The Big Tent
How Purity Tests have Brought Us to the Brink
Earlier today I got into a beef with two women over the purity tests of the Progressive Left. MY values have not changed, but the progressive wing of the Democratic Party seems to have had its collective brain eaten by zombies.
I am, in fact, as progressive as I ever was. I have been doing this for a very long time. When I was 12 I tried to run away to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. 57 years ago.
There are just too many issues in play at this moment. I don’t want to get into all or even most of them. I don’t have the bandwidth. I am at the point where I don’t need your identity stuff, as long as you identify as pro-democracy, pro-eco-sanity, anti-oligarchical-capitalist, and anti-authoritarian regime.
I am not looking to alienate potential allies with purity tests, and it’s OK if we disagree on a bunch of things as long as we agree on what I just laid out. I would prefer to keep the conversation to these points of agreement anyhow.
And that is the issue with public displays of identity. It is always around a wedge issue. Whatever you identify as--it’s fine. But focusing on that identity is also a way to fracture support so that no real work ever gets done. We are not here to debate gender. We are not here to debate Israel. Those are just a few flash points. There are plenty more.
Right now, I don’t care if you were MAGA till two days ago and something snapped in you. If we are to regain democratic control of this country, if we are to restore the rule of law, it will take a HUGE coalition. Including people with whom any one of us might have powerful areas of disagreement. Even people we don’t like.
The house is on fire. My only question is whether they are packing a water hose--or a gasoline can. There must be room for us all. It is the only way we win. And the ritualistic airing of our differences will make sure it doesn’t happen.
In the last election the undecideds were as culpable as the MAGA for the outcome. The ones yelling “Genocide Joe” (or Kamala). The ones who sat it out because Harris embraced the Cheneys when they turned against the main force of their own party. That is what it means to have a broad coalition.
She understood that. Too many of us did not. We CLAIMED to understand the assignment. But did we? How many sat home due to being offended when or another of their sacred tropes were violated?
Now, we must fight, shoulder to shoulder with ANYONE who shares our goals. When we are free of the tyrant we can hash out the rest--democratically and fairly.
Annabelle Ascher: Your Big Tent is exactly, precisely where we need to be.
We need broad alliances to win the House, the Senate and the Presidency with people who are imperfect but who embrace the core principles of Constitutional Law, the Rule of Law, Due Process of Law and the worth of each human being — no exceptions.
Humanity is diverse, but the core values are essential for a Republic, a Democracy with Liberty and Justice.
With core values in common, diversity adds considerable light and reason to resolution of societal issues and problems.
Your column is right on point, and this is the only rational path forward in 2026 for effective resistance.
Simply as women we have more in common than differences Annabelle. I discovered that Lin a pre Christmas line that appeared to be
Infinite. The women sandwiching me were I suspected both maga. However, after beginning a conversation, we began to laugh, making quips etc…
It was only after making a comment on the released Epstein files a few hours before that a little chasm opened as their phones flew out and fingers darted. ‘Are they from his Island?’ One asked. I demurred.
I tried to smooth it over as best I could by saying, ‘I felt badly that it might be hard for his supporters as more was revealed’. Of course, it was slightly if not a much more disingenuous comment in my long view, but I had quickly become fond of my fellow human beings.
I’m obviously an optimist hoping at least one might rethink her support.