It really does get tiring seeing the same Democratic politicians, institutions, pundits, etc., refuse to acknowledge the very basic and fundamental root causes of why this country is in complete and total free fall. It makes sense as to why they do this, as you've detailed expertly across numerous pieces you've written, but good lord is it frustrating to see the same old bullshit being sold to us with a fresh coat of paint. At a certain point, they run out of colors of paint to use and the people are able to see right through it -- Abundance feels like exactly that. You spelled this out quite well:
"Unsurprisingly, this “radical centrism” fan club is not an authentic reflection of the desperate cries of voters for less free stuff, but rather a poorly disguised Trojan Horse for further hijacking of the Democratic process in favor of corporations and billionaires."
Yet another means of usurping genuine leftwing/socialist momentum by slamming the door shut on workers and forcing more neoliberal austerity down our throats. The mandate for us remains crystal clear: build a working people's movement that liberates workers from these institutions and educated elites who have shown us they'll never prioritize what it is the people need to not only survive, but to live. We need to organize so we can prioritize what the true "Abundance" agenda should always be about: abundance for all and not just for some.
Great work as always Scarlet and thank you for another fantastic read!
I think the most frustrating part is that I’ve seen all these awful politicians even in my home town just latch onto it immediately. It’s so clear that this is the direction of the party going forward and it will maintain their permanent minority status. There’s no one to save us but ourselves.
Yeah Chicago has caught a bit of the abundance bug as well. Some are pushing back, but it's clear this will become a major fight at the local level as well (I'm Brian Killme). I even saw some signs at the 'No Kings' protest here that were highlighting why we need to "Embrace Abundance!" which went perfectly side-by-side with the "If Kamala Were President I'd Be At Brunch Right Now!" signs. You're 1000% right: "There's no one to save us but ourselves." We gotta show people why and how a better world is possible.
Frankly, the issue with American politics these days is illiteracy. Back in the good old days, American literacy was very high, there were public libraries everywhere, and people read real books. They were politically literate, especially the so-called ‘left.’ Now, we have been totally anesthetized by technology. A nation of lotus eaters.
It makes more sense when you realize there really isn't such a thing as a Democrat or Republican party; they are no more separate parties than sportsball teams, who ostensibly see each other as rivals while their fans in a drunken stupor yell at the tube and fight one another and the owners laugh all the way to the bank.
The very people whose ear the Abundists have, the leaders of the ostensible opposition party, are missing in action while Trump’s gestapo beats up Democratic lawmakers and disappears our neighbors.
I would love to hear more concrete proposals about how we get there and what specifically the groups are doing to provide policies that will get democracies elected again. And would you be ok with another term of someone like Obama. I personally think neoliberalism needs to go but I think Abundance isn’t really about neoliberal per se but how to have government be part of the solution in housing, clean energy and supporting science better. Also I think Iglesias is not really part of that conversation other than being an early advocate of Yimby.
Personally, I just don't see it as a winning strategy. I think if you were really looking for a single issue to focus on to get votes, "free healthcare" is the one they really ought to go with. It's not just way simpler and easier to understand, people really want it. Like, a lot
Fuck Ezra Klein all my friends hate Ezra Klein
It really does get tiring seeing the same Democratic politicians, institutions, pundits, etc., refuse to acknowledge the very basic and fundamental root causes of why this country is in complete and total free fall. It makes sense as to why they do this, as you've detailed expertly across numerous pieces you've written, but good lord is it frustrating to see the same old bullshit being sold to us with a fresh coat of paint. At a certain point, they run out of colors of paint to use and the people are able to see right through it -- Abundance feels like exactly that. You spelled this out quite well:
"Unsurprisingly, this “radical centrism” fan club is not an authentic reflection of the desperate cries of voters for less free stuff, but rather a poorly disguised Trojan Horse for further hijacking of the Democratic process in favor of corporations and billionaires."
Yet another means of usurping genuine leftwing/socialist momentum by slamming the door shut on workers and forcing more neoliberal austerity down our throats. The mandate for us remains crystal clear: build a working people's movement that liberates workers from these institutions and educated elites who have shown us they'll never prioritize what it is the people need to not only survive, but to live. We need to organize so we can prioritize what the true "Abundance" agenda should always be about: abundance for all and not just for some.
Great work as always Scarlet and thank you for another fantastic read!
I think the most frustrating part is that I’ve seen all these awful politicians even in my home town just latch onto it immediately. It’s so clear that this is the direction of the party going forward and it will maintain their permanent minority status. There’s no one to save us but ourselves.
Yeah Chicago has caught a bit of the abundance bug as well. Some are pushing back, but it's clear this will become a major fight at the local level as well (I'm Brian Killme). I even saw some signs at the 'No Kings' protest here that were highlighting why we need to "Embrace Abundance!" which went perfectly side-by-side with the "If Kamala Were President I'd Be At Brunch Right Now!" signs. You're 1000% right: "There's no one to save us but ourselves." We gotta show people why and how a better world is possible.
Hey I would be fine if pols AOC and Bernie dominated democratic politics. But Americans couldn't even vote for Biden/Harris. Why?
Actually the corporate takeover of the Democratic party can be traced back to the switching out of Henry Wallace for Truman.
Yeah it was solidified in the 80s. The linked piece goes into that as well.
Don't forget Al Gore's immortal phrase, "Inside insurgent."
"Abundance is really about obscuring the class dynamics that are responsible for mass suffering." This and identity politics.
Frankly, the issue with American politics these days is illiteracy. Back in the good old days, American literacy was very high, there were public libraries everywhere, and people read real books. They were politically literate, especially the so-called ‘left.’ Now, we have been totally anesthetized by technology. A nation of lotus eaters.
https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/progressives-take-their-best-shot?r=zdzyw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Abundance is not neoliberalism...
It makes more sense when you realize there really isn't such a thing as a Democrat or Republican party; they are no more separate parties than sportsball teams, who ostensibly see each other as rivals while their fans in a drunken stupor yell at the tube and fight one another and the owners laugh all the way to the bank.
The very people whose ear the Abundists have, the leaders of the ostensible opposition party, are missing in action while Trump’s gestapo beats up Democratic lawmakers and disappears our neighbors.
It was called No Kings...
I would love to hear more concrete proposals about how we get there and what specifically the groups are doing to provide policies that will get democracies elected again. And would you be ok with another term of someone like Obama. I personally think neoliberalism needs to go but I think Abundance isn’t really about neoliberal per se but how to have government be part of the solution in housing, clean energy and supporting science better. Also I think Iglesias is not really part of that conversation other than being an early advocate of Yimby.
mfer used "groups" and meant it
People don't even like Abundance bullshit. It is not going to win elections lol
Abundance is a wonk movement oriented toward technocrats. At least that's how I see it! At some point it will when they do a rebrand!
Personally, I just don't see it as a winning strategy. I think if you were really looking for a single issue to focus on to get votes, "free healthcare" is the one they really ought to go with. It's not just way simpler and easier to understand, people really want it. Like, a lot