'Claiming that there are no significant differences between the two parties is a form of super-ideological gaslighting on automatic pilot.'
Abortion rights, judicial appointments, climate, environmental protection, taxation, racial justice, voting rights, labor rights, LGBTQ rights, misogyny and so many other basic matters are on the line. Yes, the Democrats are often anemic on such issues. At the same time, the Republicans are much worse.
At certain times—which definitely include the next two weeks, through Election Day on Nov. 8—electoral battles come to a decisive fork in the road. In Stanley's words,"Normalization of fascist ideology, by definition, would make charges of 'fascism' seem like an overreaction, even in societies whose norms are transforming along these worrisome lines.... The charge of fascism will always seem extreme; normalization means that the goalposts for the legitimate use of 'extreme' terminology continually move."
Progressives have overarching responsibilities to oppose the corporate power that ushers in oligarchy and also to oppose the far-right forces that lead to tyranny. Focusing on just one of those responsibilities while dodging the other just won't do. It's accurate to say that the neoliberalism of the Democratic Party has been creating and exacerbating conditions that fuel right-wing engines. But at certain times—which definitely include the next two weeks, through Election Day on Nov. 8—electoral battles come to a decisive fork in the road. We will be living with the consequences of this crossroads for the rest of our lives.