7 Days: Moyers and Democracy: He'd Rather Write Than Be President, w/ Huffington, vanden Heuvel & Green

There was lots of hard news this week -- West Virginia, John Edwards, appeasement, McCain's 2013 Space Odyssey -- but it was Bill Moyers who uttered some hard truths on 7 Days in America on Air America. (Listen to the show here.)

Moyers is, simply, a national treasure, a reminder that we redeem the promise of America more through the morality, humanity and insights of unelected visionaries than insider politicians. By his books, TV programs and essays -- this month stitched together into a new volume, Moyers on Democracy (Doubleday) -- he's a Sisyphus pushing his beloved country to higher ground.

In our interview, Moyers explains how he never was distracted by entreaties to run for president or any other office. No, his dream and achievement was to be a political journalist in general and a drum major for democracy in particular.

His book therefore explains how America needs less a laundry list of reforms after the Bush-Cheney junta leaves town but rather a new story to rebut Reagan's version about "the freedom of the rich to get richer." And the new story is -- Democracy.

He goes on to note both that "Democrats talk about a new direction without convincing us they know the difference between a weather vane and a compass" and that "the dilemma of democratic politics is how to translate Big Ideas into practical politics."

Ok, I ask him -- and our panel of Huffington and vanden Heuvel discuss -- what would he urge the 44th president to do if he had his/her ear next November? His answer was clear and quick: Cut the Gordian knot of money that's strangling our politics and policies. "There are no victimless crimes," he concludes, meaning that there are huge public costs when polluters, defense contractors and the Business Roundtable control environmental policies, armament policies and tax policies by their lush campaign contributions. In other words, nearly all other reforms depend on this primary reform, even if it's not part of the 2008 presidential campaign conversation. Why talk about democracy when you can be distracted by flag pins, Rev. Wright and appeasement?

As seen from the excerpt below and the audio, Moyers is not optimistic in the short term about accomplishing this fundamental change, comparing it to the anti-slavery struggle in the 1830s. His sober analysis has an historical basis. Recall how in 1993 there was a pro-reform Democratic president, Speaker and Majority Leader yet no campaign finance reform was enacted when congressional leaders convinced a young, new president to hold off.

So if the political stars are again in alignment in 2009 -- and there are again Democratic majorities for change in Washington -- what will be different? Now there's a public disgusted by the corruptions and crimes of the Republican crowd of the past eight years, as turnouts and polls indicate. And there are also real successes to build on, like the clean money election law in Arizona and the matching public funding system of New York City. Hence the Durbin bill in the Senate that seeks to implement the best approaches to ending the golden rule of politics -- he who has the gold, rules.

When politicians become more afraid of voters than donors -- and when a new Democratic president and Congress show the backbone and solidarity toward changing the money game that Bush-Hastert-Lott did in changing the tax code -- we'll be closer to the Story of Democracy that Bill Moyers has spent his life explaining and pursuing.

EXCERPTS FROM 7 DAYS IN AMERICA, MAY 17, W/ MOYERS, HUFFINGTON, VANDEN HEUVEL & GREEN

Listen to the show for free here.

MOYERS: Q: In the first chapter of your book, you write that while progressives need to propose a lot of reforms, what America really needs most in the 21st Century is a new story -- and the story is Democracy. What did you mean by that? "Well the story that's been told for the last 25 years -- the story that Ronald Reagan and the right have told -- is that free markets are the answer to all of our problems, that America has the muscle of an empire and should flex it, and that everybody's getting rich in America because the system is working. And of course that's not true, That's the story told from the top down. But the true answer to organized money is organized people, how people have to stand up and fight for their own rights as guaranteed by The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution."

MOYERS: Q: Can you give us a democracy report card on the Bush / Cheney administration? "We are spoiling our nest, the Earth that sustains us. And the administration has placed the government in the hands of the industries that it is supposed to monitor. The gap between people at the top and people at the bottom grows larger everyday. As Vice President Cheney said in an interview many years ago after they passed the big tax cut for the wealthy, 'we deserve it'."

