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race the Human Race living in the 21st Century offering articles tackling developing spiritual principles, ecomonics, politics. Dialog and Analysis about today's topics and history. Freedom of expression challenges us to reach higher to fufill a broader purpose. "My people perish for lack of knowledge" Stay open to change and have the willingness to grow & evolve.
Revelation 5:5: "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah"
MAKES ME WANNA HOLLA
We have arrived at a seminal time, as prophesied by the ancients BC and AD but they had no words to describe the technology or inventions created in the modern world they'd envisioned. An Airplane, Cars were not imaginable to them. So if GOD or his Angels gave you a tour of the future of the Universe back then, it would have looked like a GIANT EAGLE, not an Plane. Tall Buildings Skyscrapers, and with graven images. Would frighten anyone even my grandmother who passed away at age 100 in 2002 would not believe that we have cell phones we can take anywhere that you can place an order housewares, clothing, get food and money in minutes. Google, Amazon, Uber, Wayfair etc...
Our information technology is growing faster than we all can keep up, but it's also being manipulated in order to distort actual facts, historical records even duplicate your profile to impersonate you and steal your identity.
Anyone can report the news, just by turning on the "rec" use damaging photos to destroy a reputation and tear families apart. While we all gather together on Social Media sites to pontificate.
Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” – 2 Timothy 2:19
...AND NOW THIS
False Promises intentionally Lying to deceive Masses of People.
A President of The United States who uses Social Media to run the Oval Office, make Foreign Policy declarations, to manipulate millions of Americans with lies and conspiracy theories. Donald Trump an unsuccessful businessman who ran his family business into bankruptcy. He lost everything couldn't even borrow a dime from any Major Banks in America; but sought out finances from Foreign Entities with no regard for loyalty to this Nation, any integrity or a Code of Ethics. Donald has never served on a committee, neighborhood watch, ran for PTA President, or held any Public Service appointments or Military Service his entire life. But has ascended to the highest Office in the Land; our Commander and Chief.
SMH
How did this happen, whose behind it. Those who hold his secrets and his debts... Oligarchs, Mafia Connections, and Crooked Financiers? Who use his name to hide behind dirty deals tear down America's reputation and make us a weaker Country. Complimenting him, or patronizing his Hotels, and Golf Courses you name it. If it's dollar signs "Let's Make A Deal" Because he's shallow minded and quite transactional....
Public opinions aren't hard to come by these days, we've all got em now. Elections have consequences but the Trump Crime Syndicate had a lot of help from people who know the depth of this organization's corruption. Using information technology as a means to manipulate our political outcomes and assist a weak, insufficiently educated White Collar Criminal with fantastic name recognition to fool American Public, mostly christians conservatives, middle aged blue collar white men who felt disenfranchised, fear of a changing demographic all fell in love with a personality, a character on Television posing as a "Successful Wealthy Real Estate Broker" who sounds like he's straight out of Brooklyn or Queens. Easy to relate to when he say's "Your Fired!" A CELEBRITY.
His rise to fame and fortune has been through money laundering and Branding his families name on buildings, products, and bogus university's to create an illusion of success. He's just another crooked white guy in a brooks brothers tailored suit. Deceitful, with no consciousness of guilt or humility. People admire him for being such a good liar, and being able to verbally assault anyone and everyone... No Dignity or self-respect, he has many mental maladjustment's such as Narcissism, habitual lying, and insecure. Hates to admit defeat or when he's wrong he still right in his own eyes. Uses people as shields then expects total loyalty and praise from those allied with him. Total Chaos and Discord delights Donald Trump's mind it empowers him. Racist remarks, hateful speech against anyone who threatens him or disagrees with his methods and ideology.
Proverbs 6: 16-1916 There are six things that the Lord hates,seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood; 18 a heart that devises wicked plans,feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies,and one who sows discord among brothers.
Originally published in Esquire and in the International Worker Order pamphlet A New Song (1938)
Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is free. (America never was America to me.)
Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed-- Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man be crushed by one above.
(It never was America to me.)
O, let my land be a land where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe. (There's never been equality for me, Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")
Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark? And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?
I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart, I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars. I am the red man driven from the land, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek-- And finding only the same old stupid plan Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.
