How far can the left go in the Democratic Party?

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

NO ONE predicted the stunning victory of a 28-year-old Latina socialist in a New York City primary election for Congress on Tuesday.
But in retrospect, this political bombshell is a sign of the times — especially the deep desire for an alternative to the meek and compromised Democratic Party leadership that usually goes unanswered....

Ocasio-Cortez’s left-wing campaign cut through that. In a campaign video that went viral on the internet, with more than half a million views, she said: “It’s time we acknowledge that not all Democrats are the same. That a Democrat who takes corporate money, profits off foreclosure, doesn’t live here, doesn’t send his kids to our schools, doesn’t drink our water or breathe our air cannot possibly represent us.”

Ocasio-Cortez has been especially effective in countering narratives that pit race against class. “I can’t name a single issue with roots in race that doesn’t have economic implications, and I cannot think of a single economic issue that doesn’t have racial implications,” she said. “The idea that we have to separate them out and choose one is a con.”

To read more:

https://socialistworker.org/2018/06/28/how-far-can-the-left-go-in-the-democratic-party

[wryter2000]

1. IMHO

this is really not a time to be pitting the "left" against the Democratic party. She's a Democrat. Her opponent is happy to support her. There is no division here.

[guillaumeb]

3. What are the acceptable limits of debate?

And yes, she is a Democrat, as am I. Ans she is also a socialist, as am I. The 2 are not incompatible.

[wryter2000]

10. i have no power to silence you

I am not limiting debate. I am saying that this sort of discussion supports a false narrative that the "mainstream" media like to put forward about the Democratic party. It's not helpful, especially in a year when we simply must take at least one house of Congress.

[guillaumeb]

12. If we cannot discuss and debate policy,

what do we say to motivate the lazy voter?

[wasupaloopa]

2. For all the happieness of her victory, she is one person. Unless we get control of Congress and the

Presidency there is little she can do alone.

It takes a party to get power. Now if you are advocating to split the electorate in November I wish all the evil that can befall you.

[guillaumeb]

4. I am advocating nothing of the kind.

The point of the article, in my view, is to stretch the platform and accommodate more viewpoints rather than follow the GOP plan of moving their party steadily to the fascist right.

[emulatorloo]

5. Are you saying Democrats are becoming fascists?

You aren’t being very clear. Seems like your author is trying to manufacture division where there is none. AOC is great and ran a great campaign. She was immediately endorsed by her opponent.

[guillaumeb]

6. I said the opposite.

The point of the article is to attract more voters by becoming even more progressive and open to other progressive viewpoints.

[emulatorloo]

7. This is what you wrote:

“The point of the article, in my view, is to stretch the platform and accommodate more viewpoints rather than follow the GOP plan of moving their party steadily to the fascist right.”

With that sentence, you seem to be indicating that the Democratic Party is following “the GOP plan of moving to the fascist right.”

AOC believes in the same goals the Democratic Party believes in. I don’t really see a conflict between what she stands for and what the Democratic Party stands for, especially in that district. I believe your author is trying to manufacture a conflict that doesn’t exist.

[guillaumeb]

8. I know what I wrote.

“The point of the article, in my view, is to stretch the platform and accommodate more viewpoints
rather than follow the GOP plan of moving their party steadily to the fascist right.”

I pointed out 2 possibilities, and the fact that a socialist won the primary indicates that the Democratic Party in that District moved farther left.



But we are both also aware that there are a certain number of Democrats who have supported some of Trump's ideas. So in my view this primary election is a good thing.

[emulatorloo]

9. Which Democrats are you talking about and what policies?

I know Bernie is pro Tariff but surely he doesn’t support Trump’s implementation.

As far as I can remember the majority if not all Democrats voted against Trump’s tax plan. Democrats voted to protect universal healthcare. No one supports Trump’s draconian immigration plan.

[guillaumeb]

11. We are getting off point a bit,

but Dan Lipinski of the Il 3rd District, my area, is one Democrat who voted against the ACA and still opposes it.

Here is a link to an article about the 39 Democrats who voted against the ACA.

http://www.businessinsider.com/democrats-who-voted-against-obamacare-keep-your-plan-2013-11

[emulatorloo]

14. That's an article from 2013.

I’ll just reiterate what I said before, your author is attempting to manufacture a conflict where there is none. It is pretty much a false narrative about what happened in this primary election. Purpose seems to be to pit Democrats against Democrats, despite our shared values.

Take care and have a good day.

[guillaumeb]

16. I disagree, and the article supports my point.

And the link answered your question.

[emulatorloo]

17. Your point was: 'there are a certain number of Democrats who have supported Trump's ideas'

An article from 2013 does not support that point in anyway shape or form.



As I said before, take care and have a good day.

[wasupaloopa]

13. Dems ar moving their party to the fascist right?

Look, the candidate represents her district not the whole country. Democratic Socialism will not take over the House!

[guillaumeb]

15. I already answered you.

You seem confused by the point of the article, and by my comments. I said the exact opposite of what you are claiming.

[LWolf]

18. Well, this thread answers that question.

How far? Not very, if you absorb the knee-jerk rejection here. And, of course, that article points out:

BUT AS significant as this victory is, the odds are still stacked against those, like Ocasio-Cortez, who hope to transform the Democratic Party — because the party establishment is dead set against being transformed. A case in point has been playing out this month.

[guillaumeb]

19. The word "socialist" seems to be a trigger word for many.

Some equate it with communism, others with various forms of national socialism.


But, in my view, if we as Democrats do not attempt to move the dialogue to the left, the GOP and the corporate media will continue to define the limits of acceptable debate. And thus we will move farther to the right even as polling shows the electorate has a favorable view of socialism, Medicare for all, state paid tuition, and other progressive ideas.

[LWolf]

20. Agreed. nt