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David Muccigrosso's avatar

I think the modern left’s biggest obstacle is its inability to cope with the fact that this sort of effort is a decades-long project, not something that can just magically happen tomorrow if only the right tweet goes viral enough to convince every elected politician to immediately change all of their priors and agree with progressives.

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Mitch Trachtenberg's avatar

Peter,

The left's mistake has been depending on politicians, instead of recognizing that individuals acting collectively have power, and that it's that power that forces the hands of politicians. The Dobbs decision is one that will unite most progressives, where racial and economic issues do not. It is an attack on the most fundamental of human rights, the right to bodily autonomy.

Americans, led by women, should organize for and engage in a general strike until Congress passes a law legalizing the right of women to terminate their pregnancies. It is time for people to remind ourselves that Congress, like power in general, reacts to pressure, and to realize that voting and fundraising for Democrats is not nearly enough. More is now needed, and I hope you add your voice to those calling for a general strike, perhaps starting on Labor Day.

Tom Paine put it clearly two centuries ago:

"Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated."

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