‘Lesser of Two Evils’ Logic Destroyed w/ Eugene Puryear

Trump is beating Biden in the polls in several key swing states. The Democrats have pushed the logic of ‘the lesser of two evils’ argument for years, yet the country has moved to the right. They give voice to many key issues people are struggling with, but their solutions never address the roots of them and often they sabotage their own meager solutions.
Brian Becker is joined by Eugene Puryear, author, activist, and co-host of The Freedom Side LIVE, which airs every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern on BreakThrough News.
Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at / thesocialistprogram . We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

[@karllossemmeddo1832]

NO to Biden NO to Donald Trump. America need young Independent Intelligent President. NOT deranged Ancient Presidents.

[@MichProgNerd]

More like nursing home politicians

[@rosariocannistraro3561]

Even the young politicians in both parties are completely nuts and fully on board with the Empire .

[@Lemmay]

I think Gavin Newsom would be better than Biden.

[@1332knitweardesignhouse]

Dr Cornell West has good ideas.

[@medialcanthus9681]

Jill Stein Green anti war pro worker

[@ladybughummingbird66]

There is no such thing as lesser of the two evil. Evil is evil.

[@oliveoil5789]

Yes there is. One is now a mass murderer.

[@johnlay3040]

@@oliveoil5789 Where does a mass murderer belong?

[@katelynmeaghan3410]

@@oliveoil5789 Every American president is a mass-murderer and a war criminal. Biden, Trump, all of them.

[@theCommentDevil]

Of course there is. Good and evil exist on a spectrum

[@ladybughummingbird66]

Good and evil are different. Good is good. Evil is evil. We can't mix them up. To sugar coat evil.

[@lailamorwat-oq9kf]

Team free Palestine 🇵🇸

[@emmettgrogan4217]

Blockout!

[@6MTH6HRS6EYES9]

🇵🇸✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻✊🏿✊🏾🇵🇸

[@Thatsnotgonnawork]

From the river to the sea

[@anthonyweller3077]

Jill Stein for President

[@anthonyweller3077]

Jill Stein for President

[@nathanb5923]

Eugene’s knowledge and intellect are just utterly mind blowing. This is what you call quality journalism/discourse. His references are superb.

[@TonyNaber]

He basically summarized an entire undergrad political philosophy course in just about an hour. He’s the hero we don’t deserve

[@Lemmay]

Dems are bad, but Reps are definitely worse!! I disagree with Eugene saying Dems are not more humane than Reps. .. Also, Clinton did not "end welfare," as their caption claimed sometime around the one-hour mark. Was it cut by about ⅕?

[@frankb3347]

We're beyond voting for the Lesser Evil. Now they're asking us to vote for the Lesser G-side. This system is irredeemable.

[@badnewsva9348]

Right...because soon as Trump gets in he will assist Israel in its unaliving campaign against Palestine

[@DrDanQ92]

@@badnewsva9348 Nothing geno Joe isn't already doing.

[@xstensl8823]

Vote Green not Greed

[@julieweiner1623]

I lived all these protests. Anti war Vietnam and women’s movement. Woodstock. I see it happening again. It’s bubbling up. Free Palestine 🇵🇸. 3#party

[@kathycollett4318]

You are making total sense. I will vote for Jill Stein. I am done with the ridiculous Democratic Party.

[@bettinachan7432]

Is she on the ballot?

[@abe8435]

@@bettinachan7432I’d like to vote for Claudia De La Cruz and Karina Garcia, but I don’t think they’ll be on my ballot, whereas Greens often are. I prefer the PSL to the Greens, but Greens have a better handle on the procedural (arbitrary, unnecessary, 100% undemocratic) aspects of U.S. politics

[@BriarLeaf00]

​@abe8435 I disagree. The Greens have decades of very tiny marginal success while the PSL has none at all. It's not that I don't agree with a real leftist alternative, but with like half the US population having no real love for capitalism you've got to do better.

[@zahsca]

@@bettinachan7432 She is in enough states to get 253 in the electoral college and currently taking legal action in 4 others to get access, as well as nonlegal in a few other states. The legal actions are the results of the Dem party fighting to keep the Green party off.

[@Jaysmami3011]

Voting for her as well!

[@ferkhani100]

How come more than 300 million people in America only two people can run for president Biden or Trump that’s all that stupid country

[@user-mx8kk4rd2e]

Brainwashing! Corporate news did a job on the masses of us. They make people believe that if you are a Democrat and you vote outside of that political party, your vote is actually for the Republican. That's nuts! My vote is for whomever I cast it for. It's that simple.

