There’s no need to be glib. Judging by your comments, you do not believe a better future is possible and are resigned to working with whatever the DNC offers you. Your writing seems resentful of anyone trying to make things better as if they are radical dreamers. We’ve seen progressive policies get progressive candidates elected, so I don’t know why you keep implying that America is not ready for these ideas.

Personally, I am not the type of person to lead from the front. I’m a door knocker more than a politician, which is why I’m in the DSA and work with other members to pool our power and get progressive policies passed. There is more than one way to be involved in politics. People like Mamdani or AOC have a wide base of support behind them; they are not changing things alone. Your implication that the only way to be involved in politics is to get elected only serves to discourage people from getting active in politics.

If you are not willing to be an active change to better things, the least you can do is get out of the way.