We Have To Fundamentally Change

 We Have To Fundamentally Change 

(What Are You Celebrating?)

Why should any American "celebrate" the results of this presidential election?

Many Americans are facing looming evictions and downsizing due to the pandemic, while the number of Covid cases increases daily, the death toll mounts, and many more are without affordable health care than ever before. And our president-elect has openly said he will veto any Medicare For All bill that crosses his desk--if one even gets that far.

If "nothing would fundamentally change," according to Mr. Biden, then it will be up to us--we have to fundamentally change. We have to become braver and more willing to take on the fixed, corrupt system and break it wide open. We can't let things remain static, unchanged, when our very lives and the fate of our planet stand in the balance.

Some have already started planning how they will bring about fundamental, progressive change and ask you to join them in their efforts: https://howiehawkins.us/keepfighting/

The general mood in the "Twitterverse" among true progressives about the results of this election cycle has been somber. The following examples illustrate their concerns and frustrations:

Ryan Knight (@ProudSocialist) tweets: Joe Biden is a neoliberal corporatist who has spent 47 years propping up our corrupt system. He is not a savior.

Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) tweets: Nice to hear speeches without the racist abuse of the past 4 years. But not a word of commitment to real solutions for the crises killing us - like M4A, Covid relief, a long-term eviction moratorium at the least. Platitudes don't make me want to celebrate.

A paraphrase of several good tweets: 

Sorry if I'm not quite as enthusiastic as you are that the proud author of the 1994 Crime Bill that has incarcerated thousands of Americans (especially those of color) and the backer of the US Iraq War that has caused huge loss of life in that country, as well as PTSD in American service personnel, is now in charge. Those sorts of things, and the people who are proud of their involvement in them, just don't appeal to me very much.

Jimmy Dore says, "Trump loses! Now what?"  It's a serious question. And he stresses, "We need an independent media that pushes politicians, not protects them." Listen to his valid complaints in the following video.

 https://youtu.be/gSYQYGAhcEQ

 Pulitzer Prize-Winner Chris Hedges puts it eloquently in his essay, American Requiem:

Well, it’s over. Not the election. The capitalist democracy. However biased it was towards the interests of the rich and however hostile it was to the poor and minorities, the capitalist democracy at least offered the possibility of incremental and piecemeal reform. Now it is a corpse. The iconography and rhetoric remain the same. But it is an elaborate and empty reality show funded by the ruling oligarchs — $1.51 billion for the Biden campaign and $1.57 billion for the Trump campaign — to make us think there are choices. There are not. The empty jousting between a bloviating Trump and a verbally impaired Joe Biden is designed to mask the truth. The oligarchs always win. The people always lose. It does not matter who sits in the White House. America is a failed state.

https://scheerpost.com/2020/11/05/chris-hedges-american-requiem/

On Facebook, a local activist voiced well what many are feeling this week:

Why I Will Not Be Celebrating the Election Results

by Sean Nestor

I will celebrate when single payer healthcare is enacted and people can receive medical treatment without it ruining their lives. I will celebrate when qualified immunity is ended, the police are demilitarized, and law enforcement offices aren't let off the hook for executing black people in the streets. I will celebrate when the concentration camps at our borders are closed down and migrant families are no long split apart and children no longer disappear into human trafficking rings. I will celebrate when we see a full troop withdrawal from the Middle East and we start using our tax dollars to fund much-needed domestic programs  instead of killing innocent people abroad.

If you think the Biden/Harris administration is going to do any of that, you're either uninformed or dishonest. Nothing in their campaign rhetoric nor their time in public office suggests that those will happen without borderline revolutionary activity from the public. And in the spirit of honesty, the vast majority of Democrats, in spite of the memes they share, are ready to go to brunch for the next four or eight years because Trump is gone.

I know this because I remember 2008 very clearly. At the time, we had two terms of a monster President who drug us into two costly and unnecessary wars, grew the police state in the name of counter-terrorism, and bailed out Wall Street on the back of working people everywhere. People bragged about voting for inanimate objects over Bush, as though lowering the bar like that was something to be proud of.

What we got starting in 2008 was eight years of "At least he's not Bush!" and a climate of shushing anyone who dared criticize the Democrat for not doing enough to address the real problems that were growing around him. Everything that was an outrage when Bush did it became defensible or just swept under the rug when Obama did it. I was practically spit on when I criticized Obama's continuation and expansion of military action in the Middle East, or his ramping up of deportations, or his refusal to promote single payer while supposedly tackling healthcare reform.

