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Power vs Public Support: A thread 
I'm gonna give a concrete example from the ground of what Natalie is talking about here because I can understand why @briebriejoy thinks this is just hand waving.
Case Study: Rep. Stephen Lynch, MA-8: https://twitter.com/nataliesurely/status/1346321358330990593
I'm gonna give a concrete example from the ground of what Natalie is talking about here because I can understand why @briebriejoy thinks this is just hand waving.
Case Study: Rep. Stephen Lynch, MA-8: https://twitter.com/nataliesurely/status/1346321358330990593
Solid Dem district. Re-elected with 80% + of the vote in 2020.
@HCNow & @Boston_DSA birddogged him at a town hall and caught a great moment: when pressed on why he wonât support M4A, he said, âyour current insurance will go awayâ - to wild applause https://twitter.com/BDSAHealthcare/status/1164677725711491072
@HCNow & @Boston_DSA birddogged him at a town hall and caught a great moment: when pressed on why he wonât support M4A, he said, âyour current insurance will go awayâ - to wild applause https://twitter.com/BDSAHealthcare/status/1164677725711491072
The video got almost 15k views on Twitter - broadcasting his defiance on M4A, his right-wing talking points.
Did he support the bill after being âexposedâ?
Absolutely not - and if forced, he will vote against it, with very few repercussions.
Did he support the bill after being âexposedâ?
Absolutely not - and if forced, he will vote against it, with very few repercussions.
Are his constituents overwhelmingly for M4A? Would they poll at 80% in support?
YES
Are they organized enough to hold him accountable for his position?
NO
This is the crucial difference between support and power.
YES
Are they organized enough to hold him accountable for his position?
NO
This is the crucial difference between support and power.
We powermapped Lynch, what we need to do to move him, and these are our 2 options:
1. Building trade unions are central to his support - move them on M4A
2. Create a powerful coalition of community groups that can compete with union support
yeah we're working on it
1. Building trade unions are central to his support - move them on M4A
2. Create a powerful coalition of community groups that can compete with union support
yeah we're working on it
Well, just get rid of Lynch, one might counter.
That doesn't solve the problem - the power structure in the district that enabled him to refuse #MedicareForAll will still be there.
That doesn't solve the problem - the power structure in the district that enabled him to refuse #MedicareForAll will still be there.
That's why it's necessary to build enduring power that will hold accountable ANY legislator that assumes the position.
And a good example of electoral vs movement politics
And a good example of electoral vs movement politics
To show strength on M4A - to pass a floor vote that wouldn't be an absolute disaster for the perception of "political feasibility" of our movement - we need a critical # of Dem Reps who are
*actively fearing*
repercussions from their constituents.
*actively fearing*
repercussions from their constituents.
Legislators donât care if their constituents "support" X or y policy.
They start to care if they know you have the CAPACITY to hold them accountable and that you INTEND to carry it out.
AND if that power competes with the pressure they're getting from industry.
They start to care if they know you have the CAPACITY to hold them accountable and that you INTEND to carry it out.
AND if that power competes with the pressure they're getting from industry.
(for the record, this DOES work - Joe Kennedy was among top 10 recipients of industry/pharma cash in the House. We neutralized that $$ by bringing together several key unions and community groups in his district on the M4A ask).
That coalition is ready for Auchincloss, btw.
That coalition is ready for Auchincloss, btw.
But frankly there aren't enough legislators who are afraid right now.
There are Stephen Lynches in solidly blue districts all over this country - waiting to be organized by their constituents.
There are Stephen Lynches in solidly blue districts all over this country - waiting to be organized by their constituents.
This is the call to action, for those following along - politics IS local!
You can make a huge difference to the NATIONAL movement by doing the kind of local organizing and coalition building work that creates deep and enduring accountability structures.
You can make a huge difference to the NATIONAL movement by doing the kind of local organizing and coalition building work that creates deep and enduring accountability structures.
Finally I DO agree with Brie that #ForceTheVote has struck a chord and mobilized people to *do* something. And that's super important, even if we disagree. We need more doers to pass M4A!
Thank you all for caring enough about this issue to HAVE this discussion at all.
Thank you all for caring enough about this issue to HAVE this discussion at all.
