Although we recognize that the Democratic party is a party of the ruling class, we also recognize that the election of Donald Trump to a second term is a tragedy. His administration will be a danger to the rights of women, POC, and LGBTQ people, and his economic policies will harm the working class no matter how he postures. His MAGA movement will be emboldened to exercise open cruelty and violence against those they hate.
The Southern Maryland DSA, however, refuses to despair. We refuse to believe that the majority of the country yearns for fascism, just as we refuse to believe that certain demographics are beyond reach.
The fact is that the Democratic Party failed to address peoples’ economic concerns and brushed them off as misinformation. They failed to stop enabling a genocide despite a mass movement of their voter base urging them to do so. They chose to adopt right wing positions on immigration, and parade around with Bush-era war criminals, in a failed attempt to court moderate Republicans.
They failed to present a progressive vision for the future that people could believe in, and they browbeat anyone who dared to demand more from them.
In several states that elected Trump, the majority of voters supported progressive policies such as raising the minimum wage and requiring paid sick leave (Alaska and Missouri) and enshrining abortion rights into the constitution (Missouri). In St. Mary’s County, where Trump won 60% of the vote, 61% of voters supported abortion rights, and voters overwhelmingly rejected the queerphobic agendas of Brewer, Edelen, and Drys. It is clear that progressive policies are popular, even though Democrats are not.
Our chapter is renewing our commitment to presenting a clear and transformative vision for the world. We are renewing our commitment to building an independent party for the working class and building a movement for socialism. We are renewing our commitment to fight fascism wherever it arises. We are renewing our commitment to organizing for transformative change in our communities through tenant organizing, labor organizing, mutual aid, and the fight for policy that benefits and empowers the working class.
So do not despair! Join us! If this election was your wakeup call to do something, if you believe a better world is possible, if you want to be part of an independent movement to dismantle the power of the ruling class and fight fascism, then we welcome you.
Learn more about DSA’s vision for the country here
Learn more about our chapter’s vision for SOMD here
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