Of course, I actually believed Harris could win. So, finally I am not drinking the "pee water" and we must all call this out. My 40 yr old son has been screaming the very perspectives that Van has spoken about of the Democratic party idiocy to their lack of understanding about middle class citizens. I didn't want to believe my son and have finally seen the light. We must engage in a momentum of nonviolent rage for equality, eliminating racism and discrimination, women's rights. I'll be in DC on Jan 18th. I'm old yet not giving up.
What Van is describing is the fact that people can't *afford* to care about these impactful issues. And it's not their fault. Corporations have consolidated, mergered, and locked our wages in the fricking 80's while we got 2025 expenses. If we don't fix that, democracy is too expensive to even pay attention to.
I like most of what was talked about. However, what I didn’t hear was what the other 75 million people were thinking and how they WERE reached. Many Dem senators outperformed Kamala, why was that? Change definitely needs to happen, no argument here, but also remember that it was not a blowout. We also cannot forget that. otherwise if we change so far from where we are at, there could be a segment of that 75 million that will walk away too.
Although I still prefer “Mainstream Media” because, well, it’s still trying to present news, totally agree that it is not THE source of news (not news, per se, information?) anymore. I totally agree with you that Trump’s superpower is knowing what buttons to push — WWE/UFC, the bros, RFK, etc., but he also knows how to gin up fear whether in an individual (like the GOP Senators starting to cave) or in the masses. Selling “fear” works, has for centuries, and Trump knows how to do this better than anyone. When the border, and crime, and inflation started to wane as selling points he jumped on the anti-trans issue in a big way (top dollars spent in his ads by far). Fear of a fascist? Fear of loss of our Democracy? Cannot compare with the fear of sending your young boy to school and having him come home a girl. What makes Trump a winning (not a politician, not a leader, I cannot find the right word) candidate is the willingness to lie, double down on the lie, without shame point fingers at others, etc. So…. I again totally agree with you, we cannot get into the daily “what did he say now” trauma, we have to find a way to work with him when he wants to solve a problem that we can help with, point out when they (GOP) actually does or fails to do what was promised (ignore the chatter, react to the actions), and start discussing actual issues with the people. For example, how to address barriers to affordable housing, etc. And, finally, start talking to each other again -your family, friends, etc. that voted for Trump and other GOP candidates. Dividing us is not an acceptable path for anyone and for sure Trump/GOP will be hammering in that direction.
With all due respect , I love your humility , and the way you analyze things Van, but I don’t agree that ‘ he’s smart and we’re the idiots ‘. I’m still not convinced that the way the election went so smoothly for Trump , that it was totally legit. Ever since Trumps announcement in September that he doesn’t need votes, since he knows he’s going to win, It seemed like It might have been rigged . But also I don’t t think it’s his intelligence that got him this much power , it’s his ability to manipulate , and his enormous need to control people . I do agree with your wanting to change the thinking of democrats , I and get away from all the negativity and feeling bad about the election . We have to just stay in this conversation in ways that are productive and positive .
Happy Holidays to the Van Jones and his family from Canton, Ohio. Mr. Jones, you are in my opinion one of the most underrated individuals that is instrumental in reporting and commenting on news today. You have an understanding and empathetic nature about you that is difficult to define. I've always looked forward to you on CNN when I was a regular viewer of that news channel. I'm somewhat disappointed that you have not been on your substack since December 14th but I do understand that life gets busy especially as a father. Regardless, I am going to upgrade my subscription to paid from free because you are certainly worth it and I look forward to reading and watching you here in 2025. Thank you for being you! Keep up the great work and never give up.
I appreciate your takes so much, Van. Thanks for all this. I think what you have said is so smart and spot-on. We are not playing the same game anymore and the progressive side needs to evolve quickly. I love the idea that with the wheel so firmly out of our hands, there is a sense of freedom to explore and dream. I sure hope the Democratic party gets that message and takes it to heart. America has always been a great experiment and I don't want to see the lab blow up while we're all in it. Thanks for your wisdom.
