House Of Public Discourse
Is an area in social life where individuals can come together to freely discuss and identify societal problems, and through that discussion influence political action.
Republicans Have Nothing To Offer Except Hate and Fear.
Recently while spanning my newsfeed, something jumped out at me about the Republican Party. Republicans have nothing to offer except hate and fear. As a matter of fact, it's been this way since the 1980s.
The only two ideas I have ever seen come from the GOP are tax cuts and deregulation. It's true. We are officially in an election season now and in this writers view the Republicans have nothing to offer the American people. It's been 40 years, and all they have ever done is cut taxes for the rich and allow Corporations to run roughshod over our environment with deregulation. None of the above has ever helped the average working class person here in the United States.
That's an issue. Reagan came along and slew the Labor Unions, and to this day they have not recovered. In doing so, America's once vibrant middle class was destroyed. That's not the only thing Reagan did. Aside from having no ideas other than cutting taxes and deregulation Republicans stay in power through two mechanisms hate and fear. When I think back to Reagan, I remember him telling us we need to be angry. That we needed to hate black people because of their taking all of our tax dollars by being on welfare. He invented the " Welfare Queen."
Republicans and their media echo chamber Fox's News have painted a picture of well to do black folks just sitting around collecting unemployment checks and food stamps. It was a lie, a myth, but it worked. Just like Trump today Reagan worked his base into a frenzy until they were foaming at the mouth. The Republican base was in fear of their livelihoods. By doing so, he[Reagan] got people to vote Republican even though they had nothing to offer.
George W Bush
George W Bush though, he spoke a great game about Muslims, did not demonize them in his speeches and in his talks. What did he do? He got the Republican base to hate Muslims through his war on terror. Now, I hear Republicans make the argument that he did not say " go hate Muslims." That he was very clear to separate the people who did nine 11 and the bad guys over in Afghanistan and Iraq from the everyday Muslim.
I remember well this to be true; however, his efforts failed. The Republicans and their deep-pocketed donors wanted those oilfields and fear, and hate was the order of the day. Bush knew it! We have the Christian Right leaders telling us Islam is a religion of hate. Fox News has been spinning this lie for decades. What they're doing with representative Omar is sickening, and they're doing it because she is a Muslim. So, in spite of offering nothing but endless war and tax cuts he wins reelection.
Now, What is Donald Trump Doing Today?
He's cutting taxes. He is deregulating, and he's getting his base to hate a new group of people. The others. Immigrants! They're the bad guys. First, it was the black people then it was the Muslims. Now, it's the Hispanics. You can bet your bottom dollar come general election time it will be Socialist and Progressives.
Who's the next target. Who's the next group that we need to hate and fear so much that we're willing to vote for a political party that has had no new ideas since who knows when. Since 1980 we have been told by different Republican leaders which group we need to hate and why we need to vote for Republicans to keep us safe from these groups.
What has America's flight from reason cost us as a nation? Does any political candidate out there right or left have the intestinal fortitude to talk about ignorance as a political issue? These issues range from scientific research on Global Warming to the issues of war and peace.
In this ever-growing age of unreason, people seem to be focused on small personal facts as opposed to big issues. But even more than that lack of knowledge and unreason affects the way candidates speak about everything.
A good example is the healthcare situation in this country. It's a very important issue. All the candidate’s say it is. But, if people are not knowledgeable about how healthcare is handled in other countries how can they make a reasoned decision about how to solve our nation’s healthcare issues. If you don't have a base of knowledge to be able to compare facts about this issue how can one make an informed choice?
How can people have a reasonable discussion about how things ought to be if they have no real knowledge of the facts?
Our political culture reflects our general culture. In many ways, our political culture is shaped by our general culture. Our research here in the House of Public Discourse has led us to the conclusion what America really needs is an " Educator in Chief" than a " Commander in Chief."There is no quick dose of change in today's culture. Our politicians of today including Obama have failed miserably in educating the people before such changes are proposed. Cognitive Dissonance is alive and well in America. " Critical Thinking" is at a loss.
Many American's Can't Stand or Tolerate Contradictory Opinions. Why?
This in part is why our countries population is becoming dumber by the day. When one creates a vacuum for themselves and shuts off any evidence, facts, or contradictions from their minds the less informed they become about the issues. Studies have shown that people's attention spans, in general, have grown shorter and shorter over the years. Time Magazine reported in 2015 that people have shorter attention spans than a Goldfish.
A great example how American citizens are controlled by their own cognitive dissonance is the outcry from the Christian Right and their orderly followers to have " Creationism" taught in Public School ignoring the detailed science and empirical evidence of evolution.
What we are getting at here is there has been a huge failure of education in America and it's getting worse by the day. Betty DeVos ring a bell. Therefore, we support free College education for all in America no matter the cost. Because " America's Flight from Reason" is being fueled and exploited by those who not only prey on the uneducated but depend on them as well.
