It seems like now is a good time to have a conversation about finding common ground between the various factions of left/progressive folks. I know this isn’t a new topic but maybe it’s worth revisiting.
What are the sticking points and what can we all agree on in the context of current-day politics?
Adding some things I think any leftist should be able to agree on:
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Capitalism has been a strong negative influence on human existence
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People who look, act and live differently from you deserve exactly the same human rights as you, even if they make you uncomfortable
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Health care, food, water, and housing are human rights
We can hopefully all agree that genocide is bad and funding apartheid is never acceptable
I have always agreed on that but also knew Trump would make it worse.
Did you believe that genocide was a reasonable compromise? Did you constantly guilt trip people into voting Kamala? Did you consistently downplay all of her bad policies by bringing up Trump whenever mentioned? I’m not saying you did but there were waves of “leftists” (liberals) who did. Now that she lost can you aknowlage that she lost her own election? That constantly appealing to Fascists wasn’t an effective political method? That nobody likes war hawks? Or are you going to blame third party voters.
(This comment was intended for someone else but it also applies here tbh)
People with a conscience are all trying to make the best decision in front of us in the moment we find ourselves in. This election was one of those moments.
I voted for harm reduction and the ability to safely push and advocate for future change. Instead, apathy and right wing extremism held hands to send a demoralizing message. Whatever your motivations were for sitting it out or voting in protest, you didn’t achieve your goal of less suffering. That’s not a judgement, it’s a simple fact. Your passive act is actively contributing to the acceleration of the policies that have you so outraged.
Looking at the social media feeds of my undocumented and non-cis friends hurts. Seeing the fear and sense of rejection about the implications of this election is not like anything I’ve personally witnessed in my lifetime. A candidate for president discussed using an act that allowed the internment of Japanese Americans in concentration camps, and people didn’t take that seriously. I do, and I hope anyone else who does is actively planning ways to resist.
So great job, I guess. It’s time to go from bad to worse. Life requires hard choices in hard times, and so many Americans couldn’t or wouldn’t meet that moment. Now we all get to endure the consequences.
You proved my point exactly, the fact that I criticized Kamala made you assume I didn’t vote for her. I did vote for her, that doesn’t mean I like or supported her. Despite voting for her I still think Kamala Harris deserved to loose. Its not the voters jobs to constantly make excuses for a fascist politican, did I want her to win of couse but I also understand why people voted third party. Before the next election I hope the workers can put together a true workers party.
Also I’m Trans, I understand how a lot of people are feeling. I also happen to be lucky enough to have a one way ticket out (which I obviously took).
Honestly, great. I’m glad you voted that way. It doesn’t change a shred of my point about the sentiment of the comment you made. I’m happy that you have a ticket out, too. No one deserves to suffer through this. We will, though.
They can take some blame but not the brunt of it, that’s trump>Republicans>Russia. I do think third party was missing the big picture or were privileged and wanted to make themselves feel better even though their actions will contribute to the downfall of the US, Ukraine, and Kamala was a AG, I have fought and protested police actions in my city. She was not my perfect candidate, but I know everyone would be safer and give us space to make progress. Now we will have to spend the next four years trying to survive and years after that clawing back rights and progress that was stripped away. I am already talking with pride groups in the area to run name change clinics.