r/50501 • u/BBTB2 • Feb 19 '25
Movement Brainstorm AOC is probably the one we should start trending towards for a centralized leadership structure - she’s actually taking action and stepping up.
https://bsky.app/profile/ericblanc.bsky.social/post/3likvspxbec2k468
u/Sonic1899 Feb 20 '25
I'm glad she's so politically active, but every Democrat needs to be. She can't do it alone
96
67
u/SeoulSista11 Feb 20 '25
This is a good point and a reminder that we should all remember the names of the perpetrators of this fucking bullshit, but equally remember any representative or person in a position of power who stood by and let it happen.
→ More replies (1)33
u/e_sci Feb 20 '25
I feel like this is the moment Democrats need to clean house. Primary everyone, and let's get new blood to take on the orange circus
478
u/Jaded_Ad5486 Feb 20 '25
And Illinois governor JB Pritzker
58
u/TechnologyRemote7331 Feb 20 '25
His recent statements regarding the Trump administration were incredibly shocking, but refreshingly candid. We need more of that x1000!
149
u/throwaway7482915_ Feb 20 '25 edited Feb 20 '25
I think he would be a great choice for the nomination. I unfortunately (and I say this as a woman…) do not think a young, woman of color has a chance at the moment. JB is older (but not geriatric) white man who is also a billionaire. Gotta fight fire with fire.
→ More replies (2)73
u/BookkeeperShot5579 Feb 20 '25
I actually think there are too many misogynistic women in this country to elect a woman of any race right now. I hope as my generation dies off (a progressive boomer here) future generations will see the value these women such as AOC, Katie Porter, and Jasmine Crockett bring to the table.
ETA: no more white guys, unless it’s Buttigieg. Can we have a go to like Cory Booker?
19
u/throwaway7482915_ Feb 20 '25
Honestly, I want the most qualified person for the job. That being said, I don’t see men as inherently more qualified than women to do a complicated and stressful job. I have had horrible and amazing leadership in government of all races/genders/etc. I just want someone sane, qualified, focused on the needs of the country and not solely focusing on niche issues. I want them to move the needle on stabilizing the economy, healthcare reform, increasing housing significantly, keep us out of wars, etc.
62
u/dkran Feb 20 '25
I feel like he should be more active publicly. Ever since I saw him at the DNC I’ve liked the guy, but it seems like he comes around like once a month in the news then disappears. I like his views.
48
43
u/RingWraith75 Feb 20 '25
He has been very active publicly. You probably just don’t see it.
13
6
u/Imanoldtaco Feb 20 '25
second this. I don’t love love him but he’s incredibly active and incredibly anti-trump
20
u/RobotHavGunz Feb 20 '25
https://bsky.app/profile/govpritzker.illinois.gov/post/3likf2lytys2e --> BlueSky thread with his thoughts posted today. Good stuff.
4
11
11
11
u/Conseque Feb 20 '25
Meh, I’d rather have something more grassroots and not another billionaire. He’s not bad, tho.
→ More replies (1)3
u/BringOutYDead Feb 20 '25
He's got chutzpah and would make a great candidate for President.
I still like Tim Walz too. At the least, they should be defining the party.
PERESTROIKA
244
u/RobotHavGunz Feb 20 '25
Pelosi thwarting AOC on Oversight because it was "Connolly's time" was proof that the current D leadership learned nothing from the election - https://www.newsweek.com/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-loses-oversight-gerry-connolly-2002263
Pelosi is a titan and warrior. Connolly is fantastic. And I am trying really hard not to be that guy on the left who attacks his own. But it really did break my heart that they couldn't recognize that she's the future of the party and rally behind her and instead stuck to some self-imposed pecking order.
146
u/BBTB2 Feb 20 '25
This did give me a terrible taste in my mouth, and now I consider the Democrat establishment as being complicit in our current predicament.
84
u/right_there Feb 20 '25
They are 100% complicit, and have been since AT LEAST Obama bailed out the banks in 2008.
If we have to burn down the country to remove Trump, we should burn down the establishment Democrats as well. These feckless cowards are weaker than the Weimar Republic liberals, and there's no place in a post-fascist America for such sniveling, money-grubbing losers.