Well, that climate brought us Trump. In another four or eight years, mark my words, it will bring us someone even worse.

Cue the hand-wringing and frustrated pleas about the powerlessness of Democrats under a Republican Senate. Look--if Democrats can raise billions of dollars and organize tens of millions of people all over the country to vote someone into office, they can do the same to enact single payer healthcare or eliminate the electoral college or a major nationwide gerrymandering reform or something meaningful to change this country, regardless of the Senate's disposition. That's what politics are for.

Politics are all about figuring out how to enact policy in spite of obstacles, not pointing out obstacles and adjusting your standards accordingly. There is an extremely disgusting culture in the Democratic Party of competing over whose standards are lowest, giving up on ideals immediately and invoking some trite rhetoric about the importance of compromise in politics. But their compromise is always with Karl Rove or Steve Bannon and never Michelle Alexander or Aviva Chomsky. It's a lie comfortable people tell themselves to justify their own laziness and lack of compassion.

My standards are human rights standards, and I'm not lowering them come hell or high water. Call me privileged or elitist, but I'm not celebrating until I know for sure that we've genuinely protected the vulnerable minorities that are constantly preyed upon by this nation's governments.

I know victories are few and far between, and the temptation is high to celebrate them even when they are hollow, so I don't judge or begrudge anyone who wants to express their pleasure at the end of the Trump nightmare. I sincerely hope it provides you with relief and healing. But please don't repeat history and pretend like any of this marks a sea change in our country's politics. We seriously cannot afford a repeat of the smugness and complacency that brought us Trump, because at this trajectory, we're going to get a Trump again before we know it.

"The struggle of people against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting." --Milan Kundera

"Let them call me rebel and welcome, I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul." --Thomas Paine

 ***

 From Friends of the Earth:

Joe Biden will be our next President -- and he’s starting to fill powerful positions within our government. Take action to reject corporate lobbyists for key nominations.

Every President in recent memory has filled their government with appointees with close ties to large corporations. When corporate cronies are in government agencies and in the Cabinet, it provides them with the means to undermine protections Americans count on. Instead of considerations for the people, they favor rollbacks and giveaways for big business.

Pressure from people like you can stop the Senate from confirming corporate cronies for these positions. That’s why we’re asking you to demand our elected officials oppose the confirmation of any more corporate lobbyists.

Take Action: Demand the Senate reject corporate lobbyist appointees.

Sign Now

Biden will need to fill thousands of government positions -- from the head of the EPA to deputy secretaries at over a dozen agencies. These appointees have power to implement our environmental protections.

Look at what happened under Trump -- he appointed, and the Senate confirmed, fossil fuel lobbyist David Bernhardt to the Department of the Interior. Bernhardt has overseen huge giveaways of our public lands to benefit the fossil fuel industry.

The vast majority of Americans agree that large corporations have too much power. We need your help to change that!

Sign the Petition: No more conflicts of interest that benefit big business. No more corporate appointees.

Sign Now

Our elected officials must reject appointees with direct ties to big business. But without hearing from concerned American’s like you, C.A., they might not act.

Don’t let nominees with ties to mega-corporations make key decisions for the people. Demand corporate executives and lobbyists not be confirmed to any appointee positions.

25,000 Signatures still needed: Fight to reduce corporate power. 

Sign Now

Standing with you,
Ariel Moger,
Legislative & political coordinator,
Friends of the Earth Action

 ***

Stand For Something!

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Symbolism & Incrementalism Are No Longer Enough

Another week--another half dozen or more local protests in support of Black Lives Matter and against police brutality and militarization. A local group of Muslim activists and allies stand on a busy street corner and receive many positive honks and waves from passers-by. It seems more and more ordinary Americans feel that we can no longer wait and simply hope things get better. Now is the time for change, and now is the time to take action!

 

Our special guest blogger has a lot to say to those who think little (or no) change to our current corrupt system is what Americans need to survive and thrive in 2020. He's not afraid to lay it out in no uncertain terms, either.

The current protests are not only a condemnation of police brutality, but a condemnation of everyone who has been in power who have opted to kick the can down the road as opposed to truly reforming this entire system.

