You know, when Biden was in charge, I didn’t really keep tabs on his escapades—or misadventures, if you want to call them that. I was too busy living my own life, right? But now that we’ve got to keep an eye on Trump because, let’s be real, he’s kind of a train wreck, I figured it’s only fair to take a look back at Biden as well. So, here’s what I found while digging into it a bit.

Opinions on Biden’s failings are all over the place. It seems like experts and commentators can’t agree on much, but a few common gripes keep popping up:

  1. Inflation Woes: A lot of folks are saying that some of the policies under Biden helped push inflation up, especially after the COVID-19 relief checks. They claim it spurred demand without the supply to back it up.
  2. Afghanistan Fiasco: Remember that wild exit from Afghanistan in August 2021? It was messy as hell. Critics were all over it, pointing out how fast the Taliban took back control and how bad things got for people over there.
  3. Border Troubles: There are still huge issues at the southern border. Critics are shouting about the surge in migration and how tough it is to handle asylum claims. Clearly, things aren’t working as they should.
  4. Bipartisan Struggles: Biden came in promising to unite everyone, but he’s had a tough time getting Congress to work together on big stuff. Not exactly smooth sailing.
  5. Communication Issues: Experts have mentioned that the Biden administration hasn’t been the clearest when it comes to what they want to accomplish and what they’ve done, and that’s hurt how folks see them.
  6. Climate Change: Even though Biden pushed for climate change action, some environmental activists feel like his plans haven’t matched the urgency that the crisis demands, especially with fossil fuel policies.

But here’s the kicker: you won’t find anything about wealth redistribution, Marxist ideas, or communist tendencies in his actions. Why is that? Because when you look closely, he’s actually a lot more American than some of his critics claim, who are all about that Russian support.

So, let’s dive into Biden’s failings a bit more. It’ll make for some entertaining storytelling and good ideas to chew on. I can’t just let the Democrats off the hook, either. We’re not “Occupy Democrats.” We’re Occupy 2.5! We were out there on the streets in 2011, and we’re still fighting for the working class. This class war is far from over, which is why it’s only fair to hold Joe Biden and others accountable too.

This is what we’re looking at right now. In an article called Democratic Party Leaders Rising in the Ranks from The Guardian, they dive into the up-and-coming stars in the Democratic Party. It’s all about the folks who are starting to make waves and could really shape the party’s future. They spotlight their backgrounds, the big issues they’re fighting for, and how much sway they might have in the next elections. The piece also chats about how the party is changing as it faces different challenges and opportunities, highlighting this fresh generation that’s ready to rally grassroots support and push for progressive change. Just for the sake of saying this, we don’t see a real third party on the rise, but we will look at the Green Party, too. But that’ll be in another article1.

Here are the candidates for careful examination:

  1. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – A U.S. Representative from New York, Ocasio-Cortez is known for her progressive stances on issues like climate change, income inequality, and healthcare reform. She gained national attention when she won her primary against a long-standing incumbent in 2018.
  2. Gavin Newsom – The Governor of California, Newsom is recognized for his leadership on progressive policies, including healthcare and climate change initiatives. Before becoming governor, he served as the Mayor of San Francisco and the Lieutenant Governor of California.
  3. Jamaal Bowman – A U.S. Representative from New York, Bowman is a former school principal and a newcomer to Congress, elected in 2020. He focuses on education reform, healthcare access, and social justice issues.
  4. Katie Porter – A U.S. Representative from California, Porter is known for her fierce questioning during congressional hearings and her focus on consumer protection, corporate accountability, and housing affordability.
  5. Nina Turner – A former Ohio State Senator and a prominent activist, Turner has been a vocal supporter of progressive causes, including Medicare for All and voting rights. She has also run for Congress in the past.
  6. Pete Buttigieg – The U.S. Secretary of Transportation and former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Buttigieg gained national fame as a candidate in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. He’s recognized for his focus on infrastructure, urban development, and LGBTQ+ rights.
  7. Rashida Tlaib – A U.S. Representative from Michigan, Tlaib is a vocal advocate for progressive policies, including social justice, healthcare reform, and environmental sustainability. She was one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress.
  8. Stacey Abrams – An influential politician and activist, Abrams is known for her work on voting rights and efforts to increase voter registration, particularly in Georgia. She gained significant recognition for her campaigns for governor in 2018 and her role in mobilizing voters in the 2020 elections.

And look, not a single communist in the bunch. This should be interesting.

  1. “Democratic Party Leaders Rising in the Ranks.” The Guardian, 26 Dec. 2024, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/26/democratic-party-leaders. ↩︎

Getting Real

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – A U.S. Representative from New York, this gal’s a force to be reckoned with. She’s all about shaking things up, tackling issues like climate change, income inequality, and healthcare reform. You know what? She’d make a hell of a president! We need some fresh blood in there—us old farts have really messed up the system. It’s gotta work for everyone, not just a select few. Trump? He’s not doing any of us any favors; he’s just handed us the chance to rebuild better. And Elon? Yeah, he should go back to launching rockets or something—ever since teaming up with Trump, he’s put a big ol’ target on himself with all this nonsense. We’ve had enough of the shenanigans; let’s get serious about fixing this place!