It's Time For A Cool Change In America's Political Process.
What choices has the presidential election in 2016 given Americans? A corporate brand [Donald Trump] versus a political dynasty [Hillary Clinton.] Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have emerged as the nominees for their respective parties Trump a Republican and Clinton the Democrat.
What has resulted is upheaval in both establishment parties. Trump talks about building a "Great Wall" on our Southern border. Trump even claims he will make Mexico pay for this wall. Trump's unfiltered conservatism has caused shock waves throughout the Republican Party establishment. Donald Trump has shown more showmanship than political savvy and his rhetoric has no practical political diplomacy whatsoever. Trump has insulted fellow Republicans like John McCain (R-AZ).
Trump called Hispanics rapist and murders. Trump proclaimed America's leaders as just plain stupid. Many pundits at the beginning called Donald Trump's run for the highest office in the land nothing more than a sideshow. Mainstream media claimed he was an illegitimate contender. What these out of touch pundits failed to realize their marginalization of Trump was a factor that helped him. The media came out with a narrative that suggested Trump was not a mainstream candidate. Trump was a joke with funky hair and the people who supported him resented this narrative. People know matter their " Party Identification" don't want news media telling them who they should vote for under any circumstance.
Hillary Clinton
On the Democratic side, Wall Street and Corporate America darling Hillary Clinton while less sensational than Trump has shown by her record to be just as conservative as any moderate Republican and has faced serious and ongoing criticism from the Progressive faction within the party that mostly supported her rival in the race, Bernie Sanders. Hillary Clinton has once again got herself into a scandal by misusing and overstepping her authority regarding her handling of classified information on her private server and has bolstered already unfavorable trust that many Americans have of her. The issue is still fluid as of the rendition of this essay.
After wiping clean her email server some 30,000 emails total many Americans from all spectrum's are comparing her to Richard Nixon. Right now, more and more Americans are getting sick and tired of politicians, in this case, Hillary Clinton trying to avoid the issues and skating by under suspicious legal and ethical practices. All one has to do is look at the Democratic Party platform for 2016 and see the party has moved to the right on many of the issues.[See: The Democratic Platform is Not Really That Progressive, and Won't Unite the Party.]
The Election of 2016 Has Changed How America's Two Major Parties Are Defined.
Even though, Bernie Sanders bid for the Democratic Party nominee wasn't successful his messaging and narrative was an American political success story.[See: Bernie Sanders Supporters Are The New American Revolution And It's About More Than Bernie! ] GOP white voters many who left the Democratic Party some 50 years ago have become unruly putting it mildly. There have been many acts of violence at Trump rallies. [See Article] On the Democratic side, real Progressives and young voters alike are rejecting the " Third Way" politics of the party's elites. [See: Corporate Democratic Party Think Tank ‘Third Way’ Exposed] Some may think these feeling are short-lived ones but our research here in the House of Public Discourse suggest otherwise. We see a dramatic change looming on the horizon and to coin a phrase the “Storm Is Coming."
People Who Identify Themselves As Political Independents Is On The Rise In America.
According to recent polling, the Republican Party is in serious trouble. People who identify themselves as Republicans is at a 25 year low. [See Source] The Democratic Party while not as bad as the Republican Party has not seen any real increase in membership until the current run by long time independent senator from Vermont Bernie Sanders and have blown that to kingdom come by the actions of vote rigging and sabotage by the Democratic National Committee. [DNC]
In short, more and more people from all walks of life and backgrounds have had their eyes opened to the political corruption in our country and the light bulb has been turned on for good in this writer's view. With access to more information in our digital world, the American voters are slowly but surely becoming savvier to insider politics. The comparisons between the two major parties have never been so closely related than in the present.
There are no real differences in the party of blue and the party of red. They use different labels they pretend to compete with one another while they both are beholden to the same paymasters. They both conspire under the table with one another and it's the two party system that has been the enabler. As a result of all these factors a recent Gallup poll has revealed that over 40 percent of Americans now identify themselves as independent. [See Source]
This rise is a result of many Republicans who became jaded by Bush, Jr second term in office and now Democrats who have seen President Obama support incognito trade deals, supporting drone strikes, not supporting the labeling of GMO's and now refusing to admit the election process was rigged claiming it was nothing more than a conspiracy theory. What happen to transparency? What happen to "Hope and Change? While the economy improved under Obama who benefited from it? Under the Obama Administration, income inequality rose and the distribution of this new wealth went straight to the top. Nothing changed at all. [See Source]
America's Fed Up With The Rigged Two-Party System, Period!
