#rightward shift

[ragingdemocraticsocialist]

Okay, so... The EU election was... absolute shit. Wtf. Send help.

[clatterbane]

I swear, I just managed to draw a mental blank on the INS, and finally had to resort to a search. (Which is what it was called for most of my life so far.)

Anyway, the INS had a bad enough name for rounding people up and (maybe) sorting them out later in the '80s. (Ramping up under the Reagan administration, of course.) To the point that Cheech Marin launched off that with Born in East L.A. Which wasn't good enough that I'd necessarily recommend watching it, but still.

At any rate, it's still kind of astounding in a way that the situation has gotten even worse since INS got renamed and shoved in under the newly created DHS. Even before the more recent unconscionable behavior pushed by the current administration.

What really gets me, though, is the number of people who either don't remember or just didn't care until recently. And want to act like this is a sudden new thing, rather than an acceleration of terrible policy that was the norm before ICE existed as such. 🤔

(I mean, I doubt the situation was great for a lot of people even before Reagan. But, that's when I was around and getting old enough to pay attention as someone not directly affected.)

There are a number of things like that. But, I just had to think about it again in this context.

[clatterbane]

I know the Religious Right had been pushing hard to get more power for a while, having watched it. But, I am still kind of amazed at how relatively quickly that "if you ever have sex without a condom, you're gonna die in gruesome ways!" message got backlash-flipped over into "condoms don't even work!" abstinence garbage.

Both approaches leaning pretty heavily on the scare tactics, of course. But at least they were trying for some scientific accuracy before the religious nuts gained as much influence. Come back less than 10 years later, though 😵

[theblindmachine]

Listen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7kT7Mmj2NKXMtUjCe379ON "# The Right Turn: How Culture Found Its Conservative Voice In a world where self-expression, innovation, and progressive ideals once ruled the cultural landscape, a seismic shift has occurred. Books, movies, music, and fashion—once bastions of liberal thought and avant-garde creativity—have taken a distinct turn to the right. This cultural evolution, or perhaps devolution, reflects a growing desire for stability, nostalgia, and tradition. Let’s dissect this phenomenon and explore how and why art and entertainment now echo the sentiments of a more conservative era. First, let’s talk about literature. Once dominated by bold narratives challenging the status quo, today’s bestselling novels often reflect a more cautious, conservative ethos. Themes of personal responsibility, family values, and a return to simpler times resonate with readers who crave reassurance in a chaotic world. Authors who once pushed boundaries are now aligning their narratives with the sentiments of a population yearning for stability. The rise of self-help books and "how-to" guides underscores this trend, with many flocking to titles that promise not radical change, but rather practical advice and grounded wisdom. In the realm of cinema, the shift is unmistakable. The film industry has seen the resurgence of familiar franchises, appealing to audiences' nostalgia and a hunger for stories that mirror either historical accuracy or a glamorized vision of the past. The spectacle of blockbuster films has been overshadowed by an increasing demand for narratives that emphasize duty, honor, and it-turns-out-some-things-do-matter. Consider the buzz surrounding potential reboots of beloved classics—like "Rush Hour 2"—dreamt up by those who believe that there's comfort in the familiar. Hollywood's pivot signals not just a business decision, but a cultural reckoning with what stories we choose to tell and consume. Meanwhile, the music industry has also shown signs of this ideological pivot. The rise of country music's influence and the proliferation of artists who embrace traditional values represent a renaissance of patriotism wrapped in melody. Lyrics centered around love of country, personal freedom, and community connect with listeners who find solace in narratives of resilience and optimism. Genres once sidelined as overly conservative are now finding new respect, proving that passion for one’s roots still has a place in a diverse musical landscape. Finally, let’s talk about fashion, where what we wear has become a political statement in itself. Trends harking back to vintage styles, high-waisted jeans, and classic silhouettes signal a preference for timeless chic over fleeting fads. Consumers are less interested in the avant-garde provocations of fashion houses and more drawn to brands that convey stability, reliability, and tradition. The push for ethical production and sustainability speaks to a desire to preserve our world—not just to revolutionize it. The cultural landscape is indeed in flux, embodying the complexities of a society wrestling with its identity. As we lean into this right turn, it’s essential to recognize the power of these artistic mediums not only as reflections of our society but as catalysts for discussion about the values we hold dear. The narratives we choose to embrace tell us a lot about who we are and what we aspire to be. As we navigate this evolving cultural terrain, it’s up to us—creators and consumers alike—to shape the story. Will we continue this rightward turn, or will we reclaim the boundary-breaking, audacious paths once paved by those unafraid to challenge the norms? The choice is ours, but one thing is clear: the conversation is just beginning."

