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They didn't win all their Democratic primary races on Tuesday, but a movement of young progressives continued a steady creep in its quest to overtake city politics in St. Louis.

Candidates backed by liberal supporters picked up three seats, held onto one big one and scored a major upset in contests for the Board of Aldermen.

Green won a special election in 2015, but she was expected to have a serious fight when Florida returned this year to try to reclaim her old seat. Instead, she nearly doubled up her predecessor, according to unofficial results.

"I feel like in a lot of ways, I was kind of the tip of the spear," Green said Tuesday night. "I was the first kind of outsider candidate that got elected that wasnt supposed to get elected, and then did some unconventional things like standing with Black Lives Matters protesters, and then still managed to get re-elected."

Not too far way in south city, Dan Guenther became the latest newcomer to take out a longtime incumbent. He toppled Ward 9 Alderman Ken Ortmann, who had held the seat since 1999. The ward, which covers parts of seven neighborhoods across an ax-shaped swath, includes long stretches of the new progressive power center along Cherokee Street.

Guenther, who doesn't own a car and supports standard-bearer issues such as a $15 minimum wage, had the backing of the increasingly influential Ward 20 Alderwoman Cara Spencer. He was also supported by Mobilize Missouri, which endorsed a slate of progressives in St. Louis races.

Two of the organization's picks John Collins-Muhammad in Ward 21 and Sarah Wood Martin in Ward 11 claimed open seats. Martin replaces Tom Villa, who decided not to run again. Muhammad is the new Democratic choice in a ward opened up by Antonio French's unsuccessful mayoral bid.

But the old guard has not lost all its power. Longtime incumbent Alderman Joseph Roddy stomped challenger Joe Dierkemper in Ward 17, which covers parts of seven neighborhoods, including Midtown and the Central West End. Roddy had been criticized lately as the practice of granting generous tax abatements has come under fire, but it did not seem to hurt him in his own ward on Tuesday.

Tammika Hubbard also rolled to victory in Ward 5, despite a string of body blows to her politically powerful family in recent months. She emerged easily from a six-candidate race that included progressive favorite Megan Betts.

Incumbent Sharon Tyus also held onto her seat in Ward 1, and Alderwoman Marlene Davis won big in Ward 19.

Thomas Oldenburg defeated former state Representative Michele Kratky for state Representative Donna Baringer's old seat. Brandon Bosley won in Ward 3 to replace his father, Freeman Bosley Sr., who is retiring.

Aldermen Jack Coatar, Beth Murphy, Joe Vaccaro and Shane Cohn all ran unopposed.

Danny Wicentowski contributed to this story.

We welcome tips and feedback. Email the author at doyle.murphy@riverfronttimes.com or follow on Twitter at @DoyleMurphy.

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St. Louis Progressives Make Gains in Board of Aldermen Races ... - Riverfront Times (blog)

The nonviolent civil war between irreconcilable ideologies, Collectivism vs. Individualism, Big Government vs. Limited Government, Democratic Socialism vs. Capitalism is no more.

Protest rallies have morphed into violent, bodily assaulting, property destructive riots; no doubt, more to come.

The progressive's histrionic jolt at Hillary's loss to the inconceivable Trump victory is understandable. The historic upset of Trump's victory is an exclamation mark to the substance of his win, a major economic, political and social revolution that will fundamentally move America in closer proximity to our founding, and progressives understand this.

The palpable anguish apparent with progressives at large has much to do with their fears of losing the dependent class they have so successfully cultivate over the past many decades.

Progressives accuse Republicans of being anti-immigrants, conveniently leaving out the modifier illegal.

Think about it. If the economy were to grow beyond the tepid rates of the last eight years to a rate aptly described as a robust economy, and American workers could now proudly claim being self-sufficient, getting off the welfare rolls, what handouts could the progressives offer then? They lost their once invincible "blue wall" of white working class Americans.

