A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us at Daily Kos every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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If you'd like to join a group, click on a point and a box will pop up showing contact links.
If you'd like to start a group, contact navajo for instructions.
View Interactive Map of Daily Kos Regional Communities in a full screen version.
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Who's Your Favorite Economist ?
What ... ? Of course you have a favorite economist. Daily Kos is a political site, right ? Politics and economics are inseparable; politics is about economics. Here's one of my favorites, Nouriel Roubini, from his book Crisis Economics: A Crash Course in the Future of Finance:
None of these questions are hypothetical. John Maynard Keynes, a giant of twentieth-century economics, once rightly observed that "the ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed, the world is ruled by little else ... Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back" Keynes wrote those oft-quoted words more than seventy years ago, but they are equally pertinent today.
They used to call Roubini "Dr. Doom" because he predicted the '08 financial crisis. The economist he's quoting, John Maynard Keynes, would be a good candidate for anyone's favorite. He believed in government spending to put money in people's pockets during hard times. People who believe that, called "Keynesians" are out of favor now. The first economist I ever became aware of was John Kenneth Galbraith. He wrote a book called "The Affluent Society" that was much talked about when I was young. The first economist I ever studied seriously was Adam Smith. I read his classic
The Wealth of Nations in my twenties. I thought it was a great book, still do. He published the first volume of
Wealth ... in 1776, which was a noteworthy year here in America. Smith didn't know how the American Revolution was going to come out but he speculated that, if the Colonies didn't separate, the King would have to move his capital from London to America just because of the size of the continent. Here's what Adam Smith had to say about monopolies:
“The interest of the dealers, however, in any particular branch of trade or manufacture, is always in some respects different from, and even opposite to, that of the public. To widen the market and to narrow the competition is always the interest of the dealers. To widen the market may frequently be agreeable enough to the interest of the public; but to narrow the competition must always be against it, and can serve only to enable the dealers, by raising their profits above what they naturally would be, to levy, for their own benefit, an absurd tax upon the rest of their fellow-citizens.”
"Free Market" conservatives used to claim to be followers of Adam Smith. I'm pretty sure they never read his book, or maybe they cherry-pick it like they do the Bible. In a free, or
deregulated market, the goal of all companies is to merge with and acquire one another so they can enjoy monopoly prices. They like to be free from competition. There are very few outright monopolies, but most of our consumer spending goes to oligopolies, in every sector of the economy.
The most influential economist of the Twentieth Century was Karl Marx, even though he wrote, and died, in the Nineteenth. The most influential economist right now, in the Twenty-first Century is, undoubtedly, Milton Friedman, The Man Who Made the Kool-Aid. Uncle Milty was the prophet of Neoliberalism. We're all living under Neoliberalism now and it's bipartisan. The leaders of both major political parties are captives of the simple-minded nostrums of Free Market economics. We see it in operation in our country, our states and our cities. It's Rahm Emanuel shutting down public schools in Chicago, it's Ducey and Brownback defunding state governments in Arizona and Kansas, it's President Obama appealing to Republicans for "fast-track" authority to pass international "Free Trade" agreements. It's all about deregulation and privatization, and it's profoundly, fundamentally anti-democratic. When you think about it, there is no democracy without government. We don't get to vote for CEOs or the members of corporate boards. Neoliberalism aims to take government out of the equation, to "get the govenment off our backs," as the Gipper used to say. When there is no government, we have no say.
After 2008, when it became obvious that something was amiss in the financial sector, my interest in economics was renewed. I've been reading the stuff like mad for the last few years. My favorite economists are the ones pointing out the problems with Neoliberalism, with "free" markets and "free" trade. Yves Smith is one such. I read her book Econned and I read her blog, naked capitalism, every morning. Here's the final paragraph of Econned:
“That brings us to the final outcome of this debacle. A radical campaign to reshape popular opinion recognized the seductive potential of the appealing phrase ‘free markets.’ Powerful business interests, largely captive regulators and officials, and a lapdog media took up this amorphous, malleable idea and made it a Trojan horse for a three-decade-long campaign to tear down the rules that constrained the financial sector. The result has been a massive transfer of wealth, with its centerpiece the greatest theft from the public purse in history. This campaign has been too consistent and calculated to brand it with the traditional label, ‘spin.’ This manipulation of public perception can only be called propaganda. Only when we, the public, are able to call the underlying realities by their proper names – extortion, capture, looting, propaganda – can we begin to root them out.”