An Open Letter to the DNC, Corporate Media and The People: Why Symbolism and Incrementalism Are No Longer Enough! 
By The Independent Reformist

To the Democratic Party:

Recently, the House Democrats (led by House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi) unveiled their bill to address police reform. According to Vox, the key details are as follows:

The Justice in Policing Act of 2020 contains a number of measures that make it easier to prosecute police misconduct and demilitarize police departments around the country.

The bill’s biggest provision seeks to end qualified immunity, a thorny legal issue that gives police officers and other public officials broad immunity from civil lawsuits. The US Supreme Court, which has upheld the qualified-immunity doctrine in past rulings, is currently deciding whether to hear arguments next term in a case challenging qualified immunity.

The legislation also incorporates a proposal from Sen. Cory Booker that would create a new national registry to track misconduct as a way to prevent repeat offenders from being rehired at other police departments.

In addition, the bill seeks to ban the use of chokeholds and certain no-knock warrants at the federal level, as well as to incentivize state and local governments to do the same. Both tactics have been factors in police killings of unarmed black people: A no-knock warrant used by police in Kentucky in March ended in the death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT who died after officers broke down her door without warning and fatally shot her.  --Vox: “Democrats' Sweeping New Police Reform Bill, Explained” by Ella Nilsen and Li Zhou

There is some decent legislation in this bill, but before we get too excited, let’s take a step back for a moment. This bill will likely never make it into law as long as Mitch McConnell and the Republicans hold the Senate, and Donald Trump is president. At present, Mitch McConnell and other Republicans have avoided criticizing Barr’s authorization of force used to peaceful protesters for Trump’s recent photo op in front of a church.

If Republicans can’t criticize their leaders when excessive force is used on non-violent protestors, how can we expect that they will support a meaningful police reform bill? --MSNBC, MTP Daily: “GOP Senators Avoid Comments On Trump’s Photo-Op, Use Of Tear Gas On Protestors”

Assuming that this is the case, then the question becomes, “What will happen if Democrats gain power?” It would be their responsibility to push this and a couple of other tweaks and get it done early into the new term. If history is a guide, the push for reforms stop as soon as the cameras stop. This cannot happen. Understand that if Democrats end up taking power it will be because a lot of leftists and independents held their nose to get rid of Trump as opposed to supporting Biden.

Part of the disconnect with the left and left-leaning independents is that the Democrats are as guilty of serving the wealthy and the powerful as Republicans are. Also, Democrats sometimes act as though they are about reform when they are out of power, but only do the smallest reforms (if any) when they gain power. Years of this tired strategy has made people less aligned with parties and helped to increase the percentage of independent voters and non-voters.

After their announcement, Democrat took a symbolic knee to show solidarity with protesters of the murder of George Floyd. If there is anything that politicians are good at, it is using symbolism to score political points and sometime hijack the purpose of a movement. Symbolism is fine and dandy, but symbols aren’t the same as real reform. The lack of real reform is the reason that people are out in the streets in great numbers across the nation and around the world. 

People are tired of seeing the same game played. This is why you have the AOCs, Rashida Tlaibs and Ilhan Omars winning elections. This is why insurgent candidates are mounting real challenges to the seats of long entrenched power-brokers within the DNC. People are done with symbols. It’s all about results and quality, tangible reforms now. If you are not truly interested in fighting for and bringing about the reforms that the people in the streets want, it is time for you to step aside for someone who is willing to do so. If that’s you, then you too are culpable for the police violence and the protests in our streets right now. Do better, resign, or be ready to be voted out of office.

To The Corporate Media:

Recently, you have been covering and complaining rightfully about the abuse of fellow members covering protests. Your journalists have been shot at and arrested live on TV and on the internet. You have every right to be unhappy about the injustices that your members have experienced.

CNN journalists being arrested by police in Minneapolis, MN
https://youtu.be/ftLzQefpBvM?t=94

Welcome to the rest of us. You have only experienced a taste of what people of color have experienced their entire lives. It is only recently that your employees have had to look over their shoulders for police with their media credentials in full display. You have been “safe” and “protected”.

Imagine for a moment that you did not have your media credentials to protect you. Imagine that you did not have a multi-million dollar corporation and its multi-millionaire owner available to make a call to the police and demand your release--and it actually worked. Think about that for a moment. One phone call by a wealthy tycoon and press credentials were the only things that separate you from being treated like the rest of us.

