Americans reject complicity

In Capitalism

Biden Gives Concession Speech Advocating for Supporting Trump

Biden's concession speech seems to put him in alignment with Trump’s ideals, drawing unexpected comparisons.

Kamala Harris chose not to face her supporters directly at Howard University, her alma mater, instead giving her concession speech the following day after her call to President-elect Donald Trump. The shock must have been quite jarring, forcing a campaign built on performative gestures to so abruptly yield to reality. Biden delivered a speech today that, while seemingly vague, sent a clear message to the American oligarchy that everything will continue as usual. He framed the American voting system, rooted in the historical injustices of slavery and genocide, as a "contest of competing visions," adding that "defeat does not mean we are defeated." He urged his supporters not to forget the administration's accomplishments.

The Biden administration owes a substantial amount of its achievements to Bernie Sanders' insurgent campaigns, which pressured them into adopting more popular policies. Yet, Biden’s tenure often seemed more focused on dimming the public’s hope for significant change. In that context, he seemed genuine in encouraging Harris to be proud of her campaign, which his aides forcefully aligned with his own legacy. His praise of her character hints at a mutual confidence that they will both keep their shared secrets, as is typical in these circles.

Biden offered some advice on the peaceful transfer of power, even as it moves to a figure like Trump, who previously attempted a coup without facing any lawsuits, investigations, or even widespread alarm. He called American democracy an “experiment” that only works if people stay engaged. Yet, his encouragement to work with Trump, whose Project 2025 seeks to restrict freedoms, seems like advice directed more toward the ruling class than the average citizen. Biden insists this election demonstrated an "honest, transparent, and fair" system, although 15 million Democrats sat out, seemingly disillusioned by an administration that prioritized military interventions abroad and held controversial stances on key issues.

Fewer Americans Vote, but More Latinos Vote Like White Americans

Tens of millions of Americans chose not to vote, perhaps resigned to whatever fate the "experiment" would deliver. This abstention likely reflects a sense that, regardless of choice, the nation would continue its cycle of crimes and injustices, both domestically and internationally. Trump and figures like Elon Musk actively courted male support, yet 3 million fewer Republicans voted in this election cycle. Meanwhile, Harris is projected to have received 20 million fewer votes than Biden did in 2020, marking an even more decisive loss than Hillary Clinton's in 2016, where she still won the popular vote.

Trump’s victory evokes memories of Bush’s 2004 comeback, though with the added weight of a presidency between, making this triumph feel even more definitive. While America isn’t fully embracing Trump’s provocative rhetoric, there is an apparent, sweeping rejection of the Democratic Party as a cult of detached elites. Worse, Democrats appear more focused on preventing people from helping themselves than offering genuine solutions.

The Aftermath: An Unmoved Consultant Class

The Democratic Party’s consultants will likely come out unscathed, having raised and spent millions more than Trump while padding their own bank accounts. For their class, the weakening of American democracy is irrelevant. Blame and punishment will fall on the disenfranchised voters, who were disregarded by the party from the outset. Bernie Sanders has long faced criticism from the Left, despite being one of the few political figures to inspire genuine hope for change. Even his role in pushing through the Build Back Better bill and advocating within the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee was met with backlash for being too incremental. His stance on Palestine remains contentious as America’s dismissive approach to the issue continues, with mainstream media often ignoring his impact outside his role as an “oddity” in American politics. Sanders understands the problem that contributed to this loss: the Democratic Party's abandonment of the working class has led the working class to abandon them.

Americans didn’t choose “America First” rhetoric, nor did they endorse neoliberal policy failures. They chose themselves, their communities, and the global population equally trapped on this planet. Any participation in this system, I argue, reflects more trust and respect than it truly deserves. Tens of millions of Americans agreed, choosing instead to withhold that respect, bringing their involvement with the electoral system to a definitive end.