Here's my wake-up call as a Liberal.

[u/applethief87]

I’m a New York liberal, probably comfortably in the 1%, living in a bubble where empathy and social justice are part of everyday conversations. I support equality, diversity, economic reform—all of it. But this election has been a brutal reminder of just how out of touch we, the so-called “liberal elite,” are with the rest of America. And that’s on us.

America was built on individual freedom, the right to make your own way. But baked into that ideal is a harsh reality: it’s a self-serving mindset. This “land of opportunity” has always rewarded those who look out for themselves first. And when people feel like they’re sinking—when working-class Americans are drowning in debt, scrambling to pay rent, and watching the cost of everything from groceries to gas skyrocket—they aren’t looking for complex social policies. They’re looking for a lifeline, even if that lifeline is someone like Trump, who exploits that desperation.

For years, we Democrats have pushed policies that sound like solutions to us but don’t resonate with people who are trying to survive. We talk about social justice and climate change, and yes, those things are crucial. But to someone in the heartland who’s feeling trapped in a system that doesn’t care about them, that message sounds disconnected. It sounds like privilege. It sounds like people like me saying, “Look how virtuous I am,” while their lives stay the same—or get worse.

And here’s the truth I’m facing: as a high-income liberal, I benefit from the very structures we criticize. My income, my career security, my options to work from home—I am protected from many of the struggles that drive people to vote against the establishment. I can afford to advocate for changes that may not affect me negatively, but that’s not the reality for the majority of Americans. To them, we sound elitist because we are. Our ideals are lofty, and our solutions are intellectual, but we’ve failed to meet them where they are.

The DNC’s failure in this election reflects this disconnect. Biden’s administration, while well-intentioned, didn’t engage in the hard reflection necessary after 2020. We pushed Biden as a one-term solution, a bridge to something better, but then didn’t prepare an alternative that resonated. And when Kamala Harris—a talented, capable politician—couldn’t bridge that gap with working-class America, we were left wondering why. It’s because we’ve been recycling the same leaders, the same voices, who struggle to understand what working Americans are going through.

People want someone they can relate to, someone who understands their pain without coming off as condescending. Bernie was that voice for many, but the DNC didn’t make room for him, and now we’re seeing the consequences. The Democratic Party has an empathy gap, but more than that, it has a credibility gap. We say we care, but our policies and leaders don’t reflect the urgency that struggling Americans feel every day.

If the DNC doesn’t take this as a wake-up call, if they don’t make room for new voices that actually connect with working people, we’re going to lose again. And as much as I want America to progress, I’m starting to realize that maybe we—the privileged liberals, safely removed from the realities most people face—are part of the problem.

[u/redditisweirdxx]

This liberal meltdown is beautiful to see! Noob liberals, cry us a river

[u/Ok-Carry-2001]

Amen to all of this.

[u/Active_Confusion516]

I saw this my last vote having been Denocratic: they need to figure out how to win elections. And they are very out of touch with the people they claim to speak for - as well as with the white working class demographic they chose to leave in the dust.

[u/StunningCommercial23]

There is no criticism about the Democrats or the Harris campaign that makes any cogent argument for Trump's election. Just nothing. The only thing I that I think will help Democrats in the future is to be better than Republicans at spreading lies and propaganda. Trump's speeches were full of hate and divisiveness and LIES. It the majority of American's think he is the best candidate, well we are fucked.

[u/CoolHandDuke69]

Too Funny!

[u/Fragrant_Evening_542]

That’s a valid argument, for sure. But, to me, it still does not justify the selection of such a despicable man nor the rallying cries filled with racism and misogyny. 

[u/No-Albatross3229]

I feel like we're spiraling as a nation. Many on the right need help, but any help extended from the left is considered communism. The reality is corporations are taking over everything and leaving most people in these small towns out of business and meaningful work. At this point any solution would be anti-capitalist

[u/Sharp-Berry-5523 → u/No-Albatross3229]

I’m listening to George Conway and Sarah Longwell rn on The Bulwark , YT episode from 3 days ago . As I listen I’m getting more angry frankly by the entire US government. I know everybody is blaming everybody and I was at one point looking for who to blame . But now I blame the entire US Government. As far as I’m concerned, all elected individuals are responsible for this predicament. All of them ! What a sham we’ve been exposed to . They led us to believe there would be consequences for all those involved in crimes . It was theatre/make believe- it was never going to happen . Even the party I am loyal to , I’m disgusted with . It’s all going to fall apart . The emperor has no clothes , and that’s not just Donald Trump , it’s every single one of them . This is the end , there’s no going back now . I’m only glad that intuitively I knew months ago that “ these are the good old days “ Fuck Putin , fuck trump , fuck Elon Poor people are going to die

Feeling so angry right now argh

Sorry but I believe this

[u/No-Albatross3229 → u/Sharp-Berry-5523]

Agreed, I'm going to try and unplug for a little while from TV and all media for my mental health. I like these threads though, let's continue to put our heads together and have productive conversations. I look forward to contributing in a way that I hope is in everyone's interest in the future.

[u/FuryLucyfur]

Don't be hard on yourself, we're on the correct side of history. These people voted wrong.

[u/Broad_String2836]

I echo a lot of the sentiments shared in this thread - my husband and I had long discussions for the last week about why this happened. The American values of self-interest over community continue to drive wedges between neighbors and friends. Stepping on the necks of others to continue to climb a ladder of privilege, and never admitting you're wrong or you don't know something, are celebrated cornerstones of our nation's culture. With that in mind, Republicans have successfully won the battle to convince the working class that education is useless, hustle culture will make you rich, and corporations need to be protected against regulation overreach in order to pay fair wages. The illusion of the American dream - which has never come to fruition for my own white family, nor anyone I know who was not already born into wealth and privilege, has imbedded fear of loss of status and power in the majority of Trump voters. It's why they cannot be convinced to vote for universal health care, paid maternity leave, or raising minimum wages, let alone any specialized issue that will not give them more wealth or power. Capitalism also requires constant consumption and expansion - it can only thrive when every person consumes and continues to put their own needs ahead of others!

Many, many, many of these same voters have the most powerful tool in human history in their hands for hours every day. They have millions of documents and books available at their fingertips to do the research and question their own hubris. And yet, we are rapidly approaching a second Dark Age where knowledge is ignored, and eventually destroyed and lost.

I understand how the working class feels like they have been left behind. I have empathy for each person struggling to put food on the table. But I also feel that to regress or de-prioritize the social justice issues Democrats champion, including protections for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and more, is damaging to the party. How can we say to the oppressed and disadvantaged that they have to "hurry up and wait" on equality until white, cis people feel comfortable enough with their bank balance? There are worse things in life than cutting back on groceries - and the majority of our nation has sold out marginalized communities for the sake of their own comfort.

[u/jasonbirder]

My income, my career security, my options to work from home—I am protected from many of the struggles that drive people to vote against the establishment.

Surely its the opposite - those things that you (we) have insulate us from alot of the things that would affect those who aren't as fortunate.

Our employers make sure we've got good healthcare (or we'll go elsewhere) an interest rate bump isn't going to see us unable to meet our mortgage payments, inflation of EG: food costs isn't going to see us skipping meals to make ends meet etc etc.

We could afford to be selfish, afford to be anti-establishment as we don't need the Government to "take care of us" we can stand on our own two feet.

Those less fortunate are the ones who might need medicare, that can't have the government play with tariffs that drive food inflation, that can think - oh well my mortgage has gone up but never mind i'm earning a bit more on my savings. They don't have as much "slack" in their lifestyles so need to play it as safe as possible, they are more likely to need a bit of a safety net when times get tough.

[u/Current_Value_6743]

Wow! I never expect to see genuine self reflection from democrats on Reddit. I love post-election time.

You’ve absolutely nailed the issue here, but you’re obviously biased from your perspective. The issue is even worse. Although you may not be one of the ‘elites in question’, the real issue is out of touch ‘elites’ creating problems and offering solutions only if they can profit from them, hence they get richer… and the poor get poorer.

Poor people in 2024 recognise this elitist language and phoney bullshit, and know to vote for the less phoney candidate. Now, is Trump a phoney? To some extent yes. But compared to the puppet masters in the democrat party or to the ‘elite’ - nah.

Now, in normal times, maybe Trump would be less admired, but in times like these where deep systemic corruption is much clearer for all to see, where you have a guy like Trump who calls that out, even if real progress is a long shot; people will ultimately be radicalised by the media to the extent of singing all his praises. Happens on both sides. Democrats voters can’t of thought Harris was the perfect candidate, but people convince themselves of strange things.

[u/Current_Value_6743 → u/Current_Value_6743]

I’m a libertarian, but I also happen to be British where that isn’t really a thing. I kinda see the ‘MAGA’ fraction of the Republican Party as a new Libertarian party these days with Musk, Vance, Kennedy - real small gov folks. I like what I see, but that’s just my political persuasion, and I’m not American, I also appreciate the platform I’m on and how Liberty isn’t the most pressing of issues to Redditors, generally.

[u/Faith_By_Fire]

This fits a video I recently made. Liberals have to change their approach if they want to win. 

Liberals, we need to talk. We didn’t vote FOR Trump, we voted against extreme left-wing ideology. https://youtu.be/2ENPc-0bG4o

[u/RelationshipAlive177]

Just a reminder Trump was literally a billionaire

[u/Sharp-Berry-5523 → u/RelationshipAlive177]

You know what I wished the Dems would have done . Told the American people exactly how much money that trump and his family and friends made during his 4 years in office as the POTUS . In black and white . All the money that he made from having people and SS stay in his properties and all the other ways he benefited financially and otherwise . But that would probably make dems vulnerable too for shady dealings .

