this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2024
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[–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I used to think this as well. I was wrong. Even if Biden is reelected, there will be considerable work that will need to be done to halt our gradual descent into fascism. We need systemic change to our political and economic institutions to ensure they are fundamentally inclusive institutions. We must ensure majority rule in our democracy and enact socialist policies to both regulate and claim ownership of our economy. If we allow the flaws in our democracy and neoliberalism ideology to remain in place, then we will inevitably create an even larger fascist movement.

When Bernie lost the Democrat primary in 2016, I told my friend that they were being butt hurt over it when they didn't want to support Hillary. Now, it's obvious to me that so much more was at stake than just the aspirations of Bernie supporters. The people in the Republican party's base that are knowingly supporting fascism didn't spring up from the ground. Their attitudes and values were shaped by the neoliberal society we've been living under.

If we don't show people a better society to live under while we have the chance, they will build a worse one. Not because they're evil or unreachable. It's because people are prone to internalize the flaws of their society as values. They are in a sense, working with the tools they've been given, but to everyone's detriment. We must course correct as quickly as possible while we still have a democracy.

I think a lot of people are legitimately concerned about Biden's ability to navigate us out of this situation. We cannot neoliberal our way out of fascism, as neoliberalism is how we got here. However Biden is the option we have at this point, so we need to vote for him in 2024 so we can at least have a chance to vote in a socialist in 2028.

[–] Pratai@lemmy.ca -4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

Socialism will never work in America. Period. End of story. It’s well documented and researched fact. It’s barely only ever worked in smaller nations with considerably smaller populations.

This has been going on for years and for years the entire notion of a functioning socialist system in America has been proven to be a farce.

[–] 20hzservers@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

What we need is to put a stop to the pursuit of infinite growth and the pursuit of endless profits. The capitalist class doesn't want this because it would end their way of lives, they won't let it happen, there's no reason it wouldnt work.

[–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

they won’t let it happen

They are certainly incentivized to try to stop us. As long as we have a democracy we have a chance at enacting socialist policies. They wouldn't be backing the Republican's fascist takeover if they already had total power.

[–] 20hzservers@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I agree I just meant they use all their power against any socialist movements both domestic and abroad I used the term won't let it happen as in won't let it happen on their watch as they have largely been alowed to rule unopposed for over a century but it seems that from one generation to the next they have taken more and more from those at the bottom and it seems that they're reaching the tipping point where their tower is starting to crumble. ✌️

[–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

It’s well documented and researched fact.

This has been going on for years and for years the entire notion of a functioning socialist system in America has been proven to be a farce.

Then show sources.

It’s barely only ever worked in smaller nations with considerably smaller populations.

This inherently contradicts your argument. There is no principle, that has been proven with any math or science, that says the inclusive institutions that make up social democracies elsewhere in the world do not scale to a country the size of the US.

We've had numerous social programs over the years and economic regulations that are in line with socialist policies. Medicare, Obama Care, social security, and even things like public drinking fountains are all examples of this. We have laws on the books against monopolies and the government oversees corporate mergers. Unions used to be a powerful force for workers rights. While they are not full collective ownership of the means of the production, they are a step in the right direction and are in the middle of a resurgence thanks to Biden. Our society has already benefited from socialism despite people painstakingly refusing to acknowledge that.

The idea that socialism cannot work in America is an internalized value people pick up from living in our neoliberal society. It has nothing to do with historical, political, or economic facts.

[–] Pratai@lemmy.ca 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

ROFL! Always a manifesto of nonsense from you people.

We’re don’t here.

[–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 10 months ago

This article covers the concept of internalizing our society's flaws as values. I highly recommend you read it.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/jan/29/donald-trump-americans-us-culture-republican

Also, I recommend Robert Reich's youtube channel. It should give you the context to reevaluate assumptions about society.

And if you need someone spicier then there is always Vaush.