Whilst I unhappily agree with your class and political analyses, I think the above quote is not a stumbling-block due to the Humpty Dumpty ruling: "...When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less..." , and the sophistry conservatives employ to wriggle around definitions, whilst not excluding plain lies (q.v. Aust Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on nuclear costings). Trump is an infamous dissembler, and as such will use H. Dumpty's quote as axiomatic. The H1B program intentionally sows unease amongst its participants, who nevertheless continue as they see the US as a way to raise the standard of living for the family "back home", much like the gold rushes of California and Australia. The benefits were fleeting but the disadvantages plentiful, additional to the most obvious, racism.
Paraphrasing your conclusion, yes, there is no such thing as broad consensus in left-right politics, and parties such as the Dems & the Aus Labor Party (who tout themselves as a 'broad church') do themselves a disservice by being conservative-lite in their foolhardy attempt to court the centre-right ground. Such tactics end badly with elector drift and ridicule (quite rightly) from conservative forces accusing them of standing for nothing.
I *am* holding my breath waiting for a younger Bernie Sanders, Jeremy Corbyn or Australian Gough Whitlam clone to appear to save the day. It has taken progressive visionaries to shape a civilised world, while the despots and fools who have followed have wrought havoc and destruction. The US is entering such a destructive phase (as perhaps is Australia), and so it is vital at this time for progressive people to build stronger policies and community alliances.
Heaven knows they will be vital for societal cohesion in the time to come!
As always, thank you for your insights.
*NB: I write as an observer from Melbourne, Australia, 2025.
