Compelling piece. Thank you. Do we know if he was a millionaire before he entered Congress? He was a scientist for 25 years, but maybe he holds some patents. Where can we find a list of Foster’s donors? Apologies if you’ve given it, but I didn’t read all comments. Good piece.
Fascinating and maddening. Dems need to primary politicians like him, risky as that would be. As far as polls that show Dems with a 21 or 23% approval rating, I still say a follow-up question should have been “Would you vote Repug?”. I think the results from that question would make us all feel much better.
Breaking down singular "corporate Democrats" in the absence of GOP outline of voting patterns is an actual strike upon the Democratic Party. The reason party popularity is where it is is because the message is broad and poorly unified; whereas GOP messaging is part lie and part awful.
The question is how do we get on the same page and get our much better message out. Tell voters a simple message of "We want to improve our way of life and decrease debt by nationalizing healthcare (because it will be cost saving for the taxpayer and avoid medical bankruptcy), increasing taxes on the wealthy and removing or reducing corporate loopholes, removing the SS earnings cap and placing a scaled benefit on millionaires.
Poor messaging and a less unified coalition is what hurts the Democratic Party. Take your example: In his district, would he possibly lose the primary....sure...but, would that Progressive then lose the general because their message fails to resonate? That is the most important question, not a virtue test on where his politics may lie on your spectrum.
I don't like the moniker "Corporate Democrat". It leads us into the same sink hole that got us here in the first place. Having Democrats be against corporations in some global sense is not accurate. Corporations, whether we like or not, are a major social institution that aren't going away anytime soon. What we need is a vision for the Democratic party that is not in reaction to the neoliberal framework. Is it labor unions? Tired and broken. Is it pro-immigration? That will guarantee a permanent minority position. Is it health care as a human right. Clearly this does not work. All of your positions keep us in the same framework which Republicans have skillfully manipulated and lied about. And we will continue to loose until party leaders stop bringing water balloons to a gun fight. I think the Democratic position should be very straight forward - and one that everyone understands. Wealth inequality will destroy this country. First, it's true. It will destroy this country. You can go down the list of reasons in every talk. It lowers GDP, lowers health outcomes, lowers educational outcomes, make us less competitive. It's not a right or left issue. It's poverty issue. And it cuts at the heart of the GOP's fake populism.
Foster is my Congressman! I knew some of this but not all of it. Excellent reporting and I would love to see it as a series. I was already planning to vote for his primary challenger in ‘26 but this just solidifies my opinion. Thank you!
It sounds like the root cause is the money in politics. In the UK we have a law that limits political donations, it’s inadequate because the limits are too high and the scope too narrow, but it helps.
If actual limits aren’t acceptable, how about a 200% tax rate (or more) on donations of more that $1000? Might help bring down the deficit.
It would mean the parties learning how to campaign on much smaller budgets, but they can do that.
The amounts being spent on politics in the US are gross and totally incompatible with democracy.
I suspect, with less money to spend, a lot of the insincere politicians would take their ‘skills’ elsewhere.
Because old white proplr are trying to hold on to power. Schumer and the rest need to GO NOW!!! Maxine Waters needs to continue coaching AOC, and Jasmine behind the scenes (you can tell who is mentoring these two if you're paying attention) and take Hakeem Jefferies out to the wood shed for a good beating then pass the baton.
excellent piece. Those so-called blue dog Democrats are part of the problem and they must account for their votes. Many have been re-elected time and time again but their districts do not demand town hall meetings.
Compelling piece. Thank you. Do we know if he was a millionaire before he entered Congress? He was a scientist for 25 years, but maybe he holds some patents. Where can we find a list of Foster’s donors? Apologies if you’ve given it, but I didn’t read all comments. Good piece.
Fascinating and maddening. Dems need to primary politicians like him, risky as that would be. As far as polls that show Dems with a 21 or 23% approval rating, I still say a follow-up question should have been “Would you vote Repug?”. I think the results from that question would make us all feel much better.
I'd like write-up on Dick Durbin.
Oust? I’ll pass.
Let the DNC keep their petit bourgeoisie party. No one wins a pi$$ing contest with skunks. Why fight? Better to build. Dump the Democratic Party!
We can have the party we need NOW!
https://www.wsws.org/en/special/pages/sep/us/home.html?redirect=true
Very important information. We need to get rid of the Bill Fosters.
So why is he a democrat?
Convenience
Breaking down singular "corporate Democrats" in the absence of GOP outline of voting patterns is an actual strike upon the Democratic Party. The reason party popularity is where it is is because the message is broad and poorly unified; whereas GOP messaging is part lie and part awful.
The question is how do we get on the same page and get our much better message out. Tell voters a simple message of "We want to improve our way of life and decrease debt by nationalizing healthcare (because it will be cost saving for the taxpayer and avoid medical bankruptcy), increasing taxes on the wealthy and removing or reducing corporate loopholes, removing the SS earnings cap and placing a scaled benefit on millionaires.
Poor messaging and a less unified coalition is what hurts the Democratic Party. Take your example: In his district, would he possibly lose the primary....sure...but, would that Progressive then lose the general because their message fails to resonate? That is the most important question, not a virtue test on where his politics may lie on your spectrum.
I don't like the moniker "Corporate Democrat". It leads us into the same sink hole that got us here in the first place. Having Democrats be against corporations in some global sense is not accurate. Corporations, whether we like or not, are a major social institution that aren't going away anytime soon. What we need is a vision for the Democratic party that is not in reaction to the neoliberal framework. Is it labor unions? Tired and broken. Is it pro-immigration? That will guarantee a permanent minority position. Is it health care as a human right. Clearly this does not work. All of your positions keep us in the same framework which Republicans have skillfully manipulated and lied about. And we will continue to loose until party leaders stop bringing water balloons to a gun fight. I think the Democratic position should be very straight forward - and one that everyone understands. Wealth inequality will destroy this country. First, it's true. It will destroy this country. You can go down the list of reasons in every talk. It lowers GDP, lowers health outcomes, lowers educational outcomes, make us less competitive. It's not a right or left issue. It's poverty issue. And it cuts at the heart of the GOP's fake populism.
Foster is my Congressman! I knew some of this but not all of it. Excellent reporting and I would love to see it as a series. I was already planning to vote for his primary challenger in ‘26 but this just solidifies my opinion. Thank you!
Thank you Audrey ❤️✊🏽
It sounds like the root cause is the money in politics. In the UK we have a law that limits political donations, it’s inadequate because the limits are too high and the scope too narrow, but it helps.
If actual limits aren’t acceptable, how about a 200% tax rate (or more) on donations of more that $1000? Might help bring down the deficit.
It would mean the parties learning how to campaign on much smaller budgets, but they can do that.
The amounts being spent on politics in the US are gross and totally incompatible with democracy.
I suspect, with less money to spend, a lot of the insincere politicians would take their ‘skills’ elsewhere.
Because old white proplr are trying to hold on to power. Schumer and the rest need to GO NOW!!! Maxine Waters needs to continue coaching AOC, and Jasmine behind the scenes (you can tell who is mentoring these two if you're paying attention) and take Hakeem Jefferies out to the wood shed for a good beating then pass the baton.
He needs to go. Thanks for info.
excellent piece. Those so-called blue dog Democrats are part of the problem and they must account for their votes. Many have been re-elected time and time again but their districts do not demand town hall meetings.
Who is going to primary Foster?
Lord knows I tried.
Call them all out. Every money grubbing one. And put AOC and Bernie on the list you actually name as the good guys. They deserve it.
Lock Him Up.