The old Republican Party of Lincoln & Reagan that you (& I) once were involved with no longer exists. That old Republican Party is dead & gone. That old Republican Party will never return. The very name "Republican Party" has become exceptionally toxic to tens of millions of American voters from all sorts of backgrounds & viewpoints. May the current MAGA Republican Party soon share the fate of the Whig Party.
Not me I am working class and I despised Reagan as he despised me and people like me. That being said at least he would have been against installing the 4th Reich as the fat orange thing has .
In my view, based on growing up in Reagan's California as well as his USA, Reagan had none of Lincoln's virtues except, perhaps, folksiness. Goldwater-to-Trump has been the Republicans' straight as an arrow bobsled to hell. And we let them take us along.
Growing up in California when Reagan was governor taught me all I needed to know about him and his callus approach to the common good when governing. Trump is the logical conclusion of what I saw.
"The party of Reagan" laid the foundation for everything we are seeing today. The lionizing of Reagan these days is just ...odd.
It's true that maybe by a few narrow standards, Reagan could seem reasonable compared to today's fascist cult called the GOP, but that is a very low bar.
The bear hug of the religious right via Jerry Falwell and his 'Moral Majority', the fundamental attacks on the social safety net and government in general from every direction, the embrace of openly racist stances via 'welfare queens' and the huge acceleration of the so-called War On Drugs, his no-holds barred push for massive deregulation and military spending that skyrocketed the national debt, the deep corruption of the Savings & Loan and Iran-Contra scandals...all formed a clear direct line to the Tea Party, then to Trump.
I hope so too, but our system needs (and at some level the people also want) 2 healthy, sane political parties. I hope that either MAGA is a passing thing (kinda like passing gas), or somehow a new party comes out of the ashes of the GQP. But starting a party is very difficult so I don't know how it will end
MAGA is hopefully a passing fad, but it isn't the real problem. Project 2025 wasn't Trump's agenda, it was the culmination of decades of planning by groups like the Federalist Society, the Heritage foundation, etc. Callais also wasn't about Trump, it was the finale to Roberts' career long obsession with eviscerating the VRA. The current Republican party may wrap itself in the MAGA label, but the rot has been spreading for decades. Our system works best with two parties, but there may not be anything salvageable from today's Republican party
I would also immediately add raising the minimum wage, if Democrats want to consider moving any of the 140 million poor and low-wealth people in the country to the voting booth. The party cannot continue to ignore these folks. They're getting crushed.
I consider myself an independent who has voted for Republicans in the past when they fielded the better candidate. Not any more. Republicans have demonstrated that they are unwilling or unable to stand up against Trump's growing tyranny and massive corruption.
When I read about the massive theft of our tax dollars to pay off the insurgents, some of them violent criminals, I have to ask myself why I should even bother to pay my taxes. I do not want my hard-earned dollars funneled into the pockets of criminals and the Trump family. If I refuse to pay my taxes, I would not have to worry about an audit, would I? After all, the laws apply to all of us equally, right? Or am I just fooling myself?
In other words, no matter how incompetent, corrupt or unpopular a politician is, that's not enough. The voters need a credible alternative. To me that means the Democrats have to find candidates who are electable, whatever that means. At least in the Senate they've come up with some pretty good choices (Brown in OH, Cooper in NC, Tallarico in TX, etc).
Now we have to see who ends up as the nominee in 2028. I used to decry the fact that people start running for President the day after the old presidential election, because 4 years of speculation and the brain-dead horse race coverage by the media is annoying. But I've come to believe that the ultra-marathon that the race has become actually helps to find the best candidate-- anyone who can survive the blows of the campaign will have a good chance of winning (and any skeletons would likely already be known.
If Dems lose in the midterms it will be because they have spent the last two years blaming Trump instead of “the Republicans”. All the idiocy has been pinned repeatedly on one man, so the cult members can go on voting for their wacko Congressional incumbents without acknowledging their role in this farce. Shame on all the news people (including the Contrarian) for letting this happen).
The strategy is to align the local Trump toadies running for election or reelection with the massive corruption, indecency, and tone deaf policies and behavior of the Trump administration. Along with offering alternative sound governing practices, Democrats and Independents running for elected office just have to illuminate the many incompetent (tariffs, endless wars, etc) Trump acts Republicans support, along with the ridiculous vanity projects (ballroom, reflective pool, golden statues, etc). Make Republicans justify how they are the party of fiscal conservatism and small government amid this bloated cash give away of our tax dollars. Make them justify what they allowed to happen to our economy by supporting Trump’s continued lunacy.
