Category Archives: Politics

Authoritarianism III

Posted on May 28, 2016 by hessd

I set the table for myself this time. Here is how I ended the previous post—number two in this set of three. But by far my most vivid contact with these dilemmas has not come as a person, but as … Continue reading →

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Authoritarianism II

Posted on May 26, 2016 by hessd

Since this is the second of a proposed three-essay set, I am bound to a certain extent by the promises I made in the first essay. I suggested some divisions in using the word “authoritarian,” so that I could say … Continue reading →

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Authoritarianism I

Posted on May 23, 2016 by hessd

I really wanted the title “If Authoritarianism is Trump, We Need a New Deal.”  Alas.  It was too long to use. It is a presidential election year in the United States. A Summer Olympics year everywhere else. This year, more … Continue reading →

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Do you want a party or a nominee? Choose.

Posted on May 9, 2016 by hessd

On May 3, the New York Times editorial board published a piece with the title, “It’s Donald Trump’s Party Now.” They were referring to Trump’s convincing and unexpected win in the Indiana primary, so I know what they had in … Continue reading →

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Political Issues. Both Kinds

Posted on May 6, 2016 by hessd

It doesn’t actually matter much what the issue is, apparently. It can be put forward this way or that way. We are going to have a Hillary v Donald campaign apparently and I would expect that “the issues,” whatever they … Continue reading →

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Sustainable Systemic Political Change

Posted on April 26, 2016 by hessd

For me, the drama is beginning to leak out of the primary balloons. “Informed people” are beginning to speculate about Hillary’s possible running mates. I will want to check back in as the Republican convention decides whether there should be … Continue reading →

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Party Animals?

Posted on April 21, 2016 by hessd

Michael Lind is a centrist Democrat. This piece (which was published in the New York Times on April 16) represents what he hopes is happening. On the other hand, he may be right and it doesn’t really matter what he is … Continue reading →

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Angry voters are stupid voters

Posted on April 13, 2016 by hessd

That’s the thesis for today. I have a story to tell you—one of my very few polished performances as a teacher. [1] And there is some throat clearing to be done, 2016 being a presidential year and one of the … Continue reading →

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We have met the enemy and he is us[1]

Posted on April 10, 2016 by hessd

In 1888, Edward Bellamy wrote a very influential book called Looking Backward. That’s Bellamy in the next paragraph.  He placed the action well into the future—the beginning of the 21st Century—so that his readers could get some distance on the … Continue reading →

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The Polls Don’t Lie

Posted on March 31, 2016 by hessd

Of course, they don’t tell the truth either. The New York Times/CBS poll came out last week. I discarded the rest of my electronic New York Times and called up the poll. What do these 1,252 potential voters have to … Continue reading →

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