Populism: Why can't we use it? [View all]

[ProfessorPlum]

Populism is a powerful way to win elections. It is basically telling people that you are going to help them. Trump used racism, but also a healthy dose of populism in his campaign, basically promising his idiot followers the moon.

Our establishment elite freak out about using populism, though. The reason why AOC seems to have everyone from Faux News to congresspeople riled up is that she wasn't afraid to use populism. She told/is telling people that she will try to do things that people would like from their government.

We need democratic politicians to embrace and use populism, both as a means to put the brakes on Trump, and as a way to improve things in this country. The government can end wage stagnation very quickly if they choose to. They can create medicare for all. They could regulate polluters. They can actually help fund higher education. They could create a much more progressive tax structure.

These are all things people would like. They would enjoy these things from their government.

Democrats (and this is just my opinion - I love this party and don't want to divide it, but I want to move it in a more progressive direction) as a group seem to be scared to talk the populist talk, and the reason seems to be that if they get elected on a populist platform, the people might expect changes to be made.

And corporate donors don't want those changes.

The key to winning elections from now until the eye can see into the future is right there. Promise people good things from their government, and then deliver, and then brag about it like crazy. Screw the corporate donors. They will have to live with a country where people are educated, healthy, not in poverty, and hopefully happier. Poor babies.