I have only seen national DSA leadership oppose the idea or turn it into a personality contest with Jimmy Dore.

How is that democratic at all?! They are openly contradicting the democratically-decided party line…

What an absolutely shit organization.

Here's the quote:

2019 presents a unique opportunity for the Democratic Socialists for Medicare for All campaign: to be a key player in pushing HR 1384, the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act, to a vote in the House of Representatives. DSA is not alone in this work. National Nurses United, along with nearly 30 other national and local unions and progressive organizations are coordinating to take advantage of this moment. Since Bernie Sanders’ presidential run in 2016, single-payer advocates have been successfully turning Medicare for All into a litmus test for politicians. A floor vote in the House will force representatives to finally reveal whether they’re on the side of healthcare profiteers or the side of the working class.

  • mrbigcheese [he/him]
    2·
    4 years ago

    Teaching people things is great, but like I said just saying "vote for m4a" isn't gonna make that happen when we dont have any way to exert power over politicians. If it does happen it could be good, but I just dont think it will happen, thats why i dont think this is all that important. I agree it shouldnt be opposed cause theres no reason to waste energy opposing something like this unless i'm really missing something that could potentially actually backfire and make things worse, but I dont see how that would happen, tho again im not fully familiar with how a vote or the whole actual process itself would work, but I just dont think the politicians will think its worthwhile. Maybe the whole FTV thing itself failing should demonstrate to people the futility of tying your movement building around just demanding things from politicians?

    • PhaseFour [he/him]
      4·
      4 years ago

      Teaching people things is great, but like I said just saying “vote for m4a” isn’t gonna make that happen when we dont have any way to exert power over politicians.

      The current effort is to exert power over progressive politicians over something they can achieve by themselves - a floor vote on M4A.

      If we cannot get progressive politicians to push for a political tactic in DSA's M4A strategy, that is important information for the socialist movement.

      Maybe the whole FTV thing itself failing should demonstrate to people the futility of tying your movement building around just demanding things from politicians?

      I am advocating this in every organizing space I can find on forcing the vote. Pressuring politicians is a tactic we can use right now. We must use it, and also discuss the next set of tactics once this tactic has run its course.