If you want to goose step in lock step behind a fascist Reich that is always wrong, sell out to the Reich on the Right, the Republican Reich. On the other hand, if you want to walk in harmony next to a Reich that is virtually always right, choose the Reich on the left, Robert Right.
Robert Reich posted a message about the ‘Bernie or Bust’ concept on his Facebook page on May 19, 2016. He received mixed reviews. To read his original post, click here. One week later, Reich posted another status facing his critics. Here are his thoughts:
Robert Reich, May 25, 2016
Last week I suggested Bernie supporters do three things: (1) fight like hell for Bernie until he either gets or loses the nomination, (2) if Hillary gets the nomination, fight like hell for her, and (3) regardless of who wins the nomination or the election, continue to build a powerful progressive movement.
Several of you disagree with (1), saying Bernie has no chance, and his continuing candidacy is just hurting Hillary, so he should bow out of the race. I’ll get back to this point in a subsequent post.
Here I want to address those of you who disagree with (2). As I understand your arguments, they fall into four categories:
1. Some of you say that by refusing to fight for Hillary (if she gets the nomination) you’ll show the political establishment you want the changes Bernie has been advocating. The problem with this logic is the “political establishment” is nothing but a bunch of people in comfortable and often privileged positions who will continue doing what they’re doing because they like the status quo, and won’t even be aware you’re not fighting for Hillary – unless, that is, Hillary loses to Trump. Which leads to the next argument.
2. Some of you say there’s no real difference between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. The problem with this logic is it’s wrong. Regardless of what you may think of Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump is a true menace to this nation and to the world. He’s a narcissistic, xenophobic, hatemonger who, if elected, would legitimize bigotry, appoint Supreme Court justices with terrible values, and have his finger on the nuclear bomb. Need I say more? Which brings us to the third argument.
3. Some of you say a Trump presidency would be so horrible it would galvanize a forceful progressive movement in response. The problem with this argument is twofold. First, Trump could do huge and unalterable damage to America and the world in the meantime. Second, rarely if ever in history has a sharp swing to the right moved the political pendulum further back in the opposite direction. Instead, it tends to move the “center” rightward, as did Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
4. Finally, some of you say that even if Hillary is better than Trump, you’re tired of choosing the “lesser of two evils,” and you’re going to vote your conscience by either writing Bernie’s name in, or voting for the Green Party candidate, or not voting at all. I can’t criticize you for voting your conscience, of course. But your conscience should know that a decision not to vote for Hillary is a de facto decision to help Donald Trump.
What do you think?… [emphasis added]
From <Daily Kos>
The Reich on the left is right! Failure to vote blue, even if it’s "voting your conscience" is selling out to the Reich on the Right, the Republican Reich.
Vote Blue No Matter Who!!
11 Responses to “The Reich on the Left is Right Again!”
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Thanks for posting Reich's answer to his critics in full, TomCat. Reich is a man of learning, carefully working out his thoughts point by point and it doesn't do to cut his excellent reasoning off before he's fully made his case and has refuted each and everyone of the arguments his critics have put forward. And refute he does, with great precision but also with empathy for their makers. Reich understands the feelings and emotions behind the arguments but he clearly is of the opinion that all Bernie supporters must bite the bullet, as undoubtedly Reich himself must do, and Vote Blue, No Matter Who and thus honor all the work Bernie has done these past months and make sure that his accomplishments, like progressive board members in the NDC, will not be destroyed by Drumpf, but will serve as the foundation of a new, or renewed, progressive party.
WRT Sec. Reich: The man knows whereof he speaks!
Spot on!! Reich on the left is right! Vote Blue, no matter WHO!
Thanks, Tom.
Yes, right (correct) he is. And he does make an excellent, carefully worked out, case. But I think what gives me the most hope is that he says "Several of you disagree with (1)," "those of you who disagree with (2)," and "Some of you say" (four times). That means that people who disagree are at least reading him, and some are taking the time to respond. [Probably each of those responses contains, somewhere, some riff on "I think for myself," which would be great if true, but so often means something more like "My mind is made up, don't confuse me with facts."] From which you may gather I am not optimistic about our (we=sane) chances of reaching these people's hearts. But at least we are reaching some of their eyes. It's a start.
There is no question about his point of view. I have been advocating "Vote for Blue, No Matter Who!" for a while, often pointing out the issue of SCOTUS. Joanne, I hope your ooptmism is on track! I very much agree with, and am new to, his idea of the center moving to the right, as in the St. Reagan debacle.
Reich always makes sense…however he doesn't deal with the foundational assumption that Clinton will not be indicted or convicted before Nov. to still be eligible for the office.
The Inspector General's report on the State DEppartment's emails is out (in full here if you like http://www.motherjones.com/documents/2842486-ESP-16-03-Final ) but translated, it says that every Secretary since emails became a thing has screwed SOMETHING up to do with emails, which is attributable to no rules and no guidance. It didn't find any malice. It accepts the turnover of her emails from her private server.
Barbra Streisand makes a good point IMHO on honoraria – that Hillary's are in the six figures whereas those to Republicans (and she names names) are well into seven figures. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/5/2/1522346/-Barbra-Streisand-sums-up-the-alleged-Hillary-Goldman-Sachs-conspiracy-theory-in-one-tweet
Benghazi is as phony as a three dollar bill. I am not a fan of Hillary and I am sure everyone here knows it, but being indicted and/or convicted requires actual evidence, and Republicans seem to be in short supply of it.
I feel the Bern, but will vote Blue, not matter Who. Shared this.
Last October, Canadians voted to dump Harper and his harlots. Great move, and now it has been announced that Harper is leaving politics. If I could vote in the US, I would vote blue because I understand the what the difference is. The alternative to voting blue is unacceptable.
VOTE BLUE NO MATTER
WHO!!!
Thanks all!! Hugs!!
KEEP DRUMPF OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE!!! VOTE BLUE, NO MATTER WHO!!!