Considerably reducing the role, if not eliminating entirely, of our dysfunctional public education system in exchange for parents having the moral right to select the schools of their choice for their children will mean a stake in the heart of the teacher's unions and the money historically lavished on the Democrat reelection campaigns and the loss of their central role of indoctrinating our young.

In light of this, one can understand their unhinged rage. But there is a more disturbing tell in all this, progressive interest on the hold of political power at the expense of the general welfare of our country.

President Trump's temporary ban on immigrants from the seven (or, now six) designated countries is constitutionally authorized. These countries were designated by Congress and President Obama as war-torn countries with governments hostile to America, or no government at all, which makes it virtually impossible to determine the true intentions of their immigrants towards America.

ISIS has stated its intention of infiltrating this immigrant/refugee pool with terrorists intent on taking the lives of Americans. Ignoring this, progressives, blinded by their obsessive opposition to Trump, claim Establishment and Due Process rights to these immigrants on foreign soil, and place supposed damage to universities on a higher plane than the security and lives of Americans.

Progressives accuse Republicans of being anti-immigrants, conveniently leaving out the modifier "illegal." Wanting to control and get a handle on the tide of illegal immigrants is, according to progressives, "racist." Never mind the negative consequences of the illegal immigrant tide. In California alone, the costs of illegal immigration is estimated to exceed $25 billion a year. This is not an insignificant sum. Add to this the crime and drugs directly related to this class of immigrants, and it clearly makes common sense to want to get a handle on this.

But so what, the illegals are progressive sympathizers, some of whom may very well be represented in our voter registration rolls; "build bridges not walls" what in hell does this mean?

The tsunami of regulations placed on the business community over the decades is estimated to cost the economy $2 trillion a year, an amount that exceeds the government's confiscatory take in federal taxes. With Obama's considerable addition to the regulatory roster during his eight years, is it any wonder why we haven't seen economic growth even hit 3 percent? Trump's moratorium on new regulations, and scaling back existing regulations is the much-needed life preserver thrown into the tumultuous sea of regulations. This, coupled with tax reform will inexorably mean economic growth we haven't seen in quite some time.

Progressives had their chance in Obama's first term with the executive and Congress in their control, and they focused instead on further building their dependent class with their (un)Affordable Care Act; "We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it," Nancy Pelosi intoned.

Progressives need victims just as the addict needs drugs. Politics and victimhood is their life blood. And they need the power of our government institutions to correct this, that, and whatever social injustice they can conjure up.

Progressives are in constant search of kindling for their progressives match to stoke the flames of social injustice, so they can represent themselves as the much needed firefighters to douse the flames.

Progressives, please, live and let live.

Manny Montes lives in Auburn.

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Manny Montes: Progressives stoking the flames - The Union of Grass Valley

March 7, 2017 4:31 PM

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) Progressives are responding to Florida Governor Rick ScottsState of the State and they appear to be ready to tangle with him.

Governor Scott promised to fight for economic-incentive money, business tax cuts and conservative education reforms but despite a lack of influence in Republican-dominated Tallahassee, progressives and Democratic lawmakers were having it.

A coalition of labor, environmental, LGBT-rights, and other left-leaning groups under the banner Awake the State organized more than a dozen rallies across Florida to coincide with the first day of the 2017 legislative session, including an event at the Capitol.

Their message: Scott and Republican leaders are not fighting for us.

The governor, and frankly the Speaker (Richard Corcoran), are living in an alternative reality, said Sen. Gary Farmer, D-Fort Lauderdale, following Scotts speech.

Its like the foxes are in the henhouse when it comes to this administration, said longtime liberal activist Barbara DeVane, who lobbies for the National Organization for Women.

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, a Democrat running for governor in 2018, was raising money off the State of the State address even before Scott took the rostrum.

Empty claims and promises about Floridas economic future, the same kind hes been making for years while he continues to pursue policies that favor the wealthy and leave the rest of us behind, was Gillums appraisal in an email appeal.

