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In reply to the discussion: Why Hasn't The American Left Convinced More Americans To Vote For More Progressive Candidates? [View all]steve2470
(37,455 posts)My brother is a Democratic/progressive activist in North Florida. He is absolutely tireless in campaigning for Democrats and liberal causes. I greatly admire that about him. We had a long conversation a few months ago about WHY things aren't changing and/or fast enough.
My conclusion, which he did not strongly disagree with, is that things simply aren't bad enough yet economically. Yes, things ARE bad but the official data does not reflect it and the media by and large does not reflect it.
I hate to say this, because I desperately do not want this to happen, but things seem to have to get worse before they get better. The critical mass of angry motivated people is not there yet. Too many buy into the conservative corporate paradigm and blame themselves when their situation is unhappy.
On the social issues front, I think progressives ARE making progress. It's the economic issues that lag far behind. Again, I do NOT want things to get worse but the Great Depression sure as hell motivated people to change the system from the semi-fascist 1920's.