Why isn’t that argument taken more seriously by people on the left as an implicit admission that the left is politically weaker or less effective at wielding power?
The issue is not the left being weaker, the issue is with the right being corrupt as fuck and never prosecuting their own, even when they commit war crimes or rape kids. Whereas the left, at least pretends to care when someone from the party does some crazy shit and they do prosecute their own.
Oh come on now, the dems give everyone on their side a pass. Look at Al Franken, what he did was way worse than anything in the Epstein files and got off scott free.
Er, wait…that is what happened, right?
One time back in 1998 he told like four unfunny jokes in a row. Four of them. IN A ROW! And you expect the American people to just let that slide? You make me sick.
When people say that, they aren't implying the left are are morally superior. They're implying the right has double standards. That the right is only interested in holding politicians on the left accountable, while giving politicians on the right free pass to do whatever.
It's obviously true, and it's a problem for the left, but it's a problem of the right.
Nah, holding politicans responsible is a strength not a weakness.
Well they barely do that either when in power, I think that's why I see people talking about the "ratchet effect" so much this year.
It's seen as a problem for everyone.
If someone wins a sports tournament, and we later discover they had cheated, we don't ask the other competitors why they weren't smart enough or strong enough to cheat.
I don't think people who aren't cheating get to compete at that level so they wouldn't get the chance to ask. They don't get the opportunity
This tells me that you are assuming everyone is cheating, and thus cheating is not only excusable, but necessary.
I disagree. Most people are not cheaters, and more cheating does not create fairness, just more assholes.
Most people are not cheaters. They're saying most or all politicians on the national level are cheaters. Seems like everyone but Bernie and AOC. idk how cheater-y Romney was.
I think carter was actually honest. That's why the right hates him so much.
I interpret that sentiment completely differently from how you seem to. “Democrats would never get away with this” to me is not a statement about the Republican Party’s ability to wield power more effectively than Democrats, rather it is a statement about how Democrat Politicians and their constituents would never allow their leaders to behave the way Republican leaders do. Respect and belief in the core principles of American democracy, rather than a willingness to use technicalities and loopholes to win at any cost, is required and expected of Democrats by Democrats in a way that is not expected of or by Republicans.
Plus it’s a comment on how performative republicans are with their appeal to “law and order order”, the constitution, states rights. So much drama and spectacle about things they don’t really care about
I read it more that Democrats couldn't push boundaries because conservative media is much stronger at pushing talking points, and would jump on a democratic Senate removing the filibuster even more than they did with Obama's tan suit. Fox is powerful enough to influence other news media and the many centrist voters.
From where I'm standing Democrats unwillingness to use "technicalities and loopholes" like keeping the government closed sure feels like the Democrats are less effective at welding political power. I'm not saying they need to fight dirty, but when they don't even try to use the political process to their advantage it sure feels like they aren't really trying
As a leftist I can assure you, yes the left is significantly weaker, and there is a deep imbalance.
The left, specifically in America, has suffered gravely over the past century. The Red Scare era made it functionally illegal to be a leftist. Many leftists were fired, some were killed, and leftist thought was purged from our education system.
The following Cold War era pumped our populace full of anti-socialist propaganda. The majority of people over 50 believe socialism is just as bad as fascism, and that socialists are the enemy.
The American left has yet to recover from these deep wounds.
That sums it up perfectly. Even the Dems can't bring themselves to support socialists.
That's because Dems are capitalists and always have been. Even when they had the support of powerful unions it was only the class collaborationist unions, never radical unions. The Dems were social democrats when there was a strong socialist movement that threatened capital interests, making it necessary for the capital owners to co-opt and redirect it. FDR implemented his reforms in the interest of preserving capitalism, not for the benefit of the working class. He saved the ruling elites from their own hubris, and they hated him for it.
The Left is weaker. Period.
Ronald Reagan went after the unions and the GOP never stopped. The Unions used to do a lot of the groundwork for the Dems; things like getting petitions signed and monitoring voting. The Churches do that job for the GOP because 'Right To Life.'
The Right has a fantastic ground game in US politics. They drive old folks to the polls on election day, put signs on lawns and in store windows, and send dozens of letters to any media outlet.
Another thing the Left does badly is break up into tiny splinter groups instead of uniting. In one town you'll have one group pushing for bike lanes, and another angry about the schools, and a third with another agenda.
Follow-up question: why do Americans think there's an active mainstream political "left" in the US, and how is it related to the Democrats?
We’ve been told for generations that the Democrats are “left”, so many people have accepted it as truth. Repetition is powerful, especially when it’s been going on since before you were born, and your parents and grandparents believe it, too.
Not enough of us realize that Democrats aren’t “left”; they’re just not as obviously, painfully “right” as Republicans.
I hate our two-party system.
The last strong left wing politician America had was Huey Long, he was assassinated.
In America, anyone who is left wing, actually willing to do what is necessary to effect change, and who gets vaguely close to power, either has their reputation assassinated or is assassinated more literally.
Only psychopaths think doing the right thing makes you weaker.
So like you want President Gavin Newsom to order the Justice department to charge Tucker Carlson with mortgage fraud?
Corruption and abuse of power actually get worse if it's "both sides". Don't you think?
Why isn’t that argument taken more seriously by people on the left as an implicit admission that the left is politically weaker or less effective at wielding power?
Because the Left doesn't get to wield any power and the right wing Dems care more about not upsetting their owner donors and their friends than insignificant details like justice and the needs and wants of their constituents.
If one side “can’t get away with” actions that the other can, doesn’t that suggest a real imbalance rather than moral superiority?
It's both and also a secret third thing:
Republicans are MUCH more brazen and shameless, MUCH more skilled at messaging, AND the right wing Dems in power would rather still get paid the big bucks than do their job, see above.
It's a performative statement, neither Democrats nor Republicans will even be held accountable for their actions by their peers. The oligarchy will never charge one of their own
It means that one side is has gained an ability that is extremely dangerous for the society. It is a real imbalance, but the solution must be to raise awareness of the danger.
I think if you look at specific examples you'll learn more. Who is getting away with what?
Americans presidents an get away from everything no matter which party they represent
Tell that to Clinton. Couldn't even get away with a handie.
Different standards and playbooks because the democrats pander to largely educated voters who want facts and the illusion of accountability where as republicans pander to uneducated reactionary tribalism and any educated folk who allow themselves to be swept up in it. Some folks just need to be told what to think, others need to be convinced. You can call that imbalance if you like.
What do you expect them to do? Something? Lulz. They're democrats!
It's just a platitude.
The left would 100% get away with any and all of this.
It suggests an imbalance in media.
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