James Talerico must be thrilled that his likely opponent in November will be the scandal-plagued Paxton, not the incumbent Coryn, thanks to Trump, who consistently backs candidates that the overall electorate should loathe.
I agree with your assessment of the worst of the MAGA people. For some time I have said that they are beyond rehabilitation to productive, valued citizens. They simply must be marginalized.
So many great points from Jen and commenters. I am so tired of waking up every day and wanting to throttle the people who will not oppose Trump. We the people are owed an enormous restitution from these grifters who are getting away with billions in their pockets and literally and figuratively bankrupting the American people. There is no reason why any American should live in poverty at any age as far as our domestic agenda goes climbing back the stolen wealth and taxing the wealthy to reduce the wealth and equity in our country. Must be up there among the first priorities, I would love to see Pete Buttigieg take on such a project in the next Cabinet.
The corruption that has been allowed by the MAGA party is astounding. Why can’t these people see it for what it’s worth? The MAGA’s that lost their races in the primaries should start voting their conscience if they still have one. The arch, the ballroom and the slush fund should come to an end. Now. It’s a perfect time to impeach if the MAGA’s have a spine.
One overlooked area of resistance is the impact of the Jim Crow gerrymandering of the South on college athletics. Particularly football where schools like Alabama and Ole Miss have reigned supreme with excellent black, southern recruits. These players have options and now may see that aligning with a major college in a “free” state is a way for them, and perhaps their families, to escape overt racism.
Entertainment venues of all types may even decide to boycott Jim Crow states. That is major money. Tourists within the U.S., and/or internationally, also have many options to travel and spend at places that respect and honor all citizens.
Southern MAGA white supremacy may support billionaire corruption, but they sure do not consider the consequences to their reputation and the livelihood of their communities!
Add a seventh-TAX THE BILLIONAIRES.
And an eighth.
RELEASE ALL OF THE EPSTEIN FILES.
That might add a significant number of non-MAGAs to the wave.
You're singing my song .
The old Republican Party of Lincoln & Reagan that you (& I) once were involved with no longer exists. That old Republican Party is dead & gone. That old Republican Party will never return. The very name "Republican Party" has become exceptionally toxic to tens of millions of American voters from all sorts of backgrounds & viewpoints. May the current MAGA Republican Party soon share the fate of the Whig Party.
Not me I am working class and I despised Reagan as he despised me and people like me. That being said at least he would have been against installing the 4th Reich as the fat orange thing has .
In my view, based on growing up in Reagan's California as well as his USA, Reagan had none of Lincoln's virtues except, perhaps, folksiness. Goldwater-to-Trump has been the Republicans' straight as an arrow bobsled to hell. And we let them take us along.
Growing up in California when Reagan was governor taught me all I needed to know about him and his callus approach to the common good when governing. Trump is the logical conclusion of what I saw.
"The party of Reagan" laid the foundation for everything we are seeing today. The lionizing of Reagan these days is just ...odd.
It's true that maybe by a few narrow standards, Reagan could seem reasonable compared to today's fascist cult called the GOP, but that is a very low bar.
The bear hug of the religious right via Jerry Falwell and his 'Moral Majority', the fundamental attacks on the social safety net and government in general from every direction, the embrace of openly racist stances via 'welfare queens' and the huge acceleration of the so-called War On Drugs, his no-holds barred push for massive deregulation and military spending that skyrocketed the national debt, the deep corruption of the Savings & Loan and Iran-Contra scandals...all formed a clear direct line to the Tea Party, then to Trump.
I hope so too, but our system needs (and at some level the people also want) 2 healthy, sane political parties. I hope that either MAGA is a passing thing (kinda like passing gas), or somehow a new party comes out of the ashes of the GQP. But starting a party is very difficult so I don't know how it will end
MAGA is hopefully a passing fad, but it isn't the real problem. Project 2025 wasn't Trump's agenda, it was the culmination of decades of planning by groups like the Federalist Society, the Heritage foundation, etc. Callais also wasn't about Trump, it was the finale to Roberts' career long obsession with eviscerating the VRA. The current Republican party may wrap itself in the MAGA label, but the rot has been spreading for decades. Our system works best with two parties, but there may not be anything salvageable from today's Republican party
For the fairness agenda:
- Voting rights and banning gerrymandering
- reverse Citizens United
- reform the Supreme Court (term limits, expansion, ethics requirements with teeth)
I would also immediately add raising the minimum wage, if Democrats want to consider moving any of the 140 million poor and low-wealth people in the country to the voting booth. The party cannot continue to ignore these folks. They're getting crushed.
