You know, the real progressives are fucked, mate. Bernie was the key. The one chance to drag the U.S. into the new millennium with a bit of decency, fairness, and genuine progress. The kind of shift that could’ve reset the tone for an entire generation. But it was all scuppered, not by the right, not by the voters, but by the same gaggle of corrupt party leaders and donors so many still put their faith in today.
The Democratic establishment couldn’t stomach the idea of someone who didn’t owe them. Twice they closed ranks to stop him, all while pretending it was about “electability.” They said he couldn’t win, then worked behind the scenes to make sure he never got the chance. The DNC changed debate rules mid-campaign, the media ran coordinated hit pieces about his “temperament” and “supporters,” and everyone from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama made calls to make sure endorsements went to the “safe” choice. And for what? So they could put up a candidate who barely inspired his own party to show up at the polls?
Even now, the same pattern plays out. Last year, Nancy Pelosi made sure AOC didn’t get a committee seat that could have set her up for a presidential run in 2028. Instead of giving a 35-year-old woman in her prime the chance to build real experience and influence, the seat went to a 75-year-old man dying of cancer. Because, in their eyes, loyalty to the machine matters more than the future of the movement. And even after the guy died 4 months later, they still wont allow her get the seat.
And it’s not just AOC. Look at what they did to Nina Turner, Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar — anyone who dares to challenge corporate donors or question U.S. foreign policy gets smeared, sidelined, or primaried by DNC-backed “moderates.” The second you talk about universal healthcare, higher taxes on billionaires, or ending endless wars, you’re branded “unelectable.” Yet somehow, it’s always the moderates who lose the winnable races.
You can see this play out at every level of government. look at the New York mayoral race. The establishment had the chance to back real progressives like Maya Wiley or Dianne Morales, people who actually wanted to tackle policing, housing, and inequality at the root. But instead, they rallied behind Eric Adams. A former cop, drenched in real estate money, who branded himself as “working class” while taking donations from every developer in the city. The media treated him like the grown-up in the room, the DNC donors opened their wallets, and the result was inevitable. The city that gave the world Occupy Wall Street ended up with a mayor who governs like Bloomberg with a badge. That’s not progress. That’s regression dressed in identity politics.
And look at what’s happening with Zohran Mamdani. Here’s a guy who’s actually walking the talk, pushing for housing as a human right, calling out landlords and real estate money in politics, standing with tenants instead of developers. You’d think the party would hold him up as the future. A young, articulate, principled leader who speaks to working-class people and immigrants alike. But no. The establishment treats him like a nuisance. They quietly back primary challengers against him, strip funding from his allies, and pretend he’s “too radical” for a state drowning in rent debt and corporate greed. That tells you everything you need to know. In their eyes, the problem isn’t corruption. It’s anyone who dares to point it out.
The truth is, the party doesn’t want progress, it wants control. It’s built to absorb progressive energy, milk it for enthusiasm and votes, then smother it before it threatens the donor class. Bernie showed what was possible. Millions of people, young and old, left and right wing, saw a vision of America that wasn’t built on cynicism or corporate handshakes. And the establishment made damn sure it never got close again.
Because if people like AOC, Bernie, or Turner ever actually got power, the kind of power to change how the system works, it wouldn’t just rattle the right. It’d end the cosy little club at the top of the left too. And they’d rather burn the whole thing down than let that happen.
But it was all scuppered, . . . by the same gaggle of corrupt party leaders and donors so many still put their faith in today.
No they don’t. It’s arguable they ever did. What we do is support our candidate (Bernie, in my case) and then when he doesn’t win, we support the next one down. No faith involved.
The Democratic establishment couldn’t stomach the idea of someone who didn’t owe them.
You’re making that up, but it sounds believable. Oh, you’ve got names, quotes, dates? Well in that case yeah [that person]’s a real asshole and we want them to die. But you don’t, do you. Who said “we can’t stomach the idea of [supporting] someone who doesn’t owe us”? Hm? No one. You’re writing your own little political thriller there.
Even now, the same pattern plays out. Last year, Nancy Pelosi made sure AOC didn’t get a committee seat that could have set her up for a presidential run in 2028.
So true, and - couple of things: 1) that was extreme bullshit and we’re all on board with kicking Nancy to the curb for it. Is Ken Martin going to go on the Sunday talk shows and say that? No. That’s not how we do it because we’re a real party of actual humans. So you won’t get your proof other than what an actual Democrat actually living the US who actually votes is telling you. 2) That may be some sort of recognized path in the UK to run for PM, but here it is not - nothing prevents AOC from running except the age limitation.
