I’m fed up with Bernie die-hards claiming the high revolutionary ground.
Winning the White House isn’t the end-all/be-all of political change. Did the civil rights movement collapse with the deaths of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X? Was the Free Speech Movement silenced when police dragged Mario Savio from the podium in the Greek Theatre? Did the anti-war movement even have a leader — or were we all in it together, marching, protesting, and collectively demanding an end to the insanity of Vietnam?
I get the impression young radicals think the old guard don’t get it. They think we’re complacent, uncommitted sell-outs. They think by surrendering the battle for the White House, we have surrendered to the status quo.
They are wrong.
Those of us who have been instrumental in effecting true political change in this nation (albeit, far too rarely) know that it’s the people, not the leaders that make a revolution. We know that progress isn’t about quantum leaps, but incremental steps forward. We know that real political change is marked by defeats as well as victories. And we know how to appreciate our victories, no matter how small.
Bernie Sanders is a true revolutionary, always has been. That’s why he’s trying to explain to his supporters that what happened in the primaries is a huge, amazing victory. That’s why he’s trying to keep his supporters together as a movement. That’s why he’s trying to get the Bernie movement to f*cking MOVE ON to the next battle.
The next battle is in Florida, folks. What’s more, it’s a battle we can win unconditionally and without bloodshed.
So let’s see. Will you keep looking to your hero to do all the heavy lifting, or are you ready to do your part to keep the fight alive? Are you convinced Bernie is the only guy who can lead the fight? Then give him a leftist Congress to lead, one that will enact concrete social reforms and genuine political change.
A total of 469 seats are up for grabs on November 8, 2016 — 34 Senate/435 House. If you’re truly a revolutionary, cough up another $27 and send it to Tim Canova, so he can oust the sleaze who had her thumb on the primary scales — Debbie Wasserman Schultz — and send her packing. (Read about that race HERE)
Pick yourselves up, Bernie brothers and sisters. Dust yourselves off. Come back and re-join the revolution.
I hear you! Well said. I’m with her, Berningly. The alternative is preposterous.
Thanks, Anon. And right you are, the alternative is utterly preposterous.
Thank you SO much for pointing out the significance of the Congressional races.Taking back the Congress AND keeping the White House will ensure the overturning of Citizens Untied. If Jill Stein really believes what she professes—that a vote against Hillary will hasten the revolution—then for my money, she is no better than one of those sideliners who hang around with bullies and goad the bully into assaulting others. Harsh words, I know, but the stakes are harsh, and only the weakest and already exploited will pay.
Thanks for stopping by, Janet. And I couldn’t agree more. It’s a common theme these days: a Drumpf presidency will be good for the revolution, it’ll be a wake-up call. Like Hitler “woke-up” Germany? That turned out well for everyone, didn’t it? Ok, sarcasm aside, there is no up-side to putting a hate-mongering, narcissistic megalomaniac in the White House. None whatsoever.