I remember 2016 when the campaigning orange thing said he would increase the minimum wage to 10 dollars an hour . Uh huh , promises kept indeed . 🙄 🌊
And for anyone having federal taxes withheld, start upping your number of dependents on your return.
I consider myself an independent who has voted for Republicans in the past when they fielded the better candidate. Not any more. Republicans have demonstrated that they are unwilling or unable to stand up against Trump's growing tyranny and massive corruption.
And let’s not forget GAS PRICES and the IRAN WAR.
In Pittsburgh yesterday, I saw gasoline selling for $4.959 or $5.959 and diesel was $6.499.
4 67 near me in SE Pennsylvania near Maryland and Delaware.
Republicans ARE the problem
When I read about the massive theft of our tax dollars to pay off the insurgents, some of them violent criminals, I have to ask myself why I should even bother to pay my taxes. I do not want my hard-earned dollars funneled into the pockets of criminals and the Trump family. If I refuse to pay my taxes, I would not have to worry about an audit, would I? After all, the laws apply to all of us equally, right? Or am I just fooling myself?
JK Rowling said it best at least a decade ago, describing him as a "tiny, tiny, tiny, tiny, little man."
One of the oldest sayings in politics is:
YOU CAN'T DEFEAT SOMEBODY WITH NOBODY.
In other words, no matter how incompetent, corrupt or unpopular a politician is, that's not enough. The voters need a credible alternative. To me that means the Democrats have to find candidates who are electable, whatever that means. At least in the Senate they've come up with some pretty good choices (Brown in OH, Cooper in NC, Tallarico in TX, etc).
Now we have to see who ends up as the nominee in 2028. I used to decry the fact that people start running for President the day after the old presidential election, because 4 years of speculation and the brain-dead horse race coverage by the media is annoying. But I've come to believe that the ultra-marathon that the race has become actually helps to find the best candidate-- anyone who can survive the blows of the campaign will have a good chance of winning (and any skeletons would likely already be known.
And this time no coups; no skipping of Iowa and New Hampshire. The smoke may have been gone but the room was still there in 2020.
If Dems lose in the midterms it will be because they have spent the last two years blaming Trump instead of “the Republicans”. All the idiocy has been pinned repeatedly on one man, so the cult members can go on voting for their wacko Congressional incumbents without acknowledging their role in this farce. Shame on all the news people (including the Contrarian) for letting this happen).
The strategy is to align the local Trump toadies running for election or reelection with the massive corruption, indecency, and tone deaf policies and behavior of the Trump administration. Along with offering alternative sound governing practices, Democrats and Independents running for elected office just have to illuminate the many incompetent (tariffs, endless wars, etc) Trump acts Republicans support, along with the ridiculous vanity projects (ballroom, reflective pool, golden statues, etc). Make Republicans justify how they are the party of fiscal conservatism and small government amid this bloated cash give away of our tax dollars. Make them justify what they allowed to happen to our economy by supporting Trump’s continued lunacy.
James Talerico must be thrilled that his likely opponent in November will be the scandal-plagued Paxton, not the incumbent Coryn, thanks to Trump, who consistently backs candidates that the overall electorate should loathe.
I agree with your assessment of the worst of the MAGA people. For some time I have said that they are beyond rehabilitation to productive, valued citizens. They simply must be marginalized.
So many great points from Jen and commenters. I am so tired of waking up every day and wanting to throttle the people who will not oppose Trump. We the people are owed an enormous restitution from these grifters who are getting away with billions in their pockets and literally and figuratively bankrupting the American people. There is no reason why any American should live in poverty at any age as far as our domestic agenda goes climbing back the stolen wealth and taxing the wealthy to reduce the wealth and equity in our country. Must be up there among the first priorities, I would love to see Pete Buttigieg take on such a project in the next Cabinet.
The corruption that has been allowed by the MAGA party is astounding. Why can’t these people see it for what it’s worth? The MAGA’s that lost their races in the primaries should start voting their conscience if they still have one. The arch, the ballroom and the slush fund should come to an end. Now. It’s a perfect time to impeach if the MAGA’s have a spine.
One overlooked area of resistance is the impact of the Jim Crow gerrymandering of the South on college athletics. Particularly football where schools like Alabama and Ole Miss have reigned supreme with excellent black, southern recruits. These players have options and now may see that aligning with a major college in a “free” state is a way for them, and perhaps their families, to escape overt racism.
Entertainment venues of all types may even decide to boycott Jim Crow states. That is major money. Tourists within the U.S., and/or internationally, also have many options to travel and spend at places that respect and honor all citizens.
Southern MAGA white supremacy may support billionaire corruption, but they sure do not consider the consequences to their reputation and the livelihood of their communities!