Partisan politics has always created a lot of drama in America. This partisanship is the main reason that most Americans feel ambivalent towards politics and why getting things done inside the beltway has become so hard. Gridlock is the order of the day in our nation's capital. With the recent events in this year's Democratic race, there is a huge disillusionment with the two-party political system in America. People are screaming and protesting for a real change in our political process from start to finish. The free thinking American sees what's going on here. Growing numbers of these free thinkers are rejecting both the Democratic and Republican parties. Based on the latest Wall Street Journal poll only 21 percent of Americans claim they are Republicans while only 29 percent claim to be Democrats.
Groves of Americans have lost faith in our political system. Some estimated 67 percent of us have disenfranchised ourselves from the process altogether. Polls have shown that only 25 percent have a strong faith in our courts, 15 percent strong faith in our executive branch, and only a 4 percent strong faith in Congress. [See Source] What makes all these numbers so affright is that the two party system has pinned us in a box. We are told that we can only choose from the two party nominees and to do otherwise will cause them to lose. Vote Shaming! Why the campaign of Bernie Sanders has really won in spite of all that's happened is that now there is a guidepost to formulating a fair and open discussion on the issue. It is time and long overdue to have a real debate about the pluses and minuses of the two-party system. Our democracy not only needs this debate it demands it. And, right now, not tomorrow is the time to do it.
If all Americans no matter their background can't bring their affirmative values to bear in their choice for a political candidate what good is our democracy anyway moreover can we actually call our governance a democracy in the first place? The House of Public Discourse would suggest what we have now is politics of fear. [ See: The Politics Of Fear And Anger Have Gone Viral In America]
What Is The Solution?
There is a solution to this politics of fear. Voting Reform? These reforms could be implemented on both the state and federal levels very quickly. These legislatures could invoke rank choice voting for example. Which is used in many countries around the world and on the local level in many U.S. cities right now?
As it stands right now the state of our Democracy is one that tries to eliminate opposition voices. In turn, by doing so, the results has alienated a majority of Americans from taking part in the process. In our history, America has invaded countries that practiced such alienation. We bomb them and call it tyranny. In Democratic states who are concerned about their vote being split, we [House of Public Discourse] would encourage you to talk with your state legislators and tell them they can pass the solution right now that will prevent any so-called spoiling of the vote. Enough with the vote shaming pass measures like the one offered in the above to avoid such political disasters you fear the electorate with.
Why Have They Not Done This Already?
In a word, FEAR! Both political parties rely on it. Why do they rely on fear? Because you, we, us, are not their major concern. Their influence peddling corporate donors are who they serve and protect not John and Suzie Q public. Their refusal to fix this addiction has been exposed by the Bernie Sanders run for the presidency and this refusal is cause for you not to vote for them and to do so based on their narrative of fear only makes you an enabler of this political corruption.
No One Ever Would Have Believed A Little Known Independent Senator From Vermont Would Change The American Political Landscape Forever.
The remarkable ascent of Bernie Sanders goes much further than an unexpected hard fought political campaign against a political insider and establishment icon Hillary Clinton. Bernie Sanders political revolution has far greater implications. No matter if the Sanders Campaign wins or loses it has already ensured that America's crony capitalism will no longer go unchallenged. As Bernie has said repeatedly "the same old same old will not work."
However, at the same time, the ascent of Republican Donald Trump means that America is on the verge of becoming demented. Sanders and Trump are opposite reactions to the same problem. America financial elites have become so corrupt, arrogant, and predatory that political leaders like Hillary Clinton who are beholden to them can no longer provide "We the People" economic or political security.
Many Americans Have Run Out Of Patience
What the Sanders campaign and his unexpected success have borne out is that millions of Americans are done with status quo politics. American politics for the first time in decades is truly up for grabs. This is both exciting and terrifying when you really put these developments to study. As we have often advocated here in the House of Public Discourse "History Does Repeat Itself in Politics."
The Great Depression produced Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal while in Europe the "Great Depression" yielded us, Hitler and Mussolini. So just like in our world's past America's reaction to our present corruption and decline of the middle-class could bring out our best Bernie Sanders or our worst Donald Trump.
We hear every day that if Bernie Sanders supporters do not support Democratic establishment insider Hillary Clinton what we will get is the demented Donald Trump as our president and furthermore if he was to get elected he [Sanders] could never get any of his goals done. No way could Sanders break up the banks for example.
What the Democratic National Committee [DNC], the Clinton Campaign, Corporate owned media, and Hillary supporters are trying to force feed Bernie supporters is that only a pragmatic moderate insider like Hillary Clinton can get things done. What our research here in the House of Public Discourse has found suggest something totally opposite. America insider politics is so corrupted and dysfunctional that no one within it can get anything done. Let's start with Hillary Clinton and the banks. Her husband former President Bill Clinton made Robert Rubin former President of Goldman Sachs Treasury Secretary later came Larry Summer and Laura Tyson. Bill Clinton also reappointed Alan Greenspan as FED Chairman. Collectively they let the banks run wild in fact the Clinton's help them. Bill with Hillary's support repealed "Glass-Stegall" and she [Hillary] opposes reinstating to this day. The Clinton's banned "Derivatives Regulation" refused to use the federal governments authority to regulate the "Mortgage Industry," and did nothing as security fraud overwhelm the internet.
