Trump and the GOP understand many Americans are fed up with the status quo. The problem with many Dem leaders is that they are addicted to it. Progress requires change...which requires not just courage but imagination and the willingness to ask hard questions. open.substack.com/pub/davidrot... - ThreadSky

djrothkopf.bsky.social • 57 days ago

Trump and the GOP understand many Americans are fed up with the status quo. The problem with many Dem leaders is that they are addicted to it. Progress requires change...which requires not just courage but imagination and the willingness to ask hard questions. https://open.substack.com/pub/davidrothkopf/p/there-is-no-progress-without-sacrilege?r=lsuuh&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Comments

goodgeorge.bsky.social•57 days ago

AOC is, ironically, the true Patriot in DC.

bmalo.bsky.social•57 days ago

Excellent work. Beginning to talk about the progress you mentioned out in the open is a catalyst to seeing progress happen. We cannot enact good ideas if we don’t openly talk about them. And if we cannot open talk about them without being deemed too progressive/radical by a party then, well…

kgeographer.bsky.social•56 days ago

“Fed up with the status quo” is meaningless w/o specificity. Status quo with respect to what?MAGAts are not fed up with increasing income inequality and corrupt politicians in both parties. If they were Trump would not have won. They care about eggs, immigrants, and opportunity becoming too equal.

chickenwizard.bsky.social•57 days ago

Remember that the maga lie machine is impenetrable and there aren't any good ways to reach those voters other than allowing them to feel betrayed by Trump and the party. They would use the shutdown for fodder forever.

mi-forest.bsky.social•56 days ago

THANK YOU!!! Very well stated and I was saying "YES!!" to point after point that you made!!
🏆🥂

on-tannhausergate.bsky.social•57 days ago

Are Democrats addicted to the status quo or are they just addicted to appeasing the garbage humans on the right? It’s time for a Democratic party that tells everybody in the GOP to go fuck yourself.

margomne.bsky.social•57 days ago

I would like to make doing that my career actually. I see a need.

noneisthenumber.bsky.social•57 days ago

I've been thinking no one had a big enough imagination to forsee just how lawless, not only Trump, but all Republicans, had the potential to be. We're all fairly shocked, I'd say.

splatterthought.bsky.social•57 days ago

Into my veins.
All of it.

It's always been broken
But useful. For most...
Got closer to democracy for a while there...

It's all gerrymandered, the puzzles that allow gross misdeed, solved.

It's a jalopy.

johndettling.bsky.social•56 days ago

You lost me at Boulez. JK. Clearly, all of the Dems you cite as good messengers still have not met together to develop a creative response strategy encompassing some forward looking principles. Ex: DOGE. Where's the compelling proposal about how Dems would make government more efficient?

johndettling.bsky.social•56 days ago

For example, Dems could introduce an idea to do total audit of the government every 10 years to streamline, downsize, improve government. Everything would on the table; we'd have a national conversation about agencies we still need and want. Counter the DOGE narrative. Instead crickets.

johndettling.bsky.social•56 days ago

Big mistake Dems and '28 candidates making is: Now is the time to offer a compelling defense of and positive vision of liberalism and focus on 5 or so principles that should define Dem branding for the future. It is not a progressive or centrist lean; it would 5 core ideas that will win elections.

johndettling.bsky.social•56 days ago

Housing/energy/education abundance; fair deal economy for everyone; excellent efficient streamlined government; etc etc. Can't Dems get in a room and ask themselves a simple question: how can we win 65% of the nation and speak to all Americans--not disparate interest and other groups.

johndettling.bsky.social•56 days ago

I don't a agree with AOC on lots of her specific policies, but her take no prisoners attitude and idealism is how every Dem should be leading. And Dems seeking to run in '28 not speaking now should not run. Period. She is kind of the party leader now by default.

not-donald.bsky.social•56 days ago

The first time I could vote, McGovern—a liberal Dem—got slaughtered. Since then we’ve had moderate, centrist, “incremental change” candidates…so incremental that no one noticed the changes, while Republicans slid further right. Instead of championing important causes, we offered the status quo.

not-donald.bsky.social•56 days ago

We used to be pro-education, for example. Apparently, even educating kids and young adults so they could reach their potential—whatever that was—became too “liberal” decades ago to even include in a party platform. “Everything’s ok” isn’t a motivating message nor is just “Change!” without specifics.

not-donald.bsky.social•56 days ago

In 50+ years of voting, the Affordable Care Act was the only Dem accomplishment that had a major effect on my life. The party needs to focus on BIG changes like the ACA rather than promoting the status quo and getting embroiled in trivial issues. Clinging to the center of a sinking boat won’t work.

chaddb.bsky.social•56 days ago

Dems need to practice what they preach and then that practice makes progression.

azzuro112.bsky.social•56 days ago

Yes... the clock keeps ticking, and everyone must move forward with it. Dems want to get back to before Trump and Republicans want to go back to the 1930s. 🙄

winstonsmith2024.bsky.social•57 days ago

Read and subscribed.