YES, TRUMP IS LIKE HITLER, BUT NOT IN THE WAYS YOU THINK
Beyond the caricatures lies a chilling blueprint: how both leaders exploited grievances, scapegoated the vulnerable, and built myths of strength to dismantle democracy.
Great video. Everyone should watch it in its entirety and Chris should post it on his channel.
A few points:
1. White male Christians run America. Always have, always will. Institutions, the media, business. Everything. Trump just ran on that. Because that’s what his brand is. What he’s comfortable with. I’m not convinced he thought about that strategy for long enough to be classed as smart. Democrats need to select a white male Christian to run next time. They don’t need to over think this.
2. A thought experiment. Drive down the freeway at 60 mph. (Not in a self driving Tesla lol) Take your hands off the wheel. And see what happens. You are now free. That’s where we are with the Trump Presidency. Anything can happen. It’s both empowering, scary and dangerous. Everything could be fine. Or we are a day away from a catastrophe
3. Hope. It’s what Obama ran on and disappointed Americans with (which consequently led to Trump). Now Trump has won on hope too. Crypto may be popular, but it’s based on nothing but hope. If it crashes, it will bankrupt millions of Americans (Left leaning and right leaning) who are already one financial crisis away from bankruptcy. In fact there are hundreds of opportunities for financial ruin which a Trump presidency is more likely to trigger. The risk of that is huge to the point of inevitability. Trump has a great responsibility to improve the lives of Americans, not destroy them. There will be violence if he doesn’t.
4. Revolution: Failing democracies, revolution and civil wars are all part of the natural order of politics. Ever since politics was invented. Rome, France, Britain, the USA are all the product of these and have worked successfully. We are likely in the next revolution now in the USA. May be peaceful, May be not. And we should embrace that and act accordingly as events unfold. History is written by the winners.
Of course, I actually believed Harris could win. So, finally I am not drinking the "pee water" and we must all call this out. My 40 yr old son has been screaming the very perspectives that Van has spoken about of the Democratic party idiocy to their lack of understanding about middle class citizens. I didn't want to believe my son and have finally seen the light. We must engage in a momentum of nonviolent rage for equality, eliminating racism and discrimination, women's rights. I'll be in DC on Jan 18th. I'm old yet not giving up.
What Van is describing is the fact that people can't *afford* to care about these impactful issues. And it's not their fault. Corporations have consolidated, mergered, and locked our wages in the fricking 80's while we got 2025 expenses. If we don't fix that, democracy is too expensive to even pay attention to.
I like most of what was talked about. However, what I didn’t hear was what the other 75 million people were thinking and how they WERE reached. Many Dem senators outperformed Kamala, why was that? Change definitely needs to happen, no argument here, but also remember that it was not a blowout. We also cannot forget that. otherwise if we change so far from where we are at, there could be a segment of that 75 million that will walk away too.
Although I still prefer “Mainstream Media” because, well, it’s still trying to present news, totally agree that it is not THE source of news (not news, per se, information?) anymore. I totally agree with you that Trump’s superpower is knowing what buttons to push — WWE/UFC, the bros, RFK, etc., but he also knows how to gin up fear whether in an individual (like the GOP Senators starting to cave) or in the masses. Selling “fear” works, has for centuries, and Trump knows how to do this better than anyone. When the border, and crime, and inflation started to wane as selling points he jumped on the anti-trans issue in a big way (top dollars spent in his ads by far). Fear of a fascist? Fear of loss of our Democracy? Cannot compare with the fear of sending your young boy to school and having him come home a girl. What makes Trump a winning (not a politician, not a leader, I cannot find the right word) candidate is the willingness to lie, double down on the lie, without shame point fingers at others, etc. So…. I again totally agree with you, we cannot get into the daily “what did he say now” trauma, we have to find a way to work with him when he wants to solve a problem that we can help with, point out when they (GOP) actually does or fails to do what was promised (ignore the chatter, react to the actions), and start discussing actual issues with the people. For example, how to address barriers to affordable housing, etc. And, finally, start talking to each other again -your family, friends, etc. that voted for Trump and other GOP candidates. Dividing us is not an acceptable path for anyone and for sure Trump/GOP will be hammering in that direction.
