If he really wanted to "unrig" the country, he'd make this book free and pass it out to every registered Democrat & Independent on the left side of the political spectrum, to get a movement started. Charging for it only makes him look like a M A G At Dumpster, because that's what the current Orange Tiny-Hands would do: promise a 'solution' for the low, low price of $29.99.
I mean, why do you think Project 2025 is free on the Heritage Foundation's site? You think that was unintentional? No, it was designed/engineered so that it could reach as many alt-right CONservative hands as possible and get buy-in. Our enemy is giving out their plan for destroying democracy....and you're charging for yours to counter that???
This move by Winkler just makes him look like part of the same problem we're fighting: people trying to grift off the pain. My opinion of him just dropped into a tavern in Hades somewhere, it's that low now. Bad move, dude.
Heritage Foundation has tons of money behind them. They can afford to give it out for free. This man probably needs to earn a living. I don’t begrudge him for writing a book. But we need ideas like this at the national level.
People still debate who said it, but this quote still sticks with me: "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance." We have fallen down on the job, and we've allowed ourselves to be dumbed-down as well.
Send this book to all dems who have been winning elections - dems need to be getting their ducks in a row, leaving their desire for personal glory at the door; and they need to start working together EARLY to tackle the mess that awaits them. Geez, send a copy of this book to *all* dems who are in the running, whether they’re in or not.
We must urge these congressional representatives to be organized, cooperative and without ego if we’re gonna save this country.
One thing I would add is that it's no use arguing about facts. Yes, facts are facts and there's no such thing as an ‘alternative fact’ (an oxymoron if ever I've heard one), you have to appeal to people on an emotional level. How to do that is another matter, but you can start by asking people how they feel, rather than what they think. I've never bought into the mind/body separation thing, our bodies are part of who we are and they have a profound influence on our thoughts. We evolved to have emotions for a reason, if they weren't useful we'd have evolved to eliminate them. You might argue that we are evolving to eliminate them, but people without empathy, compassion or the like are regarded as psychopaths or sociopaths. They're considered abnormal and I'd argue that considering the damage they're doing, they obviously are. Our empathy is our superpower, without it and its consequential ability and willingness to cooperate with one another, we'd never have become the dominant species on this planet. Yes, competition has a rôle to play, but it isn't the dominant one that so many on the far right claim. Our greatest achievements have been the result of cooperation: “no [hu]man is an island”. Even our solitary pursuits, such as writing, painting or composing, are influenced by others, no one works in total isolation. We are a social species. Recently I heard a radio programme that claimed that our parliamentary representatives agree on 95%, yet they argue incessantly about that 5% they disagree on. That struck me as true for all of us. We'd do far better to concentrate on the 95% we all agree on instead of fighting about the 5% we disagree on. If we did that we'd be much better placed to work out the 5%.
This piece is very encouraging, we all can do at least one or two of the things he’s suggested. The main issue I see in comments on Substacks is that people feel powerless. All of us have friends and or family that may help us get to the end we desire. It makes sense to me, positive interactions are the way to get people involved.
Yes, Sharon, absolutely. I was particularly intrigued by his description of the importance of listening as a necessary precursor to persuasion. It is logical but I feel like we all tend to just want to convince people why we’re right! If I only give them a compelling argument…
Love this. The beating heart of democracy is apparently people talking to each other. Not consultants, poll-tested slogans, or cynicism. Just people. Talking.
Ben is smart, articulate, and motivated. Of course the DNC chose the trainwreck Ken Martin to lead the DNC instead of Ben. Time for democrats to rise up and demand leadership change....right now!
Tim Wegener, the author, is part of the National Finance Committee for the democrats. He is part of the dysfunctional DNC so no surprise that he has a positive spin. I'm not a democrat but I've been very impressed by the democrats running for congress. They have gone their own way and have benefited from not associating their campaign with the national DNC.
Exactly! I wrote something similar. If this guy wants to "fix" the problem of treason by the alt-right, he'd be giving out the book for free to everyone on the left side of the political spectrum to get buy-in from them and a get a movement started. Charging for this "solution" is just another grift, and I'm sick and tired of wyt dudes pulling that crap.
Why aren’t you in charge on a national level? This is the kind of ideas we need!
If he really wanted to "unrig" the country, he'd make this book free and pass it out to every registered Democrat & Independent on the left side of the political spectrum, to get a movement started. Charging for it only makes him look like a M A G At Dumpster, because that's what the current Orange Tiny-Hands would do: promise a 'solution' for the low, low price of $29.99.
