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A Few Words to Cornel's Supporters [1]

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Date: 2023-09-01

I’ve left the following comment today on Cornel West’s FB page:

[To those who think we should give his candidacy no oxygen, I respectfully disagree. I don’t expect his hardcore supporters to budge, however I do think there are folks generally attracted to him who may be open to being swayed.]

For those on this thread who have been complaining about this administration (as if President Biden can be lumped together with Republicans who have for decades opposed all social programs) today this administration has been able to forgive $39 billion in student loans for 800,000 borrowers. This administration also has started a reduced payment program that cuts interest payment levels for undergraduates from 10% to 5%. If you think this isn't enough, I agree, however, the responsibility for blocking more extensive loan forgiveness rests on the steps of the Supreme Court. And who appointed the majority of those justices? Republican Presidents elected by razor thin majorities.

When Democrats clearly are fighting for the middle and less well off and Republicans are focused on gerrymandering, LGBTQ hate, racial prejudice, heartless treatment of immigrants, book banning, attacking women's autonomy, undercutting support for Ukraine, attacks on Democracy itself, support for a narcissistic huckster, and on and on, it is disingenuous to indulge the false equivalence underlying the simplistic statement that we live in a supposed duopoly.

Of course we should have a tax system that places much greater responsibility on the wealthy. Of course we should have universal health care. However, it is deliberate blindness to brush aside the very real assistance attained by the difficult fight Vice President Biden helped wage for Obamacare, the very recent empowerment for Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, and the Inflation Reduction act that is investing more in clean energy than has ever been invested anywhere in the world. About the latter, this administration was able to pass that legislation without a single Republican vote. I would also note President Biden’s strong support for unions.

Finally, I would gently suggest to each of you, Cornel's supporters, that you humbly take some significant time to contemplate the possibility that your support for him has more to do with your own feelings of righteousness than with the practical fight to actually accomplish help for the less fortunate and positive changes in our political system. As many have already said, this election is about as stark a contrast as we ever had had between those committed to fighting in the trenches for everyday people and a huckster inspired, totalitarian leaning, and very possibly practical theocracy that could bring about darkness for generations. This danger is not hyperbole. Consider carefully where you want to place both your active and passive support.



Be well.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/9/1/2190972/-A-Few-Words-to-Cornel-s-Supporters

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