Two schools of thought on how to advance Progressivism in the U.S.

[Yavin4]

One is to "take over" the Democratic party by electing progressive candidates in primaries, so that in the general election, there will be a clear choice for the voters. Make a bunch of promises on healthcare, education, income inequality, etc., and the overall voting patterns of the general electorate will change. White working class voters will vote for the clear progessive candidate.

The other school thinks that the best way to change the overall voting patterns of the general electorate is to pass into law progressive legislation that demonstrates how the government can be used to improve the lives of the electorate. Because once that progressive legislation is in place, the electorate will vote for the candidate that will preserve it.

The best example of the second school is the ACA or Obamacare. The provision in that bill to expand Medicaid. In 2018, voters in the state of Utah forced their state government to expand Medicaid coverage:

Since Utah voters approved a November 2018 ballot measure to adopt the ACA Medicaid expansion up to 138% of the FPL, the state legislature has taken steps to roll back the full expansion.

https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions-interactive-map/

Medicaid expansion, like the increase in the min. wage, are becoming issues that push America more towards progressivism than electing progressive candidates.

[Laelth]

1. The novel coronavirus is going to do it for us.

Last year I would have been interested in this discussion. This year I am convinced that progressive legislation is coming because it’s absolutely necessary as a response to a global pandemic and a global depression.

-Laelth

[pecosbob]

2. Just another another example of progressivism and survival being the same thing in the end

[Laelth]

3. Oh, well said!

Yes. Our species got to where it is now by working together, not by being stupid, rugged individualists.



-Laelth

[ibegurpard]

4. I'm totally fine with changing the party

But it has to be done in a clear-eyed way with respect as to what is going to resonate district by district. People love to shit on Joe Manchin but he's been on our side on a number of key issues even if he's disappointed on others. You can't replace everyone like him with an AOC. It just won't fly in some places. And because of that progress is slow on policy that I 100% agree with most self-described progressives about.

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. The system has been thrown out of balance, giving a once in a lifetime opportunity

For substantive change in healthcare, economics, environment and more. The momentum is there and the support will be there with effective leadership. If we squander this opportunity with pragmatic incrementalism, the chance won’t come again.

Now is definitely not the time to “go slow”, despite some folks desire for a “return to normalcy”; we must strive to create a “new normal” the works to improve things for everyone, not just a return to some illusory status quo.

Like I said, now is not the time to “go slow”...

[JonLP24]

6. The best strategy for progressives is to flip blue districts

I read an article suburban "wine moms" (quoting Kystal Ball) are actually more open to progressive policies than working class males who tend to fall for GOP bullshit.

[MoonlitKnight]

7. We took it slow

And got Trump.

[Hortensis]

8. :) Vote Democrat. Simple. We are the progressive party.

Liberalism is not the same as progressivism, but you'll never meet a liberal who is not also progressive. Liberals built progressivism into the purpose and structure of our nation.

Today's Republicans are determined to take over the Supreme Court and reinterpret constitutional principles to purge 250 years of progressivism.

To have good government, we must elect good people. To have progressive government, we must elect liberal majorities to protect it.