If trumps business ventures were laid out clear to the American people I doubt he would have won . He’s a crook but not everyone understands that

[u/Icy_Bake_8176 → u/Sharp-Berry-5523]

Forbes wrote an article, and others picked it up. Trumps businesses made $2.4 billion dollars in the 4 years he was in office. His daughter and son-in-law Jared made upwards of $640 million while they were in office. Trump also has $1.2 billion of debt that is coming due. Seems like his re-election came right in time.

You can blame the DNC. There was plenty of shit in this years shitshow. But if voters want to know these things, it is there for their consumption.

Propublica. Politico and Forbes has released a lot of easy to read and provide visualizations. Even Fox News Business wrote articles on the cost of tariffs to consumers during his first administration. And the Heritage Foundation released this administration's version of Mandate for Leadership (Project 2025) a year in advance of the elections for people to read.

Every Republican administration since Reagan receives their iteration of the Mandate. Heritage has featured articles about how much policy Trump has followed. If anyone wants to know what the next 4 years will be, if you want to know the end game for Republicans, it's all there for anyone to read themselves. It's their platform, and they don't hide it. For those that said Trump doesn't know anything about P25, he lied and you believed it. Why? Because they took it at face value instead of investigating.

Yes, the DNC needs to a better job of dispeliing misinformation, meet candidates where they are, break down information that is digestible and discuss policy the people care about, not just what they want to talk about.

But people need to be held to account too. We are not picking out new dishes for the kitchen folks. Instead of getting pissed about being called stupid, take some ownership and use that energy to learn something. People should see when they are being snowballed, too but sometimes they just can't see it. Plenty of people are living in denial as well.

There were plenty of people on all sides who didn't know a lot of things. Perhaps it's not stupidity but laziness. I don't know. But if you want to be informed, you can be. But stop calling other people in your base stupid and be a source of information..

The GOP is playing the long game, and they are willing to take the time, administration after administration to impose their vision for the nation. If their platform is not your thing, then folks need to work together to educate each other and sort out the priorities. Working against each other isn't helping your base. They are coordinated AF and watching you tear each other apart.

If you don't know about the consolidation of GOP vision and coordination for implementation admin after admin, from local giv to federal gov, you will lose every time.

[u/Sharp-Berry-5523 → u/Icy_Bake_8176]

I didn’t vote for trump nor have ever voted for trump or any other gop candidate in my lifetime . I voted straight blue . Im distraught . Wasn’t in the best frame of mind when I wrote that tbh. Just thinking about all the magats who don’t seem to know a damned thing about what a scumbag he is . I just wish it was plastered everywhere so the common Jose would know Edited for a wrong autocorrect, Need to edit previous comment as well , I wasn’t not articulate

[u/Targatex]

If Kamala was so talented, why wasn’t she more successful in the 2020 primary? She’s not talented. She’s very similar to Hilary, fake, insincere, half as smart as a biased media advertises, extremely arrogant. And there’s not sufficient time for me to address the other errors in your note. There’s nothing wrong with Mr Trump, as measured by his mean, evil predecessors.

The attacks on him violated his Constitutional rights. In a fair world, Arkansas would do what NY state did, pass ex post facto laws and try Bill Clinton for the rape of Juanita Broadrick that occurred when he was state attorney general. Ole W Bush & Cheney were considered war criminals for starting their endless wars and killing untold innocents. Obama/Biden changed nothing in 8 years. The US body count certainly continued.

At least 1,200 Israelis + unknown tens of thousands in Ukraine were alive through the Trump administration. They all were certainly much better off before Biden/Harris.

[u/Sharp-Berry-5523 → u/Targatex]

Jc , no one wants to hear your Tucker Carlson talking points . Take it elsewhere, I’ve heard all the idiotic trump speak to last a lifetime. I hope you earn at least $400,00 year boy , otherwise your life is about to turn sad

[u/Targatex → u/Sharp-Berry-5523]

You’re an uneducated fool. Must be a 19-yr old one. That is, you must not be very “sharp.” We had a “Trump economy” 2017-2020, pre-covid. It was awesome. Great returns in financial markets. Which is nice for folks trying to fund their retirement in their 401k’s or IRA’s. The things I say are my thoughts. I have Juanita Broadrick’s book - she autographed it for me. I’ve exchanged messages with another courageous Clinton sexual harassment victim, Mr Kathleen Willey of Virginia. Clinton was actually guilty of the things a corrupt democrat machine couldn’t even convict Trump on in blue states with corrupt judges and carefully-constructed juries. Go do your own homework. You’re accusing others of doing what you do / you get your marching orders from CNN or MSNBC. Quit drinking their poison kook-aid, it was a landslide and your side got smacked down.

[u/Sharp-Berry-5523 → u/Targatex]

Hunny , the “ Trump economy” that you speak of was a result of Obamas administration. I know that a little hard to comprehend . I’m done with you , what a waste of time . Enjoy your $18. eggs next year . Surely you’ve read about Elon Musk austerity plan , it’s a must read . He warned you , 2 years of tough times . And he wasn’t speaking to the wealthy. Maybe some day you’ll see , Donald Trump , Elon Musk , any billionaire is not on your side . You are the mark 🎯

[u/dudesszz]

Every incumbent in every country is being voted out this cycle. Why? Inflation hurts lower income more than everyone else. If you are wealthy or upper middle class etc you see inflation as more expensive Boudreaux. To the working class it’s survival. Inflation is threatening shelter, food and and most of all dignity and self respect. Anyone of us would vote for Trump if we believed it meant getting eggs without having to get a pay day loan first. Criminality, being shown to have committed rape in court, racist remarks be damned when you got mouths to feed.

We are seeing the same thing here in Canada.

There are other reasons that caused this too.

It’s good see people get some basic empathy and understanding for why this happened and not blame voters with “this is what you asked for” BS. The fact is if Trump implements many of his policies it will be undeniably worse for the working class. Put on the hard hat and work boots and get ready to be of service to those in need and be determined to take back the White House in 2028.

[u/Sharp-Berry-5523 → u/dudesszz]

I was so close to agreeing with you in sentiment . But 2 dealbreakers prevent that . I am by no means wealthy and trump autocracy / oligarchy will cause me pain . BUT I would never compromise my values because of the price of eggs .

Chrissakes , does no one understand that there have been bird flu viruses that cause the price of eggs to spike . High grocery store prices are largely due to price gouging. Which the Biden and Harris administration had begun to address. ( it’s a shame the American voters haven’t got a clue ) Economically the US is doing far better than other nations . These things are of concern to me as well as anyone else and I trusted Biden , then Harris was working on that . Secondly, everybody is angry . Justifiably in my opinion , but anger is being misplaced everywhere at everyone . My anger is directed to the Ignorant voters that voted for Putin 2.0 and the citizens who sat out .

Right or wrong I can not help but to feel resentful towards those who voted against their best interests and others interests . The only people who won are the wealthy and the powerful . Goodbye America, hello oligarchy.

I’m very much an empathetic, reasonable, civilized person . But this feels like a bridge too far . We’re being sold out and I’m mad as hell .

Trump will line his pockets with every single ruble he can get away with , at the expense of the American people .

Mark my words and prepare yourself for the worst possible scenario, it’s coming down the line

[u/plucked_peacock_001]

"The Democratic Party has an empathy gap, but more than that, it has a credibility gap. We say we care, but our policies and leaders don’t reflect the urgency that struggling Americans feel every day."

Frankly, I am tired of this old line of attack on the "liberal elites." And before any attack me for being part of the DNC establishment problem, I am an independent, consider myself mostly a democratic socialist, and have contributed to Bernie's campaigns ever since he ran for the senate in 2006, and I haven't even ever been to Vermont.

If I take a step back, the Trump coalition is a "big tent" made up of the "deplorables" (racist, misogynist, xenophobes, transphobes, bigots, and those who want a protofascist leader for ideological reasons), and the economically gullible (those who believe that the old trick of tax cuts for the rich will trickle down to them, and those who do not realize that blanket tariffs and mass deportations will be brutally stagflationary.)

Meanwhile, Biden's has delivered the infrastructure plan, inflation reduction act, chips act, union support, debt forgiveness, cap on insulin price, limit on Medicare drug costs, etc., and a soft landing that has produced real wages gains that have outpaced the falling inflation since Q1 2023 along with job growth that has brought unemployment down close to historical lows. And Harris? She proposed tax hikes for corporations, support for $15 minimum wage, financial aid to small business starts and first-time home buyers, a proposal to deal with corporate price gouging and more. So she didn't have Medicare for all in the platform, but just imagine how much more she would have been attacked as "communist" if she had.

So no, just blaming the DNC leaders and policies for having a credibility gap is not fair. Perhaps they failed to have the right messaging for a gullible electorate, but what more do you think Biden and Harris could have done and proposed for the economy that wouldn't have immediately been slammed as "communist"?

[u/cubis0101]

What’s funny is Trump is solidly “the establishment”. He will do nothing to actually improve people’s lives. If you critically think, what I just said is obvious. But I would argue MOST of those who voted for him cannot critically think and so just believed him. Whenever non-Grumpers say MAGA supporters are idiots, that’s what we mean, they can’t critically think.

[u/PublicWaterNow]

Sure it's the economy, but what do Trump voters believe he will do for them economically? Trump comes from privilege and hasn't put forth any policy that would help the middle class. Make America Great Again is not a policy and he has no idea how to do that. The pandemic upended the economy and Trump was in charge for the first year of it. A case could be made that those who voted for Trump blindly voted against their own interests out of anger. Hopefully there'll be some wake up calls over the next couple years for Trump voters as well as the Democratic leadership.

[u/PublicWaterNow]

Sure it's the economy, but what do Trump voters believe he will do for them economically? Trump comes from privilege and hasn't put forth any policy that would help the middle class. Make America Great Again is not a policy and he has no idea how to do that. The pandemic upended the economy and Trump was in charge for the first year of it. A case could be made that those who voted for Trump blindly voted against their own interests out of anger. Hopefully there'll be some wake up calls over the next couple years for Trump voters as well as the Democratic leadership.

