You're an anthropology graduate student.
That means you should be aware that a progressive platform doesn't just cover taxes and health care, but also the rights of the people. This includes not just marriage equality but also equal protection for all LGBTQ and people of color. What's more, I'm rather doubtful that (despite his own disability) FDR's platform included support and protection for the disabled.
If you'll recall, FDR's platform did not call for an end to Jim Crow laws. And when it comes to fiscal policy, FDR had almost gotten us out of the Great Depression by 1936, at which time he allowed himself to be swayed by the Dixiecrats to adopt austerity as a fiscal policy...and down we went into the second dip of the Depression.
What's more, when it comes to universal health care, yes, FDR wanted that...but so did both Obama and Biden. Problem is, when the costs were determined, America - the richest nation - couldn't afford it, despite the fact that ALL other first-world nations have it already. Why couldn't we afford it? Because our health care costs are insane. Before we can have universal health care, we've got to FIRST fix the economics of health care in America, from Pharma to the ER to long-term care...you name it. And in order to do that, we're going to have to control SCOTUS, to overturn Citizens United and get big money out of politics by restricting all major candidates to public financing.
In other words, we can't wave a magic wand and get what we want. As much we'd all like to believe otherwise, we still have to work through the political system we have...and the mega-rich are going to fight us every step along the way by buying every politician and judge they can. This isn't a battle, but a marathon, one that's going to take a decade, perhaps longer.
Biden understands that. It's time the rest of y'all came to the same realization.
And when it comes to Debs, if you'll check my post, I referred to only viable candidates, those who truly stood a significant chance of winning the election.