[@charlenee2751]

There was an attempt to open elections by cleaning them up and runoff elections. A few states were successful in cleaning up elections. But you push one way and money demands another. When states adopted clean elections as Maine did there was an immediate result as with getting pharmacy out of elections benefited the state right away.

[@Shadidi2]

Exactly. And what's the chance of the same two? Something is definitely off in this country.!

[@TheRealMcCoyAndChipsAhoy]

Exactly.. and for Trump to have even been the president is very telling of the American people

[@amelliangames7365]

Bc they have billionaires funding them and they ruthlessly target and block anyone who challenges their little cartel of power, such as making it hard to get on thr ballot, not allowing debates, suppressing thr vote in various ways, etc

[@daviddipasquale5479]

Never again will I vote for Biden. And never would I vote for Trump. Jill Stein will get my vote

[@MichProgNerd]

Me too

[@anniep6248]

Same here

[@A-qn1le]

Why not Cornel West ?

[@he1461]

Me too

[@adriennebraxton-oq9iu]

@@he1461 u know y

[@ProleCenter]

The differences between democrats and republicans are merely rhetorical and superficial. I think the bottom line best way to look at it is that they're both playing for the same team.

[@joelferguson8714]

Lesser evil is still evil.

[@NonyaSmith]

Nothing but facts. The whole country needs to hear this.

[@allyngharbi641]

Enough is enough how many centuries we are going to have one party election For me both of them they are the same

[@GoldSkye]

And they’re elitist out of touch psychopaths.

[@Cheetah_4_Peace]

Don't see the lesser of two evils here. Both are equal to two evils.

[@user-dw4qn3zc3m]

Vote for third party!

[@consuelopaz401]

Dr. Cornell not doubt

[@christianefiorito3204]

I am 63 and when I was 8 I went with my daddy to my first Anti Vietnam protest. Since then in all elections I have allways voted for the lesser evil. And things got worse and worse and worse. I have enough I will not ever again for any kind of evil.

[@adamrosendahl8090]

The worst thing about America is the political system.

[@perlefisker]

Maybe to an American.To anyone else, it is its chauvinism, exceptionalism, warmongering, sanctions, imperialism.- and hypocrisy.

[@josiealvarado2296]

No to Biden No to Trump! All over Gaza Free Palestine 🇵🇸

[@smeeagain3102]

Choosing the lesser evil is still choosing evil

[@phantoghost-gamerdemon]

THAT’S WHAT I’VE BEEN SAYING BROOOO

[@oliveoil5789]

Except 40,000+ Palestinians didn’t survive four years of Biden.

[@SanLucas-hr8pf]

either one is evil!

[@bettinachan7432]

I don’t think I’m gonna vote this Nov. can’t vote for either one!

[@MicheleTuer]

vote for Jill Stein. Shake things up. Not voting won't send a message or change anything. Wouldn't it be great if all the frustrated people came out and voted for her and she won?

[@Aliabdi22006]

@@MicheleTuer well she has to get on all the ballots because she isn't

[@brucejackson3844]

Another argument against staying home. You give the incumbent a smaller victory but a victory just the same. 7 democrats and 1independent killed the measure to raise the minimum wage in 2021. During the midterm only one senator who cast a no vote was on the ballot in New Hampshire. Had I been a resident I would have voted for the Trump endorsed opposition before reelecting the democrat.

[@christopherhughes2492]

Yes, Sir, Brother! POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

[@JoP444]

Excellent discussion Brian and Eugene. I could listen to you both all day . I hope people realise that if we don't rise and force change now , everyone is screwed ( except the super rich) ✊️✊️✊️

[@GoldSkye]

Too many people are asleep

[@JoP444]

@@GoldSkye yes unfortunately so true even now 😪

[@russjbailey3759]

Trump is complete garbage, but there's no way in hell i'll vote for Joe Biden. Either third party or stay home. Our democracy is a joke anyway

[@JoP444]

Definitely vote third party or Independent, that way you are actively voting against them. If you don't vote at all it's enabling the duopoly. We have same problem in UK but I will not vote for either of our main parties. For every third party or Independent elected , it's one less Democrat or Republican 👍🏻We need to take back the power ✊️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@DennisMerwood-xk8wp]

Your only very small chance of 'saving America' is to hold your nose and vote TRUMP 2024, Russ. Voting for any other candidate is voting against your best interests. More of the sick status quo that you despise.

[@frankb3347]

I'm voting for Stein as I generally like her positions but more importantly as a F U to the Democratic party.