I am the young man, full of strength and hope, Tangled in that ancient endless chain Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land! Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need! Of work the men! Of take the pay! Of owning everything for one's own greed!
I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil. I am the worker sold to the machine. I am the Negro, servant to you all. I am the people, humble, hungry, mean-- Hungry yet today despite the dream. Beaten yet today--O, Pioneers! I am the man who never got ahead, The poorest worker bartered through the years.
Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream In the Old World while still a serf of kings, Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true, That even yet its mighty daring sings In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned That's made America the land it has become. O, I'm the man who sailed those early seas In search of what I meant to be my home-- For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's shore, And Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea, And torn from Black Africa's strand I came To build a "homeland of the free."
The free?
Who said the free? Not me? Surely not me? The millions on relief today? The millions shot down when we strike? The millions who have nothing for our pay? For all the dreams we've dreamed And all the songs we've sung And all the hopes we've held And all the flags we've hung, The millions who have nothing for our pay-- Except the dream that's almost dead today.
O, let America be America again-- The land that never has been yet-- And yet must be--the land where every man is free. The land that's mine--the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME-- Who made America, Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain, Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain, Must bring back our mighty dream again.
Sure, call me any ugly name you choose-- The steel of freedom does not stain. From those who live like leeches on the people's lives, We must take back our land again, America!
O, yes, I say it plain, America never was America to me, And yet I swear this oath-- America will be!
Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death, The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies, We, the people, must redeem The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers. The mountains and the endless plain-- All, all the stretch of these great green states-- And make America again!
"Make America Great
Again" Campaign slogan-Donald Trump 2015
I'd like to begin this with a glance back in
time 2008 when gas prices were at an
all time
high and jobs loss 800,000 a month and unemployment was at its highest since
the great depression; and banks like Goldman Sachs, ENRON, AIG, JP Morgan, they
all were selling junk bonds and the housing market all were on the brink of
ruin. TARP bailouts, 2008-2009.
1/3rd of Americans didn't have access to health insurance, due to pre-existing
conditions, there was no coverage for adult children at home or in college past
age 21.
The Republican Party 2001-2005 held both houses and voted for biggest tax cuts
in history during war depleted the US Treasury and 2009 called the first
African American President a liar out loud interrupting his speech during his
first State of the Union Address because of his remarks about immigration,
remember "You lie!"
Why does America want to put them back at the realm;
After 6 years and 75 repeals, a government shutdown? The Republican
Majority in the House has no replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act
better known as Obamacare.
They're defiance alone has staggered the
economic recovery for many middle to low income Americans. Have judges
who advocate from the bench; 2014 Ebola was first unleashed because the
state of Texas has no health care policies in place. Their delegates i.e., TX
delegation Ted Cruz and Louie Gomer have trashed all bills coming to the house
and senate floor. Also, Ted Cruz was single handily responsible for the
government shutdown.
Obstructing any and all olive branches that came from the Executive Branch.
In order to reclaim total power in all three branches of government.
The Supreme Court of the United States is party neutral yet you nobody
called out the government officials of that state to be accountable for their
policies which hurt women and other minorities due to gerrymandered districts,
which was implemented by Former Congressman Tom Delay from Texas, who
eventually served time in prison for some shady mismanagement of funds.
Why does America not realize that the right
leaning Supreme Court upheld Citizens United RIP Antonin Scalia advocated while
on the bench for outlawing, affirmative action, voting rights act, Roe vs. Wade
woman's right to choose, and protection of the gun lobbyist. These cases were
already litigated and settled 48 and 50+years ago.
Governor Chris Christie hugged President Obama
and said during Hurricane Sandy cleanup he would rebuild; where are the funds
promised to those people in New Jersey who lost their businesses, homes and
possessions?
Why does America forget about the disasters that have happened over the years
yet Republicans fail to govern and send budget cuts to the Senate that hurt
average Americans such as SNAP and the Farm bill.
A government shutdown 2010 that almost ruined our nation’s credit rating.
