You know that is not what Levin is saying. What he is saying comes from the knowledge that today’s progressive movement is the outgrowth and grandchild of the century long progressive/statist project.
We had a slim chance this election cycle to move in a different direction, but maybe we’re too far gone as a nation to recognize the problem.
But now way no how is Levin arguing that fair trade deals or securing the border is in any way marxist, or even central to the Progressive project.
That’s why, to some extent at least, both are diversions and are not in dispute.
My view is that the blue collar good income factory jobs have been run out of the US due to excessive government regulation. Alas the Dims have sold over regulation so well, it appears the GOP may nominate a candidate for present that ignores excess government regulation and blames the loss of blue collar jobs on trade agreements.