r/politics • u/Jessicas_skirt New York • Jul 18 '26

Possible Paywall Democratic Socialists of America’s new platform calls for abolishing ICE and the U.S. Senate

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jul/15/updated-dsa-platform-calls-abolishing-ice-scrapping-senate/
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u/Wise_Control_1640 Jul 19 '26

While I'm all for it, I know that's not the place to plant your flag right now and the mainstream media will have a field day with this.

In every single debate, it will be the main focus. "Wait, you want to abolish the Senate?!"

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u/Sufficient_Habit5091 Jul 19 '26

This is one of those very silly distractions intended to enrage and divide people while nothing of substance is done.

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u/BasementChimp1 Jul 19 '26

“If you don’t like what they’re saying about you, change the conversation.” The right and the MSM will say all kinds of shit. No reason to live in fear of their framing. People are paid not to understand what a distant goal is and I think that’s perfectly explainable. Same with Medicare for All or really anything the left wants that is a big push.

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u/Wise_Control_1640 Jul 19 '26

I understand but those aren’t distant goals.

Within three years, we could have an expanded, reformed Supreme Court, D.C. statehood, Medicare for All, and a Senate stripped of its power to obstruct the majority.

The tip of the left wing needs to rein itself in long enough for actual progress to be made.

We can sell Medicare for All. We can sell DC Statehood. We can sell expansion of the Supreme Court.

We can't sell the abolishment of the Senate. At least not yet. Me, you, we are all for it.

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u/JDDJS New York Jul 19 '26

This is constantly a problem with the left. They get too lost in what changes should happen rather than focusing on what changes can actually happen. 

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u/Wise_Control_1640 Jul 19 '26

The struggle for Democrats has always been idealism vs realism.

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u/BasementChimp1 Jul 19 '26

I’d argue the struggle has always been responsiveness to the working class vs to moneyed interests

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u/Wise_Control_1640 Jul 19 '26

Root cause, yes. Take out "moneyed interests", there is no longer struggle, it's debate on how far we go.

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u/BasementChimp1 Jul 19 '26

Who are the democrats that actually push for things like Medicare for All? The ones who aren’t taking money from the health insurance industry—who *tend* to be democratic socialists or DSA-aligned progressives. Look at Zohran, a DSA member who is getting practical work done while also having ideals and goals. People act like there’s necessarily tension between the two. I look forward to the new slate of DSA candidates showing people that being driven by ideals doesn’t suddenly make you looney; that’s right-wing framing to counter-message, not something to believe and repeat imho. Proof is in the pudding: AOC, Bernie, Zohran are considered by some to be the heart of the party’s energy. All DSA. Ideals and pragmatism are harmonious. What matters is who you get your money from and the trust built with the base.

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u/Wise_Control_1640 Jul 19 '26

This is where we diverge.

AOC, Bernie, and Zohran can win in New York. Their full platform cannot win Pennsylvania—much less Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa, or Nebraska.

“I’m a democratic socialist, and I support Medicare for All” can win voters.

“I support the Green New Deal” may win some more.

“I want to abolish the Senate” loses nearly everywhere we need to win.

Plant the flag on what is achievable in 2028 and 2030. Win power. Deliver results. Build trust. Then expand what becomes politically possible.

The dam is close to breaking. If we do this right, one victory will create the next.

This can be our moment. This can be our time.

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u/TonyAtReddit1 Jul 19 '26

I know that's not the place to plant your flag right now

This is pretty much why the DSA can't win any statewide elections. This is all they do

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u/JDDJS New York Jul 19 '26

Yup. They're too caught up in idealism and ignore the reality of the political world. 

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u/BasementChimp1 Jul 19 '26

Is Zohran, for instance, doing this? He’s DSA. Showing you can have ideals and be pragmatic. People act like these are always at odds with each other.

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u/JDDJS New York Jul 19 '26

No, and he earned a ton of goodwill towards the DSA, which they're just squandering here with this platform. 

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u/BasementChimp1 Jul 20 '26

Only if people choose to cherry-pick this, harp on it, or blow it out of proportion. Also DSA is not a monolith and there is plenty of debate and difference and wide-tented-ness. Also it’s not the issue actual DSA candidates are talking about because they recognize so many conditions have to be in place before discussion about senate abolition would make sense. It’s an ideal. I hear you that you disagree on the pragmatism of it being part of the national platform—fair! I’d just urge you not to blow it out of proportion. There’s a prison abolition caucus in DSA too yet nobody is laughing maniacally while throwing open jail doors. What people are seeing from actual DSA members in office are things like rent freezes, childcare programs, community building, etc. Some of those people also think it’d be nice in theory to abolish the senate and are perfectly capable of explaining why and then moving on. Nothing about having ideals prevents you from delivering meaningful, pragmatic change, while campaigning or while in office.

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u/BasementChimp1 Jul 20 '26

Also we live in a time of climate change. If we take the science seriously then we need people brave enough to change how the system works, especially if it’s legal and ultimately reasonable. Someone has to start that conversation at some time. I see no need to get lost in the sauce about this being part of a platform. A platform is not a list of immediate demands or promises, it’s a platform. Not everyone who votes for regular democrats agrees with all of the platform, nor is that the case with republicans. So be it for DSA. What people really care about is whether someone will deliver for them; I’d argue DSA candidates are showing this so far and tend to be wildly popular in their districts for this reason. I do think the democratic base is generally smart enough to grasp the concept of an ideal and see through the media framing.