After leaving office both Clinton's have made millions of dollars giving speeches to the banks while being silent about the prosecution of finical crimes. Now, Hillary Clinton has stated she will rely on Bill for help with economic policies? [See Source] Bad Idea!
Could Bernie Do Any Better?
Yes, he [Sanders] could appoint an Attorney General and head of the Dept. of Justice criminal division who have not spent their entire careers defending corporate criminals. Moreover, he could use his authority to invite these appointees to our Justice Departments to put these people in jail instead.
Sanders could also appoint an anti-trust division head that would investigate the much cozy cartel-like associations that evade on paying their fair share of taxes and are nothing more than money laundering schemes. These investigations could lead to anti-trust lawsuits against the banks.
Sanders could appoint a Federal Reserve chair who would require banks to divest assets and operate safely. Sanders could also demand a regulation on Bankers compensation so if they once again cause a disaster they could not benefit from it personally.
All of this could be done without a single new law being enacted or debated.
Win or lose Bernie Sanders 2016 Presidential run has given "We the People" the opportunity to create a powerful and everlasting "Progressive Reform Movement." This country has been needing one for a long time and Bernie Sanders has long been a lone voice crying in the wilderness for these reforms. Now, his voice has been heard and this lone cry has become a roar.
Insider Politics In America Are Totally Broken, But Donald Trump Fascism and Hillary Clinton Establishment Politics Are Not The Answer!
Bernie's Populist Message Is Striking Home With The American People
Bernie Sanders message is exploding and his recent surge in the political polling suggests that his narrative has become a political tidal wave. Sanders has an ever increasing lead in New Hampshire and has come from way back in the Iowa polls to take a four-point lead. Also, in the national polls, the Sanders campaign has caught a once thought insurmountable lead by the Clinton campaign to be within the margin of error.
Bernie Sanders rallies have drawn record crowds even in the Red States. Bernie Sanders message is electrifying crowds and part of the reason his message is not picking a war of words with his opposition or throwing Latino's, African Americans, Muslim's, and immigrants under the bus. He is not throwing people who disagree with him out of his rallies. Bernie Sanders message is resonating because his narrative is speaking to people, not from an authoritarian or entitlement perspective he [Sanders] is speaking about issues that people genuinely care about and affect their lives.
Bernie Sanders message is one of populism. So, what is populism?
People are not only agreeing with Bernie's message how the rich have skated by and not paid their fair share of taxes they can personally relate to its truth. Young people are thrilled to hear Bernie's plan for making public college education free and reducing interest rates on student loan debt. When people become aware of Bernie Sanders long record of defending Social Security they appreciate his efforts and embrace his goal of expanding it. People who have been chastised or locked up for non-violate drug offenses support whole-heartedly Bernie's plan to decriminalize marijuana.
Bernie Sanders message has gone from a lone cry in the wilderness to a major political tidal wave that is sweeping the nation. In this writer's view, this should not be surprising. People are becoming more and more aware that our country and government has been sold to the highest bidder and as such the political process has been rigged. When you focus on the language that the Sanders campaign is using versus the Republicans and Hillary Clinton he uses the pronoun We, not I. We not only includes himself or herself but considers all of us " We The People."
Bernie Sanders message is not one of authoritarianism which suggest put your faith in me because I can to this and I can do that instead it's a populist one that says we can do great things if we come together to fight these plutocrats who are destroying our democracy. Bernie's message is not one of " I am the only one qualified to lead" but one of " We can bring about positive change together as " We The People."
Bernie Sanders speaks to the people, not at them. He is not telling people what to think. His message says I understand what you think and we are all together in a common accord. This factor is what is causing the surge in the polls for Bernie Sanders and puts daylight between him and Hillary Clinton and the entire Republican presidential field.
What's even more important to point out is these issues that Bernie Sanders is advocating in his campaigns platform are not issues on the campaign trail but issues he has worked on his entire career as a public servant. Bernie Sanders has a solid voting record to back up his rhetoric. There is no questioning his integrity of genuineness. Bernie Sanders has an 81% approval rating in Vermont Sanders home state.
There is no mass evolving or having to admit mistakes and people don't have to worry that Bernie will not work hard to fulfill his promises. This character is one the American populist have been craving. Bernie Sanders has accountability which in turn gives him credibility. Bernie Sanders has a record that can be validated. Bernie Sanders has built and continues to build a sense of trust with the American populist.
Unlike Hillary Clinton who has openly admitted mistakes to her credit and evolved on one issue after the other. Moreover, Bernie Sanders has a political record, unlike Republican front-runner Donald Trump.
