Matt: It's the unfortunate truth that most Democratic administrations spend their first two years trying to repair the damage caused by their Republican predecessors. That phenomenon is perhaps the most conservative aspect of the American system, in that it keeps newly-elected Democrats from doing radical things (like the New Deal, the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, or finally addressing the Covid-19 pandemic). What we are seeing now reminds me of how a child plays billiards - the thought that on the break, just "hit 'em and hope" is the best approach.
There is only one problem with your analysis, and it stems from a total deterioration of the news media…when undesired results happen, a Greek chorus of right-wing sycophants on Fox, OAN and a dozen other outlets, coupled with millions of voices, many of them foreign actor bots on social media, will declare that the fault lies with Trump's enemies, and the nearly half of Americans who voted for him will believe that, because to do otherwise will be to admit their ignorance and folly.
Lawrence -- I intend to talk about the damage repair phenomenon you mention in future posts because we've seen it now three times -- with Clinton, Obama, and Biden. But I would add that another reason Democrats have not been able to do what you call radical things is more complicated, because they did not receive a mandate to operate on the scale you mention, and because they inherited the Great Recession (Obama) and Covid (Biden) before voters had fully attributed blame to their predecessors (like voters did with Hoover and the Great Depression). Your point about the news environment is well taken, and I do acknowledge it in my post. What we don't yet know is how a critical mass of voters will process the messages they may be getting from the outside against their real world experiences. This is why I don't dismiss the political importance of lived reality, especially when it doesn't take a big electoral shift to change outcomes.
I'm amazed that this election had the outcome we got. Considering the level of global power and computing technology I'm suspicious of its legitimacy. Its out come is, I believe, not going to be in the interests of The People.
I am also interested in those saying we have 4 years... I don't think that is how Trump sees it.
So true. We in the statistical minority also speak up for clean water and air, which T boasts about while he encourages more drilling for, use and exportation of fossil fuels that sicken people and foul the environment. It wasn't a statistical major issue before the last election but, to many young voters and others aware of its importance, environmental safety, water purity and protection of lungs cannot be ignored without fatal consequences now and after.
Matt: It's the unfortunate truth that most Democratic administrations spend their first two years trying to repair the damage caused by their Republican predecessors. That phenomenon is perhaps the most conservative aspect of the American system, in that it keeps newly-elected Democrats from doing radical things (like the New Deal, the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, or finally addressing the Covid-19 pandemic). What we are seeing now reminds me of how a child plays billiards - the thought that on the break, just "hit 'em and hope" is the best approach.
There is only one problem with your analysis, and it stems from a total deterioration of the news media…when undesired results happen, a Greek chorus of right-wing sycophants on Fox, OAN and a dozen other outlets, coupled with millions of voices, many of them foreign actor bots on social media, will declare that the fault lies with Trump's enemies, and the nearly half of Americans who voted for him will believe that, because to do otherwise will be to admit their ignorance and folly.
Lawrence -- I intend to talk about the damage repair phenomenon you mention in future posts because we've seen it now three times -- with Clinton, Obama, and Biden. But I would add that another reason Democrats have not been able to do what you call radical things is more complicated, because they did not receive a mandate to operate on the scale you mention, and because they inherited the Great Recession (Obama) and Covid (Biden) before voters had fully attributed blame to their predecessors (like voters did with Hoover and the Great Depression). Your point about the news environment is well taken, and I do acknowledge it in my post. What we don't yet know is how a critical mass of voters will process the messages they may be getting from the outside against their real world experiences. This is why I don't dismiss the political importance of lived reality, especially when it doesn't take a big electoral shift to change outcomes.
I'm amazed that this election had the outcome we got. Considering the level of global power and computing technology I'm suspicious of its legitimacy. Its out come is, I believe, not going to be in the interests of The People.
I am also interested in those saying we have 4 years... I don't think that is how Trump sees it.
Let's hope enouvh people have had enough before the 2026 election cycle.
So true. We in the statistical minority also speak up for clean water and air, which T boasts about while he encourages more drilling for, use and exportation of fossil fuels that sicken people and foul the environment. It wasn't a statistical major issue before the last election but, to many young voters and others aware of its importance, environmental safety, water purity and protection of lungs cannot be ignored without fatal consequences now and after.