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@dresstokilt @bsdphk Not exciting, but we're at a stage where the purpose of voting is harm minimization. There are harms that wouldn't exist today, if Dems won 24. Doesn't mean they're a good party; doesn't mean voting will solve our problems. People should also support:
- Grassroots electoral and campaign reform
- Building infra for 3rd parties
- Engaging in local politics
- Plugging into mutual aid/other local networks
And more.. Voting doesn't have to come at the expense of this.
@dresstokilt @bsdphk I don't think there's a playbook, but agree that Dems at a national level are functionally "controlled "opposition. But not in the sense that every move is hand-picked by the wealthy; incentives + norms make them a paralyzed party. We need reform and to get money out of politics.
In the meantime, Dems have been steered in productive ways when agitated. Khan's antitrust was not part of any plan; Biden lost donors over that. Was genuine response to the moment, but very late.
@dresstokilt @bsdphk This isn’t to give credit to Dems. All I’m saying is if one party can be cajoled into not doing maximal harm that’s slightly better than letting the other party freely pursue maximal harm.
@dresstokilt @bsdphk On foreign policy, again, not going to defend American empire, but I don’t think waton cuts of USAID or explicit military threats against Greenland would be happening under Dems. I could see other forigen policy differences under Dems too, if their base shamed them enough, but those are speculative.
@dresstokilt @bsdphk @dresstokilt @bsdphk @MidniteMikeWrites
Not trying to defend Dems. But there are material differences between parties, though mostly as a result of Repbs moving further right. To their credit, though, Dems broke Washington Concensus post-2016. Pursued industrial policy and antitrust against wishes of rich donors. Shouldn’t have taken 40 years, but is surprising considering the complete disregard prior to Biden.
@benlockwood market economies are a wicked problem politicians treat as an engineering problem. Until that changes any runaway consequences will remain unaddressed.
RE: https://mamot.fr/@pluralistic/116046419430463041
This is an excellent idea. Unfortunately I don’t think the Dems realize they’re the opposition party in an authoritarian regime. They are instead normalizing backsliding. Doesn’t mean that the public can’t do this!
