Hartmann: Neoliberalism and the Democratic Party

In this clip he highlights how neoliberalism is at odds with progressivism in the Party. He gives as an example how the neoliberals proposed an infrastructure package versus the progressive package. 

He defines neoliberalism as follows: Free trade, austerity, tax cuts, deregulation and privatization. And that agenda has only worked out for corporations and the rich, as intended. Whereas progressive policies are designed to work out for everyone, including corporations and the rich, just with a fairer balance and redistribution in the economy. 

He concludes that who wins this internal Party battle will determine what sort of society we end up living in: "If the neoliberals win this country will slide deeper into oligarchy and the strongman kind of government necessary to enforce it like Russian or Hungary. On the other hand if the progressives win then I think we have a good change of going back to the era of FDR and LBJ where we're actually taking care of America, where we're reviving democracy."

Yes, we have to deal with the outright fascism in the Repugnacon Party. But we also have to face what is at stake in our our own Democratic Party, for if the neoliberal establishment within it wins the result is likely the same only more incrementally. And certainly behind a hugely spun veneer of democratic rights and empty progressive promises.