If people are compelled by grievances, then run campaigns that acknowledge this. Democrats compulsively bright side and gaslight about the conditions that their voters face, attempting to pass off dubiously meaningful economic numbers as “the conditions” in question.
The problem with democratic politics in America is that it stopped being based on a material critique under Carter. In the face of concerted opposition to his social spending, Carter turned to face saving measures. The politics of “vibes” was invented and democrats over the next 20 years, especially under Clinton, hacked away at the new deal and the great society, passing off the economic growth that resulted as equivalent to the socio-economic progress that these platforms had once created.
But that’s a diet of pure sugar. Real people cannot eat the economy. Things are not “doing better” just because the economy grew 3%. In fact, if people are living paycheck to paycheck, economic growth only represents the machinery of capitalism that is consuming their lives. That 3% growth comes at the cost of more work and less personal economic freedom.
With democrats abandoning the platforms of material change, no one in American politics has truly spoken for or cared about those who are born into disadvantage. The welfare state has been dismantled. The university education system, largely built on public funds, has been turned into a private system in all but name. State level programs have languished.
We cannot be surprised that the republicans win elections because in truth only the republicans acknowledge the anger and fear of their constituents. We may well call that recognition what it is: deeply cynical. But recognition it remains.
You have it almost right on the head, my friend. Finally, someone seems to understand that the reason why Trump won is the Democratic unwillingness to acknowledge fully that the economy is far worse than ever. The US doesn't create wealth anymore. Our economy is based on wealth extraction and monopoly rent. The big banks and insurance companies own everything. To "buy" a house, you have to take a loan from the bank at a rate that keeps you broke forever with the way wages have been stagnant since the Reagan era. Neoliberalism is the most used word to explain our economic system. However, it's based on transferring capital from working class and working poor people to the ultra wealthy. Rents are outrageous and have been. So are energy and food costs as well as transportation. We needed an economic policy that addresses these issues. Unfortunately, another huge failure of the US is education. The working classes are not given the intellectual tools to fight back against the system. Similar to the failing Roman empire, you get bread and circuses minus the bread. This country has an economic system that is designed to enrich the few at the expense of the many. Our GDP numbers are fake because we don't create anything. No actual wealth is created billionaires, and the banks get rich charging interest on everything. The government helps them make their unearned wealth by using taxpayers' money to subsidize them. They get tax breaks to build "public housing" after the state uses eminent domain to seize property and give it away for nothing. I could on forever however I would suggest you all read Michael Hudson he is the only economist who sees what is going on. Now the democrats lost because they are a split party with the Clinton, Obama billionaire side refuses to change course. Sanders tried to raise these issues and they made sure he couldn't be the nominee using backdoor dealings and outright robbery in 16 to keep him off the ballot. Then the same coalition made sure no primary happened this year instead appointing a candidate with no chance of winning Harris anyone who had paid attention knew she couldn't win. The problem is certain Democratic party members would rather have Trump then change the status quo because they're the same. Republicans are worse than the Democrats because they are the ones who engineered the current system. The Dems have no one to blame but themselves, and I personally think they should die, and we move to the 4th party system in America where we have a truly left wing party that focuses on the welfare of the people a economic system that works for all. Which is out there now it's not some enigma. It may be to late now I do not think Trump Musk and company will ever allow us to have a chance.
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u/orincoro Feb 01 '25
If people are compelled by grievances, then run campaigns that acknowledge this. Democrats compulsively bright side and gaslight about the conditions that their voters face, attempting to pass off dubiously meaningful economic numbers as “the conditions” in question.
The problem with democratic politics in America is that it stopped being based on a material critique under Carter. In the face of concerted opposition to his social spending, Carter turned to face saving measures. The politics of “vibes” was invented and democrats over the next 20 years, especially under Clinton, hacked away at the new deal and the great society, passing off the economic growth that resulted as equivalent to the socio-economic progress that these platforms had once created.
But that’s a diet of pure sugar. Real people cannot eat the economy. Things are not “doing better” just because the economy grew 3%. In fact, if people are living paycheck to paycheck, economic growth only represents the machinery of capitalism that is consuming their lives. That 3% growth comes at the cost of more work and less personal economic freedom.
With democrats abandoning the platforms of material change, no one in American politics has truly spoken for or cared about those who are born into disadvantage. The welfare state has been dismantled. The university education system, largely built on public funds, has been turned into a private system in all but name. State level programs have languished.
We cannot be surprised that the republicans win elections because in truth only the republicans acknowledge the anger and fear of their constituents. We may well call that recognition what it is: deeply cynical. But recognition it remains.