So...Kyle had a video discussing the Graham Platner controversy, and he has a somewhat different take than I do. He seems kind of annoyed about the circular firing squad that the left engages in where we shy away from controversy and condemn people who get caught for questionable things. He points out how hey, there are republicans with nazi group chats and we're getting touchy over this. Eh...I'm going to offer somewhat of a different take here.
First, the "nazi" tattoo. I believe his story. I mean, I have family members who were in the military. When my dad is asked why he never got a tattoo, he said "I never got drunk enough." It's common practice for people in the service to get drunk and get tattoos. And when you're drunk, you're not thinking with all your brain cells. And quite frankly, a lot of these guys probably didnt know it was a nazi tattoo. It's very easy to do under the circumstances. So again, all is forgiven on that.
HOWEVER, I must express skepticism over the "communist" charges. Look. I know r/antiwork. I post on r/antiwork. I've read the theory on r/antiwork's sidebar. I've even integrated a good chunk of that mindset into my own perspective. A lot of those guys, are LEFTISTS. They are ANTI CAPITALISTS. They want to abolish capitalism. They want to abolish the state. They might not always agree on what comes after, some are anarchists, some are communists, but generally speaking, it's an ideological litmus test these days on there to be a leftist.
That wasn't always the case. The sub used to be a bit of a broader tent under, say Doreen Ford and her leadership. And I'm one of the rare anti work capitalists. My problem isn't per se with capitalism, it's with wage slavery and economic coercion. I believe that if we take capitalist theory seriously with all that voluntary exchange stuff, that in order for interactions in capitalism to be voluntary, people need their basic needs secured. I believe that the root cause of most problems under capitalism is economic coercion, and believe in solving that with UBI, universal healthcare, etc. I'm a "lib." I'm a capitalist. They think I'm "right wing" on there, and I was banned from there for literally arguing my convictions with a communist.
Being on r/antiwork doesn't make you a communist, supporting the goal of ending wage slavery doesn't even make you a communist. But if you say "I'm a communist" on r/antiwork, I tend to believe you at face value. Because most of those guys have read enough theory to make their own decisions, and they know what they're saying.
And to be frank, I do think we should treat the far far left communists like the fascists. I support the so called iron front. Ya know, the 3 arrows thing associated with social democracy? No to monarchy, no to fascism, no to communism. It's an anti authoritarian movement, and a movement dedicated to preserving liberal democracy and implementing our ideas within that frame work. Btw, this isn't even slamming the door in the face of all socialists. Democratic socialists fit within this framework and their views are acceptable, given they want to implement their ideas within democracy.
But when you say you're a COMMUNIST, I really have to give pause to what you're supporting here. Do you support a revolution? Would you end democracy if given the chance to force your ideology on people? And that's what I have to wonder here. Does graham platner still support communism secretly? Is he a secret communist?
We're asking oh so much why the right won't condemn their fascists. Why they wont distance themselves from these nazi group chats that keep leaking out. Why they are falling in lockstep behind Donald Trump and his rank authoritarianism? Should we not hold our side to the same standards? it's a pretty fricking low standard, by the way. If you're running for political office, you should support the democratic system of government we have in some form. I'm not saying you have to agree with every aspect of the constitution. You dont have to say you like the electoral college, or life time SCOTUS appointments, or giving the senate equal representation to all states despite wildly varying population sizes. We can discuss reform...within that system. But you should support the system, and dedicate yourself to supporting democracy and rule of law. It's kinda the bare fricking minimum. How hypocritical is it for us to condemn trump and the right's rank authoritarianism if we don't condemn our own crazies? it's pretty fricking simple to me.
So, sorry Graham, and Kyle in this instance. But you can't blame me for showing hesitancy to support a guy who at least WAS an avowed communist at one point, and who the heck knows what he is now. He has a based platform, at least on his website. Normally, the guy would be a shoe in. But I do want to caution the left about just...forgiving left wing extremism and authoritarianism while we condemn the right for their own rank authoritarianism and extremism.
Also, Kyle's perspective irks me because then he starts soapboxing about him being in the military and how he can justify someone who is "anti war" for condemning him for his military service. I understand that I'm a moderate and a lib on that one, but give me a fricking break. You dont have to like the soldiers for being soldiers. But a lot of them, especially in that age range, meant well. There are a lot of people in Graham's age range who the second after 9/11 happened they were like 18-20 or whatever and were like IM SIGNING UP. And they kinda learned the hard way with the rest of us that the world isnt black and white and sometimes all military action isn't good, and that sometimes we're not always "the good guys." And, as Kyle said, his service made him who he is today, which IS left wing and anti imperialist, but yeah I just can't help but roll my eyes. Like, I never got into being rabidly "anti war." I condemn our previous invasion of iraq, im not sure about afghanistan, although i probably would say if pushed it was a short sighted mistake too that aged poorly. Still, again, to me his military record is a non issue. And that includes the tattoo. I know the dude isn't a nazi. I don't know if the dude isn't a secret communist though. Ya know?
Either way, I'll concede that Janet Mills is just another pathetic establishment dem. Quite frankly, while supporting Platner would normally be a "no crap" moment coming from me, honestly, I dont even live in Maine and if I dont like any of the candidates, I can just choose not to endorse anyone there. Which I will be doing for now. I'd like better options than the republican, the corporate dem, and the leftist who might actually be a full blown communist, but here we are. Can we have like a social democrat here? or a democratic socialist? A human centered capitalist? No? Ugh.
Maybe if Platner discusses his view changes from 2021 in more detail I can believe him, people do change after all, and it's possible in running for office he shifted away from radicalism, but yeah. I'm kinda leery over the guy honestly. If your views aren't compatible with liberal democracy, I don't want you. Sorry, but that's how I feel.
No comments:
Post a Comment