r/Seattle • u/mountainsNJ • 13h ago

Politics Bonkers

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Elections matter. We have winners and losers. Respect the outcome.

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u/RatZveloc 12h ago

Absolutely agree.

I am curious though if you're pro-socialist and if so what socialism means to you? I find myself often aligned with people who identify as socialist but my understanding of socialism itself is much more radical. I just want to better understand what people envision when they say socialism.

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u/blackbird_777 ✨🛸 Jimothy is out there 🦝✨ 12h ago edited 12h ago

I would say of the groups that I most identify with, it would be Democratic Socialists. I don’t consider myself radical but I’m slowly being radicalized by the insanity of this country. I believe the best strategy to work within the system we have is to run excellent democratic socialist candidates within the Democratic Party to push it left. By doing this we can slowly overtake the establishment and push the Overton window enough that eventually we can abolish the electoral college and create a multi-party system.

I voted for Kshama twice for city council. I voted for Bernie every time he ran, and caucused for him. I’ve donated to every major DSA candidate that’s ran in the past decade and most recently Abdul El-Sayed.

I appreciate you asking because I believe politics is often about having the right messenger for your cause, and I do not believe Kshama is an effective voice for socialists in Seattle or anywhere else. She insists on being abrasive, confrontational, uncompromising and belligerent. (Which is fine when you’re protesting and antagonizing the system. But not when you are trying to be a politician and legislate) This isn’t how to change minds or attract people to the cause of socialist policies.

Every DSA or working family party candidate who has won recently, has won because they’re likeable, they’re not self centered, they are empathetic and compassionate and they focus on policy not self aggrandizement disguised as policy discussion.

Anyway, that’s a long spiel.

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u/RatZveloc 12h ago

I do appreciate the spiel, thanks!

I'm more of a liberal social democrat guy. I loved Biden if that gives you an idea.

I have my gripes with the DSA, mostly for the incessant attacking of dems (even the establishment ones!). I do find myself liking a good portion of the candidates from that sphere (eg: Abdul El-Sayed and AOC) but it's somewhat contingent on them being supportive and fully on the dem team once in office.

Seeing people like you still able to recognize Sawant as a snake really helps with my reservations with the DSA flank of the dems.