Camo-wearing white folk and the modern democratic party
are more alike than many people realize.
That said, hold on and temper your expectations
because this poem is not going to be uplifting
or green
or a campfire, church retreat peace song
in any way, shape, or form.
Instead, it will be a somber and realistic grey.
You see... both sides of this cultural divide are alike
because they are both close-minded and intolerant
and terrible at listening to anyone outside their own community.
And they are both intolerant, close-minded,
and terrible at listening to anyone outside their own community.
because they are both >!a toxic variant of socialism.!<
Now someone will surely say:
"How can you call Rush listening blue-collar communities in America socialist?"
Easy, I know history
And I know they come from union stock.
I know they are miners,
who laid down their lives for the right to collectively bargain.
I know they treated scabs who tried to undercut their wages with unfiltered, punitive wrath.
I know they rigged elections.
I know they cut certain members of our society out of the spoils of their political machine.
I know they are corrupt.
I know they value humility and solidarity more than the truth or their own well-being.
I know they are, at their core, the living relics
Let that sink in.
They brought electricity to folks who didn't have it.
They brought a better life for aging Americans who needed help.
They laid down their lives for their President in Vietnam,
and they were enthusiastic supporters of that President's Great Society Agenda.
Even today, these old New Deal and Great Society strongholds
in Appalachia and the Deep South
will support any corporation or politician
who promises a bridge to nowhere
or jobs for the people they care most about
(long term consequences be damned.)
And, even today, they will tolerate little dissent within their own ranks
from anyone who might dare question
an overall consensus
that was ultimately weaponized
by powerful people
who are openly using and abusing their solidarity, loyalty, and good faith.
Does that sound familiar?
Camoed-out white folk might not all vote for the Democrats anymore,
but they are still Democrats at heart.
[Sorry](https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/pq2r55/the_wit
... keep reading on reddit ➡
Riding through Baton Rouge and having a argument about how he was a great person.
::sits at table with coffee mug::
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Share_Our_Wealth
> Long believed that the underlying cause of the Great Depression, (which he called "Mr. Roosevelt's depression") was the growing disparity between the rich and everyone else.[1] For most of his political career, he was endeared to the "little man," which refers to the rural poor.[4] The Share Our Wealth program was going to become the capstone project for Long's populist agenda
The key planks of the Share Our Wealth platform included:
- No person would be allowed to accumulate a personal net worth of more than 300 times the average family fortune. A graduated capital levy tax would be assessed on all persons with a net worth exceeding $1 million.[1]
- Annual incomes would be limited to $1 million and inheritances would be capped at $5.1 million.[1]
- Every family was to be furnished with a homestead allowance of not less than one-third the average family wealth of the country. Every family was to be guaranteed an annual family income of at least $2,000 to $2,500, or not less than one-third of the average annual family income in the United States. Yearly income, however, cannot exceed more than 300 times the size of the average family income.[1]
- An old-age pension would be made available for all persons over 60.[1]
- To balance agricultural production, the government would preserve/store surplus goods, abolishing the practice of destroying surplus food and other necessities due to lack of purchasing power.[1]
- Veterans would be paid what they were owed (a pension and healthcare benefits).[1]
- Free education and training for all students to have equal
Not sure whats poppin atm. Tons of cops and now firetrucks. Its still open heading towards the wank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBMhiVkmycw
what are your thoughts about him? I remember being fond of him as a kid. His legacy in the state.
The Ken Burns documentary is really exceptional.
Can you ride a bicycle across Huey P Long Bridge?
I was listening to Dan Carlin's death throes of the republic while running yesterday and he made the comparison to populist Roman politicians to Huey Long. It got me thinking about our current Democratic election.
here are the fine points of Huey P Long's Share the Wealth plan:
1.No person would be allowed to accumulate a personal net worth of more than 300 times the average family fortune, which would limit personal assets to between $5 million and $8 million. A graduated capital levy tax would be assessed on all persons with a net worth exceeding $1 million.
2.Annual incomes would be limited to $1 million and inheritances would be capped at $5.1 million.
3.Every family was to be furnished with a homestead allowance of not less than one-third the average family wealth of the country. Every family was to be guaranteed an annual family income of at least $2,000 to $2,500, or not less than one-third of the average annual family income in the United States. Yearly income, however, cannot exceed more than 300 times the size of the average family income.
4.An old-age pension would be made available for all persons over 60.
5.To balance agricultural production, the government would preserve/store surplus goods, abolishing the practice of destroying surplus food and other necessities due to lack of purchasing power.
6.Veterans would be paid what they were owed (a pension and healthcare benefits).
7.Free education and training for all students to have equal opportunities in all schools, colleges, universities, and other institutions for training in the professions and vocations of life.
8.The raising of revenue and taxes for the support of this program was to come from the reduction of swollen fortunes from the top, as well as for the support of public works to give employment whenever there may be any slackening necessary in private enterprise
If anyone is interested in Huey Long check out T. Henry Williams' biography on him. Its long but its a fascinating read.
