be a powerful healer for us as well.
But we need to support each other and get the support we need to get past what is triggered in us.
We are scared and hurt too but we hopefully have or can get the tools to do this.
On a good day I know these things but it feels lonely to resist the pull of mocking the posse. I will read and reread this and share it.
Arrivederci as I board a flight from Rome to Denver. This piece makes me finally more eager to go home.
However I wonder if somehow we can find a way to spread this wisdom and start living it. We are all vulnerable is one eventual message to share.
Anand, you have once again brought my attention to someone who gives me hope about the future of my country. That you and Abdul El-Sayed both are children of immigrants and not white, makes me proud of the America I thought I lived in until 2015.
I love Abdul's approach to radical acceptance and empathy for Trump's followers, and a radical approach to the policies that will address their and our fears about the future that is playing out. I'm going to listen to your conversation now. With a light heart and keen attention to how I can learn from him and again from you. Mary Ellen
Been a fan of his since 2018 and with this campaign he exceeded even my high expectations. Unlike other progressives who are (mis)characterized as flukes or “only possible in NYC” by naysayers, Abdul connected with a genuinely representative demographic of Michiganders, ranging from progressive to more conservative, and succeeded. He’s a BFD and hopefully will be an extraordinary Senator champion of universal healthcare.
I liked an interview with him in which he said that he is srongly anti-monopoly, anti oligopoly and anti the political role of oligarchs. He wants to defend other businesses that have to compete, That distinguishes him from many American socialists. He is a social democrat , as in Europe, particularly because of his defense of health care for all. If the self-defined socialists continue with some crazy ideas like abolishing prisons instead of reforming the prison system, they will lose and Trump will benefit.
Sayed is an excellent thinker and communicator, knowledgeable, nimble thinker. His hands-on experience in medicine and the health care system put him in an excellent position to improve ours. Europe and Israel all have medical care provided by government. The cost is less than our for-profit system and the people live longer. Why
Shouldn’t we have a system that works, that operates for people?
The world has a problem in the Middle East. The conflict between Israel and Palestine looks to be impossible to solve. There are few leaders, including the president of the United States, who would even attempt to reach peace. But that does not mean we have to give up. I think Dr. El-Sayed is one of those who would not.
I do not equate criticism of Israel with anti-semitism. The Netanyahu government is committing genocide, and I find no reason not to call it out for that crime.
Thank you so much for replaying this conversation. Ever since I first heard it, I’ve been carrying Abdul’s words in me, hoping for what he envisions. I have limited means, and he is the only candidate I donate to monthly, or at all, and I’m in Oregon, not Michigan. I’m so glad to hear his words and ideas again! Thank you!
Abdul’s thoughts track pretty closely with mine. Especially when he talks about the factors that drove people to vote for t. We definitely have work to do to create conditions that work for all people. I hope Abdul prevails…..
Race called for Abdul! So glad to see this. Can't wait to see the party support pour in!
The interview you had a few months ago with Dr. El-Sayed was poignant. By the end of the interview I was convinced, "Yes we can!" We can change the course with people like Dr. El-Sayed who want to work for peace, and have the courage to boldly state how we do it. Same as Kathleen Kendrick states below. I too am an Oregonian and a monthly supporter of Dr. El-Sayed and his vision. Fingers-crossed that he keeps his lead tonight and wins. Thank you for bringing this amazing person into view!
Many of Dr. El-
Sayed’s positions match the “ progressive” wing of the Democratic Party. Unlike parliamentary systems, each of the two parties, by default, have to include a wide range of views and somehow hold itself together to present a unified vision, at least on major issues. Where individual Democrats can strike their own path is in emphasis. Each state, each region, has their own unique problems, and so Democratic candidates can tailor their message more closely to what their local voters deem most important. Relations between Israel and the Palestinians may be more important to voters in parts of Michigan with its large Middle Eastern population and in NY, with its large Jewish population in the city and surrounding suburbs. Democrats in Indiana and Nevada may not put Israel/Palestinian relations as high on their list of concerns. Regardless, the Democratic Party eventually has to speak with one voice on what path they seek in the Middle East that will seem reasonable in Michigan and New York.
Again, given our system, we usually have to wait to pick a standard bearer, a person who will be the voice of the Party so they can highlight most clearly what Democrats want for their voters. And that doesn’t come until we choose a Presidential candidate. Jeffries and Schumer are legislative people, not leaders of a party and therein lies the major problem. We have individual candidates as with El-Sayed, who are viewed as “ fighters” with clear views, while others in the Party fear taking too strong a stand and appear wishy, washy. Until we get a Party leader, the Democratic Party will not appear to be unified and will be stymied in delivering a clear message, progressive or not. But in the meantime, strong new voices, like Dr. El-Sayed, will, hopefully, start a movement to produce a leader who can unify the Party’s disparate elements and will follow many of the strong positions being put forth by him.