MOYERS: Q: You've been a big proponent over the years for public financing for public elections. What's the chance that can happen in '09? "Mark, I became interested in campaign finance reform because I read the book you wrote 30 years ago, Who Runs Congress? That book opened my mind even though I had been in Washington for seven years... You would think at the measure of any democratic system of politics would be its ability to address the problems that it has created for itself. And we cannot do that because money has a monopoly over the decisions of those in power. I'm pessimistic at the moment but I am not fatalistic, because I think we are in the drive for public funding where the abolitionists were in the 1830s or the women's suffragettes were shortly after The Civil War. This is a long march toward a fundamental reform of a system that has gone terribly awry. It will take long-term commitments, the pursuit of a moral idea, that representation requires controlling the amount that can be raised and spent. It will require a couple of generations, I think Mark, before we get it. But we have to get it or, like slavery and inequality, it will be the issue that brings us down."

MOYERS: Q: In 1988 we saw how exploitation of Willy Horton and the flag helped defeat a Democratic Greek nominee named Mike Dukakis; in '08 we see how Reverend Wright and the flag again is being used against a potential black nominee in Obama. What is your level of optimism that should Obama be the nominee, America in 2008 won't be as gullible or easily distracted as in 1988? "During the West Virginia Primary of this week, I heard a BBC report with some very frank responses from voters down there who said, in that West Virginia accent, 'down here we don't think much of black people, we're not likely to vote for them.' I mean there is latent as well as overt racism still prevalent in America. But it's not what it was in 1988, when the Bush people ran the Willy Horton ad. There is a greater appreciation of our diversity."

MOYERS: Q: Bill did you ever seriously think of running for president or any office? "My seven years in government and politics were a detour. I set out at the age of 16 to be a journalist. That's really all I wanted to do. And convergence and coincidence brought me into politics in 1960. I wanted to be a political journalist, that's how I got to Washington in the first place. But as a young man I got caught up in that campaign and in organizing The Peace Corps, and then by the tragedy of John F. Kennedy's assassination thrust into The White House with my mentor Lyndon Johnson. But as soon as I had the opportunity, January of 1967, only three and a half years after I'd been in The White House, I left because I had the opportunity to get back to journalism, to come to New York and be the publisher of Newsday. I've never looked back."

VANDEN HEUVEL: Q: Katrina, we just heard Moyers's closing comments on how he never ran for office because, in effect, he would rather "write than be president." Tell us your view about Bill's career as a journalist in the past now and going forward. "I think of Bill Moyers as a kind of secular prophet of our time. He's our media conscience. He's someone who's been close and in the belly of the beast, he has seen power as Lyndon Johnson's press secretary. And he talks openly how after that experience it took a while to get his footing in journalism. But he has used that perch to talk about a morality in our politics, not hucksterism, but a morality about money and power. And what he does so well is explain that our deeper mission as journalist is to uncover the news that powerful people, whether in government or corporate life, would prefer to keep hidden."

HUFFINGTON: "And he's probably one of the very few people in America who can use emotional language, who can not just use dry words but somehow capture the imagination with what he says."

HUFFINGTON: Q: If Democrats go from a 30 seat to a 50 seat majority in the House -- which might happen given the recent Democratic wins in Republican districts in special, off-year elections -- and from a one seat majority in the Senate to 56-57 Democratic votes in the Senate, which is nearly filibuster proof, doesn't that create a realigning moment and opportunity for a new America? "There is something pretty fundamental that's going on, which is a new center in American politics and I don't think we've paid enough attention to it. A lot of the positions that used to be considered left-wing -- bring the troops home, universal health care, some form of corporate responsibility, doing something about global warming -- are now solidly mainstream. That's really the reality that John McCain is dealing with."