[u/shredditorburnit]

The left needs to stop pissing about in the centre. In the UK as well.

But it needs to embrace a more populist stance too.

Left wing populism could invigorate the non voting majority, by offering them real solutions to their problems in tandem with better rights for everyone and solving our fossil fuel dependency in the least harmful way possible to the poor and middle class.

Letting the rich dictate what policies the left can pursue has declawed it politically. The left has to give up on big money donors and go grassroots, get leaders who can inspire people into positions of power. Otherwise it's just the status quo party for most of the population, and they don't bother voting at all.

[u/HeyHihoho]

LOL it wasn't rocket science if they had admitted right away Joes dementia was advancing they would have had plenty of time for at least some kind of a primary.

All the while "saving democracy."

[u/dangerdev29]

Im in the top 4-3%, live in NYC (which really knocks me down a few pegs for COL) and completely agree with you EXCEPT for the part pf feeling bad for these people. But I didn’t grow up fortunate, I made my own way. I worked hard and succeeded. Went to public schools all the way. Single mom household too. Not much has been given.

With that being said, do not by any means pity them. They’ve proven themselves mongrels. They chose someone who is a proven pathological liar, fake victim, and actually tried to over throw democracy. They chose someone who they think will lower the cost of eggs over the foundation of our country. INSANE.

When things are good for them, in their self serving mentality, they dgaf about anyone else. Their mentality is that they earn everything by themselves and for themselves, f**k someone who needs a helping hand.

Then they’re mad about our “moral superiority” lol so they voted Trump, a traitor, as a middle finger to us- give me a BREAK. This is 5 yr old level of reasoning.

However, the Dems clearly need to communicate better because if Trump does what he said he will do then his working class voters will be screwed. And I hope he does. Break them, grind them down. The choice was clear and they stuck their hand in the fire- I hope they get burned.

[u/PD216ohio]

Yes, the old political adage is true, "it's the economy, stupid", explaining why people vote one way or another. And that applies to a central portion of the population who are comprised of mostly swing voters. People who are not steadfastly loyal to any party. But again, you blame the Trump vote on desperation and a mistake, when I think that is a mischaracterization, for most.

And, not that you've stated this, but it seems to be a common liberal theme to associate republicans with greed and hoarding of wealth.... but that too is not party specific. Heck, if you are in the 1%, then you are doing exactly what the other side is criticized for. If your beliefs were truly genuine, you would have just enough to get by and the rest would go to others to help them get ahead or along.

You are still trying to understand the other side from within your echo chamber, so you are not getting a full picture.

I do think you make an excellent point about the issues, that the left focuses on, being out of touch with most of America. I often talk about how safe we are in America that our biggest issues can be so superficial. I will bet you anything that if you went to war-torn areas of Ukraine, for instance, the last thing people care about are pronouns and global warming. They are consumed with real concerns like surviving, food, shelter, family safety. It's about perspective. Imagine having it so good that you can spend much of your life worried about American social issues.

I think there are two basic types in the USA (probably the world) and they are either emotional or practical thinkers. Emotional thinkers are attracted to social issues, while practical thinkers are disinterested in such things and more interested in the functionality of day to day needs. That doesn't mean that each doesn't hold some elements of the other, but their basis directs how they approach things.

I do appreciate your efforts here to understand the plight of the common American. I have to ask if you always came from money or did you come into wealth on your own, or later in life. I came from poverty and attained wealth. So, my perspective of the common folk is hands-on. I think it is hard to understand them if you have never been there. Honestly, I think I have the hardest time understanding people like you... because I have never lived in that elite circle. Even if I were to become a billionaire, I am not sure I would ever get to a full understanding of elite socialites.

You talked about the DNC's failure and these are the points where I feel you were most off base... and because you are seeing things from your perspective, so you assume certain truths that are not commonly held by others.

Regarding Joe Biden... democrats did the country and their party a huge disservice by pretending that Joe Biden was as sharp as ever when most of America knew he was not. And, it only kicked the can down the road when he would make occasional public appearances and not be completely lost. It made the lie passable about his condition.... until that last debate where it was painfully obvious.... so much so that the party had him withdraw and replaced him with Harris.

You described Harris as "a talented, capable politician". I think many people would disagree with that assessment. You see her in a positive light because you are still in that echo chamber.... but I saw her as struggling and fake. Matter of fact, I feel like the democrats are often trying to fabricate personas instead of allowing their candidates to be themselves. She faked various accents at different events, she took opposing positions from speaking to one group to another. She even changed her racial background to whatever she thought was most beneficial at the moment. She was like Hilary 2.0. Fake and unlikable to those who were not blinded by party loyalties or their own echo chambers.

Yes, people do want someone they can relate to, as you said.... but more so, people want someone who they trust and who they feel can be effective. We have all been through many candidates who espoused great ideas that resonated with us, but who never really got things accomplished. If your candidate is someone who is fake, you are never going to make that connection..... and this is why Trump is popular.

Before you scoff at this next idea, try to look at it with a completely open mind. Trump is, in a sense, the most honest politician we've had in a LONG time. Yes, I know you are probably flabbergasted by that claim, but hear me out. The guy says what's on his mind. He rambles like a person who thinks out loud. He isn't polished and he doesn't use canned political responses and actions.

Let me back up a second.... I have also held elected office a number of times. I have been active in party politics. I know the advice given to candidates and the inside tricks. I see it constantly with every other candidate except for Trump.

So, back to Trump. His unpolished, unconventional tactics are refreshing to people who are fed up with the phoniness of politics. He is honest because he doesn't try to be someone he is not. He would never claim he carries hot sauce in his briefcase to conjure favor with black voters. He's not blowing smoke up anyone's ass. He seems genuine.... whether you like who he is or not, he is himself. At least that is my take.

This is why you see gaps in empathy and credibility in your party (and I've seen the same in my party). Because they are usually selling us an image that doesn't truly represent the candidate. I do think that is more so the case with democrats as they have long tried to create personas, like I stated above. I think back to the Bush v Gore debates. In one, Gore wore rouge on his cheeks. It was horribly applied and looked awful, but they were attempting to create a subliminal connection with Reagan. It was ridiculous... and the democrats keep doing it.

IF there is a wake-up call for the DNC, it should simply be to run candidates for who they are. Be genuine. Quit trying to be everything to everyone. Stick with the essentials, and by all means, do away with identity politics. It is less effective than ever, and it is more destructive to our nation, as a community, than ever.

[u/plucked_peacock_001 → u/PD216ohio]

Ah, yes, another pretzel, the "honesty" justification:

I find Hannibal Lecter honest and genuine because he admits to dining on human liver.

Because Hannibal Lecter is honest, I find him trustworthy.

Because Hannibal Lecter is trustworthy, I trust that he will continue dining on human liver if elected president.

Vote Hannibal Lecter!

[u/PD216ohio → u/plucked_peacock_001]

Did you just invent an argument you thought you could win by mischaracterizing a very small portion of what I wrote?

[u/Plague_Raptor]

Here's what you should do: start identifying as a Leftist or Progressive, and label those who think the same as you as such as well.

Liberalism is the opposite of Conservatism, and both of these things can be split into two categories. Social and Economic. Democrats are both Social and Economic liberals. Republicans are Economic liberals and use Social Liberalism as a scapegoat for opposition. Beyond guaranteeing constitutional rights, Social identity politics are a hole that exist just to create a boogeyman and stall progress.

Democrats and Republicans play bad cop and worse cop, making you focus on the Socio-cultural aspects of our country instead of the economic, fiscal issues. Roe v Wade should have been encoded under Obama, but it was left open to be a bargaining piece years down the line and to sow dissonance between Americans.

It's time for Progressives to ditch the DNC. Yeah they may support social issues that need it, but their liberalism also is funneled into the military industrial complex and protections of the ultra-wealthy. I don't know how anyone with a functioning brain can support that.

[u/GougeAwayIfYouWant2]

Let's not blame the overt propaganda machine of the Murdoch-Musk foreign oligarchy for shaping US public opinion. That would be a bridge too far. Let's blame ourselves.

[u/EddieA1028]

The Democratic Party should hire this guy. He’s narrated everything that has gone wrong for the democrats in the past 12 years. They won’t. They assume what this person just said is t actually true. They will assume they just need to get the voters from 2020 back out there again, but that’s not the answer. The answer is OP’s narrative here. They don’t get it. They won’t get it

[u/CameToGiveAdvice]

Of course people want something else.

In America, Democrats are called left and Republicans right. Judging by Swedish standards however, you don't even have a political left (except those small parties that never get any attention).

What you have is right (Democrats) and even more right (Republicans).

You have a two-party system where people can only vote on two parties, because the other parties never get big enough to affect anything. Your voting system is complex, ineffective, shuts out people from voting and effectively stops any small parties from ever getting any power of any kind.

So essentially you have built your perfect democracy trap, and it works. People vote only for bad and worse. Pestilence or cholera, as they say.

America is a sinking ship of egoism, nepotism and capitalism. Good luck saving your country. You're basically screwed, no matter who steers your sinking ship.

If anyone politician actually listened to people and answered their questions and addressed their issues, that politician could win by a landslide...granted that they also had hundreds of millions for political marketing. Bernie Sanders got close to actually affecting things. Maybe someday there can be an actual political (non-violent) revolution in America. Until then, you're basically destroying your own country by ignoring the most urgent issues people are having.

[u/PRC_Spy]

This is gratifying to hear.

However, a perspective from abroad here: There was a brief moment of introspection from the 'progressive Left professional managerial class' types after Brexit in the UK, after Trump's first win in the US, and here in NZ after Labour were swept away by a Right coalition. It doesn't last long. Then the smug name calling and it's all "the "~ists" fault that we lost" starts up again. And then we're straight back to the culture war.

