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Comment by partiallypro | Hacker News Reader

I love this talking point, because in comparision to basically every country, US Democrats are socially very far left. It's only fiscally where they are more moderate. Which is basically the opposite of what most Americans want, yet they seem confused on why they struggle.

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> in comparision to basically every country, US Democrats are socially very far left

I'd really want to see the data on which you base this belief. Watching US politics from Europe I see the Democrats roughly matching the European center. European "left" has no voice in the US!

And what is more important? Saying "nice" things, or actually passing legislation that affects the main lever of power in our country?

"They say things very far left( arguable ), but the way they govern is extremely moderate."

> they seem confused on why they struggle

The politicians? They aren't confused. They understand the system.

In order to have political success they explicitly seek the backing of the wealthy elite.

It constrains the politics to never be leftist, and politicians to dodge policy and posture on culture wars.

How are US Democrats socially far left? There are multiple countries with parties that are literally communists. There are sizable number of US Democrats (especially in the government) who support the death penalty, torture, nukes, a large military, interventionism and mass surveillance (look at the votes concerning the US Patriot act and the reauthorizations). How is any of this "very far left"? They may talk sometimes about socially left issues (homeless, healthcare, etc...), but in terms of actually fixing anything, very little is done, especially that would be considered "left" in any country. Like instead of getting universal healthcare, they just voted to "reform" healthcare companies.

Far left on posturing, far right on policy.

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