FWIW, I believe that Joe Biden has been trying to bring people back to reasonable discourse and bipartisan cooperation. He’s a Democrat. It’s unfortunate that many in the media space define all democrats as “leftists” which conjures up all sorts of communist connotations. As a mainstream Democrat, I’ve always believed in separation of church and state, reproductive freedom, sensible gun regulation, personal freedom (LGBTQ rights), strong alliances (NATO), strong public schools, and social & racial justice. Somehow those beliefs are seen as “radical left” now.
You're right about Biden. He definitely is the type of President who wants to build consensus. If people could stop the concern about his age, (you can thank the media for its usual superficial reporting.) they will see what a politically experienced leader can accomplish.
Adam, I think the position you're describing is known as being an Independent. As a teacher of mine said years ago, "If you take part in the rat race, the only thing you get to be is a rat." Not the option I would choose. Although registered as a Democrat, I think my own stance is actually much more that of an Independent, which allows me to opt for messy mixes of positions. But then, as I tell my students, "If it isn't messy, it probably isn't true or real."
The tribal mentality has significantly worsened since the advent of social media. There are very bad actors out there that are profiteering by daily outrage. It is absolutely important to not get sucked into the vortex.
I agree. It's my personal opinion that social media is a major contributer to the deep divisions in our country. It does this through algorithms that result in compartmentalization, spreading misinformation, and reinforcing anger and rage -all in the interest of increasing the platform's profits. Why else would Trump spend money to create his own social media platform? I do not use social media at all. I refuse to. In fact, I refer to it as Antisocial Media.
I’m with you on not using social media. It’s not because I’m 72 and can’t navigate it. I’ve never seen the advantage of it. The negativity far outweighs any positivity. My family calls, texts me or comes over in person if they want/need a conversation with me.
Joan, I successfully avoided not just “social media” but the internet 🛜 altogether until about the end of 2017 when at age 70 my bank insisted I go paperless! It’s been a maze and difficult to just pick up on my own but then came Covid
and I was absolutely forced to explore, dive into the deep end of the pool. I still regret having no basic skills taught prior as I have no tutors in the house. Would make my daily excursions easier. But I confess to loving information and connecting where I could not before. My family are gone now making those connections all the more treasures. To each her own!
I’m not intimidated by tech. I used to be a computer programmer and have been paying my bills online for years. For myself, I just don’t see an upside. Like you said to each her own.
Social Media could be a wonderful thing for family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances IF the platforms stopped using algorithms to increase their profits. They encourage users to become addicted to their product by sending them to places they might not naturally go, frequently exposing them to misleading or false information which, if they buy into it, negatively affects them socially.
I was a Republican, but became a skeptic when Ronald Reagan was governor of California. He almost broke our backs fiscally. Then he became president, got Alzheimer’s, and Nancy ran the WH with fortunetellers and Seances. I still stuck it out until Bush and crooked Bill Barr and the Iran-Contra affair. That was a bridge too far for me. So I moved to the Democratic Party until Bill Clinton got a blowjob in the oval office. That was a bridge WAY too far for me. So I became an independent; or, as my friends like to call me… an agnostic, chickenshit fence sitting middle of the roader. I have never been more proud of a label. I have also never gotten so much junk mail from politicians.
I believe that it is most important to vote for the person that is best qualified for the job, no matter what party.
Amen! Well said. I have friends on both the far right and far left. When I say I’m a middle of the road guy, I get chastised. My reply is what’s wrong with listening to both sides and making an informed opinion or choice. Usually some where in the middle is the right place to be.
Been a registered Republican all my life but switched to independent when Trump was elected because I was considered a RINO. Have re-registered as Republican so I can vote in primaries. If you take a step back and look at what the Republican Party stood for since the time of Lincoln, people like me are not the RINO’s, Trump and his MAGA minions are the RINO’s. Race baiting, misogyny, bowing to dictators, turning our backs on freedom loving people, insurrection, and embracing leaders who have no regard for decency or fidelity to their oath of office is not the Republican way. Never has been. Trump and the MAGA cultists are the real RINO’s. MAGA threatens everything this country stands for. MAGA candidates will NEVER get my vote, registered Republican or not.