Yes!
The empathy rather than condemnation for the “other side.” is worth promoting. However, I did not hear any practical ideas as to how to get to , for example, Medicare for All. Bernie Sanders has been talking about that for decades, it seems, with no luck. I also must strongly object to El-Sayed’s views on Israel--which has become a kind of “progressive” mantra for other progressive candidates too. It seems popular to bash on Israel, which is simply a cover for anti-semitism. Look at Hasan Piker, a proud anti-semite, and Zohran Mamdani whose true intentions are coming to light. They support people like El-Sayed and Troy Jackson, who do not disavow those views and distance themselves from their support. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. The US spends a huge amount of money on military support to many other countries---but the anti-Semitic hatred in this country picks on tiny Israel (the size of New Jersey) who has been attacked by Arab countries in 1948, 1967, 1973, the Munich Olympics and now the Oct 7 massacre. Where is El-Sayed’s Egypt or any of the other Arab countries for that matter in the latest effort to help the people of Gaza and disarm the terrorist group Hamas? No where. They are silent. The US gave tons of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, stolen by Hamas for tunnels and weapons. Where is El-Sayed’s outcry about that? Where are all the progressive candidates' outcry? No outcry. No condemnation. They have bought into all the propaganda, from Russia and Iran and quietly from Qatar, (funding campus protests), and Saudi Arabia (remember 9/11). Their outspoken one-sided critique of Israel alone has spiked anti-semitism in this country with increasing hate crimes. So “progressives” need to re-think and revise their political agendas on this topic. I’d prefer not to be a single issue voter, especially when these candidate advocate for many good democratic values and principles and programs. But I draw the line here.
One can be antisemitic, or anti-Israel, or anti-Netanyahu’s Israel.
These are very different positions.
Netanyahu’s Israel has done many terrible things to children in Gaza and in the West Bank.
It is also true, however, that Israel is surrounded by people who do not want Israel to exist. That leads to radical solutions.
However, it has been noticeable that Netanyahu does not want peace accords to work, and he often disrupts them.
He wants total defeat and destruction of his enemy at terrible cost to innocents. I think that is where he has caused many to lose sympathy for him.
That should not be confused with antisemitism.
It's 8:00 pm on the West Coast. Just before I read this, I saw on the NYT that El-Sayed is leading...hoping that holds!
For me, the thank you is mostly reminding what i sort of pretty much know. Radical empathy is hard for those of us vulnerable, past or present, to bullying, rejection and humiliation. When we feel scorned by the posse, we get mean.
I am a psychotherapist who just wrote a book called Vulnerability Protected. I believe radical empathy can be a powerful healer for us as well.
But we need to support each other and get the support we need to get past what is triggered in us.
We are scared and hurt too but we hopefully have or can get the tools to do this.
On a good day I know these things but it feels lonely to resist the pull of mocking the posse. I will read and reread this and share it.
Arrivederci as I board a flight from Rome to Denver. This piece makes me finally more eager to go home.
However I wonder if somehow we can find a way to spread this wisdom and start living it. We are all vulnerable is one eventual message to share.
Ciao for now, Carol
Anand, you have once again brought my attention to someone who gives me hope about the future of my country. That you and Abdul El-Sayed both are children of immigrants and not white, makes me proud of the America I thought I lived in until 2015.
I love Abdul's approach to radical acceptance and empathy for Trump's followers, and a radical approach to the policies that will address their and our fears about the future that is playing out. I'm going to listen to your conversation now. With a light heart and keen attention to how I can learn from him and again from you. Mary Ellen
This is terrific! Thank you.💔🇺🇸
I’ve shared this post widely, Anand 👏
Been a fan of his since 2018 and with this campaign he exceeded even my high expectations. Unlike other progressives who are (mis)characterized as flukes or “only possible in NYC” by naysayers, Abdul connected with a genuinely representative demographic of Michiganders, ranging from progressive to more conservative, and succeeded. He’s a BFD and hopefully will be an extraordinary Senator champion of universal healthcare.
I liked an interview with him in which he said that he is srongly anti-monopoly, anti oligopoly and anti the political role of oligarchs. He wants to defend other businesses that have to compete, That distinguishes him from many American socialists. He is a social democrat , as in Europe, particularly because of his defense of health care for all. If the self-defined socialists continue with some crazy ideas like abolishing prisons instead of reforming the prison system, they will lose and Trump will benefit.
Thanks for this. Agree with you. I don't have contempt for Trump voters; only compassion,