One more thought. I’m incredibly happy at what DSA was able to accomplish, but to say that WFP and labor groups essentially need to get down or get run over is ridiculous. Besides the fact that WFP has been in this fight for much longer and has proven consistently to be about the right things. The DSA does not have enough power to defeat all of the institutions we face. If we want a better world it will take a broad coalition. We need each other.
Of course it’s my opinion. I just write it. DSA engages in magical thinking. Their statements alternate between saying they can capture the DP or they can move it to the left. This leads to class collaborationist policies rather than independently mobilizing workers in militant action. To me, that’s an obstacle.
This evangelical project sounds very promising Eric. I always thought we needed some sort of capitalism anonymous style group to counter alienation and build belonging.
One caveat: Brad Lander, a Mamdani’s ally who helped get him elected, and was backed by the WFP, won his primary for Congress with the largest differential in New York City.
We need to work with and push the WF to the left. Also, if there is any hope for unions to turn around and grow we need to do a lot of work there.
The way you described Reynoso endorsement tells me you don’t know how the endorsement process at the working families party votes. One chapter wanted Claire Valdez, several organizations representing hundreds of members wanted Reynoso. There’s a reason he got that endorsement.
Great post! Book project sounds promising... Check out Jama Lazerow oldie but solid 1995 Religion and the Working class in Antebellum America. Influential new left theorist Harry Boyte sclc/sncc/sds/nam/dsoc,university.. consistent, radical, religious and unsung. communitarian projects now, but not to overlook debates with Mike Davis, Michael Lerner, Lenin and Lukacs too.
Ooh, thanks great reading suggestions. Can you suggest particular writings from Mike Davis and co on this? Which debates would you suggest tracking down?
I appreciate the emphasis on expanding the base. Discussions/arguments/tirades over what ethnic groups or working class voted for Avila Chevalier or Espaillat or Valdez or Reynosa have limited value when voter turnout is so low.
Excellent rewrite, and even more important, setting a terrific example of comradely discussion and reflection. You're charting entirely new ground on the left: taking criticisms seriously, thinking deeply about them, and addressing them! Who does that? We all owe you for that.
"…the WFP and non-profit leaders’ decision in February 2026 to endorse Reynoso over Valdez — thereby overruling the votes of their own on-the-ground members…"
You answered your own question, and the proof is in the fact that two unions that recently took back control by their rank-and-file did endorse the democratic socialists. Granted, the unions and groups that didn't are rather between a rock and a hard place, since one suspects they're operating from the basis of having to work with the winners, but it should be getting clear by now that they're losing touch with their bases.
I think the Unions are an outdated organization. I’ve been with a union once. What a waste of my weekly fee. I reached out a few times all I saw was impotence.
That’s because with a few exceptions most of them were taken over by the wannabe bosses decades ago. They were still useful, but they switched to convincing the rank-and-file it was as good just getting a piece of the pie as it was owning it. That appears to be changing.
According to the post ops I saw, the working class voted for espaillat, esp in the Bronx. Darializa won the college educated upper west side. Not making a quality judgement here just saying that’s what I read numbers wise.
Excellent post. The old guard is crumbling and finally for good reason. It’s time for unions to get on board or get out of the way.
One more thought. I’m incredibly happy at what DSA was able to accomplish, but to say that WFP and labor groups essentially need to get down or get run over is ridiculous. Besides the fact that WFP has been in this fight for much longer and has proven consistently to be about the right things. The DSA does not have enough power to defeat all of the institutions we face. If we want a better world it will take a broad coalition. We need each other.
You're right; I think the piece was overstated and one-sided, I'm going to make some edits right to reflect these helpful criticisms.
Wow, I was not expecting this type of response. Thanks for hearing me out.
The WFP is a doppelgänger of the Dems. They’re an obstacle to the working class taking control.
That is your opinion, and it’s an incorrect opinion.
Of course it’s my opinion. I just write it. DSA engages in magical thinking. Their statements alternate between saying they can capture the DP or they can move it to the left. This leads to class collaborationist policies rather than independently mobilizing workers in militant action. To me, that’s an obstacle.
Thank you, Eric, for your courage in writing this. You convincingly expressed what for me was in inchoate & uncertain inkling of a feeling!
This evangelical project sounds very promising Eric. I always thought we needed some sort of capitalism anonymous style group to counter alienation and build belonging.
sounds like these unions need a class struggle reform slate like the uaw had!
Excellent article. I agree.
One caveat: Brad Lander, a Mamdani’s ally who helped get him elected, and was backed by the WFP, won his primary for Congress with the largest differential in New York City.
We need to work with and push the WF to the left. Also, if there is any hope for unions to turn around and grow we need to do a lot of work there.
The way you described Reynoso endorsement tells me you don’t know how the endorsement process at the working families party votes. One chapter wanted Claire Valdez, several organizations representing hundreds of members wanted Reynoso. There’s a reason he got that endorsement.
Great post! Book project sounds promising... Check out Jama Lazerow oldie but solid 1995 Religion and the Working class in Antebellum America. Influential new left theorist Harry Boyte sclc/sncc/sds/nam/dsoc,university.. consistent, radical, religious and unsung. communitarian projects now, but not to overlook debates with Mike Davis, Michael Lerner, Lenin and Lukacs too.
Ooh, thanks great reading suggestions. Can you suggest particular writings from Mike Davis and co on this? Which debates would you suggest tracking down?
Socialist Revolution 1972/Socialist Review 1978, Boyte Backyard Revolution 1980 "acknowledge MD my best critic". Davis NLR 1985 Dems and the Left..
I'm tracking it and will share!
Thank you!
Boyte, another anti-Marxist lauded by the ruling class. Good grief!
Really appreciate the edits you made to this and the perspective you ultimately landed on, it feels really generative and productive.
I appreciate the emphasis on expanding the base. Discussions/arguments/tirades over what ethnic groups or working class voted for Avila Chevalier or Espaillat or Valdez or Reynosa have limited value when voter turnout is so low.
Very good. and it fits nicely with my 'Six-Party System Hypothesis, version 6.0, which I'll release in a week.
Excellent rewrite, and even more important, setting a terrific example of comradely discussion and reflection. You're charting entirely new ground on the left: taking criticisms seriously, thinking deeply about them, and addressing them! Who does that? We all owe you for that.
Thank you for being open and undogmatic. Yes, we need to work together.
"…the WFP and non-profit leaders’ decision in February 2026 to endorse Reynoso over Valdez — thereby overruling the votes of their own on-the-ground members…"
You answered your own question, and the proof is in the fact that two unions that recently took back control by their rank-and-file did endorse the democratic socialists. Granted, the unions and groups that didn't are rather between a rock and a hard place, since one suspects they're operating from the basis of having to work with the winners, but it should be getting clear by now that they're losing touch with their bases.
Everybody is pro union til the union disagrees with them
I guess.
I think the Unions are an outdated organization. I’ve been with a union once. What a waste of my weekly fee. I reached out a few times all I saw was impotence.
That’s because with a few exceptions most of them were taken over by the wannabe bosses decades ago. They were still useful, but they switched to convincing the rank-and-file it was as good just getting a piece of the pie as it was owning it. That appears to be changing.
You’d be guessing wrong.
According to the post ops I saw, the working class voted for espaillat, esp in the Bronx. Darializa won the college educated upper west side. Not making a quality judgement here just saying that’s what I read numbers wise.
Ending Corporate Welfare includes impotent nonprofits 🥳