I agree on every point, though I do feel like alternative parties to the Democrats can be successful in local and state elections, much like how the tea party has found some successes in more local politics. And I would say if locally people start successfully voting in more progressive alternatives, it will result in irrefutable proof that progressive policies are the winning move.
But, that starts local. It starts small, not big. And it starts where politicians impact you the most, your local community.
These plans and ideas sound eerily similar to the ones I hear or read every election cycle. What about them would be significantly different this next time around?
Unfortunately, not much given that this is the framework of the American democratic process. But, I think talking about it, openly and inviting new ideas to the mix, and encouraging people to vote in every election is a needed part of the process, while pessimism without solutions serves nobody and hinders progress.
It’s appropriate to be frustrated, but eventually we have to channel that frustration into action or it will disincentive everyone else from even trying.
Personally, I wish we had the economic freedom and class consciousness necessary to effectively protest. Eventually our economic troubles might be bad enough to completely override our “gotta make ends meet” inertia, but I hope we can improve things before that happens.
Do you have any ideas as to what we could do differently or more efficiently? We joke about it, but even revolution isnt out of the question if you can get enough support, the problem as always is that broad support.
Well, I’ve now thought for that past two adminstrations that nothing meaningful can be done long-term until private money can be removed from politics altogether. To speak pragmatically, as you point out people want “gotta make ends meat” policy that impacts them meaningfully and immediately… and that’s gonna take a lot more than some $1000 one-time tax-credit.
Arguably, I’ve transcended “frustration”, though and I’m no longer convinced the Democrat party does anything but act as the controlled opposition party that is meant to crush any sort leftist movement. I sincerely doubt they will ever meaningfully address campaign-finance again in my life. The half-measures that they are known for are no longer adequate, but as long as they hold primaries I will cast my vote even though the establishment has already picked someone else. -A democratic system, indeed.
Here’s pragmatic, democratic Idea: Host all primary votes on the same day.
I can certainly agree with the money in politics being an openly corrupt system. Maybe that’s the rallying cry for the midterms? The neo liberal status quo is indeed bullshit, and you’re right that they just toss us breadcrumbs. This is a big enough breadcrumb to make a difference though.
I actually did this more before but the republicans have just infiltrated to much so even with local I have to vote anti republican. I live in a liberal state but a sorta conservative area (old school conservatives that are aghast at maga so its pretty much swung democrat but its risky to vote 3rd party. successfully fought of maga crazies trying to get into school boards and such.)
I think that’s appropriately cautious. It may be more safe and feasible in solidly blue cities/towns/districts, and it will have to get a lot more support than the tea party did for it to have any hope at spreading to “battleground” elections without serious risk.
I agree on every point, though I do feel like alternative parties to the Democrats can be successful in local and state elections, much like how the tea party has found some successes in more local politics. And I would say if locally people start successfully voting in more progressive alternatives, it will result in irrefutable proof that progressive policies are the winning move.
But, that starts local. It starts small, not big. And it starts where politicians impact you the most, your local community.
These plans and ideas sound eerily similar to the ones I hear or read every election cycle. What about them would be significantly different this next time around?
Unfortunately, not much given that this is the framework of the American democratic process. But, I think talking about it, openly and inviting new ideas to the mix, and encouraging people to vote in every election is a needed part of the process, while pessimism without solutions serves nobody and hinders progress.
It’s appropriate to be frustrated, but eventually we have to channel that frustration into action or it will disincentive everyone else from even trying.
Personally, I wish we had the economic freedom and class consciousness necessary to effectively protest. Eventually our economic troubles might be bad enough to completely override our “gotta make ends meet” inertia, but I hope we can improve things before that happens.
Do you have any ideas as to what we could do differently or more efficiently? We joke about it, but even revolution isnt out of the question if you can get enough support, the problem as always is that broad support.
Well, I’ve now thought for that past two adminstrations that nothing meaningful can be done long-term until private money can be removed from politics altogether. To speak pragmatically, as you point out people want “gotta make ends meat” policy that impacts them meaningfully and immediately… and that’s gonna take a lot more than some $1000 one-time tax-credit.
Arguably, I’ve transcended “frustration”, though and I’m no longer convinced the Democrat party does anything but act as the controlled opposition party that is meant to crush any sort leftist movement. I sincerely doubt they will ever meaningfully address campaign-finance again in my life. The half-measures that they are known for are no longer adequate, but as long as they hold primaries I will cast my vote even though the establishment has already picked someone else. -A democratic system, indeed.
Here’s pragmatic, democratic Idea: Host all primary votes on the same day.
I can certainly agree with the money in politics being an openly corrupt system. Maybe that’s the rallying cry for the midterms? The neo liberal status quo is indeed bullshit, and you’re right that they just toss us breadcrumbs. This is a big enough breadcrumb to make a difference though.
I actually did this more before but the republicans have just infiltrated to much so even with local I have to vote anti republican. I live in a liberal state but a sorta conservative area (old school conservatives that are aghast at maga so its pretty much swung democrat but its risky to vote 3rd party. successfully fought of maga crazies trying to get into school boards and such.)
I think that’s appropriately cautious. It may be more safe and feasible in solidly blue cities/towns/districts, and it will have to get a lot more support than the tea party did for it to have any hope at spreading to “battleground” elections without serious risk.
I mean my states blue but we have had republican governors and we have republican reps. Even solidly blue you have to be careful.