Democracy – RobinCravey

New birth of freedom

I’ve been working on a rewrite of the Constitution. Several writers have plowed the ground, outlining the issues and some paths forward. I had to think the problem through.

We are at the point with our Constitution that the Founders were at as the Articles of Confederation were breaking down. Our Constitution is breaking down. Those brilliant men in convention in Philadelphia put together a solution that held for over 200 years (with the assist of the savior of the union). Where are we going to find brilliant men- and women- like that?

I’ve been reading the Federalist Papers. Three of the conventioneers– Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay– wrote a series of articles explaining the defects of the confederation and urging the benefits of a federal republic. Their arguments still ring true. And now we have almost two and a half centuries of experience to inform our understanding of the situation we are in.

We know the defects of our Constitution on a very practical level. But we also know the sound foundation on which the defects have wreaked their havoc. We don’t have to start over completely. It’s an interesting challenge.

I can’t resist. I want to give it a try. I want to design a structure to function without the defects. That’s what I’m trying to do- write a first draft of the new constitution. I’m already on draft five, but when I let it out, that will be the first draft. Ideas welcome.

Robin Cravey

Decline and Fall

There is a specter stalking America. It is the specter of Totalitarianism. This specter inhabits the body of a demonic demagogue. But it is supported by mobs of the unthinking, the amoral, the ambitious, and the avaricious. It is opposed by a quavering line of political time servers wondering how much they must risk to stop the destruction.

The destruction continues apace. The demagogue and his henchmen unilaterally disarm the nation’s intelligence services, stand down our defenses against foreign influence, discontinue our efforts to root out the manufactured lies and myths infecting our discourse, give a green light to corruption. The demagogue cavorts across the globe, bullying our friends, befriending bullies, betraying the free people fighting a menacing dictator overseas. He exploits every weakness and buried flaw in our constitutional system to seize power.

What is an alarmed citizenry to do? The long game is to rethink our political organization and governmental structures. Even our philosophy of society. But the immediate crisis requires us to go to the barricades. Will we fight as hard for our freedom as the embattled peoples in Ukraine? As hard as American soldiers once fought in the trenches of a burning Europe?

The first order is to choose the real leaders among our political classes. Who will stand and fight? Who will advance? Rally behind them.

Running series — Democrat at the Breakfast Table

Afterthoughts

There’s no way to sugarcoat that election. It was a whuppin.

The newspapers are full of analysis. The Democrats didn’t understand, or they did it wrong, and here’s what they should have done, and finally, here’s what they must do. There’s a lot that needs to be said, and a lot that just wants to be said.

I’ll just say a few things. Here’s my answer to the question I posed in July. I’m sorry to say that Biden choosing Harris as his running mate was one of his mistakes. This is not because she was unworthy. It was because Biden chose someone he did not have confidence in to carry forward. That inflated his conceit that only he could do it. It also reduced his party to tongue-tied indecision.

Kamala, for her part, ran a spirited campaign, but one obviously missing any forethought. She was light on her feet and did a creditable job of making it up as she went along. That wasn’t enough.

I can’t say much about how Trump won. I do know that a majority of voters were willing to risk the destruction of our democracy in order to get off the track we’re on now. That should be clarifying.

What can we do? In the short term, compromise where we can, resist where we must, and fight where we have the people with us. But we have some big long-term work to do. Thinking to do. First we must think philosophically, then strategically, then intentionally, and then tactically. Don’t rush this. It’s important.

Kamala Harris for President

Kamala Harris has risen brilliantly to the opportunity that fate has given her. She began her short race for president with a smile that outshone the sun, giving the country new hope. She has laid out her case for election deliberately, forcefully, and convincingly.

Her case is a good one. First, and it must be said first, her opponent is a malignant man of the worst character and the most dangerous ambition. She, in contrast, is a dedicated public servant with strong patriotic values. Second, her vision for the country is one of reconciliation and modest but solid advancement. Third, she has been part of an administration that has already accomplished landmark advancement toward the country’s goals.

It is the duty of all citizens of good will to turn out to vote for this remarkable stateswoman. While in the booth, we must also vote for Democrats for Congress, to give the future President Harris the majority to accomplish great things. Let there be no doubt on November 6 that this country has chosen the path of freedom, democracy, and progress.

Joe Biden bows out

At the last minute, and after anguished pleas from many Democrats and many more Americans, Joe Biden has withdrawn from the presidential race. At last, without admitting it, he has acquiesced to the reality that his age is catching up to him. This was the reality that Americans were worried about for the last two years and terrified about for the last month.

He has acted when it is very late in the season, when there is almost no time for an open nominating process. So, the party has thrown itself at Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsing her to take on Lying Devil Donald Trump. I’m optimistic. I think she can take the old blowhard. I liked her in 2020, but she couldn’t perform. Then she stumbled through her first two years as vice president. But now, she seems to have found her footing.

