Democratic Socialist Takeover

[B-Fly]

I guess Ocasio-Cortez went 0-3 last night. Ing still to come.

I didn't realize the 28-year-old nominee for CD NY-14, who's never held a single position in government or with the Democratic Party, was on the ballot in any races last night. I know many conservatives think it's fun (or politically useful) to take one primary election in the Bronx and Queens and declare this one young idealist from the further left wing of the party the "Face of the Democratic Party" and to frame random Midwestern primaries or special elections as somehow referendums on her, but that's pretty ridiculous.

[Teenwolf]

I didn't realize the 28-year-old nominee for CD NY-14, who's never held a single position in government or with the Democratic Party, was on the ballot in any races last night. I know many conservatives think it's fun (or politically useful) to take one primary election in the Bronx and Queens and declare this one young idealist from the further left wing of the party the "Face of the Democratic Party" and to frame random Midwestern primaries or special elections as somehow referendums on her, but that's pretty ridiculous.

Especially when the Democratic party power brokers are backing the centrist candidates and fighting against progressives across the board. They need to beat both parties while running without corporate funding or media coverage. Every race is an uphill battle.

Of the 13 Justice Democrat candidates running last night, I know at least 5 or 6 won. It's not so devastating as mainstream media portrays it.

[In the Corn]

Especially when the Democratic party power brokers are backing the centrist candidates and fighting against progressives across the board. They need to beat both parties while running without corporate funding or media coverage. Every race is an uphill battle.

Of the 13 Justice Democrat candidates running last night, I know at least 5 or 6 won. It's not so devastating as mainstream media portrays it.

Wait, what, you're saying that a small group of people in the Democratic Party are controlling the purse-strings?

Shocked, shocked, I tell ya.

[baldgriff]

Wait, what, you're saying that a small group of people in the Democratic Party are controlling the purse-strings?

Shocked, shocked, I tell ya.

There has to be an HRC comment pending from this set-up.............. Still working on one!

[senorsheep]

I didn't realize the 28-year-old nominee for CD NY-14, who's never held a single position in government or with the Democratic Party, was on the ballot in any races last night. I know many conservatives think it's fun (or politically useful) to take one primary election in the Bronx and Queens and declare this one young idealist from the further left wing of the party the "Face of the Democratic Party" and to frame random Midwestern primaries or special elections as somehow referendums on her, but that's pretty ridiculous.

Those are candidates for whom she actively campaigned.

[B-Fly]

Those are candidates for whom she actively campaigned.

And that's fine, but presumably those candidates had to rise or fall on their own merits with their own voter pool. Ultimately, while we're still operating in a de facto two party system, I support a Democratic Party that nominates with a broad enough set of basic platforms and principles, and enough room for individuals who might diverge on a handful of issues, such that the constituents end up with a candidate who's best positioned to (1) win and (2) effectively represent his/her constituents' priorities and values.

[chancellor]

I didn't realize the 28-year-old nominee for CD NY-14, who's never held a single position in government or with the Democratic Party, was on the ballot in any races last night. I know many conservatives think it's fun (or politically useful) to take one primary election in the Bronx and Queens and declare this one young idealist from the further left wing of the party the "Face of the Democratic Party" and to frame random Midwestern primaries or special elections as somehow referendums on her, but that's pretty ridiculous.

This forum is still part of the Sports Bar, so you're damn right I'm going to have fun.

[senorsheep]

And that's fine, but presumably those candidates had to rise or fall on their own merits with their own voter pool. Ultimately, while we're still operating in a de facto two party system, I support a Democratic Party that nominates with a broad enough set of basic platforms and principles, and enough room for individuals who might diverge on a handful of issues, such that the constituents end up with a candidate who's best positioned to (1) win and (2) effectively represent his/her constituents' priorities and values.

Her unicorn magic failed, and socialism failed along with it, along with all the Democratic Party's hopes and dreams for the foreseeable future. That's what's important here! :harrumph:

It's crazy what's being put on her shoulders, from all quarters. I could almost feel sorry for her, if she wasn't so actively seeking out the national attention.

[The Feral Slasher]

A couple of articles on Elizabeth Warren's proposal. Will be curious to see how much coverage this gets.

Elizabeth Warren has a big idea that challenges how the Democratic Party thinks about solving the problem of inequality.

Instead of advocating for expensive new social programs like free college or health care, she’s introducing a bill Wednesday, the Accountable Capitalism Act, that would redistribute trillions of dollars from rich executives and shareholders to the middle class — without costing a dime.

Warren’s plan starts from the premise that corporations that claim the legal rights of personhood should be legally required to accept the moral obligations of personhood

.

https://www.vox.com/2018/8/15/17683022/elizabeth-warren-accountable-capitalism-corporations

https://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-shouldnt-be-accountable-only-to-shareholders-1534287687

[Sour Masher]

A couple of articles on Elizabeth Warren's proposal. Will be curious to see how much coverage this gets.

Elizabeth Warren has a big idea that challenges how the Democratic Party thinks about solving the problem of inequality.