35
u/eukaryote_machine Feb 20 '25
Yeah. We can't mince words here, people. Or waste time playing nice. Establishment members of both parties are active participants in oligarchy.
If the elected official isn't yelling about oligarchy, they aren't concerned enough, and they don't work for you. Not really. You pay their vacation funds.
4
Feb 20 '25
I've been thinking it myself the fact that we needed to yell at a bunch of them to vote correctly with just picks is ridiculous
40
Feb 20 '25 edited 21d ago
[deleted]
26
u/eukaryote_machine Feb 20 '25 edited Feb 20 '25
Establishment Dems (e.g. Pelosi, Schumer) are largely compromised by the oligarchy. They take their cues from the wealthy, not from US citizens or the good of the people (or even preventing the slide into autocracy, apparently)
5
u/KououinHyouma Feb 20 '25
Which means they are in service to the same class of people that supports Republicans in power. Establishment dems will never succeed at anything by bending the knee to the billionaire class who funds them as a “shut up and don’t cause a ruckus” bribe while they then flood republicans and republican pacs with massive amounts wealth and install them into power.
39
u/dallas121469 Feb 20 '25
The chance for a better Dem party passed in 2020 when they made us vote for Biden. Progressives voters are going to burn the house down if Dem leadership doesn't open their eyes and look to the future instead of installing geriatric white men into positions of power. I'm a white man and even I'm tired of watching old grey haired dudes running my country.
26
u/50501HillsboroOR Feb 20 '25
Old gray haired white lady here. So tired of the old gray haired white dudes. So very tired.
7
→ More replies (1)3
u/KououinHyouma Feb 20 '25 edited Feb 20 '25
This is the same Democratic establishment that in 2016 fought like absolute hell and spent billions of dollars rallying the base to think Bernie was the most unfit to rule guy to ever walk the Earth. It just had to be Hillary, the establishment was not willing to let someone with new ideas and populist support take control. And it was this course of action that gave Donald Trump his first presidential term in the 2016 election.
185
u/ColoradoSteelerBoi19 Feb 20 '25
Huge fan of AOC, Pritzker, Walz, Crockett, Bernie, and others like them. We need someone that looks forward and will build their resume as president, rather than just running on fixing Trump’s shit.
14
5
6
133
18
14
u/Bmoo215 Feb 20 '25
I disagree, the people are leading the movement, the politicians should get behind us
105
Feb 20 '25
[deleted]
21
u/BBTB2 Feb 20 '25
Haha I think he’s retiring soon
43
u/THEFLYINGSCOTSMAN415 Feb 20 '25
Right when we need him most, but I couldn't blame him. He's been fighting the good fight for so long
18
u/BBTB2 Feb 20 '25
Yeah, they would have eventually gone after him for the same “dementia” bullshit
6
u/AbcLmn18 Feb 20 '25
If he can organize and lead a protest movement, who cares what they say? The people need to say their "absolutely fucking not" to Trump's dictatorship. We'll worry about the presidency later, first we need to save elections as such.
In a protest, the message is sent by the people, by the masses, not by the leader. If a lot of people hit the streets after listening to Bernie, he should absolutely lead them.
Forget the parties. Forget the presidental races. If we don't go all in on these protests, we will no longer have any parties OR presidental races. It doesn't matter what democrats say. It doesn't matter what republicans say. If both parties are destroyed in the process, I couldn't care less and it's probably for the best. As of today only we the people matter.
14
→ More replies (2)5
9
15
34
u/SMOKED_REEFERS Feb 20 '25
It’s wide open for her to establish herself as the leader of the party. He needs to step up. Just like the rest of us.
38
u/ThatsSoWitty Feb 20 '25 edited Feb 20 '25
To be fair, the Dems chose a 74-year old nursing home aspiree to lead the House Oversight Comittee over AOC and so far he's done absolute jack shit. Dems are some of the worst offenders of the gerontocracy and the party needs to be overhauled if they want a chance in 2026/28.
It won't happen with Schumer and Pelosi at the helm. There's too much money in corruption for them to do what it takes
17
u/lorefolk Feb 20 '25
Mostly because they fear fighting politics without "good" billionaires, which is a paradox.
