Read on Twitter
Seriously, we need to cut the infighting bullshit on the left. While we're arguing about whether a 2% tax increase goes too far or not too-far-enough, the right swaggers in and steamrolls any progress we make.
Even three inches forward is an improvement when we can claw it out.
Even three inches forward is an improvement when we can claw it out.
I've just seen so many people and even organizations throwing each other under buses over the past three days, when this was nobody's fault.
We did what we could. The chips fell; politics is just this fucking ugly. We're battered, bloodied, and tired.
We did what we could. The chips fell; politics is just this fucking ugly. We're battered, bloodied, and tired.
And once it's over with, we'll need to do it all over again in a few months for Georgia.
This should be the time when we watch, we wait, and we compile data. Take notes, and determine what went wrong, where, and why.
This should be the time when we watch, we wait, and we compile data. Take notes, and determine what went wrong, where, and why.
"We weren't far left enough" or "XYZ was bought by [industry]" doesn't cut it - what issues didn't we push hard enough? What populations didn't we reach out to, and why? Who didn't we talk to, and why?
And more important, how can this be fixed for 2022? Hell, what about 2021? How can this be channeled into something a politician can literally just grab onto, dangle ahead, and say "this is how we'll do it; this is why; This is a flat-out debunk to F*x N*ws talking points ABC"
And we coordinate from there. Nobody will be super happy with what we have to push - every step we take will be inches - mere inches in the scheme of things... but every single inch we take will be solid. Every single step we move forward will be firm and unshakeable.
Medicare for all? Sure! Tell me how we'll do it. Tell me how we'll deal with the multibillion dollar industry that employs 3.7 million nationwide?
Tell me how long it'll take us, and what we can do to make this transition as smooth as possible.
(Note: I fully support M4A)
Tell me how long it'll take us, and what we can do to make this transition as smooth as possible.
(Note: I fully support M4A)
And believe me when I say this: There are people who work in those industries who want this to happen. Reach out to them. Reach out to the folks who know the industry, to the ones who GET the industry. Make it actionable. Make it understandable.
By making these big, giant issues into smaller, actionable tasks, they become less horrifying for politicians and voters alike.
"Oh, we just want to cap deductibles at $ X."
"Oh, we just want to make it so things like a box of tissues don't cost $100."
Death by a billion cuts.
"Oh, we just want to cap deductibles at $ X."
"Oh, we just want to make it so things like a box of tissues don't cost $100."
Death by a billion cuts.
And every single time an opponent pops up? Bleat it out! Go to every network. "This person wants you to pay more for coverage!" "This person WANTS you to pay $800 for fucking Tylenol at the hospital!"
In time, it'll turn into "This person *WANTS* you to have to pay a third party for health care services that are already being provided for you!
Remember: The Republican takeover took 40 years. We need to be willing to be in it for the same haul.
Remember: The Republican takeover took 40 years. We need to be willing to be in it for the same haul.
It's aggravatingly slow, for sure, but it lets us push forward on things, and move toward making changes that can, and will benefit every single person in this country, one solid step at a time.
That is how we win.
That is how we win.
The only way this works, though, is if we get our shit together, and learn our kit.
Politicians are your tools; not your friends, not your heroes. Your tools. Call them relentlessly when you have issues important to you - make them learn your name and know you when you call.
Politicians are your tools; not your friends, not your heroes. Your tools. Call them relentlessly when you have issues important to you - make them learn your name and know you when you call.
The moment they stop working for you, you get louder, and keep pushing, while you work on replacing your broken tool.
Again - very ugly, very VERY aggravating process, but this is how Republicans got where they were in the '90s, and we're also facing a massive RW media machine.
Again - very ugly, very VERY aggravating process, but this is how Republicans got where they were in the '90s, and we're also facing a massive RW media machine.
If this sounds cynical, well.. it is. I grew up in a state where the mayor of our capitol city ran a racketeering ring out of his office.
I've seen shit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder_Dome
I've seen shit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder_Dome