I was never a fan of Joe Biden, the Senator from Big Credit. His long career in the Senate contained as many mistakes as successes. Then he turned out to be a very successful president, producing landmark achievements for the Democratic Party and for the country, including bold new programs on climate change, infrastructure improvement, and economic reform.

But even in success, Biden was undermining his legacy. His first big mistake was letting Kamala Harris flounder for two years. His second big mistake was deciding to run for a second term. His third big mistake was refusing to face reality until it was too late for the party to make a considered nomination. Now, we’ll see if his selection of Harris for vice president was one of his successes, or one of his mistakes.

Onward by rail

Why do I ride the rails? First, because it’s the mode of travel that contributes least to the destruction of the natural world. Second, because it’s miles better than the flying torture chambers of the airlines. Third, because it’s much less work than driving. Most of all, because it restores romance to the sense of travel. It’s adventure!

I had a hard time sleeping this trip, going north. My insomnia is unpredictable. My trip going south, crossing different track during the night, I slept well in the roomette. Can’t say much for sleeping in coach: it’s possible.

Think about all those train stations named Union. Remember that President Lincoln, while he was wrestling with a civil war, promoted the building of the first coast to coast track that tied the Union together. We can do it again.

Look for upcoming adventures:

The rolling stock; The tracks; The politics; The funding; The cost; The alternatives.

The routes, Austin to Providence

Providence is about 1600 miles from Austin. By air it takes about five hours. By car it takes about 30 hours. By train it takes about 60 hours. That’s three days and two nights.

Take a look at the route map. First, notice that there is a gap in the network along the Gulf Coast. That section was taken out by Hurricane Katrina. It is scheduled for restoration this year. Something the map doesn’t show is that on most routes, the train only runs once a day, and not fast, either. It’s a skeletal system.

To fly between Providence and Austin can cost: basic economy under $200; first class about $500. To ride between Providence and Austin can cost: coach, under $300; business, up from $300. Here’s the kicker. You’re going to be on the train for two nights. You want a room. A roomette adds about $500 per night, or $1000.

You can compromise by riding coach one night and sleeper one night. That’s what I did this trip. Or, you can fly part way and take the train part way. I’ve done that, riding the Acela to Washington and flying from there. That’s pretty easy, and comfortable—a one-day trip, no overnight.

How about one overnight and a shorter flight?

Here’s something I want to try next. I could fly to Chicago and ride the sleeper from there. I like the crew on the Texas Eagle, and I’d like to see them again. But the tracks have some rough patches. And the dining is decent but not great.

Amtrak pulled all the full service diners for all the trains during covid, or so I’m told. Since then, they’ve restored full service dining to some trains, but not the Texas Eagle.

Or, I could ride the sleeper down to Jacksonville and fly from there. The Silver Star runs from Washington to Florida. And the Silver Star has full dining.

The Crescent runs from New York to New Orleans. If I get off in Atlanta, I can get a direct flight to Austin. Or, I can ride all the way to New Orleans. Then the Sunset Limited to San Antonio and the Texas Eagle into Austin. I don’t know how well the connections match up. I could fly from New Orleans.

So, there are choices to check out.

Providence Amtrak/MBTA Station.

The station in Providence is a modest version of the grand stations in Washington and Chicago with high ceilings, a nice concourse, and a café. But the train platforms are downstairs, under the station, and everything down there looks gray with soot and grime.

Providence Station is the reason I had to pick up my bags in Washington and carry them onto the Acela. Providence refuses to provide baggage check service.

On board the Acela

The Acela is America’s answer to high-speed rail. It runs from Boston to Washington at speeds up to 140 mph.

The trainsets are fairly new and electric-powered, with leather seats (though gray). The luggage bins above the seats have doors like in an airliner. As with all trains, big windows run down both sides, featuring the outside world rolling by. There’s a quiet car where talking and phone use are forbidden.

The café car is minimal, with seven stools lined up to narrow counters. It’s not a place to linger, though three people are seated on stools working on laptops right now.

As we settle into our seats, I hear the man behind me leaving a voicemail, saying, I’m on the train, and I’ll be making calls for the next several hours…”

It’s irritating. He is as good as his word, making one phone call after another. I turn to my seatmate and comment on being a captive audience to someone’s phone calls. She agrees and says some people don’t understand how rude it is. Our words fall on deaf ears.

Acela high speed deluxe — Robin rides in style on the Acela.

Union Station, Washington DC

Tracks here are outside, and the platforms are fairly clean.

Union Station here is built on the same grand scale as in Chicago, with similar shabby adaptations. The main hall is filled with little concessions.

I have to claim my bags, because the Acela does not have baggage check. I hire a red cap to run me over to the train.