Instead of advocating for expensive new social programs like free college or health care, she’s introducing a bill Wednesday, the Accountable Capitalism Act, that would redistribute trillions of dollars from rich executives and shareholders to the middle class — without costing a dime.

Warren’s plan starts from the premise that corporations that claim the legal rights of personhood should be legally required to accept the moral obligations of personhood

.

https://www.vox.com/2018/8/15/17683022/elizabeth-warren-accountable-capitalism-corporations

https://www.wsj.com/articles/compani...ers-1534287687

I'm surprisingly impressed by the ingenuity of this proposal. Aside from socializing medicine, I lean away a bit from the socialization ambitions of the far left, which focus on more government and taxation. This proposal sidesteps that issue in a way that I initially thought was impractical and unenforceable. I also thought it was based on the false premise that corporations used to care for (well, I still think that). But as I read more about it, the things she is proposing make a lot for sense, and would require the biggest corporations to consider their employees, and the communities they serve and not just share holders.

I don't see some of these things as anti-business, as I initially feared. I see it as a proposal for responsible and sustainable capitalism. I'm sure a lot would need to be negotiated and changed for something like this to ever have a shot of happening, but ultimately I try to judge ideas based on their potential impact on the world, and I think something like this (at least along these lines) would to the benefit of employees, consumers, and communities, without hampering corporate profits too much. And it does it without growing government significantly or raising taxes. It would very likely lead to some increase costs of goods and services, but it is worth it and prefer increase costs on purchases much more than an increase in taxes.

[Judge Jude]

I haven't had a chance to look at the details yet, but it seems interesting.

would love to see some critiques on it - pro and con

[TranaGreg]

in case anyone is thinking that Denmark is pretty much Venezuela after seeing Fox a couple of days ago, there's this

[Teenwolf]

Andrew Gillum shocks the establishment to win the nomination for Florida Governor! He's backed by Bernie Sanders and supports a $15/hr minimum wage, accepting the federal Medicare funding to expand Obamacare, National Medicare for all, abolishing ICE, and setting up infrastructure to help people fleeing Puerto Rico to settle in Florida.

He's facing Ron DeSantis, who has looked clownish in his embracing of Trump in ads (building a wall with his daughter, putting baby to sleep in a Trump onesie...)

If Gillum wins, he'll instantly become a powerhouse in the progressive movement. I wonder if Cynthia Nixon's populist progressive messaging can lead her to a similar upset victory for Governor of New York? How freaking cool would that be?

More dominoes to fall, but I'm optimistic for November. The blue wave is going to be highlighted by some hardcore progressives looking to take over.

[B-Fly]

Andrew Gillum shocks the establishment to win the nomination for Florida Governor! He's backed by Bernie Sanders and supports a $15/hr minimum wage, accepting the federal Medicare funding to expand Obamacare, National Medicare for all, abolishing ICE, and setting up infrastructure to help people fleeing Puerto Rico to settle in Florida.

He's facing Ron DeSantis, who has looked clownish in his embracing of Trump in ads (building a wall with his daughter, putting baby to sleep in a Trump onesie...)

If Gillum wins, he'll instantly become a powerhouse in the progressive movement. I wonder if Cynthia Nixon's populist progressive messaging can lead her to a similar upset victory for Governor of New York? How freaking cool would that be?

More dominoes to fall, but I'm optimistic for November. The blue wave is going to be highlighted by some hardcore progressives looking to take over.

This is pretty cool. Ultimately, while Ocasio-Cortez's upset primary win was a shocker, there's no question she'll win her solidly blue district. Sanders's own wins in Vermont, Warren's in Massachusetts, none of those tell us much about whether an unabashedly progressive platform can win a national election. This one is different, obviously. Florida has become one of the reddest-trending swing states in the US. One might argue that the demographic and political trends are such that Texas and Georgia are more likely targets for Democrats by 2024 (or even 2020) than Florida. But if Gillum can make a stronger showing than, say, Senator Nelson within Florida, and even better if he can win in Florida, that would say a lot about the prospects for an unabashedly progressive platform in a presidential contest.

[Teenwolf]

This is pretty cool. Ultimately, while Ocasio-Cortez's upset primary win was a shocker, there's no question she'll win her solidly blue district. Sanders's own wins in Vermont, Warren's in Massachusetts, none of those tell us much about whether an unabashedly progressive platform can win a national election. This one is different, obviously. Florida has become one of the reddest-trending swing states in the US. One might argue that the demographic and political trends are such that Texas and Georgia are more likely targets for Democrats by 2024 (or even 2020) than Florida. But if Gillum can make a stronger showing than, say, Senator Nelson within Florida, and even better if he can win in Florida, that would say a lot about the prospects for an unabashedly progressive platform in a presidential contest.

Yeah, it's Sanders vs. Trump in a petri dish. I hadn't heard about Florida's shift to the right. I believe the toxic algae situation will help swing things left, and I really hope Gillum can capitalize on all the free advertising from his upset win to get his platform out there.