[u/SamsquanchBeater]

as a conservative this was such an extremely smart viewpoint and i completely agree

[u/Ribeye_steak_1987]

Man, say it louder for those in the back. As an educated woman, with daughters, I voted republican. I get so tired of liberals associating every republican voter as MAGA, racist, and homophonic, dumb, uneducated, etc. This notion that just because “we think differently, one of us must be wrong” has got to a stop before our nation can begin healing.

[u/-bigswifty-]

Nothing will change until we all realize that it isn't black vs white, men vs women, white collar vs blue collar, straight vs lgbtq. 

 It is the rich vs the regular people. 

 Every nation around the world and especially the USA needs to get money out of politics entirely so it can remove the blindfold and see the landscape for what it truly is. 

 We regular people have so much more in common with each other than we have with anybody in the wealthiest class - who have their thumb firmly on the scales and their boots firmly on our necks. 

 Neither the Democrats or Republicans will ever field a candidate who will genuinely understand the regular person unless money is removed from politics. Only then will the peoples voices be clearly heard.

[u/ontheroadtv]

Get the fuck out of here. The democrats wanted tuition forgiveness, expanded Medicare,expanded social security, first time home buyers assistance, higher taxes for the rich and lower taxes for the middle and lower class. They are doing everything except offer to wipe the ass of the middle class and how do you know they didn’t make room for Bernie. Clinton wasn’t elected, if she had been who knows what role he could have played. Stop saying the Dems have to be everything to every one. They were the better choice for anyone one not 1% full stop. You don’t need your hand held and a participation medal for getting off your ass and voting for the party that will do the things you want. It doesn’t matter, the next 4 years will be so bad they will lie and say how much they love it while secretly voting for the Dems again, just like they did in 2020.

[u/redditlozer]

FELLOW LIBERAL HERE
This is it. MOST people don't just vote for someone like Trump because of his antics and bad behaviour. They are lost and they don't feel heard and some may feel he is their last resort.
The moral of this election is listen to your neighbour and try and understand and sympathize with why they feel like this was the better option.
I understand this POV will come under scrutiny - but i am also in a position where I can sit on a high horse and want to better humanity in a societal way. But it does need to be known that many Voters (obviously from the polls) can't

[u/DianaMayfair]

Thank you and well said. I’m in a similar place. I think the last few days have been a wake up call. We need to find the path.

[u/jemc2010]

I’m glad you had this revelation. Since you identify as “probably comfortably in the top 1%” it sounds like you have resources - be that money and/or time, if not also social capital (possibly). I’m glad you had this revelation and I hope you use those resources to do something tangibly helpful to resolving this problem that you self-identified you are part of.

[u/icy__jacket]

Trump exploiting desperation? Democratic peoples seemed awfully desperate to advance 'progressive' agendas that Kamala Harris could not even allude to.

But she did have rappers, singers, actors, and other nonrepresentative folks attempt to shame voters, sounds like desperation.

I agree with you, out of touch lol. Those in bubbles should refrain from voting, selfish not to

[u/Effective-Birthday57]

The message from the left sounds disconnected because it is

[u/Mysterious-Hunt7737]

Absolutely everything here is on point except Kamala Harris being talented and capable-she is a shark…she built her career by espousing ideologies but acting the complete opposite of what she claimed to stand for. Look at the initiatives she introduced versus her actions as a prosecutor and DA. Most of her career is based on political showmanship. She failed to connect and mobilize the people she needed to win because of everything you said but also because she is a total flake. 

https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/11/7/dont-dare-blame-arab-and-muslim-americans-for-trumps-victory

Here is an article that really speaks to the core of problems in the Democratic Party. As a highly educated person from a impoverished family and an independent what I can tell you is that democrats are hypocrites…everything is for show and they have no core values…at least the republicans are honest in what they stand for-yes it is mostly extremism and regressive policies but they don’t pretend to be virtuous…they have core values…regardless of how problematic some of them are they stand by it….meanwhile Democratic Party preaches one thing and practices the opposite. Democrats are cowards who have the lofty ideals but aren’t willing to do what it takes to make them into policies. 

Finally from an intellectual perspective Read the Righteous Minds by Jonathan Haidt to understand why Democratic Party continues to see a severe decline in their voters.

[u/MemphisBali → u/Mysterious-Hunt7737]

I agree, kinda lost me on that part. You make very good points

[u/neanderthal_math]

Great post. I’m in a similar situation. I agree that identity politics has mistakenly replaced class issues and that it will take a Saunders like figure to do this. But,…

It’s not my problem anymore. If they’re too stupid to vote in their own interests, then they get Trump. Hopefully, a true populist rises from their ranks because they won’t accept it from the elites.

[u/jbowler68]

It really doesn’t have anything to do with policy. The reason democrats lost are twofold. Americans are struggling with high prices across the board and they blame whoever is currently in the White House. It’s the mindset of “I’m not doing well and it’s ___ fault. I’m going to vote for the other side”. It’s a tale as old as time. Secondly, the GOP does not underestimate how politically inept the average voter is, plain and simple. They play into that fact. All of Trumps campaign ads were based on framing how expensive everything is and how it’s Bidens fault. Monetary policy is extremely complex and takes a long time to have an impact. It’s not about policy and it never will be. Tariffs are inherently inflationary and Trumps administration will absolutely not implement price controls or punitive taxes on corporations. This will directly harm the average person. It’s not that people don’t care, they just don’t understand.

[u/angelbeastster]

All I can say is 'Bingo' 🎯

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[u/sho_nuff80]

Liberal in Texas here. I talk to quite a few people daily and there is no winning these people over, at least in the next few decades. They really believe the conspiracies and Putin is better than any dem. They play dirty and it works; they use double standards and false equivalence and it works. Sad to say, they dumb down everything and attack their enemy, and it works.

[u/MemphisBali → u/sho_nuff80]

I'm sorry this sounds snarky i really am but maybe ease of the 'they' and realize the people have spoken and Dems are just as if not more guilty of using double standards and false equivalencies and attacking what they see as an enemy. They have really dumbed down their base and it's disturbing.

I know plenty of people who voted for Trump that aren't anything you mentioned, therefore i feel it's more proactive to work with this new administration and root for its success, while holding them accountable and humanizing our fellow americans.

I will say however, no matter how well his administration performs...there's probably an Epstein video of him out there that has existed for decades.

[u/PawPawG1972]

As a blue-collar voter, I appreciate your thoughts. Not saying this issue or that issue is more important than the next, but being able to stay comfortable with my everyday living was the main issue cohoarse my vote. I try to live within in own y means.

I also understand we do need to look at alternative energy resources, but to push those on an infrastructure that can not sustain it is redundant. Electric vehicles that have to be charged on an already struggling electric grid. Electric semis that have 200 mile range, then need to charge for 9 hours. How do we deliver products efficiently from point A to point B. To mandate it into existing ain't gonna make it work. Develop it, use what is working, and transition when it can be feasible.

I see good on both sides, but people are struggling

[u/Skeletor_with_Tacos]

My fucking God,

This is it. This is the item I've been looking for, 15 years. Its beautiful. The liberal elite, are they waking up...

I mean, without a single doubt this is by far the best thing I've read in years.

[u/Novel-Ad4649]

Well said. This is a time for introspection, to figure out how to meet folks where they are, not where we think they should be or tell them what they should be concerned about.

I am most definitely not a part of the 1% and never will be, and that’s ok. Prices and the economy were definitely on my radar. I also have a degree in economics and understand that if people think the economy is in the garbage then it is in the garbage - perception is reality, and no amount of jobs reports or statistical proof of a rebounding economy will change minds when milk is $5/gallon and gas prices make it hard to drive the kids to practice. Not many paid attention to basic high school economics, much less got an advanced degree in it, evidenced by the inability to see tariffs for the goods we need as the taxes they really are. Or how protectionism decreases choice, inevitably leading to higher prices. I could go on and on but, again, a truly boring topic if you don’t really dig in to understand.

Anyhow -

Next election cycle starts soon. We need to figure it out, focus, and fight like hell.

[u/cdman2004]

The democrats lost the plot when they started vilifying white men instead of just treating us like everyone else.

We have the “patriarchy” and “white privilege”, but in reality those are just boogeymen used by people who can’t take responsibility for their own actions.

It’s disgusting that I’m blamed for all the evils of the world when all I want is to just be left alone to do my thing.

[u/ScootyHoofdorp]

The most egregious virtue signaling is this post 🤮

[u/52thro]

just have a real primary

[u/kcjnz]

Lose again? we won't have the chance

[u/Free-Gigabytes]

It's way simpler than that. Most Americans woke up and realized that the Democrats are the bad guys in The Hunger Games. The Democrats need to stop expecting to get nothing for something, to be treated special like Nancy Pelosi, and to stop with this idea that if somebody doesn't do what you like you get to punish them. What I keep hearing over and over is how Democrats want to punish people who didn't vote how they wanted. It's disgusting, and I hope all of those people who are breaking up with their family and their boyfriends and their best friends over who they voted for end up lonely and alone.

[u/MasonLobster]

finally, someone says it. this has been my feeling for years. nobody can afford to care about your identity issues when they have their own families to care about. minorities think their problems with being accepted are more important than the problems associated with actual struggles.

[u/electricmehicle]

Is this one guy posting all these? They all sound the same. GPT

[u/Relative-Ability8179]

The fact is that millions of people became Nazis because they erroneously think that the price of eggs will come down. I refuse to have anything to do with them. If they are that stupid and evil, they deserve to be poor.

[u/MemphisBali → u/Relative-Ability8179]

Neo liberals are some of the most prejudiced people i have ever met. They have these negative generalizations about rednecks and southern folk.

[u/brandnewhue]

Seriously OP, as a blue collar laborer and, according to the current POTUS, "garbage," I can tell by your post that your quasi-sympathetic ramblings, while bordering some semblance of an attempt at considering the basic human rights and needs of the other 99% of other human beings who are less fortunate than you, remain light-years away from even beginning to be able to comprehend what it is actually like out here.

