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.
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!
In modern politics particularly in the United States the terms Liberal and Progressive are often used interchangeably. These political positions are often treated as if they were one in the same. However, in fact, these terms are mutually exclusive. Never has this truth become more apparent than in the present 2016 Democratic Party presidential race.
For the sake of clarity, definitions are in order.
Liberalism is a political philosophy or worldview founded on ideas of liberty and equality. Whereas classical liberalism emphasizes the role of liberty, social liberalism stresses the importance of equality. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, they support ideas and programs such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, free markets, civil rights, democratic societies, secular governments, and international cooperation[See Source]
One of the major concepts of liberalism is self-ownership or individualism. This individualism includes personal liberty, equal opportunity, and the rule of law, economic freedom, free markets, and free trade. The liberal values freedom of expression and the right to assemble. Of course, this includes freedom of the press.
There should always be a quest for political freedom within a democratic society.
Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, or social outlook that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual. Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and so value independence and self-reliance and advocate that interests of the individual should achieve precedence over the state or a social group while opposing external interference upon one's own interests by society or institutions such as the government. Individualism is often contrasted with totalitarianism or collectivism.[See Source]
In short, Individualism is the root of being liberal. There is no greater desire of anyone who calls themselves a liberal than that of personal liberty. By definition, personal liberty is the freedom of the individual to do as he pleases limited only by the authority of politically organized society to regulate his action to secure the public health, safety, or morals or of other recognized social interests. [See Source]
So What Does Being A Progressive Mean Today?
This writer has no problem with labeling myself a progressive. However, regardless how I choose to label myself it's important to understand that labels are just that labels. Labels are nothing more than a word or words used to describe a concept or belief. Concepts and beliefs in and of themselves are not absolute truths. They are ideas we utilize in an attempt to describe shared experiences. Labels work well as guidepost but are extremely limited in being able to depict the human condition. For example, I may label myself to be progressive because most of my positions concerning politics tend to lean that way so the label tends to provide a point of reference.
What Is The Central Message Of The Progressive?
The central message of the “Progressive Movement" is one of fairness and equality. From Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and now Bernie Sanders Progressives feel that everyone gets a fair shot and that everyone plays by the same rules. What we mean by “fair shot" everyone deserves an equal shot at securing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. What we are not talking about is free handouts. It is the desire to seek and achieve the common welfare for all. Progressives believe we all must do our fair share to help obtain this common good. This is achieved through education, hard work, and active participation in one's community. What Progressives mean by playing by the same set of rules is that there should be no special privileges for the rich and well connected.
Freedom
The most profound belief of the Progressive is freedom. The concept of freedom may mean different things to different people. Freedom is a double edged sword. Freedom from and freedom to. All real Progressives believe that privacy is not a crime and that government intrusion in how they carry out their private affairs should be off limits. For example the right for a woman to have an abortion or the right to marry someone of the same sex or to smoke marijuana. Like Liberals, the Progressives have a strong belief in the concepts of freedom of speech, associations, and religion. Also, like Liberals the Progressives cherish their rights to make their own choices about their bodies and personal lives.
Progressives also believe that all humans have the right to live a fulfilling life supported by the basic foundation of both economic and physical security. This belief holds that we all should be protected against bodily harm as well as adequate income from a fair and just living wage. Progressives believe that healthcare is a human right and that all citizens should get a solid advanced education. The real Progressive understands the importance of community and social programs like the police , fire departments, and the military. The Progressive has no problem with their taxes going to help rebuild and grow our nation's infrastructure. The real Progressive wants to expand Social Security not privatize it and embraces the need for universal healthcare.
Opportunity
Any commitment to freedom by a society must provide an equal opportunity for humans that make up that society. Like freedom opportunity has two components. The first is political equality and the others are economic and social arrangements that enhance our lives. Political equality by default should never discriminate against its populist in any way fashion or form. Political equality should strive to achieve that all its citizens should be able to turn their talents and ambitions into a meaningful and productive life regardless of economic status or racial heritage. The second component to opportunity involves the conditions necessary for people to feel secure to reach their goals. Healthcare, education, a job that pays a good living wage workers rights and retirement are all fundamental in creating these conditions.
