Posted on by rjonakait

Snippets

A friend wrote to me expressing concerns about trends in the Democratic party. I replied:

I understand your concerns that the Democratic Socialists (the DSA) may become fodder for the conservative juggernaut. Some members of the DSA do have some crazy ideas, and Fox News will harp on them endlessly. But those candidates identifying as Democratic Socialists who have been successful have not run on those ideas but on more mainstream concerns: healthcare, affordability, and anti-war sentiment. Some have questioned the U.S.’s ongoing support of today’s Israel. I am not concerned about the Fox watchers. No matter what, they will vote only for candidates who support Trump. The concern should be what appeals to independents, what will inspire non-conservatives to vote, and who will set the conversations among those non-conservatives. For example, while the numbers vary on how the question is phrased, Medicare for All (advocated by the DSA) is supported by most Americans. And, of course, the majority of Americans are unhappy with gas and grocery prices and tax cuts that have benefited the rich. Republicans will turn off voters if they concentrate on criticizing the DSA members who, e.g., advocate getting rid of the Senate. That isn’t going to happen, and people are far more concerned about bread and butter issues. Republicans would do well to realize that. Democrats, however, have not been adept at setting the terms of the political debate. If they do, the Democratic Socialists will not be detrimental. On another hopeful note: While things remain somewhat fluid, so far the polls indicate that the Democratic Socialists are leading by small margins in swing states like Michigan and Maine. And I have seen nothing that indicates that Democratic Socialists are hurting non-DSA candidates in close races elsewhere, like Texas.

*******

“If the rich could hire other people to die for them, the poor could make a wonderful living.” Yiddish proverb.

*******

A mantra says that elections are about the economy, but they have never been just about the economy. Partisan elections almost always tap into some sort of fear–from a missile gap to civil rights to crime in the streets, and more recently, to those extremely dangerous transgender people. Today there is a new fear that was not anticipated even a year ago—data centers. Unlike many other concerns, this one does not seem to have partisan roots. Instead, it appears to be a grassroots movement. I have no idea how the data center issue will play out in the coming elections, but history shows that fear affects votes. And an increasing number of people fear data centers.

*******

Query: How many citizens should find it harder to vote or even be blocked from voting so that one noncitizen is prevented from casting a ballot?

*******

I also have a non-election-related question: How does a security guard at a nudist colony pin on the badge?

Posted on by rjonakait

Snippets

How does a security guard at a nudist colony pin on the badge?

Have you ever cogitated on the coincidence that both your parents were married on the same day?

When Barack Obama ran for reelection, many tried to make him responsible for things, taken out of context, that the minister of his church had said. I confidently predict the Trump will not have to deal with anything the minister of his church has preached.

“Socialism” is thrown around as an epithet a lot these days. I wish that those who did so would define the term, or does it just mean something the person does not like?

“If the rich could hire other people to die for them, the poor could make a wonderful living.” Yiddish proverb.

“Cultural appropriation” is also thrown around a lot as an epithet. I wish those who did so would define the term. On a recent trip, I saw Moroccans wearing hats with the New York Yankees logo (although I don’t remember seeing anyone sporting any other American team insignia) and NYPD caps. I saw McDonalds, Burger Kings, KFC, spaghetti, and tacos. Was this cultural appropriation?

“Whatever you may be sure of, be sure of this: that you are dreadfully like other people.” James Russell Lowell, My Study Windows.

          In my running days, I was on a traffic island in the middle of a busy Brooklyn street. I was looking for a break in traffic to get to the southside sidewalk when my right foot awkwardly hit broken pavement, and I turned my ankle. I almost fell and had a brief vision of rolling into the moving cars. I could barely stand up. Although I always ran with money in case I needed a cab to get home, I generally avoid taxis. Instead, I painfully hobbled the mile and a half to the house. In those days, I tried to run every day, but in an uncharacteristic act of sensibility, I stopped running for quite a while. But after days, a week, or maybe two weeks the ankle did not seem better. I was worried that it was more than a sprain and that perhaps I had broken or chipped a bone. I finally went to a doctor. I then had an HMO and saw a doctor I had not met before, a suspiciously young guy to be an M.D. He took x-rays and reported that it was only a soft tissue injury. I protested that it was taking “forever” to heal. He replied, “At your age you have to expect these things.” I thought, “I’m paying you for this advice!”  I was then in my mid-thirties.

“As we grow older we grow both more foolish and wiser at the same time.” La Rouchefoucauld.

I am not proud that in scanning the obituaries I feel some satisfaction when I find that a vegan has died of cancer.