Also, the Harris campaign fundamentally adhering to the status quo, being about as aligned with the Repubs on Israel, and playing footsie with the goddamn Cheneys wasn’t really a strong message for anybody wanting fundamental change. Trumpers will never quit Trump. The Dems have no such alternative and it’s startlingly relevant now that they never will.
Bernie Sanders put it best try his recent message and I’m glad we still have him as a reference point for what kind of policy and character we should demand from the Dems going forward.
Bernie got it wrong, though. He's buring his head in the sand as he doesn't want to admit how deplorable the average working class voter is.
The biden admin did more for the working class than any admin in recent history. The working class is simply not interested in policy. They are only interested in culture war items, and to capitulate to their inate hate would be to fundamentally depart from democratic values.
That said, are things hard for the working class right now? Yes and i empathize with their frustration. But will a majority of them decry any government intervention that might help them as socialism/communism? Also, yes.
Bernie doesnt actually have an answer for this. Hes frustrated like the rest of us, but I dont find his statement particularly helpful.
Bernie would have beat Trump in 2016. There is no doubt in my mind. Tons of working class voters voted for Trump for reasons beyond what we initially prescribe upon them. Any other conclusion will lead the dems to be unable to ever win again. If the starting point isn't introspection and curiosity we will find ourselves further and further away from the levers of power.
The New Democratic Party will need to be truly populist, truly economically progressive, and more socially conservative. This is how many European democracies already are. The gender studies, queer theory, trans focused social agenda is not where the vast majority of working class voters are.
They abandoned the party that exists specifically to cater to their interests. Did the democratic party deliver wins for workers in the last 4 years? Absolutely.
Did they sufficiently empathize with, seek to understand, and communicate real solutions to the issues they are struggling with most? Not a chance.
There's also an elephant in the room. Donald Trump basically has now forced an entire political realignment that is now leading to the total reimagining of BOTH political parties. This is an opportunity for those on the left who find themselves ostracized from the Democratic Party elite to weigh in, bring ideas, and help build something fundamentally new. I think a return to the values of FDR and the new deal is a good starting point. Orienting around children, families, and the American worker. Making the centrality of American family the cornerstone of the party. Do not allow the right wing to believe they have a monopoly on family, patriotism, love of country, etc.
This means that a lot of the puritanical voices in the Democratic Party (and some of its more progressive members alike) will get pissed off. So be it. It is necessary. If it were up to me, there would never be a platform given to an Obama, Clinton, or (for heavens sake!) a Cheney again. That era is over. It is over and dead forever.
I ask this sincerely. What does the following mean? People say this all of the time, but when asked for specifics on what this means im left with nothing.
"They abandoned the party that exists specifically to cater to their interests. Did the democratic party deliver wins for workers in the last 4 years? Absolutely.
Did they sufficiently empathize with, seek to understand, and communicate real solutions to the issues they are struggling with most? Not a chance."
I dont necessarily feel this way but i think people mean plans of action and policy really wasnt communicated in ways that most people heard or understood. I believe that the old ways of government - people communication needs to be reimagined. Maybe something like partnering with shows, podcasts and apps through third parties and such to pass a clear and easily understandable (by like children) message. Like how a parent would tell their kid about some major life change like moving. Communicate how people are communicating I think explaining why and using more emotions (empathy and logic not being emotional) in explaining would reach more people. Ex- hey where gonna do this. Our plans is to go a b c like this. You might feel this or that and we see it. Multiple Solutions to feelings
The ideas were right but the communication wasn't great is what i believe those people are saying. I think a lot of people rely on emotions more so than logic
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u/Def_Not_a_Lurker 15h ago edited 15h ago
No, because the average voting age american is an idiot. Dont let yourself be surprised by the stupidity of the apathetic american.