Allow me to start by saying I too am a passionate supporter of all things Bernie, except for perhaps his use of the term “Democratic Socialist.” It is an easily attacked term and one that opened him up to criticism and enabled the right to instill fear in the easily-swayed, because most Americans have been conditioned to fear Socialism and recoil at any resemblance. I’d venture to guess that most, when asked, would not be able to define Socialism, but have very strong opinions against anything with Socialist flavors. But I diverge...a discussion for another day.
I’ve been paying attention to Bernie’s work in the Congress for years and I was thrilled that he decided to run for President. His ideas and policies needed to be heard and finally the nation was able to hear them. Unfortunately, the current way we cook our candidates did not result in a satisfying culinary experience, and left us all with a bad taste in our mouths. There was a lingering hint of hidden agenda and something resembling slightly-spoiled, poorly-seasoned super delegate.
So...he lost. It sucks, but it's the truth and it’s frustrating. All is not lost though. One significant fact that we must acknowledge is that our movement influenced the most progressive Democratic platform in history. That is no small accomplishment. Bernie and his supporters crafted a revolution that amplified calls for progressive changes and it made a difference. Differences that I trust will reverberate in years to come. But we don’t stop here and there will NEVER come a time when allowing our work and our nation to go “Bust” is an option.
I get it, Bernie or Bust’ers, you are fed-up and exhausted by the notion of choosing the lesser of two evils and are whole heartedly rebelling against a system that nearly realized a new vision, but stripped it from you at the end. Sure, continuing rebellion in some way seems like a satisfying choice, but it is a selfish one. We wanted big change, huge leaps forward and the balancing of power and economics, but we once again are forced for incremental change. These are emotional, passionate times and times that perhaps are best suited for a classic childhood game. I suggest we follow our leader. Throughout life and in all contexts, when presented with a choice between two evils, one should ALWAYS choose the lesser.
Bernie gets it….he is NOT going to squander all our hard work and allow Trump and all of his delusional, hypocritical, mis-informed, mysogynistic, homophobic, islamaphobic, easily-seduced klan to take the White House. He is going to do everything he can to make sure Trump loses and so should we. It may sting a bit. It might remind us of the soured remnants stuck in our teeth from the primary races, but WE CANNOT ALLOW OUR NATION TO BUST. Some of us may think we can withstand what may come from a Trump administration, like Susan Sarandon, but there are millions of people that need change NOW, however incremental, change that leans left. These people will be suffering if Trump and his party take the White House. Our votes can not be just about ourselves, but the nation as a whole including those less fortunate. There is a productive way forward that does not involve throwing our hands up and gambling with our future.
Please consider this….Why do you think Bernie asked his supporters to elect progressive candidates across the nation? Why did he setup an assistance program to help those willing to run for local, state and federal office?
He sees the reality of the situation! The reality is that he is not the Democratic nominee and Hillary is. Bernie has initiated a revolution that has already brought forth a progressive platform and mobilized millions of voters. Essentially, the President has no lasting, effective power without Congressional allies. If Hillary becomes President and the Democrats win back the Congress by filling seats with progressives, Hillary will have to work with them. It is Congress that drafts legislation, so that is where we now must focus our votes. The path forward for Bernie supporters should include focusing on Congressional elections in both houses, state and local offices and yes….a vote for Hillary.
If we get Hillary into the White House and take back control of Congress, surrounding the new President with progressive representatives, Bernie will have won. Under these circumstances, the new President will be offered law after law of forward-thinking, progressive ideas and will have to accommodate. As we have seen under the Republican controlled Congress, Obama was left virtually powerless. It’s Congress that is the most important and if we do this, we will effectively be getting our agenda addressed through a surrogate presidential figure. This will ultimately set the country on a path towards revolutionary changes and place candidates like Bernie in a better position to become President.
So in conclusion and quite simply, all you Bernie supporters…
Don’t allow our country to bust.
Don’t allow Trump the satisfaction.
TAKE BACK CONGRESS!