I hate the Democratic party and I thought joining the Democratic Socialists of America was a good thing to do. Is the DSA not extreme enough or have they been to complicit with the establishment. My initial question was prompted by the meme which indicated the DSA.

My impression of the DSA is that they’re basically a wing of the Democratic party. The DSA members in the House seem to support Dem moves, when it comes down to it, and DSA supports Dem candidates. Is there much difference in the two in their material actions?

I am so torn as to how to be effective at both the federal and state/local elections.

If we need a revolution to fundamentally change the place we’re in, how important are elections really? Is that effort better placed in direct work with the people, in study, or even in physically preparing yourself?

What is the best thing I can do?

I’m really not the best person to answer this, sadly. I think as long as you’re educating yourself and organizing, it’s hard to go wrong. I’m not going to shit on the actual praxis of any tendency - the anarchists with Food not Bombs are rad, and there are DSA chapters that I’m sure are doing good work. Electoralism is a dead end, but there are organizers that work towards specific policy goals to relieve stress on working people, and I think that’s good too.

If you’d like to dig deeper, there’s probably a PSL or CPUSA chapter in your city.

I think as long as you’re centering educating yourself, connecting and organizing with comrades, and trying to meet the needs of the people as they express them, you can’t go wrong.

I’m not in a party, so take my view with a grain of salt, please.

(Side question, the rest of Lemmy, that seems mostly liberal/leftist seems to act like Lemmygrad is too extreme. I think you all are great so I’m confused. Also they call you tankies which seems unfair the way they mean it.).

Revolutionary communism is inimical to capitalist society - the two can’t mix and agree on anything. From this view, the Dems and Republicans are basically playing on the same team (if playing different roles) and the cultural fabric of the U$ is built on lies for profit. Most people who stumble on us here have never seen the views they were raised on challenged to that extent, and it’s very unpleasant to question things you’ve believed to be unassailable.

“Tankie” doesn’t really mean anything, so I don’t mind it too much. 😁.

That was long as shit, and I don’t expect you to read it all.

Tldr: you can’t go wrong educating yourself, and working with people. The video I linked above is from a channel with a bunch of communist audiobooks, I’m happy to share some articles too if you’d like.

“We are fighting better than our fathers did. Our children will fight better than we do, and they will be victorious”