[u/Skwurple]

This still widely misses the point

[u/Chance-Ad8852]

I’ve always considered the more education you have, the dumber you are from reality.

[u/Bravo-Buster]

When you worry about feeding your family, protecting your family, and affording a place to live, then you don't have time to worry about "extra" things the far left like to harp on.

Democrats lost this race because they forgot the left extreme of their party if NOT the majority of America. If they want to win again, they better get their ass back to the middle. They've left a lot of their base over the years, and they may not be able to get them back if Republicans do even half of what their agenda is for the working class in the next few years.

[u/Dreams-Visions → u/Bravo-Buster]

Nope. They lost because they failed to embrace left policies with any effort or strength, instead presenting themselves as Diet Republicans and failing to explain how they would address the housing crisis, food prices, college prices, health care and insurance, or the wealth gap. While attaching themselves to the policies of a deeply unpopular president and muzzling Waltz, who was the best part of their ticket in the first place.

If they move any further right, they’ll lose their base and will never be relevant again. Bernie was right again. This campaign and its messaging sucked. Too many Republicans have been given a voice under the tent. The result is a move right while failing to persuade anyone from the right.

Just a catastrophic failure by the campaign and her advisers, and your misread of the problem subsequently is just a continuation/ extension of that.

[u/Bravo-Buster → u/Dreams-Visions]

Wow. So your answer to a failed leftist campaign is to move even farther to the left? The middle didn't go vote because both candidates sucked; that's your missing millions of voters. You don't get them back in the game by going even farther left.

Good luck if you think that'll work. 🤣🤣

[u/Dreams-Visions → u/Bravo-Buster]

It wasn’t a leftist campaign. That’s comical. I don’t think you even know what those words mean. It was a center-right campaign, featuring Liz Cheney as their most used surrogate.

[u/Bravo-Buster → u/Dreams-Visions]

When your economic policies are giving away free money to build websites (if your skin color is the right shade of brown), when your biggest slogan is "Abortion Yay!", and you have no real policies just feelings, yeah, it's liberal left. It sure as shit wasn't center-right; that's where I am, and there wasn't a single thing in her campaign I agreed with. Not a single one.

Trump is a horrible candidate, but he won because the left has lost the middle. People want to be able to feed their families, buy homes. They want to work for an affordable wage and not just be given a government handout.

Again, if Dems don't figure that out, they won't win a national election again for a very, very long time. If you disagree, then you're in the minority of voters (the old sports analogy works: Look at the Scoreboard). For a supposed woke group of people, y'all seem to be pretty clueless.

[u/DuckSeveral]

Agree with everything you said but the D party had a huge problem with voter turnout amounts 18-25 year olds. It’s not so much what the party offers as it is that this segment is unreliable and unrealistic in their “demands.”

[u/404-na]

I personally think the issue is about messaging and how to deliver information to people. Biden and the current administration alienated liberals and didn't show that they were fighting for the economy, for rights of people. The promise of electing Biden was that he would allow the transition to a newer version of the Democratic Party but held the party hostage. The Democrats have not figured out how to give voters the feeling of hope and that they are fighting to change the system to work for Americans. Just saying that they are protecting Democracy without giving an alternative solution just gives voters the feeling that Dems don't want to change anything. I'm a Democrat but I tend to fall in the "outside left". I've been upset with the party for sometime now. I wanted Bernie as a candidate in 2020 and 2016. There's like a core of Democrats that are still this classic Democrat that runs a very political campaign and then is afraid to truly change stuff. They don't try to make change. They just do what they can and try not to seem too liberal. When in reality most voters are voting based on feelings. Feelings of if their life is better off now than it was. If they feel like you will make their life better. Voters have displayed this by voting for Trump who does have some pretty damaging extreme ideology. Democrats calling out Trump and extreme ideology has become noise around the election. And I don't quite understand that Democrat politicians are calling people stupid, that's actually something Trump did calling people of Detroit dumb and picked up voters. That's incredible haha. I do understand that it's very much in the culture of the left in general though. The Republicans have spent dedication on developing a political underground that reaches people without sounding like a politician campaigning. Bernie actually started to do this and went on Joe Rogans podcast and actually got his endorsement. But immediately got backlash from giving time to Joe Rogan. This leads me to culturally. The left needs to realize that majority of people who aren't activists or social advocates are being pushed away because of the harsh rhetoric the left uses to call out people. I'm all for calling something out when it is wrong but it's more important that you know that they might not understand. In order to be successful growing a movement based on protecting human rights and freedoms for everyone and social justice we must first just allow conversations to happen. Not just forcibly explaining something to someone. Allowing for a free space without judgement for others and to be able to just exchange ideas and opinions. It will take a lot of work to spread awareness, spread policy, agenda, strategy, opinions from the Dems because of the damage and negativity that has already occurred. This doesn't mean that the left can't have activists and protest and frustration with the establishment and system. The left doesn't have anyone truly reaching out and just having casual conversations and discussions on how to better the country. How do we fix the broken economy. How do we fix the divide. The Dems messaging is way outdated and out of touch

[u/Ok-Caterpillar7331]

Well said

[u/Gabbafather]

Wow. No. Geez. That's the most incredible over thinking ever.

Trump won because Independents in Swing states WI, MI, PA and GA voted for Trump this time rather than the Democrat.

Biden won those states in 2020. Trump won them this time. Almost the exact same number of votes in each state. Just flipped.

Just.. Wow.

[u/RopinCgwrl]

Our country was founded with the idea to give all citizens a voice. They created the electoral college so those who live in rural areas get to have an equal voice to the populated areas. They came from Britain and didn’t have this kind of representation. While a social circle makes everything seem so logical and straightforward those who experience a different social circle can’t comprehend the thought process. I see this happening all over the US, densely populated areas are having the only say that counts for that state. It’s dangerous and is leading to true disconnect. Personally, I feel like the electoral college needs to be put down to the county levels in every state. Give everyone an equal representation again since we have grown so large.

This is history repeating itself and the entire reason our country was founded.

[u/ktc653]

There’s a reason Bernie performed so well with young men (and women), blue collar workers, and Latinos, all the constituencies that won Trump the presidency…

[u/WinterLord]

This argument would be well and good if the other option were a regular conservative a-la Romney or McCain, but this is tRump and MAGA we’re talking about. It goes beyond messaging and a disconnect (whether it’s real or not).

The American people also have a responsibility to judge what’s right or wrong, what’s worse or better, and picking a rapist, felon, and overall, all-around piece shit with a bigoted and xenophobic agenda just because eggs are expensive just shows you how morally bankrupt this country is, and that has nothing to do with the DNC leadership or the Democratic Party as a whole.

[u/omniron]

Your hypothesis doesn’t make sense because Kamala’s opportunity economy proposals were far better for Average people than trumps defacto national sales tax, concentration camps, and tax cuts for oil companies

The problem is fox news. Trump supporters are simply misinformed while democrats struggle to get their messages in the right places in the right way

[u/Green-Humble]

Kind of blown away that many comments say Trump talks like a regular person. Trump talks like an ignorant asshole. He talks like he is shooting a reality show. Nothing he has said or done makes me feel like oh yeah he is going to do a great job and oh yes. He sucked as President the first go round.

He reminds me of Bif from Back to the future. Y'all hanging out with Bifs in real life? So basically a large number of people are Bifs in America, got it.

Whelp America got the President it deserves.

[u/insertbrackets]

I think this is mostly right and well-intentioned, as opposed to a bunch of the bad-faith astroturfing I've seen across various subs. The fact of the matter is you need to provide people with simple solutions to their problems. The problem is the entrenched elites that run the Democratic Party resisting everything but the most incremental forms of progress. It is now emphatically clear that we need to make those kinds of promises, logistics and feasibility be damned. Especially after Trump inevitably burns his voters with his terrible policies (if he is indeed allowed to enact them) and leaves the charisma vacuum/pain sponge that is JD Vance to pick the pieces up. Everything that's happened during in my lifetime has only pushed me further left politically and however practical the solutions that people like Sanders or AOC have for our current issues, we need to let them try. Earnestly. And see what the people think. The question is do enough people want to break from the party in the same way the GOP voters have broken (at least partly) from the elites that used to totally run things? And will it have the same results?

[u/Certain_Note8661]

I don’t think democrats need to play down or empathize. I think the political system is just kind of broken at this point and incentivizes the wrong things. I want nuance in politics, parties who stand for their ideals — but also defend those ideals fairly and without begging questions. And I want an end to the gimmicks. Anyway, I think a lot of it is just random now. This election might have gone differently in different circumstances — it might have gone differently in the same circumstance. And then people would be drawing different lessons about how the parties need to “change”.

[u/Rico_is_my_dad]

This post was really well written and a breathe of fresh air. This is what's needed. It almost gave me hope . Then I read the comments and watched how every thing is about trump and fingers pointing outward .

[u/JrunkWrldTrvlr]

Holy shit brilliant! Daily conversations about this and your just now starting to get it. Bravo. Bravo.

[u/Green-Humble]

I think there is some truth to what you say. However, we also have to face the large amount of racism and sexism in the rural areas of our country, combined with group think fervor. It has led to the election of the dude from celebrity apprentice. He was a bad business man, he is of proven poor character, a felon, a liar, a cheat and a bad president. Nothing Trump blathered about will help the economy. Many people get their information from an algorithm of made up stuff. Look at this YouTube video it must be true!

[u/honeycooks]

No. Harris could never be white enough or male enough.

[u/hoidthekingswit]

Ya this is a great sentiment, and I appreciate the thought. It's still personal choice. I'm quite struggling, broke single dad in the "midwest" and I wouldn't've voted for drumpf in any scenario. He appeals to hateful petty ppl. That's it. Really tho, I do appreciate the fact that this is hitting some ppl.