[@GoldSkye]

It’s a corrupt police state ruled by cartels called corporations

[@GoldSkye]

Trump is a Zionist warmonger too. His wars have been covert. Look at Venezuela

[@KirillyCosmicSpacePriestess]

Excellent commentary. I'm voting for the Greens 🌿💚🌏

[@user-vp6fh8gx7z]

Green party

[@LauraKamienski]

Workers have completely lost the legal right to strike. And it's been a relatively surreptitious and covert process. On paper we still have the right to strike, but corporations have the right to bring in scabs and it's illegal to stop them which renders are so called rights to strike impotent by legal standards

[@Giantcrabz]

amnesty for all political prisoners jailed by the bipartisan war machine

[@red_sea]

As always Eugene was 🔥 🔥 🔥! So was Brian. Please show this to anyone who is still thinking about voting for Biden because Trump is a fascist. Fascism is already here!

[@joolst1149]

Folks, I would Strongly suggest you have your passport secured. I have a feeling that this is NOT going to end well. Gawd help us. I don’t mind the Empire going up in flames, it’s the collateral damage that I’m worried about.

[@Aam-xy9vd]

All empires go down eventually, and they all go down the same way, via hubris. And one more interesting historical fact, the standard of living of the average citizen improves in the empire after the empire collapses, the reason for this is that the empire is forced to take care of their own citizens & forced to stop wasting money outside of the empire on the countries that it no longer controls.

[@caylia9989]

Or Move out of the Cities and into smaller communities

[@TVeldhorst]

Its becoming worse in EU as well... US political assholery is contagious..

[@TVeldhorst]

​@@Aam-xy9vd So true. I recommend the awesome podcast series Fall of Civilizations. Absolutely addictive. And you see the same patterns of rise and fall over and over again...

[@0_P.E.]

ALL power to ALL the people! Free Palestine! 🇵🇸✊🏾

[@adelkaderelmallah91]

In that case no matter who wins all of us will be a loser

[@punapeter]

not if it's JILL, WE WIN!

[@DennisMerwood-xk8wp]

@@punapeter JILL got 0.7% of the votes in 2016. And 1.67% in 2020! You can only LOSE by voting for the good Dr.Stein

[@tonidiane6153]

We already are

[@Jaysmami3011]

There is absolutely no thing as a “lesser than two evils” … ive never understood that sentiment

[@juststatedtheobvious9633]

And that's why, in America today, children are forced to give birth to children. It's why torture is mainstreamed. It's why we'll see project 2025 succeed before any reform on the local level happens, to enable larger change. You vote your conscience, because you won't pay the price. It's only about what makes you feel good.

[@Synodalian]

Biden's job is to clear out Gaza and the West Bank. Trump’s job will be to give Kushner a new real estate opportunity. I thank your effort for making the perfect case to guarantee this outcome.

[@thomaskauser8978]

Napoleonyahu ain't up to the task? Trumps job is to send the American poor to eliminate the unruly global weak?

[@dyjaun94]

Biden just keeps doubling down every day. It’s truly dumbfounding how bad he is and continues to be day after day.

[@mikeace5831]

These two parties are A joke

[@coraleibowitz6954]

Thank you Mister Puryear for all the facts, the great exposition of arguments, your dedication to the cause, to justice and your righteous passion. This, from an old 68 warrior (smile)

[@louisesumrell6331]

The lesser of two evils is still Evil . Dump Trump. Say No to Genocide Joe. Vote Green. Jill Stein for President 💚

[@TheRightONe-et3gh]

NOOO!

[@MichProgNerd]

That’s what Jerry Garcia said.

[@anniep6248]

She has my vote

[@punapeter]

@@TheRightONe-et3gh why TROLL?

[@punapeter]

I collected signatures to get her on the ballot in Hawaii so I have a GOOD PERSON to vote for.

[@pyreticskater]

Briaaaan and Euuuugeeeene! Two intellectual behemoths! Great video so far!

[@jackchiu7560]

‘Lesser of Two Evils.’ How pathetic is that? Where are other "brightest minds"?

[@GoldSkye]

America thrives on ignorance and violence.

[@houdiniwho]

Being silenced

[@MichProgNerd]

Excellent discussion gentleman.

[@joebondo2422]

Brilliant conversation 🙏🇵🇸😔

[@sidrissmd]

Eye opener 😢

[@ahagamama]

Correction: The average worker today makes much less than the average worker in the mid '60's. I worked in the travel business in the '60's. Correcting for the value of the dollar, the same job earns less today.

[@thomaskauser8978]

Selling guns, bullets and bombs so you don't need to even think depression thoughts?

