It seems like now is a good time to have a conversation about finding common ground between the various factions of left/progressive folks. I know this isn’t a new topic but maybe it’s worth revisiting.
What are the sticking points and what can we all agree on in the context of current-day politics?
Adding some things I think any leftist should be able to agree on:
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Capitalism has been a strong negative influence on human existence
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People who look, act and live differently from you deserve exactly the same human rights as you, even if they make you uncomfortable
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Health care, food, water, and housing are human rights
Some things are not eligible for compromise. Human rights are non negotiable. We can debate about voting systems and trade policy but the only other is those who aren’t willing to treat the least privileged members of society the way they want to be treated.
When you refuse to support the lesser of two evils you get the worse outcome. I don’t like it, but as long as one side remains unified there will never be more than a 2 party system,
Yes, but if you pledge unconditional support to the lesser of 2 evils, they have no incentive to ‘be better’ - they can just be slightly less evil than the monster who gets worse every day.
I did vote blue even though I wasn’t happy about it and it mainly came down to ‘i really haven’t done much to express my distaste over the past 8 years, why am I choosing to protest the Dems today?’
But I do think this is a turning point for me. I want to be having these conversations more often, I want to be more involved, and I want to make it known to the people in charge: what can they do to earn my vote. I think starting to define what are the universal ideals we can agree on is a great conversation to have over the next few weeks.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not talking about the recent thing we’re all doing our best not to panic spiral about. I’m talking about common ground in shared spaces and future politics.