People Are Saying. . .

Why Ted Cruz is not newsworthy.  The butt of jokes over the last week, Cruz has been called “Lucifer in the flesh,” and a “miserable son of a b*tch” by the former Speaker of the House, John Boehner.   People have laughed at his naming Carly Fiorina as his Vice-Presidential running mate.  New rumors that he is the “Zodiac Killer” were aired at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner on Saturday.  Despite all of this, in two year’s time, people will be saying “Who is Ted Cruz?”

This Summer’s Coming Attractions:  As the semester here at Adlai Stevenson University winds down and “People Are Saying . . .” goes on a hiatus, what are the stories that we will be watching this summer?  Obviously the Republican Convention in Cleveland and the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia in July will be HUGE.   It looks like there will be a major train wreck in Cleveland, a lot of people are going to be very unhappy.  Will the Donald win the nomination?  Probably.

In Philadelphia, Bernie and Hillary will kiss and make up, but Bernie’s message of addressing grave inequalities in American society and corruption in our political system will shape the Democratic party’s agenda for years to come.

As messy as the Presidential contest has been, and will continue through the next few months, the good thing is that more people are involved in the political process.  ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?   Many more people across the spectrum from left to right endorse a populist criticism of the way things are, and are eager for a change in direction.  Are we at the dawn of a social revolution?   If so, one of the casualties may be the Republican establishment which has successfully hindered meaningful action on climate change, health care, the economy, and education.  (If you think that your interest rates on Student Loans are too high you can thank Republicans in Congress).  For many years they have successfully obstructed progressive legislation and protected the interests of the 1% by stirring up fear and directing anger at communists, homosexuals, immigrants, women, and people of color.

Tell me why you agree or disagree, and I will include your comments in the next “People Are Saying. . .” in August.

(aboulton@stevenson.edu)