What has Trump done now?

[facthunter]

Trump Demands it. That's how He was Brought up. W yuh Bush said " God speaks through my Mouth" and Other leaders said there's NO Point trying to TALK to THIS BLOKE. HE gets his orders from above. Separate RELIGION FROM Politics/Government. LOOK at the Places where they DON'T. You wouldn't want to live there. Nev

[Marty_d]

I've been reading the Joe Pickett series of books by C J Box.

They're a great read, following the adventures of a Wyoming game warden.  Well written, good pace, articulate.

It's obvious though from the protagonist's attitudes towards "coastal elites", renewable energy and politics in general that the author - no matter what their own politics - is painting a picture of middle America where god'n'guns reign supreme, oil and coal means jobs, and scientists and progressives are unwelcome.

 

In that environment, how do you change minds?

I'd suggest that the first place to start is political donation reform.  One of the reasons the Democrats lost is because they are seen (with some truth) as not caring about the average Joe, because they're beholden to their wealthy donors.  Any political party that takes donations does favour the donors - it's self evident.  So if you don't want to be seen as out of touch with the common man, you shouldn't take money from billionaires or big companies.

[facthunter]

You've summed it up pretty well, Marty.  EXCEPT about the Democrats. Their Policy was (If I recollect correctly Don Chips " Keep the Bastards Honest") Democrats  attracted the Trendy Suburban  Upper Middle class types I feel. A bit like the People who later voted green. 

  IF you follow the MONEY trail It's pretty  clear who looks after the TOP end of Town almost exclusively.. The same people who run the  Media. . AS a Business Model  "Serving the Rich" must pay better .

     THEY can show Gratitude and reward you better than the People who are short of Money AND struggling.  Nev

[Jerry_Atrick]

It cuts both ways to be honest. I joined a major Aussie party whe I was 16 with a glint in my eye and determined to change the world for the better. I rose fairlyy quicly locally to president of the branch (no real big deal), but on the selection committe for the local MP candidate (bigger deal) and state confereence delegate for both young movement and normal movement. Like any organisation, there are going to be differences of opinion, and I quickly learned what I thought was the right thing was not necessarily what others throught was the right thing, even amongst people with very similar ideologies. What i then learned was that many times, those differences of opinions were often helped by serving vested interests arising from the most unlikely places, some not even to do with monetary gain. Still, "untained and pure in thought", I contnued a bit more, arguing (alledgedly on fact) why this should change or that should remain, etc. until one evening meal, which I will never forget, but broke the camel's back and I quit politics forever.

 

It is now coming to 50 years ago (ouch) and I even remember some of the names. But I will never forget the laminated fake wood round tablles atop black metal frames on that red patterend carpet preferred by local Chinese restaurants at the time. I was chomping on a beef and black bean sauce dish, talkng to someone I looked up to and whom I thought we were almost ideologically joined at the hip. 

 

He was regaling his victoriy in achieving some outcome by virtually bringing a local organisation to its knees, and in achieving that outcome, straddled that organisation with immense debt and put its future in doubt. When I challenged him on the prucence of such a tactic, given that iof that organistion fails, the very people he fought to ensure a short term outcome for will long term lose, he conceded he was driven by, let's say, a personal relationship with someone, and a personal vedetta of another. I will never forget the perniciously serious but triumphant expression on his face as he told me this. 

 

I have written on these forums abut this before, but it was a stark lesson on life.. 

 

I should have moved to Burke or somewhere similar.

[red750]

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