In January, journalist Austin Ahlman’s mother took her own life with the eviction notice still in her pocket.
She was a proud, hard-working Nebraskan who moved from the factory floor all the way up to management. She took the burden upon herself instead of reaching out and asking for help. It’s familiar to any of us who come from families where we’re taught to put your head down, work hard, keep quiet, don’t whine, and eventually, inshallah, things work out.
That was part and parcel of the American dream, which is a fiction for most Americans who are struggling to make ends meet as the country just birthed its first trillionaire, Elon Musk.
Austin had already moved back home to take care of his father, who was diagnosed with cancer, and to help his elderly grandmother. Then, this tragedy happened. He has endured a blitzkrieg of crises and tragedies over the past month, but through resilience, grit, and community, he’s been able to keep the house.
Unfortunately, Austin’s story is far too common in America.
The 28-year-old wants to write a new narrative for future generations, and last month he threw his hat in the ring as an independent taking on the GOP and Democratic establishment. Inspired by his mother’s loss and family’s hardship, Ahlman is running as an independent, populist, “anti-monopoly crusader.”
Ahlman wants to tax the broligarchy, end forever wars, stop Israel’s genocide, get corporate money out of politics, and expand Medicare to cover all citizens. He wants people like his family to have a legitimate shot in a system that has long been rigged by the rich and for the rich. Alman rejects the coastal stereotypes of Nebraska as knee-jerk MAGA country. He believes people are sick and tired of the broligarchy and will back independent fighters willing to take on the system.
Ahlman joined The Left Hook to share his platform, why he’s running, and how he believes he can take on and defeat the establishment in Nebraska.
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Thank you francine hardaway, Chris Resists, LeftieProf, Kathryn Kirsten, Dark Side of the Bridge, and many others for tuning into my live video with Austin Ahlman! Join me for my next live video in the app.