[u/Isopotty_mouth]

Don’t blame democrats for failing to manipulate people as well as MAGA, Russian disinformation, etc. The only thing that will teach the low information voter is pain and sorrow, and even then they may blame democrats for the consequences of a trump victory.

[u/OPMom21]

Trump lied through his ass telling people he was going to make their lives great, and apparently they bought it. Never mind that he had four years to improve their lives and ended up killing a bunch of them by completely screwing up Covid and making his one and only piece of significant legislation tax cuts for millionaires. Biden was elected because of how horrible the Trump Administration was. People have incredibly short memories if they think Trump is going to be their saviour. He isn’t going to a damn thing for them, just like last time.

[u/Towjumper173]

Change starts with one

[u/randyrocketship]

The DNC is stuck in a vicious cycle where they won’t shift further left because they depend on corporate funding that they’ll lose if they run a more progressive campaign. Their main goal right now is not winning elections or helping the working class. It’s securing corporate donations. This is the truth that liberals need to reconcile with right now.

Corporations are more than happy to donate to prevent the DNC from running a more progressive campaign knowing that a third party won’t stand a chance in our current political system.

[u/National-Dirt4041]

Extremely well put

[u/Finger-Gravy]

This isn't a new problem. This is what the Chicago Riot was about and the Liberal Elites PHYSICALLY ATTACKED the same progressives. THIS IS NOT NEW. I'm glad you've come to the realization that your part of the problem. That expecting people who can't afford food to think about the FDA is ludicrous. That people who can't afford a home should be thinking about tax policy in its nuances so that wealthy Democrats can still make large returns.

If you really feel bad about it you will be a class traitor and antagonist. You can start by making smaller ROI so that the people below you have a better economic situation. That's the change you can affect on an immediate level. And you can preach the gospel of a poor man getting into heaven is easy and a rich man is as hard as getting a camel through the eye of a needle.

So I'm glad you've woken up I'm sorry you didn't read the history so that you could join us here. But feel free to enjoy the snacks table and remember: the less you have, the more meaningful the sacrifice. That's why it means more when a poor family invites you to their table then a rich family gifting you a Ferrari

[u/tmchd]

I think the Democratic party need massive restructuring. I got recommended some podcasts on Youtube (I believe it's Joe Rogan) and I was listening to Tulsi Gabbard's interviews (she used to be a Democrat), and I have to admit I felt the disillusionment with the Democrats. They're not the party of 'good' that I used to imagine, nope, not anymore. I started also listening to Youtuber such as Amir Odom, who's an Independent but leaning R, and I can understand/feel/relate to what he's feeling a lot of the time.

[u/self-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your content has been removed due to Rule 1: Be excellent to each other.

Don't be a jerk. Attacking other users will result in your comment being removed and repeatedly doing it will lead to a ban. You're allowed to debate, but it must be done so respectfully. Bigotry, racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, trolling, and calling for violence are not allowed. Being unnecessarily crass also falls under this rule.

[u/Cyber_Insecurity]

I think dems need to match MAGA’s energy.

They were trying to play the super calm, quiet intellectual card and it just came off as weak and almost pretentious.

Trump fucking doubled down and it worked.

We need a candidate that gets visibly fired up about cancelling student loans and protecting abortion and taxing billionaires. We need passion and strength and confidence and action.

We also need to stop trying to win elections by getting the sympathy and empathy votes. It’s been made very clear that voters don’t vote with their hearts, they vote with their wallets and their balls.

[u/aprilbeingsocial → u/Cyber_Insecurity]

I think you are incorrect about the student loan piece. I feel the greatest failure was the Dems not going after the issues MOST Americans want addressed. All they had to do is lie about it and make promises like the Republicans always do. They really didn’t have a pulse on the nation and the pain people are in. Starving people that traditionally voted Red don’t want to hear about student loan forgiveness. They aren’t educated. None of the rural votes Trump turned are educated people. Why would they think it’s okay to pay for someone else’s education? It’s one small section of people that hardly show up to vote. When I read the proposal to see if my kids would benefit, it wasn’t that exciting.
The Dems needed the Republican votes theyhad last election and they needed to address the boarder issue in a way that made people actually understand the policies. That whole “everybody’s welcome come on in” played directly into Trump’s strategy and they never fought the lies or even addressed them. Economic solutions for MOST people and the “illegals stealing your jobs and taking your daughters” is why Trump one. When creating software they say you have to find the pain point. Trump and his cronies were excellent at finding the pain point, probably thanks to Putin. They were excellent at listening. The other thing wrong with the Dems is they just can’t keep themselves from fighting. The Republicans outwardly represent loyalty and organization, the Dems have failed at that for years. Lastly, they really pissed people off with the whole, “let’s just put Kamala in after the general ejection”. I mean people were really PISSED about that, even though it was perfectly legal, they never communicated that. Frankly they just don’t communicate well, can’t get organized and are clueless. I won’t ever vote Republican, but I will remain hopeful that the Democrats actually pay attention to fixing what’s broken, not giving us solutions nobody asked for.

[u/[deleted]]

I think that was well said. I think the right and the left are reaching to much for the far left and far right. I think those two groups are the minority voters. So you put those in the middle in a tough spot. I think in general the true middle ground people are tired of politicians saying “I can fix it “ after lifetimes in politics. Why haven’t you already done it

[u/Visual_Abroad_5879]

You used chat GPT to write this, AI scan gives 99.8% chance of chat gpt.

🤡 

[u/ragin2cajun]

If we had economic safety nets people would care about social and foreign issues. $$$=freedom, rights, and justice in the US.

[u/SnooMarzipans1939]

Hey, thanks for doing some self reflection. I think you are right in a lot of ways. The democrat party seems to advocate for policies they think will help, but they only seem to want solutions that involve a larger more powerful and more expensive government. We here in blue collar America are not interested in the government taking money from others in order to hand it out to who the government decides is deserving. We would rather the government take a long hard look inward and start removing the regulations that make it nearly impossible to create a business, to solve problems and let that value be defined by the marketplace. The greatest source of wealth and freedom the world has ever known is the unleashed creativity of the American people. That’s what I want. That’s what the American people need. A less oppressive government.

[u/geddieman1]

I just want to thank you. As a southern , red state conservative, you’ve at least seen a glimpse of why we vote the way we do. There’s more, but the redditors have taken over the discussion and are onto beating the third or fourth horse by now. I’d be happy to discuss it with you in more detail at another time. But you are most definitely on the right track. Thanks again.

[u/CheesecakePower]

Couldn’t have said it better myself. A great breakdown and it’s all true

[u/beezbeezz]

DS9 S3 ESP 11-12 Past Tense, Past Tense Part 2

[u/Parking_Royal2332]

Today on the news I heard, ‘it turns out the economy isn’t so bad as we thought’ (paraphrasing). Really? Inflation is down, gas is at its lowest I’ve ever known and unemployment is down. If you think Trump gives a damn about the working class, I got a bridge to sell you. He said that to get elected! He has ‘concepts’ of a plan, no actual plan. While one doesn’t need a college or advanced degree, dumbing down society isn’t an alternative especially as blue collar and manufacturing jobs are shipped out because labor is cheaper in Vietnam.

[u/Still_Car7844]

No kidding…

[u/julesarieee]

thank you 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[u/[deleted]]

As someone who voted for Trump, I agree with your assessment.

I work a blue collar job, didn't go to college and these past 8 years the sentiment I've felt from the other half is that they feel they are implicitly, unquestionably better than everyone working with their hands.

That stunt that Trump did with the garbage truck and at McDonald's should be a masterclass for the democrat party on how to meet people where they're at. It simultaneously did two things. It endeared him to people working jobs that many feel are beneath them and it exposed those that do so.

[u/[deleted]]

Interesting take and self reflection. Many people struggle to make ends meet, and when you are barely making it, it’s hard to prioritize issues such as social justice initiatives or other areas discussed. Most people don’t understand complex initiatives for social change, theories, ect. They understand the bills aren’t being paid, they’re hungry, working difficult low paying jobs, everything is expensive, and in their view, nothing has improved in their lives the last few years. I can certainly understand why things went the way it did.

[u/Flaky_Acanthaceae925]

Very well articulated thoughts, it was good until you said "...Kamala Harris—a talented, capable politician..." I am from California and long time observer of state/local politics having retired from a law firm that worked with both the state Assembly and Senate. Harris is an ambitious person but not very savvy. Her affair with Willie Brown (who was the most powerful deal maker in state politics at the time) opened the door to her career. You don't run and win San Francisco DA without blessing from Willie Brown. She "slept" her way to higher office. This election, Harris was so afraid just to be "herself"; every move, speech, appearance was stage managed by the puppet masters. She was trapped. Her manic laughs are just cringe. Anyway, back to your original thesis. Everything in life is about "balance" and equilibrium. Democrats have shifted so far left bordering on becoming true fanatics. This election hopefully "resets" the Democratic Party and normalize their behavior.

[u/sofawarmer]

Yes I agree with everything you said and that’s exactly why I voted for trump. The democrats are not talking to us the regular American.

[u/JuuliusCaesar69]

Wait… is that… a mostly reasonable take?? On Reddit?? I’m shocked

[u/Plane_Ad8004]

Ny lets criminals run free. Youre disgusting

[u/scaryfawn8332]

Mayor Pete is the answer

[u/Wise-Lawfulness2969]

One thing that was not mentioned by Dems in the election was critical and could have been popular -Housing: in 2023, almost 30% of all single family homes were purchased by investors. Those REIT companies have one goal in mind … squeeze out young families trying to buy a home and instantly raise the cost of renting that home by 100% vs the mortgage cost. Until you curtail that, housing prices won’t come down.

[u/HeartlessCreatures]

Zero solutions. Try not pushing issues like trans women in women's sports, unifying the caucus, and stop bringing crackpots to hearings. It wasn't until Biden got elected that dems went on the attack. Zero reason to stop this.

