One guy wants to work on Civil rights, taxes, and social services.
The other guy wants to jail anyone who said mean things about him, suspend the constitution, and immediately apon being sworn in use the military to institute the insurrection act and declare martial law.
As someone who was centrist: you can't be centrist when one person is motivated by spite to tear it down. You aren't a centrist anymore. You're an accessory.
Liberals are always the first to fall in line with fascists - the first regional governments of the Nazis in Germany was supported by libertarians and pro-economy-parties, a couple of years ago. 3 years ago the Neo-Liberal party in Thuringia accepted to govern as a minority-government when the only party supporting them was the far-right AfD with a leader that you can legally call a fascist and that is under surveillance by the Verfassungsschutz for being a danger to democracy.
The CDU (moderate-conservative party) in Germany also won't work with either the left party nor the AfD but their local politicians are already getting very close with the AfD.
If someone's claiming "both sides" in a political issue that's usually a sign that they won't oppose the fascists when they try to grab the power
Not in the US but I kind of apply this to the Democratic party itself. Obviously they aren't outright fash-branded like this GOP faction and strategically voting for them is like a forced thing at this point, but they are objectively a center-right party, and I believe the economic policies they promote are in effect an accessory to the GOP's. What's more is Democrat PACs actually give money to run ads on behalf of the most fash GOP primary candidates as part of a strategy to get them easier opponents, and it's worked before, but it also directly enables that faction to gain more ground over multiple election cycles. Like Hillary wanted to run against Trump, they helped him get the nomination, how funny would that be if the GOP had Trump as a candidate, they'd be a laughingstock!
I feel like this whole thing is a downward spiral with two factions that aren't really even offering economic alternatives at this point because the neoliberal market based "freedom" is basically consented too. It's like do you want the happy Democrat branding of this or the fashy GOP branding while it all spirals out of control.
I generally give Republicans more benefit of the doubt than most. I consider myself a liberal libertarian with an open mind to all things. I think there were plenty of valid reasons to vote for Trump the first time around, reasons that much of the country chose to ignore because it was easier than addressing them.
If the GOP nominates Trump again, they deserve to lose as hardcore as possible. I didn't scream and cry when he was elected because I was willing to give him a chance and an open mind. But I think his first term said everything that needed to be said about his suitability as a leader. He talked a big talk of draining the swamp, but then filled his cabinet with alligators and no swamps were drained. If anything, swamps were created as he filled key positions with corrupt people who were loyal to him but had little experience or skill for the job at hand.
Love his policies or hate them, that's just corrupt bad government. And while I don't always agree with Biden's policies, much like Obama, he at least executes the duties of his office in a relatively competent manner.
Same thing if DeSantis gets the nomination. You can't run a platform of jobs creation when you pick a hissy fit with your state's largest employer because they dare voice some mild opposition to a policy of yours (especially when said opposition is essential for said company to maintain credibility on the national level). That speaks volumes about the kind of person, and the kind of leader, that you are. I would rather have someone who's policies I sometimes disagree with, then a childishly vindictive psychophant sitting in the big chair.
Sadly, this all is the very predictable result of the Karl Rove strategy- whip up social conservatives and evangelicals to drum up votes. The result is those groups now have significant power within the GOP, even though their platform of intolerant policies is unappealing to the broader nation to the point of making them unelectable in the eyes of many.
How about we give Biden credit for things he actually does, instead of more campaign promises he certainly won’t follow through on?
Day 1 agenda voting rights act, never happened. Locked in Trump corporate tax reductions. Has always wanted to plunder social security and abandon the program. Literally drools at the opportunity to “compromise with republicans” to achieve this feat. He’s a moron, the world’s worst negotiator, or the perfect lapdog of the ruling elite - take your pick, but he’s sure as shit not FDR 2.0.
This is who Biden is, so when you proudly vote against the bad orange man (a fascist wannabe tyrant to be sure), know who you’re voting for
Follow-up question, after 2020 what steps did you take to ensure or at least influence the available choices you would have in the coming 2024 election? Did you write your local comparative left-leaning parties, presumably including the Democrats, directly to voice your dissatisfaction and interest in more genuinely progressive or leftist party platform policies or policy makers? Or did you work with a better suited third party to increase their viability through community canvasing and outreach programs? Did you start talking with others in your community in the beginning stages of starting a bid for candidacy yourself to be the change you want to see directly? Not to be rude, I mean that genuinely, but did you do anything other than complain online, maybe in a few conversations in real life as well?