• Put yourself or someone you love in the shoes of nonviolent protesters who get shoved to the ground or beaten. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3DX3SLGB34
• Imagine it is you or someone you love who was going about their life and had the life choked out of them by police.
• Imagine it is you or someone you love who is shot in a car by police just because you informed them you had a weapon in your glove box, and the officer claimed you reached for it.
• Imagine it is you or someone you love who is going for a run and gets chased and gunned down by a couple of people in pickup trucks who claim you were stealing.
• Imagine it is you or someone you love who is being killed by two cops who are using mag lights to beat you to death. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HMYEgrv-ho
• Now imagine that this happens (and many of these cases were recorded on video) but the police are never charged and never convicted!

How would you feel if this happened to you and your family repeatedly for decades? Each time no substantive reforms are made to policing, and the rest of society only cared for two or three weeks. How would that make you feel about the people around you? What would you think about the people who only paid lip service to your plight while continuing to arm police with more military grade equipment? Would you not be angry?

Part of the problem is that media only follows the flavor of the moment and quickly moves on. The families of the victims don’t get to move on after two weeks. The people who constantly have to live in fear of racists in society don’t get to move on after two weeks. They don’t have that luxury.

Your job is to be the watchdog of democracy and justice. This is the entire reason that you are protected by The First Amendment. It is your job to hold all facets of government accountable and keep the light shined on their wrong doing even after the news cycle has ended. Now that you have had a taste of what a police state could look like perhaps now you will pay closer attention to what the police and the government are doing. That being said, I’m not holding my breath.

This is why independent online media is growing so quickly. No one, left or right, trusts you to actually do your job. Being part of the DNC’s “McResistance” is not the same as accuracy in reporting and being an advocate for justice. Take time to think on this, and don't say you’ll do better but actually do better.

To The People:

First, thank you to the people who are protesting the injustices that happen every day to people of color. It can be difficult to understand what it is like to be in another persons shoes until you have walked a mile in them. The fact that you have done so is truly appreciated. Secondly, this solidarity that we see right now is what needs to happen everyday. The conditions that brought this about are entrenched and systemic. This is a long term fight, and we will need every ally to overcome it.

For those who don’t understand what people are calling for when they say “Defund the police,” let’s start by what the majority are not calling for.

• It is NOT having absolutely a lack of law enforcement in the community.
• It is NOT throwing more money toward the police departments for “training.”
• It is NOT leaving the structure in place as it is.

Here is what the idea is:

• Completely rebuild the police department from the ground up. You can’t expect to reform an institution that is corrupt all the way to its foundation with the same foundation in place. It must be demolished and rebuilt!
• The new institution will allow for applications from everyone and include former police officers, but there will be no favoritism and past records of violent tendencies will disqualify applicants.
• The current system that protects police from being prosecuted and convicted for unwarranted violent actions will be abolished. Being a representative of the law does not exempt you from the consequences of breaking those laws. We must have equal justice under the law. Period.
• The current amount of money spend on policing will be reduced. The remained of what would be previously budgeted would be allocated towards other programs for the city such as education, job training, mental health and other social programs.

Collectively, the country spends approximately $100 billion on policing as well as a further $80 billion on incarceration.  Source: Statista, “How Much Do U.S. Cities Spend On Policing?” by Niall McCarthy https://www.statista.com/chart/10593/how-much-do-us-cities-spend-on-policing/

One of the many reasons offered to justify increasing police funding is the argument “more police equals less crime.” While there are some publications that support this argument, there are others that indicate that it may not be accurate. According to Statista:

Cities across the United States have been setting larger amounts of money aside in recent years in order to fund their police departments. Collectively, the country spends approximately $100 billion on policing as well as a further $80 billion on incarceration. Crime levels have dropped substantially over the past three years, in tandem with larger police budgets. A report published last month argues that the drop off in crime is not directly related to the larger budgets, however.
--Statista, “How Much Do U.S. Cities Spend On Policing?” by Niall McCarthy https://www.statista.com/chart/10593/how-much-do-us-cities-spend-on-policing/

If the increase in police funding is not what is lowering overall crime, what is? A link references a second article stating the following:

The analysis of crime in the United States is generally split into two broad categories, violent crime and property crime... A tracking of crime rates over the last 20 years shows that violent crime in the United States has been on the decline. In 2018, reported violent crime was down almost 50 percent from 1990. However Americans still perceive a crime problem in their country, despite evidence to the contrary. Some 60 percent of the population felt there was more crime in 2018 than the year prior. --Statista, “Crime in the United States – statistics & facts” Published by Statista Research Department, Oct 29, 2019 https://www.statista.com/chart/10593/how-much-do-us-cities-spend-on-policing/

Brookings, which references a research paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research, suggest a different idea. Providing health care may have a big impact on lowering both violent and financial crime rates.

