The Democratic Party establishment is far to the right of the US population.
PROOF: Compare the public opinion polls in this thread to the Dem Party’s platform.
So why is the party pandering to the right, when poll after poll shows broad support to their left? 1/18
PROOF: Compare the public opinion polls in this thread to the Dem Party’s platform.
So why is the party pandering to the right, when poll after poll shows broad support to their left? 1/18
The Democratic Party could easily secure landslide victories by aligning with the position of 2/3 of the population. But the dominant corporate/establishment wing of the party only cares to ‘win’ if they can do so within the status quo framework of preserving corporate rule. 2/18
In other words, as they have shown time & time again, they’d rather lose than risk ‘the threat of democracy’ (Chomsky).
This makes sense from the perspective of corporations & the 1% who are less threatened by the extreme right, than by the needs of the general population. 3/18
This makes sense from the perspective of corporations & the 1% who are less threatened by the extreme right, than by the needs of the general population. 3/18
So, what can we do? What happens when both parties of a duopoly are essentially ‘two factions’ of the same corporate party, both elevating the interests of corporations & the 1% over the interests of everyone else? 4/18
Take, for example, the US Postal Service, which is supported by 90% of the population (Pew Research).
Set aside rhetoric & platitudes: The net result of the corporate duopoly has left the USPS on the brink of financial collapse. 5/18
Set aside rhetoric & platitudes: The net result of the corporate duopoly has left the USPS on the brink of financial collapse. 5/18
Like every other poll in the above thread, from M4A to expanding Social Security, from ending wars of aggression to getting money out of politics, the desires of the vast majority mean little in terms of actual outcomes when they are at odds with corporate interests & the 1% 6/18
Democracy means those affected by decisions get to have a say in those decisions. But what happens when the net result of the entire political system is the opposite?
How can we affect change? 7/18
How can we affect change? 7/18
Power concedes nothing unless forced.
The history of social change teaches us that movements, civil disobedience & strikes must threaten MORE than the next concession. Why?
Because power gives up nothing unless something EVEN GREATER is threatened. 8/18
The history of social change teaches us that movements, civil disobedience & strikes must threaten MORE than the next concession. Why?
Because power gives up nothing unless something EVEN GREATER is threatened. 8/18
Having allies in electoral politics is vital, but historically progressive change has ALWAYS come from movements like the BLM movement today, utilizing diverse tactics & strategies such as protests, civil disobedience, strikes & other ways of disrupting business-as-usual. 9/18
In Understanding Power, Chomsky observes, “things will happen through the electoral process only if there are popular forces in motion in society which are active enough to be threatening to power.”
That's key. 10/18
That's key. 10/18
This thread explores the historical context of social change along with lessons from previous movements that apply to our struggles today: 11/18
In this thread, we explore three significant components of winning real change: raising consciousness & hope, movement strategies & shared vision. 12/18
In this moment of appalling state violence & police repression against those fighting for a better world, we have two paths forward:
One path guarantees defeat.
The other path is paved by the history of social change that has led to incredible victories in the past. 13/18
One path guarantees defeat.
The other path is paved by the history of social change that has led to incredible victories in the past. 13/18
The path of defeat is the path they want for us: fear, hopelessness, despair, inward anger & blame.
The path of victory is the path *they fear*: we keep building, we keep fighting, we keep growing our movements while connecting with other movements of justice & liberation. 14/18
The path of victory is the path *they fear*: we keep building, we keep fighting, we keep growing our movements while connecting with other movements of justice & liberation. 14/18
The path of defeat shows up every election year & puts its faith in a system so gripped by corporate control there is little actual democracy.
The path of victory understands that when the political process fails to uphold its democratic ideals, it's time for People Power. 15/18
The path of victory understands that when the political process fails to uphold its democratic ideals, it's time for People Power. 15/18
The pandemic & the government’s response is laying bare the various systematic oppressions that have always existed just beneath a thin veneer of business-as-usual complacency: capitalism, authoritarianism, racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. 16/18
While corporations & the 1% are showered with trillions in bailouts, most families in the US are caught fighting two fronts: the pandemic & a society that is failing them at every turn: 17/18
Now, more than ever, the US left must lead in raising consciousness, connecting the dots of ALL oppressions, building solidarity through diverse movements & demanding a future of shared leftist values.
This is OUR time. 18/18
This is OUR time. 18/18
