The Divide

I've been aware of a particularly striking feature in American politics and it's one that I feel is well worth talking about. I may have touched on this matter at some point before but I don't believe it's ever been the focus of it's own entry so here it is. Obviously as the name of this entry may suggest, it's about a divide but more specifically it's the one that cleaves the American left in two. The divide, in its most simplistic sense, is between progressives and moderates. However to be more accurate, both of those groups could have been put in quotations since the criteria that defines each is often if not always subjective. I feel that this is an extremely relevant factor and I'll get more into it further into this entry but for now lets start by discussing each group. I'll start with the progressives.

I'm starting with the supposedly further left of the two groups in part because I would loosely classify myself as belonging to it and of course its human nature to want to discuss oneself first. I will be the first to admit that I check many of the boxes that "progressives" typically fall under. Those who either self identify as progressives or have the title thrust upon them tend to be younger, they tend to be more on the educated side, they tend to be more technologically savvy, and they tend to be much more vocal about the issues central to leftist ideology than their counterparts closer to the "center". They also tend to encompass a more culturally diverse company than the more moderate wing but while some would place this as higher up on the scale of relevancy, I myself would not be terribly quick to do that. Progressives are typically the ones you see at the forefront of social issues, speaking the loudest and pushing the hardest for substantial change.

I would say that without a doubt, the progressive wing of the American left is and will continue to be the most valuable component of what is known as the American left as an institution. After all, seeing as they tend to be younger, they, or more accurately, we, will be carrying the mantle of change in this country. However the direction that will be taken is a bit uncertain at the current moment. Mainly the big question, in my mind, is if we will ever be able to fully attain control of the wheel, which is the issue that has guided my understanding of and feelings towards the divide that haunts the American left. However there are many negative traits that are hurled at progressives. They tend to be accused of being "too pc", they are more likely to accrue labels such as "SJW" "Feminazi" "radical", and they are often painted in a very negative light that encompasses all of the above nomenclature. However, I feel that all the commotion and criticism is largely a distraction. I'll admit that I've gotten caught up in the noise before, but as of late I've come to see that it's probably better to tune out the noise and focus on more important matters. The element of the issue of nomenclature being a distraction will resurface later in this entry.

Now we'll move on to the "moderates". I put that in quotes because I feel the phrase is often highly subjective and not always warranted. I feel this is the most important thing to consider before reading further. Moderate democrats, establishment dems, party loyalists, centrists, these are all terms that many older democrats or people who legitimately fall more towards the center of the political spectrum tend to have directed towards them. The more moderate wing of the American left tends to share common features and they tend to be the inverse of those held by the more progressive wing but they warrant discussion nonetheless. They tend to be older, more monochromatic in culture, and have both negative and positive features associated with them in regards to their politics. Centrists often like to give themselves the label of pragmatic and in some cases it is a fair label. They like to paint themselves as experienced, as having made accomplishments, and as able to continue doing so. Many centrists have also been accused of being ineffective, uninspired career politicians and make no mistake, I will acknowledge that there is merit to these accusations in many cases. The fact that there is this profoundly stark dichotomy with the more moderate wing of the American left makes it unsurprising that the more progressive wing would find frustration when dealing with it. This will be the main subject going forward.

Up to this point, I've really just been giving a good deal of exposition and explanation. Most if it is information that someone who is even slightly aware of what the political situation in the United States is like is well aware of but now I'm going to shift the direction to what I really think about this divide and why I detest it with such vigor. I mentioned the aspect of nomenclature and its subjectivity, this is a key factor in my mind as to why the left seems to be so impotent. Ugly labels are thrown back and forth between the two wings of the American left. The two sides seem to be at ends with one another on an ever increasing basis and what is the result? What has come of progressives and moderates squabbling? What is accomplished by all of this animosity among the left? It is crippled. The very institution which has accomplished so much is left in a state where it is unable to be the force that it could and should be, thus clearing the path for something else to run the show.

I will admit that I get frustrated with the democratic establishment quite often. I often feel that they offer pitifully small thinking and ineffective solutions, however I also recognize that we need them for the time being. One might balk at that statement, but it is unfortunately true. The experience of the establishment and the connections therein are instrumental to carving a path forward, again, for the time being. The progressive wing on its own doesn't have the numbers or the scope of influence necessary to enact all the big plans that are discussed within its ranks. This is just an unfortunate reality but I wouldn't say it will be the reality forever. As older democrats fade in their influence, I suspect that the more progressive wing will take over to fill the same roles held by tired old bureaucrats, ironically becoming the new establishment, but that's a minute point for the time being. Lets focus on more pressing matters.

One of those more pressing matters being the factor of something I referred to earlier. I mentioned "something else to run the show" and what might I be referring to? I hope it's obvious since it's running the show right now. I'm referring to the right wing. The republican party is in control and why is that? I would give massive credit to the divide that plagues the left and I have said many times that unless the divide is healed to some degree, the conservative dominance in this country will continue in perpetuity. If that statement scares you, good. It should. It is a frightening prospect to think that figures such as Donald Trump will be in power as long as the left remains in a state of infighting and unless that infighting lessens to a significant degree, that prospect will manifest in an even more grotesque and dystopian reality than the one we currently live in. My stomach absolutely drops at the thought of such an unimaginably gruesome thing which is the exact purpose for writing this entry.

One might argue that the same such divide exists on the right, and that is fair. However, I would argue that its prominence isn't nearly as stark and it is for this reason that they dominate. The right has shown that they are willing to put aside their differences in order to hold on to power. Granted, those in the more conservative corners of the political spectrum tend to be less firm in their moral convictions, as they've shown time and time again in their permissive treatment of the current president. I would say this is the reason they can mend the divide between the establishment and the more extreme end, thus allowing a more effective political machine. One struggles to imagine the left being so much less picky and I wish no one would have to ask such a thing but many have spoken of adopting right wing tactics in order to push a left wing agenda and I will admit I've thought of such a thing as a very feasible means to regain power, or in the case of the progressive wing, to truly gain power for the first time. But this is a tricky thing to converse about and even trickier to implement. Difficult questions must be asked, such is "is gaining literal authority worth the sacrifice of moral authority?". I believe that such a profound and imposing question is one that must be asked time and time again.

Another relevant factor of the divide is the fact that I would say the right is not only aware of it, they count on it. I think many in right wing circles pay attention to what is happening on the left and look on with glee at all of the infighting. I think they witness progressives and moderates bickering with a glint of joy in their eyes because they know it is their golden ticket to retain their control. This brings me to the focus of the end of this entry. Above all, I want to take that golden ticket away from them. I have said it before and I will say it again, I wish to do nothing to contribute to this divide, rather I wish to shape a new way forward to a better world. Widening this cut is the surest path, in my mind, to make sure that doesn't happen.