Totally agree... and it is hard to not be discouraged by the vehemence of the extremes. Prime example is the misguided rage of Steve Bannon's fiery rant at CPAC: "Trump Won! Trump Won!"... igniting a repeated response from the crowd. Thanks for writing this piece and helping to calm me down, and provide some hope.
I believe that. And although recognizing that truth can sometimes be a very scary thing, it will definitely make us stronger and more resilient. Thanks.
Somehow the replies here are getting mixed up. Just to clarify, my response above was to Adam's reply to my post, not to yours! I agree about hopefully not going backwards first!
Interesting that you talk about how rage raises money in politics. This point was also made in a terrific documentary I just saw about the rise of so called "Christian" Nationalism called "God & Country." See it if you can. According to experts interviewed in the film who are inside the movement, fear and rage are used to bring in big bucks into fundamentalist churches.
Yep its huge. Audience capture, have to feed the beast or lose people. Ive talked to a number of pastors who decided not to, they lost alot of people, then gained alot of people seeking truth and not politics. But its a scary process
The film "God & Country" spoke to this. First point: Trump comes across as a fundamentalist minister. Hadn't thought about it before, but absolutely true, A bunch are frauds and corrupt. Jerry Falwell and Jim Bakker come to mind, but there are many others.
Also, it's a symbiotic relationship between Trump and the fundamentalists. He needs their votes. They need him to advance their agenda. The fact that some, if not many, of these religious zealots think he's a gift from God and will do anything, and I repeat anything, he tells them to do should alarm all of us.
1) 24-hour news. One minute after an election is projected, they’re talking about the next one. With their “panels” and “opinion” shows, they preach to their choirs, firing up their “bases” while portraying the opposition and not just disagreeing, but enemies to be destroyed.
2 Gerrymandering. When Tom DeLay was a congressman, his stated goal was to make Texas Republican forever. He DID. If you control the governor’s office (executive branch), the legislature, and the state courts (judicial) in years ending in “0”, you control the redistricting that occurs every 10 years after the census. A little of this and a little of that, and behold!, the only risk to your reelection is a primary opponent. Since only the true believers vote in primaries, only the extremists get nominated - and thus elected. You’re all set for 10 years, at least!
3) Social media. Facebook, twitter, etc., have created a system where the village idiot’s opinion on an issue carries exactly the same weight as someone who has studied it for 20, 30, 40 years. That’s how you get thousands, even millions of people following a moron like RFK, Jr. Or a grifting, narcissistic clown like trump.
4) Poor education. The level of education - and thus critical thinking - in this country is *nowhere near* what it used to be. That’s what enables grifters and morons to survive. People can’t think objectively, so they don’t go “hey, wait a minute, that’s BS.” And they’ll believe the lies without question. Responses to the pandemic were INSANE, yet millions followed like lemmings.
I don’t know the fix, but I think you need to start from the bottom up.
Once people get to a certain age, being part of a group is not as important. Currently one can't watch the local Shreveport stations without being bombarded by attack ads for (or against) Texas Republicans. These ads are put out by Greg Abbott's PAC and other right wing PACs that are closely aligned with Abbott. It is open knowledge that he is trying to rid the state Congress of any who are not loyal enough to him. There are no ads by Democrats. Evidently they don't want to spend the money.
How much money did the first Republicans have? Was Abraham Lincoln rich? No, he did good to make it as a lawyer. People liked what he said and that was enough.
So much money is involved in politics now that it restricts anyone but the rich running for office. Is wealth a good indicator of intelligence? It is not a good indicator of a person's interest in being a good public servant either.
Many have worked their way up through our Government and are qualified to lead. They know what it takes to make and pass legislation that benefits all people. It should not require millions of dollars to allow these people to serve.
I have been disgusted for many years when pundits predict the ability of politicians to win by how much money they have in the their campaign chest. This is not how the founders envisioned for this country. We need to adopt what some other countries do for elections such as no media ads, campaigning , raising money etc before 60 days of elections. Can’t remember which country(ies) do this. Maybe Netherland, Denmark? I heard a news report about it about 6 months ago.
