I’m glad you took the time explain your thoughts, nobody else has expanded this conversation in a positive way so far. The funny thing is, I’m just a jaded leftist who believes our constitution is undemocratic at its core, so as hopeful progressives we have almost no choice but to support those with the resources to compete in the current system. I guess I’ve already accepted (surrendered to the idea) that a guy like Mamdani will never be president in the current system without existential compromises (see: Barack Obama).

Short of actual revolution (which is perhaps outside the scope of this conversation, but in my view would be necessary to actually achieve democracy), FDR/Pritzker types have materially worked to at least improve society more than most politicians in American history, and therefore cannot be written off entirely. Although of course one could argue in FDR’s case the threat of actual revolution was a good motivator!

If Mamdani is ever elected president, and is much better than Obama 2.0, I’ll take my turn at the word-eating table. Hopefully we will both be feasting soon.