Michael Lerner Is One of the Most Significant Prophetic Public Intellectuals and Spiritual Leaders of Our Generation

A review by independent journalist and author 

Greg Palast of Michael Lerner's new book

Revolutionary Love — a much needed

gift for these times! — Molly

 

 Review: Revolutionary Love

by Rabbi Michael Lerner

 

By Greg Palast 

J. Edgar Hoover called Rabbi Michael Lerner, “The most dangerous man in America.” Get Rabbi Lerner’s new book, Revolutionary Love: A Political Manifesto to Heal and Transform the World, and you’ll know why.

You already know America is f’d-up. Here is a truly radical, subversive plan to un-f’ it. And it’s not as simple as dumping Trump. In fact, he hammers his fellows on the Left and goes after the liberal elite. Once known as “Hillary’s Rabbi,” Lerner details the Clintonian arrogance that permitted Trump to get close enough to steal the presidency.

While he doesn’t hold out much hope of reaching those lost under MAGA caps, he has faith in what he calls “love” — I’d call it “respect” — for those who voted for Trump out of despair and justifiable resentment.

I’d buy Revolutionary Love for this quote alone, that could’ve come from any of the laid off auto parts workers I met in Dayton:

“I live in Ohio, and I voted for Trump. I know I’m not as smart as some of the kids from my high school who got into college. I never could figure out those tests you have to take. But I know when people don’t like me, don’t give a shit about what is happening to my life. All those Obama people who didn’t care when I lost my home that I had worked for for twenty-two years, and lots of people I know, the same thing happened to them. They spent billions on the banks, but not a penny for us working stiffs. Obama cared about some tribe of Indians losing their land, but he didn’t care about me. I used to be a Democrat, but now all they care about are people who got here illegally. Seems like they want everybody in the world to come here, take our jobs, and destroy our communities… Yeah I know Trump is a jerk, but he’s our jerk.”

Lerner holds two PhD’s, in philosophy and psychology, so he knows enough to avoid what he calls, “the materialist reductionist misconception,” that this worker’s complaint is solely economic. It’s a lot about being ignored, being tagged a deplorable, ignorant racist by their coastal betters, dissed by the winners in our pseudo meritocracy. Are you listening, Liz Warren? There is no “policy” for that — just love, respect — and reparations for these victims of the class war.

Cornell West said, “Michael Lerner is one of the most significant prophetic public intellectuals and spiritual leaders of our generation.” Amen to that.

Please go here for the original review: https://www.gregpalast.com/review-revolutionary-love-by-michael-lerner/