Because here's the thing, your criticism is absolutely both correct and valid. But we are now a year before the election, well into the primary season. If you haven't actually done anything to make the situation better, then you're kind of armchair quarterbacking critiques about the playbook of a game that is already in half-time. I'm sorry to be this blunt, but you missed the window. I truly hope you do get involved and care enough to make sure a terrible candidate like Biden isn't the only viable option in the future, but the time to start putting in the work to ensure a decent candidate appears on the 2028 ballot is today.
Make no mistake, it is absolutely terrible and miserable that campaign cycles are so long and that the political system is so practically impenetrable that we have to waste so much time on this shit and think long-game like this. Fucking miserable situation. But that's how it is. No amount of standing on principle or taking the easy way out by abstaining and blaming the consequences on others will change that. It sucks. I hate it too. But that's how it is. The reality is that Joe Biden is a shitty candidate but if you are even halfway decent you understand the alternative is objectively worse in almost every measurable way. Yes, voting for the lesser of two evils is terrible bullshit. But when you can't solve a problem outright, wisdom is prioritizing harm reduction. The choice is obvious.
But seriously, start fucking work today making sure we aren't right back here again in 2028.
edit: to be clear, I don't know you, and I understand that you may genuinely be involved already. I'll admit I am speaking in generalities to a broader audience than to you personally, and do apologize for any presumptions I have made about you in doing so.
Biden can sell it all he wants but the Legislature has to pass it
Locked in Trump corporate tax reductions.
Responsibility of the legislature
Has always wanted to plunder social security
We do need to deal with that election hasn’t in the room. We can’t control the deficit without controlling the biggest parts of the budget. More importantly, it’s sort of like climate change where the earlier you address it the easier it will be but at some point becomes too late to prevent serious repercussions
opportunity to “compromise with republicans”
He did campaign on trying to bring things back together, work together for the good of the country. I give the guy credit for trying more than I would have
No...no we don't. The centrists are looking at the US and know we are fucked. We stopped pretending politics matter after Bush stole his first election and Obama couldn't come through with universal healthcare.
Ya. Ignore the genocide. And the strong history if being against gay marriage and abortion. And the doing nothing to address the codification of Roe v Wade. And the standing against cannabis legalization so we can keep jails full of peaceful poor people.
Why would anyone have reservations against voting for that guy.
Biden actually pardoned all federal convicts of marijuana possession. You can apply online at this link if you know anyone. He also began the process for re-classifying marijuana as Schedule III, though there's a lot of bureaucracy to get through so that's slow.
His SAVE program for Student Loans is fucking incredible. It dropped a crippling payment down to $32 a month. He may be old, but that has really helped me. I support him completely.
Yeah but why couldn't have Biden done that already!?!?!?! Guess I gotta vote 3rd party now to show how strong my moral character is so I can pat myself on the back as the world burns fake tan orange around me.
Republicans have been eating up that tax break trickle down bullshit for decades even though they don't see a dime of it. Biden does something that directly benefits the economic reality of the working class and you want to shame people for liking it?
He improved people's lives, so they want to support him. Is that the same thing as a tax cut for businesses and the ultra-wealthy (the only significant thing Trump achieved)?
Congratulations, in my 20 odd years of going on various internet forms and pages, this is probably the stupidest take I have ever seen. God damn your teachers must have been dumbfounded by your ability to be so obtuse.
Unfortunately, the choice we have is between the false flag of that dangling carrot and the open derision of someone calling us ‘vermin’ and thinks we need to be eradicated.
If people VOTE it very well may happen. Biden has surprised a whole lot of people so far. Look at the student loan forgiveness - it is happening IN SPITE of the Republicans.
It's not like the other guy is going to be better for their civil rights. I'd rather have the guy who doesn't keep his promises over the guy who wants me shot in the street for existing.