VANDEN HEUVEL: Q: What do you think of what Bush said in Israel about Obama types engaging in appeasement with terrorists, which was then seconded by McCain? "You have a president who has done more to setback U.S. security in the Middle East than anyone in our memory, and he has become the smearer-in-chief. I thought of John Kenneth Galbraith, the great economist, who wrote for Kennedy in that great American University speech in 1963, 'Never negotiate out of fear and never fear to negotiate.' And I thought that Obama's push back suggests he is ready to fight and fight hard for leadership that this country so desperately needs"

HUFFINGTON: Q: Is there a chance that a referendum will overturn the California Supreme Court's decision legalizing same-sex marriage -- and will this decision have an impact on the 2008 presidential race? "First of all, yes, there is definitely a chance that a referendum would overturn it. The right is already making noises. But in terms of whether it will impact the election, I don't really think so. We're in a different reality. People know that these are really terrible times for millions of Americans, that we are trapped in a war that we cannot win. So I don't really know if the right can have as much success riling up people over same-sex marriage as they've done in the past."

Comments

[Marlyn]

In listening to "7 Days", I was puzzled when Mark Green said (around time 31:15 ):

"There has been so much hand wringing on Air America among Democrats, the Democrats are so divided, OMG. But aren't Republicans, not fretting, but fleeing in panic, because three by elections, in Illinois, in Louisiana, and in Mississippi, have all gone from the D to the R column, and aren't the Republicans in extraordinary trouble now?"

"D to the R column" ??? Haven't you got that backwards?

[crease]

Bill Moyers is one our country`s finest journalist we have, he has all of the attributes and puts it all on the table.I was flipping thru the channels an came across Billo and Knewt rant and rave about Moyers interview of Rev. Wright, these two bozo`s don`t come close to Moyers when it come to integrity,discipline and truthfullnes in their reporting after the Rev. Wright piece, I was in awe of Mr. Moyers and his ability at was he does, he asked all of the pertinent and difficult questions and he got answers.In my mind nobody on the right can come close to him on anything or anyone, people like Krytal,Barnes and coulter are nothing but hacks compared to Mr.Moyers and his integrity.

[threadbane]

I once sent Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer (my senators) an email, back when everybody was making noises about campaign financing. There really is a simple solution: Do not allow any PUBLICLY HELD corporation to contribute anything whatever to political campaigns. In a way, publicly held corporations steal from the stockholders when they make political contributions.

I can see no reason whatever why this has never been brought up by anybody that I know of, nor can I see how it would hurt anything at all.

[Geauterre]

Bill Moyers is a polished gem. His work as a journalist of unquestioned worth, shows us that the viewpoints of others must be respected. That if we are to have any clue as to solving problems of a lasting nature, we should use patience enough to listen, and through that learn from past mistakes.

His comments about the right, using fear and hatred to bolster their agendas, leaves us with an appalling legacy, giving license to the notion that we can get away with anything.

[jgirl]

I agree with you. He is a gem. Only few real journalists in this country.(unfortunately.)
I respect the way he hundled the interview with Rev. wright as well.

[likeicare]

I think Moyers is on the right track -- he just hasn't gone into the sewer deep enuf, yet.

The corporate/money interests in this country would love to see our society resemble something more on a par of say, Mexico or even Myanmar, for that matter, than what we currently have: a sem-functioning middle class.

It's more propitious for them, you see -- a willing and more pliable slave-wage working class of un-educated zombies, taking whatever jobs they are offered for whatever wages (if any) the corporate overlords are paying.

Any complaints? Treason! Traitors! A few months or so in a detention facility (built with taxpayer monies) guarded by Blackwater troops (paid for with generous no-bid government contracts) will take care of any such First Amendment notions, harummph!

Don't think it can't happen? Dick Cheney's already set up the chess pieces for a coup d'etat -- and the MSM isn't even looking -- phoney incursions with the Iranian Navy, propaganda bits about Iranian influence within Iraqi insurgent groups, documents signed and approved which allow the exec branch of the government to assume the powers of the other 2 branches in the event of a national emergency (to be determined by the prez , D.C. himself), the ballooning of resources to Blackwater, et. al. at the expense of regular troops -- it's all there, folks.

