Very well-written, Max! One of your best. One of my favorite sentences: "Progressives are excoriated for failing to adopt lesser-of-two-evils behavior, but when we play ball successfully, the football gets snatched away." Also, some good examples of what you are talking about. A very well constructed argument.
Grrr! I just spent half an hour posting a reply that the system wouldn't let me post because I'm on a new computer and wasn't logged in. When I logged in, it was gone. I'm on a new computer.
I also want to commend your remarks. It is important not to scold, and yet your perspective is one that today's leftist need to consider. Just because they probably must eventually vote for Biden, there's no reason they - or we - have to like it.
My perspective comes out of my experience in the post-New Left trend that sought to rebuild labor as a radical force rather than playing at revolution in the 1970s and early 80's. I get the impression that today's leftists don't even see that as left. And while it may be opportunistic, Biden's attempt to appeal to labor instead of keeping it at arms' length is a tremendously positive thing. Without that and with his horrific policies on Gaza, I might be tempted to throw in the towel, if not for the fact that Trump is worse in every other way. Cut off your nose to spite your face.
The big-money Dems don't care if we stay home! And you're right to point that out! I also think it's important to realize that a big part of the reason that the New York Times et al. have been so shitty to Biden is because of this partial embrace of economic populism. In their reckoning, Bernie Sanders and all his supporters should have been cut off at the knees as soon as Biden won. Instead, Biden works with them a bit and takes no umbrage when they do criticize him on Gaza. And by the way, hats off to AOC and her ilk for staying in this lane.
Unfortunately, I think today's left fails to see labor as left in any important way. I don't mean to criticize but it's a shame.
I, sadly, agree with a lot this. I think Walton was not a great candidate, and did herself in.
Very well-written, Max! One of your best. One of my favorite sentences: "Progressives are excoriated for failing to adopt lesser-of-two-evils behavior, but when we play ball successfully, the football gets snatched away." Also, some good examples of what you are talking about. A very well constructed argument.
Grrr! I just spent half an hour posting a reply that the system wouldn't let me post because I'm on a new computer and wasn't logged in. When I logged in, it was gone. I'm on a new computer.
I also want to commend your remarks. It is important not to scold, and yet your perspective is one that today's leftist need to consider. Just because they probably must eventually vote for Biden, there's no reason they - or we - have to like it.
My perspective comes out of my experience in the post-New Left trend that sought to rebuild labor as a radical force rather than playing at revolution in the 1970s and early 80's. I get the impression that today's leftists don't even see that as left. And while it may be opportunistic, Biden's attempt to appeal to labor instead of keeping it at arms' length is a tremendously positive thing. Without that and with his horrific policies on Gaza, I might be tempted to throw in the towel, if not for the fact that Trump is worse in every other way. Cut off your nose to spite your face.
The big-money Dems don't care if we stay home! And you're right to point that out! I also think it's important to realize that a big part of the reason that the New York Times et al. have been so shitty to Biden is because of this partial embrace of economic populism. In their reckoning, Bernie Sanders and all his supporters should have been cut off at the knees as soon as Biden won. Instead, Biden works with them a bit and takes no umbrage when they do criticize him on Gaza. And by the way, hats off to AOC and her ilk for staying in this lane.
Unfortunately, I think today's left fails to see labor as left in any important way. I don't mean to criticize but it's a shame.
I'd say Trump is particularly worse -- genocide level worse -- in the matter of Palestine, Yemen, Southern Lebanon, and Iran.