The political establishment of the Democratic party and their preordained choice and their authoritarian follower base can't wrap their heads around the political tidal wave that is Bernie Sanders but the American people have and it's reflecting in the polls as of the rendition of this essay.
Hillary Clinton Thinks She Has It In The Bag, Hold Up Wait A Minute!
A new era in American politics began in 2008 with the election of the first person of color to the White House. Some in America are ready to vote for the first female president ever in 2016. Does Hillary Clinton have the political dash to make it so? Many have pre-ordained Hillary Clinton as the winner we here in the House of Public Discourse say " Hold Up Wait A Minute."
Hillary Clinton has been a master of the 21st-century media she is the darling of mainstream media however that can be a double edge sword. Huge new and powerful voting blocks, and scores of American citizens have had it up to their ying-yangs with mainstream media. While many older voters still struggle with the concept of social media younger voters not only except modern day politicians to understand the digital age but also they expect politicians to embrace its power.
The news of today does not revolve around mainstream media it comes from We The People on various social media platforms like Facebook. Nowadays, it's not cool for political candidates to detach themselves and simply rely on mainstream media to deliver their message. No matter how many corporate polls say Hillary Clinton is winning social media polls say different. At this point, Hillary Clinton has failed miserably to convey any coherent message that a Hillary Clinton presidency would help young people or the everyday hard working low and middle-class American. This failure to connect with this crucial voting block could derail Hillary Clinton ambition to be the first female president.
As a follower of politics for most of my adult life, one thing you can expect from politicians in the hip pocket of corporate donors, special interest, and now Super PACS is a rhetoric full of smoke and mirrors.
There is a game that corporate owned politicians play in today's politics. What is sad they proclaim it must be played to be successful. This game is often overlooked by voters and especially those casual observers of politics. However, the interjection of social media is helping to combat this overlook by electors, and while many Americans remain in the dark, the light is slowly beginning to shine through for more and more Americans.
Hillary Clinton comes from a wealthy family. She is the wife of former President Bill Clinton. In the current 2016 race, Hillary Clinton is trying to portray herself as a regular American, who is in touch with the poor and middle-class. There is documented proof she tries to adapt her accent for political appeal.
It's true that many voters will not pick up on this smoke and mirror political tactic by Hillary Clinton, but an ever increasing knowledgeable voting base will. Hillary Clinton image team needs a makeover because active voters are not buying for one second this run to the left I,m a populist candidate Clinton. In fact, it's an insult to one's intelligence.
The name Hillary Clinton in politics may hold more weight than what her actual accomplishments do.
Hillary Clinton was the most-traveled Secretary of State in the history of the office. It has been widely acknowledged Hillary Clinton was not responsible for any significant strategies during her time holding the position. No matter the witch hunt that became known as the Benghazi Hearings were Hillary Clinton did say she was responsible for some security lapses.[See Article]
No matter how hard the Hillary Clinton handlers try to spin it, Hillary Clinton has a ton of political baggage hanging over her head. There are millions of Americans who do not see any real accomplishments from the former first lady and see this negatively and equate this negativity as inactivity.
No matter Hillary Clinton achievements or lack thereof her high name recognition does not guarantee her a win in November 2016. In fairness, to Hillary Clinton she has made a lot of enemies in her day that has made her a target for nasty news media sound bites. However, there is an argument to be made that her evolving political image is disingenuous, deceitful, and manipulative to the lower and middle-class voter. Facts show by her record and who here donors are that Hillary Clinton is not a populist candidate she is perceived by many Democratic voters as a corporate tool and that her promises on the campaign trial are just that promises.
There is a current change going on in the Democratic Party. There is a persistent move from the center right to the center left. There is a corporatist wing and a populist wing. Hillary Clinton has a voting record that does not sit well with the growing progressive wing in the party. Many experts say, and Barack Obama pounded it home in 2008 that Hillary Clinton voted for the war in Iraq.
Corporate Democrats and other rank and file party members are giving Hillary Clinton a pass on this huge blunder that she has admitted. With that said, there are others in the Democratic Party who have not given Hillary Clinton that pass and have made it known to the world they will not vote for Hillary Clinton.
This issue poses a significant problem for Hillary Clinton, who already is battling a poll that suggest 60% of Americans find her untrustworthy and dishonest.[See Source] This factoid coupled by young voters who are not buying into the Hillary Clinton public relations efforts and the growing number of Democrats who don't adhere to her beliefs or excuse her voting record Hillary Clinton may be in for some surprises in her second quest for the highest office in the world.
It's all about big businesses for Hillary Clinton. Who can refute that once you get a look at who is feeding money into her campaign? Unlike her primary opponent Bernie Sanders who refuses to take influence peddling money, Hillary Clinton has accepted it with open arms.
