Mastodon Migration

The Party of the People

What needs to happen, and what IS happening in one primary race after another, is a redefinition of the Democratic Party as the party of the people, not the billionaires and corporations.

Taking big money from corporate PACs is becoming the kiss of death for a Democratic candidate as it should be.

#WeThePeople

Jun 24 at 5:17pmWeb
Show threadLauren Weinstein3d ago
@mastodonmigration In a fight to save democracy from fascism, when elections could be cancelled forever, a candidate should take the money (so long as it's legal) anywhere they can get it. To not do so is to fall into the fascists' trap. Ever read "The Prince" by Machiavelli? Executive summary: Evil triumphs over good so often, because good wants to play by the rules, but evil is willing to break every rule toward the goal of winning.
Show threadMastodon Migration3d ago

@lauren

The issue is not playing by the rules. It is who you are beholden to. If you take Crypto/AI money there are strings attached. You can't then effectively regulate these folks. Money is just one component of electoral success. Integrity is another.

Show threadLauren Weinstein3d ago
@mastodonmigration I'm pretty sure the GOP would be just fine with taking the money and letting the Democrats have the integrity.
Show threadMastodon Migration3d ago

@lauren

Right, but is that going to work? We are seeing race after race where the big money Dem is losing to the progressive Dem. Not just losing, but getting crushed. Does this translate to the general election? We will see. But something big is happening.

Show threadLauren Weinstein2d ago
@mastodonmigration What you're seeing is blue states getting bluer. That's not unexpected under these circumstances, though there are limits, even here in California. This is not a good time to be pushing tax increases, for example, obviously. But remember, the true blue and red states DON'T MATTER in a presidential election. The handful of swing states do, and that's how Trump got elected. And polls show clearly that the independents that drove those wins felt that Trump was a more "stable" candidate than Biden/Harris. That their perception was horrifically wrong is irrelevant, what matters is how they voted. And we are unlikely to see the same kind of voting behavior in Ohio that we see in New York. Another risk of course is progressives in Congress demanding legislation (let's assume Dems take the House at least), that can't really be enacted or make it through court scrutiny with SCOTUS.
Show threadMastodon Migration2d ago

@lauren

Generally agree with all of this. Not saying that progressive means doing stupid things. In fact, much of what needs to be done is just enforcing sensible regulation that already exists.

The upcoming primaries in Michigan and Minnesota will be very telling, as the same corporate v. progressive contests seem to be shaping up. We will get a good look at how this dynamic plays out in swing states.

Show threadTodd Knarr2d ago

@lauren @mastodonmigration The obvious solution is simply to play by the other side's rules. If they complain you can point out that they set those rules and, if they don't like them, they can change them at any time just by playing by their new rules.

Or, to quote the paladin, "I'm lawful good, _not_ lawful stupid.".

Show threadRick Moen 🇺🇸 🇳🇴 🇬🇧2d ago

@lauren @mastodonmigration :
I'm reminded of when someone groused to Mark Twain about his improbable friendship with Standard Oil head H.H. Rogers being morally unacceptable because the latter's money was "tainted".

"It's twice tainted", he drawled back. "Tain't yours, and tain't mine."

Show threadFediThing 2d ago

@mastodonmigration

I wonder if there's an analogy here to FOSS projects that take corporate money? They are at risk of losing touch with their grassroots supporters if they become dependent on money from rich donors.

Show thread2xfo2d ago
@FediThing @mastodonmigration
Umm, Firefox much? (Sorry, lol)
Show thread13reak 2d ago

@mastodonmigration

I agree it has to happen, but I disagree that it is happening. Rather the opposite: right wing populists are winning across the globe. Elections are legally manipulated with social media propaganda, especially by the right wing. And our democratic parties? They watch and do nothing. Or rather: help the companies and billionaires.

Has any Democrat done something meaningful when Trump destroyed the administration and started war after war bringing down the global economy as well as threatening his allies?

And how is it in Europe? Guess what: the German chancellor suggested to raise work time from 8h a day to 13h a day. Who benefits? Billionaires.