In light of the recent election, it’s clear that the Democratic Party needs a significant leftward shift to better address the needs and concerns of the American people. The party’s centrist approach is increasingly out of touch, limiting its ability to appeal to a broader base and especially to young voters, who are looking for bold and transformative policies. The fact that young men became a substantial part of the conservative voting bloc should be a wake-up call—it’s essential that the Democratic Party broadens its appeal by offering real solutions that resonate with this demographic.
Furthermore, one major missed opportunity was the decision to forgo primaries, which could have brought new energy and ideas to the ticket. Joe Biden’s choice to run for a second term, despite earlier implications of a one-term presidency, may have ultimately contributed to the loss by undermining trust in his promises. Had the party explored alternative candidates in a primary process, the outcome could have been vastly different. It is now imperative for the Working Families Party and the Progressive Caucus to push for a stronger, unapologetically progressive agenda within the Democratic Party. The time for centrist compromises has passed, as evidenced by setbacks dating back to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 loss, the persistently low approval ratings for Biden since 2022, and Kamala Harris’s recent campaign, which left many progressives feeling alienated. To regain momentum and genuinely connect with the electorate, a clear departure from moderate politics is essential.
The relationship between slavery, women’s suffrage, and the Republican party is a little more complicated than that. People fought to end slavery and people fought for women’s suffrage.
And it’s a similar story with the civil rights movement, Democrats didn’t give anybody anything. People demonstrated and organized for their rights. Likewise for workers’ rights during the Great depression.
Though I agree with your point, parties do change and nothing is static. But it’s pressure that changes them. And with left activism basically dead in our country right now, it’s election financing that mostly calls the shots.
Yeah, pressure from voters. Not voting isn’t pressure. Don’t vote, dont care. Half the country doesn’t vote. Financing is bad, but you can’t act like it’s so bad that 150 million votes couldn’t overcome it. And certainly you can’t act like 150 million absolutely nothing has any chance of overcoming it.
Financing from corporations affects voter turnout. People are tired of the duopoly. Look at Bernie’s campaign in the 2016 primaries compared to Kamala’s. It also causes right wing drift in the Democratic Party. Which doesn’t get people excited to vote for them.
And the ballot box is dead for the next two years, possibly much longer. Our only hope is the filibuster and left organizing (strikes, protests, marches, etc.)
Shaming people for not voting on the internet isn’t going to help anyone. And it’s not going to slow our descent into fascism.
We need collective action and direct pressure. And courage. Because the authoritarian regime is likely to counter with state terrorism. And blood is likely to spill.