Why They Left "The Left"

Tackling The Problematic Aspects Of Modern Leftism

It has come to my attention, as it may have to yours, that numerous individuals on the left, and even the far left, are becoming seduced by the right. Slowly but surely, you may have watched many of your former comrades start regurgitating conservative propaganda. While it may be tempting to denounce these individuals as fraudulent or lacking conviction, it is worth considering a more charitable explanation for their transformation.

When I directly inquire about their increasing affinity for right-leaning perspectives, I often receive responses along the lines of "because the left has lost its sanity." However, upon further exploration, I find that some of their grievances are not entirely unfounded.

On The Pandemic

Let us take the pandemic, for instance. Regardless of one's stance on how Covid-19 was managed by our institutions and governments, it is evident that this issue swiftly became entangled in political positioning. Embarrassingly enough, many concerns voiced by those on the right turned out to be remarkably accurate. The term "conspiracy theory" became a mockery due to how frequently our leaders dismissed valid concerns, only for those theories to later be substantiated as facts.

What we witnessed from the left, for the most part, was an unwavering alignment with corporations and the capitalist-dominated state. While some prominent figures did speak out, they were few and far between, particularly when social pressure reached its boiling point.

The specifics can be debated endlessly, and I am open to such discussions. However, I believe there are three points on which we can all agree:

1. There was a great deal of uncertainty during the initial two years of the pandemic.

2. Our institutions confidently made definitive statements about the topic, influencing both policy and public perception.

3. Some of these absolute statements ultimately proved to be false.

Allow me to illustrate this with the example of the lab leak theory. Many individuals on the right were raising concerns about the possibility of the virus originating from a laboratory, rather than the Wuhan wet market as initially claimed. At the outset, this was dismissed as a "dangerous conspiracy theory." However, as time passed and more information came to light, it became apparent that this theory may have held some validity. To this day, I have observed few individuals on the left who are willing to admit their error in this regard. It is truly unfortunate, as one could easily appear reasonable by doing so.

Concerning Vaccine Mandates

Now, let us address the most divisive issue of all: vaccine mandates. Once again, we witnessed opposition from the right, with proponents highlighting the fact that vaccinated individuals could still transmit and contract the virus. Conversely, a significant portion of the left seemed to revel in the persecution of the unvaccinated, even going so far as to suggest incarcerating them or removing them from their homes. This lack of empathy and class insensitivity not only rendered many on the left callous but also exposed their lack of authenticity.

It is worth noting that if you were reasonably affluent and able to work from home, refusing to get vaccinated posed no threat to your job security. Furthermore, you likely possessed the means to bypass any restricted services by utilizing your financial resources. However, for working-class families living paycheck to paycheck (which comprises the majority of North Americans these days), losing their source of income and grappling with the added challenge of finding work exempt from vaccine mandates would be financially devastating. Many individuals I know personally admit to getting vaccinated out of concern for their livelihood.

Your Body, Their Choice

Another glaring issue is the hypocrisy surrounding bodily autonomy. I distinctly recall a period, which I refer to as "peak clown world," during which individuals on the left argued passionately for bodily autonomy in the context of abortion (particularly during the midterm elections when Roe v. Wade faced significant challenges), but vehemently opposed it when it came to vaccine mandates. It still astonishes me how many people demonstrated a complete lack of consistent principles. The slogan "my body, my choice" rapidly transformed into "my body, my choice, except when it benefits corporations."

This leads me to my next point, one that merits extensive discussion. The left has undoubtedly become aligned with corporations and the government. Those of us who are older, like myself, have observed this profound shift, as we remember the left as champions of free speech, opponents of corporate greed, and challengers of authority. However, in present times, even the most purportedly far-left individuals online staunchly defend censorship, corporate propaganda, and yes, authority.

When individuals choose to distance themselves from the left, I do not immediately castigate them. Unfortunately, my response usually takes the form of, "I don't think this is the right path, but I understand. I apologize for the inadequacies of the left, and perhaps I'll encounter you on the ongoing ideological battlefield."

The Disclaimer That We All Saw Coming

Regrettably, it has become necessary to clarify that this discourse does not constitute an endorsement of the right. As a Marxist, I am well aware of the problematic elements within contemporary conservatism. Whether it involves potential intolerance towards specific groups or their failure to address economic inequality in any meaningful way, I remain convinced that conservatives are ill-equipped to confront the pressing issues afflicting our society.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that highlighting valid criticisms of the establishment has always been an effective recruitment tactic for conservative pundits. That is, of course, until the establishment is helmed by their preferred leader, at which point they suddenly sing its praises and make excuses. Considering both liberals and conservatives to be right-wing, I am not surprised to find this commonality across the spectrum of Western countries. Moreover, it is evident that the wealthy and powerful have no qualms about individuals defecting to the right due to their frustrations with the left. A country shifting further to the right only serves their interests; it does not impede them.

What Is To Be Done?

To address the valid issues plaguing our political and social landscape, several significant changes must be implemented in both our online and offline interactions. Firstly, we must recognize and educate others about the nature of propaganda. On the internet, there is no guarantee that individuals are acting in good faith or without ulterior motives. We inhabit a world teeming with intelligence agencies, battalions of online warriors deployed by defense departments, and countless bots, all working to sway public opinion on various topics. If you encounter a group of anonymous users on Twitter, for example, relentlessly espousing the same talking points, it is entirely possible that these points were disseminated by influential entities seeking to manufacture consent for the ruling class. Considering this reality should not be seen as paranoid or controversial, for it is the world we inhabit.

Two important things everyone needs to ask themselves when engaging with someone on the Internet:

1. Who benefits from the position this person is taking?

2. Are there any positions they have that do NOT benefit that entity?

The left must reevaluate its convictions and reclaim the ability to think critically. Rather than succumbing to societal pressure and blindly accepting prevailing opinions, we should question the prevailing narrative and consider if it truly aligns with our beliefs. In essence, more individuals need to ask themselves, "How do I genuinely feel about this information?" We must also remain open to identifying and speaking out against potential propaganda and hidden agendas while educating one another on how these agendas further the primary objectives of the ruling class. There is no compelling reason to believe that the wealthy and powerful have any concerns beyond money, power, and control. Their actions have consistently demonstrated this fact.

Furthermore, we must engage in more meaningful dialogue and refrain from merely talking at one another. It is challenging to persuade others that our ideas are beneficial when they do not feel heard in the first place. Irrespective of political leanings, it is statistically more likely that the person we are conversing with is approaching the discussion from a genuine desire to contribute to a better world. Assuming the worst about anyone who disagrees with us is a highly ineffective mode of communication.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge that not everyone is aware that they may be unwittingly promoting agendas. Thus, we must become more adept at pointing out such occurrences fairly and with generosity. I, too, could improve in this regard, and I believe many others could as well. After all, all of us aspire to create a better world for ourselves and our loved ones. It is incumbent upon us to demonstrate how our ideas are the most effective means to achieve that shared goal.