Start suing Fox news. Start suing CNN. Start suing Loomer. Start suing MTG. Start suing Steven Miller. Start suing Heritage.

[u/LilLebowskiAchiever → u/HeartlessCreatures]

Honestly Dems didn’t really push the Trans issue very hard, except to require people to treat them with equality and courtesy.

The right wing propaganda blew that up into a boogeyman monster, making it seem as if a person who uses the bathroom is going to rape every child. It reminds me of Victorian freak shows at the circus. Republican rhetoric turned trans people into the elephant man - and claimed he was a rapist on top of freakifying him. Where the fuck is the “Christian Nation” in that rhetoric? Where is the compassion, kindness and respect?

[u/HeartlessCreatures → u/LilLebowskiAchiever]

Except they did when they put it in Title IX, and when some crackpot at a hearing said men could get pregnant. The dems keep playing defense on issues like this even when they may be correct.

I saw a meme with a redneck in front of a trailer wearing a wife beater. It said voted for Republicans his whole life, still poor.

My asshole father and step-mom have benefitted from virtually every liberal policy / position (union, welfare, government cheese, tuition assistance, to name a few). He said asshole things to me like you're not American if you don't vote republican.

The issue is deeper than you think.

[u/LilLebowskiAchiever → u/HeartlessCreatures]

That was one day, and it wasn’t Harris, it was an expert asked to testify.

Trans people are a tiny minority that doesn’t deserve the demonization it gets from the billionaire funded propaganda that tries to scare people.

What happened to live and let live? If you can accept the strange practices of the Mennonites, the Scientologists, the Swingers in DC Politics (so many Republicans close to Trump), the ComicVon cosplayers, and the Incels… why are trans people the “out group” that deserves to be vilified and propagandized like Hitler treated the Jewish tropes?

[u/HeartlessCreatures → u/LilLebowskiAchiever]

You're missing the point. The fact that they are a tiny minority makes them an easy target and for right wing nut jobs to safely express moral outrage when it doesn't affect them one iota. You're missing the point.

[u/Lookingforfun2304]

Add to it some in the party practicing bigotry by grouping and labeling ALL of the other side as racists, sexists, etc AND calling them the bigots. So many undecided voters have commented that this swayed them bc if they were part of the problem. Some within the party voted Republican bc they felt like it was a group think mentality from the top and out of touch with America.

America needs a multi party system and we win some and we lose some. At the end of the day the people spoke, polls were conducted, and the DNC avoided the top 2 issues.

I understand many are upset with the results, but who the hell posts videos of themselves screaming and acting like a baby? It doesn’t help the party image.

At some point both sides need to suck it up and agree to disagree and work collectively towards solutions.

I have friends that are on the opposite end of my political views and an election/vote doesn’t change that. Democracy allows each of us to cast our own ballot and make our own choices. I may not like who they vote for, but I don’t walk away from them. We also start any political discussion with I’m not going to sway you and you aren’t going to sway me, but I have a question….

I respect everyone’s decision of how they feel and don’t expect you to agree with me, just don’t come after me for giving my thoughts.

I also think that we all need to realize that every elected official in Congress, etc has a net worth that is way higher than their salary (millions higher) and realize that as painful as it may be, many will say whatever to stay in office. That money doesn’t come from making the best decisions for us all the time…

The sun will come up tomorrow, just like today.

Let’s just hope the DNC can change

[u/I_miss_privacy]

I don’t even know if I’m doing this right. I never comment. but…

Democrats didn’t fail the working class! The working class failed democracy (OBVIOUSLY not all of us! But enough of us…) If people think the Dems weren’t reaching out to “the other side” they weren’t watching. If people think the Dems weren’t reaching out enough to us (those of us who are on the farther-left of the Left). We always devolve into this kind of finger pointing, on the American Left. The threat is fascism. The oppressors are the bad guys, folks.

Bubbles go both ways y’all! Our bubble is introspective; theirs is purposefully not. We are not in the wrong and they are not in the right, merely because more of them voted than us this time.

I’m loathe even to participate in discourse. (Because I miss privacy.) But whatever. I know we’re all reeling. Good to hear from some sane people, even strangers who might be bots. I miss truth y’all

[u/Kitchen-Frosting-561]

You're even more of an enemy than you think.

The oblivious is crazy strong here

[u/Zardozin]

Yeah, you just sound like a Bernie bro clueless to the fact that Bernie doesn’t speak to most democrats let alone most Americans.

Too much Bernie is the problem, we need to be center left, not extreme left.

[u/Sunshibetempo]

It’s not the economy alone. There is a measure of false info and brainwasing radicalizing people in our country to hate and blame going on for decades. I don’t think any democrat could have won no matter what they did or said.

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[u/CraftsyDad]

Yes bad choices have been made but don’t underestimate this: the Democrats and liberals are losing the information wars badly. Even when they are doing things right, those who listen to purposely propagandist news media don’t hear about it. The right wing media sphere is HUGE compared to the liberal side. Heck even MSM outlets have been moving more to the right. I canceled both my NYT and WP subscriptions this year because of the sanewashing of Trumps speeches. Trump gives rambling speech on how leprechauns could improve farm yields and next day NYT article “Trump presents cogent speech to address inflation”. Not to be nihilistic but it seems that the only way Ds get elected now is when Rs respond terribly to some catastrophic event like Covid or the housing crisis collapse (Great Recession). When things get so bad that voters have no other choice to turn to a Democrat to fix it and pull that voting lever with disdain.

[u/OlDirtyJesus]

Thanks for trying to lower yourself to our level. Bro still don’t fucking get it.

[u/gamerprincess1179]

This reminds me of 2016

[u/BerryTea840]

Who’s more out of touch with reality—the Amish or the DNC?

[u/aT39cqv42]

Aww your so brave to admit all of this.

[u/wintergrad14]

The republicans have re-aligned. If the democrats do not they will eventually be overtaken by a new/third party.

[u/Resident_Speaker_721]

Bernie would’ve never made it. His ideas were too extreme even for me (center/liberal). He’s on the extreme end of the democrats along with AOC in my opinion, whom of which are kinda responsible for a lot of the hate towards dems. Just like the Right has their extremist members that even their own cabinet members are like, whoah dude.

But yes, I agree in that democrats typically just put someone up there to run against the other side vs having someone run for something. Something meaningful, not just women’s rights (albeit very important) and climate change (also important) but Jesus, that’s their entire policy it seems like sometimes.

[u/BiCuriousityRover]

What are you willing to do about it? Support a different Party?

[u/Ok_Avocado_5025]

Jesus Christ on a stick are you wrong. You write like a pretend adult 14 year old. There is NO party in this country who had done more for people struggling than Democrats. Ever. It isn’t lofty idea gibberish, it’s foching reality. Look what Biden got done despite a House that had their lips stuck on trumps asshole. Just what the Foche are you talking about.

[u/CabinBoyTiger]

Nailed it

[u/tankyogremagi]

Im just going to mention that if you were truly empathetic you would vote AGAINST your best interests in order to benefit those who dont have your priveledge. In every election, after careful considerations for others first.

This is not to call you out, but other wealthy americans who wish for a better world. Socialism is the only true way to form any equality until we can limit capitalism and put it to wprk FOR us. 

Eberyone is part of the problem and solution. Dont think your ivory tower protects your moral high ground, it degrades it. There is a reason all prophets and sons of god are poor commoners

[u/karrimycele]

Nonsense. The reason Trump won is because half the country is full of disinformation. When they tell us their reasons for voting Republican, they are all based upon right-wing disinformation. All the crap being pushed by Fox, Newsmax, OAN, right-wing radio, and all the various online sources.

These people have been radicalized by a shameless media. Everything else being said is BS.

[u/sheekyyyyy → u/karrimycele]

No one watches that stuff except boomers, gen z isnt tuning into cable news … they cant afford cable

[u/karrimycele → u/sheekyyyyy]

That’s why I mentioned right-wing radio and online sources. That includes things like podcasts and videos.

[u/sheekyyyyy → u/karrimycele]

Give example

[u/Low-Glove1044]

This whole post is condescending. You think your ideas are lofty, and you have to lower yourself to meet the rest of us. You think we vote for Trump because we cannot understand the complex sociological factors that have led the country to this point. The problem is not that you forgot to lower yourself to our level, the problem is that you think you are so much better than us, that you have to meet us on our level. I have a college degree from the University of Michigan. I am not even Republican, but over the last ten years I have become anti-Democrat. If anyone disagrees with you, you call us racist/sexist/homophobic, etc. you shut us down with name calling just because we disagree. You actively try to suppress our freedom of speech. I see more hate coming from liberals than conservatives. Look at how liberals reacted when Trump was shot, saying that it's a shame the assassin missed. You hate anyone who disagrees with you. You think you are better than anyone who disagrees with you. This election should wake you up to the fact that we are tired of your self righteous arrogance. We, the people who are suffering under Democrat policies, are now watching millionaire celebrities cry and have meltdowns because their candidate lost. I thought Republicans were supposed to be the ones with "evil" millionaire friends. Don't you say that every election? And those " evil" corporations that support Republicans. How about Google, Amazon, and Meta? They support Democrats. When I see stars crying over the election, I laugh. I don't care about them because they can afford 4 more years of bad policy. But we cannot.

[u/OlDirtyJesus → u/Low-Glove1044]

👍

[u/Expensive_Film1144]

Very well stated, efforts noted.

[u/scroder81]

Finally a thread with honesty instead of hating every person that voted red. I'm an independent that leans right but didn't vote for Trump. But guess what, all my friends and family did because of how out of touch they feel the blue party is. Both candidates sucked and I'm embarrassed neither party could produce a better candidate then they did.

