6 Matching Annotations
  1. Apr 2020
  2. outline.com outline.com
    Second Time as Farce: 4 Theses on the Defeat of Sanders
    6
    1. Mmfournillier 28 Apr 2020
      This can become a unique opening for socialists to organize at their workplaces, build militant currents in the unions and, most importantly, politicize those workers who are leading those struggles. An opportunity to spread among them a powerful idea: that our society is fractured along class lines, and that workers should unite under one banner and fight together for our own interests — not only at our workplaces, and in the unions, but also in the political arena.

      This moment is one of the very few moments in American history where class inequality is at the forefront of almost every working class persons mind. This is the perfect primer for the kind of social and political revolution we desperately need. Unfortunately for us, we’re still reeling from decades of red scare and American exceptionalism propaganda. Also unfortunately for us, the two parties are not well matched in ability to utilize rhetoric. The Conservative party has historically been able to use rhetoric to paint their policies as adhering to American ideals while the Democratic Party has failed to do so.

    2. Mmfournillier 28 Apr 2020
      And not just any Democrat, one that has a documented record of racism, who has been accused several times of sexual abuse, and who is pro-austerity, anti-union, anti-immmigrant, and a friend of Wall Street.

      So yeah this sums up why I can’t get behind Biden even with trump as the alternative. If Democrats elect Biden and then continue with business as usual, then that means trump and the other virulently racist right wing politicians have succeeded in cementing the Overton window far more right than it was even 4-5 years ago. It’s an acknowledgement that the Democratic Party cares so much more for a potential grasp at power than for actual meaningful change that they’re willing to capitulate to conservatives and nominate one of the most conservative Democrats in modern history. (And I doubt that will even be enough to get those votes).

    3. Mmfournillier 28 Apr 2020
      The Guardian that “never has it been clearer who the enemies of progress are.”

      So overquoted but this makes me think of the MLK jr quote about the white moderate being much more of an obstacle to progress than the openly racist hate group member.

    4. Mmfournillier 28 Apr 2020
      Now that Sanders is out and pledging to “work with Joe,” they feel compelled to maintain publicly that the “left” is much stronger thanks to Bernie. But the truth is harder to digest.

      Not so much stronger as louder. We can’t look at meager concessions to the progressive wing of the Democratic Party as a result of the broader leftist movement working. We should instead look at it as the bourgeoisie recognizing that if they don’t do the bare minimum, they’ll have to make actual meaningful concessions.

    5. Mmfournillier 28 Apr 2020
      This idea is behind Bernie’s decision to run for president twice as a Democrat, and it effectively drives home one message: there is nothing outside the two parties.

      Absolutely, and beyond that the parties are not too ideologically different. One party is just the other with better manners and obfuscation.

    6. Mmfournillier 28 Apr 2020
      the South Carolina primaries that Biden emerged as the anointed establishment candidate to unify the moderate vote. The maneuver on Super Tuesday was swift and accurate, like a sniper’s shot.

      Two thoughts:

      1. How long will it take the Democratic Party to blame Biden’s loss on black voters?
      2. How can anyone look at what happened on Super Tuesday and not see “democracy” in the US as a farce?
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