I always feel queasy when I read about age vs youth in the Dems. Will it mostly be true progressives against entrenched centrists, or will there be too many fake progressives, with performative leftism, against stodgy but committed older true leftists? It could go either way.
Other things being equal it's good to have younger people come in, but other things are rarely equal. I've seen a couple of rounds of flashy young guys going after Ed Markey, and getting the impression that the flashy young guys are nowhere near as true leftist as grandpa Ed Markey.
As a Boomer, I see this growth of strong, capable, and younger candidates willing and able to run against long-time incumbents as a very positive sign that the Democratic Party is changing and growing. They bring a vitality and insightfulness that we oldsters have lost. This is great news!
While it's important to base our vote on character & policies, characteristics such as youth & energy, progressivism & environmentalism are also very important, & the younger candidates seem to have more of those above qualities than the older ones. The good thing about races featuring an old candidate versus a young candidate is that usually the older candidate has a long track record, which in many cases have been quite disappointing. There are some good, solid older ones, like Bernie Sanders, Ed Markey, Ron Wyden, Elizabeth Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jeff Merkley & Al Green, who tend to be both activist & put forth great progressive proposals (that are rarely passed because of the preponderance of corporate centrists & right-wingers in Congress) but the younger ones tend to have fresher ideas & more spunk.
I thought Merkley was younger, so I looked him, and he's 69, so you're right, he's technically an oldster. But the guy's got plenty of energy - how many young guys went to the Rafah crossing in Egypt? IDK, I want Steny Hower and some of the other fossils out as badly as anyone, but getting rid of people on account of age feels like it could backfire.
In deep red Missouri we talk about this all the time-if you can’t do what “regular people” do every day-downloading and using an app-dealing with insurance denials- using self checkout at the grocery store, finding the cheapest price for something-etc etc- you should not be representing us!! they sound so out of touch at all these tech congressional hearings! It;s embarrassing. And i am a retired person who absolutely agrees we need to hand this to the next generation. haven’t we screwed it up enough????
Thanks for posting this information about Oath. I like the message and a way to support young Dems who have zeal for political change, forward thinking and not the current status quo. There should be a mandatory age limit. These oldsters are just in it for the $ at this point.
I don't like age or term limits because they put a broad brush against older & more experienced people, & frankly are antidemocratic by limiting our choices. For example, Bernie Sanders continues to be one of the sharpest & most progressive members of Congress, with a long history of being accurate & prescient on the issues, & Frannklin Roosevelt is widely considered the best president we've had since at least Lincoln, much of it based on his actions & policies of his 3rd term. I think Obama, with his experience & growing wisdom, would've had a great 3rd term, & I wish he were eligible & we could've voted for him (he would've won easily), instead of getting Trump. But I do think there should be periodic cognitive tests on officeholders who are above 70 or show erratic mental behavior, & I think advantages of incumbency, such as a huge war chest & institutional ties, which means striking down Citizens United & greatly limiting private campaign funding & increasing transparency.
This war will create another generation of people who deeply hate us. People are dying. There will be consequences to come. Meanwhile the president talks about maybe more bombs on Chago, "just for fun," and makes kid-like motorcycle growls when saying his beloved name for this war.
Caveat: these aren't necessarily progressive candidates. In fact, for FL Senate and my FL District, they have listed the centrist pro-Israel candidates who are already ahead of other more pprogressive Democrats with fundraising because they are willing to take money from more places. I'd suggest using a different method of donating if that matters to you.
Most recently, 4 Democrat seats voted to continue war in Iran. That's been a conservative $1B per day for 16 days, spent on killing brown folks that were no threat to us, while claiming to be for minorities within our own borders, and poo-pooing the ICE raids. This at the same time, education, healthcare and affordable housing are under attack.
If you think this is not a CLEAR ideological spit, and that funding alone will change the course of the Democratic party, you have much to learn. The youth is engaged and they understand hypocrisy. The question will always be if they have the fortitude to hold those virtues when the big pay-outs are offered.
That is the measure of a statesman.
I would warn young Americans to double down on a massive deeper shift to the left, in the same manner I warned the Right to pull to this extreme.
The middle is a good place to operate, but it does not get the "clicks." Its boring. It requires complex arguments and critical thinking over clickbait, and bumper-sticker slogans.
The left and the right seem to ignore the fact that American spending, regardless on where, in its current form, is unsustainable and is leading to a decreased standard of living. This is the folly of a 2 party state. There NEEDS to be internal competition and challenges to ideologues within the parties without fear of "losing to the other team."
This is not how it was intended to function and it needs vast repairs of the checks and balances, FAST.