Responsibility
With great freedom and opportunity comes great responsibility. Once again there are two factors involved with responsibility. First, is personal responsibility and the second is our responsibility to one another and the common good. Personal responsibility requires us as individuals to do our part to add and not take away from the common good of our communities. Yes, this does entail working hard, educating ourselves and living an honest life.
Responsibility to others and the common good requires a commitment to putting the public interest ahead of the interest of the rich and powerful and to combat their influence on our political process that has put our democracy on sale to the highest bidder. The real Progressive understands that strong families and communities are the foundation of a strong and productive society. As Progressives, we strive to achieve higher social standards and economic conditions that not only will help us as individuals but also help the community at large.
This requires that each and every one of us demand an open and transparent governance and that we as a populist engage this attack by the wealthy to disenfranchise us from the process by buying off politicians who enact laws that are contrary to the will of the people. Citizens United ring a bell?
Cooperation
The Progressive understands that there must be cooperation with our political values in that cooperation is the foundation to coinciding with our most important social institutions, families, communities, civic and faith-based groups. Freedom without cooperation leads to a divided society that cannot work together to achieve common goals and improve the lives of all. Cooperation begs us to be open minded and sympathetic to others. Real Progressives know that we are all accountable and responsible for the well-being of all who are in our society. To achieve this cooperation is a must. Progressives believe if we blindly pursue our own needs and ignore those of others our society as a whole will fail like so many in the world's history. Progressives value interdependence on a larger scale and look beyond our own needs to help others while seeking to find global solutions to global problems.
Are You Progressive?
Being progressive is more than just following some ideology there is plenty of cognitive dissonances in both political party’s establishments and their authoritarian followers that being a real Progressive catapulted us from this affliction and what sets us apart from being lumped in with the Liberals.
Being Progressive is more than a way of life or way of thinking it's a way of being. If you are a real Progressive these factors are part of your DNA, not something your mom and dad or teacher or preacher instilled in you. It is your existence that says who you are as a person. Being progressive transcends party identification. [See Article]
Being progressive gets to the heart of what being human is all about in this writer's view. Contrary to what you hear coming from the religious right Progressives value human life above all else our value of a human life does not end after the birth of a human being. It's where it continues and intensifies. Progressives have the view that all people of all origins and backgrounds are connected and all add to the overall human experience. To Progressives there is no them there is only us. However, don't let this kindness be perceived as weakness push a Progressive and expect to be pushed back. Progressives do not react we respond. There is a difference. Being a responder as opposed to a reactor takes a level of restraint and discipline. These factors are vital whenever threat evaluation is part of the equation. By doing so Progressive will almost always land on the right side of history. Bernie Sanders position on the war in Iraq, as opposed to Liberal Hillary Clinton, bears this out. Being a real Progressive is not about being right it's about doing what is right.
So, Are Liberals And Progressives One In The Same?
Is there not this splendor that is Washington D.C. Just the bureaucratic vastness all " Inside the Beltway." Our nation's capital is a world within itself. Since the end of the second World War, it has grown to the point of being unrecognizable to the everyday citizen. The mere expense of government flabbergast people, and the number of people or functionaries that serve our state is inconceivable to most Americans. There are thousands of lawyers and lobbyist that call our nation capital their home and workplace. Congress has staff members that reach well over 35k. It's this sense of vastness that have perpetuated many Americans to have a negative view of Washington D.C. The various servants of government flatter, one another, blame one another, strike poses together, issue bills together, make announcements together, the list is endless.[See Source]
What has transpired from all this bureaucracy and vastness is an American government of Fascism, Oligarchy, and Plutocracy.