Most people who cycle through our criminal justice system have serious health care needs. Three out of every five state prisoners and sentenced jail inmates have a substance abuse problem. Half of state and federal prisoners and two thirds of jail inmates are in serious psychological distress or have a history of mental illness. Substance abuse and mental illness surely contribute to the difficulty many individuals have escaping the criminal justice system: two-thirds of those released from prison will be rearrested within three years. Jails and prisons provide some treatment services, but what if we increased access to treatment in communities, so that people could get help before they get into trouble? New research shows that offering broad access to treatment for these problems is not only compassionate, but also a cost-effective way to reduce crime rates.
One way to increase access to care is to open more treatment facilities throughout the country. Existing facilities often operate at capacity because of limited funding, so that those who want treatment cannot always find help. Sam Bondurant, Jason Lindo, and Isaac Swensen studied what happened to crime when local substance abuse treatment facilities opened or closed. Because facilities are likely to be located in communities where the need is greatest, a simple cross-sectional analysis might show that the presence of a treatment facility is correlated with higher crime rates. Instead, the authors looked at within-county changes over time in the number of facilities and crime rates. This allowed them to see whether a change in access to treatment led to a change in crime, after controlling for a variety of other factors that might independently affect crime (like unemployment rates and the size of the police force). The authors found that an increase in the number of treatment facilities causes a reduction in both violent and financially-motivated crime. This is likely due to a combination of forces: reducing drug abuse can reduce violent behavior that is caused by particular drugs, as well as property crimes like theft committed to fund an addiction. Reducing demand for illegal drugs might also reduce violence associated with the illegal drug trade.

Brookings, “New evidence that access to health care reduces crime” by Jennifer L. Doleac, Wednesday, January 3, 2018

The protests we see are the expected result of years upon years of making marginal changes. People have tried have tried body cameras, lawsuits and peaceful protests that only went on for a week. Still things have not improved enough to where this isn’t a concern. They are tired of being ignored. They demand that this be taken seriously.

Bear in mind that the cases that are most covered on the big news networks are mostly the one caught on camera. How many more cases are occurring without being caught on video? How many more have been swept under the rug? How long can you expect people to put up with it before they snap? Everyone has a breaking point.

Kimberly Jones expresses the frustration in the black community extremely well in the video below.

Black people, people of color and others who are protesting have good reason to be angry. It’s time to actually fix the numerous problems instead of deploying more rhetoric, symbolism and half measures.

 
Source: ThinkLogical, Author Kimberly Jones Explains Why People Protest, Riot & Loot During Racial Distress https://youtu.be/tuxukAH3lk8

If you still don’t understand how this effects you, consider this. During this period, the police have beaten, maced, arrested or shot with rubber bullets people who were:

• White
• Black
• Hispanic
• Asian
• Male
• Female
• LGBTQ
• Relgious
• Non-religious

In other words, it doesn’t matter what you look like or how you identify. The militarized police have shown that they are willing to crush dissent, nonviolent or otherwise. If you turn a blind eye, you will potentially empowered a police state. If at some point you decide to protest something, you may very well be a victim of the same treatment that you may be cheering on.

David Doel shows video from numerous times when police have escalated and attacked non-violent protests. Source: The Rational National, Watch Police Instigate & Escalate All Across The U.S. , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3DX3SLGB34

If your solution to that issue is the gun, then it will be costly in terms of lives lost on both sides. The least costly option is to deal with the issue now and prevent a police state from ever taking hold. You may think that not doing so is to your benefit, but ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away--it only further empowers potential dictators to crush all opposition. Eventually, it will come to your doorstep.