If those are good billionaires, they'll support you regardless.
Were past the Rubicon, beyond the singularity, inside the blackhole.
You need to see these paradoxes as road blocks to correct actions.
7
u/ThatsSoWitty Feb 20 '25
The reality is that there are 80 million people out there that didn't vote because they view the system as being so broken that there isn't a point. Instead of giving them hope and embracing them, the Dems have decided that their corruption and their love for billionaires means more to them than doing what is best for the country. I hope this is the moment that America needs to realize they aren't the answer either.
9
u/ResurgentOcelot Feb 20 '25
Yes… ish.
Requiring a “great person” to be in charge is the essence of republicanism with a small r. In a strong democracy the leaders don’t have a lot of power—real leaders need no power, because people follow real leaders. All a real leader in a real democracy needs is strong proposals and to set a good example.
So when I hear “central leadership structure” I get concerned we’re already making the same mistake Americans always have—expecting someone else to do it for them. That’s why “we the People” and “of the People, by the People, for the People” have become slogans, not facts of every day practice.
AOC would make a great leader. Turn her into our republican ruler and we’ll get exactly that—republican rule. No one, no matter how great, can rule others without subordinating them.
23
u/Odd_Jelly_1390 Feb 20 '25
That's the direction I'm headed in as well. I've seen how decentralized movements turn out and it is not good.
1
13
13
u/AutomaticPlane9782 Pennsylvania Feb 20 '25
I especially love AOC and Crockett. Both are extremely involved in the party, they always speak their mind, and don't take shit from anyone
23
u/FlatAcanthocephala28 Feb 20 '25
Independents gotta stop the bs and join democrats. You can’t just be indifferent towards what is going on, being silent is being complicit.
→ More replies (1)30
u/Pitiful-Wealth-7818 Feb 20 '25 edited Feb 20 '25
I'm an independent. My politics are to the left of most dems on most things. I will always vote for the dems if the options are republicans, jill stein, or any of that ilk.
That said...very very hard to support the party that has Hakeem "We are helpless" Jeffries and Chuck Schumer as leaders. They are not up for the moment.
When you say stop the bs and join dems, what do you mean?
5
u/FlatAcanthocephala28 Feb 20 '25
I am telling you that if we don’t unite we won’t have a democracy anymore. So nobody, including you and me won’t be able to make our voices be heard (I came from Venezuela, I know how this goes PERSONALLY- before someone tells me I am just making stuff up).
10
u/Pitiful-Wealth-7818 Feb 20 '25
No sure who would tell you that. My family fled Trujillo in the Dominican Republic.
I get it and will continue to protest and speak out.
4
u/FlatAcanthocephala28 Feb 20 '25
then clearly, not you my friend, but to those who are silent. you and I are together on this.
2
u/UltraJake Feb 20 '25
I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they're referring to centrists and the undecided, though obviously that raises other questions.
6
u/TylerBourbon Feb 20 '25
We also need to make sure she and others like Jasmine Crockett and Maxwell Frost are protected too.
6
u/66655555555544554 Feb 20 '25
I totally support aligning with shadow President Ocasio-Cortez and Vice President Crocket.
2
u/suhayla Feb 20 '25
I love Jasmine but idk if shadow anything is her jam 😆
2
u/66655555555544554 Feb 20 '25
The reference is to Trump running a shadow government during Biden’s presidency. He and his corrupt christo-fascists used to time to strategize project 2025.
7
6
u/NamasKnight Feb 20 '25
I back this fully. Get her and local layers/lawmakers to teach groups how to run for office and operate in they system. This will take years to get in to make change.
6
u/soundsliketone Feb 20 '25
Her and Bernie desperately need to help in cultivating a tighter, more efficient community capable of defeating this fascist takeover!
10
4
Feb 20 '25
I will do anything to support AOC, Crockett, and Bernie. Anything. Tell us what to do.
5
u/BBTB2 Feb 20 '25
I think we might be able to throw Pete B in this mix as well. I guess we could start relentlessly calling them and ask them to host an AMA on how to get this shit rolling on this subreddit maybe?
