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A great white knight (of either gender and any ethnicity), riding over the brow of the hill to save us. Thats what every progressive in Britain dreams of when their sleeping hours are not consumed by the horror that is President Donald Trump or the latest twist in the Jeremy Corbyn car-crash closer to home.

Indeed, it is what progressives in pretty much every one of the traditional Western democracies dream of. Lacking from the center-left response to the populism that has repeatedly swept away progressive parties at elections across the West has been any sign of leaders with clear messages with strong public appeal.

We progressives are, though, a battle-hardened bunch and although such a hope may console us in the sleep-deprived small hours, we know in our heads that it is too much to think dreams could become reality.

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But somehow it seems that for those hoping for a turn in the center-right tide have, in one country at least, found a potential savior. And that country is what seemed to be the unlikeliest of all: France.

The emergence of Emmanuel Macronthe charismatic banker turned non-aligned economic reformer in a sclerotic socialist government, turned centrist presidential candidate who came to London for a visit on Tuesdayhas sent shock waves through Europes established parties of the left. And although the very different electoral system in Britain makes exact read-across tricky, the Macron phenomenon should certainly be heeded by the left in Britain, and not dismissed as some sort of curious French fancy.

The first lesson to draw is that in the current political climate, competenceor at least perceived competencetrumps party label. No one is supporting Macron because of some ideological commitment to his nascent En Marche! movement. It explicitly doesnt have one. Instead, the former economy minister has gone from nowhere to 20 percent, and to a key second place in the polls because voters think he knows what he is doing.

Read more: Meet Emmanuel Macron, France's liberal Donald Trump

Secondly, Macron has hoovered up the voters that nobody wants. Its not just in Britain that right and left are in a panic about the so-called left behind who backed Brexit and Trump in great numbers. In a desperate attempt to re-connect, both ends of the spectrum are proffering their version of a closed society and economy. From Labours fumbling response to the Article 50 Brexit process, which has succeeded in convincing no one and alienating many, to the continental left jumping on the Trump anti-trade bandwagon, it has become a given that the magic bullet to electoral success is to appeal to the discontented.

Voter discontent does need addressing urgently, but the simplistic solutions offered so far have left a whole bunch of voters in the middle ground feeling like they have nowhere to go. Reasonably prosperous, internationalist in outlook, socially liberal and, crucially, better educated than the average citizen, they have two key factors as a demographic: They are growing in number and they vote. Here lies the genius of Macrons campaign. After realizing that about a quarter of the electorate would see him through to the second round where anyone but Marine Le Pen is likely to romp home, he has ruthlessly targeted the cosmopolitan elite with an unabashed commitment to Europeanism and using government to try and shape, not hide from, the economic changes to come.

His message, that the key to a better tomorrow doesnt lie with trying to turn back the clock to a better yesterday, contrasts sharply with the current Labour leaderships obsession with re-fighting the battles of the 1980s. The lack of courage on Brexit, the lack of any credible message on the economy and the sheer absence of vision of the future has allowed this electoral cohort in Britain either drift off to the centrist Liberal Democrats, hide in despair or reluctantly back Theresa Mays Tories.

The other factor that has made Macron a credible challenger is the realization that charisma does matter. It gives you profile and momentum, the two most important factors in any political campaign.

Though it is tempting for disenchanted and leaderless British progressives to hope that somewhere on the Labour backbenches, or anywhere for that matter, lies a British Macron, there are a couple of factors to bear in mind before we get overexcited.

Not least among them: Macron has been very lucky. When he entered the race many observers thought his aim was a valiant third place, eclipsing the socialists and putting down a marker for next time. The socialists did half this job for him by opting for a candidate, Benot Hamon, who couldnt have made any more explicit the clear red water between him and the new man of the center. The implosion of the conservative standard bearer, the Republicans Franois Fillon, has at least temporarily holed his opponent to the right. Frances two round presidential poll helps shooting stars, while the slow grind of Britains first past the post parliamentary system positively stymies them.

