General Discussion

AStern

(484 posts)

71. That is a favorite centrist myth, but polling doesn't back it up.

Fri Jun 27, 2025, 11:33 AM

Jun 27

The majority of Americans support universal background checks, Roe v. Wade, raising the minimum wage, and even a public healthcare option. But sure, go ahead and claim that “the left” is out of step. The actual disconnect is between what people want and what politicians are willing to fight for. Also, the whole “right and wrong, not left and right” framing? Convenient cover for centrism that always seems to lean one direction... right.

In short:
The Overton window has moved right.
Democrats have tacked right economically, especially since the 1980s.
Popular left policies are painted as fringe, while actual fringe right ones get normalized.

We don't fix this by pretending it isn’t happening. We fix it by being honest and pushing back... not gaslighting the people trying to do just that.

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vanessa_ca Emile Freddie Wiz Imp RandiFan1290 Xavier Breath

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Highlight:

Has anyone noticed how veering to the right is never considered "too far," but even the slightest move to the left... [View all] AStern Jun 26 OP

Good Observation people Jun 26 #1

It's like markodochartaigh Jun 26 #2

Playing hardball usually... MiHale Jun 26 #3

Yea, because the ruling class sets the narrative. BlueTsunami2018 Jun 26 #4

It's another example of IOKIYAR It's ok it you are a Republican/rightwinger kimbutgar Jun 26 #5

Yes I've noticed...I think Zohran, followin Bernie's playbook, has captured people's attention on how to win elections! InAbLuEsTaTe Jun 26 #6

Oh yeah. You see it all over the DNC supporting sites vanessa_ca Jun 26 #7

Progressive/New Deal initiatives seem to get a lot of backlash. AStern Jun 26 #12

Come sit next to me Bettie Jun 26 #34

Thank you. I will. And you're right that it's a growing number. vanessa_ca Jun 26 #46

Yes, a strong progressive agenda delivered by enthusiastic next gen. Politicians. Magoo48 Jun 27 #63

Great question! ck4829 Jun 26 #8

I could learn to ride a bicycle, but I'd rather crawl. Duncan Grant Jun 26 #9

The so called Left blubunyip Jun 26 #10

I agree with you generally. markodochartaigh Jun 26 #41

But then blubunyip Jun 28 #101

Part of the problem is that the labeling we use is inaccurate. soldierant Jun 26 #50

Agree blubunyip Jun 28 #100

The Overton window is bound to shift when those on the left sit out elections and let extremist Republicans win. W_HAMILTON Jun 26 #11

Blame the progressives? Cirsium Jun 26 #13

I am a progressive, so I am """cleaning up my own house""" here. W_HAMILTON Jun 26 #21

I see Cirsium Jun 26 #48

You claimed that I "object to any criticism of conservatives of the party," which was wrong. W_HAMILTON Jun 27 #65

We disagree Cirsium Jun 27 #73

I'd argue it's worse. aocommunalpunch Jun 26 #14

Guess who owns the media that propels the propaganda rurallib Jun 26 #15

Mostly Workers ProfessorGAC Jun 26 #18

+1 leftstreet Jun 26 #23

Been happening for decades... Wounded Bear Jun 26 #16

To the point that they have completely normalized fascism. There is no longer any point in distinguishing between Karasu Jun 26 #38

Republicanism is mainstream-that's what everyone is supposed to think. BadgerMom Jun 26 #17

Yep. Conservatism is seen as the "default" in American society. Karasu Jun 26 #36

Have noticed this edhopper Jun 26 #19

Exactly. HarryM Jun 26 #25

SOCIALISM!! Mr.Bee Jun 26 #20

Totally agree. Scubamatt Jun 26 #22

I have been screaming about this Overton Window shift for what feels like eons now. Pacifist Patriot Jun 26 #24

Me too! Bettie Jun 26 #35

conservatives/republicans get the white man's pass BaronChocula Jun 26 #26

Remember when leftist Dems sent armed masked goons to snatch people from their workplaces? IronLionZion Jun 26 #27

Thank You! EnergizedLib Jun 26 #28

I'm 67. This has only been true for my entire adult life. mjvpi Jun 26 #29

During the 2020 election season EnergizedLib Jun 26 #42

For some reason they fear equal distribution of wealth more than a nuclear holocaust. SleeplessinSoCal Jun 26 #30

Yes, I've noticed senseandsensibility Jun 26 #31

Then there's Overkill. Cha Jun 26 #32

The Overton window in this country is ABSURDLY far to the right. A Democrat wouldn't be able to last anywhere near 5 Karasu Jun 26 #33