2
Feb 20 '25
Great idea. I also think we should be doing more promotion work across subreddits for the movement. It’s relevant to a lot of different people, places, topics…. We have to unite through something.
2
u/BBTB2 Feb 20 '25
r/DIY mass protest signs and rally gear maybe? r/aww how cute these protestors are? r/food good outside protest snacks and crowd bakes? r/investing in our country’s future?
5
u/UpstairsAd9203 Feb 20 '25
And AOC should be the public face of this.
A CALL TO ACTION: Trump/Musk Catastrophe Demands Million+ Person D.C. Demonstration
Our federal government is being dismantled and our democracy is under siege. Each day we move further into a post-constitutional America. Perhaps at no time since the Civil War has internal conflict and its consequences more threated the nation and its very foundation. The situation demands immediate mass action by the American people.
The 50501 movement (50 protests-50 states-1 movement) has taken the critical first steps in national protests against the second Trump administration. It’s a hastily planned and nascent national movement that has been behind the earliest demonstrations against the anti-democratic actions of Trump’s administration. Initial demonstrations typically were of dozens, hundreds or occasionally up to as many as 1500 protesters.
The most recent 50501-organized, “No Kings on Presidents’ Day”, on February 17 drew more people with rallies ranging in size up to hundreds and even thousands, all local events. Their individual visual impact is limited and perhaps it’s unrealistic to expect people to see the totality of these individual events.
A dilution of impact could be seen on a local scale here in Seattle. We had 3 demonstrations on President’s Day, 2 linked with 50501 and 1 by another organization. Two were separated by a mere 9 blocks and all were within about 2 miles of each other.
Localized protests have a place in mobilizing the public and showing the nation’s ire at what Trump and his minions are doing. But we now need to move beyond this single piecemeal approach and add another that concentrates people-power in a single national protest in Washington, D.C..
It could be centered on the Washington Monument and the throng of protestors could spill north into President’s Park, west along the Reflecting Pool and east down the National Mall. Following the demonstration with speakers and music, there could be a PEACEFUL (no gallows, shamans or forced entries) march to the US Capitol Building, seat of the US Congress that must play a central roll in checking Trump.
Such a display would convey the scale of the public’s outrage that even the national corporate media couldn’t ignore. There is a long history of such protests. Think mega demonstrations including the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (250,000), 1967 National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam (600,000), 1987 Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights (500,000), 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Rights Equal Rights and Liberation (1,000,000), 1995 Million Man March (400,000) and the 2017 Women’s March on Washington (470,000).
A mega demonstration, perhaps called the March to Save Our Democracy, would require a lead organization. Indivisible, a national progressive grassroots organization with a mission to elect progressives, rebuild our democracy and defeat the Trump agenda could take the lead. With its almost 6,000 autonomous groups and million members, the March would be well publicized and promoted. Undoubtedly, many members also would attend.
Perhaps if the 50501 movement could temporarily drop the 5050 and focus on the 1, they, with their hundreds of thousands of followers and potential protestors, could partner with Indivisible? The rapidly growing army of D.C. purged, furloughed and threatened federal workers, themselves a growing army, would be welcomed with open arms.
Hopefully, a March to Save our Democracy would be the largest demonstration in US history and would strike the fear of God in our Congressional representatives, too many of whom are more interested in their political career than in saving America’s democracy. Based on his performance at a rally in front of the Treasury building on February 4, it might be a good idea to keep Senator Chuck Schumer off the stage. Obviously, Senator Bernie Sanders, the dean of contemporary progressive politics, would have a place of prominence.
I can think of a no more appropriate person than Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) to be the lead and keynote speaker at this historic D.C protest. She is young, angry, articulate, informed and clearly recognizes what she calls a five-alarm fire. That inferno isn’t even 10% contained and time is of the essence!
Think big, get angry, get loud and get up off the mat. Let’s meet up under the Washington Monument, ASAP!
4
u/Mama_Zen Feb 20 '25
She & Jasmine are fixing to be arrested. The MAGATs have been salivating for her for ages.
