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Why Progressives should support Biden

Fighting for the Republic

By Nicholas DarkPublished 4 years ago 5 min read
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Moderate Democrats are one of the biggest obstacles in the path of a Progressive America. Historical support of big money, PAC’s, and corporate donors allow influences into the Party that are antithetical to a collective focused government. The Biden/Harris ticket promises more of the same. VP Biden has actively worked with lobbyist groups for decades, and Senator Harris’ current campaign shows donations from Kaiser Permanente, AT&T, Walt Disney, and others on OpenSecrets.org. It would be foolish to believe that this new potential Administration will do more for Progressives than previously elected Democrats. Biden/Harris will be a continuation of Clintonian policies, just as the Obama administration was, and our dreams of a shared collective will continue to remain unfulfilled.

After a frustrating Primary and revisiting all the reasons I raged at the DNC in 2016, I desperately want to vote for someone else. Casting a vote for the Democratic ticket in November is going to feel like a betrayal of my Progressive values. We do have choices. Howie Hawkins and Angela Walker represent us better, I believe, than a Biden/Harris ticket as the Green party is generally more progressive than Democrats. A vote for Green would certainly prevent the guilt I would feel by voting for someone who has openly campaigned against social reforms such as Universal Health, Police Reform, and Decriminalization of Marijuana. Others push a write-in campaign for our man Bernie, and since he was my preferred candidate, this too would be a feel-good vote. Unfortunately, under the current system, Third Party candidates have zero chance to do anything but disrupt the outcome. They cannot win, so voting for them is merely casting a vote against another candidate. There is an argument to be made that disrupting the outcome is it’s own objective but is that the outcome we want? I struggle with this. For years I’ve felt that the Party is overlooking my Progressive views, and I understand those that want nothing more than to lash out at a system that’s ignoring us.

Why then, do I feel supporting the Democratic Presidential ticket is the best course this election season? In a word, Fascism.

The 2020 election cycle is essential. Not only is the direction we are moving dangerous economically, but our coming election also stands to alter the fabric of our Democracy fundamentally. The current Administration has taken steps to limit First Amendment rights, thrown the concept of “Separate but Equal” branches of government into turmoil, and has moved to consolidate power beyond anything that was foreseen by the architects of the Constitution. As much as we may not like the current options for President, the fact is we do still have options. A second term for Trump would allow him to continue the systematic dismantling of our Democracy and position him such that he could block any opposition in the future. A reflection on the actions Trump has taken quickly reveals that his ideal government is more in keeping with Mussolini or Franco than Reagan. The Republicans have gone full totalitarian, and we can no longer hope that they will place the Constitution and our Republic before their desire for power. They have, for the last 20 years, methodically broken or disrupted the rules of Congress. They refused to give any consideration to the impeachment process and support the idea that the President is “above the law,” claiming he is unindictable while in office. This position is a recipe for dictatorship. Trump’s admiration for Strong Man leaders such as Putin and Bolsonaro is no secret, and he has said on multiple occasions that he desires to be President for Life.

I believe this is a more substantial threat to the Progressive movement than the current Democratic ticket. Democrats are not able to attempt a full government takeover, mostly due to the diversity of the Party. While many of them don’t hold Progressive views, the ideas Progressives hold become more popular every election cycle. Republicans continue to label moderate Democrats as Marxists and Socialists. While that view is entertainingly wrong, it does serve to highlight the Republican’s disdain for the social collective. They believe supporting Progressive programs is politically damaging, so they attempt to tie every Democrat to some socially forward view. They do this to create a straw man that they can then use as a boogeyman to terrorize their constituents. Viewed from outside the current election cycle, this is very telling. The Republicans are so concerned about Progressives that they continue to fight against them even when their targets aren’t Progressive. Let me rephrase this. Republicans are campaigning against social viewpoints that their opponents don’t have because those views are so threatening to them. By doing this, Conservatives are trying to undermine the Democratic ticket. In reality, they are helping the Progressive movement. The more Democrats win, even if they don’t hold Progressive opinions, the less objectionable the “Socialist” moniker becomes. We see the result of years of rhetoric from the right when we see Ilhan Omar’s victory or AOC’s elevation in Congress. Socialists are winning at all levels of government. Kshama Sawant has served since 2014 in Seattle, and the Vermont Progressive party has been electing state representatives for years. If you look at the numbers of Democratic Socialists getting elected to State and Municipal office, the numbers are significant.

Ultimately, we can achieve a collective focused Government only by not allowing Conservative politicians to hold power. The country is moving left, and our best course right now is to vote against anyone who attempts to curtail Democracy. The people know what they want. 70% of Americans – including 52% of Republicans – now support single-payer universal healthcare coverage. Police reform, civil rights, and income disparity have all taken center stage during this election cycle. Biden/Harris isn’t a dream ticket, but the support staff has Progressive voices. That Administration may not move us forward, but Progressives in Congress will be making laws that are. Our Party is moving left, and historically the President has worked with Congress to deliver the People’s will. By electing Biden\Harris, we will make it possible for those changes to continue. It’s certainly not what we wanted, but it is continuing to move the direction we wish to go. I’ll be voting in November for the Democratic ticket, and I hope you will join me.

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About the Creator

Nicholas Dark

50 Something family man with a nasty writing habit. I hold a unique viewpoint, as I am from a tiny rural midwestern town but hold a very Progressive view on most things.

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