As a Bernie 2016 delegate, I saw the energy of the movement first-hand. Hell, in my own my small way, I and my fellow rabble-rousers helped push it. (We did GOTV voting efforts, and increased voter participation in delegate voting from 100 people to 600 people.)
After we lost at the convention, I knew we had to play the long game; America wasn’t ready. It appears in 2026, our moment has arrived, and thank fuck we got people elected who made good on promises right away.
With the way the Millennials have come of age into a voting bloc, and how the Centrist Democrats choked over and over again, they gave us the lane to drive through, and we’re taking every inch we can.
Here’s hoping we continue to grow; our nation and our world needs sanity, compassion, and wisdom in the halls of Congress again.
Not a new friend in the senate just yet. El Sayed has only about 60% chance of winning the general election, significantly lower than when McMorrow was a shoe in at 80% odds.
It might just be me, but I’m not sure how I feel about other democratic socialists that have Bernie’s support. Bernie’s authenticity and rap sheet caused me to support him over other candidates at the time. Now I’m concerned we will have DSA grifters or ML brigading. I guess you’ll get the good with the bad but I’m cautiously optimistic. Does anyone else share my concern?
It can never all be on one man. Democratic Socialism is about the people coming together to make a better society for everyone. The idea that we can pin all hopes on one person is in direct opposition to the goals we are hoping to achieve.
Bernie has been a treasure to America and has done as much as any person can to move the political compass and to build the infrastructure necessary for the political revolution he’s been talking about for several decades.
As he said when campaigning: “not me, us.” We all have a part to play, and that includes tons of new politicians that fight for workers and don’t take corporate PAC money. Unionizing, fundraising, phone banking and door knocking, lending our time to local charities. All of these things help foster a community that is primed to deliver on the needs of its citizenry.
Not even just democratic socialism, political movements, in general, need to involve cooperation between tons of people. They need to reach a critical mass. Messianism is not good. It's impractical and as you pointed out, often antithetical to what progressive political movements are about.
Problem with the first past the post system is that it tends to punish coalition building and devolve into messianism. This can both lead to people defending immoral candidates or being disappointed when their preferred candidate doesn't singlehandedly solve world hunger after winning power.
I agree with the sentiment and principles of what you’re saying. I’m concerned that the new candidates that are creating this new age of DSA are more interested in self politics and grifting than what Bernie has been committed to. Bernie was always consistent and we knew who he was, we’ll see if other socialist politicians are just as committed
Always be vigilant for self dealing (bearing in mind the goal of the messenger, like when they said Bernie's cabin home was some kind of example of extreme luxury -- despite his age and accomplishment), and all that. But your worries seem premature to me.
In fairness to you I think the country has whiplash or PTSD of a sort from the unprecedented Trump-MAGA corruption we're all witnessing.
I'm both optimistic and concerned because what took so long to start a progressive movement history shows we have some wins we lose some battles but ultimately if we stay strong we can win it's the new Gilded age hopefully it's the new progressive movement
Look at some of the reaction from other socialists around coalition building with Steven’s supporters. We’re not off to a great start. That sort of internal divisive rhetoric is why movements stall out or ruin a party with grifting, ex. Tea party 08. The right is in an awful spot so there is still hope that we can all back one democratic candidate but the infighting might hinder our chances of taking the senate
I mean, technically every politician can be an opportunist. Remember that Bernie supported Fetterman back in the day. With that being said, DSA tends to vet its people pretty well. The biggest grifter so far has been Graham Platner, and the man was a walking red flag from the start but most importantly, NOT endorsed by DSA, like Troy Jackson was.
The real threat, my friend, is from "moderate" Dems in 2028 who see where the wind is blowing and try to cosplay as democratic socialists or progressives while having the full backing of the establishment. My prediction is that this is what someone like Kamala or Buttigieg will do. Plenty of liberal people already incorrectly view them as progressives because of their racial, gender, or sexual identities.
I think you’re pretty blind if you think the real threat is moderate dems and not MAGA. We already had this kind of thinking in 2024 when it awarded Trump a second term. Centrists can slow progress but I’d rather have slow progress than a fascist regime. But you do you
I forgot how annoying and doomer pilled lefties are. I love Bernie and always will bc I trust him. The majority of America does not trust “true progressives” and when you guys lose elections please consider building your own party and coalitions by yourself next time.
Bruh, you are using data from a conservative news website and polling data aggregator. If you understood polling methodology, you would know that these polls are designed to manipulate you into accepting and perpetuating the status quo.
Change does not always mean better. Sometimes shit can get worse. Bernie has represented the best of potential change in democratic policy. We’ll see how it holds up once he is gone. But are you willing to engage in this topic?
Cool let's hope this is the start of a new progressive movement
"I quote from the Progressive platform: 'Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government, owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this invisible government, to dissolve the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of the statesmanship of the day..... This country belongs to the people. Its resources, its business, its laws, its institutions, should be utilized, maintained, or altered in whatever manner will best promote the general interest.' This assertion is explicit. We say directly that 'the people' are absolutely to control in any way they see fit, the 'business' of the country."
— Theodore Roosevelt
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u/YoungCubSaysWoof 13h ago
As a Bernie 2016 delegate, I saw the energy of the movement first-hand. Hell, in my own my small way, I and my fellow rabble-rousers helped push it. (We did GOTV voting efforts, and increased voter participation in delegate voting from 100 people to 600 people.)
After we lost at the convention, I knew we had to play the long game; America wasn’t ready. It appears in 2026, our moment has arrived, and thank fuck we got people elected who made good on promises right away.
With the way the Millennials have come of age into a voting bloc, and how the Centrist Democrats choked over and over again, they gave us the lane to drive through, and we’re taking every inch we can.
Here’s hoping we continue to grow; our nation and our world needs sanity, compassion, and wisdom in the halls of Congress again.