"You're Not America"

"You're not America." That was the message Van Jones had for the hard-right and Glenn Beck during his keynote at Netroots Nation. Jones will formally launch his "Rebuild the American Dream" project on Thursday, but he fired up his audience here with a powerful combination: affirming progressive values while avoiding the hatred and denigration of the opposing side that characterizes Beck and his ilk. Jones drew a clear distinction between "deep patriots" and "cheap patriots." But he kept the door open to other points of view. Note his careful phrasing: "You're not America" rather than what you might expect from a Fox commentator, "You're not American." Jones showed the same aversion to sloppy polemic in a conversation with Talking Points Memo where he described the cancellation of Glenn Back's program on Fox as a victory for the best side of capitalism.

Jones's speech is getting, deservedly, a lot of attention. But I think one critical piece has been overlooked. Jones quite explicitly described his project as being the same thing that carried Barack Obama to the White House -- unifying the various strands of the progressive movement behind a single purpose. His presentation showed how Obama united his constituents -- and how the Tea Party then did the same thing on the right. But Jones made clear that we need unity around principles, not unity around a leader -- however charismatic. "Individuals disappoint. Individuals let you down. Principles stand by you."

Stay tuned. This could be exciting.

 

 

 

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Comments

[Will98]

10:53 AM on 06/22/2011

uh huh okay but glen beck is going to jerusalem with his anti-Muslim teathugs, Van Jones cant beat that, can he?

/end sarcasm.

[JoblessInJersey]

04:38 PM on 06/21/2011

I am disappointed that Van Jones was put in charge of this, also that it's being made an explicitly progressive group.

Just think of all the unemployed and underemployed Republicans and independents who would have otherwise joined but won't. I'm a moderate Democrat and even I'm turned off a few of the "usual liberal suspects" that are part of it of this group.

[johnvilvens]

09:12 AM on 06/21/2011

Jones is a progressive. He preaches redistribution of the wealth. To work and earn more you should have to give up what you work hard and earned to people who will not work but live off the redistribution system. Because he believes what he does, does not make him less american. It makes his ideas a socialist form of government. If people want socialism that is thier choice, but do they have a right to force it on others. That is why there are elections. People vote for what they want. Jones has a right to promote what he wants. When he is elected not appoint to a position then you will know people buy into what he is selling.

[stopnlisten]

11:21 AM on 06/21/2011

It's not redistribution but making sure people pay their fair share. That scares greedy people. Saying redisttibution and flagging Socialism is such a tired tactic to divert people from the truth. Capitalism is great, but don't forget to take care of the folks who made you rich. That's the tough part isn't it?

[aggie95]

06:49 AM on 06/21/2011

But I'll bet the good Mr. VanJones thinks this gentleman is America

http://globetribune.info/2011/06/15/bill-ayers-obamas-pal-barred-from-canada/

[eroy22312]

09:05 AM on 06/21/2011

Wow!! So not only do you know what Van Jones thinks but you are willing to gamble on it. Please tell me where I can go to learn these mind-reading skills.

[joedenver60]

12:57 AM on 06/21/2011

The principals I have, I got from my parents, kinda of a, trickle down effect. I don't have many issue's against progressives, its the liberal portion that hangs on that troubles me. This jones guy speaks of unity against anyone that oppose his principals, that I feel are quite questionable. If I remember correctly he was asked to leave the administration, because of his principals

[Ian Gord]

05:16 PM on 06/20/2011

Jones actually said, "You not America."

[NoboyukiMasaki]

03:23 PM on 06/20/2011

Thank you.

America is hardly the one-dimensional, archaic, and static "bumper sticker" - which the far right is fond of portraying.

[An Independent Woman]

03:00 PM on 06/20/2011

I love what Jones said about individuals letting you down and principles standing by you. How refreshing. I'm looking forward to the announcement of his project on Thursday. I believe this is something I could get behind. I am America.

[Lark817]

02:38 PM on 06/20/2011

That made my ears prick up. I look forward to hearing more.