The US Politics |OT|

[sundin13]

As I've said previously, I think we are getting sidetracked by bickering about the President's intent, when you need to look no further than the effect to condemn his words. Asserting intent really just allows individuals a window to plead ignorance (which is really all the defense we have seen for the past ten pages)

That said, in regards to the issues within the Democratic party, there are serious concerns about the popularity of progressivism in moderate states and areas. Republicans go full on fear mongering mode whenever anything vaguely progressive is brought up, and ignorance tends to run deep. I'm curious what other left leaning individuals in this thread feel should be done regarding the progressive/moderate divide among the left.

Personally, I feel that having powerful progressive voices within the party is very important because we want a diversity of opinions and "moderate" is often just a nice way of saying "reactionary" (which isn't what the democratic party should be about). More than that, it is good to see that the democratic party is being pulled further to the left, but I do think there is a need to justify each step to the left with information and I think that is where "the squad" is largely lacking. I largely support the ideas behind their suggestions at least, but I think they are coming from this as activists more than as politicians. They are spreading the word and building excitement and demand, but they aren't really selling to those who haven't already bought a season pass so to speak. That isn't so much a criticism of them as much as a criticism of the political climate. It doesn't really leave much room for nuanced decisions when instead of honestly discussing things, one side just yells "THEY WANNA TAKE YOUR COWS".

Basically, what I'm saying is that I don't have an answer. Reactionary views will always have an upper hand because change is inherently frightening, especially when those reactionaries have no qualms about lying through their teeth. As such, progressivism is always going to be an uphill battle. We need to fight that battle surrounding policy, because fighting about personalities will never change minds and honestly, that is probably exactly what Trump wants. He wants to divide us so we don't have honest conversations.