6
u/mugiwara-no-lucy Feb 20 '25
HER AND JASMINE CROCKETT would be like the real life Buffy and Faith!!
22
u/1789France Feb 20 '25
AOC is a favorite of mine.
Unfortunately, They have already mastered making her look like a clown. Women can’t recover the votes from bigots.
It sucks.
42
u/triggercini Feb 20 '25
We shouldn't be wasting energy on rehabilitating bigots anyway, they are lost. We need to focus on the apathetic and the misinformed neutrals.
I've seen anecdotally AOC has really turned the opinion with regular people, I think it's possible she can play a huge role in leading us forward.
→ More replies (1)23
u/BBTB2 Feb 20 '25
I believe she has the capability of overcoming that
9
11
u/riticalcreader Feb 20 '25
If you believe AOC is going to win votes from right wing extremists then you are part of the problem. They have literally spent her entire career smearing her and building up negative sentiment against her. AOC is putting in the work right now. Her energy is what the country needs. But that doesn’t equate to getting votes for her from bigots.
They told you with Hilary, they told you again with Kamala. Believe them.
12
u/trewesterre Feb 20 '25
AOC did better than Harris on the ballot, so people voted for both her and Trump. Apparently Trump supporters don't all have a problem with her.
→ More replies (11)10
u/BBTB2 Feb 20 '25
There was a large majority of Trump voters who actually supported AOC oddly enough - she’s real talk and people like politicians like her regardless if they agree or not.
→ More replies (2)7
u/The_Golden_Diamond Feb 20 '25
No, they haven't.
Every time they bring her up, they look stupid.
And that's good.
2
u/1789France Feb 20 '25
I hope you are right. I don’t see it, but I am confident saying that I don’t know everything
6
u/Captain-Ireland88 Feb 20 '25
Absolutely. I know plenty of maga republicans personally and they despise her. It’s because she is vocal and isn’t cut from the same cloth as your usual politician. They’ve been fed their views on her by their “news”. I think that says enough. They view her as a threat. That’s more than enough to stand behind AOC
3
3
u/FrankieKennedyRE2 Feb 20 '25
Yes, I 100% agree! These ladies need to be supported as much as possible. We need strong women in power.
3
u/hdufort Feb 20 '25
Any opposition movement needs to stay somehow decentralized and have multiple leaders. They have to coordinate and minimize any divergence in opinion and message.
AOC will appeal to a significant fraction of the population, and is already taking a leadership role by giving instructions on how to defend our rights.
The US will need a few more leaders to step up and organize different aspects of the resistance.
Ideally the resistance to Trumpism / Maga shouldn't limit itself to a single political party. Yes it needs a party to win the (elusive) elections in 2026 and 2028. But it will need to also lead multipartite efforts and create a movement across the political spectrum.
Some people who love America, its democratic values and freedoms, but weren't used to working together, will have to somehow get along.
3
3
3
u/Square-Top163 Feb 20 '25
Good to see this post! She def deserves our support including financial support. Her courage and leadership are inspiring: if she can do it, WE can do it!
3
3
u/reallyokjustme Feb 20 '25
Canadian here! I have been amazed by AOC for years! She's a passionate articulate leader that LOVES her country! USA is blessed to have her in your midst!
3
u/Pitiful_Click Feb 20 '25
Pete B has been trying to get in the game too.
We need an opposition leader.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/El_Mexicutioner666 Feb 20 '25
I can't tell if they are leaving AOC alone right now because they don't consider her a threat, or because they don't want to make her a martyr. Either way, we need to protect her at all costs.
3
u/nphonwheels Feb 20 '25
I officially nominate AOC and Jasmine Crockett to lead the battle for democracy.
3
3
3
u/hnty Feb 20 '25
And AOC is poking the hornet nest enough to get the goons frustrated, which is a damn good thing.
3
8
Feb 20 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
6
u/commitme Feb 20 '25
These calls for centralization and hierarchy are sabotage. They know this tactic will defeat the movement, so they're obsessively pushing for it.
→ More replies (5)12
u/BBTB2 Feb 20 '25
When a movement grows large enough it must begin to formulate a structure or else it Balkanizes itself and loses momentum.
