The Limits of Electoralism
In the current congress there are 97 out and vocal progressives - that's 22%. It's enough to win concessions, but it's not enough to push anything through, so the neoliberal status quo prevails.
If all the effort put into dissuading people from voting were put into getting out the progressive vote instead, that dynamic could change. Electoralism is not my calling, I've done my time and it's thankless work. But the least I can do is show up to vote, something that takes less than a day, to back up those who pour themselves into it.
When I think about how progressive the world is likely to be in 100 years based on the two paths in front of us - a rapid descent of the world's major superpower into fascism, or neoliberal window dressing that seems to respond to pressure, even if it's slower than we would like - I find in my heart that the latter feels more fruitful toward long term goals.
State of Delusion: The Myth of the Magic Collapse
The veneer of civility that pays lip service to things like human rights is important, because they amplify - even if dishonestly - narratives that are helpful for radical organizers. In my lifetime, same sex lovers have gone from catching felonies to throwing weddings. Things do change with time. And eventually the state can become obsolete, if we want it.
If you think a collapse is going to magically yield a leftist utopia when we are surrounded by the average person who can't tell the difference between Donald Trump and Jesus, I'm sorry but it just isn't. And if states do wither away, then I don't see why it can't be this one. Why do we need a collapse and a new state first before that can happen? If you want a worker state, transform this one.
Changing the Game: The Power of a Progressive Congress
Again, I'm not going to put my time or energy into electoralism. But I can show up to vote. I can understand what it means that there is a chessboard upon which all of us must live with the moves we make. Kamala Harris will sign the legislation that is put in front of her, and that legislation is shaped by how many progressives are in congress - the radical the better, but I'll take what I can get.
An end to genocide isn't on the ballot with Kamala, but it might be with congress. It isn't hard to understand that encouraging progressives to vote is more helpful then trying to convince them not to.
How will you use your first world responsibility today?