Hillary Clinton may not be a new name in the political public sphere, but her bogus attempt at being a populist candidate to uninformed voters is not working. Why? Because when the rubber hits the road it's the issues that matter to her campaign donors that shine forth like a beacon of light from a seashore lighthouse.
A growing number of Americans both young and old are sick and tired of the wealthiest Americans influencing our democracy. Like it or not Hillary Clinton has over the years gained the reputation as a Washington-Wall Street insider who does the bidding for her corporate buddies. So, when she tries to peddle back to a populist stance, those untrustworthy stats reach up and take a bite.
Americans Proved In 2008 They Were Done With Bushes And Clinton's.
Americans in 2008 and the early polling of Jeb Bush show that We The People are suffering from dynasty fatigue. America is not a Monarchy. Before the 2008 election, there was either a Bush or Clinton in the White House. This period span was 25 years. This dynasty fatigue factor gets no mention in mainstream media, but this factor is a very real issue with millions of Americans. Americans love an underdog, and Hillary Clinton has been the pre-ordained choice of the Democratic Party hierarchy that many experts have cited as losing touch with the changing progressive tide of the party.
Bernie Sanders has captured the heart of not only Progressive Democrats, Millennial Voters, Independents, but Republican voters as well. The surge and growing popularity of Bernie Sanders is a genuine grassroots populist movement. Hillary Clinton and her corporate Democrat buddies can kiss the nomination on a silver platter idea goodbye. Bernie Sanders has done an outstanding job of messaging, and his campaign of embracing the power of social media is paying huge dividends for the growth of his name recognition and his consistent progressive record as a 25-year public servant. Sanders natural candor is ringing true with a board and diverse group of Americans. It is not only arrogant to claim Hillary Clinton has the nomination in the bag it's foolish. With Bernie Sanders, there is no question of his authenticity or his trustworthiness factors the Hillary Clinton campaign cannot rely on.
We Need New Thinking, Bold Thinking, And A Plan Of Action
" We The People" must all play a role in this country for the fight against civil injustice. We all must be willing and eager to bring forth ideas to help make our nation a better place. And, the fight must not end when a political campaign ends. This " Political Revolution" must be a 24/7 around the clock endeavor. We must fight for adequate job training, which in turn will help small businesses. We must fight for family counseling and other programs to help families stay together and moreover, realize the American Dream.
Bernie Sanders is the longest serving independent Congressmen in the history of the United States. Bernie Sanders is running for the Presidency in the Democratic Primary. There is a bevy of evidence that the " American Experiment Is Under Crisis." These crises could be more severe than at any other time in our nation's history. It was just in 2008 our country faced a crisis in our financial markets that would have made the " Great Depression" look like child's play.
The reality is its way to late for establishment politics from either political parties to make a difference. It's way too late for establishment economics to help the average American. We need new thinking and bold thinking to facilitate a positive change from the status quo.
We Must Address The Issue Of Wealth Inequality In America
When we have a nation today when a few billionaires have overwhelming influence over the economic and political systems of this country there is nothing We The People can accomplish unless we have the unity and intestinal fortitude to take them on. This is what the Bernie Sanders campaign is all about.
There must be a plan in place that offers help to our cities, education, jobs, and justice for all. No matter how uncomfortable this may be for some in America, the Unites States is the wealthiest country in the history of the world. However, very few Americans realize this wealth because this wealth is in the hands of the 1% who trickle this wealth to off-shore bank accounts.
America has the worst income inequality than any other country in the world. America cannot run away from these statistical realities. This inequality is the biggest moral issue facing our nation today, and Bernie Sanders has been a leader of the pack in advocating the need for change. Moving forward, any "Political Revolution," promoting a shift in the American political process must address this issue, and the Bernie Sanders campaign has done just that.
Jimmy Carter
Just recently former President Jimmy Carter went on record proclaiming the American political system as corrupt, that has become an oligarchy with unlimited political bribery that has circumvented the will of the people.
President Jimmy Carter: The United States is an Oligarchy...
As we reported last year in the House of Public Discourse after the disastrous 2014 mid-term elections the first fight, we must engage in is the overturning of the Citizens United court decision. This Supreme Court decision says to the wealthiest people in America you can now buy the United States government. Citizen United undermines the very foundational tenets of American democracy. What many Americans both men and woman have fought and lost their lives over.
Something is very wrong when one family the Koch Brothers can spend more money bribing politicians than both political parties are spending to promote their candidates combined. Once again, Bernie Sanders has been out front in opposing this cancer on our democracy.
There is one thing for sure if We The People just sit back and do nothing ______ nothing will change! If we just expect someone else to do it and not get involved ourselves, nothing will change.
When we talk about the issue of education in America. One must realize that we live in a time of a highly competitive global market. In this writer's view, it is insane that we have thousands of bright young people many who are minorities who have the will and the ability to get a college education but their families can't afford to pay the ever-rising cost of tuition.
