I never once mentioned ‘socialist’ in reference to any political party, because the word is so loaded, particularly for American participants. As to Europe and left leaning political parties, the flavour ebbs and flows as the years change. Sometimes more popular, sometimes less so. Much more so than historical American cases, even with the Dems in charge.
There is a line in US politics that cannot be crossed, even with your ‘centre-left’ party’. The examples are everywhere. Weird wars in third world countries are supported by both the Dems and the GOP (even if softly criticised sometimes by the Dems). Also the rather odd hostility to Cuba which almost the entire world wants ended. Also, the massive mixed messages coming out of the White House on Gaza.
If you are rejoicing in the Liberalism of the US Democratic party as a unique feature in light of the many contradictions I believe that it’s not too far off calling it propperganda on its own terms.
Don’t get me wrong, my own country is another example of faux left. Just as bad, possibly worse?
We have it worse because we are a hegemon. Most countries don’t have to take a stance on imperalism because they lack the resources to actually engage in it and outsource it to us.
Overall, my point is to show that the Democrats are not a monolith and have internal factions, and on a number of issues, we are more left than other issues on the planet. If the main thing you care about is foreign affairs, you are always going to be disappointed, hell, I am. The Deep State is in charge of that and it’s basically outside of the political system.
I agree with much of this post. I’m not complaining about why it is so. You are right about real politic, I just disagree with the suggestion that the Dems are uniquely of the left.
Sorry I deleted my post, I don’t mean to leave it like that where it looks like your talking to yourself. I don’t think dems are uniquely of the left, I just think there are rising left wing factions in the Democratic party and I don’t think the situation is as hopeless as people think it is as a binary choice between center-right and the right wing. And I really don’t think Europe is really much better off in this regard.