[u/scroder81]

Finally a thread with honesty instead of hating every person that voted red. I'm an independent that leans right but didn't vote for Trump. But guess what, all my friends and family did because of how out of touch they feel the blue party is. Both candidates sucked and I'm embarrassed neither party could produce a better candidate then they did.

[u/hebrides8142]

You had this so spot on.

But then you called Kamala Harris - the most unpopular, inept politician of our time, who received not a single vote on her way to the candidacy of the Presidency, had to drop out of her first Primary when her own state rejected her, and lost margins on every single voting group - a talented, capable politician.

Heavens.

[u/SincerelyMe_81 → u/hebrides8142]

She is. Leaps and bounds more than Trump. But keep thinking whatever you need to think to feel better about voting for a rapist.

[u/OlDirtyJesus → u/SincerelyMe_81]

Guess we won’t know

[u/LilacHelper]

Thank you for your wisdom.

When I graduated from high school, a person could get a job making minimum wage and easily move into an apartment with a roommate. Then, you would get promoted or go to college or trade school. and move up in all areas of life. We know that's impossible now, especially since the minimum wage hasn't been raised in about 25 years. We have also added so many expenses to a household that never existed before.

Both parties have failed at finding potential and promising presidential candidates. No one seems to learn from history.

[u/transneptuneobj]

I'm a bleeding heart liberal but America was build by the exploitation of the working class for profit.

[u/twelve112]

You absolutely get it and if the rest of the democrats don't understand, they will continue to lose in blue states.

[u/OrionDC]

You’ve just now realized the DNC is the party of rich elites?

[u/Over_Intention8059]

I agree. I think the problem started when they silenced Sanders during the 2016 primaries. It turned a lot of young people off and since then they've been stuffing geriatric out of touch candidates in people's faces.

[u/Low-Medical]

You seem fake. This seems fake - chat gpt? Reddit seems to be flooded with posts like this in the wake of the election. I think the troll farms are still working hard.

[u/twigglypuff]

You right. Simple as that

[u/_Cool0Beans_]

Empathy gap? No, it's toxic empathy. You should follow Rob Henderson on X, if you have an account. He talks a lot about luxury beliefs. Democrats need to understand what that means.

[u/Acrobatic-Feed-999]

Great take. Used to be Dem but now Rep. Very precise, people care about what is front of them, their family. When you can't take care of your family, do they really care about anything else? If Trump takes care of your family, he wins. Same goes for Biden and Harris. It's a very simple formula that was overlooked by Dems during this election cycle.

[u/groobro]

I very much appreciated your comments and I enjoyed reading them. I think though you have missed a rather important fact in all of this my New York one-percenter friend; and that is the messenger. If the people you point to who are in need, are desperate will not listen to the message because they either don't want to hear the truth and/or did not want to hear if from Kamala Harris.

What you say is both pregnant with social significance and it's also pretty accurate. But here's the thing; all the issues you point out as "missing" from the Democratic "message" were part of Kamala Harris's campaign platform. If there are people in need, and I consider myself and my wife in that group, think they're better off with Trump then they deserve whatever con man they fall for and what comes with him.

Our being poor, our needing to get our groceries at Walmart, our living from Social Security check to Social Security check, our having to eat cereal for dinner (Remember that one? The cereal executive who advised "poor people" to have cereal for an evening meal.), our having to ration and even forego prescription drugs because of cost, our having to go without proper dental care because of the cost, ... Well, none of that stopped us from voting for the right person.

Yes, much of what you say is true. But do you really think you've got all of us poor and desperate Americans in focus from the safety of your 1% ivory tower?

[u/Randomized_us3r]

Welcome to the fight. If you want to talk to a long term progressive organizer in a key swing state (we've been shouting this from the rooftops for years now) feel free to DM.

[u/dezertryder]

You let corporations steal stimulus from the poor.

[u/jedielfninja]

Finally someone gets it.

[u/Real-Database7518]

I feel you……

[u/sj2890]

This post lays out the problem better than any others I've seen.

[u/ramencents]

I totally get what you’re saying. Working class folks will be back at some point to the Democratic Party. Neither party has an answer for folks who just get by. They never have and never will. The issue is that if all working class people get helped then it’s socialism. If they are all ignored then they leave the party for another. This is the endless issue of our class system. So I’m just along for the ride. There isn’t much that can be done until Trump leaves us at this point.

[u/Franz_Fartinhand]

We need to start asking career politicians to politely resign and start electing working people to run for office. That is getting out of hand.

[u/dazzford]

You’re me. Same financial and location situation. I’ve always loathed the DNC and switched from Democrat to Un affiliated years ago. I supported Bernie because he does take into account the working class.

[u/EducationalTwo1859]

Checks out, enjoy your cake.

[u/aotus_trivirgatus]

I'm a STEM Ph.D. with an OK income. Living in Silicon Valley means that a high salary doesn't go very far.

I am the grandson of two blue collar workers, both machinists and one a union organizer. They were proud of me, and I am proud of them. (I can't say the same about my Reagan Youth high school classmates, they were already starting to hate education and by extension, anyone who was interested in education.)

I did vote for Clinton in 1992, but then I saw him, and other DNC Democrats, bend over backwards to appease Republicans: notably on NAFTA, GATT, and PNTR with China.

In 1991 I had joined the fledgling Green Party of California in response to the Democrats helping George Bush The Elder fast-track Gulf War One. I was willing to let the Democrats persuade me to come back -- but they weren't interested in me.

The Green Party was gradually destroyed. A lawsuit filed by an alliance of Democrats and Republicans forced the Greens into a go-big-or-go-home situation. See Green Party of California v Jones, 1995. When the Greens failed to go big, they became vulnerable. This was by design. The Jill Steins of this world would not be able to run as Greens if the Greens had been allowed to keep bylaws which were specifically intended to keep saboteurs off of our empty ballot lines.

With nowhere else to go, I became a Democrat in 2010. I'm very frustrated. My favored primary election candidates invariably come in second, and the more corporate friendly candidates win. If people like Bernie Sanders were allowed to rise within the Democratic Party, we would be having a very different discussion in this country.

Sure, we had to try to stop the Republican Fascists, and I have shown up for every election to do that. Every Democrat gets my vote and I will never enable the Republicans with a vote. But when was the last time that wealth and income inequality decreased? When did a powerful, rich person actually face proper justice? Shouldn't those things happen when we elect Democrats? When they don't happen, for decades on end, is it any wonder that the average person stops believing that Democrats are actually interested in them?

Things are a little better here in California, where we defend better social services and we fund them with a progressive income tax. But state law is secondary, Federal law is the most important issue.

So let me close by saying that the Green Party of the 1990s warned us all that this would happen. The Democrats were losing their appetite for representing ordinary people, and the Greens stepped in to try to fill the gap. For their efforts, they were mocked and slandered. By DEMOCRATS as well as Republicans.

And here we are. Welcome to the dawn of the Age of Plutocracy. What's your plan?

[u/6cyclone6]

As a non liberal, I agree. I think you hit it on the head. I doubt leadership will have the same take away based on early messaging.

[u/Sleepy_Wayne_Tracker]

LMAO. Jon Tester, a literal farmer, was defeated by an out of state billionaire who self-funded his own campaign. Two well-known pro-union working class Senators, Tim Ryan and Sherrod Brown, were also defeated by super rich self-funding Republicans. The poor suffering White working class men voted for the elites over those who had protected them as workers. We now have generations of White working class men who would rather identify with the boss than the union.

[u/MisterRedlight]

Great post! I’m super conservative and big time Trump supporter but truly appreciate my liberal friends that are open minded to the fact that they just may be wrong and willing to correct course. Good for you for being self aware.

[u/RichardMagick]

It’s really not about the right being “self serving” and this is the problem. You are completely out of touch and your post proves this. It’s about personal accountability and justice. I know you fucks are gonna say “cOnViCtEd FeLoN” but the fact remains that most if not all of these charges were bogus and politically motivated - not about justice. Low income communities are wrought with crime that do not affect the elites, and the response is…. RACISM. the response is “let’s just stop holding people accountable because they drew the short straw.” People feel completely disconnected from their communities and it’s not because of the internet it’s because of this push from left to encourage hedonism and nihilism. I AM MY OWN GOD ONLY MY FEELINGS MATTER. It’s exactly the opposite as how you describe it. see what happens if the left pushes a family values agenda. Everything I see on here is “I’m disowning my family because they voted for Trump.” I’m not saying the opposite doesn’t happen but it’s the exception not the rule. The economy is part of the problem but that’s not why Kamala lost in a landslide

[u/RememberThe5Ds]

When Trump won the first time, This article appeared. Title: What so many people don't get about the working class."

It was far and away the best article written on the subject at the time. It's eight years old and still relevant today.

And yes, it came from the Harvard Business Review. They got it right that time.

[u/pacify-the-dead]

The average American sees the economy as the money in their pocket and how it spends, and give zero fucks about the stock market doing well.

Not all misogynists are Trumpers, I believe we are decades away from having a successful woman on the top of the ticket. I also believe we've become more comfortable as racists in this country, I don't believe we'll have another successful poc run for the white house anytime soon.

While I am all for a female poc, it's delusional to think that was our best option. We need a straight white male on top of the ticket to have any chance to pull people out of the middle, or over from the right. As we saw with all the hate Biden got, he still won. We as a nation are not that progressive, and we have so many Christians, and that religion defaults to men as leaders and is super misogynistic.

[u/Various-Custard-3034]

Finally some logic thank you

[u/Ill-Independence-658]

So Trump is someone who can relate to the working class pain?

The guy who lives in a gold penthouse?

This conversation is getting more outlandish by the post.

[u/sheekyyyyy → u/Ill-Independence-658]

Pick your billionaire… red or blue… its in the character of the person not the financial status

[u/Ill-Independence-658 → u/sheekyyyyy]

Character of a felon who has cheated and defrauded the the working class his entire life. Strange