Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich talks about the political situation. The Republican Party is a cult. The Democratic Party, apart from AOC, Bernie Sanders and Gavin Newsome, offer no positive program. The Democratic politicians as a group oppose DT but offer nothing else.
See this excerpt from the commentary:
Two of America’s most respected political scientists — Professors Martin Gilens of Princeton and Benjamin Page of Northwestern University — analyzed 1,799 policy issues decided between 1981 and 2002. They found that “the preferences of the average American appear to have only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy.”
Instead, lawmakers responded to the demands of wealthy individuals (typically corporate executives and Wall Street moguls) and big corporations — those with the most lobbying prowess and deepest pockets to bankroll campaigns. And “when a majority of citizens disagrees with economic elites or with organized interests, they generally lose.”
When I contact a peace group or environmental group, I think they just press the delete button unless I am contributing. If they were smarter, they would reply and I would eventually send a modest amount.
Robert Reich shows that there is much to do:
Strengthening democracy by busting up big corporations. Stopping Wall Street’s gambling (e.g., replicating the Glass-Steagall Act). Getting big money out of politics, even if this requires amending the Constitution. Requiring big corporations to share their profits with their average workers. Strengthening unions. And raising taxes on the super-wealthy to finance a universal basic income, Medicare for all, and paid family leave.
I invite you to read the entire commentary.
Sincerely,
Ed