Joseph Stiglitz is one on the good guys. I've read a couple of his books,
Globalization and Its Discontents, pre-crash, and
Freefall: America, Free Markets, and the Sinking of the World Economy, after. I read
The Predator State by James K. Galbraith, the son of John Kenneth. That's where I learned about sectoral balances and why
the Federal budget can't be balanced. Robert Reich is a good explainer and Paul Krugman has his moments, but my new favorite economist is Michael Hudson. His book on Neoliberalism,
Finance Capitalism and Its Discontents (They love that Freudian title.) had a profound effect on my thinking and I can't wait to read his new one,
Killing the Host.
So there you have it, economists I have read. I hope it's not too difficult a subject for a Tuesday morning, and that I haven't written too much. What's up with y'all this morning and ...
Who's Your Favorite Economist ?
Latest Updates on Regional Meet-Up News Can
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
List of All Existing Meatspace Groups
Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
Kossacks Receive Warm Welcome from Embassy Staff
by Thinking Fella ♥ for Four Corners Kossacks
Thinking Fella's doing everything right to grow his group in Durango. Regularly scheduled meet-ups. Exciting, might I say, EPIC meet-ups to draw much needed attention. A former Precinct Captain, he recently won a position on his local Democratic Party Executive Committee. He's charmingly endeared himself to all who attend his meet-ups and those he chats with online. Yep. Doing everything right. PLUS, he writes very entertaining diaries to enthuse his locals to attend, such as the one for this meet-up: Four Corners Kossacks Meet-up: International Diplomatic Outreach. Great job, Thinking Fella! Keep those Durgangotangs hopping!
Here's one photo:
L-R: Thinking Fella, red moon dog, relleno, Mrs. relleno, ERRN, Gary Norton, nzanne & HeroMachine
Please visit
Thinking Fella's diary for many MORE photos plus delicious food pr0n! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join
Four Corners Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to
Thinking Fella.
by Egberto Willies ♥ for TexKos
by Chrislove ♥ for TexKos
We had a fantastic meet-up that will energize me for months to come. We had 80 of the most intrepid Texans to date. They braved extremely rare ice storms north of Austin. Bridges and major highways into Austin were closed the morning of our event.
The extreme weather was truly a problem but it was nice to see those who were able to show up. And based on the comments of the two diaries below, many attendees were equally energized and empowered.
All and all, it was a great day! Thanks to nomandates and Chrislove for helping to organize.
FTR: I was in Austin at exactly the same time in 2013 for the inaugural Texas Kos State Meet-up. I got a sunburn at the Zilker Park Kite Festival the next day. It was a gorgeous sunny day.
Here's one photo:
TexKos-Messing with Texas with nothing but love for Texans
Please visit Egberto's and Chrislove's diaries for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC both diaries. You can join TexKos by sending a Kosmail to nomandates.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast the date of your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, April 4th
Nashville KosKats Meet-up
TIME: 3:30 PM
LOCATION: Bunganut Pig
1143 Columbia Ave • Franklin
ORGANIZER: Send ZenTrainer a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. ZenTrainer
2. Anonymous 1
3. Anonymous 2
4. Anonymous 3
5. Anonymous 4
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Nashville Koskats!! Action and Meet-up Diary
April 17th-19th, 2015
Democrats Abroad - Mexico, are having their Annual Meeting
Friday, April 17th: Reception in Ajijic
TIME: 5:30-7:00 PM
Tom Guild, a congressional candidate from Oklahoma, is the special guest.
