As of tonight I am no longer a progressive. (KOS Diary)

[There Is No Spoon]

I have always been a leftist. I was born one. I consider my self, without hesitation or equivocation a socialist, as the French put it pur et dur. When I lived in Europe, I worked for socialist parties and policies. When I live in the US, I work for left liberal politicians and policies. My work often throws me into political work against torture. But I must say, with great bitterness and sadness, that after this election cycle I will never again refer to myself as a progressive.

...

But what does "progressive" mean in the blogisphere? What does it mean practically as in the organized LEFT. Well this is where things get ugly. One thing I've come to realize in the past decade is the US is perhaps the only industrialized nation without an organized left movement. "Progressives" and "Social Movements" can effect individual policy issues but they are not an organized electoral party. And I say this as a person involved who works in a very specialized social movement.

...

As for Obama, shit people, I disagree with the administration on their foot-dragging on torture, hell my work has me yelling at the administration most of the week, but fuck if I can think of a better, yes I mean better alternative on the political landscape of this country. Have any of you progressives ever heard of real politik or is maintaining some fantasy of a pure and true candidate to go down in flames fighting the good fight just too hard for you to resist. If only democratic party stood firm and true to its principles. This is a country full of people who have problems with the idea of universal healthcare and I don't give a crap about polls telling us that people really want it. FAR TOO DAMNED MANY THINK ITS SOCIALISM!!! Or think the Mexicans are gonna get in on it. And until "progressives" can work on that problem of hearts and minds, no pure and true democratic politician is going to win in the South or the Midwest. You can't blame unemployment, the dems or centrism for the existence and popularity of Palidino or Angell. (you can blame the media though!) Both lost thankfully, but that anyone, I mean more than a few hundred voted for this sadists indicates that there is a problem that goes way beyond voter disillusionment with centrist policies. Angry white folks are voting out of hate and voting against their own material interests and voting consciously to ruin the country. They're out to trash the place.

But "progressives" sit and boo-hoo about how Obama is as bad as Bush, gnash their teeth and call for a primary so they can get a "real progressive" to run for office on real "progressive" principles and by smashed by president elect Palin. I am a god-damned socialist and I would never expect or propose a socialist candidate for election to anything larger than school board or mayor in this country because I know America is not a left country. I want it to be more than anything. But I know the history of this country. If this country didn't have a sizable black and Latino population, we'd be living in a libertarian nightmare far worst than the one in which you think you are living in. Yes, if it weren't for black and brown folks this country would look a lot like Chile circa 1980's with Milton Friedman as grand inquisitor and zombie Reagan as president for life.

All I can say, is that the only thing that progressive means to me is chronic disillusionment and stasis. If we want a left movement, we have to do the work. And it's ugly work. It's about changing hearts and minds of people whose hearts and minds are full of some toxic stuff. I'll do my best, I hope others will too.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/11/03...etail=hide

[jaxx]

That is a very powerful diary. I'm so glad you posted it TINS, it's enlightening and full of truths. Having never adopted the 'progressive' label, I am a liberal Democrat and that's what I will remain. And I am in very good company.

[kahuna]

(07-31-2011 10:22 AM)jaxx Wrote:  That is a very powerful diary. I'm so glad you posted it TINS, it's enlightening and full of truths. Having never adopted the 'progressive' label, I am a liberal Democrat and that's what I will remain. And I am in very good company.

Hi Jaxx. I'm your non-progressive label sister. I just won't be associated with such disorganization and nuttiness. I'm a liberal Democrat and proud of it.

[jaxx]

(08-01-2011 04:05 PM)kahuna Wrote:  

(07-31-2011 10:22 AM)jaxx Wrote:  That is a very powerful diary. I'm so glad you posted it TINS, it's enlightening and full of truths. Having never adopted the 'progressive' label, I am a liberal Democrat and that's what I will remain. And I am in very good company.

Hi Jaxx. I'm your non-progressive label sister. I just won't be associated with such disorganization and nuttiness. I'm a liberal Democrat and proud of it.

[The Desperate Blogger]

:

[Solara]

Bravo! Bravo!

Thank you for expressing what I am feeling so accurately and yes, passionately.

[Cha]

For which I thank our Black and Brown Brothers and Sisters!

Freakin' white greedy fascist assholes.

[KonaKane]

(07-31-2011 09:40 AM)There Is No Spoon Wrote:  .....

All I can say, is that the only thing that progressive means to me is chronic disillusionment and stasis. If we want a left movement, we have to do the work. And it's ugly work. It's about changing hearts and minds of people whose hearts and minds are full of some toxic stuff. I'll do my best, I hope others will too.

That says it all, in my book. A true Left Movement in the US involves 5% inspiration, and 95% perspiration.

[sandnsea]

Hello. I've been saying that since 2004 and usually am called a bigot and hater and had the posts deleted. Was even warned about it here. But that's the problem in a nutshell. The left can't organize their way out of a paper bag, and they can't speak in terms that the voters we need can hear.