Perhaps more important is that while his energy and modernity are self-evident, it isnt quite clear what Macron actually believes. He is at pains to remind the French people that he isnt a socialist. Those on the left can only hope this is wise positioning in light of Hollandes failure. Being shiny and new wont be enough to see him through to the second round, let alone hand him the keys to the lyse. He will need to put flesh on policy bones as the campaign intensifies and it wont be easy to craft an appeal that keeps progressives happy while reaching out to the small c conservatives he needs to win.

How much happier it might have been if Macron had stuck with the socialists. Add his 20 percent to the dozen or so points the written off official socialist Hamon is getting and such a dream scenario would have seen him riding high in first place, trouncing Le Pen.

Which takes us to the biggest lesson, and conundrum of all. How can any white knight ride over the hill to save us, when between them and the electorate stand the recalcitrant forces of party members determined to virtue signal away by picking unwinnable ideologues, be it Bernie Sanders, Corbyn or Hamon? It doesnt look like the nightmare for progressives is going to end any time soon.

Matthew Laza is director of the pan European progressive think tank Policy Network and a former adviser to Ed Miliband.

Originally posted here:
British Progressives Won't Find A 'White Knight' Like Emmanuel Macron - Newsweek

Defending the Affordable Care Act from Republican efforts to repeal it was the theme Tuesday for a town hall-style event at the Columbia Activity & Recreation Center.

The event, which drew about 200 people, was presented by Missouri Jobs with Justice, CoMo for Progress and Planned Parenthood. Moderator Richard von Glahn, policy director with Missouri Jobs with Justice, said that during the week of congressional recess, no Missouri members of Congress had scheduled any public events in the state.

"It's pretty shameful," he said.

Kristen Wright, with Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill's office, read a letter from McCaskill. In the letter, McCaskill said that because of the Affordable Care Act, more than 20 million Americans have health care who did not have it previously.

"Missourians are going to hold Congress accountable, and I am going to be standing with you," Wright said, reading from McCaskill's letter. McCaskill could not make it because she was touring the U.S.-Mexico border.

Audience members shared their health care stories. Wendy Cunningham said she and her husband both lost their jobs and got coverage through the ACA marketplace. She said she needs surgery but is afraid to start it because she's afraid her health care coverage will go away.

Kimberly Kinnard said she blew out her knee when she slipped in the mud, which led to her becoming homeless.

"I had to become indigent to get Medicaid for a $12,000 knee surgery," she said. She urged everyone to fight for better health care.

Wes Knight, a pastor, said the U.S. health care system reduces people to dollar signs.

"It's about selfishness," he said. "It's about profit margin. When do lives start to matter? When are we more important than shareholders?"

Former Councilwoman Ginny Chadwick, in tears, said that after she left the Columbia City Council, she was able to get coverage through the Affordable Care Act and get the surgery she needed.

"I have the best insurance I've ever had on ACA," she said. "That's what everybody in this country should have."

Others advocated for going beyond the Affordable Care Act.

"I'm in favor of single-payer health care," said Roy Hartley. "We have this broken system. Stand up and say we want single-payer."

Andy Quint, medical director of the Family Health Center, said some politicians seem to think Medicaid does not matter.

"Having Medicaid or other insurance really, really matters," Quint said. "Single-payer is the way to go. A lot of physicians support single-payer. For now we have to hang on to what we have."

Eva Petahovic said many in the audience should run for office.

"Most of us can become candidates ourselves," she said.

Scott Fines said his son was born with a pre-existing condition, but because he was born in 2014 under the ACA, his costs for treatment were covered. He said officeholders are disregarding their constituents.

"These representatives believe that we are small," he said. "We are not small, and we are not silent, and we will not be ignored."

The town hall was the latest in a string of public events in Columbia where progressives have assembled to protest Republican policies and push for liberal policy priorities, with the next planned for today. Fines told the audience to turn out this morning as Republican U.S. Reps. Vicky Hartzler and Blaine Luetkemeyer participate in the Columbia Chamber of Commerce/U.S. Chamber of Commerce Financial Services Roundtable at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center. He said the meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. but asked audience members to be there by 9:30.

"We're not invited, but we're going to be there anyway," Fines said.

