William Greider on the Democrats' Money Dilemma

[nalc892]

Mr. Greider is absolutely right on the money. If the Dems don't get it together on this the worst economic time since the Depression with the citizens worried to death about lost jobs, bigger and more arrogant financial elites, growing pessimism about the future which breeds more economic hardship, they will lose big. Then we'll have the specter of Sarah Palin, bat nut job that she is, winning in 2012. Then things will really go awry economically.

[Wilone328]

Barak Obamas Health Care Attempt... Do you back this gov's law?? Goto my you tube profile page to Learn exactly why Americas points of view counts !

[terpis]

Look again at the graph @ 1:30 and 1:35. Greider's point, shared by everyone I know of on the 'LEFT', is that the Dems are the country's worst party except for all the other ones.

Nader 2000 showed millions of progressives ready to abandon the Dems for a 3rd party. But that takes IRV, & it takes dumping the electoral college.

Yr one of those dolts that thinks the Bush yrs can be stuffed down a rt wing memory hole, pretending the trouble starts w/ Obama.

The stupidity of that POV is vast.

[TBlake34]

As far as third parties go, you're absolutely right about the structured voting system that makes it impossible.

I would just add that it would be more plausible if 1) the candidate wasn't a meglomaniac creating a party around his person and 2) if more effort went in to developing a third party on Congressional, state, and municipal levels.

Just having a grumpy old guy declare a presidential candidacy every 4 years is the WORST way to go about it. You're right though, the desire is there.

[terpis]

to yr point #1: Nader is the wonk's wonk. It takes real effort to avoid the scads of specific policy proposals his writings & speeches have always been packed with. In 2000, Nader/Laduke organized it's agenda around the 'Ten Key Values' of the Green Party.

He may be an egomaniac (who runs for President that isn't?), but it's the exact opposite of a charismatic, cult of personality deal.

Dead right on #2, and it's a terrible shame to see racist nativists coopting the populist message today.

[TBlake34]

Yeah, I might be a little harsh on old Ralph, he has done important things for the country.

I just had a lot of friends who worked in the 2000 Presidential campaign and they came away very disillusioned and critical of Nader.

I didn't express my objection well--it's not a "personality cult," like political parties in India, but it is a party based almost entirely on one man running for president. Once he stopped it pretty much dissolved.

But it's such an uphill battle with our system.

[terpis]

Big, hopeful, 'bright shining' moment that went nowhere. Fast. Would be interesting to hear some of yr friends stories.

The Nation's Eric Alterman takes the Nader for Prez phenom apart pretty persuasively from a liberal-lefty POV, if you haven't already seen/read him on that.

My level of personal pessimism dropped a full extra notch when first I saw the title of Nader's recent novel: Only the Super Rich Can Save Us.

Thought, 'Christ. Is that what it's come to?'

[mgreider89]

i want to know if this guy is related to me

[rickpasorti]

I've been listening to William Greider for years.

The following relates to his message here.

The financial industry brought our economy to its knees and it is now being said the CEO's knew full well what they were doing! Yep, a ponzi scheme!

But how did they get away with it? The nation is wondering how to hold the "Banksters" accountable? The same CEO's that are keep their jobs - no investigation - leaving taxpayers to play the fool.

SEE VIDEO: "Bankster's" Economic Crisis 1_3 Moyers Journal

[executiveassistant07]

I watched the Bill Moyers Journal (PBS TV SHOW) tonight, whom had this gentleman on the show. I want to get his book

Come Home, America: The Rise and Fall (and Redeeming Promise) of Our Country.

[Tardiskey]

Reagan was the real beginning of getting government off the backs of the wealthy, that was 1980. Mr. Carter had taken only the mildest steps towards deregulation. Reagan took office telling us what he was going to do. No oversight for the rich, but tax the hell out of waitresses! Those who agreed with Ray-gun have gotten what they wanted.

[TBlake34]

I don't think anyone would argue with that, but we expect that sort of behavior from the goofy market-fantasy republicans.

Greider's point is that the guys who sell themselves as fighting for the little man aren't actively regulating, aren't even neutral, but are also paving the way for unrestrained insanity in the financial world.

The question is whether the rank and file democrats will continue to be used in the same way the republicans manipulate their religious base.

[allgoo19]

It seems that the worst part in this is the bribe in the name of political campaign contribution. It's amazing it's still not illegalized today.

At least, the amount had decreased dramatically(94%) from 1990 to 2006. It's a good sign.

[GuitarSpeller]

Or like Mr. Greider says, lets hope so.

[GuitarSpeller]

I'll take what Mr. Greider says for granted, but at least now the Democrates get it, while the Republicans don't!

[pohayer]

These are hard truths--and it's not clear what we do with the information.

[RestrainedNoMore]

No surprise here. Thanks for posting!!

[NWKBricks1]

Very well said. Thanks for uploading this, ANP!