Neither. Progress has never been made by begging powerful people for it. And if you just think about it for a second, you can see that. Hearing "just wait 4 more years then you can vote with your conscience" every single election cycle has to be a clue.
The whole point of discussing your intent is to get people to vote for you so you can do the thing.
People want improvements to civil rights so Biden has to talk about furthering that agenda so they'll vote for him to go do that. It would be kind of odd not to do that.
I see this as proof that we don't really live in a democracy. Most people are anti-genocide but a politician asking for a ceasefire is a fringe position. Most people want a higher minimum wage, but it's considered a fringe position in Washington. Most people want universal healthcare, but it's considered a fringe position.
Biden clearly doesn't give a shit about winning the next election.
Muslims and Arabs are maybe 1-2% of the voting population, and the already live in primarily blue districts. Everyone else will forget or doesn't give enough of a shit to make it a top voting priority.
The alternative is Trump, in which case the US might nuke Gaza just for fun, and then turn the west bank into a Trump owned water park.
Dude needs to promise to legalize weed at the federal level to make up for his past bullshit. That would probably get folks out to vote. Imma vote for the old geezer anyway because I don't want to live though Trump being president again. If Trump gets office again, he'll likely never leave.
If she's good enough for a Biden she's good enough for me.
Have you seen the other guy? He's talking about instituting martial law on day one, posting armed guards at election sites, purging the federal government, and eradicating political opponents.
The dude already trying to steal a four-year term as president even though he knew he lost the election. If he's elected, he will 100% make himself a dictator for life.
IMO, he has inspired more terrorism in the United States than Osama Bin Laden ever did.
Which is why I'm quite concerned that an octogenarian with an unpopular VP who floundered during the primary race and has barely been seen since may not be making it to election day 2024 and passing the torch prematurely at the 11th hour during the most important election cycle in US history.
Biden is acting like a teenager that thinks they are immortal and risking the entire country on that presumption.
We should really be having a primary to run the most capable Dem candidates against Trump. But short of that, they should at very least be adequately preparing for a possible Harris v Trump ticket and not keep pretending she doesn't exist until she's unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight again.
Kevin Munoz, a spokesman, described the election as “a choice between fighting for the middle class or shilling for rich special interests” and he said ”it’s a contrast we are more than happy to make.”
It was pared down because of resistance from Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat who is a key vote in the narrowly divided Senate and announced this past week that he will not seek reelection.
That includes making two years of community college tuition free, offering universal preschool and limiting the cost of child care to 7% of income for most families.
George Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis, was murdered by a white police officer, and Trump tried to overturn Biden’s election victory, leading to the riot on Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol.
But Democratic legislation intended to solidify access to the ballot box failed to advance when some members of the party refused to sidestep Senate filibuster rules to pass it.
The White House argues that it’s too hard to build infrastructure such as transmission lines, but legislation to address the issue would likely require compromises with Republicans, who see an opportunity to grease the skids for additional fossil fuel development.
The original article contains 1,481 words, the summary contains 201 words. Saved 86%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!
"Centrists in the two major U.S. political parties are often found in the New Democrat Coalition, the Blue Dog Coalition of the Democratic Party, the Republican Main Street Partnership of the Republican Party, and the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. Barack Obama has been widely identified as a centrist Democrat president, as has Joe Biden. Outside the two major parties, some centrists inhabit the Libertarian Party, independent candidacy movements, such as Unite America, co-founded by Charles Wheelan, and the Forward Party, established by Andrew Yang in 2021."
The absolute ignorance of how the US government works on this site continues to astound me day in and day out. Though I'm pretty it's mostly children and people wanting to virtue signal at this point.
Kinda tough when the controlling party of half of Congress sticks their fingers in their ears whenever a Democrat talks.
Would you prefer he used his EE magic wand to complete his agenda? You could say a lot of things about him but being able to work across the aisle is a one of his strong suits no matter who you ask, and tbh it’s kind of impressive he’s accomplished as much as he has given the climate in DC.
It really needs to be contextualized that, compared to essentially all other countries, the economic recovery the United States has experienced is far far better. That doesn't mean that people's pain right now isn't real, but a lot of these issues are global in scale, and leaders across the entire planet have been having much harder times. There isn't a "economy gooder" button on Biden's desk that he can press.