Thanks for this info on "Oath." I give personally to candidates I believe in AND THAT I THINK CAN WIN! I support "Leaders We Deserve," which often are young. Also some middle-aged, and get the old codgers out, like schumer. It's a shame, as some of the older Dem pols are smart and have given a lot to the Party and to legislation -- but you never know when the brain declines -- I'm 81, so I know from direct knowledge. I've always thought of politics as a SERVICE TO THE NATION, and wanted it not to be a career, but an interim, where you give service, then go back to your previous job (not lobbying). Term limits for all, including Supreme Court. Age limits? -- they could be mentors to the elected. This will mainly be decided after I am dead, but would like to see young, energetic, progressive people elected this November, to start putting a check on trump and his incompetent, amoral crew.
in short we have an issue with people clinging to their power and wealth and status and that only serves to help them and nobody else. this is a big problem..and just as if Republicans behaved things don't have to be this conflict laden draconian strained in its own ways things in the democrats party don't need to be so strained and nobody benefits from it. something must be done about people clinging to power and manipulating elections and all this comes to my and others life long wondering what conservatives thought they were conserving as it never seemed to be anything to do with the society many of us knew and the people in our communities...turns out they conserve nothing but themselves...and what is the thru lien of the things I've mentioned...aside from lack of restraints checks and balances it's selfish greed to conserve one's self only and do things that don't help or harrm everyone else as in all this unregulated consolidated power is serving to benefit a very few be it old Klingons or coprowtuons or racist xenophobic creeps or just endlessly greedy vapid losers ..whatever it is the short is allowing the tiny few to abuse government power society for their own profit leaves the majority of the society nation world in unnecessary strife struggle and therefore causes a very violent ever exploding society all around...and it's all avoidable unnecessary and clearly not healthy for anyone cuz all the immediate gain the few get can't possibly last unless they hoard it all and run off to Mars which they can't do yet lol cry weep ..they live here too and the sad simple truth is people who are in the vast majority aren't asking for that much..we'd like our taxes to ensure health care basic rights and provide minimums for people...the conservative powerful greedy could still have endless everything whlle allowing a rela government to function and help people which they simply aren't ..the current government basically doesn't govern..it chainsawed most things bulldozed and has left rubble chaos and mess everywhere and other than ice goons terrorizing people they don't like and bombing other countries to steal their leaders and for oil they don't do anything....on the other hand most of the violence chaos destruction would stop first off if we didn't have leaders yelling about destroying us and in the bigger picture after this Insanity either kills us all or ends a government that provides basics for as many people as it can will lead to a far less strife chaos violence ridden society...well good luck bye and good luck and thanks. keep fighting the good fights y'all
I always feel queasy when I read about age vs youth in the Dems. Will it mostly be true progressives against entrenched centrists, or will there be too many fake progressives, with performative leftism, against stodgy but committed older true leftists? It could go either way.
Other things being equal it's good to have younger people come in, but other things are rarely equal. I've seen a couple of rounds of flashy young guys going after Ed Markey, and getting the impression that the flashy young guys are nowhere near as true leftist as grandpa Ed Markey.
As a Boomer, I see this growth of strong, capable, and younger candidates willing and able to run against long-time incumbents as a very positive sign that the Democratic Party is changing and growing. They bring a vitality and insightfulness that we oldsters have lost. This is great news!
While it's important to base our vote on character & policies, characteristics such as youth & energy, progressivism & environmentalism are also very important, & the younger candidates seem to have more of those above qualities than the older ones. The good thing about races featuring an old candidate versus a young candidate is that usually the older candidate has a long track record, which in many cases have been quite disappointing. There are some good, solid older ones, like Bernie Sanders, Ed Markey, Ron Wyden, Elizabeth Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jeff Merkley & Al Green, who tend to be both activist & put forth great progressive proposals (that are rarely passed because of the preponderance of corporate centrists & right-wingers in Congress) but the younger ones tend to have fresher ideas & more spunk.
I thought Merkley was younger, so I looked him, and he's 69, so you're right, he's technically an oldster. But the guy's got plenty of energy - how many young guys went to the Rafah crossing in Egypt? IDK, I want Steny Hower and some of the other fossils out as badly as anyone, but getting rid of people on account of age feels like it could backfire.
In deep red Missouri we talk about this all the time-if you can’t do what “regular people” do every day-downloading and using an app-dealing with insurance denials- using self checkout at the grocery store, finding the cheapest price for something-etc etc- you should not be representing us!! they sound so out of touch at all these tech congressional hearings! It;s embarrassing. And i am a retired person who absolutely agrees we need to hand this to the next generation. haven’t we screwed it up enough????
Thanks for posting this information about Oath. I like the message and a way to support young Dems who have zeal for political change, forward thinking and not the current status quo. There should be a mandatory age limit. These oldsters are just in it for the $ at this point.
I don't like age or term limits because they put a broad brush against older & more experienced people, & frankly are antidemocratic by limiting our choices. For example, Bernie Sanders continues to be one of the sharpest & most progressive members of Congress, with a long history of being accurate & prescient on the issues, & Frannklin Roosevelt is widely considered the best president we've had since at least Lincoln, much of it based on his actions & policies of his 3rd term. I think Obama, with his experience & growing wisdom, would've had a great 3rd term, & I wish he were eligible & we could've voted for him (he would've won easily), instead of getting Trump. But I do think there should be periodic cognitive tests on officeholders who are above 70 or show erratic mental behavior, & I think advantages of incumbency, such as a huge war chest & institutional ties, which means striking down Citizens United & greatly limiting private campaign funding & increasing transparency.
