# Can the Left get it together? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics and Social Issues\ **Created:** [June 29, 2022, 1:46pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634 "2022-06-29T13:46:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 1:46pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/1 "2022-06-29T13:46:03Z")
Thought I’d start a separate thread for Leftist infighting, instead of mixing it in with the anti-Right threads. I’ve experienced this myself. I’ve backed out of doing much political work, because there are purity tests. If you are working on civil rights, you also need to believe GMOs are poison. If you are working on hunger, you need to believe corporations are destroying everything and that it’s all about race. I was linked to this article from the NYT, and it links to other similar opinions. Also it talks about the Jacobins, who were part of the Enlightenment era coming to an end. We may be in at a similar point in history. > **[Who needs a right-wing plot when progressives are busy eating themselves alive?](https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2022/06/18/progressives-busy-heading-into-midterms-fighting-each-other/7644165001/)** > > Elections are less than five months away and Democrats have a lot of ground to make up. But progressives are locked in drag-out internal fights. ---
**Author:** ![cuthbertj](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/cuthbertj/32/18_2.png) [@cuthbertj](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/cuthbertj)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 5:10pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/2 "2022-06-29T17:10:14Z")
Funny thing is, most of what “the Left” has as its goals is what most people want anyway. Unfortunately most people have been trained to think Left Bad, Right Good, or rather, in terms of labels. But regarding your question, I point back to my post on some other thread here…Idiocracy, opening scene. Point of it is that catty liberals/left are advanced, thoughtful, considerate, etc. and get run over by the pack dog righties/cons. Thoughtfulness, reason, compassion, all qualities that are great to have…but don’t help one bit when you’re dealing with morons, some of who think like Hershel Walker that there are 52 states! How do you reason with someone like that? So my answer is no, the Left won’t get it together until some of them bring guns to a gunfight so to speak. ---
**Author:** ![princeplanet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4bbf92/32.png) [@princeplanet](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/princeplanet)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 9:05pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/3 "2022-06-29T21:05:40Z")
Cuthbertj noticed you had the left in italics. Me too as the author hasnt defined what he means by left ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 10:35pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/4 "2022-06-29T22:35:55Z")
> [@princeplanet](#): > > what he means by left Very subjective. The details are not really critical to the point ---
**Author:** ![cuthbertj](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/cuthbertj/32/18_2.png) [@cuthbertj](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/cuthbertj)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 1:12am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/5 "2022-06-30T01:12:13Z")
> [@princeplanet](#): > > noticed you had the left in italics. Me too as the author hasnt defined what he means by left Ya I was just using that to indicate it’s not really important, more of a label, not anything to do with lausten’s post really. Doesn’t matter to the thread. The only few people I’ve seen actually “bring guns to a gunfight” are Bernie, sort of, AOC definitely (in that she’s not afraid to say it like it is), and the best is Katie Porter. She nails 'em every time. ---
**Author:** ![mriana](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/mriana/32/18174_2.png) [@mriana](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/mriana)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 1:45am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/6 "2022-06-30T01:45:23Z")
> [@lausten](#): > > If you are working on civil rights, you also need to believe GMOs are poison. If you are working on hunger, you need to believe corporations are destroying everything and that it’s all about race. I don’t know if that is exactly true, but I do know if one is working on Civil and Women’s Rights, they also have to work on LGBTxyz rights too and it all just seems overwhelming anymore. One can’t focus on the one or two things they do understand and have a passion for. I think that is where part of the problem is- asking people to do more than they can and are able to do. > [@cuthbertj](#): > > Funny thing is, most of what “the Left” has as its goals is what most people want anyway. Unfortunately most people have been trained to think Left Bad, Right Good, or rather, in terms of labels. Isn’t that backwards- right bad and left good? I’m being a bit factitious, but there are people, such as myself who see the right as bad and the left is good. Then again, I’ve never been one to go with the crowd. > [@cuthbertj](#): > > Point of it is that catty liberals/left are advanced, thoughtful, considerate, etc. and get run over by the pack dog righties/cons I agree with that- liberals/lefts are cats and righties/cons/Repugs are dogs. In fact, when I was campaigning in both Obama campaigns, anyone with dogs running around in the yard, we considered them diehard Repugs and avoided knocking on their doors. A lot of Dems had cats. Some Dems had a dog or two, but they generally had at least one cat somewhere. > [@cuthbertj](#): > > Thoughtfulness, reason, compassion, all qualities that are great to have…but don’t help one bit when you’re dealing with morons, some of who think like Hershel Walker that there are 52 states! How do you reason with someone like that? You don’t and if you’re not at work you tell them how stupid they are, without saying they are stupid. Then again, living amongst Dotard supporters, I’m not such a nice Dem. > [@cuthbertj](#): > > So my answer is no, the Left won’t get it together until some of them bring guns to a gunfight so to speak. Missouri has at least one far left, rational Dem., who’s bringing figurative guns (not real ones) to the fight. I don’t think Gov’ner Parsnip (Parson) or Posh Pawley (Proud Boy Josh Hawley) like me very much. > [@princeplanet](#): > > noticed you had the left in italics. Me too as the author hasnt defined what he means by left It could be Democratic Socialist with how subjective he’s made it. > [@cuthbertj](#): > > The only few people I’ve seen actually “bring guns to a gunfight” are Bernie, sort of, AOC definitely (in that she’s not afraid to say it like it is), and the best is Katie Porter. She nails 'em every time. Some of my favourite politicians. ---