Scott drew upon his experiences as a child growing up in poverty to bolster his arguments against cutting funding for the economic-development agency Enterprise Florida and tourism-marketer Visit Florida, funding that has been derided by critics on the left and right as corporate welfare.

I will admit that it is probably more difficult for people who have never gone hungry, or gone through foreclosure, or seen their family car repossessed to understand this. If you never lived through these experiences, it may be harder to understand the urgency here, Scott said. I will just leave it like this: I am fighting for our states job programs because I am fighting for the families just like mine growing up.

But advocates for labor, immigrants rights and other groups were clearly not buying it.

In this years legislative session, Gov. Scott and his allies are planning yet another big giveaway to corporate special interests while the priorities of everyday Floridians are sidelined, said Mark Ferrulo, executive director of Progress Florida, which helped organize the statewide rallies.

Democratic lawmakers sounded equally skeptical of Scotts economic-development plans.

From conservative think tanks to top economists, theres widespread agreement that the way to lure the top companies with the top-paying jobs isnt just dangling tax dollars in front of them, said Senate Minority Leader Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens, delivering a formal response to Scotts address.

Hannah Willard of the gay-rights group Equality Florida also panned Scott for discussing last summers Orlando Pulse nightclub massacre at length Scott praised the heroism of local police and SWAT team officers without making mention of the fact that most of the 49 victims were LGBT.

Thoughts and prayers are not enough, Willard said. Our leaders need to take action to defend our community.

Francesca Menes of the Florida Immigrant Coalition counted nine bills she said aimed to restrict the rights of undocumented immigrants and their children.

Weve got a lot of fights this year, said Menes, who ran for the state House last year, narrowly losing to Democrat Roy Hardemon in a seven-way primary. Were not going to let them take us and our communities apart.

(The News Service of Floridas Ryan Ray contributed to this report.)

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Progressives Push Back After Gov. Scott State Of The State Speech - CBS Miami

In the months since the 2016 election, progressive organizations around the country, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have been holding seminars to provide information about becoming an activist. Many are modeling their efforts on the grassroots Tea Party playbook that made that movement so effective in 2009.

KCBX attended a seminar held last Saturday by the newly formed organization San Luis Obispo County Progressives.

In the parking lot outside Trinity Hall, a community gathering space in the small agricultural town of Edna, you can see cars, like any old parking lot. But this particular lot has a high number of cars stamped with sassy political bumper stickers, like Fossil fuels are for dinosaurs. Many are adorned with the now outdated Bernie 2016 and the blue capital H with an red arrow across its horizontal line. One truck sports a large Hillary sticker now covered with a smaller sticker saying Resist in all caps.

Last June, SLO Progressives members came together to promote what they see as progressive values. Theres been a push for more educational outreach on how to become an activist and become more involved in campaigning.

Co-Chair Nick Andre says the number of members has risen from around 100 to about 1,500 since November.

A lot of these people have never been active in politics before. Never been active in a political party. Not even in non-profit spaces or anything. So were bringing them a little bit of direction, Andre said.

Thats why the group is holding this Activism 101 training. Sandy Dexter came here with her daughter

Lauren Platte. Dexter says she was somewhat active in local campaigns in years past, but this is the first time she is seriously getting into activism.

So many things have opened my eyes to how the political process works. And it feels personal.. And I think that for my daughter and granddaughter and grandson, I would feel bad if I didnt stand up for the things I believe in, Dexter said.

During the seminars, local politicians, lobbyists and congressional staffers speak about how to get in touch with representatives and how to lobby for agendas they believe in.

Former 24th District Congressional Candidate Bill Ostrander spoke about how to appeal to people who who have differing opinions.

But if I came up here and said, Youre all a*****es! Give me five bucks! Where are we going to go with that? Nowhere. So as much as we dislike and are disgusted by things that will cause harm, things that where people are getting hurt, you must reserve yourself to find the belief system of the person youre talking about, Ostrander said.

Andre said the group is trying to do more to reach out to the more conservative areas of north and south San Luis Obispo County.