This needs to be better advertised. I keep up with politics but had never heard of OATH. So great to have an alternative to Actblue!
Indivisible is vetting candidates who do not take $ from corps or aipac. Local chapters decide who to support.
This group sounds like renewed hope to me!
Your faith in Team D is touching.
Could you link to Oath, please? If it's here I didn't find it.
This war will create another generation of people who deeply hate us. People are dying. There will be consequences to come. Meanwhile the president talks about maybe more bombs on Chago, "just for fun," and makes kid-like motorcycle growls when saying his beloved name for this war.
Thanks for this. We can be more effective with our small donations. I am also going to pay attention to the recommendations of focus4democracy.
Caveat: these aren't necessarily progressive candidates. In fact, for FL Senate and my FL District, they have listed the centrist pro-Israel candidates who are already ahead of other more pprogressive Democrats with fundraising because they are willing to take money from more places. I'd suggest using a different method of donating if that matters to you.
Illinois is experiencing the same. My comment touches this too.
Most recently, 4 Democrat seats voted to continue war in Iran. That's been a conservative $1B per day for 16 days, spent on killing brown folks that were no threat to us, while claiming to be for minorities within our own borders, and poo-pooing the ICE raids. This at the same time, education, healthcare and affordable housing are under attack.
If you think this is not a CLEAR ideological spit, and that funding alone will change the course of the Democratic party, you have much to learn. The youth is engaged and they understand hypocrisy. The question will always be if they have the fortitude to hold those virtues when the big pay-outs are offered.
That is the measure of a statesman.
I would warn young Americans to double down on a massive deeper shift to the left, in the same manner I warned the Right to pull to this extreme.
The middle is a good place to operate, but it does not get the "clicks." Its boring. It requires complex arguments and critical thinking over clickbait, and bumper-sticker slogans.
The left and the right seem to ignore the fact that American spending, regardless on where, in its current form, is unsustainable and is leading to a decreased standard of living. This is the folly of a 2 party state. There NEEDS to be internal competition and challenges to ideologues within the parties without fear of "losing to the other team."
This is not how it was intended to function and it needs vast repairs of the checks and balances, FAST.
MABA- Make America Boring Again
Thanks for this info on "Oath." I give personally to candidates I believe in AND THAT I THINK CAN WIN! I support "Leaders We Deserve," which often are young. Also some middle-aged, and get the old codgers out, like schumer. It's a shame, as some of the older Dem pols are smart and have given a lot to the Party and to legislation -- but you never know when the brain declines -- I'm 81, so I know from direct knowledge. I've always thought of politics as a SERVICE TO THE NATION, and wanted it not to be a career, but an interim, where you give service, then go back to your previous job (not lobbying). Term limits for all, including Supreme Court. Age limits? -- they could be mentors to the elected. This will mainly be decided after I am dead, but would like to see young, energetic, progressive people elected this November, to start putting a check on trump and his incompetent, amoral crew.
I also give to Leaders We Deserve. It would be great if we could get a comparision of these two organizations. I have never heard of Oath.
I'm sure that Oath is effective in its goal., ... or Qasim would not be promoting it. I'm out of $$, so will read, but can't give to another group.
in short we have an issue with people clinging to their power and wealth and status and that only serves to help them and nobody else. this is a big problem..and just as if Republicans behaved things don't have to be this conflict laden draconian strained in its own ways things in the democrats party don't need to be so strained and nobody benefits from it. something must be done about people clinging to power and manipulating elections and all this comes to my and others life long wondering what conservatives thought they were conserving as it never seemed to be anything to do with the society many of us knew and the people in our communities...turns out they conserve nothing but themselves...and what is the thru lien of the things I've mentioned...aside from lack of restraints checks and balances it's selfish greed to conserve one's self only and do things that don't help or harrm everyone else as in all this unregulated consolidated power is serving to benefit a very few be it old Klingons or coprowtuons or racist xenophobic creeps or just endlessly greedy vapid losers ..whatever it is the short is allowing the tiny few to abuse government power society for their own profit leaves the majority of the society nation world in unnecessary strife struggle and therefore causes a very violent ever exploding society all around...and it's all avoidable unnecessary and clearly not healthy for anyone cuz all the immediate gain the few get can't possibly last unless they hoard it all and run off to Mars which they can't do yet lol cry weep ..they live here too and the sad simple truth is people who are in the vast majority aren't asking for that much..we'd like our taxes to ensure health care basic rights and provide minimums for people...the conservative powerful greedy could still have endless everything whlle allowing a rela government to function and help people which they simply aren't ..the current government basically doesn't govern..it chainsawed most things bulldozed and has left rubble chaos and mess everywhere and other than ice goons terrorizing people they don't like and bombing other countries to steal their leaders and for oil they don't do anything....on the other hand most of the violence chaos destruction would stop first off if we didn't have leaders yelling about destroying us and in the bigger picture after this Insanity either kills us all or ends a government that provides basics for as many people as it can will lead to a far less strife chaos violence ridden society...well good luck bye and good luck and thanks. keep fighting the good fights y'all