**Author:** ![thatoneguy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/thatoneguy/32/28536_2.png) [@thatoneguy](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/thatoneguy)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 3:18am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/7 "2022-06-30T03:18:26Z")
American Leftism is messy because it is primarily based in identity politics. You can blame Diversity. ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 12:37pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/8 "2022-06-30T12:37:13Z")
I’d be interested to hear what you think identity politics is, and also how it applies to those who identify as white christians ---
**Author:** ![mriana](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/mriana/32/18174_2.png) [@mriana](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/mriana)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 1:01pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/9 "2022-06-30T13:01:53Z")
> [@thatoneguy](#): > > You can blame Diversity. Diversity is GREAT! I love diversity. I thrive on it. ---
**Author:** ![thatoneguy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/thatoneguy/32/28536_2.png) [@thatoneguy](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/thatoneguy)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 2:38am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/10 "2022-07-01T02:38:00Z")
> [@lausten](#): > > I’d be interested to hear what you think identity politics is, and also how it applies to those who identify as white christians [Identity politics Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identity%20politics) > politics in which groups of people having a particular racial, religious, ethnic, social, or cultural identity tend to promote their own specific interests or concerns without regard to the interests or concerns of any larger political group White Christians generally have no problem voicing their concerns as a specific group. The few that are openly uncomfortable with their identity tend distance themselves from the rest – for example somebody like Chris Hedges. ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 3:04am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/11 "2022-07-01T03:04:09Z")
Sounds like white male landowners for about 400 years in this country. I don’t like it when someone says I can’t understand them because I’m not their color or we whatever. Generally, those asking for more rights are asking for equality. ---
**Author:** ![thatoneguy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/thatoneguy/32/28536_2.png) [@thatoneguy](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/thatoneguy)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 3:25am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/12 "2022-07-01T03:25:26Z")
Well, then you Leftists are stuck in that rut. ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 3:27am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/13 "2022-07-01T03:27:50Z")
Not getting what that means ---
**Author:** ![thatoneguy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/thatoneguy/32/28536_2.png) [@thatoneguy](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/thatoneguy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 1:33am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/14 "2022-07-02T01:33:15Z")
I mean if you aren’t going to be realistic about why Leftist infighting happens, nothing will improve. ---
**Author:** ![mriana](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/mriana/32/18174_2.png) [@mriana](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/mriana)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/15 "2022-07-02T01:46:42Z")
Who’s fighting? I haven’t seen anyone fighting, except the Repugs and the gun nutters. ---
**Author:** ![princeplanet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4bbf92/32.png) [@princeplanet](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/princeplanet)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 1:52am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/16 "2022-07-02T01:52:59Z")
Leftists? What leftist? ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 2:35am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/17 "2022-07-02T02:35:16Z")
Not sure what you are responding to here. It’s well known that the Democrats have a wider variety of goals, so prioritization is more difficult than the party that just fishes around for a hot button issue, like immigration, and when they see it will get votes, they line up behind it. So, if you wanna call that “infighting”, fine. Did you see that convention where Ted Cruz had to suck up to Trump? ---
**Author:** ![pointpath](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/pointpath/32/4944_2.png) [@pointpath](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/pointpath)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/18 "2022-07-02T17:44:05Z")
> [@thatoneguy](#): > > Well, then you Leftists are stuck in that rut Hi there, “thatoneguy”, I think any individual or group risks being stuck in a rut, especially the sociological ditch of politics. I have said my prayers to the 4th of July BBQ god to help me make the babyback ribs great . I and some friends will say a complimentary toast to that one guy. I hope you have have a great holiday weekend too. ---
**Author:** ![vegansrock1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/vegansrock1/32/4679_2.png) [@vegansrock1](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/vegansrock1)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 9:15am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/19 "2022-07-11T09:15:50Z")
Biden meets the Butcher of Riyadh. Apparently he said i hope your not upset about that line i cracked in your country being a dictatorship and a violator of human rights. ---
**Author:** ![mrmhead](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/mrmhead/32/19_2.png) [@mrmhead](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/mrmhead)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 12:08pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634/20 "2022-07-12T12:08:40Z")
> “Since we don’t control the air, our good air decided to float over to China’s bad air, so when China gets our good air, their bad air got to move,” Walker explained. “So it moves over to our good air space. Then now we got to clean that back up,” he added. That would be Hershel Walker: trump-Endorsed GOP Candidate for Senate in Georgia. If the left can’t beat someone like this, they don’t deserve to be in office. … I wasn’t sure if this should go in Politics, Environment … or mental health [Next page](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/can-the-left-get-it-together/9634.md?page=2)