There have been a few diaries on this subject, and I have made several comments in them. As I did I began to think this through more closely.
Why do I believe primaries should be open? Why do others think they should be closed? Let’s go over a few popular points on the subject.
1) Open primaries allow for rat (fornication).
This is true. My opinion? So what? People are still expressing their views through voting. As progressives I would think that we wouldn’t want to stifle peoples ability to express their views through voting. People shouldn’t have to be made to conform to a rigid standard to express their views through the electoral process. I would think most progressives would believe in this, allowing the individual to express themselves freely.
Think where the supporters of both Bernie and Hillary stand on this issue.
2) Closed primaries allow only those dedicated to the party the ability to choose their nominee.
This is true. But instead of getting a wider array of views, you get a more closed insular view. This depresses the outsider movement for change, making the party become static and intransigent. Corruption is harder to root out, crony-politics come more into play actually chasing out more people, and in turn making the party even more insular.
It is proven that neither major party holds a majority (50%) of the registered voters. As such open primaries allowing those voices to be heard would in theory give the party a more electable candidate. But at the cost of party insiders losing power, it is proven that the parties would rather wield power than represent the people.
Think where the supporters of both Bernie and Hillary stand on this issue.
When in a state like NY that has fusion voting and there are some major players such as WFP, the closed primary system is used to even further entrench the incumbents, the establishment, the political class.
People are starting to wake up to the political reality that the political parties are there to pander during elections, and a few crumbs possibly tossed the peoples way during their term. As such millennials have a lower rate of belonging to a political party than anyone. The party that seizes the opportunity to allow them, the WFP, the Greens, the Independents to have a voice will grow. But at what price will this growth be? The political ruling class of the party.
What is more important? Electing more and BETTER Democrats? Maintaining the rule of the political class? Maintaining the status quo?
Interestingly enough, this primary has reflected this very question when you look at open versus closed primaries results.
Eventually if we maintain the status quo, that train wreck on the other side (GOP) may just pull its head out of it’s behind and surprise us. (After it has been torn down and rebuilt most likely)
As a progressive, I would like to progress into the future and into letting people freely express their views through voting, no matter how an individual so chooses.