It is the view of the House of Public Discourse that we see a battle fully joined right now. One of this writer's main mantra's is that history does repeat itself in politics. Looking at our present political environment we see echos of the 1800's and 1920's. The Koch Brothers have raised millions of dollars just two people with the help of about 300 other ultra rich Americans to essentially hijack our American democracy. Our research has found that what we see today was very similar to what was happening in America in 1799. During the John Adams presidency, we saw democracy giving way to the elites of that period and, of course, there was the " Alien and Sedition Act of 1798.
A series of laws known collectively as the Alien and Sedition were passed by the Federalist Congress in 1798 and signed into law by President Adams. These laws included new powers to deport foreigners as well as making it harder for new immigrants to vote.[See Source]
It's important to note that this elitist Act was duly overturned by the Thomas Jefferson Administration in the early 1800's. Thomas Jefferson and his political ideology were paramount in reversing the slide to Oligarchy back then, and boy do we need another Thomas Jefferson to reappear now in our governance. President Obama has done some but with not much success and his recent support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal has squashed whatever hopes of a true change candidate he proclaimed while running for office. We had another slide towards Oligarchy in the 1920's. Under the Harding Administration. Harding ran on the platform more business in government less government in business deregulate and privatize. Sound familiar? In 1920, they deregulated the banks. The Stock Market exploded and crashed promptly in 1929. Hence, the Great Depression. What is worth noting here is the Oligarch's had complete control of the economy and our government at the time just like right now in America.
History Does Repeat Itself In Politics Vice President Henry Wallace In 1945.
Today the Koch Brothers and their Oligarch buddies are the prime examples of spokespersons for monopoly and vested interest.To obtain this goal, Oligarchs must capture the political power that is and has been these factions primary objective throughout American history. In our world today this very same objective is being thrust upon us by the Oligarchs of today. History does repeat itself in politics, and by using the power of the State and the free markets in conjunction a few elitist can control the world today. And, what is the one thing that keeps them in check We The People?[Government] Government regulation is the one thing that can keep these Vulture Capitalists from destroying our democracy, our middle-class, and our air, river, and streams. By obtaining both the power of the markets and the state these factions can dictate to We The People whether we like it or not. In a phrase, they want us under their eternal subjection.
After the 2014 mid-term election, Republicans gained more power in state legislatures than any other time in their parties history. This power goes back to the time of Lincoln. The GOP control 69 of 99 state chambers in the country. This control is more than any other time in American history. Our research here in the House of Public Discourse would submit to you because of the money influence that has been allowed free reign by legal proclamations like Citizen United, and the all out attack on our civil rights to vote. You can track this behavior back to the Powell memo in 1971.
Powell Memo Explained
In 1980, David Koch ran for Vice-President on the Libertarian Party ticket and lost. Now, the Koch's and their billionaire buddies want just like Oligarchs of past to control everything. In fact, their money today has more power than any vice-president would ever have in a million years. So, what are these Oligarchs doing with this power today? For starters, they have built think tanks for the promotion of Plutocracy.
Plutocracy (from Greek πλοῦτος, ploutos, meaning "wealth", and κράτος, kratos, meaning "power, dominion, rule") or plutarchy, is a form of oligarchy and defines a society or a system ruled and dominated by the small minority of the wealthiest citizens. The first known use of the term was in 1652. Unlike systems such as democracy, capitalism, socialism or anarchism, plutocracy is not rooted in an established political philosophy. The concept of plutocracy may be advocated by the wealthy classes of a society in an indirect or surreptitious fashion though the term itself is almost always used in a pejorative sense.[See Source]
These goals by the billionaire class is a very real battle facing We The People.[Ordinary People] The future of our democracy is on the line. The future of the Unite States is on the line. Are we going to allow a select few billionaires to lord it over us or are we going to fight to save our middle class that made our country the real shining light on the hill? That's the question we need to answer in the coming 2016 election? Are we going to allow our country to sink back to the times of the 1920's that led to the Great Depression or are we going to rise and take back our country from the Oligarchs? Cause there is one thing you can be sure of: " History Does Repeat Itself In Politics."
.jpg)