I don’t care about Democrats versus Republicans anymore. Watch me cook dinner while I explain why. I don’t have a conservative bone in my body. I knew from the age of 10 that I was going to work in Democratic politics. But to this day, some of my best longtime friends are Republicans. Guys I’ve been in drunken fist fights with about politics, but who I would want carrying my eco-friendly casket if I died. But over the last few years, as we’ve stared down an authoritarian threat and are now living through an attempted authoritarian takeover, my coalition has changed, at least temporarily. When it comes to everyday people, I don’t find it useful anymore to distinguish between Democrat and Republican, liberal or conservative, left or right. Because in the political environment we’re living in, those terms have little meaning. It’s not Republican to give the president unilateral authority to impose a corrupt tariff regime. It’s not right-wing to deploy the military into US cities as political theater. And it’s not conservative to have the federal government seize a stake in a private company and allow the president to rake in billions in corrupt crypto deals. Trump has stripped those terms of any meaning. And frankly, whether someone is Republican, conservative, or right-wing tells me nothing about whose side they’re on. And I want all of those people on my side in the fight we’re in. There are still plenty of everyday conservatives who believe in democracy. Some who voted for Trump and may still be on the fence about him today. But maybe they feel like this isn’t what they were promised. Maybe they’ve got a funny feeling like they’ve seen this movie before. But if you claim you’re pro-democracy and are open to a conversation about how Trump and his allies are attempting to destroy it, you’re still in my coalition. And that doesn’t change the fact that I’ll continue fighting tooth and nail for progressive policies and leaders. But those policies aren’t possible if we don’t build a strong enough coalition to defeat the enemies of democracy. So if you know someone like that, share this video with them because that’s what democracy is, a conversation. Either you’re open to it or you’ve already given up on democracy.
5 Comments
You make a valid point. We can't afford to ignore the fact that this mega movement has been allowed to bastardize, co-opt, and even weaponize key political terminologies because of ideological differences. We must talk about how “Republican,” “Conservative,” and “Right-Wing” have been hijacked by absolute pretenders. It’s wild how these words have lost all connection to their original meanings, stripped down and weaponized so much that what we see today barely even resembles the roots of these ideas. Originally, “Republican” meant standing up for individual liberties, supporting a government with limits, and pushing for equality under the law. The party was founded by folks who opposed the expansion of slavery and who genuinely cared about keeping government power in check. “Conservative,” in its real sense, was about preserving what works, respecting tradition, and protecting individual freedoms, not shutting out progress or embracing chaos for chaos’s sake. “Right-Wing” signaled a cautious approach to change and an emphasis on stability and national order.
Now, in 2025, look at what’s happened to these labels. They’ve been co-opted. Twisted to serve whatever agenda that will attract clicks and stoke outrage. Instead of real conservatism or protecting the democratic republic, these words are slapped on everything from conspiracy-fueled grievance politics to outright assaults on democracy. The terms have become toxic, thrown around to justify censorship, bigotry, and authoritarian power grabs. Politicians and influencers weaponize them to attack basic democratic rights, all while pretending this is what the founders had in mind. To actually protect democracy, we need to reclaim these terms or break away from their diseased, contaminated state. It’s time to call out this mess, refuse to play along with the corrupted definitions, and fight for real pro-democracy values, because sticking with the current version is how we lose the heart of the democratic republic altogether.
I must admit, I pay attention to your page because you're more optimistic than I am. I've seen more than my fair share over the years, and politics is "nasty work." Your words give grace to those I would not. There are voters who chose to oppose democracy when they had the opportunity to take a stand. As the son of a drafted U.S. soldier, who was born into and survived the Jim Crow Era, the Civil Rights movement, and the Hart-Celler Act, I know what my dad would've said if he lived to see the current state of our country. I'll admit I'm not as filled with that same grace. Politicians favor the teachings of Dr. MLK Jr. and his peaceful ideology… Me? I've always resonated more with Malcolm X when it comes to protecting in upholding our liberties and democracy. Nonetheless, keep bringing this energy, man; it's inspiring.
Pretty much correct on every front. People gotta understand, it’s us vs the ultra rich. People fight over political takes, who’s rich and poor and why that is, but ones who win when we fight amongst ourselves are the ultra rich.
Wow! 💡
Holy shit, wrong brother 😂 We're a republic not democracy and we're not fighting a war against Trump, just going through another presidency. I understand you think this world world 2 esk motivational speech sounds good. But this is just recycled nonesense. You feel motivated to "stand up" so go run for office or help out in your local town. Don't just make a youtube video, claiming you have a COALITION to fight. This is literally how/why people are killed for political reasons, on both sides. Also, you said you don't want to use "right, conservative…etc" but say "Trump's allies", as a vague term so you can redefine it to however you like. You, me and probably anyone else seeing this has no power to do shit other than voting. You vote, I vote, we all vote for who we think will do a good job and that's it. Lol, kinda funny a shower conversation with yourself turned into a video
Amazing soup ….. try toasting the orzo in some butter until they're golden and then dunk them in the soup …. it'll change your life