The second you talk about universal healthcare, higher taxes on billionaires, or ending endless wars, you’re branded “unelectable.” Yet somehow, it’s always the moderates who lose the winnable races.
Well no, but also yes the Democratic consultants (whom AOC famously elected to not employ) are all about losing winnable races. That’s a long-standing tradition that also helps hide a lot of cheating the GOP does. Here’s what that comes down to: candidates willing to run. The dance floor is always open. There aren’t a lot of Bill Clinton / Barack Obamas that want to run, and people to the left of them even less so. Name a socialist running for the House next year.
You can see this play out at every level of government. look at the New York mayoral race.
Man, NY is fucking Mars politically. Your narrative is convincing to people who don’t know that.
The city that gave the world Occupy Wall Street ended up with a mayor who governs like Bloomberg with a badge. That’s not progress. That’s regression dressed in identity politics.
The city that gave the world OWS voted for “Bloomberg with a badge”. What’s your point? NY politics is fucking insane? That’s my point!
The truth is, the party doesn’t want progress, it wants control.
Bullshit. Of course they want progress, hyperbole fails you here. And all parties “want control” of the party - no shit. That’s what they exist to do. That’s how you get on the ballot in all 50 states. I’d imagine whatever parties are big in Scotland also want control of their party. That’s how it works.
Because if people like AOC, Bernie, or Turner ever actually got power, the kind of power to change how the system works, it wouldn’t just rattle the right. It’d end the cosy little club at the top of the left too. And they’d rather burn the whole thing down than let that happen.
I disagree, but I’m here for Bernie and AOC and anyone like them who wants to run. Bernie’s a fucking Independent, anyone can (and does) run on that - so why don’t they? Because in a lot of places in America (not fucking New York, will you forget about fucking New York for five minutes?) but in Albuquerque and Grand Rapids and Dumas and Tacoma the Democratic party gets it done when nobody - no other party is there to move the country forward. Did that make the news in Scotland? I bet it didn’t.
Socialist Party? Communist Party? The fucking Green party? No. Doesn’t exist, or, exists and is a giant clusterfuck. As most parties are, because they’re human-centered communications organizations with the potential of tremendous money and power.
TL;DR what you’ve got here is not exactly wrong, but it ain’t right.
Oof. Hey fwiw, I hope you guys leave the UK and rejoin the EU. But if that’s not leftist enough then, y’know whatever helps there. I would think that would be good but wtfdik.
wtfdik
It would seem, not very much. And worse, you have no desire to change that. So like I said, enjoy your nightmare. Youve earned it, and you all continue to keep on earning it.
You know, the real progressives are fucked, mate. Bernie was the key. The one chance to drag the U.S. into the new millennium with a bit of decency, fairness, and genuine progress. The kind of shift that could’ve reset the tone for an entire generation. But it was all scuppered, not by the right, not by the voters, but by the same gaggle of corrupt party leaders and donors so many still put their faith in today.
The Democratic establishment couldn’t stomach the idea of someone who didn’t owe them. Twice they closed ranks to stop him, all while pretending it was about “electability.” They said he couldn’t win, then worked behind the scenes to make sure he never got the chance. The DNC changed debate rules mid-campaign, the media ran coordinated hit pieces about his “temperament” and “supporters,” and everyone from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama made calls to make sure endorsements went to the “safe” choice. And for what? So they could put up a candidate who barely inspired his own party to show up at the polls?
Even now, the same pattern plays out. Last year, Nancy Pelosi made sure AOC didn’t get a committee seat that could have set her up for a presidential run in 2028. Instead of giving a 35-year-old woman in her prime the chance to build real experience and influence, the seat went to a 75-year-old man dying of cancer. Because, in their eyes, loyalty to the machine matters more than the future of the movement. And even after the guy died 4 months later, they still wont allow her get the seat.
And it’s not just AOC. Look at what they did to Nina Turner, Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar — anyone who dares to challenge corporate donors or question U.S. foreign policy gets smeared, sidelined, or primaried by DNC-backed “moderates.” The second you talk about universal healthcare, higher taxes on billionaires, or ending endless wars, you’re branded “unelectable.” Yet somehow, it’s always the moderates who lose the winnable races.