Totally agree!
With all due respect , I love your humility , and the way you analyze things Van, but I don’t agree that ‘ he’s smart and we’re the idiots ‘. I’m still not convinced that the way the election went so smoothly for Trump , that it was totally legit. Ever since Trumps announcement in September that he doesn’t need votes, since he knows he’s going to win, It seemed like It might have been rigged . But also I don’t t think it’s his intelligence that got him this much power , it’s his ability to manipulate , and his enormous need to control people . I do agree with your wanting to change the thinking of democrats , I and get away from all the negativity and feeling bad about the election . We have to just stay in this conversation in ways that are productive and positive .
Happy Holidays to the Van Jones and his family from Canton, Ohio. Mr. Jones, you are in my opinion one of the most underrated individuals that is instrumental in reporting and commenting on news today. You have an understanding and empathetic nature about you that is difficult to define. I've always looked forward to you on CNN when I was a regular viewer of that news channel. I'm somewhat disappointed that you have not been on your substack since December 14th but I do understand that life gets busy especially as a father. Regardless, I am going to upgrade my subscription to paid from free because you are certainly worth it and I look forward to reading and watching you here in 2025. Thank you for being you! Keep up the great work and never give up.
I appreciate your takes so much, Van. Thanks for all this. I think what you have said is so smart and spot-on. We are not playing the same game anymore and the progressive side needs to evolve quickly. I love the idea that with the wheel so firmly out of our hands, there is a sense of freedom to explore and dream. I sure hope the Democratic party gets that message and takes it to heart. America has always been a great experiment and I don't want to see the lab blow up while we're all in it. Thanks for your wisdom.
I would have rather the Trumpers have sat on the couch frankly
Thank you for this. You’re right.
This is so good. Sharing…
YES, TRUMP IS LIKE HITLER, BUT NOT IN THE WAYS YOU THINK
Beyond the caricatures lies a chilling blueprint: how both leaders exploited grievances, scapegoated the vulnerable, and built myths of strength to dismantle democracy.
Read more…
https://open.substack.com/pub/patricemersault/p/yes-trump-is-like-hitler-but-not?r=4d7sow&utm_medium=ios
Great video. Everyone should watch it in its entirety and Chris should post it on his channel.
A few points:
1. White male Christians run America. Always have, always will. Institutions, the media, business. Everything. Trump just ran on that. Because that’s what his brand is. What he’s comfortable with. I’m not convinced he thought about that strategy for long enough to be classed as smart. Democrats need to select a white male Christian to run next time. They don’t need to over think this.
2. A thought experiment. Drive down the freeway at 60 mph. (Not in a self driving Tesla lol) Take your hands off the wheel. And see what happens. You are now free. That’s where we are with the Trump Presidency. Anything can happen. It’s both empowering, scary and dangerous. Everything could be fine. Or we are a day away from a catastrophe
3. Hope. It’s what Obama ran on and disappointed Americans with (which consequently led to Trump). Now Trump has won on hope too. Crypto may be popular, but it’s based on nothing but hope. If it crashes, it will bankrupt millions of Americans (Left leaning and right leaning) who are already one financial crisis away from bankruptcy. In fact there are hundreds of opportunities for financial ruin which a Trump presidency is more likely to trigger. The risk of that is huge to the point of inevitability. Trump has a great responsibility to improve the lives of Americans, not destroy them. There will be violence if he doesn’t.
4. Revolution: Failing democracies, revolution and civil wars are all part of the natural order of politics. Ever since politics was invented. Rome, France, Britain, the USA are all the product of these and have worked successfully. We are likely in the next revolution now in the USA. May be peaceful, May be not. And we should embrace that and act accordingly as events unfold. History is written by the winners.