It is critical that we recognize that the electoral college absolutely *must* be eliminated. It was born of racism and slavery, and it must die if we are to evolve in this nation. There simply is no alternative. Second, we *must* eliminate gerrymandering nationwide, no exceptions; and in fact we *must* make it illegal. If you really want to put a big dent in authoritarianism, then this is non-negotiable. Far too many Republicans care only about ruling, no representing, their constituents as a direct consequence of gerrymandering.
I take issue with the abuse of the term 'tribalism.' There is nothing wrong with being in a tribe. MAGAts aren't in a tribe; they are in a *herd.* Members of a tribe still think for themselves. Members of a herd do not. Let's talk about herdism, shall we, and how far too many Americans far too willingly become herd animals as opposed to responsible free-thinking members of a tribe.
No offense, but HOW? I mean, it’s written in the Constitution so will require an Amendment to change. True, there is the National Popular Vote Compact, which is an agreement between states that Electoral College votes must go to the popular vote winner, no matter what. Many states have signed on, but NO RED STATES, and they have no intention of ever doing so. Likewise, an Amendment would require : 37 state legislatures, super majorities in both Chambers, + President.
SO THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT. Yes, it is profoundly morally wrong, like the 2A, a relic of slavery.
But still, *there is no way around it*.
I find it so troubling that people say, “We must abolish the EC,” when that is in no way in the offing. Cruel to offer hope where none is possible.
No matter how passionate we feel about it, at least we must be honest, right? We realize what’s within the realm of possibility, then fight like hell for that.
"But Why??" was a teaching 'technique' I employed during my some 40 years of teaching American Studies. It began this way: OK, folks we're all back in the colonial times for right now, but in ten minutes we'll progress to the expansion era and then into the industrial revolution and then into the Progressive era and so forth. Everyone jots down three questions about any of these eras, but only one question per era. So, in ten minutes, we had three questions per each of the 25 or so students. I'd call on the first student to read one of his questions and we'd all respond: But Why? A different student would get the slip of paper on which the question was written and s/he'd use it in a library research project. When all the students had asked their first question, I asked: who wants to ask a second question?, knowing that the students were then knowing that there was a research project in the immediate offing. You'd be surprised at what the responses were: everyone wanted a second or even a third question to research. So, we spent three days in the library (no computer search engines then), and the books got a lot of workouts. When we met again the next week, each student was to read his question and offer an answer. It took two class sessions to read the answers and at the end of each session, the written answers were posted on the wall. And, then, the real communication began: How come we Americans asked such questions, and how come we answered them in these ways? Are there any answers that seem to need more explanation? Do we recognize a pattern among questions and answers? Mr. Pavlovitz would not be surprised at the 'patterns' that the students recognized and then debated. Nor would readers of this column be surprised at how difficult it was for the students to admit to the feelings of supremacy or racist separations, or social or economic disparities that came out in my students' debates. In fact, the debate portion of this unit could/should have gone on about twice as long as it did because the students were digging deep inside of themselves. We left this assignment with an opportunity for the students to take on a short essay for extra credit in which they would investigate the need for 'universal public assistance and the obstacles that stood in its way.' How many took on the EC assignment? Almost ALL of them. And, for some time, it was the topic of discussion among my teaching colleagues as well. It had opened a 'pandora's box' of social and personal conflicts, and asked teenagers to discuss them. And, that was, after all, the objective of such an assignment. Was it difficult? Yes---But Why????
I am not shocked by the hatred, fear, misogyny, and denial enabling tRump’s polling numbers. However, what does shock me is that it took this many years and one very toxic individual to bring it all to the surface, for all to see—the same vile bigotry and fear that fueled the Civil War—the old Republican platform, and recently, the Maget cult. And to be clear—the same vile bigotry and fear that hinders many Democrats from asking, expecting, or demanding more Freedom, more Equality, more Justice than the Republican base actually wants. To understand that a persistent resistance to Freedom, Equality, and Justice for ALL is what holds both Democrats and Republicans hostage—is the only honest reason America has never fully incarnated Freedom, Equality, and Justice for ALL. Without purposed resistance, disciplined progress happens quickly. Too much greed. Too much dishonesty. Too much compromise. Too little integrity. Too little respect for reality. Too little—too late—begets Magets and tRump and a mirror for all to see. Perhaps one day we will grow to understand tRump was a necessary evil. Necessary for America to actually be the land of the free.
Thanks for the straight shooting, John. It's a refreshing wave, not just a splash, of ice cold water in the face. Will we wake up or continue to view "woke" as some kind of negative?
"If we prevail in November, we can finally break the fever of this cultic sickness and reconnect with those who presently feel beyond reach." This is your power statement John! I absolutely agree with all you have written. Just returned from overseas, the question I was asked every single day, " will he get in again? What is wrong with the USA?" Wish I had had your statement to share with them.
But, I have faith.... this time, this election, WE will do what is best for OUR Country, regardless of political affiliation!
This race is not about ‘people in low places’, but low informed people in all places. In the winter of our discontent we really are content to be herded to destruction. ‘Oh well’ is just a hole in the ground until you’re screaming ‘what happened’ from the bottom of that hole. Take the time to think!
It is critical that we recognize that the electoral college absolutely *must* be eliminated. It was born of racism and slavery, and it must die if we are to evolve in this nation. There simply is no alternative. Second, we *must* eliminate gerrymandering nationwide, no exceptions; and in fact we *must* make it illegal. If you really want to put a big dent in authoritarianism, then this is non-negotiable. Far too many Republicans care only about ruling, no representing, their constituents as a direct consequence of gerrymandering.