Open your eyes.

[elbzee]

People might accuse us of paranoia, likeicare. I agree with you. I CAN imagine Black Water contractors on the streets of America. I can also imagine Bush & Cheney refusing to let go. As exciting as it is to see enthusiasm and involvement in potential change, I have a funny feeling about what we expect to happen this Nov/Jan. There's no guarantee it will happen at all. This administration has done one thing very, very well for the past 7 years. It has taught us that it is corrupt, cares nothing for the people, and is happily arrogant in its audacity. What makes us believe that they"ll walk away from the power they so passionately covet? Just cuz the law says? Phhhfffffftttt. Nothing"s guaranteed.

[Marlyn]

"phoney incursions with the Iranian Navy"

And speaking of Navy, the last aircraft carrier here in San Diego pulled out this morning. Where or where do you imagine it is heading? All of the carriers are gone now. Our harbor is empty.

[FirstShirt]

"Democrats talk about a new direction without convincing us they know the difference between a weather vane and a compass"

Thank you Bill Moyers.

[RoloTomassi]

I think that's about all you'd be grateful to Moyers for, as he cuts your party's dogma deep and eviserates its absurd policies on a weekly basis.

[themodernleader]

During the heyday of the Reagan Revolution the citizens were at a loss to see or hear any serious opposition to the growth and power of huge, staqgnating bureaucracies at all levels of American governance. Additionally, there were many programs on making money and panaceas to renew our empirically drab selves. But where were the programs that drew attention to the disappearing middle class as jobs, factories, technologies, and wealth were exacted from the many for the Wall Streeters and foreign interests? Where were the disinterested stalwarts in our great institutions of higher education, think tanks and mass media who did other than praise American enterprise and ingenuity? Where was leadership when the economic and financial prowess of our democracy was undermined and bankrupted by mercantilism dressed in the shibboleths of "free enterprise" and "world trade" and "the greatest economic system in the world"? Mr. Moyers would do the American people a favor by addressing those questions.

[joebaggadonuts]

Once we became the "world's only superpower" there was nowhere to go but down. As much as I dislike the era that Regan ushered in, IMHO he was but a zeitgeist. We the people did not want to do the necessary introspection to keep moving forward and upward, so we took the easy way out, led by the Regan articulation of the vision of a shining city on a hill, a beacon of freedom to the world.

I just found out today that the South Koreans had mass graves of leftists slaughtered by their government while our military apparently looked the other way, back in the early days of the SK regime. That our government hid that from us to keep the regime supported by tens of thousands of US troops all these years is amazing to me today. Will we do the necessary introspection today? I doubt it but remain hopeful.

[twofish]

The Supreme Court has already said that in politics, money is speech and speech is money, and limiting money in politics is tantamount to limiting speech and is forbidden by the constitution. How are the reformers going to get past that blockade?

[CarolinaDem]

This seems to be a very serious issue, compounded by the hoary decision by some court or other to regard as 'persons' before the law even purely corporate entities. This grants the agents of corporate self-interest, bound in their jobs by very real enslavement to the institutional interest at the expense of any other, the very protections provided to human citizens as their means of redress against tyranny. Blessed then with the vast resources of corporate money, this 'speech' simply amounts to the erasure of democracy, like a rice paddy hit with a tsunami. Surely a constitutional court could review this monstrous deformation of our heritage~!

[Kimgelle]

We could start with 100% real time disclosure on donations. There is no reason a campaign could not have a current list of donors on their website. Add to that no gifts from businesses for elected officials. I can not take a pen from a company rep in my job. I do not have the power to affect the purchase of their product yet alone effect the entire planet. Hillary has just spent 10 MILLION dollars of her own money to get a job that pays ??? 400,000. Obviously it is not the salary she is after.