LOCATION: [private residence] Lake Chapala
Saturday, April 18th: Annual meeting and elections in Chapala
TIME: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cash bar at 2:00 PM, Lunch at 3:00 PM
TIME: 7:00 PM
Randy Noojan’s HARD TRAVELIN’ WITH WOODY GUTHRIE at the Club Exotica in Ajijic
Sunday, April 19th: Movie “Iron Jawed Angels” at the Cinemas del Lago in Ajijic,
TIME: 01:30 PM
Cost: $38.
LOCATION: Hotel Villa Montecarlo
Hidalgo 296 • Chapala
ORGANIZER: Send roberb7 a kosmail if you have questions
RSVPs:
1. roberb7
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, April 18th
San Francisco Kos Welcomes blue jersey mom to Town
Potluck style BBQ
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: kimoconnor's garden
[Address given privately to RSVPs] • San Francisco
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. blue jersey mom
2. navajo - [2 bottles of wine]
3. side pocket
4. Mrs. side pocket
5. maggiejean
6. kimoconnor
7. dharmasyd
8. norm
9. remembrance
10. Glen The Plumber
11. TLO
12. Lorikeet
13. dsb
14. FogCityJohn
15. boatsie - [kitcherie]
16. lineatus
17. LaughingPlanet - [non-alcoholic beverages]
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Maybees:
slksfca
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Saturday, April 25th
Dallas Kos Meet-up!
Why: Margaritas, fajitas, burritos and other fine quality progressive company!
Part of the plan: discussing creating a "taskforce" of people ready to swoop down on the county courthouse when marriage equality reaches Texas to greet happy couples with roses and banners celebrating the new recognition of their unions!
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Uncle Julio's Mexican Restaurant
4125 Lemmon Ave • Dallas
ORGANIZER: Send AndyT a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. AndyT
2.
3.
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Maybees:
tom 47
Chrislove
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Latest diary: Dallas Kossacks Meet Up April 25th
Saturday, April 25th
DAILY KOS CONNECTS KANSAS CITY
Our first regional Daily Kos gathering.
Join us for a day of camaraderie and progressive strategizing with Big Orange flavor. In a day-long seminar, learn how our Connect! Unite! Act! team maximized the Daily Kos forum to effect change in Kansas state politics. We are going to duplicate that effort across the nation. Participants will focus on organizing from the ground up.
You'll also get a chance to meet the blog's founder, Markos Moulitsas and some of the Daily Kos staff:
• Meteor Blades, Senior Political Writer — The Value of Year Round Precinct Organizing
• Jen Hayden, Social Media Editor
• Neeta Lind aka navajo, Director of Community Building — How to Maximize the Daily Kos Forum
• Joan McCarter, Senior Political Writer — Online to on-the-ground Activism
• David Nir, Political Director — Midwest Politics and the Future
• Will Rockafellow, General Manager
• Monique Teal, Activism Team Member — Interview with Patricia Bynes
• Markos will give a preview of DK5, our new upgraded site plus an Ask Me Anything session
Special Guest Speakers:
• Patricia Bynes, Ferguson Township Committeewoman — The Next Steps Between Issue Organizing and Electoral Action
• Chris Reeves, Connect! Unite! Act! for Kansas & Missouri — Update on Kansas/Missouri Politics
• Jacob Wagner, Director of Urban Studies at UMKC — The future is urban: Kansas City region and the implications for state/national politics
TIME: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Alamo Drafthouse
1400 Main Street • Kansas City
SCHEDULE:
8:00 AM - Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 AM - Presentations, panels and Q&A's begin
Noon - Lunch served
1:30 PM - More presentations, panels and Q&A's
6:00 PM - After Party at nearby Anton's Taproom & Restaurant. We've reserved their Beer Garden, you'll need a wristband from the day event to get in.
REGISTER HERE: $30 registration fee at Eventbrite
Space will be limited to 200 seats.
Register now to secure your seat.
