It seems that the Democrats are once again flirting with the idea of veering sharply to the left, and it’s causing quite a stir. As Obama makes his return to the spotlight with a call for resistance against conservative politics, he’s spinning a classic tale that seeks to galvanize the young and impressionable. Speaking to a room full of college students, he’s encouraging the next generation to embrace sacrifice for their beliefs. Obama seems to think that it’s time for progressives to put their money where their mouth is, albeit with a few generous exceptions like their beloved electric cars and campus luxuries.
But the notion of sacrifice seems a tad amusing, as it often is when brought up by those who are comfortably cushioned in their lives. It’s a classic case of “do as I say, not as I do.” Obama’s words resonate with the woke warriors in academia who are all too eager to give up practically nothing tangible while wearing the badge of activism and “sacrifice” for causes they endorse. It’s a convenient kind of martyrdom, one that leaves them in the same luxurious seats of power and influence they currently enjoy.
Meanwhile, the Democrats themselves are in the midst of their own civil war. With characters like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the rise, the moderate wing of the party must feel like they’re seated in the New York subway during rush hour—squished and uncomfortable. AOC and her comrades have been rattling sabers against the more established Democrats like Chuck Schumer, presenting a formidable challenge to the party’s old guards. AOC has been campaigning hard, making fiery calls against what she claims to be a ruling oligarchy—because nothing screams “freedom” like transferring power from one elite group to another.
Bernie Sanders, the once lone ranger of democratic socialism, is now witnessing the surge of AOC’s influence. No doubt, the youthful firebrand is well on her way to becoming the left’s newest mascot. The question isn’t if she’ll run for the New York Senate, but rather, when she’ll aim even higher. It seems the party is preparing to hand over the reins to this new faction, hoping their radical energy will keep them relevant.
Still, some might chuckle at the state of affairs, considering how the Democrats managed their coat of blue despite the odds last November. In fact, they seem hell-bent on riding the wave of progressive politics, looking more like a sinking ship than a cruise liner on a world tour. The Democrats are preparing for a bumpy ride, as they pin their hopes on their far-left flag-bearers to steer them to victory. But they might want to brace themselves—their party ship might just capsize before they reach shore.
