Thread by @cmclymer

Folks, we’ve been here before. We know how this will end. It’s no mystery what happens next.

I will never begrudge anyone who offers a good faith critique of elected officials, even ones I really love, because good faith criticism is essential to a healthy democracy.

(thread)

There are plenty of valid reasons to critique Vice President Harris and Governor Walz because I recognize that the Democratic Party and the progressive movement are not monoliths and certainly not cults.

I would say it’s absolutely correct to claim that the Democratic Party’s biggest strength is that its a “big tent” — there are a wide range of opinions and priorities, and so often, these clash in disagreement. And that’s a good thing.

That disagreement makes us stronger. We can have hard conversations and come out the other side better for it. We are the party of iron sharpens iron.

Where I draw the line in this election is the completely absurd and ridiculous claim that “both parties are the same” and then making the profoundly selfish and narcissistic decision to sit this one out because Vice President Harris isn’t saying and doing everything you want.

Good faith criticism is fine, even healthy, and certainly encouraged when it’s productive. But threatening to not vote or signaling to others that it’s fine to not vote doesn’t make you a progressive; it makes you a childish clown who clearly doesn’t understand the stakes.

Pick your issue, any of them, and there’s a chasm of difference between Vice President Harris and Trump. And it’s not even close.

Angry about late stage capitalism? Trump will brag about making billionaires richer, laugh off the struggles of working class families, and sell the state to the highest bidder, all for his lining his own pockets.

Angry about Gaza? Anyone being even the least bit honest with themselves knows that the horror inflicted on Palestinian civilians through Netanyahu’s cruelty and incompetence will be several magnitudes worse under Trump. Wanna give Bibi a blank check? Root for a Trump victory.

Angry and worried about climate change? If you think progress on that has been soul-crushingly slow, wait until Trump strips away every existing environmental regulation and jokes about it in the Oval Office.

Angry about our two party system? Hey, Trump’s got you covered there, too. If he wins, you’ll never have to be angry about two parties ever again. Under Project 2025, there’ll only be one party, and it really won’t be a party. It’ll be an insecure tyrant costuming as a party.

You won’t have to worry about voting because even if you technically get to vote, it won’t be counted. You won’t have to worry about protesting, either, because the fascist Supreme Court majority will figure out a way to curtail that to a toothless action, if not outright banned.

The most anodyne thing that can be said about this election is that it’s the furthest thing from normal; the most honest thing that can be said about it is that our country—and the world—will never recover from a Trump victory.

If you thought the first Trump term was horrible, trust me when I say the suffering inflicted on innocent people by a second Trump term is only limited by your imagination.

Actually, that’s not wholly accurate. Describing it as a “second term” implies he’ll leave office when his actions and words have consistently suggested otherwise.

Saying or implying that you’ll sit this one out because Vice President Harris doesn’t meet your threshold of political purity and you’ll simply back a more progressive candidate in 2028 against then-President Trump is the height of selfish naiveté.

Expecting anything approaching a free and fair election in 2028 with Trump back in office would almost be comical in its absurdity if it weren’t so terrifying.

Nothing matters more than stopping Trump this November.

Every progressive cause, every progressive conviction, every progressive goal you have will fare many, many times worse under Trump.

Our definitive purpose right now should be electing Vice President Harris.

If you think this is “vote bullying” or whatever, I really don’t give a shit. I could not care less about the feelings of people who are so self-absorbed that they would intentionally put the lives of countless many millions of vulnerable people at direct risk for performativity.

Be critical about our elected officials and be loud about it. That’s encouraged.

But claiming there “isn’t really a choice here” is bullshit, and that’s why every reasonable adult is furious at anyone who frames this election on any one issue when Trump and his acolytes could not be more clear that every issue you care about will be worse under his power.

There are no other options on the table.

Either you choose the experienced and progressive Vice President—who actually cares about what happens to all of us and is hellbent on doing something—or you get the aspiring fascist who will sacrifice anyone for his own ego and ensure you don’t ever get a choice again.

I would tell you to consider and choose wisely, but in this election, it shouldn’t take considerable wisdom to figure this one out.

Basic common sense will do just fine.

/thread

Essay here for easier sharing: charlotteclymer.substack.com/p/all-that-mat…