This is the Insurgent Radio Kiosk for Tuesday, December 10th
Hightower Commentary
Action Calendar
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Should Democrats be the party of small change?
We might expect that corporate billionaires and Koch-funded Republican right-wingers would be howl-at-the-moon opponents of a wealth tax, Medicare-for-All, and other big, progressive ideas to help improve the circumstances of America’s workaday majority. But… Democrats?
Unfortunately, yes. Not grassroots Dems, but a gaggle of don’t-rock-the-corporate-boat, Fraidy-cat Democrats. These naysayers are the Party’s old-line pols, lobbyists, and other insider elites who’re now screeching that Democratic candidates must back off those big proposals. Why? Because, they squawk, being so bold, so progressive, so – well, so Democratic – will scare voters. As one meekly put it: “When you say Medicare for All, it’s a risk. It makes people afraid.”
Excuse me, but in my speeches and writings I say “Medicare for All” a lot – and far from cowering, people stand up and cheer! In fact, the New York Times has just reported that 81 percent of Democrats (and two-thirds of independents) support Medicare for All. Even apple pie doesn’t score that high! It’s simply a lie that the people are “afraid” of the idea of everyone getting public-financed health care.
So who really fears it? Three special-interest groups: Insurance company profiteers, Big Pharma price gougers – and the political insiders who’re hooked on funding from those corporations.
Not only is it a pusillanimous fabrication to claim that the people oppose any changes stronger than corporate minimalism, it’s also political folly. If the Democratic Party won’t stand up for the transformative structural changes that America’s middle and low-income majority clearly wants and needs, why would those people stand up for Democrats? As the 2016 presidential election taught us so painfully, a whole lot of the working class Democrats the Party counts on… won’t.
“’It’s a Risk’: Democratic Leaders Warn That ‘Medicare for All’ May Backfire,” The New York Times,
“The Heart of the Matter in the Democratic Debate,” Medium.com, November 18, 2019.
“Biden overstates ‘Medicare for All’ opposition,” Austin American Statesman, December 2, 2019.
“Voters Back Warren Plan To Tax Rich, Poll Shows,” The New York Times, December 2, 2019.
Hightower’s commentaries are brought to you by The Hightower Lowdown, the monthly newsletter with Hightower’s take on what Wall Street and Washington are up to. For information, visit hightowerlowdown.org.
It’s today’s Action Calendar!
The first of two public information meetings to describe the City of Madison’s 2020 street resurfacing program will be held this evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the City’s Engineering Building, 1600 Emil Street. City Engineering staff will make a presentation on the multi-phased resurfacing projects and answer questions. Attend to learn if your street is scheduled for resurfacing and which properties will be assigned a “resurfacing special assessment”. The second meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11th from 9 to 11 a.m., also at the City Engineering Building, 1600 Emil Street. For information, phone 266-4751.
A free Dementia Education Program with the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin will be offered this evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Meadowridge Library, 5726 Raymond Road. Learn about topics of interest to families and friends of those with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. For information, phone 232-3400.
The West Madison Senior Coalition will offer meals to those 60 and older on Wednesday, December 11th from noon to 1 p.m. at the Meadowridge Library, 5740 Raymond Road. There is a suggested minimum donation of $4.00, but participants can contribute what’s affordable. Transportation is available. Meal and bus reservations should be made today by calling 238-7368.
The Insurgent Radio Kiosk welcomes your commentaries on subjects of interest to the W.O.R.T. listening community. Commentaries are limited to two minutes. If you’d like to do a Kiosk commentary, visit wortfm.org/kioskcommentary.
The Kiosk is available online at wortfm.org/kiosk.
This has been the Insurgent Radio Kiosk heard weekdays at 5:00, 6:30 and 9:00 AM and at 2:00 PM. With Engineer Alida, I am Engineer Alida. Submit announcements at least ten days in advance of the event at wortfm.org/kiosk/announcements
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