Galindez writes: "In every toolbox, there are a variety of tools to use in various situations. As progressives, we have a variety of instruments to choose from, depending on the situation. Some devices can be used in multiple situations, while others are better for particular circumstances."
President Donald Trump looks to House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and other House congressmen in the Rose Garden after the House pushed through a health care bill, at the White House in Washington, D.C., May 04, 2017. (photo: Jabin Botsford/Getty Images/WP)
09 May 17
n every toolbox, there are a variety of tools to use in various situations. As progressives, we have a variety of instruments to choose from, depending on the situation. Some devices can be used in multiple situations, while others are better for particular circumstances.
This past week, Republicans in Congress voted to repeal Obamacare. There are lots of groups that will resist that action. One such group is Indivisible. For the broadest possible resistance to the Trump agenda, Indivisible is a useful tool. We should use that tool to work with establishment Democrats to build the largest possible resistance to Trump.
I often hear people expressing frustration that there are too many groups forming that should instead just be working together. While that is a logical conclusion, it is not the most effective blueprint for the revolution. Think of each group as another tool each with different strengths and uses.
The example of resistance to repealing Obamacare is a wise situation to use Indivisible. Now, when it comes to improving Obamacare and transforming America's healthcare system, other organizations are more efficient.
When it comes to solutions, we are not on the same page with everyone who opposes Trump. Therefore we should work on transformation in other venues. The progressive/neoliberal debate should happen in other places. Leave the Bernie v Hillary debate at the door when we go to an Indivisible meeting. What matters at Indivisible is that we oppose Trump and the GOP agenda.
When we attend a meeting of Our Revolution, Democracy for America, MoveOn, etc., then we should debate the direction of the Democratic Party. Those are the venues for developing a progressive agenda to transform the Democratic Party.
Using healthcare as an example, at Indivisible we fight against a Republican repeal of Obamacare. However, at Our Revolution, we can expand that to a fight for single payer healthcare. Many at Indivisible will join us in this struggle, but not all. It shouldn't mean that we don't work with Indivisible to resist Trump. We should just not expect to agree with everyone at Indivisible on the solution.
Groups like Our Revolution are where we develop our plan for the future. Groups like Indivisible are where we resist the Republican agenda. The ultimate goal is to transform the Democratic Party into the vehicle we need to change the country.
So next time a fight breaks out at an Indivisible meeting over whose fault it was that Trump won, call time out and reframe the goal of the organization. Remind everyone that we are all there to resist Trump, and other debates are for other groups.
If we choose the right tools, they will all help us build the America that we all dream about.
Scott Galindez attended Syracuse University, where he first became politically active. The writings of El Salvador's slain archbishop Oscar Romero and the on-campus South Africa divestment movement converted him from a Reagan supporter to an activist for Peace and Justice. Over the years he has been influenced by the likes of Philip Berrigan, William Thomas, Mitch Snyder, Don White, Lisa Fithian, and Paul Wellstone. Scott met Marc Ash while organizing counterinaugural events after George W. Bush's first stolen election. Scott moved to Des Moines in 2015 to cover the Iowa Caucus.
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