Benefactor level is also available if you plan to attend and buy a scholarship for someone, you and your attendee can have a front row seat. Angel level is also available if you can't attend but want to help someone else attend.
We've granted two scholarships! We have five more scholarships available thanks to our Benefactors and Angels. Please kosmail navajo if you need a scholarship to attend. |
Grow our network, unite our progressive communities, help win elections!
Friday Night Pre-event party for Out-of-Towners and Interested Locals:
Location and time: TBD
Sunday Brunch for Out-of-Towners and Interested Locals:
Location and time: TBD
Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, 2015
DKos Asheville's Roadtrip and Two-Day Retreat to Roanoke, Virginia
From randallt:
After seven successful and engaging meet ups, DKos Asheville's core members decided to take our next gathering on the road. The first reason was that our chef and benefactor for all our meet ups has been Gordon20024 and we wanted say thanks by traveling to be with him instead of having him drive to be with us. We asked and he was thrilled and so the idea was born. Another reason is that it offers us the opportunity to meet more Kossacks from around the region including Virginia and parts of North Carolina to the north and east of us.
Grow our network, grow our community, help win elections.
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TIME: 1:00 pm Saturday till 1:00 pm Sunday
LOCATION: Hotel Roanoke, Conference Center
110 Shenandoah Avenue • Roanoke
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. gordon20024
2. davehouck
3. randallt
4. Joieau
5. LamontCranston
6. Steerler Grrl
7. Steeler Guy
8. Otteray Scribe
9. DawnN
10. emmasnacker
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DKos Asheville: Open Thread
May 2nd, SAVE THE DATE
5th Annual Baja Arizona Kossacks Picnic
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Garfield Park
Tombstone Canyon Rd. • Bisbee
ORGANIZER: Send Azazello a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Azazello
2. ItsaMathJoke
3. rasbobbo
4. ramara
5. sneakers563
6. DaNang65
7. Bisbonian
8. itzadryheat
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Maybees:
2many2list |
Latest diary: Baja Arizona Kossacks Open Thread: 5th Annual Picnic
June 26, 27 & 28th, 2015
EPIC Glacier National Park Meet-up II
ACTIVITIES:
June 26: TBD
June 27: TBD
June 28:
Day - TBD
Evening - 5:00 PM, BBQ potluck with Jen Hayden at the lower picnic area at the Historic Tamarack Lodge, 9549 U.S. 2, Hungry Horse, MT 59919. Entertainment at 6:00 PM by Truckstop Honeymoon
TIME: 24/7
LOCATION: Exact location inside park TBD
[Address] • Glacier National Park
ORGANIZER: Send Ojibwa a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Ojibwa
2. state of confusion
3. Thinking Fella
4. side pocket
5. Mrs. side pocket
6. navajo
7. jakedog42
8. paradise50
9. Jen Hayden for 6/28 only
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Maybees:
woolibaar
NormAl1792
markdd
peregrine kate
Joan McCarter
mcmom
dharmasyd
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Latest diaries:
• A 2015 Glacier National Park Meetup?
• The 2015 EPIC Glacier Park Meet Up: Travel and Lodging
• The EPIC 2015 Glacier National Park Meet Up: Camping
• The 2015 EPIC Glacier National Park Meet Up: Tours
Announcing Asheville, North Carolina as the location
for our next Regional Event! 9.26.15
Asheville, N.C. is the destination for September 26, 2015! DKos Asheville, the In-Real-Life group under the leadership of randallt, has been setting the example for other IRL groups across the nation regarding registering people to vote, getting out the vote, having a state open thread and setting up strategy conferences for their region. Because of this impressive leadership we've asked randallt to be the State Leader for all of North Carolina. We've got important work to do on the ground there and randallt has shown he's the person to make that happen.
All states are welcome to attend this event and if you do you can expect to meet Markos Moulitsas in person, as well as some of the Daily Kos staff. More details regarding this regional event will be shared in the future so please stay tuned to Connect! Unite! Act!
For now, SAVE THE DATE and spread the word!
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.