For anyone who knows me, they know my political affiliation is with the Democrat party, and really has been since 2008 when I was eleven years old. I know that’s obviously very young to become interested in politics, but my mother was a very big fan of Obama, and so was I.
I would still say I am a Democrat, by registration for sure, but over the last 2 years my allegiance to the party has felt… different, to put it simply. I will say unfortunately I am an admitted fan of Joe Biden, mainly because of how angry he would make the Trump Republicans, but I also just enjoyed his presidency in general. I am not, and will never be a fan of the support of Israel against Gaza, but I liked basically everything else he did, including how fun it was to laugh at him.
My distancing from the inner nature of the party has really come from the last year. I really disliked how the election cycle went for us, especially because Biden spent so long running, and gave Kamala zero time to really run a successful campaign. I thought that was a very selfish thing to do, brought on by Biden’s obsession over beating Trump himself, rather than supporting a successor to take the mantel as the leader of the Democratic party. Speaking of Kamala Harris, I will say this. She did truly win me over by election day. I know so many people in the Democratic party were OBSESSESED with Harris and Biden’s support of Israel, but regardless of that serious misstep, she was had won my vote by the end of it all. It’s a shame the country is still too entrenched in misogyny and racism, otherwise I think she truly could have won. However, I do hope she doesn’t attempt another run, that is not the direction of the party I would like.
The direction I would like, and why I have begun to feel disillusioned with some in the Democratic party at the moment, is Progressivism. I have now fully committed myself to supporting Progressive ideology, and hope to see the party I have loved for so long embrace it as well. The candidates I most align with at this time, (this will really show where my political headspace is), are A.O.C and Bernie Sanders, and of course, Gavin Newsom.
I believe the time for change in our country is right now. We are in a prime position to rid ourselves of the mistakes of those who came before us, and become a nation of progression. I hate the idea of continuing to worship the ideology of the forefathers, and I hate the continued hate rhetoric the old guard spew on a daily basis. Old politicians are ruining this country, and that is mainly due to their conservative nature. (on both sides). Conservativeness, traditionalism really, is a death sentence in my opinion. We need a similar shake-up to the Democratic party as the Republicans had in 2016 with the election of Donald Trump. Although I despise him, he did turn that party into his own, and I believe the Democrats must do the same, but with progressiveness being at the forefront of policy.
Sadly, I know this is a tough hill to climb, an almost impossible one, but I think with the right elections, and the right support, this can become a reality. I personally plan to fully get behind A.O.C, Sanders, and Newsom in 2028, as I believe they are the most willing and ready to rid ourselves of the disgusting mindsets of previous generations, and actually begin to help those who are truly suffering in our country (the historically disenfranchised, and the lower class). One thing I truly hate about the current politics of the Democrats is their obsession with hating Trump. It has become everything they run on. Kamala Harris’s slogan was “We Aren’t Going Back”. Everything the Democrats currently do is in opposition of Trump, when really we should just do exactly what he did. He laid the groundwork for what works in politics in 2025, focus on feeling like you already won.
If the Democrats adopt the arrogant no fucks given mindset of Trump, I think they can fight fire with fire, and win. It seems so simple to me, stop touting yourself as “Better” than Trump, no one gives a fuck. FIGHT BACK. That is why Gavin Newsom is so despised by Trump Republicans, He fights back, fights dirty, and plays their game by stooping to their level. Exactly what we need.
At the end of the day, I believe progressivism is inevitable, and will be the foundation of policy as a whole in the next decade. I would love to be on the side of the isle that adopts that mindset first, as I believe they will dictate the direction of the country for the next 20-30 years. Don’t let the current regime scare you, these people are all old, and will not see 2035, at least not in a position of power. I know the current landscape can be scary, but with support of progressive ideology, and backing good people who seem interested in helping our country for real, I think we will all look back at this time as necessary stepping stone towards progression in this country.
