WEDGE ISSUES: Divisive threat to success

[Cosmic Kitten]

We are witnessing a growing
threat of divisive wedge issues
within the Democratic party.

This is both reassuring and unsettling.

Our reassurance is found in the FACT
that the opposition is putting more effort
into dividing us Democrats from one another
than in attacking our natural enemies,
the authoritarian right-wing.

Our disappointment is found in the reality
that the divisiveness is coming from within
the Democratic party "supporters".

The traditional wedge issues have been;
Gun rights, religion, LGBT, and women's rights...
aka. guns, G~D, gays and girls, the 4G's.

And, traditionally, these have been employed
by right-wingers and 3rd-Wayers against
"The Left".

Today we are seeing the 4G's used by
those who have been natural allies.

We need to recognize and disrupt the
propagation of these wedges to prevent
further malignancy within the party.

To that end, we need to change the "frame"
to capture the "narrative".

The 3rd-Way strategy is to cleave a divide
between social and economic concerns.
ie, socially progressive and economically conservative.
In reality, there is ZERO daylight between the two.

In our culture, money is power and control.
Without power, there is no social justice.

The 3rd-Way mantra of social justice before
economic justice is little more than a wedge
designed to divide the most vulnerable Democrats
from their natural allies... DIVIDE AND CONQUER.

BEWARE of the "trap".
A wedge issue or meme ONLY has power when
it is repeated or becomes part of the collective conscience.

Each time we refute or defend the false premise,
such as the separation between social and economic justice,
we are REINFORCING the frame trap set by the opposition.

The only exit is re-framing or introducing a new frame.


We need to begin putting forth NEW frames
and avoid reinforcing or furthering the frames
and narratives of those who seek to divide
and conquer our hopes, our dreams of a healthy,
safe and united world.

[canoeist52]

1. Accurate assessment and warning. Divided we fall.

[Cosmic Kitten]

2. Absolutly!

It's disappointing that the division
is coming from within our own ranks
this time around.

How or why some Democrats
are embracing the 3rd-Way
wedge issues is puzzling???

[HooptieWagon]

3. The wedge is being driven by a faction of the party.

Not the republicans. GOP is too busy right now holding all their factions together.

[Cosmic Kitten]

4. Exactly! and it's a feature not a bug on this election cycle.

We need to nip this in the bud
and assert new frames.

Currently, the 3rd-Way
is setting the narrative...
a false but effective narrative.

[silvershadow]

5. Well those roots go way back to Arkansas. Wedge, if necessary. Triangulation is the

most important part in cases like this.

[merrily]

6. Hi, Cosmic. Good to see you. Good image, too. I agree with almost everything.

However, I don't agree that there is zero daylight between economic and issues of discrimination. There is overlap, but not identity. If Trayvon Martin's family had had more money, he'd still be dead and his killer would probably still have been acquitted.

If we can unite, we can do a lot on a lot of fronts. If we can't, same old, same old. I hope we can unite. Great post. Thanks.

[Cosmic Kitten]

7. Hey, Merrily

I don't know that any specific
example can be held up and
examined without finding some
imperfection of the theory.

Is there ever a perfect fit?
IOW, there are exceptions to the rule.

IMO, the issue transcends micro
examples and applies to a larger,
social macrocosm.

Travon was a victim of an individual racist.

Ferguson is a more apropos example
The Ferguson community was/is victimized
because of race, and through the instruments
of institutional violence and economic abuse.

Ferguson residents are both abused socially
and economically.

Not quibbling, and appreciate your reply.
peace

[merrily]

8. Sure, Ferguson is a better example. Both involve someone dead because of race, but

Ferguson is the direct responsibility of government.

[Cosmic Kitten]

9. Yes, institutionalized racism

It was later we discovered the heinous
economic abuse of the Ferguson community
at the hands of the racists who run the town
and county.

[2banon]

10. Fully agree Cosmic Kitten. I agree with Merrily in part. but your point still stands.

Yes Racism is certainly a deeply held form of bigotry and is deeply manifested in deep hatred often resulting in or expressed in some form of violence in . Absolutely no question.

It also true that it has been the case in all of the world's humanity for millennia, running deep in our species psyche.

For centuries, our history has been plagued with racism such that it has become institutionalized in our culture, (laws vis a vis the original writing of our constitution)... and it didn't end with the conclusion of the Civil War.( that war has continued to be waged well into this century) but Racism and Misogyny is institutionalized in our culture economically vis a vis low wages, extremely high costs of education, health care, housing etc. and the Justice system, which is what I refer to as modern day slavery and perfectly legal. Becausze these conditions wholly benefit the ruling class and only the ruling class.

It is a fact that socio-economic and justice issues are intimately intertwined and deeply connected.

And I agree that the intention is to separate "economics" from the "social" in seeking justice and equality is the intention of the 3rd wayer's wall street, corporate capitalists. there are one or two economically privileged poc members here in du in deep deep denial on that point.

Once we the people collectively understand the connection and manifest that understanding politically, well it's game over. (sort of- to a greater degree anyway and the struggle will continue most likely) ..

On your point of reframing, in my view saying it's a socio-economic and justice matter works for me and easy to convey .. however I know it doesn't translate to some. I'm not sure what can be done about though.

[Cosmic Kitten]

11. Agreed. Hence the wedge intended to shift from economics to anything else

Once we the people collectively understand the connection and manifest that understanding politically, well it's game over. (sort of- to a greater degree anyway and the struggle will continue most likely) ..

Bernie's campaign against the oligarchs
is a serious concern for those who are "comfortable".

one or two economically privileged poc members here in du in deep deep denial on that point.

Is it denial, or fighting for their economic interests?
Bernie stands to upset their comfortable privilege.

[2banon]

12. excellent point. but since I don't know them personally, I tend to give benefit of the doubt

but perhaps I should reconsider at this juncture, it's gotten so ludicrous!

Bernie seems to be accomplishing that right now! and he hasn't even won the primaries yet!

[Cosmic Kitten]

13. I'm a wicked cynic when it comes to economics...

ran out of benefit of a doubt long ago.

Good to know some people still
hope for the best

[aspirant]

14. Bernie's 50 state economic strategy, now socio-economic

is starting to get a foothold in the South. Both the Repubs and Third Wayers are cringing because awakening the huge Repub and Dem economic white vote + the traditional D black vote would be devastating.

So split up social vs economic justice and offer Bernie up as the wedge scapegoat from lily white Vermont. The plan was set in motion with the "optics" memo and now has evolved

[Cosmic Kitten]

15. Right! the 3rd-Way wedge won't prevail

As people wake up to the reality
that the economy is a tool
of social oppression
a new day will dawn.

There are tectonic shifts
happening around the globe.

The petro dollar is on it's last leg
The BRIC's are coming.
The unipolar superpower state
will be supplanted by a multi-polar,
decentralized global power structure.