I have said for years (to my friends) that we need to figure out a way to take the money and the vitriol out of politics. I would like to see campaign ads funded as Public Service Announcements by the federal, state or local governments. I would like to require the candidates in these PSAs to ONLY talk about what they will do for voters if elected. I would like to PROHIBIT candidates from saying anything negative about their opponents in these PSAs. The candidates would still be able to say anything they want to when doing in-person campaigning but the media would be prohibited from carrying any portion of the candidates' in-person campaign remarks that contain negative statements about their opponents. To that I can agree on adding your suggestion about a maximum time period before an election for these ads to run. I realize that there are potential pitfalls to my suggestions (1st amendment issues, funding issues, profit issues for the media, etc ) but imagine campaign ads filled only with commitments made to voters in a very civil way by candidates who don't have to be excessively wealthy in order to run. I'm hoping there are critical thinkers out there who can improve on these concepts!
True but it will never happen. Too many people make money off the system currently in place. Think of the money that goes into media adds, political advisors and a whole host of others. For as smart as they’re supposed to be SCOTUS can’t seem to understand that lots and lots of money corrupts everything it touches.
Thank you for your evaluation. Interestingly enough, in our small north central Illinois town (close to where you used to live), which would have a lot of Trump flags flying in 2020, there is only one in the entire community. Also interesting is a home that has a Cheney/Kinzinger 2024 (homemade) outside of their home. One can only hope that this sign is a "sign" of changing times.
It is my impression that Adam is currently enjoying Fatherhood and Family as well as the less stressful lifestyle of not being on the House floor (I may be incorrect in this impression). Nevertheless I can state with certainty that he has my vote!
Very well said, Adam! As a life long Democrat, who at times also feels politically homeless, I can, and I do appreciate that you continue to be a Republican. In the same way that you are appalled by the turn your party has taken, I am also scratching my head wondering what the hell has happened to my party, but, I am not read to give up on my party, and I suspect that you aren’t ready to give up on yours, either. Good for you, Adam, and by extension good for those of us who remain hopeful that neither of the extremes of our parties represents most Republicans and Democrats, because they don’t. However, throwing in the towel and giving up or giving in is not the solution. Keep up the good fight, Adam! Ultimately people like us will be the ones that save our parties and our country.
Adam this is exactly how I’ve felt since Trump arrived. You have articulated the voices of many of us— the “other” Republicans. It’s very frightening to be out there alone with realistic goals & expectations for our country & realize we’re on an island. I feel more aligned with the Democrats at this point.
Adam, well thought out analysis of our current state of politics in this country. I agree that those of my fellow countrymen who hold fast to the middle (like I do) will save our democracy. The extremes in both the right and left are in the minority, in my opinion, but yet at the moment, they seem to hold the power and are calling the shots. That’s because they’re the loudest voices for right now. I am cautiously optimistic that in November what used to be called the silent majority will finally be heard, righting the ship. Keep writing.
FWIW, I believe that Joe Biden has been trying to bring people back to reasonable discourse and bipartisan cooperation. He’s a Democrat. It’s unfortunate that many in the media space define all democrats as “leftists” which conjures up all sorts of communist connotations. As a mainstream Democrat, I’ve always believed in separation of church and state, reproductive freedom, sensible gun regulation, personal freedom (LGBTQ rights), strong alliances (NATO), strong public schools, and social & racial justice. Somehow those beliefs are seen as “radical left” now.
You're right about Biden. He definitely is the type of President who wants to build consensus. If people could stop the concern about his age, (you can thank the media for its usual superficial reporting.) they will see what a politically experienced leader can accomplish.
I so agree with you on every point!!
Carla; That description fits me as well.
I’m in agreement with you!
Adam, I think the position you're describing is known as being an Independent. As a teacher of mine said years ago, "If you take part in the rat race, the only thing you get to be is a rat." Not the option I would choose. Although registered as a Democrat, I think my own stance is actually much more that of an Independent, which allows me to opt for messy mixes of positions. But then, as I tell my students, "If it isn't messy, it probably isn't true or real."
