The tragedy (or missed opportunity) of the past two years is that the Biden administration, politically and legislatively, attempted to break, if not in full, with the logic and policies of neoliberalism – a logic and policies that date back to the mid-1970s. And yet, the coalition, including progressives and the left, that elected Biden, for all practical purposes, sat on its hands.

The same can’t be said about the Republican-MAGA movement. They furiously resisted Biden’s political/legislative agenda and defeated much of it, with the help of a couple of Senate Democrats.

Let’s hope that we don’t pay a steep price on election day for our inaction and more than occasional snipping at the Biden administration and Democratic legislators over the past two years.

With a few weeks to go to election day, it’s all about the Ground Game now. And every one of us can easily participate – phone calls, texting, canvassing, and more for one or another of the Democratic candidates. I live in the Bronx, but I’m participating in the get out the vote drive in the Hudson Valley, north of NYC, for two House candidates. This weekend we’re canvassing door to door in Hyde Park. Next weekend, back to familiar terrain, Kingston, an hour north of the City and sitting quietly on the Hudson.

By the way, if you haven’t already done so, make a contribution(s) to a candidate!!!

Reading Jason Stanley’s “How Fascism Works.” Well worth the time. Actually, it’s a quick read. Stanley writes with clarity and simplicity of expression, staying away from the obtuse and unfamiliar that is the stock and trade with too many academics. Back in the day when socialism was a new interest for me, I always appreciated the writing of Paul Sweezy and Harry Magdoff for precisely the same reason.

Springsteen covers Commodores’ Night Shift. The song was written in 1985 by lead singer Walter Orange in collaboration with Dennis Lambert and Franne Golde, as a tribute to soul/R&B singers Jackie Wilson and Marvin Gaye, both of whom died in 1984. A full album, honoring and covering R&B singers of that era, will be released by Springsteen in early November.

I hope to hear some of those songs and more at one of the tour stops of Springsteen and the E-Street next year. I’m still fishing around for a ticket. A tad expensive, but at my age and as a rock and roll lifer, I’m more than willing to pay the price.

Listened to this interesting exchange between President Obama and his former aides, while driving yesterday. Obama is many things, including brillient and sober minded about politics and what it will take to win.