Thank you for that take; this is the important part. Now I'd like him to get mean, please.
Without organized labor parties to call for strikes or make demands we are really stuck waiting for somebody famous (and who we trust) to say what needs to be said, and organize what needs to be organized. And it needs to happen soon. In Bernie we could trust.
Nobody trusts the DNC, we just don't know what to do otherwise at this point. How DO we the people get past the 2 party system? How DO we reduce the powers of the presidency without a president themselves reducing those powers? How do we get someone in that seat who will actually act in our interests? How DO we get a bought-and-paid-for congress out of their seats when money runs unchecked through our politics?
I've been posting on the Jon Stewart 2028 thread. At least over there I get to dream that somebody might already be popular enough with the electorate to forgo the DNC's king-making process. We're in a bad way and not getting set up for success in the next cycle.
GreenShimada 2028
I fall into thinking that our candidates need to be pre-famous, too. I'm not sure how true that is, though, as people can make a name for themselves as they campaign. I think it's more important that they have some kind of a publicly available track record, like books, public positions, articles, or local government records. We're all really burned by politicians talking out of the sides of their mouths and then doing shit when they get to Washington, or worse, completely selling us out. I also believe that those who have no faith in government need someone they know they can trust. I really thought Bernie had all the creds needed to succeed.
It's emotionally hard to be in the place we're in now as a country and to say, "I have no idea who could run for president," but I do think that's true and probably fine and normal. Simultaneously, I don't trust the DNC to pull out a diamond. Actually, I know that they will do the opposite of that, and so I have a strong impulse to enthuse for an available candidate that runs contrary to the DNC's typical pick. But most Washington insiders are pieces of shit, while political comedians are proven, smart, and engaged... but give me somebody else to get excited about and I'm ready, guys. I'll do my part to get them elected.
I'm watching her decade-old interview on liberal involvement in the US prison system. Thank you!
A lot of people here are condemning celebrity in US politics, and I get it... but at this point in time we might need someone who is already famous yet consistent and trustworthy. Stewart has shown himself to be a good person for decades. He's also politically informed, progressive, and whip smart.
We need a candidate who wants real change for the betterment of the working class. Somehow people thought that was Trump... I guess because he said he would be, a few times? And people were hoping hard? And not looking at his track record at all? Also racism? More importantly though: people didn't think that candidate was Harris, who got pushed through by the Democratic party and ran an uninspiring campaign. Those people didn't vote. Those people were excited about candidates like Bernie, who's track record on class issues is indefatigable. Those people could potentially be excited about Jon Stewart tearing shit down for the actually betterment of the poor, and might trust that he would try.
That's my read, anyway. A Mamdani could come along and stir up some real enthusiasm, but I think it's harder for a no-name without a proven record to win a national election. Last time that happened we ended up with Obama, and people still feel burned by his lack of progressive action.
He does recognize the cliff. I listen regularly to his Weekly Show interviews, and they talk a lot about said cliff. He also talks about fascism.
I disagree, but I do think he has an outdated notion of civil politics and wouldn't make the same point in connection with her. I'm surprised he said as much about Harris, though I'm grateful if it helps dissuade the Dems from re-nominating her.
I hear it may be Gavin Newsom's turn. Just shoot me.