[@bonanza27]

great conversation as always fellas. thanks

[@sarachiba6012]

Wow, Eugene ! U'R ON FIRE !!! 💥

[@anandasouthard7760]

I could literally listen to Brian and Eugene talk all day! Great episode!

[@A-qn1le]

Vote for Cornel West.

[@anji_j]

He's got to get on the state ballot first.

[@moniqueboyke5879]

Great video

[@user-hk8ix3nj4s]

Let alone the fact that people can see he is senile and this begs the question who would be the unelected hidden mover behind?

[@user-su5mq6ow6o]

49:20-50:32 This is very key. Many "socialists" in America talk about how great Europe is and how there is a need for democratic socialism and therefore vote for socialist policies but even in Europe worker's rights, universal healthcare, affordable housing, and even things we take for granted now like universal voting were not magically passed by enlightened politicians, but conceded by the ruling class from real struggles. It took decades to achieve these things, but it could take those politicians 5 minutes to remove them with a stroke of a pen. That's why voting doesn't actually matter, unless it's to give strength to a movement whose central focus is direct action and struggle.

[@theCommentDevil]

And sadly not a single third party has that focus. They come around every four years and raise money but they have no interest in local elections or changing anything but who the president is.

[@Dorian_sapiens]

@@theCommentDevil That's not true of every third party. Look into the PSL. They run candidates in presidential elections (Claudia De la Cruz and Karina Garcia are their candidates this year), but elections are not their main focus, so they don't just clock in once every four years. They're on the ground in their communities building the movement 365 days a year.

[@theCommentDevil]

@@Dorian_sapiens thank you I will

[@user-su5mq6ow6o]

@@theCommentDevil I know that in America there is the PSL, but also the WWP and the FRSO.

[@caylia9989]

Jill stein❤

[@consuelopaz401]

I agree with you 1000%Eugene

[@arnystieber732]

Eugene would make a good public official . . Well done!!!!

[@christopherhughes2492]

Solidarity!

[@jennifermaldonado2728]

Preach!

[@abe8435]

I wish Eugene Puryear wrote more big books. Nonetheless, I appreciate his focus and commitment, sharing his depth of perception and clarity of analysis

[@southpaw786]

Thank you Break Through News, Brian Becker and Eugene Puryear for a great show as always. Justice, Justice is the fundamental building block of our collective civilisation. Without Justice we have no civilisation.

[@TonyNaber]

Eugene just casually gave a whole crash course in political philosophy. 10/10 would have you as a professor. Awesome 👏

[@jennifermaldonado2728]

Aligned!

[@ForJusticeForFreedom]

Breakthrough news y’all number 1

[@allyngharbi641]

So happy to see you both

[@oliveoil5789]

Jill Stein needs help gathering signatures in NY right now!! It is imperative she get on the ballot there. Spread the word or reach out to her if you can help. This is so or die for her run!

[@zannis5441]

YES

[@zannis5441]

Spread the news!!!!

[@ukhilali7418]

You know both Devils?!...

[@SaHayes-it2uw]

We are having a lot of difficulties. It’s difficult to afford groceries in the US.

[@thegodferret193]

Very well reasoned, informative discussion. Sharing with my groups. Stay golden. 😊❤

[@RobLobster120]

Absolutely love this show. Absolutely love this channel. Best on the Internet

[@Arewethereyet69]

I want to know under what conditions does the whole "lesser of two evils" not matter anymore? When can Libs say pick either choice because both are good for the people?

[@Lauraly217]

@16:10 I also want to note that childhood abuse went down with added financial support. Data showed less kids with injuries in the ER and less reports from schools of abuse (although some of this was due to COVID isolation). In studies with rats on maternal abuse, they’ll train the mom rat to neglect and even attack her babies by repeatedly taking away bedding and not providing enough food. I don’t think nearly as many children would be harmed if their parents/adults had enough resources to care for them and themselves. Since removing the child tax credit, abuse rates have gone back up. :(

[@thairk]

Great program!

[@yourabouttobeawakened8969]

Thank you, wonderful points!! Im voting west or stein 2024!

[@B1FORLIFE]

This is the best video I ever seen breaking down the Demoncrats and the Republicklan’s 👀 well done 👏🏿👏🏿

[@zaincooper222]

There’s no lesser evil here both are super evil’s!

[@daveferger9947]

Nice haircut Eugene. Spouting FIRE!! Always learn so much when I listen to you all, thanks.

[@dabadaba5847]

this needs more views

[@judithcreamer4101]

Tell people they don't have to vote for either. We need to make a statement that we want better choices and won't vote for the lesser of two evils. I plan to vote for the American Solidarity Party candidates if they're on our slate of choices. choices.

