“We Believe in the Collective!” – Kamala Harris Channels Communistic Rhetoric at United Auto Workers Union Hall in Detroit
Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking at the United Auto Workers (UAW) Union Hall in Detroit on August 8, made headlines for her rhetoric that appeared to echo principles more commonly associated with collectivist ideologies.
In her address to the modest crowd, Harris repeatedly emphasized the importance of collective action, a message that has sparked criticism from conservative commentators who view it as a troubling embrace of communistic ideas.
Harris’s Remarks: A Call for Collective Action
Harris’s speech focused heavily on the concept of collective power, a theme she reiterated throughout her address. “We believe in the collective!” she proclaimed, rallying the union workers in the hall. Harris framed collective action as essential to achieving economic justice and protecting workers’ rights. “When we come together, we have the power to change the trajectory of our country,” she stated, underscoring her belief in the need for unified efforts to bring about social change.
KAMALA HARRIS: "We believe in the collective!" pic.twitter.com/xW3G6vLZSl
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 8, 2024
This focus on the collective has raised eyebrows, particularly among those who see such rhetoric as veering dangerously close to advocating for collectivism in a broader political sense. The Vice President’s remarks have been interpreted by some as an embrace of an ideology that prioritizes the group over the individual, a stance that runs counter to the American tradition of individual liberty and personal responsibility.
Sparse Attendance Undermines Harris’s Message
Despite the Vice President’s impassioned speech, the event itself was notably underwhelming in terms of attendance.
Reports indicate that only a few dozen individuals showed up to hear Harris speak, a turnout that starkly contrasts with the scale of the venue and the significance of the UAW in American labor history. The low attendance raises questions about Harris’s ability to galvanize the working-class base that the Democratic Party often claims to represent.
Critics have seized upon the poor turnout as a sign of the growing disconnect between the Biden administration and the American worker. The scene of a largely empty hall as Harris delivered her collectivist message has been used by conservative commentators to highlight what they see as a lack of enthusiasm for the administration’s policies among its purported base.
Conservative Backlash: A Troubling Shift
Conservative voices have not hesitated to express their concerns over the Vice President’s rhetoric. The emphasis on collective action, in their view, represents a shift towards an ideology that has historically led to economic stagnation and loss of personal freedoms in other nations. “This is the kind of language you would expect from someone who’s studied Marx, not the U.S. Constitution,” remarked one critic, drawing attention to the potential dangers of prioritizing the collective over the individual.
Harris’s speech has also been criticized for its lack of focus on individual achievement and merit, values that have long been considered cornerstones of American success. The Vice President’s message, some argue, could be seen as an attempt to undermine the principles of self-reliance and individual effort that have traditionally been celebrated in the United States.
A Disconnect with Reality?
The Vice President’s choice of message at the UAW Hall, coupled with the poor turnout, has fueled speculation that the administration may be out of touch with the needs and desires of American workers. While Harris spoke passionately about the power of collective action, the sparse audience suggests that her message may not be resonating with those she seeks to rally.
Furthermore, the timing of Harris’s speech comes at a moment when the American economy is facing significant challenges, including rising inflation and a struggling labor market. Critics argue that rather than offering solutions to these pressing issues, the Vice President’s focus on collectivism is a distraction from the real economic concerns that are impacting American workers.
The Broader Implications
Harris’s speech at the UAW Hall in Detroit has sparked a broader conversation about the direction of the Biden administration and its approach to economic and social issues. The Vice President’s embrace of collective action as a central theme has led to concerns about the administration’s potential drift towards policies that prioritize the group over the individual, a shift that could have far-reaching implications for the country’s future.
As the 2024 election approaches, Harris’s speech may serve as a rallying point for conservatives who are increasingly alarmed by what they see as the administration’s leftward tilt. The rhetoric of collectivism, once considered fringe, appears to be making its way into mainstream political discourse, raising questions about the future of American values and the role of government in citizens’ lives.