I will close this with a famous quote, First They Came, by Pastor Martin Niemöller:

First they came for the Communists, And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists, And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists, And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews, And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me, And there was no one left
To speak out for me

References:

Image: 2020.06.06 Protesting the Murder of George Floyd, Washington, DC USA 158 20208, by Ted Eytan, https://www.flickr.com/photos/taedc/49978001278/in/pool-837331@N24

Article: “Democrats’ sweeping new police reform bill, explained” By Ella Nilsen and Li Zhou Jun 8, 2020, https://www.vox.com/2020/6/8/21283841/democrats-police-reform-bill-explained-george-floyd

Video: MSNBC, MTP Daily, “GOP Senators Avoid Comments On Trump’s Photo-Op, Use Of Tear Gas On Protestors” , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN_E1iB63Ko

Video: WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel, 7 VIDEO ARCHIVE: Malice Green dies at the hands of Detroit police officers Larry Nevers and Walter Budzyn, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HMYEgrv-ho

Graphic & Quote: Statista, “How Much Do U.S. Cities Spend On Policing?” by Niall McCarthy https://www.statista.com/chart/10593/how-much-do-us-cities-spend-on-policing/

Quote: Statista, “Crime in the United States – statistics & facts” Published by Statista Research Department, Oct 29, 2019 https://www.statista.com/chart/10593/how-much-do-us-cities-spend-on-policing/

Quote: Brookings, “New evidence that access to health care reduces crime” by Jennifer L. Doleac, Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Video: Think Logical, Author Kimberly Jones Explains Why People Protest, Riot & Loot During Racial Distress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuxukAH3lk8

Video: The Rational National, Watch Police Instigate & Escalate All Across The U.S. , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3DX3SLGB34

The Independent Reformist

My blog is primarily about, but not limited to, politics. What makes this blog different is that I bear no loyalty to either party, and I am willing to listen to and consider the merits of differing viewpoints. I will share my opinions on what I see in our world based on an idea that politics is not solely about what happens on Capitol Hill. It is about what happens in our lives everyday. There will be moments where what I say may infuriate you because it goes against everything you believe. There will also be moments where we can agree and be on a similar page. That's healthy, and we should embrace that idea. The ultimate end I hope that this blog will achieve is to foster discussion about how politics affect our lives and how to address the concerns we have about numerous issues. It's equally important that it makes us all consider how our decisions at the voting booth or how our apathy for participating in the political process influences the actions that our elected leaders take. It is my opinion that it is not enough to simply blame the system; we as a society must also accept our share of the blame for allowing things to get so far out of control. View all posts by The Independent Reformist

Sorry for the Inconvenience: We Are Changing the World

Sorry for the Inconvenience: 

Thoughts on the Political Revolution

by Cindy A. Matthews

Sometimes things get messy before they get better. If you've ever been in a birthing suite and watched a birth or given birth to a baby, you'd agree. Things worth waiting for in life aren't always neat and tidy and convenient. Good things can cause a lot mess and inconvenience, but deep down mothers know the birthing pangs are worth the wait.

We're witnessing the birth of a Political Revolution. We are changing the world. For the better. For all of us. It's not going to neat and tidy. And it sure as hell isn't going to be painless. We revolutionaries don't apologize for the inconvenience. We ask you to come along with us for the ride... The ride to a New America, a New World, a Better Place for Humanity. 

Yes, some things must die in the process so that other things may live and flourish. Change is never easy, but it is often necessary. Living things change and grow. Grow along with us. Cast fear aside and simply grow.

It's a world worth changing, a world worth healing. Welcome Bernie Sanders to the White House. Be a part of the change.

***

"I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them." — Harry S. Truman

It's been a rough week, what with all the unpleasantness in Nevada at the caucus, but you have to admit there was great news as well. Congratulations to Bernie for his big win in Oregon and his "statistical tie" in Kentucky. Onward to California and the other June 7th primaries!

To give you an idea where Bernie's campaign is at this point, check out this fun web site of facts: https://BernieSanders.com/Revolution/

We are changing the world, and things might become inconvenient for us--for a time at least. So, before we dive into the messy stuff, let's lift our spirits with an inspirational piece...

St. Bernie of Earth
by River Ananda

This is a piece inspired by Bernie's compassion towards the poor, elderly, the underdogs of the world. His commitment to truth and his service to elevate the suffering of others regardless of race, caste or creed is the hallmark of a true Saint. 

To be a saint is not necessarily to be perfect, but a perfect tool for the people of the times. To walk the razor's edge in truth at all cost for others who cannot. I believe Bernie is a true Jedi master full of wisdom. As he walks the path of righteousness he has to negotiate and associate with the Dark Side of the corporate slavery visited upon us. Our truth has substance, and their fear is a illusion hollow by nature. Truly he is a master alchemist and diplomatic genius. 

