You know Obama tried to cut Social Security, don't you? Read up on his Catfood Commission. And you know he actually DID cut food stamps too, right? How was he better than Republicans? He only cut food stamps half as much as the Republicans demanded. And he wouldn't cut Social Security as much as Republicans demanded so that ended up not happening at all.

I don't take Caitlin's article as encouragement not to vote, but rather a reminder not to expect much of a difference regardless of which corporate duopoly party we select. Makes it easier to stomach filling in the lesser evil bubbles on our ballots.

As far as lesser evil voting making progressive victories more likely, I completely disagree. Otherwise we would have seen a progressive wave and takeover of the DNC during Obama's presidency. Why didn't that happen? Because Obama and the Democratic establishment used that extra power we gave them to protect themselves and to keep us out. Progressives went nowhere electorally during the Obama years because we were constantly reminded by far too many party loyalists that we must fall in line and support the establishment candidates or else Republicans will take over. And then they used that same power to screw Bernie out of winning the 2016 primary because they knew damn well if he did the DNC would be cleaned out and their gravy train brought to an end.

I would maintain we have a better chance of reforming the Democratic Party and electing progressives now because an out of power Democratic Party has less power over us and is more vulnerable to change. Although, as is evident, they still have far too much power and ability to keep us out. The result is a party that continues to ignore the most pressing needs and wants of the people, needs and wants that if campaigned and governed on would likely lead to a massive blue wave.