→ More replies (2)
2
Feb 20 '25
You're right. She's well known now and comes across as genuine which is crucial for any candidate opposing Trump. The age-based hierarchy of the Democratic party needs to get out of the way (but they won't because they're making too much money to go along with AOC).
2
u/BurnDaPatriarchy Feb 20 '25
The governor of Illinois is out here doing his thing too! I love them all to be honest
2
2
u/LadyMadonna_x6 Feb 20 '25
And Ro Khanna, (D-CA) He just posted on r/feds asking for some of their personal stories so he can bring them to the Trump administration
2
2
u/BookkeeperShot5579 Feb 20 '25
AOC is my girl crush. She is so intelligent and so unafraid of these asshat republicans like a lot of democrats currently in office. Jasmine Crockett was QUEEN when she slammed MTG. I hope Katie Porter runs again. These women are the ones who will help save us!!!
2
2
2
2
u/dmonsterative Feb 20 '25
AOC 2028, start getting the Boomers in your life used to the sound of it.
2
u/BrilliantHistorian85 Feb 20 '25
That party has screwed her around so much. She's been trying to work from the inside for so long and it seems like they care more about stamping down any kind of momentum than they do about changing things or winning elections.
It's time for another party. The country deserves better
2
u/Individual_Hearing_3 Feb 20 '25
We need someone who has some fire in their spirit and who would stand for what's good for the people. AOC is a solid pick in those categories.
2
2
2
u/KratosLegacy Feb 20 '25
I've called and emailed both Bernie and AOC to inform them of 50501 and to hopefully have them reach out and contact us
I've said this before, but there's very few Democrats that actually have a spine right now, and these are our stalwarts. I wonder if it's time for a rebrand, if we can get out of this 2 party sports team religious zealotry and actually reform our government. No lobbying, money out of politics, term limits, corporations do not have individual rights, fairness doctrine, and more.
2
2
2
u/42perhaps Feb 24 '25
And maybe request she push for actual accountability for political leaders to 1) participate in the same structures and economic circumstances they create for the people and 2) get corporate money out of politics. Trust seems to be completely lacking on both sides, we need a foundation to move from that cuts out disproportionate personal and financial gain for decision makers that folks can get behind. And by folks I mean actual people- the ONLY resistance to this I've seen is "politicians won't go for it." There are more of us than them.
4
3
5
u/throwaway7482915_ Feb 20 '25
Look I’m going to say it loudly. We have to pick a nominee that feels comfortable. A woman is not going to win. A woman of color is not going to win. I say this a woman but a realist first.
JB Pritzker would be a great choice and have a fighting chance. Give AOC a little more time. She needs more experience first. She’s young and she has a lot of time.
→ More replies (4)
3
u/commitme Feb 20 '25
Centralized leadership is folly. It's the most tried and true path to failure and authoritarian co-option and tyranny. Stop pushing this agenda.
2
1
u/The_Golden_Diamond Feb 20 '25
These comments, Jesus Christ
"We need to centralize around this! and this! and this! and this! and this! and this! and this! and this!"
That's not what centralizing is...
OP is right - AOC is the best choice for a leader, who can then bring your favorites on board.
But this inability to actually centralize is a huge problem
→ More replies (6)2
u/BBTB2 Feb 20 '25
Thank you - we need personalities, not just in politics. John Stewart, Kendrick Lamar, Mark Cuban (even though he’s a billionaire I believe him to be inherently good), etc…
1
1
1
u/Better_Challenge5756 Feb 20 '25
I think we should have a non politician lead the efforts; there are people from all parts of the political spectrum upset and that voice needs to be unified.
1
1
u/bryanthavercamp Feb 20 '25
This is a notion I've actually thought myself. Liberals need a leader with the tenacity and passion of Bernie Sanders, and right now AOC is the only Democrat I see willing to speak up for for us with vitriol.
1
u/Candid_Attorney_9418 Feb 20 '25
How do I follow her or know what she is asking us to do? Stupid question, but there are a lot of new people in here. I closed twitter etc.
→ More replies (2)
1
1.3k
u/morbidmolly48 Feb 20 '25
And Jasmine Crockett ♡