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Progressives voice support for ACA - Columbia Daily Tribune

Edward Joffe and Leon Kanner were inseparable friends studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. But that all changed on a fateful February day in 1969, when members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine bombed a SuperSol supermarket, ending the lives of both young men. So, youll understand my anger and revulsion when I saw the convicted mastermind of the terror attack, Rasmea Odeh, standing with Representative Jan Schakowsky as she addressed an anti-travel ban rally in Chicago last month.

Odeh served 10 years in an Israeli prison before being released in a large-scale prisoner swap. She was also convicted of attempting to blow up the British consulate. Her trial was deemed fair by the International Red Cross, but today she is regarded as a victim of Zionist aggressiona darling of the Progressive movement and a jewel in their crown of contempt for the Jewish state.

Marc Lamont Hill, Professor of African American Studies at Morehouse College and another up-and-coming Progressive leader, proudly voices his solidarity with Odeh and his allegiance to Dream Defenders, the Black Lives Matter offshoot that embraces anti-Semitism and engages with terrorists. During a 2016 trip to the Palestinian territories, the group was led around East Jerusalem by convicted terrorist and member of thePopular Front for the Liberation of Palestine,Mahmoud Jedda. Jedda served 17 years in Israeli prison for planting bombs.

The Odeh lovefest continues next month, when anti-Israel Progressive advocacy group Jewish Voice for Peacewill feature the convicted killer at their National Member Meeting. Odeh first made U.S. headlines in October 2014 after failing to mention her terror ties when she applied for naturalization and obtained U.S. citizenship. She was found guilty the following month and, since that time, has enjoyed the benefits of the U.S. judicial system appeals process that granted her a new trial this past December.

Both Odeh and Jedda have blood on their handsJewish blood, to be precise. This is what makes these more recent developments so troubling. Full disclosure: I served as a senior adviser for a political campaign against Rep. Schakowsky in 2010. At that time, we raised the issue of Schakowskys featuring UPI journalist Helen Thomas at a fundraiser. The late standard bearer of the White House press corps was notorious for her disdain for the Jewish state. But I could never have imagined that the congresswoman, who represents one of the largest Jewish constituencies in the country, would be willing to share the stage with a killer.

If a GOP official shared the stage with a convicted terrorist or notorious anti-Semite, The New York Times would feature the story on the front page for at least a week. But when Democrats consort with hate, its swept under the rug.

For over a decade, a growing number of college campuses have become fertile ground for anti-Semitism, courtesy of the intersectionality of the Progressive movement.

United against Israel, activists for LGBTQ rights, gender equality and anti-war efforts, joined by Black Lives Matter, have been hijacked by anti-Israel student groups who not only attack the Jewish state, but do so under the guise of their new code word for demonizing JewsZionists.

Anti-Semitism watchdog groups such as AMCHA Initiative have documented that the likelihood of anti-Semitic incidents occurring on campuses with anti-Israel activity is nearly 100 percent. Anti-Israel activism doesnt necessarily equate with anti-Semitismin theory. But dont hold your breath while you try to discern the difference.

Since about lunchtime on January 20, the mainstream media has decided to take an interest in anti-Semitism. But you wont see them reporting the Progressive/anti-Semitism alliance. Rather, they are focused solely on President Trump and the anti-Semitic activity being spewed in his name by neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

These bigots have been promoting hate long before Trump was president. Granted, I wish the president would be more vocal about condemning their rhetoric. But in contrast to this president, whose daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren are observant Jews, Im far more concerned with a media that ignores genuine hate promulgated by leftist professors and student groups on college campuses, as well as intersectionality that turns nearly every leftist rally into an anti-Zionist hate fest.

With President Trump at odds with the media, to put it mildly, we find ourselves inundated with reminders of how important a free press is to our democracy. I share this reverence for the First Amendment. But what good is a free press if theyre just as agenda-driven as the politicians and community leaders theyre supposed to be keeping honest and accountable?

Paul Miller is president and executive director of the news and public policy group Haym Salomon Center. Follow him on twitter @pauliespoint.

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Media Ignores Disturbing Alliance Between 'Progressives' and Anti-Semites - Observer

At his press conference last week, President Trump tongue-lashed a Jewish reporter who innocently asked about an uptick in anti-Semitism. The president instructed him to be quiet, denouncing the question as repulsive.