Chuck Schumer thinks he'll have an answer in six months? Just a little reminder: it only took the Nazis about four weeks to conquer most of France.

hummingbirdblonde.bsky.social•55 days ago

Did he say that? 🤔

winstonsmith2024.bsky.social•55 days ago

That's how long the CR will last until they have to vote for a new one, so no, Schumer did not say that specifically, but it is implied--unless he plans to fold like a cheap suit then, too.

julmm.bsky.social•56 days ago

I just finished your latest piece. Riveting. Thank you.

djrothkopf.bsky.social•56 days ago

Thank you.

gratitude333.bsky.social•57 days ago

Fear and indecision is the space before a decision, I.e. change. We must move through that space, Together!!

opposition22.bsky.social•56 days ago

I love this David. I’ve been around a while now and the last time I saw a courageous democrat was when LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act into law. It’s been 60 years and we’re wasting time!

oatsmint.bsky.social•56 days ago

I would say that's quite accurate.

suzynuze.bsky.social•57 days ago

Dems like Schumer, Durbin and other deadenders are just as selfish as the Rs they chastise for enabling Trump. They’re not up to the job, yet they’re willing to put our democracy on the line just to keep it. Maybe Nader was right after all.

paulschmitz1.bsky.social•56 days ago

Lincoln: “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.”

arijojo.bsky.social•56 days ago

“We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth.” — Lincoln’s words still ring true. The stormy present demands courage and action. We must rise with the occasion — not retreat from it. The path to saving our country starts with thinking anew. 🌅

hiyer.bsky.social•56 days ago

Or at least be ready to build something new out of the ashes of the old. Kinda have to the USA brand is trashed for all time.

jake-66.bsky.social•56 days ago

MAGA and Republicans got to where they are by making noise, creating click bait, defining the narrative, and all of it was utter bullshit. Democrats think a media blitz is waiting for someone to stick a microphone in front of their face and answering the interviewers specific questions cordially.

danadamsmusic.com•56 days ago

Apt.

camofarc.bsky.social•56 days ago

Unbelievable that Dems are doing useless things like this US mail piece (goes unopened straight into the shredder) and wasting tons of donor money. Fire your damn consultants!

camofarc.bsky.social•56 days ago

Sending this quote to my Sens and Rep, along with

paulschmitz1.bsky.social•56 days ago

In fairness, Jeffries held his entire caucus together which is even more ideologically diverse than senate with many in swing districts up for re-election in 20 months. I don’t need his communications to please me as much as I need him to produce and he produced. He led his caucus, Schumer didn’t

camofarc.bsky.social•56 days ago

He did, and I give him credit for that. But, imo, he's still mostly dominated by outmoded thinking and action.

paulschmitz1.bsky.social•56 days ago

A caucus leader’s job is to hold a big tent together but with strategy. I will accept that perhaps some of his messages were necessary to keep some in tent. Actions speak louder than words and no one thought he could hold caucus together and he did. His job not msnbc panel but counting votes

camofarc.bsky.social•56 days ago

Not going to ignore his shortcomings - not personal but the "wisdom" shared by outdated "leaders and "consultants" - and again agree to the success on the CR.
You disparage it in your final sentence, but widespread media, not msnbc, is an absolute requirement to influence opinion.
1/2

naniej1998.bsky.social•56 days ago

So relevant to this moment. Hopefully we rise to the occasion.

interestedcitizen.bsky.social•56 days ago

👀

abbylynn55.bsky.social•57 days ago

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

magentamood.bsky.social•56 days ago

I don't get the point you're trying to make. Seems you're simultaneously suggesting that the Constitution has outlived its usefulness, but you're not advocating for an actual revolution/civil war. Not sure you can have one without the other. I agree we need better leadership and AOC has stepped up.

petcharles.bsky.social•56 days ago

Yes. Add the 435 cap in the House as another example of a broken institution.

carlost5555.bsky.social•56 days ago

they have feathered a comfortable nest for themselves and their families...they don't want to disturb that at any cost.

helen121.bsky.social•57 days ago

📌

helen121.bsky.social•57 days ago

An uncomfortable read (and I'm not even American), but I can't fault it. And this is true: the Dems are acting as the minority party in a democracy rather than as the opposition seeking to stop an authoritarian regime.