[Herrington]

Money and politics combine for what might be the real original sin. But the problem is that politics is necessarily about controlling money, taxation, budget, regulation and law enforcement, schools and roads and the military and pensions and such.

The plain true fact is that the public has a voice in governance in perfect negative correlation to the amount of money given by businesses and investment giants in campaign contributions. No amount of shading of the "freedom of speech and assembly" can justify corporations buying influence that runs counter to the public welfare or the national interest.

The Bush Administration has been a three ring circus of corruption bought and paid for by the influence of money. If the American public is not outraged enough to throw these bums out and change the system that produced them, then the next stop is a moment of silence for the late, great, USA.

[LeonBNJ]

I deeply admire the writings and words of Moyers. He is one of the most important persons in the media, speaking far more honestly, reasoned and with the interests of all Americans, not the selected few.
As to ending our campaign financing system, there is one real factor that stands in the way - the 1st Amendment of our Constitution as to freedom of speech. That is interpeted as there can be no regulation of political speech, which includes how much a canidate can spend on their campaigns. Until enough people call for a massive change in the meaning of the 1st Amendment or canidates start to refuse money from the rich, then nothing will change.

[pithy]

My favorite two hours of television all week - Friday night on PBS: Washiington Week in Review, Now, & Bill Moyers Journal. Always thought-provoking, enlightening and edifying - without screaming harpies like Matthews & Bucxhanan fixated on utter crapola!

Even Americans paying no attention to anything but sports and Idol still sense that something is terribly wrong and are ready to make a change. I simply can't WAIT for Jan. 20th!!!!

On the gay marriage issue, I don't think it's going to be an "issue" at all - thinking Americans are desperately ready to return, both nationally and internationally, to that golden adage "live and let live."

[dadw5boys]

Got to get those REUPBLICANS OUT OF OFFICE!!!!!

The so called Bule Dog Democrates showed their true colors by VOTED AGAINST THE SOLIDERS UNLESS EVERYTHING WAS PAID FOR!!!!!!! BYE BYE!!!!!!

THEY VOTED FOR EVERYTHING BUSH WANTED AND NEVER SAID PAY FOR IT!!!!!!

[111]

Bill Moyers is a national treasure. He is thoughtful, fair and honest. I hope that Obama will listen to Moyers' ideas and perhaps act on them.

[ajax2]

Bill Moyers is right. To return the U.S. to democracy money must be removed from politics. We need a congress that will remove this cancer, and a court that does not equate corporations with people and money with speech.

[mbaty]

Excellent points. And as a gay man I'm hoping that more people will step out of their boxes of denial and look around at all the things that are truly important. But I'm guessing my parents have already recieved a mailing from Dobson, no doubt citing the 'dangers' of gay marriage, even as the economy tanks and the so-called war continues bloody on, gas prices skyrocket and still there is no accountability for private military contractors. I'm glad, at least, that the center has shifted, and that more people are actually considering the effect we have on the biosphere. Gay marriage was only a matter of time, anyway. Just like global pollution/warming. But only one of those things threaten life on earth literally (no matter what you believe.)

[DHGallegos]

I think its a generational thing...I live in Utah and do not know any one personally that has an issue with gay marriage...its the money in politics that control the issue...I think the gay marriage issue is a humanity issue.

[springsm]

I truly wonder which generation you think are the great saviours DH. I am 69+ years old and I have never had any difficulty accepting g/l/t/b for who they are and what they are in all they are. I don't have any difficulty with them marrying either. If two people declare true concern and caring for each other and choose to marry, how does it hurt MY 47 years of marriage. IT DOES NOT! In actuality ...these alliances are enhancing marriage. Adoption of children is fine too as like all adoptions, you take a child and raise it as your own. Been there too. Oh ya, I am also a person of faith and I hope known as a faith filled, faith based and faithful person. Some folks just have to have someone or group to hate...it makes those folks feel powerful. A sad commentary on evolution or intelligent design...whichever.