And what we want to do is go in there and spread our message. Talk to these people and convince them that the goals and policies that were bringing forward are going to benefit them economically, socially, and every part of their life, Andre said.

KCBX asked Andre about the some of the stereotypes of modern liberals. Some locals have expressed attitudes that progressives are condescending towards people working in blue collar industries and dont do enough listening to others who dont agree with them.

That was a big difference in the Bernie campaign. I think Bernie was one of the few high-level Democratic

politicians that really hammered in a working class message. Its all about income inequality. In helping unions, unionizing people. So I think theres a way to win that crowd back, Andre said. And its through Bernies message.

Here are some resources to start getting more politically involved in your community, no matter which candidate you checked on your ballot:

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SLO Progressives aim to spur grassroots activism - KCBX

Progressives remember though they wish they didnt have to the repeated degradation of the progressive left during the 2016 campaign. The constant references to Bernie bros despite millions of decidedly female progressives. The constant insistence that left-wing Democrats must be willing to compromise with compromise meaning sit down, shut up, and be rational!

But though we are many, many months away from the contentious election and even more months away from the disastrous democratic primary, the continued degradation of the left by Democratic centrists only seems to fester. Ring of Fires Sydney Robinson discusses this.

In a Vanity Fair article published in the March Issue of the magazine, columnist James Wolcott attempted to reignite those same primary wounds by calling the far left the alt left, in mock reference to the alt-right.

Now if youre familiar with the so-called alt right, you know that the term is merely a softly-worded dog whistle for outright white supremacy and white nationalism. The likes of Richard Spencer and even the newly infamous Milo are associated with the term, as they advocate for the mass-murder of black Americans and work to out trans Americans on a national stage.

Basically, it is clear to everyone that to call someone the alt-right, is to conjure up images of violent, race-based crime. Theyre Nazis. Theyre the KKK.

So what has the far left done to deserve such a decidedly racial, extreme label? What have we done to deserve such a dark comparison?

Apparently, what really set off Mr. Wolcott was that a liberal writer, Eileen Jones, dared to write a less-than-positive piece about Meryl Streep in Jacobin Magazine. Jones piece, called Against Meryl Streep, argued that Streep made her criticism of Donald Trump all about the Hollywood elite, failing to grasp or acknowledge the real-life consequences of the mans presidency. No big deal, right?

Big. Deal. Apparently criticism of this level of a millionaire celebrity is somehow comparable to the hate of the alt-right or at least thats what Mr. Wolcott thought when he flippantly referred to the far-left as the alt left.

Mr. Wolcott then goes on to refer to the real plague of the left, so-called dude-bros, but the column he is criticism comes from a woman an inconvenient fact from the continually false narrative that it is white males who comprise the far left. Mr. Wolcott, it appears you have already been introduced to one female progressive via Mrs. Jones, but if you need another one, youre looking right at her. Decidedly female. Decidedly not a bro.

Now, Mr. Wolcott is not the first to use the cutesy term alt left, but progressives cannot allow the term to take hold in its current form the far left is concerned with comprehensive healthcare, campaign finance reform, social justice, criminal justice reform, police brutality, separation between church and state, getting wall street out of our government, affordable education, and providing a free and fair system for all.

Now please, Mr. Wolcott, explain to me how anything I just listed could in any way be compared to the violent, racist tactics of the alt-right?

You wont because you cant you, just like so many others, are still so angry that some liberals werent eager to back Clinton from the start that we would have the audacity to ask for MORE than what corporate Democrats would give us? The election was a long time ago, and this isnt about that at all this is about the respect that progressives deserve in the Democratic party and the moderate lefts refusal to grant that respect. Its about the fact that despite having lost everything, Democrats would rather roll over and beg for treats from the moderate right than even take a second look at the ideas of progressives and berniecrats.

Were not interested in being your hot take, and despite what you think you still need us. Badly.

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Calling Progressives Alt-left Just Another Disgusting Attack by Democratic Establishment - The Ring of Fire Network