Friday, January 24, 2014

Why no revolution, or change, in the US?

Former Labour Secretary Robert Reich says:

People ask me all the time why we don't have a revolution in America, or at least a major wave of reform similar to that of the Progressive Era or the New Deal or the Great Society -- given that middle incomes are sinking, the ranks of the poor are swelling, and almost all the economic gains are going to the top. The answer is complex, but three reasons stand out: (1) The working class is paralyzed with fear it will lose the jobs and wages it already has, and its major vehicle for organizing itself -- labor unions -- have been decimated; (2) students (who have been in years past a force for social change) are laden with debt and face a lousy jobs market, and don't want to rock the boat; and (3) the American public has become so cynical about government (in large part due to Republican tactics) that many no longer believe reform is possible. Have I left anything out? Has the right been so clever as to target unions, ensure high employment, pile on student debt, and seed cynicism precisely to prevent such a movement for fundamental reform? How will this end?
Discuss.

19 comments:

  1. Lets see, the NRA has five million members and somehow controls congress in the area of gun legislation. Union members have just under 16 million members and apparently cant do the same?

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    1. That shows Democrats are not bought by money and don't let unions make their decisions for them.
      Republicans are afraid to go against the NRA for fear they will become targets by the NRA.
      Did you hear Ted Nugent yesterday? You guys must be so proud to have such a racist leader. It really shows what kind of racist organization the NRA is, and what kind of people are NRA members. 5 million members give money to support racism. I'm sure you are proud.

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    2. NO, ssgmarkcr. The NRA is paid millions upon millions by gun manufacturers, and that is what buys conservative members of congress.

      It has NOTHING whatsoever to do with the membership, and in fact does not actually reflect what members want or believe at all. That has been demonstrated clearly by the polling of NRA members.

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    3. "The NRA is paid millions upon millions by gun manufacturers, and that is what buys conservative members of congress."

      If we're going to follow the money, in 2013, a bit over 12.1 million was spent in lobbying for gun rights issues.
      http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/lobbying.php?cycle=2014&ind=Q13
      During the same period, a bit over 34.8 million was spent in lobbying on behalf of union and labor issues.
      http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/lobbying.php?cycle=2014&ind=P

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    4. And the unions have lost any power they used to have. Union membership is in the single digits, and none of the legislation unions want has passed. That proves the majority trumps and the majority is with the Republicans who support whatever the NRA wants. The country still polls at 90% wanting background checks, yet, the Republicans have successfully killed that bill.

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    5. But when a Republican introduced a background check bill, it was DOA from the Democrat controlled senate. Not even a vote, or debate. Why don't they give the people what they want?

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    6. Republicans have majority. Why didn't they pass their bill, if they didn't like the Democrats bill? They aren't interested in passing a background check bill at all. Why not?

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    7. Dog Gone's right. The gun lobby is comprised of a lot more than the NRA.

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    8. Colburn is in the Senate, where Democrats have the majority, not the House. Reid didn't even put it up for a vote. The democrats blocked that background check bill. Aren't you gun control supports mad at them?

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    9. We need both Houses to pass law. It failed in the House, so what's the sense of pushing it through the Senate?

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    10. Anonymous, gun control failed in the Senate. It wasn't brought up in the House last year.

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  2. "That shows Democrats are not bought by money and don't let unions make their decisions for them."

    Huh? You contend all the time that no gun legislation gets passed because of the deep pockets of the all powerful NRA. But then for some reason, when a group with even deeper pockets and traditional democratic backing tries to get support from those same allies, they somehow develop scruples and cant be bought?
    What color is the sky in your world Anon?

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    1. That's not me, to bad you can't keep your lies straight.

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    2. to bad?

      What is your nationality friend? You can't possibly be from the United States or even from Canada or Central or South America.

      I would think that just about anybody would have enough understanding of English not to commit such a blundering error.

      What is this obsession with accusing your opponents of lying?

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    3. Not to mention Sarge addresses his comment to anonymous, to which anonymous responds, "that's not me."

      Why did you feel the need to answer if it wasn't addressed to you?

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    4. Wrong as usual liar. I don't say that. You really should keep your lies straight. I know that's hard since you lie all the time.

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    5. Right FJ, I'm still waiting for your proof about your lie that your buddy the antisemite racist claims about me. Where is your proof criminal lying coward. There is no proof because you are nothing but a criminal lying coward. Thanks for proving you are a criminal lying coward.

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    6. That was me, and yes it is to bad you cannot keep your lies straight.

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  3. All Anons, either singly or collectively, and Steves also, I'm quite willing to debate the issues with you here. But the name calling doesn't further the useful exchange of information. So in order to save everyone some time and stress, From now on, if a comment is posted that includes name calling or the "L" word (lying) I'm not going to respond. I will respond to comments without names or the L word.

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