Despite the huge headwind, President Obama endured still managed to
accomplished a lot through executive order; passed a major health care law while
the Democrats briefly held both Houses;
1st: January 4, 2007 –
December 19, 2007 2nd: January 3, 2008 – January 3, 2009,
In 2010 lost back House to Tea Party Republicans who rejected all bills sent
from the Whitehouse, many were for infrastructure, help get the economy
stimulated get middle class back to work but they died on the way those Jobs
bills to Congress controlled by GOP leaders Speaker of the House who opposed
any bills coming from the direction of the Executive Branch; Mitch McConnell
and others spent Obama's Inauguration evening with 15 other strategist in 2009
while the newly elected President & First Lady were being serenaded by Beyoncé'
singing rendition of Etta James "At Last" famous
song, meanwhile Newt Gingrich, and the other Strategist plotted a course to
deny and delegitimize Obama's presidency and destroy his legacy. The Minority
leader went so far that on the Senate floor he vowed that his main agenda was
to see thatBarack Obama was a one term President and he hoped his
Administration failed.
The media whose always fueling the dueling coroneted Hillary
Clinton, and loyal Democrats rallied to get her the nomination; what' was her
message, it was I'm next in line, I want to be the 1st woman elected as
President regardless of the baggage her opponents set for her. Yet she
ran almost unopposed by the Democratic Party based upon loyal peers who often
sought her and Bill Clinton's endorsement and support it was payback time.
What she accomplished during her tenure as Secretary of State besides
promote issues that compliment her agenda, was destroyed by hearings on Benghazi,
and a stand-alone server. Previous Secretaries of Defense Robert Gates
and Leon Panetta both publish memoirs to embarrass Obama
administration. Yet both of them knew the President regarded their advice in
handling most Middle East foreign affairs.
How soon we forget, because it’s not good to remember the roughest times... but
when Obama had to send stimulus packages to the House and Senate to bailout
this country they bailed out all of the largest banks, even two mentioned above
and the Federal Reserve kept their word to yield on interest rate lowest ever
and buy government bonds. How could they forget the working man, our
infrastructure? Jobs were never created to put our working class people back to
work. No investment in fixing our middle economic structure, research and
development programs cut funding for Education, Planned Parenthood, EPA, CDC,
and VA, and many other government funded programs that would have stabilized
the middle class of America just the same as Wall Street; yet due to the GOP
shutdowns/stubbornness to made austerity cuts mandated due to stalemate. Instead
of stimulating the middle of America they only stimulated the wealth or the 1%
which saved wall street the DOW has hit two historical highs since President
Obama was elected in 2012.Unemployment is at an all-time low since 2008 4.9%
more Americans are back to work but at lower wages, which again the minimum
wage bill is being blocked by the GOP (while the NRA is controlling the
RNC Republican National Committee). Alongside of blocking confirmation of
Supreme Court Nominee to replace Justice Scalia. Convincing constituency that
Congress is upholding the constitution, I think not!
Since domestic terrorism began, experienced high body counts but the gun
lobbyist refused to allow legislation for background checks to ensure that
mentally unstable or any terrorist wouldn't get guns. They oppose any
immigration legislation to legitimize undocumented, finally the Republicans
want to eliminate any right to choose or contraception available to women, yet
no mention of what Viagra has done to men who often die from heart disease.
We need to wake up and stop allowing the media to feed us what we should think
or our pastors whether you are for either party, you have to wake up and
realize that the scales of justice and equality are tilting to one side; that's
to the privileged whose party affiliation is Money and Power! (Let's end
Citizens United)
2009- President Obama has done some amazing things for this Nation - we haven't
had any terrorist attacks since 911, and he has tried to meet his counter parts
half way but each time they only seek to bring him down and embarrass him as a
world leader. History will write his-story quite well. How soon we
forget he caught Bin laden, he responded to Ebola in Africa with troops
building hospitals; he didn't go to war in Syria two reasons 1.) It’s a Civil
War that will never end 2.) Who’s the enemy and who the rebels are,
and all agreed Bashar
al-Assad must go; so he formed a coalition of
Nations to deal with the crisis.
Now he's fighting his fellow countryman to prevent a ground War but
establish the groundwork for limiting nuclear proliferation in Middle East.
Rejected outright by same individuals who rallied and fueled fear enraged
the population to go to war in Iraq. They were wrong had no strategy and
the result same soldiers we trained ran away from the fight with ISIS.