I mean, why do you think Project 2025 is free on the Heritage Foundation's site? You think that was unintentional? No, it was designed/engineered so that it could reach as many alt-right CONservative hands as possible and get buy-in. Our enemy is giving out their plan for destroying democracy....and you're charging for yours to counter that???
This move by Winkler just makes him look like part of the same problem we're fighting: people trying to grift off the pain. My opinion of him just dropped into a tavern in Hades somewhere, it's that low now. Bad move, dude.
Heritage Foundation has tons of money behind them. They can afford to give it out for free. This man probably needs to earn a living. I don’t begrudge him for writing a book. But we need ideas like this at the national level.
Thank you Ben. Let's go!!
People still debate who said it, but this quote still sticks with me: "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance." We have fallen down on the job, and we've allowed ourselves to be dumbed-down as well.
Send this book to all dems who have been winning elections - dems need to be getting their ducks in a row, leaving their desire for personal glory at the door; and they need to start working together EARLY to tackle the mess that awaits them. Geez, send a copy of this book to *all* dems who are in the running, whether they’re in or not.
We must urge these congressional representatives to be organized, cooperative and without ego if we’re gonna save this country.
Excellent interview! I will be getting the book.
Thanks!
One thing I would add is that it's no use arguing about facts. Yes, facts are facts and there's no such thing as an ‘alternative fact’ (an oxymoron if ever I've heard one), you have to appeal to people on an emotional level. How to do that is another matter, but you can start by asking people how they feel, rather than what they think. I've never bought into the mind/body separation thing, our bodies are part of who we are and they have a profound influence on our thoughts. We evolved to have emotions for a reason, if they weren't useful we'd have evolved to eliminate them. You might argue that we are evolving to eliminate them, but people without empathy, compassion or the like are regarded as psychopaths or sociopaths. They're considered abnormal and I'd argue that considering the damage they're doing, they obviously are. Our empathy is our superpower, without it and its consequential ability and willingness to cooperate with one another, we'd never have become the dominant species on this planet. Yes, competition has a rôle to play, but it isn't the dominant one that so many on the far right claim. Our greatest achievements have been the result of cooperation: “no [hu]man is an island”. Even our solitary pursuits, such as writing, painting or composing, are influenced by others, no one works in total isolation. We are a social species. Recently I heard a radio programme that claimed that our parliamentary representatives agree on 95%, yet they argue incessantly about that 5% they disagree on. That struck me as true for all of us. We'd do far better to concentrate on the 95% we all agree on instead of fighting about the 5% we disagree on. If we did that we'd be much better placed to work out the 5%.
This piece is very encouraging, we all can do at least one or two of the things he’s suggested. The main issue I see in comments on Substacks is that people feel powerless. All of us have friends and or family that may help us get to the end we desire. It makes sense to me, positive interactions are the way to get people involved.
Yes, Sharon, absolutely. I was particularly intrigued by his description of the importance of listening as a necessary precursor to persuasion. It is logical but I feel like we all tend to just want to convince people why we’re right! If I only give them a compelling argument…
You’re right, we do need to listen, it makes those we are listening to feel that they are being heard, and promotes positive vibes.
Love this. The beating heart of democracy is apparently people talking to each other. Not consultants, poll-tested slogans, or cynicism. Just people. Talking.
💯💪
Ben is smart, articulate, and motivated. Of course the DNC chose the trainwreck Ken Martin to lead the DNC instead of Ben. Time for democrats to rise up and demand leadership change....right now!
Worth a read re Ken Martin:
https://timwegener.substack.com/p/give-ken-martin-and-the-dnc-the-credit?r=57r6pv&utm_medium=ios
Tim Wegener, the author, is part of the National Finance Committee for the democrats. He is part of the dysfunctional DNC so no surprise that he has a positive spin. I'm not a democrat but I've been very impressed by the democrats running for congress. They have gone their own way and have benefited from not associating their campaign with the national DNC.
Exactly! I wrote something similar. If this guy wants to "fix" the problem of treason by the alt-right, he'd be giving out the book for free to everyone on the left side of the political spectrum to get buy-in from them and a get a movement started. Charging for this "solution" is just another grift, and I'm sick and tired of wyt dudes pulling that crap.
Ok.