This reality is one of self-destruction for America. Bernie Sanders has advocated for making every public college and university in America tuition free. Moreover, he has not only done this from the speech podium he has also introduced a bill to make it so. What this means is that kids no matter their parents income level will know if they study hard and do their school work they will have a shot at not only a higher education but achieving a better life for their family and future family. The bottom line is the economic status of a person family should not and will not be a determining factor in getting a higher education and is very much a part of the new " Political Revolution."
The world has changed since the 1940's and 50"s. Woman make up a huge portion of the workplace. Its, not just Dad working. One of the main elements of the new political revolution says we must provide a first class child care and Pre-Kindergarten system in our country.
One of the most talked about issues in America is jobs. A problem that both political parties jabber about and use as a political football. We read every month that unemployment has gone down. This fact is encouraging. No one can fault President Obama for his efforts. However, the unemployment rate is but just one of many reports that come out on jobs. This stat does not take into account people who have given up looking for work or who are working part-time. There is an issue very few people are talking about, and you will not see much of in the corporate-owned mainstream media is the problem of youth unemployment.
If you are a white kid between 17-20 with a high school diploma you have a 33% unemployment rate. If you are a Hispanic kid between 17-20, you have a 36% unemployment rate. If you are a black kid between 17-20 with a high school diploma you have a 51% unemployment rate.[See Source]
These rates are a disgrace and constitute a real crisis in America. It's not unfair to say we are turning our backs on an entire generation. Once again Bernie Sanders has led the charge in changing this tragedy and why his campaign has drawn the support of the " Millennial Voter." The new " Political Revolution" must not allow this to continue no matter if Bernie wins or loses.
The American Dream Has Been Locked Up By The Criminal Justice System
For millions of American citizens, the American Dream has been locked up by the Criminal Justice System. . This tragedy must be addressed by the new " Political Revolution." America has more people in jail than any other country in the world including China. As previously mentioned with so many of American's youth out of work what has resulted is high incarceration rates in this demographic.
Bernie Sanders positions on this issue are we must as a nation turn our efforts into investing in jobs and education rather than building jails and prisons. Bernie Sanders along with other Progressive Democrats have introduced legislation that would create one million jobs over the next several years for these unemployed youth. Part of this bill would be to create jobs by rebuilding our nation's crumbling infrastructure. Moreover, these jobs would not be minimum wage jobs. A major part of the new political revolution is to increase the minimum wage from the starvation wage of $7.25 per hour to a living wage of $15.00 per hour. The Sanders campaign has been an outspoken leader on this issue.
Bernie Sanders as an Independent Party senator supported President Obama's Affordable Care Act. However, Sanders has been for many years our countries strongest advocate for " Universal Healthcare." America today is the only major country on earth that does not offer healthcare as a right to all its citizens. The new "Political Revolution" will guarantee healthcare for every man, woman, and child.
Now, when we talk about justice. When we speak of the need for all people in America to be treated equally and with respect. Some hard realities must be faced. These realities are that if you are a black male one out of four can expect to be locked up in jail. We must all work hard to change that dynamic. This reality is a sad story that must be rewritten. As a country We The People can no longer ignore that. In the present, blacks are imprisoned six times the rate as whites. Blacks are three times more apt to be searched during a traffic stop than a white motorist. African Americans are twice as likely to be arrested than whites and four times more likely to experience the use of force than whites.[See Source]
Bernie Sanders
One of the major side effects of these horrific statistical facts is that 13% of African American males and females have lost the right to vote due to felony convictions. In this writer's view, there needs to be some significant changes in the Criminal Justice System in America. This desire has been an important focal point of the Sanders Campaign. Bernie Sanders has expressed if he becomes president of the United States his Justice Department would be vigorous in fighting all forms of discrimination. Not only in police matters but housing and every other aspect of life.
Across America as many people already know, and we see almost every day to many African-Americans, and other minorities find themselves subjected to a system that treats citizens who have not committed crimes as if they were criminals. A growing number of communities all over America do not trust the police. These Police Departments have become disconnected with the communities they are paid to serve.
As mayor of Burlington, Vermont Bernie Sanders Administration moved to a system of community policing. Community policing means that police are a part of the commonwealth that helps in the citizens not seeing the police as a repressive force. The new "Political Revolution" must make the dying of unarmed American citizens at the hands of police as a crime against humanity and put a stop to it once and for all. Violence and brutality of any kind, especially by police officers, sworn to protect and serve the community is not only unacceptable but will no longer be tolerated.
We must reform our Criminal Justice System! " Black Lives Do Matter" as all human life matters.
We as a political movement and political revolution must demand that our Police Departments move away from the militarization of its force. We must stop the federal government and the military industrial complex from being allowed to sell these products to the police. Police should be a part of the community not looking like an invading military force.
