Bernie Sanders has lit a fire that millennials need to keep going

[Jefferson23]

Originally published March 23, 2016 at 4:10 pm Updated March 23, 2016 at 4:18 pm



Sunday evening, my daughter and I joined the 16,000 people inside and outside Seattle’s KeyArena who had come to hear presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

I wanted to be sure my 11-year-old daughter, Danni, got to see this man who, I believe, has started the beginning of a peaceful American revolution. His progressive platform is built on what constitutes representative government, more economic and income equity, the right to health care, fair trade, greater access to education, racial and gender equality, environmental consciousness and respect for all people — all long overdue in America.

His support is strong among people under 45, and especially under 35. It is these millennials who are most attracted to his message, and that was patently obvious at the Sunday evening rally. How exciting to see so many young people so engaged in politics — something that is a prerequisite to changing the mess we older Americans have left these young people.

Personally, I have been waiting a long time for even a hint of the positive change and idealism I felt with John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy and George McGovern in the 1960s and early 1970s. I see Sanders in the same light as these men. In fact, he carries the promise and prospects for positive change even further. He speaks of a political revolution.

But what I think this modest man is calling for is nothing less than a cultural revolution that extends far beyond the world of politics and economics.

http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/bernie-sanders-has-lit-a-fire-that-millennials-need-to-keep-going/

[gordianot]

1. What amazes me is how easily some candidates are willing pour water on enthusiasm.

A seventy two year old Democratic Socialist no less. I was at two college campuses in Springfield MO last weekend a bastion of Republican conservatism, all you saw were Sanders stickers and signs. Guess they were looking for free stuff and are not as described recently on DU "true Democrats".

for reference to "free stuff"

[Jefferson23]

2. He's the only non corrupted candidate.....so they attack and say stupid things like that. n/t

[BillZBubb]

3. Hopefully, what Sanders has started will continue to grow.

What is likely to happen however is a Clinton presidency that pretty much turns the younger voters off on the Democratic party. The party will have squandered a great opportunity to engage and recruit a whole generation.

[Jefferson23]

4. Then that will be on us. A political movement never moves forward in a straight line.

Set backs are to be expected, and I hope to see us remain vigilant regarding her
administration should she win and I suspect we will.

[BillZBubb]

5. My point was the loss of a young generation of potential Democrats.

That's more than a setback. They won't turn into republican voters, but they also won't become reliable Democratic voters either. A Sanders nomination would bring a huge infusion of young, new Democrats--many pulled from the independent or apathetic ranks.

[Jefferson23]

6. I'm not sure that will be the reaction..will there be disappointment..yes, and tremendously so.

I am in complete agreement with you that if we can help Bernie win we
will have pulled off a very great political coup. This was not suppose
to happen, at all. With that said, I have no way of knowing what will
happen next will be a negative loss. If the Democratic Party can't be
reformed from within and begin to grow to a 50 state strategy lead
on a Clinton platform..then we'll have a better indicator if a party
split will be the only way to achieve our goals. Our goals being a
party for the 99%....with a commitment against money in politics.

Lofty goals, yet look at how far we are today..I am very encouraged.

[zalinda]

7. Another possibility will be that these young

will leave the country, and we will have an American brain drain. They will leave to go to university and stay for the good living. We will of course be importing Indian college graduates at a more rapid rate, which will squeeze out our young who stayed and went to our schools. And then of course, there are the service industry people which will get minimum wage, but could also be replaced by foreign workers who are willing to live in sub standard housing to send money back to their families and will work harder and longer for the same money.

It is a lose, lose situation with someone in control that has absolutely no idea what goes on in the American trenches.

Z

[Jefferson23]

8. I don't know but this is how I see it. When you have a response such as ours in such a very short

time..this election cycle. what does that tell us? We were all asleep at the wheel and
Bernie brought this about...I don't think so. We've been working towards reform
and the spark took us much further much quicker with a Sanders run. I remain hopeful
this will continue, but it is impossible to predict what happens next. Bernie was never
suppose to be the threat, they thought it was Warren. They got her to agree not
to run... BUT, surprise surprise, here we are at Clinton's heels regardless. I feel Bernie
is far better placed than Warren, so I am very pleased how it worked out.

It will be our responsibility to keep working after a defeat, should that occur.

This was never about Bernie in and of itself, and he'll still be around, good ideas
on how we move it forward can grow from a defeat, right?

[zalinda]

10. His interview with TYT was very informative. eom

[Jefferson23]

12. I thouht so too..nice indicators. n/t

[jomin41]

9. I think that the Congressional Progressive Caucus

is worthy of support, regardless of the outcomes upcoming.

[Jefferson23]

11. Yes. n/t

[creon]

16. CPC is a good place to start

That has to built upon; and, to have grow into all 50 states.

CPC members have an organization, contacts and friends. Join with them and go forward.

It is "the long march through the institutions".

[Blue_Tires]

13. For that to happen, the millennials will have to show up to vote

and I mean on a consistent basis across the board; not just when a candidate "moves" them...

So far they have not proven they can do so (at least in my state).

[Jefferson23]

14. We know, and if you are a Bernie supporter? Right now we could use some help

phone banking tonight for New York..registering people. Let me know if you
would like the link..if you haven't received one already.

[creon]

15. Yes

Persistence, Discipline, Organization.

Progressive laws require a progressive majority in the HoR and the Senate; and a progressive president.
That will require millions of votes in all 50 states.

This is not done overnight.