Amen to that!
Well expressed!
The tribal mentality has significantly worsened since the advent of social media. There are very bad actors out there that are profiteering by daily outrage. It is absolutely important to not get sucked into the vortex.
100 percent
I agree. It's my personal opinion that social media is a major contributer to the deep divisions in our country. It does this through algorithms that result in compartmentalization, spreading misinformation, and reinforcing anger and rage -all in the interest of increasing the platform's profits. Why else would Trump spend money to create his own social media platform? I do not use social media at all. I refuse to. In fact, I refer to it as Antisocial Media.
I’m with you on not using social media. It’s not because I’m 72 and can’t navigate it. I’ve never seen the advantage of it. The negativity far outweighs any positivity. My family calls, texts me or comes over in person if they want/need a conversation with me.
I agree but today it is essential for many to be on social media for their careers and socially as well. More so even for those who grew up with it.
Yes I do agree that for some it is essential. Each must decide what is best for their situation.
Joan; Substack is social media. Thats what the comments are.
David, I was thinking more Facebook, TikTok, You Tube. I don’t consider Substack in the same category.
Joan, I successfully avoided not just “social media” but the internet 🛜 altogether until about the end of 2017 when at age 70 my bank insisted I go paperless! It’s been a maze and difficult to just pick up on my own but then came Covid
and I was absolutely forced to explore, dive into the deep end of the pool. I still regret having no basic skills taught prior as I have no tutors in the house. Would make my daily excursions easier. But I confess to loving information and connecting where I could not before. My family are gone now making those connections all the more treasures. To each her own!
I’m not intimidated by tech. I used to be a computer programmer and have been paying my bills online for years. For myself, I just don’t see an upside. Like you said to each her own.
Social Media could be a wonderful thing for family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances IF the platforms stopped using algorithms to increase their profits. They encourage users to become addicted to their product by sending them to places they might not naturally go, frequently exposing them to misleading or false information which, if they buy into it, negatively affects them socially.
You must be at least 50% if not 100% more well-adjusted than any social media users.
I was a Republican, but became a skeptic when Ronald Reagan was governor of California. He almost broke our backs fiscally. Then he became president, got Alzheimer’s, and Nancy ran the WH with fortunetellers and Seances. I still stuck it out until Bush and crooked Bill Barr and the Iran-Contra affair. That was a bridge too far for me. So I moved to the Democratic Party until Bill Clinton got a blowjob in the oval office. That was a bridge WAY too far for me. So I became an independent; or, as my friends like to call me… an agnostic, chickenshit fence sitting middle of the roader. I have never been more proud of a label. I have also never gotten so much junk mail from politicians.
I believe that it is most important to vote for the person that is best qualified for the job, no matter what party.
yes- I have always voted for the person as well.
Amen!
Moral whiplash?
Amen! Well said. I have friends on both the far right and far left. When I say I’m a middle of the road guy, I get chastised. My reply is what’s wrong with listening to both sides and making an informed opinion or choice. Usually some where in the middle is the right place to be.
Rick from MN
It means you take this seriously, and dont feel the need to 'belong" that makes you strong
Been a registered Republican all my life but switched to independent when Trump was elected because I was considered a RINO. Have re-registered as Republican so I can vote in primaries. If you take a step back and look at what the Republican Party stood for since the time of Lincoln, people like me are not the RINO’s, Trump and his MAGA minions are the RINO’s. Race baiting, misogyny, bowing to dictators, turning our backs on freedom loving people, insurrection, and embracing leaders who have no regard for decency or fidelity to their oath of office is not the Republican way. Never has been. Trump and the MAGA cultists are the real RINO’s. MAGA threatens everything this country stands for. MAGA candidates will NEVER get my vote, registered Republican or not.
Same
Oh you are so right John.
Totally agree... and it is hard to not be discouraged by the vehemence of the extremes. Prime example is the misguided rage of Steve Bannon's fiery rant at CPAC: "Trump Won! Trump Won!"... igniting a repeated response from the crowd. Thanks for writing this piece and helping to calm me down, and provide some hope.
