The underlying conflict between Progressives in the Dem Party, at present, is as follows:
1) Social justice folks view their concerns as existential with their best/only hope in supporting the Dem establishment, which has secured them some gains over time. They view criticism/attacks on the Dem party as a threat to those gains.
2) Economic justice folks view their concerns as existential with their best/only hope in changing/overthrowing the Dem establishment, which has given them little or nothing over time. They view unquestioning support of the Dem party as a threat to their livelihood.
3) The Dem establishment has become hooked on corporate cash and is therefore reluctant or outright refusing to challenge the donor class on economic issues. They’re comfortable pushing for social issues, since they don’t cost or conflict with the donor class.
4) Because of the demographic split between Group #1 (majority PoC, gay, women, older) and Group #2 (majority white, male, youth) the internecine conflict in the Dem party is on the verge of exploding into an open ethnic/demographic war. You can see it from the comments on this site from both sides.
5) The underlying conflict continues to pop up in the form of re-litigating the primary, since most of Group #1 went for Hillary and most of Group #2 went for Bernie.
6) Neither Group is large enough to win elections by themselves.
7) Yes, this construct is an oversimplification, but I think it captures some essential truth of the conflict.
The question is: Can we learn to walk and chew gum at the same time, and trust that those we’re walking with will support our interests along with their own? Or will we all continue to insist on a “me first!” approach and tear each other down until there’s nothing left?
Thoughts/solutions?