Trillions on propping up a government unprepared 10 years later.
ISIS is Saddam Hussein's former Military that went underground, Late in 2003, after the Americans had defeated and disbanded
Saddam’s army, Baghdadi helped found Jaysh Ahl al-Sunna wa-l-Jamaah (Army of the People of the Sunna and Communal Solidarity),
an insurgent group; that's what Dick
Cheney and Fox News don't tell you.
This decision not to go into Syria has spared lives of our sons and daughters some
veterans who still haven't received help from Congress after being wounded in
Iraq and Afghanistan. George W. Bush and; Dick Cheney Administration
started this mess when they went into a sovereign Country to westernize them
for control of their minerals "OIL" black gold.
Now they're fighting to maintain the foot hole in that region.
President Eisenhower/General Eisenhower called it "The Industrial War
complex he warned about these things we see in Foreign Affairs today which
generates billions of dollars for DOD hires thousands of private contractors,
training, feeding, and housing our troops, building internal infrastructure for
IT in Green zone. These jobs would have been given to civil service
workers in 1958-1980. Since the days of Ronald Regan, government has
gotten more and more private. So whose surprised that they all are living in
chaos 13 years later after the UN inspectors left without finding weapons of
mass destruction and the US hasn't seen a "mushroom cloud" to
date. Lastly, gas prices are down to the lowest in years because of
President Obama energy policy that is working. Fracking has proved to
cause a lot issues, Nebraska American Indians protested and won, but
questions about the environment have not proven out but, the GOP say’s the
Keystone pipeline is the key to economic growth; well if so how come it only
creates 50,000 jobs?
They are banking on fear and hate to get their
"base" out well; we do have to be cautious because middle America is
about to end as we know it if they get control and a possible impeachment of
this President for his promise to sign an executive order on immigration for he
isn't like "Washington" and that's what we voted for he doesn't spend
evenings drinking with Congressman or Senators but at home with his wife and
children, no He's not like Washington those Ole pol's who do backroom deals
like establishing Jim Crow laws after the emancipation.
How soon we forget the good old "Southern Strategy" and how LBJ's
fight on poverty swiftly changed to WAR and became the fight in Vietnam. Over
500,000 lives lost...
I saved the best for last recent news one month before he leaves office these
are the headlines
"Israel summons US ambassador as
Netanyahu lashes out at Obama" our friends.
Benjamin Netanyahu is a friend
with Adelson, Trump's son in law and others who tend to not get that there is
an agreement they're not upholding to it. Since 1968. But they keep building
settlements on the West Bank, and now the incoming President Elect Donald Trump
nominated an Ambassador who’s his bankruptcy attorney who’s so pro-Israel he
wants to move the Embassy to Jerusalem...
The world alliances are
watching from a distance and will judge and condemn those who seek adversity
over peace.
Israel has
powerful Billionaire Republicans friends, and a Democrat with power
Chuck Schumer the new Minority Leader whose main objective is protect Prime
Minister Netanyahu although feels justified to insult, besmirch the sitting
President Obama's integrity.
Since Donald Trump got elected his
Administration will be in control of diplomacy in Middle East with peace talks;
So far how he's handling peace between 2 tribes Palestine and Israel with
one state solution. By taking sides with Israel of course! Netanyahu was
invited by former Speaker of the House Boehner with the audacity to give a
speech to the 113th Congress House Republicans to undermine our 44th
President. Netanyahu is considered a friend of who? After President
Obama gave them 39 Billion dollars in aid that's no friend but a major FOE!
How soon we forget........... VOTE 2016 [2014] but make sure
the person you cast the ballot for is working in your best interests and not
their own. Listen to what they say don't react to what sounds
good. It's time to stop the bickering and obstruction and invest in
America's future before we all lose, EVERYTHING!
Trump Won! ....but then Judas thought he'd won too 30 pieces of silver.....
Gods plan don't always coincide with our earthly, carnal ways of rationalizing. God doesn't always show his hand, so it doesn't make sense to some or all.
"Keep your Head to the Sky~yyy"..........
God Bless and Thanks for letting me share my own personal opinions.!
