The headlines on Aug. 5th 1981 blasted across front pages across the nation US President Reagan fires 11,500 striking air traffic controllers as the President fires the first salvo in a war against the middle class. Thirty years later the middle class, decimated by the war against them, faces one of the largest battles for our democracy.
Sadly too many of the middle class will continue to vote in Republicans whose loyalty belongs not to the democracy but to the oligarchs that own them. Yes, own them. President Reagan (and every term limited politician) responded as he was instructed to do, break the unions, kill the middle class.
Even today, these 35 years later, many union members believe that President Reagan was the greatest President America had. Yet he telegraphed his intentions against the middle class with his announcement to run for the office of president.
Through the years the battle plan of the oligarchs to divide and kill the middle class has slowly crept to the finish line. Should Ms Clinton lose this election, we’ll see the end game played. Using the only tool the rubes of the oligarchs seem to have is fear.
While they fear the issues, the debate of the democracy, or the ability of the electorate making a decision, they pedal the fear of security, the fear of immigrants, and the fear of difference to divide the middle class.
In this upcoming election we have witnessed the push from the liberal arm of the middle class. The young, our own offspring who are enlighten to the ways of the world. They understand what is wrong and seem willing to take up the fight.
“…watch out for the little fellow with an idea.”
Tommy Douglas NDP
Some of them believe the fight is really a person. A person is only the voice, not the fight (in this case a movement.) I urge everyone who supported Sen. Sanders to read or watch the video or listen to a speech called Mouseland by Tommy Douglas of the New Democratic Party of Canada.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqgOvzUeiAA
The Tag line was “…watch out for the little fellow with an idea.” This is where we, as Bernie supporters are right now. We can’t allow the movement die, we can’t allow the republicans keep control of both houses of congress. And we can’t sit back and pout or hold pity parties because our man did not get the nomination.
Our vote is crucial in keeping the movement alive, we have to vote against Mr. Trump, and the green party isn’t the answer. They are not on enough state ballots to win, only to give the election to Trump. Allowing Mr. Trump to win, to allow the republicans to retained the congress will ensure the end of our democracy.
We must keep ourselves active in the party. As Thom Hartmann and echoed by President Obama democracy is not a spectator sport. We must continue to work for the change we want. We started this voyage into restoring our democracy, we are the new army. We’re IT!