Monday, September 4, 2017

Comment on: "A 2020 Democratic agenda is emerging" by Ed Rogers, WP, Sept 4, 2017

A 2020 Democratic agenda is emerging

by Ed Rogers, WP, Sept 4 2017

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2017/09/04/a-2020-democratic-agenda-is-emerging/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-f%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.abfc7407ae03#comments

Ed Rogers typifies the mindless ignorance of today's conservatives, as in his core statement - "Economic polices will consist of government giveaways and anti-business crusades. Social causes will give no quarter to moderate positions, and LGBT special interests, labor unions, global warming fanatics and factions such as Black Lives Matter, along with other grievance industry groups, will face no moderating counterforce".  

What he lambasts as a "radical agenda" and "a dangerous lurch to the left" is what most other advanced civilized societies consider to be centrist policies such as "a single-payer health-care system, a $15 minimum wage, free college tuition". 

Take single payer health care. EVERY other advanced society has adopted this model and as a result pays on average half as much as the US in per capita expenditures for healthcare, with hugely better outcomes in them of almost every indicator of societal well-being. 

Free university is another one of those issues, where the US conservatives cannot see beyond the tips of their own nose. A well educated populace is the main guarantor for economic progress - even conservatives mouth that self-evident truth - and also of a well functioning democracy. with $20,000 - $40,000 annual tuition, only a small segment, the 1%, can afford to send their children to university. For the rest it means either crippling debt for years to come, or relying on a worthless high school diploma.  

Finally, Mr. Rogers use of "antifa" as a Boogyman is typical of the current Trumpian effort to divert attention from the current fascist tendencies of Trump-followers.

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