Why David Brooks finally gets it mostly right about the need for an uprising.

[egbertowillies]

In a surprising article, David Brooks jumps on the uprising bandwagon even if he does not fully understand that Trumpism goes beyond Reagan.

Blog Post: https://egberto.substack.com/p/why-david-brooks-finally-gets-it

Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/politicsdoneright/episodes/Why-David-Brooks-finally-gets-it-mostly-right-about-the-need-for-an-uprising-e31mv93/a-abt3pl2

[usonian]

1. Thanks for the extensive blog post.

I will give it a proper read.

Brooks' NYT article is archived here, past the paywall.

https://archive.ph/dB7mw

[moniss]

2. Problem I have with Brooks

is this is the equivalent of writing an article in 1974 opposing the Vietnam War after having been supportive previously.

[usonian]

3. Beyond Brooks

You write:

Equally essential is narrative coherence. Brooks calls for a short‑term plan to “stop Trump” and a long‑term plan for a fairer society. Framing research confirms that people mobilize when they can envision a tangible alternative, not simply calamity avoided. Progressives should articulate how democracy’s renewal can improve daily life: decarbonized jobs that pay prevailing union wages, public broadband that ends digital redlining, and child‑care subsidies funded by closing the carried‑interest loophole. By linking systemic critique to pocketbook deliverables, the uprising can attract persuadable voters still wavering between economic self-interest and reactionary identity politics.

I got an email from Bernie with the following propositions:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=20245144

People attending rallies in huge numbers are saying
YES to raising the minimum wage,
YES to expanding Social Security,
YES to guaranteeing health care as a human right,
YES to cutting the cost of prescription drugs,
YES to paid family and medical leave,
YES to equal pay for equal work,
YES to more affordable housing,
YES to making childcare and higher education affordable to all,
YES to taking on the existential threat of climate change.

And most importantly they are saying
YES to a government and an economy that works for all of us and not just the billionaire class and the Oligarchs.

In your opinion, how does this line up with your proposal?
His message is being well-received, but IMO, the party has neither come out in forceful opposition to the ongoing coup, nor in strong support of what I feel are very positive proposals. I have argued that a core of party dignitaries should be constantly reinforcing these ideas regardless of primaries and daily skirmishes with the dark forces.