We all need to re-envision the kind of society we all want to live in.

jafedorko.bsky.social•57 days ago

I'm with you. This will require a new version of the New Deal/Great Society that starts with governing and then spreads into policies that can stand assaults from these goons - who will disperse whenever Dear Leader leaves this coil but will still need to be beaten at the ballot box and legislatures

hankhoffmanct.bsky.social•57 days ago

Great essay, David. But have to dissent from your praise of @chrismurphyct.bsky.social. He’s one of my senators & he was MIA this past week. I called his DC & state offices every day to see if he’d taken a stand but got silence. Chips were down & he couldn’t be found. I had been proud but not now.

talkingsnake.bsky.social•57 days ago

Yeah, what the heck happened with him? He seemed to get it after the Treasury was breached, and his one speech was helpful as documentation of the dismantling of government, but otherwise nothing but some YouTube ads

hankhoffmanct.bsky.social•56 days ago

And he should have been regularly blocking unanimous consent & making quorum calls but he's been doing neither of those things as far as I can tell.

bluebell12345.bsky.social•56 days ago

Excellent piece, thanks.

debtar3.bsky.social•57 days ago

I keep hoping and waiting for our politicians to unify, empowered by the brave US citizens and world leaders who are vocalizing their anger & disbelief at Trump’s illegal and evil actions. Let this be the day!

suzylaineoc.bsky.social•56 days ago

Wow, I didn't know I needed to hear this. Spot on. Thank you for opening my eyes and mind.

yellowgreenblue.bsky.social•57 days ago

Every country has an Achilles heel. America’s is comprised of 3 things: (1) racism/white grievance (anti-blackness & xenophobia); (2) misogyny; & (3) capitalistic greed & exploitation. Religious nuttery isn’t far behind but isn’t as entrenched yet. Push those buttons & 🇺🇸 will fall. It’s why 🟠 won.

kdmpa.bsky.social•56 days ago

Brilliant. I've been using your term Vichy Dem; it captures the moral blindness and captive mentality of too many Democrats. We need a Tea Party of our own if we are gong to make the necessary changes.

kenwang3900.bsky.social•56 days ago

Exactly. Democrat leaders have been acting like that for a long time.

jrushin.bsky.social•56 days ago

Excellent piece, though trying to imagine what a generative conversation looks like since, as you said, all criticisms of our long-held institutions are considered sacrilege. And now we're all ramped up and MAGA is literally burning down the opera house.

ruun.bsky.social•56 days ago

The lack of change was the only thing I had to offer when people here asked me how anyone could not vote for Harris when it happened. I voted for Harris. I would again. But we needed a promise to crack the foundations and make the world better.

ruun.bsky.social•55 days ago

Reading the article again, it occurs to me that the right wing's present approach to changing things might be closer to appropriate than what we've been up to. Maybe instead, vote people in that will shut the petroleum, carbon production systems down in a month. 2nd month, rewrite the Constitution.

jrushin.bsky.social•55 days ago

There is nothing appropriate about what the right wing is doing. What they are doing is malicious and cruel. Their methods are Boulezian, to use Rothkopf’s term and he is not suggesting this as the best way to change the paradigm

ruun.bsky.social•55 days ago

agreed. The frustration at powerlessness is growing on my end.

amedeofelix.bsky.social•57 days ago

I am intellectually averse to the notion of the conspiracy, especially amongst vain politicians, yet the notion of non conspiratorial yet sinister positions come to mind. The idea occurred to me that maybe many normal politicians like Trump being in power because they then end up as saviours! 🤷‍♂️

smbar.bsky.social•56 days ago

This should be required reading! Such an intelligent, cogent and essential call to action!

cursoryillusion.bsky.social•57 days ago

39thstreetrecords.bsky.social•56 days ago

Instead of donating to the DSCC or DNC, ALL donations should go to @aoc.bsky.social ! Give HER the power of the purse. She can dole it out to Dems that aren’t bootlickers.

ridem24.bsky.social•56 days ago

She is a true leader and defender of the people.

isabelsena.bsky.social•56 days ago

Important as she doesn't accept lobbyist 💰

lcdlex.bsky.social•57 days ago

You, Mr. Rothkopf, like AOC are a national treasure. Every word was spot-on.

djrothkopf.bsky.social•57 days ago

Thanks

patocka.bsky.social•57 days ago

Grateful for you David.

djrothkopf.bsky.social•57 days ago

Thank you.

jamesegraham.bsky.social•57 days ago

Holy hell, such a good point, David.

dsfredericks.bsky.social•57 days ago

And the R majority isn't? They absolutely are!

captjohnparker.bsky.social•57 days ago

"What if I were to say that American capitalism is a disaster? What if I were to say the Constitution has outlived its usefulness? What if I were to say that organized religion is one of the greatest sources of our problems?"

You would be saying precisely what I have been saying since Bush v Gore.

futbolsound.bsky.social•56 days ago

Nothing short of reimagining the Democratic party will save America at this point. Every conceivable guardrail has failed in spectacular ways. A gleaming Constitution is meaningless when those in power no longer respect it. Given the asymmetry of the EC, removing Vichy DEMs is step one.

acsdds1963.bsky.social•57 days ago

Subscribed. Thank you, David.

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