cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/37087195

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1. 23:39.500 - 23:46.994 Endcards/Credits

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Is Jill Stein's Campaign Worth Supporting? A Discussion with Kshama Sawant

This video features a discussion on whether Jill Stein's campaign is worth supporting, featuring Kshama Sawant of Workers Strike Back. The conversation explores the Green Party's organizational challenges, the importance of offering a left-wing alternative to the working class, and the strategic value of supporting Stein's campaign despite potential shortcomings.

Key Points:

• Workers Strike Back Endorsement: Workers Strike Back has endorsed Jill Stein, citing a non-sectarian approach and a desire to rally troops in the campaign season.
• Organizational Concerns: The hosts acknowledge the Green Party's past organizational issues, particularly in ballot access and campaign execution, contrasting it with the disciplined approach of Sawant's movement.
• Ballot Access Challenges: Jill Stein's campaign fell short of the required signatures to get on the ballot in New York due to increased requirements, highlighting systemic challenges for third parties.
• Strategic Value: Despite organizational concerns, Sawant argues that supporting Stein is valuable for providing an alternative for working and young people disillusioned with both major parties.
• Socialist Perspective: Sawant emphasizes the importance of a socialist agenda and the need to overthrow capitalism, viewing the Stein campaign as a vehicle to organize working-class people.
• Leadership and Accountability: Clear leadership and accountability are crucial for representatives of working people, requiring a commitment to the working class above political maneuvering.
• Solidarity and Courage: Sawant expresses solidarity with Jill Stein for her commitment to running despite facing numerous obstacles and attacks from the Democratic Party.
• Focus on Issues: The campaign's appeal lies in its focus on issues like a $25 minimum wage, Medicare for All, canceling student debt, free college, and ending the war on Gaza.
• Building a Working-Class Party: Supporting Stein is seen as a step towards building a party for the working class, with plans to organize conferences of working people to decide the way forward.
• Political Responsibility: It is argued that sitting out the election or abstractly discussing a third party is an abdication of responsibility; offering a concrete option like Stein is essential.
• Return on Investment: Investing in working people requires delivering tangible results and building trust, which is crucial for sustaining the movement.
• Green Party as a Vehicle: While acknowledging the Green Party's potential shortcomings, Sawant suggests that for many, supporting Stein is less about the party itself and more about the issues she champions.
• Cultural Signaling: Concerns are raised about the Green Party's cultural signaling, which may alienate some working-class voters due to its association with college-educated elites.
• Avoiding Futile Efforts: The importance of ensuring that left-wing energy is channeled into efforts with a real connection to the working class, rather than being a mere distraction or safety valve for the Democratic Party, is highlighted.
• Importance of Grassroots Movements: The discussion underscores the necessity of building strong grassroots movements and organizations to effect meaningful change for the working class, regardless of electoral outcomes.

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the post-civilization left

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