# Fuck the leftist purists **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [May 30, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485 "2026-05-30T00:40:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/141 "2026-06-01T14:02:24Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Dems need to get a clue. You’d think Trump getting elected is the biggest clue ever that they are doing something wrong but nope…doing the same dumbfuck shit (looking at you Schumer). This is exactly why it’s stupid to sit out an election between a milquetoast corporate democrat and Trump. You’re not going to change the democrats in 4 years, you’re just going to get 4 years of Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/142 "2026-06-01T14:14:49Z")
Well at least you’ll have four years of finger-wagging to look forward to. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/143 "2026-06-01T14:28:19Z")
Yes when a predictable bad thing happens and a group of people chose not to take a very low-investment to stop it and then their supposed rationale for this action doesn’t materialize I blame them. They apparently feel as though this is “finger wagging” because of course there was no actual material good their choice was intended to achieve in the first place, it was just a spite-based decision and they don’t like this being pointed out to them. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/144 "2026-06-01T14:29:41Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Instead of trying to put words in people’s mouths maybe debate what they’re actually saying? Excellent idea. Who told you that they were owed a vote? Let’s have exact realism and cites, please. Probably nobody. It’s a rhetorical flourish. Consider mine to be the same. > [@Mijin](#): > > Trying to relitigate past elections and beat up on other members of what should a coalition is the path to further defeat. Wrong. You very specifically suggested that such strategies spanned multiple elections. If we’re talking about multi-election strategies, then it is very much appropriate to ask, how’s it working out for you? > [@Mijin](#): > > You may be right on this point though – since _even Trump being elected again_ has been insufficient for some democrats to think maybe they should reach out to those concerned about genocide. God this is so tiresome because you don’t see the plain other side of the coin. These people voted for a candidate that we all told them would get them even more genocide, and that has definitely happened, and this is inefficient to show them that maybe they should’ve reached out to Dems to help defeat that guy. It cuts absolutely both ways. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/145 "2026-06-01T14:31:54Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > You actually think the 1933 election of ADOLF HITLER was an elections where both sides were facist. Stop trying to tell me what I think, you’re obviously terrible at it. I’ll just note you’ve jumped from “Weimar” to the post-Weimar election like nobody would notice. > [@griffin1977](#): > > Saying “well akshually both sides are fascists” about **ADOLF HITLER** Not something I said, but whatever it takes to enable yourself to continue to deny America’s essential fascist nature, I guess? ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/146 "2026-06-01T14:35:04Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Stop trying to tell me what I think Jah vohl freunddernazi ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/147 "2026-06-01T14:38:12Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Jah vohl freunddernazi Ja! Beiherhund das Oder die Flipperwaldt gersput!\[1\] * * * 1. makes about as much sense as the mock-German you just posted ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/148 "2026-06-01T14:45:11Z")
Gesundheit! ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/149 "2026-06-01T14:45:28Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Saying “well akshually both sides are fascists” about **ADOLF HITLER** some both sideism that even the GOP would shy away from. You’re trying to apply reason to a _MrDibble_ argument. Just start from the conclusion that _America Bad_ and work back from there if you want to understand how he “thinks” (I use the term loosely). ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/150 "2026-06-01T14:54:20Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > These people voted for a candidate that we all told them would get them even more genocide We aren’t talking about Trump voters in this thread. It would probably be more productive if we were (though I’d still prefer we put our focus on future elections). > [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > God this is so tiresome […] Glad to finish on a note of agreement. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/151 "2026-06-01T15:16:02Z")
As opposed to _your_ (for want of better phrase) thought process of “if it’s for the benefit of (most) Israelis, job’s a good 'un! Yes, _of course_ that includes genocide, why’d you ask?” ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/152 "2026-06-01T15:17:08Z")