It wasnt until yesterday that Trump denounced an outbreak of threats against Jewish community centers as horrible and painful. In remarks made following a tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture he said such threats are a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil.

That response came a month into his administration, which had until then been rather clueless about what is not just an uptick in anti-Semitism but a surge, not only abroad but throughout America.

Here in Massachusetts, the Anti-Defamation League reports that the number of anti-Semitic incidents from vandalism to online cyber hate was greater in 2016 than in 2014 and 2015 combined.

For several decades after World War II, American anti-Semitism was largely the domain of those who lived under rocks. It then leeched into the comment sections of websites. It has now emerged into the daylight, generally advanced by individuals who claim stoutly that the last thing they are is anti-Semitic. There is extant a kind of anti-Semitic pincer movement.

From one flank there is a witches brew of the alt-right from the barely to totally unhinged neo-nationalists and de facto white supremacists enabled by millions more who stand behind them.

The other flank is a noxious stew of Islamic extremists and those who indulge them and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, or BDS, crowd, a Palestinian-based umbrella group devoted to the elimination of Israel but clever about the way they package their efforts for public consumption. Indeed, when it comes to the targeting of Israel, both flanks often find themselves working in concert, a marriage not only of strange bedfellows but of the vile and the misguided.

One prominent Democrat who has given the BDSers the back of this hand is New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio. There are plenty of people who support BDS who...call themselves progressives, DeBlasio said last summer. Defending Israel is a matter from my point of view as a progressive consistent with progressive values.

In Massachusetts, dozens of state legislators have signed onto a bill introduced by state Sen. Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) that would place Massachusetts taxpayers on record as standing up to the effort to strangle the Jewish state. The legislation would require those seeking to be subsidized with state contracts to certify that they will not refuse to do business with someone based upon their race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Some on the left, who are fine with every other aspect of the bill, object to it because it would also require those seeking state money to agree not to discriminate against Israelis. They argue that the bill violates the First Amendment because it would chill the rights of those who want to boycott Israel.

Of course, it does no such thing. Those who wish to boycott Israel, like those who wish to make racist comments or discriminate in their private lives, may still do so. But that doesnt translate into a right to demand that the commonwealth of Massachusetts subsidize their discrimination with taxpayer dollars. In effect, the opponents of the bill find themselves in what should be the embarrassing position of seeking to create a safe space for discrimination against the Jewish state, and to make Massachusetts taxpayers their accomplices.

Of course, the bills opponents would also make Massachusetts workers their victims. A study by Stax, Inc., a research firm, found that Israeli-founded businesses generate significant revenue and jobs in Massachusetts. According to Stax, Israeli-founded companies provided over $18 billion in economic benefit to the commonwealth in 2015, employed 9,000 people here and supported an additional 27,000 jobs.

The BDS crowd, of course, could not care less. Their mission is to pull wool over eyes. With any luck, and a bit of homework on their part, Massachusetts legislators will not be snookered. The Creem bill is one which deserves support and particularly the support of those who take their progressivism seriously.

Jeff Robbins, an attorney in Boston, is former chief counsel to the minority of the U. S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

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Robbins: Time for 'progressives' to prove it - Boston Herald

Local progressives werent expecting Rep. Tom Reed to radically change his views on issues like health care, abortion and President Donald Trump at his town hall sessions throughout the Southern Tier Saturday, and the Republican congressman didnt surprise.

Although some felt Reed sidestepped their questions, they appreciated Reed holding the public meetings at all especially amid turmoil at other similar GOP sessions held across the country recently and were moderately optimistic about pushing their agendas in the future.

While he certainly said a lot of things that were troubling and problematic his regular talking points on a lot of issues he did say some things that led me to believe we might have some room for dialogue and lobbying and maybe coming to some places of agreement, said Chris Stanley, a St. Bonaventure University professor who's organized recent meetings for local progressives.

Reeds four town halls Saturday, which were attended by several hundred people, often turned into wide-ranging discussions with several moments of shouting and even confrontations between attendees with opposing views. Reed told the Times Herald after his Humphrey town hall that he felt the session, while chaotic at times, included real conversation.