[KonaKane]

Well it's one thing to point out the obvious. It's another thing to act on the solution, which is what I think the author was getting at. Any suggestions for that leg of the work? I commit to certain things locally but then again, that's local. I would jump at the chance to do some real work in a more national organization.

[sandnsea]

(07-31-2011 02:22 PM)KonaKane Wrote:  Well it's one thing to point out the obvious. It's another thing to act on the solution, which is what I think the author was getting at. Any suggestions for that leg of the work? I commit to certain things locally but then again, that's local. I would jump at the chance to do some real work in a more national organization.

Oh gosh - helping out local Dem Parties in cities/states that need the money and help, when ours are doing fine. Send them money, help put up billboards, buy local news ads, help them bypass the mediawhores.

It's too late now, but I urged/begged the Green Party to get their shit together and become the 2nd party when the Republicans imploded. They weren't ready, still aren't, because they're all fighting amongst themselves with the DPA and PDA and who knows how many struggling groups that want it their own way or no way.

There's a thousand things we could be doing besides standing on street corners waving signs. Nobody Wants To Do Anything Else.

[KonaKane]

OK, I'm confused. First you say its the thing to go out and posts signs and bills, and then it's a fruitless thing to stand out waving a sign?

I would love to see a more...uhm...together plan. Seriously.

[sandnsea]

(07-31-2011 03:22 PM)KonaKane Wrote:  OK, I'm confused. First you say its the thing to go out and posts signs and bills, and then it's a fruitless thing to stand out waving a sign?

I would love to see a more...uhm...together plan. Seriously.

Well actually no, it's not what I said, but I really have better things to do than play twisty word games with you.... or the rest of the "progressive" movement.

[KonaKane]

(08-01-2011 03:14 PM)sandnsea Wrote:  Well actually no, it's not what I said, but I really have better things to do than play twisty word games with you.... or the rest of the "progressive" movement.

Thank you for that heart warming reply. Listen, I have some beers that I need to keep cold, may I drop them by your attitude sometime?

[PoliticalTiger]

(07-31-2011 09:40 AM)There Is No Spoon Wrote:  I have always been a leftist. I was born one. I consider my self, without hesitation or equivocation a socialist, as the French put it pur et dur. When I lived in Europe, I worked for socialist parties and policies. When I live in the US, I work for left liberal politicians and policies. My work often throws me into political work against torture. But I must say, with great bitterness and sadness, that after this election cycle I will never again refer to myself as a progressive.

...

But what does "progressive" mean in the blogisphere? What does it mean practically as in the organized LEFT. Well this is where things get ugly. One thing I've come to realize in the past decade is the US is perhaps the only industrialized nation without an organized left movement. "Progressives" and "Social Movements" can effect individual policy issues but they are not an organized electoral party. And I say this as a person involved who works in a very specialized social movement.

...

As for Obama, shit people, I disagree with the administration on their foot-dragging on torture, hell my work has me yelling at the administration most of the week, but fuck if I can think of a better, yes I mean better alternative on the political landscape of this country. Have any of you progressives ever heard of real politik or is maintaining some fantasy of a pure and true candidate to go down in flames fighting the good fight just too hard for you to resist. If only democratic party stood firm and true to its principles. This is a country full of people who have problems with the idea of universal healthcare and I don't give a crap about polls telling us that people really want it. FAR TOO DAMNED MANY THINK ITS SOCIALISM!!! Or think the Mexicans are gonna get in on it. And until "progressives" can work on that problem of hearts and minds, no pure and true democratic politician is going to win in the South or the Midwest. You can't blame unemployment, the dems or centrism for the existence and popularity of Palidino or Angell. (you can blame the media though!) Both lost thankfully, but that anyone, I mean more than a few hundred voted for this sadists indicates that there is a problem that goes way beyond voter disillusionment with centrist policies. Angry white folks are voting out of hate and voting against their own material interests and voting consciously to ruin the country. They're out to trash the place.

But "progressives" sit and boo-hoo about how Obama is as bad as Bush, gnash their teeth and call for a primary so they can get a "real progressive" to run for office on real "progressive" principles and by smashed by president elect Palin. I am a god-damned socialist and I would never expect or propose a socialist candidate for election to anything larger than school board or mayor in this country because I know America is not a left country. I want it to be more than anything. But I know the history of this country. If this country didn't have a sizable black and Latino population, we'd be living in a libertarian nightmare far worst than the one in which you think you are living in. Yes, if it weren't for black and brown folks this country would look a lot like Chile circa 1980's with Milton Friedman as grand inquisitor and zombie Reagan as president for life.

All I can say, is that the only thing that progressive means to me is chronic disillusionment and stasis. If we want a left movement, we have to do the work. And it's ugly work. It's about changing hearts and minds of people whose hearts and minds are full of some toxic stuff. I'll do my best, I hope others will too.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/11/03...etail=hide

TRUTH!!

[yowzayowzayowza]

Right on. Thx for the post!!!

[suzie]

A powerful diary.