DURec leftstreet Jun 26 #37

Spending vs taxation enid602 Jun 26 #39

Exactly Wiz Imp Jun 27 #97

Absolutely. It's always said Dems need to move to the center, but no one ever suggests Republicans do the same. Vinca Jun 26 #40

Yup, and I'm sick of those who pretend otherwise. Jirel Jun 26 #43

Yes, because money is God in this country. Buckeye_Democrat Jun 26 #44

We need to take a hard left turn. Nt berniesandersmittens Jun 26 #45

Anything less isn't providing an actual alternative to modern conservatism anyhow. Running a bit to the left of a Karasu Jun 26 #51

the GOP is treated like white men Skittles Jun 26 #47

Yep even on DU JanMichael Jun 26 #49

It is fine for the GOP to be ruthless psychopaths and a crime syndicate. Irish_Dem Jun 26 #52

I mean even republicans called trump "too far right" at the beginning SSJVegeta Jun 26 #53

The M$M'a patented Constantly Shifting Goalposts Blue Owl Jun 26 #54

Yes, I've noticed Picaro Jun 26 #55

I hope it's okay now in here to even just question Democratic leadership LiberalLovinLug Jun 26 #56

I'm old enough to remember when "Radical" was a negative political notion... BurnDoubt Jun 26 #57

No. I've never noticed that. Oopsie Daisy Jun 26 #58

Well, then you haven't been paying attention. AStern Jun 27 #69

I noticed double standards, just not the ones you're describing. Oopsie Daisy Jun 27 #74

Sure, you noticed double standards. Just not the ones being discussed. Of course. AStern Jun 27 #75

I'm just telling it like it is. Oopsie Daisy Jun 27 #77

No, you're telling it how you see it. That's not the same as "how it is." AStern Jun 27 #79

As are you. Oopsie Daisy Jun 27 #80

Sure, we're all sharing perspectives. The difference is, I backed mine up with facts. AStern Jun 27 #81

You're looking for an argument for validation. I'm not here to entertain you. Oopsie Daisy Jun 27 #82

You're not making a point, you're avoiding one. AStern Jun 27 #83

Yes it is. Oopsie Daisy Jun 27 #84

If you say so. Still waiting on the part where you actually make a point. AStern Jun 27 #85

I made my point. Pretending otherwise doesn't change that fact. Oopsie Daisy Jun 27 #86

If that's your idea of a point, then we're definitely not on the same page. AStern Jun 27 #87

I'm not on the same page with many folks. For starters, I live in the real world. Oopsie Daisy Jun 27 #88

You've replied half a dozen times to something you claim isn't worth your time. That says more than your emoji ever coul AStern Jun 27 #89

I've done no such thing and you know it. Oopsie Daisy Jun 27 #90

You've been dismissive, evasive, and condescending, then acted like that was some kind of mic drop. AStern Jun 27 #91

That's simply not true. I've only been dismissive. Oopsie Daisy Jun 27 #92

Your persistence doesn't make your argument stronger. AStern Jun 27 #93

Ahhh... the last refuge when someone has been outwitted * Oopsie Daisy Jun 27 #94

Oh I see you. Kingofalldems Jun 27 #96

Very well, thanks for asking. Oopsie Daisy Jun 28 #99

LOL Skittles Jul 2 #104

What can I say... the programming worked. (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Jun 27 #59

'Never considered' by whom? (n/t) Oeditpus Rex Jun 27 #60

Couldn't agree more! Jill Hanson Jun 27 #61

The ONLY ones moving to the Right are Republicans, as everybody here knows. betsuni Jun 27 #62

This is just willful denial. AStern Jun 27 #70

I see it's still all about Bill Clinton. The '90s called... betsuni Jul 2 #106

I reject the premise altogether. Littlered Jun 27 #64

That is a favorite centrist myth, but polling doesn't back it up. AStern Jun 27 #71

Um yeah, polls don't vote. Littlered Jun 27 #76

"Polls don't vote" is a cute slogan, but you're missing the point. Perhaps intentionally. AStern Jun 27 #78

Have been watching it for decades - TBF Jun 27 #66

Corporate McPravda Echo Chamber Kid Berwyn Jun 27 #67

Absolutely true. n/t SpankMe Jun 27 #68

Absolutely correct. A middle-of-the-road stance is considered communist by MAGAts and their media outlets. Martin68 Jun 27 #72

I think the MSM has different standards Mosby Jun 27 #95

Yes. Some do not want to know why politicians support a bill or not. $$$$ Passages Jun 27 #98

Totally agree ILikePie92 Jun 28 #102

The Left and Center-Left hasn't changed much. But the right has gone off the deep end to fascism. CousinIT Jun 28 #103

Called being hypocrites. Brainfodder Jul 2 #105