I absolutely get the psyop theory, and have been leaning that way myself when I consider Platner. That said, I never considered him much because I’m also nowhere near Maine.

I would see posts about him where people are legitimately yearning for the reformist policies that would lesson the tension the workers of the imperial core are under, and I desperately want to grow that inkling of class consciousness. Unfortunately, it was obvious that these people are still too trapped in capitalism-as-default to seriously imagine a real alternative.

To me, American Exceptionalism ™ is still the dominant narrative, even within the movement that is looking at Platner and Mamdani.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a solid recommendation for how to actually address this with people beyond the tender prodding you’ve already illustrated. Mostly, I just wanted to reply to tell you that I definitely understand that feeling/though.

Stay strong.