Americans need a Justice Department that will take the lead in working with states and local law enforcement to train police officers properly. Force should always be the last resort, not the first resort. For people who have committed crimes that have landed them in jail, there needs to be a system that leads them back from prison. The rate of recidivism in America is way to high. People go to jail when they get out they have no money, no jobs, and a criminal record that will keep them that way plus hamper their ability to find decent housing.
The new " Political Revolution" must attack the arresting of our citizens of nonviolent crimes like smoking marijuana. It is an international embarrassment that we have more people in jail than any other country. It's a disgrace how our nation stigmatizes so many young Americans with a criminal record for smoking pot. However, oddly enough not one major Wall Street executive has been prosecuted for causing the near total collapse of our entire economy. As I reported in a Liberal America article, we need to end " Prisons For Profit."
The new " Political Revolution" must not allow a corporation to make money based on how many people we lock up. The measure of effective law enforcement should not be based on how many individuals go to jail but, instead how many people we keep out of jail. Bernie Sanders campaign has advocated the investment in drug courts and medical and mental health intervention programs. So many people in prison today suffer from mental health issues. It's our duty as citizens to help these people instead of just locking them up.
Furthermore, we must confront and deal with these " Domestic Terror" groups who seek to terrorize the African American and Hispanic communities with violence and intimidation. Too many Americans have fought and died for equal rights for all in this country and to not do something about this growing racially motivated domestic terrorism by subversive white supremacist groups would be a travesty. The Sanders campaign has stated if Bernie becomes president he would make sure there are federal resources available to crack down on the illegal activities of hate groups. There are hundreds of hate groups in America whose sole purpose is based on the hatred of African Americans and other minorities. The new " Political Revolution" must demand an end to this disease and implore help from the federal government in doing so.
In Closing, these are critical times we live in today. The 2016 elections across every spectrum is one of the biggest election ever in determining what direction this nation will take. For many of us this writer included feel a " Political Revolution" is needed to actuate a positive change in America. Electing these corporate owned bought and paid for politicians has destroyed the voice and will of We The People.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, The DNC Have The Debates Rigged, Guess What! It Won't Work.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
The only Democratic Party candidates who don't feel the upcoming Democratic Party Presidential debates aren't rigged the last name ends in Clinton. It is clear as a bell that Democratic Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz is doing all she can to stifle the voice of the people who just don't care for their ordained choice Hillary Clinton.
Martin O Malley former Governor of Maryland and 2016 Democratic Presidential Hopeful.
"This sort of rigged debate has never been attempted before."[Martin O Malley]
In the 2008 Democratic presidential race, there were over 20 debates. Bernie Sanders says there need to be more discussions. Hillary Clinton could not be reached for comment. The Clinton camp is in a defensive hunker down mode. Support for Hillary Clinton is on the decline while support for Bernie Sanders is on the rise. It makes political sense she would rather have fewer debates she has much more to lose. What is wrong with this is for " Debbie Wasserman Schultz." to play favorites with the candidates. It's undemocratic.
Hillary Clinton rarely talks about her policy positions and when she does there is a sense of vagueness about them. As a Progressive Liberal myself I,m very disappointed in the behavior of Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the Democratic National Committee.[DNC]
Bernie Sanders (D-VT)
It's this very type activity by the DNC why many Americans decide not to vote. That claim the system is rigged, and there are no real differences between the two political parties. What has become evident Bernie Sanders message is touching these 67% of typical non-voters in all parts of the country. This re-engagement is a voting block that could turn the South back blue. American's have made it clear they're tired of the same ole same ole in politics. There is no question these type measures being used by the DNC undermine the democratic process. And, the fact that it's coming from the Democrats is disheartening.
The Democratic Party more than ever before should be wanting to have as many debates as possible. Not to just question our candidates, but; to show that there are real differences between the two parties. It's an opportunity to bring the light to the issues of our present times that can affect our future generations as well.
We need to be an informed populist so we can make rational well thought out choices, and the current actions of the DNC are creating a barrier and roadblock from that reality. The fact that the DNC have made their choice of Hillary Clinton and the fact they don't want to give anyone else a chance is disgusting.
From the Thom Hartmann Show
At a time is our nation's history when a majority of Americans are dispirited by our political process. The House of Public Discourse position is we should have as many debates as possible. Also, the House of Public Discourse advocates discussions in places other than the early states. To " boldly go where no man's gone before." If the " Blue Party" is ever to regain a presence in the American South and other heavy Republican regions in the country the time is now not tomorrow.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz has threatened other Democratic candidates if they participate in other debates they will not be allowed at the DNC debates. So What? Big Deal! House of Public Discourse suggests holding other discussions, and if Hillary Clinton doesn't come nothing is lost. Why would a candidate want to attend a rigged debate in the first place?