"One nation under GOD, indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All"
If you just take a look at the Pledge of Allegiance you can see as a Nation we still fall short for we are very divisive according to race, gender, and religion. Technically speaking it's two (2) America's! One for the haves and the other well, is not the have nots but the have need of..........
Watching the debates from incumbents seeking to hold the job of CEO of USA is chilling and humorous at the same time. Listening to how they all would "change" the way Washington Politics are done. Getting more accomplished here in America. Even universal health care system that will potentially make us all sick. Just from the red tape it will bring and penalties for not having it. My take is nobody is sure how we will get out of this current recession. Spending tax rebates is there only solution to date. But, lets go deeper...............
The mainstream media has declared John McCain the front runner for the Republican Party and their nominee although Huckabee and Mitt Romney both seem to have a better strategy of getting things done to save US economy. Huckabee is a strong candidate because in spite of them stuffing John McCain down the GOP constituency throats and convincing them that he's their man for the job he stated that in a democracy you must have opposing positions in order for "the people" to all feel that they have participated in the process.
The Democratic Party is pulling a totally different stunt in order to get their "establishment selection" a shot at winning the nomination. If McCain can barely win in South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the rest and be proclaimed the "Front runner", then WHY is the DNC afraid and mainstream media outlets to proclaim Barack Obama as Democratic as it's Front runner. It took 10 consecutive wins in Key states Potomac Primaries, South Carolina, Iowa, and the like if you look at the numbers statistically without Super Delegates he's still the in the lead for the nomination. But, loyalty to previous Administration "The Clinton's" has prevented this historical debut of what everyone is feeling. Barack Obama is the peoples choice overwhelmingly and he's winning the hearts and minds of ALL Americans not just the so called "Black vote," Obama managed to run a good campaign without any scandals or people being fired or resigning. He has managed his campaign funds which is a good indication of the kind of leadership he can bring to the US and abroad.
He has proven based on his qualifications alone the ability to lead, being mulatto gives him the ability to see the world from a whole different pair of eyes, uniquely he has what it takes to UNITE this country whose main theme is hung on "with liberty and Justice for ALL," and "O say does that star spangled banner yet wave?"
Not for the Middle class and Impoverished people. America is home for all Nations and Nationalities but we have not evolved as a people enough to stop hatred, hunger, and basic neglect of our country. Our children of the 21st Century also have different pair of eyes. We need a fresh and new approach to the way we do business here in our Nation. If we really are a land of Christians we need to ask ourselves are we Christ-like as a people. To often you see polls about women over 50, White men under 30, Black Men under 25 death toll, and Latino who are here illegally. We categorize and compartmentalize way too much and never do we research our information being feed to us via various media outlets, but now we have the Internet which allows the whole world to see. IF we are the example of what a Nations is supposed to be like, how it's suppose to look. We have failed we aren't looking so great.
We do have a chance to become a more powerful Nation if we can UNITE as it is written in biblical scripture, "a house divided against itself shall not stand." Our Nation has to put a end to bigotry against race, religion America is where you have the Freedom to believe and practice any religion. We need to have more open forums and town halls to discuss these issues and work on a solution collectively. White have to open up to the idea that all are supreme beings made by GOD as you see HIM and understand HIM to be. Stop being a silent racist open your circle of friends to include people other than your race. Don't let fear prevent you from being a blessing or receiving one.
Muslims are being stereotype and we fear or become skeptical about anyone whose religion is Muslim. WHY? Look, when you live in a glass house you can't throw no stones.
If a man can call himself a GOD fearing Christian blood washed holy and sanctified and believes in the right to life and has so much passion about it that they it moves them to go out in protest and blow up a clinic with expectant mothers in the name of GOD or a Tim McVeigh who blows up a building in broad daylight that housed a Daycare Center in the name of Waco and Ruby Ridge didn't make our friends abroad scared of those radical extremist Christians.
What if the world turned against Christianity? Already you have people who want to change how we practice our faith at Christmas, and Pledge of Allegiance they want to take GOD out of everything. Gays and Lesbians now have the right to marry.
We all get on our high horses and want to pass judgment on people who are different or look different from us. Bottom line, we are all guilty of silent bigotry. But, when you hear politicians say but their are some good Muslims who aren't radicals. Well, you can say that about any number of groups from all persuasions.