I take issue with the abuse of the term 'tribalism.' There is nothing wrong with being in a tribe. MAGAts aren't in a tribe; they are in a *herd.* Members of a tribe still think for themselves. Members of a herd do not. Let's talk about herdism, shall we, and how far too many Americans far too willingly become herd animals as opposed to responsible free-thinking members of a tribe.
Just my two cents.
No offense, but HOW? I mean, it’s written in the Constitution so will require an Amendment to change. True, there is the National Popular Vote Compact, which is an agreement between states that Electoral College votes must go to the popular vote winner, no matter what. Many states have signed on, but NO RED STATES, and they have no intention of ever doing so. Likewise, an Amendment would require : 37 state legislatures, super majorities in both Chambers, + President.
SO THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT. Yes, it is profoundly morally wrong, like the 2A, a relic of slavery.
But still, *there is no way around it*.
I find it so troubling that people say, “We must abolish the EC,” when that is in no way in the offing. Cruel to offer hope where none is possible.
No matter how passionate we feel about it, at least we must be honest, right? We realize what’s within the realm of possibility, then fight like hell for that.
It was at least $.25 Shawn. Thank you.
"But Why??" was a teaching 'technique' I employed during my some 40 years of teaching American Studies. It began this way: OK, folks we're all back in the colonial times for right now, but in ten minutes we'll progress to the expansion era and then into the industrial revolution and then into the Progressive era and so forth. Everyone jots down three questions about any of these eras, but only one question per era. So, in ten minutes, we had three questions per each of the 25 or so students. I'd call on the first student to read one of his questions and we'd all respond: But Why? A different student would get the slip of paper on which the question was written and s/he'd use it in a library research project. When all the students had asked their first question, I asked: who wants to ask a second question?, knowing that the students were then knowing that there was a research project in the immediate offing. You'd be surprised at what the responses were: everyone wanted a second or even a third question to research. So, we spent three days in the library (no computer search engines then), and the books got a lot of workouts. When we met again the next week, each student was to read his question and offer an answer. It took two class sessions to read the answers and at the end of each session, the written answers were posted on the wall. And, then, the real communication began: How come we Americans asked such questions, and how come we answered them in these ways? Are there any answers that seem to need more explanation? Do we recognize a pattern among questions and answers? Mr. Pavlovitz would not be surprised at the 'patterns' that the students recognized and then debated. Nor would readers of this column be surprised at how difficult it was for the students to admit to the feelings of supremacy or racist separations, or social or economic disparities that came out in my students' debates. In fact, the debate portion of this unit could/should have gone on about twice as long as it did because the students were digging deep inside of themselves. We left this assignment with an opportunity for the students to take on a short essay for extra credit in which they would investigate the need for 'universal public assistance and the obstacles that stood in its way.' How many took on the EC assignment? Almost ALL of them. And, for some time, it was the topic of discussion among my teaching colleagues as well. It had opened a 'pandora's box' of social and personal conflicts, and asked teenagers to discuss them. And, that was, after all, the objective of such an assignment. Was it difficult? Yes---But Why????
I am not shocked by the hatred, fear, misogyny, and denial enabling tRump’s polling numbers. However, what does shock me is that it took this many years and one very toxic individual to bring it all to the surface, for all to see—the same vile bigotry and fear that fueled the Civil War—the old Republican platform, and recently, the Maget cult. And to be clear—the same vile bigotry and fear that hinders many Democrats from asking, expecting, or demanding more Freedom, more Equality, more Justice than the Republican base actually wants. To understand that a persistent resistance to Freedom, Equality, and Justice for ALL is what holds both Democrats and Republicans hostage—is the only honest reason America has never fully incarnated Freedom, Equality, and Justice for ALL. Without purposed resistance, disciplined progress happens quickly. Too much greed. Too much dishonesty. Too much compromise. Too little integrity. Too little respect for reality. Too little—too late—begets Magets and tRump and a mirror for all to see. Perhaps one day we will grow to understand tRump was a necessary evil. Necessary for America to actually be the land of the free.
Thanks for the straight shooting, John. It's a refreshing wave, not just a splash, of ice cold water in the face. Will we wake up or continue to view "woke" as some kind of negative?
"If we prevail in November, we can finally break the fever of this cultic sickness and reconnect with those who presently feel beyond reach." This is your power statement John! I absolutely agree with all you have written. Just returned from overseas, the question I was asked every single day, " will he get in again? What is wrong with the USA?" Wish I had had your statement to share with them.
But, I have faith.... this time, this election, WE will do what is best for OUR Country, regardless of political affiliation!
THIS is why it is so UNWISE to divide the left into purity blocs. In the face of a monolithic GOP, it is utterly absurd to diminish the opposing vote.
You are spot on!!
Thank you John for continuing to advocate for truth versus lies and the good in us versus the weakness.
Winning is not the panacea or solution we seek. In defeat the Cult remains.
As we turn the page we must, collectively and individually, challenge how we've failed to protect and modernize our democracy.
This race is not about ‘people in low places’, but low informed people in all places. In the winter of our discontent we really are content to be herded to destruction. ‘Oh well’ is just a hole in the ground until you’re screaming ‘what happened’ from the bottom of that hole. Take the time to think!
In other words, the race is going to be decided by the lowest common denominator. Somehow that doesn't give me hope.
h