Perfect balance to bring us out of the darkness and to transmute suffering created by greed, war and a lack of compassion. The more responsibility he has, the greater our ability to heal the planet. As the leader of the free world, together we shall rise in unity.
 
He is We.
Wonderful and great is the Saint of Vermont,
Bernie Sanders
                      

Bio: River Ananda is a devotional singer, songwriter, graphics design artist, environmental consultant for humanitarian organizations and a blessed father.

***

Now we look at an "inconvenient truth" of our broken political system.

Postmortem:  The Democratic Party

by Samuel Wolf

The Democratic party as we know it needs to cease to exist.

It is no secret that in 1992 Bill Clinton was involved in a think-tank concerning the future of the Democratic party.  The belief then was that the party was too idealistic, and it was not a good recipe for winning elections.  Bear in mind that we had just come through twelve of the most devastating years for the poor and middle class due to the billionaire friendly policies of Reagan and Bush.

The conclusion of the Clinton-involved think-tank was, in order to retain  power in America, the Democrats had to move to the right and befriend the policies of Reagan.  This was in response to the Republicans moving to the bizarre-religious-extreme-right, a group now known as the Tea Party.

We had suffered through three long horrible  Reagan/ Bush administrations noted for the bankrupt idea of "trickle down" economics, massive deregulation, arrogant neglect of the poor and middle class, subtle but very real racism, the "war on drugs", the rolling back of the social contract initiated by Franklin Roosevelt known as the New Deal, and attacks on environmental protection.  We must not omit an unconscionable embrace of the fanatical Christian "Born Again" evangelical movement. (Do we not have a Bill of Rights separating church from government?)  "Greed is good," was their credo.

I was ready to welcome back the Democrats who, I hoped, would begin to right the egregious misdeeds against the American people perpetrated by the Reagan/ Bush national nightmare.  At least I hoped the social guarantees instituted by FDR could be renewed and strengthened by the party in which these progressive ideals were born.  Sadly, I was deceived and quickly proven wrong.

The Clintons oversaw an era during which more wealth was transferred from the poor and middle class to the very wealthiest people, banks, and corporations in such a short time than ever before in the history of the world. This benefited corporate profits while allowing these greedy criminal anti-American corporations to export decent American jobs to China and other unfriendly nations to save money. 

 In another exercise of  "subtle" racism, the Clintons championed a draconian crime bill. (Remember the Reagan "War on Drugs"?)  America has become the nation of the most incarcerated persons, mostly people of color, for terms commonly ten years or more.  In 1997 Bill Clinton's FDA chief modified regulations to permit advertising of prescription drugs on TV, a disgusting and immoral practice not allowed elsewhere in the civilized world.  

Perhaps worst of all, in 1999 Bill Clinton supported a Republican initiative to repeal Glass-Steagall, a law instituted to prohibit commercial banks from involvement with speculative investments, insurance and other non-banking activities allowed by investment banks.  The law was passed in 1933 to protect depositors and instill confidence in the banking system.  The repeal of Glass-Steagall led directly to the banking abuses, causing the Great Recession of 2007-2008.  The economic fallout from that greed-induced disaster is still felt today in our sluggish economy and a decade long period of historically low interest rates, which  hurts people who rely on income from savings.

Somehow, between 1992 and 2016, Bill and Hillary Clinton who both came from modest circumstances have managed to amass a fortune which puts them in the top one tenth of one percent of the wealthiest Americans alongside guess who--Donald Trump.  By the way, over the years the Clintons have not been shy about accepting generous contributions from the same Donald Trump.

So, with the destruction of the Democratic party and its principles as we know it, in 1992 we embarked upon a de facto one party system with each party representing groups of corporations, sometimes backed by both parties.  The myth of elections these days is a smokescreen for the continual peeling off of wealth from the bottom to the very top where it is needed least.

These years have seen a disgraceful greedy neglect of our infrastructure.  This is perhaps exemplified by the lead water in Flint, Michigan, and other poor places perpetrated by greedy criminal politicians trying to save money in poor neighborhoods and then covering up these crimes.

Another name for a one party system is dictatorship.

Progressives and the Sanders campaign have shown there are many, many of us out there fervently committed to rescuing our country. We need to make a choice.

