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Back in June I shared on Facebook Chris Hedges' article, "The Treason of the Ruling Class," in which the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist noted, among other things, that:
If we had a functioning judicial and legislative system, [Joe] Biden, along with the other architects of our disastrous imperial wars, plundering of the country and betrayal of the American working class, would be put on trial, not offered up as a solution to our political and economic debacle. The myopia of the ruling elites is that they think they can foist Biden on us because he is not Trump. But the game is up. The façade of democracy no longer works.
This caused a bit of an upset among some of my liberal friends, many of whom, I'm sure, voted for the liberal (aka centrist or moderate) Joe Biden over the progressive Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary contest.
One friend asked of me: “Very concretely, what do YOU recommend doing between now and November 3rd? You’re clearly a well respected independent thinker; thus I stress 'YOU' as opposed to posting a link to any sort of article. Biden was not my first choice so I’m genuinely eager to hear your own personal recommended solution.”
Here was my response:
I recommend that we learn about, support, and promote the many down-ballot progressive Democratic candidates running in the 2020 House and Senate races at both the state and federal levels, as opposed to the so-called “moderate,” corporatist Democratic candidates who are advocating, in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “the tranquilizing drug of incrementalism.” One resource to help in this is the Down-Ballot Progressive Candidate Summit that former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson is currently hosting. Every night for seven nights (June 2-8) Marianne will be in conversation with a down-ballot progressive/visionary, non-“ruling elite” (in the words of Hedges) Democratic candidate. I've been tuning in, getting educated and inspired, being reminded of why it is we need these types of Democratic leaders, and (when I can) making a financial contribution to their campaigns. I also recommend The Current Affairs Guide to Left Candidates 2020 as another helpful resource.
NOTE: To view this and the many other interviews with down-ballot progressive candidates that Marianne Williamson faciliated throughout the summer, click here.
Another friend challenged me with, "If not Biden, who, Michael? You know Bernie is not going to get the nomination. Would positive support help?" . . . To which I responded:
Well, as long as the nomination process is on-going, I'm going to hope for the very best candidate, or that this very best candidate at least secures the greatest number of delegates possible so as to be able to influence the party's platform, ensuring that it is as progressive as possible. However, if Biden does indeed secure the nomination, which I realize is most likely to happen, then, post-convention, I will be encouraging people to vote for him, highlighting the BIG positive aspect about him which is that he's not Trump. The bulk of my positive energy and support, however, is now – and will be right up until November – directed toward down-ballot progressive candidates at both the state and federal levels. They're the folks whose platforms I feel a natural passion for, the type of passion and enthusiasm one can't fake. I simply don't have that same kind of passion and enthusiasm for a centrist like Biden. So, I guess what I'm saying is that I'm choosing to stay positive and hopeful by following my passion and supporting and promoting the many progressive Democratic down-ballot candidates. These congressional and state races, after all, are just as crucial as the presidential one.
Elijah Manley (above) was the first progressive down-ballot candidate whose campaign I made a donation to. We actually got to know each other online and are now Facebook friends. Unlike the other candidates I've supported, Elijah is not running for federal office but for state office. He is running for election in the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 94.
Elijah is an inspiring young queer black man dedicated to making a difference. His run for elected office is motivated, in part, by his desire to prove his kindegarten teacher wrong. Says Elijah:
My kindergarten teacher told me that I would be dead or in jail by age 21. She is about to find out that all things are possible, when I'm sworn in as a Florida State Representative at age 21.
I close with an interview that Elijah did with The Humanist Report just a couple of weeks ago . . . and, of course, I wish him all the best for tomorrow!
UPDATE: Bobby DuBose Staves Off Primary Challenge From Elijah Manley and Secures Reelection – Ryan Nicol (FloridaPolitics.com, August 19, 2020).
Related Off-site Links:
In Florida State House Democratic Primary, Incumbent Bobby DuBose Faces Competition From Progressive Challenger Elijah Manley – Jessica Bakeman (WLRN Newse, August 12, 2020).
Ilhan Omar's Win Proves the Squad Is Here to Stay – Kimberly Truong (InStyle, August 12, 2020).
Cori Bush Is Set to Be the First Black Lives Matter Leader in Congress – Daniel Marans and Ryan J. Reilly (The Huffington Post, August 6, 2020).
Progressive Victories Signal Staying Power for the Movement – Astead W. Herndon (The New York Times, August 5, 2020).
Beyond Bernie: Down-Ballot Races to Watch in August and September – Freddie Stuart and Aaron White (Novara Media, August 4, 2020).
