Found this graph online for anyone who might still be confused. I think this makes it much more clear.

  • SwingingTheLamp@piefed.zip
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    3 days ago

    It depends. We Americans have been propagandized against “socialism” and “communism” for over a century, so in media discourse, this might be the political spectrum. But when polled on issues, apart from party identity, Americans support policies far to the left of any politician. Universal health care is perhaps the canonical example.

    • fizzle@quokk.au
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      3 days ago

      Yeah but how can you elect progressive representatives if the population is not progressive.

      • SwingingTheLamp@piefed.zip
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        3 days ago

        There’s some good evidence that Sanders would’ve won. And Mamdani did. The population can be progressive when progressive candidates are allowed to run.

        • fizzle@quokk.au
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          3 days ago

          You’re saying the population is more progressive than the candidates the dems put up? That’s quite the claim.

          • SwingingTheLamp@piefed.zip
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            3 days ago

            And a trivial one to verify, since a 2024 poll found 62% of Americans support a single-payer health care system. And, recall that same-sex marriage achieved majority public support before Democratic leaders, like Obama and Clinton, shifted their stances to support it.

          • Trying2KnowMyse[they@lemmy.ml
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            3 days ago

            Do you think that Trump won because the democrats didn’t alienate enough minorities? Maybe they weren’t supportive enough of genocide? cringe

      • booty [he/him]@hexbear.net
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        3 days ago

        I see you stopped reading after the second sentence of the comment you replied to. I present you with the rest of the comment, which I implore you to now read:

        But when polled on issues, apart from party identity, Americans support policies far to the left of any politician. Universal health care is perhaps the canonical example.