[@Dorian_sapiens]

That's interesting, I didn't even know the USA had a Christian Democratic party. It's too bad they're anti-choice; other elements of their platform sound OK-ish, but the policy & principles statements on their website are very vague and could mean many things. I'm voting PSL, anyway, but I appreciate you informing me that ASP exists.

[@michaeltee4275]

Right on, Eugene!

[@candicechieffo884]

Amazing points

[@consuelopaz401]

Good point you do right!

[@lawrencea274]

Excellent discussion by Brian & Eugene, I agree a thousand percent

[@AbouGob]

Good to see Brian Becker again

[@Libyan_anti_genocidele]

Free Palestine Free isnotreal from itself

[@farhathassan4043]

Why don’t we put that billion dollars back in our economy. We’re taking the money out of our pockets.

[@AlaskenCabinFever]

There’s no help for corrupt system. You can talk about it all night long.

[@consuelopaz401]

Neither of the Evils, and I’m not a student!!!

[@user-ti2kb8ho4z]

America is not more dirty than Israel, and Israel is not more dirty than America, dirty, occupied nations. God promised us to liberate Palestine, our land, from you, diaspora of the land. They came from Russia, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, Britain, France, America, and the West to occupy our land, which we have cherished for thousands of years, but what was taken by force cannot be recovered. Except by force. This is the forest in which we live. Truth does not come except by force and force. We have understood that and we will work on that

[@keepyourculture]

Fair Housing Act (FHA) of 1968

[@alexgreene5864]

Vote Green’s Jill Stein instead! 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

[@consuelopaz401]

I don’t why her and Cornell run together. I don’t understand it, do you?

[@ahagamama]

Electoral system must change if there is to be any improvement

[@consuelopaz401]

Mr. Maduro was asked The Us yesterday and he said,” the US is closer then ever to Civil war” what do you have to say about this comment, Eugene?

[@Comrade_Broski]

Eugene had me at "ducktales" 😆

[@CW-xf1li]

28:06 Right on! We've GOT to mobilize and spread the message. We have options. Change doesn't happen online. Help campaign and spread information about the reality of this failing system in your community.

[@htcsergeimail]

🔥👍

[@yerbemate]

Jill Stein!!!

[@greg6509]

My vote is for Jill Stein!!!

[@deanrao4805]

Well-placed perps of the duopoly will make bank on the outcome of the quadrennial play-down. Regardless of which conference they they are currently playing for. Their fans, not so much.

[@timmoore3188]

The lesser of two evils gets more evil every election. Nonetheless, just giving people the ability to buy more things while leaving the heirarchy of power intact, may pacify dissent for awhile, but doesn't result in more democracy. It doesn't end the profit motive, racism, sexism or solve the climate crisis.

[@alexandrabarnes4511]

Over here in the UK, we're in the same position. The Labour and Conservative parties are, in the words of George Galloway, "two cheeks of the same backside," but we're repeatedly told the only thing that matters is getting the Conservatives out, so we must vote for Labour. Yet the Labour leadership are basically offering to do the same as the Tories but, if anything, more authoritian! There'll be hundreds of alternative socialist/progressive candidates standing at the general election, some from alternative parties like the Greens and Galloway's Workers Party, and also many independents. British muslims, pro-Palestinian Jews and other allies are coming together to stand candidates against Zionist Labour and Tory candidates and independents and smaller parties are forming alliances and coalitions to support each other. But too many people have bought into the narrative that only Tory or Labour can win, which then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Like you, our politics has been moving further and further right for decades and voting for the "lesser evil" has failed us, too. How can we convince enough people to vote differently? Maybe, as so often, it'll be left for the younger generation to save us! I'm so sorry, kids ☹️ For myself, I refuse to vote either Labour (red Tory) or Tory (blue Tory) - in the words of the late great Tony Benn, "Never Trust a Tory", whatever colour the rosette! Now I'll be off to listen to "Will of the People" by Muse 😉

[@joannelook2048]

We need many more choices , a socialist party and stronger Green Party, I’m vote for Dr Jill Stein. I like Cornel West but he won’t be on enough states.❤

[@rosariocannistraro3561]

Yep! all of our parties in most western countries are just even more evil and right wing versions of Reagan and Thatcher .

[@jacquihunter4260]

On the question of Biden supporting a genocide then Trump will also support Israel, Trump will promise a better deal for workers but he won't deliver

[@ferkhani100]

I’m trapped son-in-law he’s going to build Gaza with the new buildings and modern city the same family of Real State so you know what I’m talking about