When I wrote “Yes, progressive fashionable words kill us“I expected to be nucleted. I imagined myself by wearing a metaphorical danger costume before readers have me exploded to Kingdom Come. And yes, some people took their photos.
But surprisingly, the answer was productive, with more than 1,000 comments and count. Most practical progressives instinctively understand that language is important in politics. And we were zero.
The data confirm what our ears already tell us: we have become the elite party and 2024 output survey Do it clear. Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, won richer voters who earn $ 100,000 and more than 51 to 47%, but lost those who earn less than that by the same margin. She won university graduates from 56 to 42%, but lost not educated voters in colleges 56-43%. And of course, income and education are closely correlated.
Being the elite, we speak like elites – using an abstract language, high ideas and big words that do not plant outside our bubble.
Related | Yes, progressive fashionable words kill us
Historically, civilizations have created art, culture and philosophy after reaching security, peace and prosperity. No one paints oil portraits or writes treaties when they sag or dodge bullets.
Republicans instinctively understand this. This is why Donald Trump abandoned Ronald Reagan “Shiny city on a hill“Optimism and replaced it with misfortune and fear.
Just look at Trump’s Destarted Message from Memorial Day: “The judges whose mission is to keep the murderers, drug traffickers, rapists, gang members and have released prisoners around the world, in our country so that they can fly, assassinate and rape again.”
Subtlety is not his thing.
Trump’s message is a matter of danger. You are physically in danger– Because black and brown people will kill you. You are economically in danger-because the “globalists” (i.e. Jews) and immigrants deceive you. You are culturally in danger– Because trans people arrive for your children.
Safety is not a luxury: it is as fundamental as food, water and shelter. And Trump draws so effectively from this primitive fear that he took off from the main parts of our traditional base: low -income colored voters and organized work movement.
In an excellent comment on This last song to me, dull wrote::
Why do we waste time trying to get people to learn new words?
For the sake of fucking, the average voter turns their attention on our path for an infinitesimal duration, we do not have time to lose acronyms or words that excite activists but no one else.
And we also have no time to waste on the marginal problems which affect one percent of the population. How we have become so associated with trans-athletes as a kind of critical part of our identity, I have no idea.
We are so afraid to offend, or to report the least negatively to so many disparate groups that we have stopped being the party of the poor and the middle class in the minds of voters.
Talk about the economy and alone of the economy in the future. Hispanic voters, black voters, LGBTQ voters, women, young people, they already know that we are better on these various social issues.
We must continue to redirect the conversation to jobs, wages, health care, housing, all the things that cross each demographic group.
Trump most efficient announcement During the presidential race in 2024, he was simple: he watch Harris talks about access to sexual surgery for prison inmates.
However, the announcement was not effective because of transphobia, as polls show that Americans generally support the Trans community. A bench in 2022 survey found that 64% of those questioned supported the protection of trans persons from discrimination, with only 10% of the opposition.
The problem with the announcement was the perception it created – real or not – that Democrats care more On niche problems that the American average economic situation.
While inflation has crushed voters and grocery prices increased, the Republicans have painted Harris as a person more concerned with trans prisoners than workers’ families. When Harris said his support, voters did not hear a nuance. They heard: “Democrats want to use Your taxes For sex change operations for criminals – and you can’t even afford eggs. »»
And the damage was not only electoral. Instead of having a champion in the White House, the Trans-Americans are now struggling with a second dangerously hostile Trump presidency.
According to the output surveyTrump won those who said inflation had caused them “serious difficulties” by a huge margin of 76 to 23%. He also won these “moderate difficulties” from 52 to 46%. Being the party of the elite, Harris won these suffering “no difficulties” 78-21%. As the former Daily Kos writer said Kerry Eleveld, during a podcast, “Democrats are the party of people who do not have to look at the prices of the grocery store during shopping”.
It is a brand problem.
More colored voters elected republican in 2024 not because they abandoned progressive values, but because they are crushed economically – and Trump, speaking at a fourth year level, told them what they wanted to hear: “I will make things cheaper.” It was a lie. But it was simple, and they understood it. Meanwhile, our side was telling the truth in Speak-Speak.
It was the same with young voters, who went from 60 to 36% democratic in 2020 to 54-43% in 2024. And can you blame them?
College is unaffordable. Student loans are enough. Having a house is now a fantasy out of reach for the most part. According to Bankrate, you must win $ 117,000 afford The average American house. Young people with lower income and no assets feel the weight of inflation more than anyone.
The most prosperous Democrats have always understood this dynamic and have moved away from Politician Silo problems.
Related | This group of Trump voters will piss you off and give you hope
President Bill Clinton had his “Sister souljah moment. “The Senator of the State of Ellinois, Barack Obama, built his 2004 democratic convention speech Around the unit with this memorable declaration: “There is not a liberal America and a conservative America; There are the United States of America. There is not a black America and white America and Latin America and Asian America; There are the United States of America. ”
The former beloved first lady Michelle Obama carefully avoids the flash points of the cultural war. Former President Joe Biden built his mark on foreign policy policy and the relatability of the working class – not the progressive discourse of the campus.
As a party, we have to stop directing campaigns that win the potluck of the local Democratic Committee and start to carry out campaigns that win a national electorate.
Because nobody will care about our most important causes – be it trans, climate change, racial justice or freedom of reproduction – if we cannot go to power in the first place.
Talk about lower prices. Talk about good jobs. Talk about housing, health care and education. Talk about the working economy for everyone– Not just a few billionaires.
And then say it in simple English.
Campaign action