Congressional Upsets: Progressives, Candidates of Color, and GOP Outsiders Net Primary Wins – Jason Lalljee (USA Today, July 22, 2020).
This New Yorker Will Likely Be the First Openly Gay Black Man in the US House of Representatives – Tris Reid-Smith (Gay Star News, July 20, 2020).
Progressive Wave Rolls Through Texas With Big Wins in Dallas, Austin, and Houstan – Ryan Grim and Aída Chávez (The Intercept, July 14, 2020).
Meet Elijah Manley, a Democrat Running for House District 94 – Jason Delgado (FloridaPolitics.com, July 9, 2020).
“We've Moved the Needle” But Far More Work to Do, Say Progressives as Biden-Sanders Panels Unveil Policy Blueprint – Jake Johnson (Common Dreams, July 9, 2020).
Charles Booker Says Progressives Should “Show Up and Listen” to Deep Red Districts – Isabella Grullón Paz (The New York Times , July 8, 2020).
What Charles Booker's Run Tells Us About the 2020 Election – The Washington Post (June 25, 2020).
A New Face of the Democratic Party Emerges: Black Progressives – Gregory Krieg (CNN News, June 25, 2020).
“Bowman Wins. Mondaire Wins. AOC Absolutely Crushes It”: Progressive Wave Sweeps NY Primary – Julia Conley (Common Dreams, June 24, 2020).
The Next AOC? Progressive Insurgent Jamaal Bowman Takes Big Lead Over Rep. Eliot Engel in NY Primary – Democracy Now! (June 24, 2020).
Virginia Democrats Pick Cameron Webb for a Seat They Think They Can Win Back – Matt Stevens (The New York Times, June 24, 2020).
Charles Booker Is the Democrat With the Best Chance of Beating Mitch McConnell – The Nation (June 22, 2020).
If You Want Joe Biden to Govern More Like FDR Than Jamie Dimon, Vote for Bernie Sanders on Tuesday in New York and Kentucky – Alan Minsky (Common Dreams, June 22, 2020).
Bernie Flexes Muscle in Tuesday’s Primaries – Holly Otterbein (Politico, June 23, 2020).
Is Jamaal Bowman the Next AOC? – Freddie Stuart (Novara Media, June 22, 2020).
Poll: Booker Leads McGrath by 8 Points in Kentucky Senate Primary – Max Greenwood (The Hill, June 18, 2020).
A New Group of Leftist Primary Challengers Campaign Through Protests and Coronavirus – Astra Taylor (The New Yorker, June 12, 2020).
Progressives Have Good Chance to Move a “Receptive” Biden to the Left, Says Sanders – Julia Conley (Common Dreams, June 10, 2020).
Progressive Democrat Charles Booker Gains Steam Against “Pro-Trump Democrat” Amy McGrath in Bid to Take Down McConnell – Julia Conley (Common Dreams, June 9, 2020).
Beyond Bernie: Down-Ballot Races to Watch in June and July – Freddie Stuart and Aaron White (Novara Media, June 9, 2020).
Black Americans Have a Message for Democrats: Not Being Trump Is Not Enough – Astead W. Herndon (The New York Times, May 31, 2020).
Marianne Williamson Endorses Against Democratic Leadership and Warns of “End to Democratic Party” – The Hill (May 26, 2020).
New York’s Presidential Primary Is Back On, Pleasing Progressives – Daniel Marans (The Huffington Post, May 19, 2020).
Marianne Williamson Endorses Nancy Pelosi’s Left-Wing Opponent – Andrew Naughtie (Independent, May 18, 2020).
Keeda Haynes Brings Her Personal Experiences to Congress Run – The Nashville Voice (February 5, 2020).
See also the previous posts:
• Progressive Perspectives on the Biden-Harris Ticket
• Ilhan Omar: Quote of the Day – August 11, 2020
• Ricardo Levins Morales on the “Deepest Political Fault Line” Separating Democrats Ilhan Omar and Antone Melton-Meaux
• “We Have an Emergency On Our Hands”: Marianne Williamson On the “Freefall” of American Democracy
• The “Freefall” Continues
• Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor: Quote of the Day – June 9, 2020
• Marianne Williamson: Quote of the Day – June 2, 2020
• Progressive Perspectives on Bernie Sanders' Suspension of His Presidential Campaign
• Deep Gratitude
• “A Beautiful Message, So Full of Greatness”
• Progressive Perspectives on Joe Biden's Presidential Bid
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Quote of the Day – March 10, 2019
• Ilhan Omar on The Daily Show
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