Eventually there will be something to represent us better, its part of being in a democracy. We just need to recognize the truth of where we are
I just hope that 'eventually' doesn't mean years or a generation. And I hope we don't go further backwards to go forward.
I believe that. And although recognizing that truth can sometimes be a very scary thing, it will definitely make us stronger and more resilient. Thanks.
omg! that made me sick!
Somehow the replies here are getting mixed up. Just to clarify, my response above was to Adam's reply to my post, not to yours! I agree about hopefully not going backwards first!
Randy- not a mix up- I was responding to your post about Bannon's fiery rant. THAT made me sick. lol
Ah, now that I have my reading glasses on, I see the vertical lines more clearly!
Interesting that you talk about how rage raises money in politics. This point was also made in a terrific documentary I just saw about the rise of so called "Christian" Nationalism called "God & Country." See it if you can. According to experts interviewed in the film who are inside the movement, fear and rage are used to bring in big bucks into fundamentalist churches.
Yep its huge. Audience capture, have to feed the beast or lose people. Ive talked to a number of pastors who decided not to, they lost alot of people, then gained alot of people seeking truth and not politics. But its a scary process
In that connection, I like John Pavlovitz and the group Faithful America.
Thanks for all you are doing to help. Much appreciated!
it's the old fire and brimstone approach.
Hard to believe that people who profess to be Christian support someone like Trump who is bereft of a single redeeming Christian value.
The film "God & Country" spoke to this. First point: Trump comes across as a fundamentalist minister. Hadn't thought about it before, but absolutely true, A bunch are frauds and corrupt. Jerry Falwell and Jim Bakker come to mind, but there are many others.
Also, it's a symbiotic relationship between Trump and the fundamentalists. He needs their votes. They need him to advance their agenda. The fact that some, if not many, of these religious zealots think he's a gift from God and will do anything, and I repeat anything, he tells them to do should alarm all of us.
Like an anti-christ for sure
it's the old fire and brimstone tactic.
Adam, I chalk our current dilemma up to 4 things:
1) 24-hour news. One minute after an election is projected, they’re talking about the next one. With their “panels” and “opinion” shows, they preach to their choirs, firing up their “bases” while portraying the opposition and not just disagreeing, but enemies to be destroyed.
2 Gerrymandering. When Tom DeLay was a congressman, his stated goal was to make Texas Republican forever. He DID. If you control the governor’s office (executive branch), the legislature, and the state courts (judicial) in years ending in “0”, you control the redistricting that occurs every 10 years after the census. A little of this and a little of that, and behold!, the only risk to your reelection is a primary opponent. Since only the true believers vote in primaries, only the extremists get nominated - and thus elected. You’re all set for 10 years, at least!
3) Social media. Facebook, twitter, etc., have created a system where the village idiot’s opinion on an issue carries exactly the same weight as someone who has studied it for 20, 30, 40 years. That’s how you get thousands, even millions of people following a moron like RFK, Jr. Or a grifting, narcissistic clown like trump.
4) Poor education. The level of education - and thus critical thinking - in this country is *nowhere near* what it used to be. That’s what enables grifters and morons to survive. People can’t think objectively, so they don’t go “hey, wait a minute, that’s BS.” And they’ll believe the lies without question. Responses to the pandemic were INSANE, yet millions followed like lemmings.
I don’t know the fix, but I think you need to start from the bottom up.
Once people get to a certain age, being part of a group is not as important. Currently one can't watch the local Shreveport stations without being bombarded by attack ads for (or against) Texas Republicans. These ads are put out by Greg Abbott's PAC and other right wing PACs that are closely aligned with Abbott. It is open knowledge that he is trying to rid the state Congress of any who are not loyal enough to him. There are no ads by Democrats. Evidently they don't want to spend the money.
How much money did the first Republicans have? Was Abraham Lincoln rich? No, he did good to make it as a lawyer. People liked what he said and that was enough.
So much money is involved in politics now that it restricts anyone but the rich running for office. Is wealth a good indicator of intelligence? It is not a good indicator of a person's interest in being a good public servant either.