While Reed mostly fit Stanleys expectations, the professor said he was glad to hear Reed say prescription drug costs are a problem, that Social Security tax receipts should not be used for anything other than paying Social Security benefits, and that he supports refinancing student loans at lower rates.

Sometimes he simply stated his viewpoint and that was that, but there were a couple points where he tried to engage in more dialogue, particularly over social security and student loan issues, and I respected him for that, Stanley said.

Holly Scordo, an Olean resident who attended Reeds Great Valley town hall, said while she doesnt agree with the congressman, she was impressed he tried to discuss agreeable issues.

He certainly has some ideas hes not going to shift on and compromise on, his core beliefs, and that's OK, but I did feel he was trying to find the things most people could agree on, she said.

However, some felt Reed was unwilling to have discussions on other issues, like abortion. Jennifer Greenidge, a town of Olean resident who attended Reeds Humphrey session because she feels womens reproductive rights are being eroded, said Reed dodged a question about what hed do to ensure women can make personal reproductive health care decisions.

He turned it into why hes pro-life, which did not answer the question, Greenidge said.

Still, with some Republican congressmen refusing to hold town halls amid the testy political climate since Trumps inauguration, Greenidge said she gives Reed credit for showing up.

Jil St. Ledger-Roty, of Franklinville, left disappointed there wasnt enough time at the Humphrey town hall for other topics shes concerned about, like race relations, nuclear tensions and potential threats to public education and the Environmental Protection Agency.

You cant do that kind of thing in an hour. There are just too many questions people had, she said.

Stanley wished for a more orderly discussion, rather than some resorting to yelling. The nature of the crowd led Reed to forgo answering written questions attendees filled out beforehand so he could speak with those who raised their hands or, in some cases, shouted out.

Perhaps some of the people, who are not as vocal and whose thoughts and questions might have had good points, didnt get to be heard or answered, Stanley said.

However, progressives were encouraged by the participation this weekend. Many said they and others had never before attended a town hall because, in a heavily conservative county like Cattaraugus, they feared they would be in the minority. They said something has changed locally since Trumps election, with a number of residents speaking out politically for the first time.

I cant tell you how many people I have met and spoke to in the last three months who have never done anything politically (but now) because they're just horrified they cant keep quiet anymore, said St. Ledger-Roty, who resolved after Election Day to do something political, like attending rallies, making phone calls and writing letters, once a day.

Stanley joked Trump was the best thing that ever happened to progressives in our area. Stanley, who organized anti-war meetings during the Iraq War, said the response to Trump tops anything hes seen in his 17 years in the Olean area.

I think it does give a sense of hope and empowerment to those of us who clearly seem to be of a numerical minority in this county and a sense that we can work together for good and not simply have to sit back and feel weak and powerless, he said.

Stanley said he hopes to work with local conservatives by appealing to their needs, admitting he feels the Democratic Party has for years neglected the working class and the poor.

Both progressives and conservatives, he said, need to stop making assumptions about each other and look past their ideological blinders. At Saturdays town hall in Humphrey, Stanley was approached by a Trump supporter who accused him of being a baby killer because hes a progressive.

I said, No, not at all. Im anti-abortion. I really support Catholic social teachings. Im not a Catholic, but I really agree down the board with Catholic social teachings. He said, You do? Stanley recalled. I think one of the problems with our current system is people on both sides speak this kind of way about each other of being mindless people following their leaders. I said, Im a thoughtful person and youre a thoughtful person. We dont need to talk about each other that way.

Although conservatives were in the minority at the town halls, he was glad a few of them spoke up Saturday, he added.

I think it was right and courageous for them to speak up when they were the minority, just like in the past its been some of us whove needed to be courageous to speak up, he said.

Scordo said although shed like a progressive to beat Reed in the 2018 election, she likes that Reed is willing to listen to people and she hopes he becomes a part of a more moderate GOP.

I really hope this empowers people on both sides to become more involved with politics, she said. We need to question the people who are hired to represent us. We hire them, pay their salaries. We need to be making sure they do what they're supposed to do.

Local progressives next public meeting will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the John Ash Community Center in Olean.

(Contact reporter Tom Dinki at tdinki@oleantimesherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @tomdinki)

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Progressives moderately optimistic after Tom Reed town hall - Olean Times Herald