[shrinkrants]

Those who remain faithful to the Democrats are living primarily in an increasingly balkanized society. There are, of course, the “Blue” and “Red” states, a stark division of reality between regions. Those who can afford to live in the “Blue” states are paying a premium to escape the control of Republican legislatures, but that cost is getting more and more expensive with every passing day. Same goes for those who live in the cities that are divided from the rural areas, which is another division that anyone can see when they look at an electoral map. Because the Democratic Party has failed to contest races or invest in “Red States” or rural areas, those who are privileged enough to remain in these “Blue” oases have learned to largely ignore the suffering outside of their bubbles. An example of this is the 2022 Dobbs decision that destroyed Roe v. Wade, leaving “Red States” to effectively outlaw abortion. Rather than seeing widespread protest, many in “Blue States” retreated to their own lives and offered gestures of concern and openly urged women in “Red States” to move, which isn’t possible for many. What makes this even worse is that, through social media and many cultural touchpoints, there has arisen a gesture-based economy in which personalities, politicians, and media platforms are able to market to this Middle Class demographic, selling them a narrative that 1. Trump is an aberration 2. Our institutions are fundamentally sound 3. Those institutions, including the Democratic Party, the FBI, the CIA, the legal system, etc., are going to hold Trump accountable and put things right again. This, of course, is an alternate reality that allows the Middle Class to deny that reform is necessary and, by extension, allows them to continue their lives of privilege without having to risk anything to change things. What emerged was a host of people who would post and comment within an oligarchical-controlled corporate space as if that took the place of actual organizing and actual resistance. This failed predictably, leaving many Middle Class members to either tune out or begin accepting Trumpism, MAGA, and the Wealth Class’s authoritarianism as normal or even advantageous. To this extent, the Middle Class is now divided between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, which was the logical conclusion of all of this and the continued schism in Middle Class thought. History shows that, over time, more of them will move to the Right and even embrace authoritarianism if there is not an effort to somehow stress interdependence between themselves and the Working Class throughout the country. This is made harder, though, as there is an antipathy for the Working Class, who are often viewed by the Middle Class as brutish, disgusting, and stupid. This is something that will hamper any effective organizing if it isn’t addressed and make the situation worse. There has to be coordination and understanding here if something is to happen.

[froschperspektiven]

The guilty bystanders.

[mystlnewsonline]

WASHINGTON | The Latest: Mitt Romney wins heads to the Senate for Utah

WASHINGTON | The Latest: Mitt Romney wins heads to the Senate for Utah

WASHINGTON — The Latest on U.S. Senate elections (all times local):

11 p.m.

Republican Marsha Blackburn has won a grueling, expensive contest to become the first female U.S. senator from Tennessee.

The congresswoman defeated Democratic former Gov. Phil Bredesen on Tuesday by closely aligning her bid with President Donald Trump. The president made three visits to the state for her.

Blackburn has…

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[clatterbane]

Reminded of this one yet again.

(This started out as a paragraph in the working session thing I’m knocking together, but it got so big that I decided it needed its own post.)

Why does right-wing populism work? Short answer: because left-wing populism is dead.

Or, to put it another way, and more accurately: Republican cultural populism — which is all Republican populism really is — works because Democratic economic populism is dead. Neither party is addressing the economic needs of the citizens. Both parties are essentially corporate-owned oligarchies that merely perpetuate the status quo. The only difference between them, the only thing for voters to latch onto, is the red meat social issues.

When I was a child, the Democrats still commanded what was called “the working man’s vote.” That constituency migrated over the years to the GOP, so that now working-class folks in many parts of the country are far more likely to vote Republican than Democrat. How did this happen? Many people point to the racist southern strategy and the growing cultural liberalism of the Democratic party in the 70s as the turning point. And there’s real truth in that. But that’s only half the story. Working people may have been attracted to the conservative cultural messages on the right, but there wasn’t much economic meat on the left to keep them home.

In terms of the basic economic structure of our country, there is now very little daylight between the two parties. Economically, the Democrats have become more and more Republican every year. Welfare is despised. Labor unions are passé. Keynesian economics is out of fashion. Everybody worships the free market. Democrats are still marginally better on economic issues than Republicans, but the margin is thin. Most people don’t perceive much of a difference. In that kind of vacuum, voters go for whoever pushes their buttons on cultural issues. And the Republicans have become masters at pushing people’s buttons. God, guns, and gays.

The Republicans have also pulled off one of the greatest propaganda coups in American history, and that’s convincing working-class folks that Republican economic policies are good for the little guy. It’s really an amazing feat. Republicans have never had anything to offer working people on the economic front; they’re the party of businessmen and bankers. They are, almost by definition, the party that is against the little guy. And yet at some point in the past few decades, buoyed no doubt by their success in attracting people to their conservative social message, Republicans decided to try convincing working folks that the party of rich white bankers was on their side economically, too. And that the Democrats — the party of labor laws, unions, Social Security, and Medicare — was out to pick their pockets.

It’s goddamn amazing that they have succeeded. Really, just think about that. Take it in. Acknowledge it for the extraordinary propaganda achievement that it is. Not only did the Republicans succeed in making working people suspicious of good government, they also succeeded in deflecting traditional resentment of rich businessmen. In the mill towns of the Southern piedmont, for instance — which is where some of my folks are from — the traditional focus of resentment was the company store. Or the mill owner himself, with his Rolls Royce parked ostentatiously outside. Or the supervisor, with his fancy house. People worked hard and knew damn well they were being exploited. They knew that rich businessmen and bankers weren’t their friends. They voted Democrat because they knew that that was the only way for working folks to have a say, or to even get a chance at having a say.

The Republican propagandists managed to turn that good common horse-sense upside down. They took people’s natural suspicion of The Powers That Be and re-directed it to the government. Re-directed it away from the profiteers, away from the rich white businessmen and bankers. Away from themselves.

And this is why you can now walk into one of the old mill villages in the South and find people making $11 an hour who will tell you that the Democrats are evil socialists who just want to spend our hard-earned money, and that what this country really needs is a laissez-faire free-market economy with tax breaks for corporations.

Fricking amazing.