At 83 years old, Sanders is not running for president again. But the stooped and silver-haired democratic socialist has emerged as a leader of the resistance to Donald Trump’s second presidency. In tearing into Trump’s seizure of power and warning about the consequences of firing tens of thousands of government workers, Sanders is bucking the wishes of those who want Democrats to focus on the price of eggs or “roll over and play dead.”
Where the fuck is AOC on that list of possible 2028 nominees, you shitbags? She’s not perfect but she is THE BEST candidate right now (in my opinion).
I really hope Bernie pushes for her. I don’t want another geriatric president and it’s not like the Democrats would give him a chance anyway. But AOC is a Democrat for some reason
So why is she not doing this?
I like her too but her posting on Bluesky isn’t helpful
From the article:
Two of my best friends are a gay couple. They tend to fall in the territory of third way through enlightened centrists, and they hate AOC and I can never pin down why. The Tlaib dislike is strong too, yet they like Sanders. I’m not sure why the squad members get flack that Sanders doesn’t. Most other people outside of the new/politics subs I never hear mention AOC or the other further left folk. Mainstream Dem suppression of the further left seems much more effective than that against the Republicans. 😒
If I had to guess, it’s that they’re both devout - and Muslim to boot. Personally I have trouble really warming up to a candidate when they wear their religion on their sleeve (or their head like in Omar’s case) and I imagine I’m not alone.
The other part is definitely messaging. AOC speaks both to politicians AND the public. It seems like the rest of the squad focuses on politicians. I was kind of disappointed with Tlaib during the ineffective “undecided” protests. From the outside we all know it wouldn’t do anything so it just kind of felt like posturing.
I wouldn’t be too upset if AOC ran with one of them as VP but I’d really like to see a different pick. It feels gross to say but I hope it’s a man - not that I care about the gender of any politician but unfortunately a lot of other voters do.
I do like the way AOC is assertive in making sure she is heard. I feel it’s the sane equivalent of what MTG tries to accomplish. I don’t know much about AOC’s district, but I hear from her more than I hear from any of my local reps most of the time, and I feel she’s working for people like me better than my local people too. Like Sanders, I don’t know how much she technically achieves, but I’m always glad to know she’s there and should have a long career ahead of her. After seeing all the presidents in my lifetime (Reagan onward), I don’t worry about her “qualifications” to be president after seeing how unpresidential most of these typically experienced candidates were. Even something like perhaps a Walz/Cortez thing to ease everyone into the idea I could pleasantly accept.
I don’t personally really know anything about Islam, but I can’t see it being much more offensive than any other organized religion. My lifelong experience with US Christians hasn’t won me over to that, but it doesn’t bother me if people are religious or not, especially for public office. I just care about their character and how they use the power given to them by us to serve us. Something like race, religion, or sexuality, etc shouldn’t have any bearing on anything they do. Elected people should maximize benefits for all the citizens they represent.
That is what I hate about this current R talk about mandates. I was always taught we have a representative democracy, not a direct democracy, for the principal that it should be able to prevent a large group of people from tyrany of the majority. I feel much of that has been surrendered these last few decades as powers have been consolidated, mainly in the Executive. Just because the biggest group of voters wants something does not make that a just cause. All citizens should be guaranteed equal protections and to feel represented.
Great comparison to MTG, by the way! Never thought I’d put her in the same camp as AOC but you’re right - they both demand to be heard.
Hey, you don’t have to be doing good to be good at your job. 😜
I’ve always admired Mitch McConnell’s ability to rally his people and to achieve his goals. He’s a huge POS for using that for evil and gloating about it, but was he ever effective at it. If the progressives had someone like that, it would be something to see. I sometimes fear the 2 things are mutually exclusive like the old “the best people for the job would never take the job” saying.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-Islam. I just don’t care for organized religion period so when it’s a significant part of a candidate’s life, it’s usually worse than neutral for me. I want religion far away from government no matter what kind it is.
I mean, mysticism aside, I think most people agree with most actual principles of major religions. Much of it boils down to “be nice to people.”
The real gripe for most seems to be the hypocrisy of a large swath of supposed religious people. In ideal circumstance, religion has probably always seemed like a form of therapy before psychology was a thing. I feel it’s good for that. It’s community involvement. It lets you look at social and personal issues. It can be like a guidance counselor for making decisions. It can help resolve conflict. There is much potential for good from something like church and religion.
It’s as fallible as any other institution though, and much like we’re seeing with government, the groups pushing forgiveness, compromise, and egality tend to get steamrolled by those who just don’t give a damn.
So while I don’t hold any personal beliefs, I find a person’s overall character doesn’t vary if they’re religious or not. For the bad people, religion is just another means to an end, and it won’t be the only avenue they’re trying to exploit.
Or neck ✝️
AOC is Catholic, not Muslim.
I’m talking about Tlaib and Omar
You begin with a general “they’re” and the preceding comment you replied to is talking about AOC and Tlaib. This is confusing.
I see now that I misread a sentence in the comment I replied to. I thought OC was asking why the rest of the squad (as in “besides AOC”) are dismissed
Would you kindly edit the “they’re” to “Omar and Tlaib” please?