Why? Or is the question; How do we learn from our past mistakes and embrace this change? My answer is simple we have got start with our thinking to becomeindivisible . I have friends from different towns, cities, parts of the world who call themselves Americans and are good and decent individuals. As expected we do have different beliefs culturally speaking from mine but it makes our friendship that much richer because we are sharing experiences and growing up together. Finally, too many people died for our right to Vote, people lets take up our places and UNITE. We are a family, you never get to choose family just gotta love em! But you can choose your friends and how you look at life think positively about embracing change. Remember no change comes without sacrifice and struggle. Each one teach one!
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming ... - 2006 - 594 pages
On the 80th anniversary of the Oscars, have Blacks finally arrived in Hollywood or does the struggle continue? EBONY profiles 70 box-office heavy hitters in Hollywood and offers advice on red carpet fashion for various body types.
Two Sides: Do you have to go to church to be a Good Christian?“Yes. The church remains a force for political and social change,” said Rev. Clarence L. James Sr., who is founder/president of Youth Leadership Development Programs and national evangelist of the Prince of Peace Sanctified Baptist Church in Chicago. “No. Organized Black religion is failing,” wrote Haki R. Madhubuti, poet, founder and publisher of Third World Press and University Distinguished Professor and director of the Master of Fine Arts Program at Chicago State University.
Divided America» Links to this discussion Earl BlackCo-Author, "Divided America" Thursday, February 21, 2008; 12:00 PM Earl Black was online Thursday, Feb. 21 at noon ET to take your questions on his book "Divided America: The Ferocious Power Struggle in American Politics" -- coming out in paperback March 25 -- and why no matter who wins the Democratic primary, the prospects of a general election landslide for either party are slim.
Black is a professor of political science at Rice University. He has written several books with his brother, Emory University government and politics professor Merle Black, about the transformation of Southern politics.
____________________ Earl Black: Good afternoon. This is Earl Black, co-author with my brother Merle Black of Divided America: The Ferocious Power Struggle in American Politics. Simon & Schuster will publish the paperback edition of this book next month.
_______________________ Harrisburg, Pa.: I understand and agree with you that politically Americans are very divided. What happens if the voters are divided even further, meaning that a "leftist" candidate (such as a Nader) and/or "rightist" candidate (such as a Ron Paul or a Tancredo) further divide this divided population? Who is more vulnerable to being divided further, the Democrats or the Republicans?
Earl Black: Divided America shows that the national party battle is the product of two competitive minority parties. Neither party can win national elections simply by uniting their partisans and turning them out. Many of the 50 states are generally safe for one of the major parties. Democrats rely on tremendous support in the Northeast and Pacific Coast, and Republicans rely on tremendous support in the South and Mountains/Plains. But these regional strongholds don't add up to national majorities. The Midwest is the nation's swing region, and Ohio would be the most important swing state in the Midwest.
Splinter candidacies (right or left) might be very important in a few states where the party balance is very competitive. Nader's campaign in Florida in 2000 might well have taken enough votes from the Democrats to affect the outcome. In most states, one party usually has a large enough advantage to win despite third parties.
_______________________ Laurel, Md.: When I was growing up, the Senate included a few liberal Republicans like Charles Matthias, Lowell Weicker and Jacob Javitts, and some conservative Southern Democrats. In my opinion, this allowed a certain breadth to the political process because every issue wasn't necessarily both ideological and partisan. There was a measure of the spectrum a couple of years ago that determined that it has become almost one-dimensional. Robert Byrd (closest thing to an old-fashioned Southern Democrat anymore) and Lincoln Chaffee were the outliers that roughly defined the second dimension. Does the fact that the parties have little internal breadth make compromises more difficult?
Earl Black: As we show in Divided America, both parties today are much more ideologically pure than before. Conservative southern Democrats are a good example. That was the dominant pattern before the civil rights revolution and the Reagan realignment of the 1980. But no conservative southern Democrats could win a Democratic primary today. Similarly important shifts have made it very difficult to nominate moderate to liberal Republicans across the country. The consequence is very stark partisan and ideological differences in which many elected officials in national politics spend much time responding to the latest partisan outrage. As you point out, this ideological purity in Congress really does make compromises more difficult.
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