#i identify as a land-back absolutist my ultimate goal is to see every inch of the united states returned to the control

[largishcat]

i do sort of wonder if we, the very very small and loose coalition that is the american left, might benefit from abandoning “both sides are the same” as a talking point, just because of how impossible it makes talking to working class people who identify as liberal. when a leftist, with a solid grounding in leftist theory says both sides are the same, generally they mean that both the democratic and republican parties are beholden to the exact same business interests that have been royally fucking the united states for time out of mind. That’s true. That’s a correct analysis, and it maps onto reality. But if you say that to your average well-meaning liberal, who is NOT at all versed in leftist theory, they’re going to immediately come up multiple compelling differences between the parties, and they’re not even going to be wrong. They’re going to point out that if Trump hadn’t been elected in 2016, Roe v. Wade wouldn’t have fallen and women wouldn’t currently be dying of routine miscarriage complications in texas. They’d point out that no one would be trying to get rid of birthright citizenship right now, or threatening to withhold disaster relief funds from “woke” states, or instituting a federal trans bathroom ban. They aren’t wrong about that, and if you argue with them about it, they’re gonna think you’re completely out of touch with reality. but i know for a fact that a lot of working class liberals are scared, and helpless, and deeply disappointed and angry with the democratic party for failing to protect them. so if you say instead that democrats have proven that they are either unwilling or unable to rise to the moment, to do what’s needed to save us all, they’re going to agree with you. they’re straight up going to nod. and it’s such a short walk from i don’t think the democrats are able to save us to: do you want to get involved my mutual aid network? do you want to learn about unions? do you want to come to a meeting with me? do you want to join me on a picket line? do you want to come to a city council session with me? do you want to feel less helpless?