___, I’ve appreciated your posts on FB and have wanted to chime in on the conversations about the campaigns, but I really don’t want to get into scraps with the likes of ___, who rails against a polarized nation and then goes to show why it’s so polarized. A one-issue voter is a failed voter, one who doesn’t/won’t understand that governance is complex. The Tea Partiers in Congress are a good example of what happens — and doesn’t happen — when these narrow thinkers get power. Worrying about unborn, non-viable “babies” is an effective distraction/excuse for not dealing with the general realities of life. Some of these realities concern actually born babies — most of whom are black or brown, poor and extra susceptible to poisoning — who have to suffer the consequences of such blinkered thinking,
There is an important distinction between the two Democratic candidates. As Robert Reich has said:
I’ve known Hillary Clinton since she was 19 years old, and have nothing but respect for her. In my view, she’s the most qualified candidate for president of the political system we now have.
But Bernie Sanders is the most qualified candidate to create the political system we should have, because he’s leading a political movement for change.
I just turned 75. I will feel no effects from the outcome of this election. My Social Security will continue. So will my Medicare. I live in a comfortable home with all the gadgets and amenities I could desire (thanks Apple discount). I even live now in a Red State but don’t expect to be persecuted much for being a Liberal/Progressive. Rednecks tend to leave old farts alone.
BUT, my kids and grandkids and people of your generation will have to live with the consequences of this election for a long time. And those consequences could be quite severe, — sometimes I think even apocalyptic: voting rights curtailed, police violence unrestrained, mass incarcerations, more medical bankruptcies, and other kinds of right-wing destructive lunacy rampant.
Despite being actuarially insulated from its consequences, I’m really concerned about how this election goes. It’s different from elections of recent times, even 2008’s watershed. That moment gave the first hint of the stakes on today’s table. Obama’s election wasn’t just about a black man being elected president. It was an indication that the public wants to be involved in the political process. Another word for that is “revolution.”
With all the trumpeting of personalities in the campaigns, the media is missing the point — maybe not missing it but attempting to distract from it: the choice is between maintenance and revolution. If a Democrat is elected the people either will get more power or they will stay unempowered. If a Republican, it’ll be the end of democracy, religious fanaticism will lead to the western version of sharia law, segregation, inequality and poverty will increase, and we’ll probably invade somewhere and lose.
I’m often tempted by Hillary’s “competence” and political savvy. She may maintain Obama’s management of government, but that would not be an entirely good thing. Obama has disappointed progressives by being a left-centrist. I understand that political realities may dictate that, and one person can hardly do what has needed to be done since the 2000 election debacle. No, it wouldn’t be as bad as a Republican victory in November. But that isn’t the only choice this season. Hillary would be maintenance. Bernie would be revolution.
No, Bernie can’t do it all by himself. But as a seasoned member of Congress he certainly knows the ropes when it comes to bipartisanship — after all, he’s had to work with both parties most of his career! But just as Obama’s inexperience was mitigated by his choice of advisors and Cabinet, so Sanders will lead in concert with like-minded people. And let’s not forget the importance of Supreme Court posts that will likely be filled during the next president’s term. A Democrat will help steer the court leftward, whereas a Republican will steer it toward more Citizens United, etc.
So, this year I will “waste” my vote on the prospect of revolution. I will vote for Bernie in the Primary and the Democrat in November.
I’m heartened by your activism and hope you will increase and extend it.
2 comments:
I hear you. One of my concerns is that if Bernie makes it to the White House, it would be a replay of Carter: ineffective idealism with a swift backlash, leading to a one-term presidency and a Republican winning in 2020. Thoughts?
Bernie isn't much like Carter. He's had long experience in Congress. He's feisty. He knows where the bodies are buried, which closets have the skeletons, etc. Also I think Bernie's attacks on the establishment are much more forceful and nuanced. Sure, he'll have opposition, but if he wins the likelihood of a shift to the left in Congress is also likely. This should give him some grist to work with. The reason he would win is that people exercised their power and won't let their representatives go astray. Yes, it's idealism, but not airy-fairy idealism. Opting for business-as-usual just keeps the inequities in place and assuages the thirst for democracy just enough to maintain the status quo without really delivering on populist demands. I actually like Hillary, but agree with Reich that she would be more of the same. I don't think she'd bring on the drastic reforms that are sorely needed. She's make a good show of it, but in the end would yield to "play along to get along" tactics that wouldn't accomplish what her supporters are so enthusiastic about. But Bernie would still have a chance to do those things. Hope for such an outcome is where I want to place the meager weight of my support.
As for a one-term presidency, if so, so be it. The Republicans are going to have to undergo psyche reassignment surgery to float a candidate that the vast majority of the public - the ones who have taken the brunt of the beating since 2000 - will believe in.
Post a Comment