There is an old joke that always comes to mind in this kind of discussion. A billionaire and an esteemed and beloved college professor have a bit of a discussion. The billionaire asks, " If you are so smart, why aren't you rich?" The professor replies, "If you are so rich, why aren't you smart?"
Up here in red Humboldt County (zip code 50548), it’s $6k (from 39 Harris supporters) compared to $2k (from Trump supporters). That was very surprising (and encouraging).
The discrepancies you and Bob (and Kathi below) describe may just reflect complacency by the R's and desperation by the D's so please, all of you, report back to these readers the results of reality--the actual vote tallies and any change from prior.
The idea that wealth correlates with intelligence is a capitalist construction to enable wealthy people to rationalize their privilege. There's more (a whole lot more) to intelligence than earning money. Societal wealth in the US *has* enabled geniuses--writers, poets, artists, scientists and some entertainers to pursue those careers while living on modest incomes that were not in proportion to their intellectual skills. I suspect that Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk or Warren Buffet wouldn't know where to start in fixing a toilet or a diesel engine or feeding and clothing themselves. Does that mean they're dumb? No, but amassing great wealth doesn't mean you're smart, either.
Your relative said, "... [M]aybe it was time to let the richest among us ... run the country ... because their wealth reflected that they are the smartest and most capable among us and we should let them rule benevolently." How can we be certain the wealthy will be benevolent? They certainly did not become wealthy by being benevolent.
Exactly. They became wealthy off our backs, not paying their fair share of taxes, and company share buybacks. Republican governors all over the US have given massive tax breaks to them.
The wealthy want to be the Lord's, the rest of us will be the peasants.
I wish I had thought to tell him this. I was stunned, and told him that if he didn't believe in democracy, we should probably talk about something else.
"What good does a billion dollars do if you don’t have the courage to stand up for democracy against fascism?" That is one hell of a question Robert Leonard, one hell of a question.
These oligarchs have given no indication that they care about anyone but themselves. One might have a discussion about Singapore, but I don't think that is where they are headed.
Meanwhile, I think Musk wants to sell space junk to Putin, which Trump would allow.
Having lived in or near Pella my entire life I am not as surprised as you by the support for Kamala. I have long been an outspoken person for certain views but I know many others who share the same view but dare not speak out because of offending family or loosing business.
I'm a proud member of the Marion County Democrats. The work we do is truly amazing. The dedication of our leaders who keep things going year after year, cycle after cycle, is inspiring. The hours of time these leaders, mostly women, do to get us to parades, organize events, and move us into action is the difference between saving our democracy and losing it. Thank you Dr. Bob for putting some metrics to their work and giving us hope as we sprint to the finish line.
We are a sea of blue in Cumming - 55 Harris donors for a total of 30K; 29 donors for trump for a total of 5K. Similar numbers for Norwalk and Indianola — and this is Warren County! Gives me hope.
"In our county seat, Knoxville, as of yesterday there have been 80 donations totalling $10K to the Harris campaign and 76 to the Trump campaign totalling $9K. In conservative Pella, there are more Democratic donations, 136 to 129, totaling 10K for each. That’s a big surprise to me."
There is an old joke that always comes to mind in this kind of discussion. A billionaire and an esteemed and beloved college professor have a bit of a discussion. The billionaire asks, " If you are so smart, why aren't you rich?" The professor replies, "If you are so rich, why aren't you smart?"
Up here in red Humboldt County (zip code 50548), it’s $6k (from 39 Harris supporters) compared to $2k (from Trump supporters). That was very surprising (and encouraging).
The discrepancies you and Bob (and Kathi below) describe may just reflect complacency by the R's and desperation by the D's so please, all of you, report back to these readers the results of reality--the actual vote tallies and any change from prior.
I was surprised too. Especially about Pella.
The idea that wealth correlates with intelligence is a capitalist construction to enable wealthy people to rationalize their privilege. There's more (a whole lot more) to intelligence than earning money. Societal wealth in the US *has* enabled geniuses--writers, poets, artists, scientists and some entertainers to pursue those careers while living on modest incomes that were not in proportion to their intellectual skills. I suspect that Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk or Warren Buffet wouldn't know where to start in fixing a toilet or a diesel engine or feeding and clothing themselves. Does that mean they're dumb? No, but amassing great wealth doesn't mean you're smart, either.
Your relative said, "... [M]aybe it was time to let the richest among us ... run the country ... because their wealth reflected that they are the smartest and most capable among us and we should let them rule benevolently." How can we be certain the wealthy will be benevolent? They certainly did not become wealthy by being benevolent.
Exactly. They became wealthy off our backs, not paying their fair share of taxes, and company share buybacks. Republican governors all over the US have given massive tax breaks to them.
The wealthy want to be the Lord's, the rest of us will be the peasants.
I wish I had thought to tell him this. I was stunned, and told him that if he didn't believe in democracy, we should probably talk about something else.
"What good does a billion dollars do if you don’t have the courage to stand up for democracy against fascism?" That is one hell of a question Robert Leonard, one hell of a question.
These oligarchs have given no indication that they care about anyone but themselves. One might have a discussion about Singapore, but I don't think that is where they are headed.
Meanwhile, I think Musk wants to sell space junk to Putin, which Trump would allow.
Agreed.
Having lived in or near Pella my entire life I am not as surprised as you by the support for Kamala. I have long been an outspoken person for certain views but I know many others who share the same view but dare not speak out because of offending family or loosing business.
I'm a proud member of the Marion County Democrats. The work we do is truly amazing. The dedication of our leaders who keep things going year after year, cycle after cycle, is inspiring. The hours of time these leaders, mostly women, do to get us to parades, organize events, and move us into action is the difference between saving our democracy and losing it. Thank you Dr. Bob for putting some metrics to their work and giving us hope as we sprint to the finish line.
Go for it !!
https://delbertspurlock.substack.com/?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web
We are a sea of blue in Cumming - 55 Harris donors for a total of 30K; 29 donors for trump for a total of 5K. Similar numbers for Norwalk and Indianola — and this is Warren County! Gives me hope.
"In our county seat, Knoxville, as of yesterday there have been 80 donations totalling $10K to the Harris campaign and 76 to the Trump campaign totalling $9K. In conservative Pella, there are more Democratic donations, 136 to 129, totaling 10K for each. That’s a big surprise to me."
And to me. Thank you, Bob.