While I was excited to vote Obama for President, twice, I wasn’t shocked when he governed as a slightly-liberal corporatist Democrat. Disappointed of course. But I know that US politics have moved too far right for a truly Progressive platform.
When I voted for Biden for President his “lack of excitement” was exactly what we needed- calmness after the sh!tstorm of #45. A chance to breathe.
And, despite his decades within the establishment, his administration has produced far more liberal results than I ever expected. Biden’s far from being the “rabid socialist” the far right claims; and no where near what this country needs in order to emerge from late-stage consumption capitalism with a decent future.
Abstaining from voting is not an option; it’s not a “powerful statement of disgust with the options” … it is letting the clearly- more- evil option win. While I do not personally consider Biden as ‘evil’ there are very valid arguments to be made that the corporatist Democratic party is Evil Light.
It is beyond sad (perhaps tragic?) that we must vote for the lesser evil, but I’m not convinced that putting the more evil in office will lead to revolution without years of pain, misery and far- too- many lives sacrificed. There are scary parallels between hoping for a violent collapse of ‘western society’ and the willingness of governments and right wing extremists to sacrifice innocent lives now as ‘collateral damage’ in their unhinged quest for power and a fundamentalist society.
So, yes I am voting Biden/ Harris in 2024. They are the only hope of limiting death and destruction while working towards a better society.
Biden/ Harris Administration Progress Report:
[From their 2024 Campaign website]
Two strongest years of job growth in history;
More than 40 million borrowers stand to benefit from student debt relief;
Nearly 11 million jobs created since 2021;
Taken over 100 actions to lower household energy costs by $100 per year;
Helped bring gas prices down more than $1.60 from their summer 2022 peak;
Signed the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in nearly 30 years;
Increased the maximum value of Pell Grants by $900;
3.5% unemployment rate — the lowest in 50 years;
750,000 new manufacturing jobs;
Near a record low unemployment rate for Hispanics;
Near a record low unemployment rate for African-Americans;
Record low unemployment rate for people with disabilities;
Millions of Americans are saving $800 per year on health insurance coverage;
$15 minimum wage for Federal workers and contractors;
Fully vaccinated 79% of American adults against COVID-19;
Infrastructure investments in all 50 states, D.C., territories, and Tribal nations;
16 million+ households have affordable high-speed internet.