Many have worked their way up through our Government and are qualified to lead. They know what it takes to make and pass legislation that benefits all people. It should not require millions of dollars to allow these people to serve.
fully agree. Its becoming an oligarchy
I have been disgusted for many years when pundits predict the ability of politicians to win by how much money they have in the their campaign chest. This is not how the founders envisioned for this country. We need to adopt what some other countries do for elections such as no media ads, campaigning , raising money etc before 60 days of elections. Can’t remember which country(ies) do this. Maybe Netherland, Denmark? I heard a news report about it about 6 months ago.
we need to end Citizen's United.
I have said for years (to my friends) that we need to figure out a way to take the money and the vitriol out of politics. I would like to see campaign ads funded as Public Service Announcements by the federal, state or local governments. I would like to require the candidates in these PSAs to ONLY talk about what they will do for voters if elected. I would like to PROHIBIT candidates from saying anything negative about their opponents in these PSAs. The candidates would still be able to say anything they want to when doing in-person campaigning but the media would be prohibited from carrying any portion of the candidates' in-person campaign remarks that contain negative statements about their opponents. To that I can agree on adding your suggestion about a maximum time period before an election for these ads to run. I realize that there are potential pitfalls to my suggestions (1st amendment issues, funding issues, profit issues for the media, etc ) but imagine campaign ads filled only with commitments made to voters in a very civil way by candidates who don't have to be excessively wealthy in order to run. I'm hoping there are critical thinkers out there who can improve on these concepts!
The love of money is the root of all evil and Washington LOVES money.
True but it will never happen. Too many people make money off the system currently in place. Think of the money that goes into media adds, political advisors and a whole host of others. For as smart as they’re supposed to be SCOTUS can’t seem to understand that lots and lots of money corrupts everything it touches.
I've always been a believer in "it's not all or none, there are so many more options in between."
Infinite
Adam,
Thank you for your evaluation. Interestingly enough, in our small north central Illinois town (close to where you used to live), which would have a lot of Trump flags flying in 2020, there is only one in the entire community. Also interesting is a home that has a Cheney/Kinzinger 2024 (homemade) outside of their home. One can only hope that this sign is a "sign" of changing times.
It is my impression that Adam is currently enjoying Fatherhood and Family as well as the less stressful lifestyle of not being on the House floor (I may be incorrect in this impression). Nevertheless I can state with certainty that he has my vote!
Thank you Jill!! Less trump flags is encouraging!!!
Very well said, Adam! As a life long Democrat, who at times also feels politically homeless, I can, and I do appreciate that you continue to be a Republican. In the same way that you are appalled by the turn your party has taken, I am also scratching my head wondering what the hell has happened to my party, but, I am not read to give up on my party, and I suspect that you aren’t ready to give up on yours, either. Good for you, Adam, and by extension good for those of us who remain hopeful that neither of the extremes of our parties represents most Republicans and Democrats, because they don’t. However, throwing in the towel and giving up or giving in is not the solution. Keep up the good fight, Adam! Ultimately people like us will be the ones that save our parties and our country.
Yep we can control our parties,, and i think its important to fight from the inside until you cant fathom it anymore
Totally agree! Please, please, please stay in this fight. Our country, your party, my party, and “we the people” NEED you and people like you!
Adam this is exactly how I’ve felt since Trump arrived. You have articulated the voices of many of us— the “other” Republicans. It’s very frightening to be out there alone with realistic goals & expectations for our country & realize we’re on an island. I feel more aligned with the Democrats at this point.
Being an independent means your views will never be coerced by tribal pressure. My views are my own (and cross party lines).
Adam, well thought out analysis of our current state of politics in this country. I agree that those of my fellow countrymen who hold fast to the middle (like I do) will save our democracy. The extremes in both the right and left are in the minority, in my opinion, but yet at the moment, they seem to hold the power and are calling the shots. That’s because they’re the loudest voices for right now. I am cautiously optimistic that in November what used to be called the silent majority will finally be heard, righting the ship. Keep writing.