You can see this play out at every level of government. look at the New York mayoral race. The establishment had the chance to back real progressives like Maya Wiley or Dianne Morales, people who actually wanted to tackle policing, housing, and inequality at the root. But instead, they rallied behind Eric Adams. A former cop, drenched in real estate money, who branded himself as “working class” while taking donations from every developer in the city. The media treated him like the grown-up in the room, the DNC donors opened their wallets, and the result was inevitable. The city that gave the world Occupy Wall Street ended up with a mayor who governs like Bloomberg with a badge. That’s not progress. That’s regression dressed in identity politics.
And look at what’s happening with Zohran Mamdani. Here’s a guy who’s actually walking the talk, pushing for housing as a human right, calling out landlords and real estate money in politics, standing with tenants instead of developers. You’d think the party would hold him up as the future. A young, articulate, principled leader who speaks to working-class people and immigrants alike. But no. The establishment treats him like a nuisance. They quietly back primary challengers against him, strip funding from his allies, and pretend he’s “too radical” for a state drowning in rent debt and corporate greed. That tells you everything you need to know. In their eyes, the problem isn’t corruption. It’s anyone who dares to point it out.
The truth is, the party doesn’t want progress, it wants control. It’s built to absorb progressive energy, milk it for enthusiasm and votes, then smother it before it threatens the donor class. Bernie showed what was possible. Millions of people, young and old, left and right wing, saw a vision of America that wasn’t built on cynicism or corporate handshakes. And the establishment made damn sure it never got close again.
Because if people like AOC, Bernie, or Turner ever actually got power, the kind of power to change how the system works, it wouldn’t just rattle the right. It’d end the cosy little club at the top of the left too. And they’d rather burn the whole thing down than let that happen.
No they don’t. It’s arguable they ever did. What we do is support our candidate (Bernie, in my case) and then when he doesn’t win, we support the next one down. No faith involved.
You’re making that up, but it sounds believable. Oh, you’ve got names, quotes, dates? Well in that case yeah [that person]’s a real asshole and we want them to die. But you don’t, do you. Who said “we can’t stomach the idea of [supporting] someone who doesn’t owe us”? Hm? No one. You’re writing your own little political thriller there.
So true, and - couple of things: 1) that was extreme bullshit and we’re all on board with kicking Nancy to the curb for it. Is Ken Martin going to go on the Sunday talk shows and say that? No. That’s not how we do it because we’re a real party of actual humans. So you won’t get your proof other than what an actual Democrat actually living the US who actually votes is telling you. 2) That may be some sort of recognized path in the UK to run for PM, but here it is not - nothing prevents AOC from running except the age limitation.
Well no, but also yes the Democratic consultants (whom AOC famously elected to not employ) are all about losing winnable races. That’s a long-standing tradition that also helps hide a lot of cheating the GOP does. Here’s what that comes down to: candidates willing to run. The dance floor is always open. There aren’t a lot of Bill Clinton / Barack Obamas that want to run, and people to the left of them even less so. Name a socialist running for the House next year.
Man, NY is fucking Mars politically. Your narrative is convincing to people who don’t know that.
The city that gave the world OWS voted for “Bloomberg with a badge”. What’s your point? NY politics is fucking insane? That’s my point!
Bullshit. Of course they want progress, hyperbole fails you here. And all parties “want control” of the party - no shit. That’s what they exist to do. That’s how you get on the ballot in all 50 states. I’d imagine whatever parties are big in Scotland also want control of their party. That’s how it works.
I disagree, but I’m here for Bernie and AOC and anyone like them who wants to run. Bernie’s a fucking Independent, anyone can (and does) run on that - so why don’t they? Because in a lot of places in America (not fucking New York, will you forget about fucking New York for five minutes?) but in Albuquerque and Grand Rapids and Dumas and Tacoma the Democratic party gets it done when nobody - no other party is there to move the country forward. Did that make the news in Scotland? I bet it didn’t.
Socialist Party? Communist Party? The fucking Green party? No. Doesn’t exist, or, exists and is a giant clusterfuck. As most parties are, because they’re human-centered communications organizations with the potential of tremendous money and power.
TL;DR what you’ve got here is not exactly wrong, but it ain’t right.
Enjoy your nightmare, mate. Youve earned it.
Oof. Hey fwiw, I hope you guys leave the UK and rejoin the EU. But if that’s not leftist enough then, y’know whatever helps there. I would think that would be good but wtfdik.
? Okay then.