The Democratic debate last night made the difference between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders crystal clear. Hillary characterized Bernie’s criticism of her taking campaign contributions from big banks and corporations as a smear tactic. To support her contention that it was unwarranted, she gave a list of good progressive politicians who received similar campaign contributions. Bernie Sanders then defined the problem. This country has become an Oligarchy in which politicians ignore the will of the people because they are indebted to large corporations and big banks. It does not make it right to take those contributions just because others do, even if you are certain it will not affect your judgment. Just taking their money is an indication of flawed judgment.
This has always been Bernie Sander’s position. When almost everyone else voted for the Iraq war, he led the opposition to it. He risked going to jail because he knew that segregation in university housing was wrong, no matter how many others accepted it. And he has refused the money of the big corporations, big banks and billionaires even though everyone else does it.
Bernie Sanders is a man of principle who will do the right thing no matter how many people are willing to bend to the standard practice. The standard practice is what results in all the wrongs in our society. We do things because everyone else does. We become people of principle only when we question what others do, and if it is wrong, we do not do what everyone else does, but find a way that does not compromise our principles. Enough people in this country understand this well enough to recognize in Bernie Sanders someone they feel compelled to back with their hearts, souls and contributions to become our leader. We want someone to lead us who will stand up for our principles, and not for the status quo.
Last night we saw Bernie Sanders, the Idealist, and Hillary Clinton, the pragmatist. Hillary Clinton is like the grass while Bernie Sanders is like the redwood. When the great wind of the Oligarchy comes, the grass will bend but will not break. The Redwood will bend only so far, and if the wind is great enough it will break. If we elect Bernie Sanders as president, we must know this and be prepared to stand with him. He will face the opposition of politicians who have sold their souls to the Oligarchy. He will face the power of great wealth and greed. If he stands against them alone, they will break him.
Democracy demands Idealism, and that is why it is said: United we stand: divided we fall. It is only if millions of Americans stand up with Bernie for the idealism of Democracy that we can stand tall as a nation. Hillary Clinton wants to do good things for this country, and to get them done she will bend with the wind. She will take the money of the Oligarchy and bend a little here and a little there. She will not break, but a nation that follows that path will never stand tall, and cannot support the great promise of democracy.
Elect Bernie Sanders as our leader, and stand with him to make him and our democracy unbreakable.