1.  Bring the Democrats back to their base issues in support of the American people.  The Sanders campaign is an attempt to fulfill this dream.

2.  If the Clintons get a third or even a fourth term, then it is clear the Democrats are already dead and a viable, new party must be born.  There is a natural coalition of progressives, independents, and disenfranchised and alienated Democrats and Republicans who have had enough of this billionaire bullsh*t and who need and want a reform platform.  We are loyal tax-paying Americans who have waited too long for our voice to be heard.  Perhaps the Sanders political revolution has sounded the wake-up call.

As for me, if Bernie is unable to secure the nomination, I pledge to not cast a vote for Trump or for Clinton--birds of the same feather with contrasting styles and similar substance.

Be on notice one-party billionaire crooks: Your days are numbered.

Bio: "My name is Samuel Wolf.  I am 64 years old and a resident of Wells River, Vermont.  Myself, my wife Diane and my two adult daughters are enthusiastic Bernie supporters. We have all been to rallies and donate regularly. I am proud of my daughters as this is their first foray into politics, and they are avid supporters.

I started a blog at 3curley3.blogspot.com called Random Musings of a Berned Out Stoner. I was feeling angry and betrayed when I wrote the piece, which attempts to explain my feelings. I hope readers are enlightened by it and not offended by my somewhat strident tone."

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This Woman is Bernie Strong!

a weekly commentary by a female Bernie Supporter

Isn't it about time we voters weren't "inconvenienced" by bought-off politicians? This week's This Woman is Bernie Strong! commentator has come up with a plan that is sure to please most Americans.

$1 Million Dollars and Not a Penny Less
by Florence Lince

Election season is upon us, and as usual, Americans are voting backwards. I mean they are giving their vote away for free to the candidate of their favorite party or the lesser of two evils. The question is, "Why on earth are we giving our vote away without the candidates giving us anything in return?" I mean, would you give $25,000 to a car manufacturer in the hopes you will get a car one day? Of course not. I would hope not. One can always hope.

Before you so freely give away your vote, ask yourself this: When have the American people received the benefit of the many campaign promises candidates spew while they are trying to win over your vote? These candidates all promise us the moon but seldom deliver, always blaming their lack of follow-through on the other political party and their obstructionism. Why don’t they follow through?  

Because they don't have to. 

We continue to vote year after year on the winds of hope and fake promises that are never fulfilled. These politicians are laughing at us and our gullibility. They don’t have to follow through because the American memory is short, and it's getting shorter all the time.

Here is my message to the two presumptive front runners, one who is stealing the election from Bernie Sanders, the best candidate for the job, and the other candidate who is taking their party on a joy ride of epic proportions. If you want my vote in November it will cost you $1 million, up front, in cold hard cash. I will even sign an affidavit stating that you will have my vote in November. We can keep the agreement just between us if you wish.

Let me be crystal clear. Without the money I will not be voting in November. Neither of the establishment candidates have ever done a damn thing for me, and I am too old to take empty promises for what you promise but most likely won’t deliver. If more Americans would take the time to realize we are encouraging our country's bad politics, because we give our vote away before anyone has done anything for us, perhaps more would get done in this country.

For all of you who will pooh-pooh my idea, since paying for votes is illegal, let me remind you that the Supreme Court legalized unlimited campaign finance funding and super PACs. A politician's vote is always being paid for.

I am a female voter, born and raised in this country. My family has been here for several generations. I have no health care and no vehicle, and I have no job. The money (if you so choose to pay me) will be used to get a car so that I can get a job and pay for health care so I can live a long and full life. 

$1 million. I think my vote is worth that much.

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It is, Florence. Our votes are all worth much, much more than what we think. Think of your vote and the votes of all the millions of other ordinary Americans struggling to survive...  Money alone can't buy "elections" if we don't back the oligarchs' bought-for candidates. Money can tamper with elections, rig elections, and thwart justice for a time, but it can't convince anyone it is "democracy", now can it? Keep spreading that thought to others and watch the Political Revolution grow! --The Friends of Bernie Sanders

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The "yooj" June 7th primary sweepstakes is almost here. Sing some new words to a classic 60s protest song and celebrate Bernie's Eve of Election. Keep phonebanking, texting, Facebanking, canvassing and sharing Bernie with every voter you meet. Don't stop! #FeeltheBern and we'll #SeeYouInPhilly