I think what a lot of people overlook is that there were a lot of people on the Left who fundamentally rejected the concept of working within the Democratic Party and felt only an explicitly leftist third party could be trusted to carry out its platform if elected. It’s not the case that these people would have voted for the Democrats if they had had a “purer” platform. As we can see from the cite above, the third party vote has gone from a sliver to a crumb in the last couple elections: 2000 2.86% 2016 1.18% 2020 0.26% 2024 0.67% I think this is because of two things: sensible leftists have realized that the Green Party is now a nest of Putinist crazies and don’t want to encourage them by giving them protest votes. And the success of AOC, the Squad, and now Mamdani have proved that working within the Democratic Party gets actual results. It might be reasonable to wonder why it took them so long, but the electoral Left finally seems to have gotten over the third party dream. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/153 "2026-06-01T15:19:56Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > And the success of AOC, the Squad, and now Mamdani have proved that working within the Democratic Party gets actual results. Which is why they’ve now been branded corporatist Neoliberal shills! Some people seem entirely allergic to “getting results”. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/154 "2026-06-01T15:21:47Z")
Of course - no one is more plugged into the views of the progressive left than @Babale! ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/155 "2026-06-01T15:37:47Z")
Yessiree, the best way to defeat fascists is picking fights among those who oppose them. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/156 "2026-06-01T17:45:10Z")
He is all three, dumb, (with a b o’ course) insane and demonstrably demented. ~sigh~ ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/157 "2026-06-01T19:40:33Z")
> [@jjakucyk](#): > > A good analogy for voting is that it’s like public transportation: > > > Voting isn’t marriage. It’s public transport. You’re not waiting for “the one”. You’re getting on the bus. And if there isn’t one going exactly to your destination, you don’t stay home and sulk. You take the one that’s going closest to where you want to be. -Mohamad Safa > > I would add that taking a different bus or not taking the bus at all isn’t going to “send a message” to the bus that wasn’t close enough to your destination. That’s where the analogy kind of breaks down somewhat. In fact, not taking a bus that doesn’t get you close enough to your desired destination **does** send a message to transit authorities, who spend a lot of time analyzing ridership patterns and figuring out how to tweak routes to boost bus use. Yes, there have always got to be compromises and workarounds, because no bus route (and no candidate) is going to deliver **all** the things you want from them. But I would not blame or chastise somebody for deciding _“actually, none of the available routes get me close enough to my destination in an acceptable timeframe, taking the bus is not significantly better for me than just not getting where I want to go at all”_. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/158 "2026-06-01T20:56:22Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > I think what a lot of people overlook is that there were a lot of people on the Left who fundamentally rejected the concept of working within the Democratic Party and felt only an explicitly leftist third party could be trusted to carry out its platform if elected. It’s not the case that these people would have voted for the Democrats if they had had a “purer” platform. Agreed. There’s no reason to think these people were winnable, or ever intended to be winnable, or will ever become winnable. It’s the posturing of people who decided years ago that they’d never oppose Republicans because it interferes with their primary goal of opposing Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/159 "2026-06-01T21:46:09Z")
Let’s continue with the math. According to Pew about 4% of the US are part of the progressive left. This is based on opinion surveys: for all I know, I could very well be among their number. The OP does not apply to most of them. But in 2024, 0.67% of the public supported Trump by voting Green or for the Socialism and Liberation Party. I don’t have figures for 2024, but in 2020 0.56% were progressive left nonvoters. Adding them together gives a rough estimate of 1.23% of the country, scientifically a high enough population to pit on the SDMB. That’s about 31% of the progressive left. So most of the progressive left are not leftist purists who very much deserve this pitting and much much more. But a hefty chunk are. > [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > There’s no reason to think these people were winnable, or ever intended to be winnable, or will ever become winnable. I think they are susceptible to mockery on social media. The sharp decline in Green support and the high voting participation of the progressive left shows there’s some blood in this turnip. Whether hippie punching is the _best_ use of our resources is another matter. I say it’s a fine effort _now_, but that patriots need to get focused during the summer. Big tents include progressives and I am a big tent Democrat. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485/160 "2026-06-01T21:51:59Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Agreed. There’s no reason to think these people were winnable, or ever intended to be winnable, or will ever become winnable. It’s the posturing of people who decided years ago that they’d never oppose Republicans because it interferes with their primary goal of opposing Democrats. It’s more that they hope for a general collapse of society so they can build their socialist utopia in the aftermath. In my experience these people don’t believe that it’s _possible_ to accomplish anything with elections and disdain the assertion that it is as “electoralism”. They are mainly just sitting around waiting for the inevitable World Revolution that will just…spontaneously happen at some point. They always came across as the socialist equivalent of Christians waiting for the Rapture to sweep them into Heaven, actually. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-leftist-purists/1030485.md?page=9)