Let’s not allow our intelligence to be undermined. It is offensive to me every time I hear that Kamala Harris lost because of the economy. It is racism and sexism, period.
Trump won for reasons we all know! Kamala should have.
Podcasts (Video — Audio)
Summary
The video critiques the claim that Kamala Harris hypothetically lost an election due to economic issues, arguing that this reasoning is a smokescreen for racism, sexism, and oligarchic manipulation. The speaker highlights the successes of the Biden-Harris administration, including economic recovery and job growth, and condemns the justification of support for Trump, a convicted felon, over a qualified candidate like Harris. The video calls for honesty in addressing systemic inequities and urges collective action to promote a progressive message.
Key Points
- The economy under the Biden-Harris administration shows a strong recovery with job and manufacturing growth.
- Structural capitalism—not government policy—is the root of ongoing economic inequality.
- Racism and sexism significantly shape voter behavior and the narrative around Kamala Harris.
- Trump’s track record reveals failures, yet some voters still support him due to cultural grievances.
- The video calls for spreading progressive messages to combat misinformation and systemic oppression.
Progressive Summary
This video underscores the urgent need to reject racist and sexist excuses for political outcomes and instead focus on the broader systemic failures and inequities driving division. It highlights Kamala Harris’ achievements while calling out oligarchic forces’ deliberate manipulation of public opinion. Progressives must seize this moment to unite Americans around policies promoting equity and justice for all.
The argument that Vice President Kamala Harris lost a presidential race because of the economy is both disingenuous and harmful. Such claims ignore the nuanced realities of America’s political landscape while perpetuating the systemic biases that continue to divide the electorate. To suggest that Trump’s victory, hypothetically, would have been driven by economic dissatisfaction is to overlook the deep-seated racism, sexism, and oligarchic manipulation that have plagued American politics for decades.
The Economic Argument: A Convenient Excuse
It is patently false to claim that the economy would have been a decisive factor in a Harris defeat, especially given the hypothetical scenario described in the transcript. By the measures often touted by economists—rising 401(k) balances, declining inflation, booming infrastructure investment, and significant gains in manufacturing and job creation—the economy under the Biden-Harris administration has been robust. While not all Americans have benefited equally, blaming the administration for structural inequalities rooted in capitalism itself is disingenuous. This narrative shifts the blame from systemic failures to a scapegoat, absolving the real culprits: corporate greed, tax loopholes for the ultra-rich, and decades of neoliberal policy.
Furthermore, to argue that voters would have chosen Donald Trump, a man convicted of various crimes and with a history of financial and moral failures, over Harris because of economic dissatisfaction is laughable. Trump’s economic policies, which disproportionately benefited the wealthy, left the middle and working classes in worse shape, as evidenced by the widening wealth gap during his tenure. The claim that Trump appeals to the “economically disaffected” ignores the reality that his support base often overlaps with voters motivated by cultural resentment, racism, and a desire to uphold patriarchal structures.
Racism and Sexism: The Unspoken Truths
The video points out the uncomfortable truth: racism and sexism remain deeply embedded in American political decision-making. As a woman of color, Kamala Harris faces a unique and often insurmountable double standard. The media and political commentators have consistently scrutinized her more harshly than her male counterparts. Her qualifications, accomplishments, and proposals are often downplayed or dismissed, while her identity is weaponized against her.
The “economic trope” used to rationalize Trump’s hypothetical win is not just misleading; it is a smokescreen for the biases many voters are unwilling to confront. Polls and studies consistently show that racial resentment and sexism are significant predictors of support for Trump. For example, a 2017 analysis by Thomas Wood in The Washington Post found that voters who scored high on measures of racial resentment were far more likely to support Trump, even when controlling for economic factors. The same can be said of sexism, which has been a persistent force in American politics, as evidenced by Hillary Clinton’s loss in 2016 despite her undeniable qualifications.
The Role of Oligarchy and Plutocracy
Beyond the biases of individual voters, systemic forces play a significant role in shaping electoral outcomes. The United States operates under what many scholars have labeled an oligarchic or plutocratic system, where the interests of the wealthy few dominate policymaking and public discourse. Corporate-owned media outlets often amplify narratives that serve the interests of the elite, creating division among working-class voters and distracting them from the true sources of their economic struggles.
This divide-and-conquer strategy is a hallmark of oligarchic rule. By pitting different demographics against one another—white working-class voters versus people of color, rural versus urban residents—the plutocracy ensures that the focus remains on cultural grievances rather than economic justice. In this context, Harris, who has championed policies like child tax credits, affordable housing initiatives, and business incentives, threatens the status quo. Her potential to unify diverse coalitions of voters is precisely why she faces such relentless opposition.
A Call to Action
As progressives, it is imperative to reject these false narratives and confront the underlying biases. Blaming Harris’ loss on the economy not only ignores reality but also perpetuates the systems of oppression we seek to dismantle. Instead, the focus should be educating voters, challenging corporate media narratives, and building coalitions that transcend racial, gender, and class divides.
Progressives must double down on messaging to achieve this, highlighting the tangible benefits of policies championed by leaders like Harris. The Biden-Harris administration’s accomplishments, from infrastructure investments to expanded social programs, offer a compelling case for progressive governance. However, these achievements must be communicated in a way that resonates with everyday Americans, countering the misinformation spread by right-wing propaganda and corporate media.
The myth that Kamala Harris lost due to economic dissatisfaction is a convenient lie designed to obscure the regressive forces at play: systemic racism, sexism, and oligarchic manipulation. Until these truths are confronted head-on, the cycle of division and exploitation will continue. Progressives must rise to the challenge, armed with facts, empathy, and a commitment to justice for all.