Digital Ground Game@DigitalGroundG
Stop saying “F*ck ICE.” Tell us your plan to reform it.
Stop saying “Free Palestine.” Tell us your pathway to achieving a lasting peace.
Stop saying “Medicare for All.” Explain how you’re actually going to build the coalition and persuade enough lawmakers to pass it.
If candidates who campaign on slogans instead of governing continue to win primaries, then it’s no wonder Donald Trump is president again.
Something has gone wrong in our politics. While many Democrats focused on governing, media spaces were increasingly dominated by outrage pundits and political entertainers. We normalized some of the most deplorable voices and shifted the Overton window toward post-liberal politics.
Challenging institutions and questioning the status quo can be healthy and progressive. But, we should always ask who benefits when public trust in every institution is eroded. Remember, not everyone trying to tear something down is interested in building something better.
Our adversaries are laughing because, in today’s America, experienced legislators are expected to answer to online personalities and oyster farmers whose entire political program amounts to repeating slogans.
The Biden administration didn’t have to chant “Free Palestine” to pursue a two-state solution, increase humanitarian aid, support Palestinian self-determination, oppose Hamas, and apply pressure on the far-right Israeli government.
The Obama administration didn’t have to abolish immigration enforcement to pursue immigration reform, expand protections for immigrants, and explore practical ways to improve our system.
The Clinton administration didn’t spend every day campaigning on universal health care. Instead, it focused on economic growth, deficit reduction, and policies that contributed to greater financial stability for many Americans, while pursuing health care reforms that ultimately fell short.
Could Democratic administrations have done better? Absolutely. Every administration leaves unfinished work.
But people who dismiss decades of incremental progress as meaningless while offering nothing beyond slogans are not interested in offering solutions.
America is not perfect, but it is a great country. Its strength comes from electing representatives who understand that governing requires responsibility, coalition-building, compromise, and results, not political entertainers selling snake oil, repeating catchphrases, or turning politics into a reality show.
Be gone, @grahamformaine. You’re every bit as disgraceful as the people who stood by your side and still, to this day, refuse to take accountability for the lies they’ve fed to Americans who still believe in our democracy!
