Why Bernie Sanders' movement is much larger than this election
A political revolution cant be built in a single election cycle. What matters is that the movement continues after the election whether or not he wins
The US media and political establishment insist on reading Bernie Sanders presidential run as a Don Quixote story an underdogs doomed, if poetically heroic, challenge to an immutable status quo that offers little hope to the poor.
But Sanders performance and prospects cant be assessed by the metrics of traditional electoral politics, because he has always set the goals of his campaign on terms that defy the yardsticks of campaigning as we know it.
Despite the Bernie thing, Sanders presents his persona as no more than the sum of the ideas and principles he puts before the electorate in pursuit of a political revolution against a political system in thrall to corporate cash. Its a project he hopes will outlive his candidacy, and even his person. Like Stanley Kubricks Spartacus, he is inviting any citizen running in local, state or nationwide elections or waging local-level citizen campaigns to be Bernie Sanders.
Thats not a win-or-go-home presidential bid.
A campaign has got to be much more than just getting votes and getting elected, he told an interviewer soon after launching his run. It has to be helping to educate people, organize people. If we can do that, we can change the dynamic of politics for years and years to come.
Sanders wont be involved in politics for years and years to come, of course. Nor does he need to win the Democrats nomination to validate his campaigns investment in political education and organization.
A political revolution cant be built in a single election cycle.
cont'd
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/18/bernie-sanders-movement-larger-than-election
****************************************
True - A political revolution cant be built in a single election cycle
But do we have the luxury of time? There is an urgency to climate change decisions,
potential escalation of conflicts around the world, etc. that can't wait four years. We
cannot tolerate any more delays and obstruction. Too many things are at critical mass.
The time is now.
*****************************************
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)1. Isn't that the same as saying there's more to playing a competitive sport than the final score?
2. And no previous campaign has ever been about "organizing and educating" before now??
malthaussen
(17,235 posts)At least, by those in power. Should Mrs Clinton win the primary and the GE, her supporters will have learned nothing, will believe that they were right all along, and that business as usual can now continue as usual since the yapping of the dogs has been silenced. A few of them may wipe the perspiration from their brows and mutter something about it being a close one, but they won't carry anything from the election except a sense of relief.
That resentment may continue to burn in the hearts of those on the Left and Right who are not satisfied with the way things have always been done will be as irrelevant as ever. Because as pointed out above, it matters not how you play the game, but whether you win or lose. A sentiment that both Mrs Clinton and Mr McConnell can embrace.
-- Mal
zalinda
(5,621 posts)It may be time for the Bernie Party.
Z
Cal33
(7,018 posts)but I hope there are many more who are in this more deeply than that. Bernie has started a
movement. Furthermore, there are followers of Elizabeth Warren. They are so similar in their
goals and ideals. Please see my Post 4 here in this thread a little further down.
Cal33
(7,018 posts)left the political scene, whether he wins the presidency this November or not.
Furthermore, Elizabeth Warren has a similar following, although she is not so much encouraging them
at this moment. I believe she doesn't want to draw attention away from Bernie's presidential campaign
right now.
After November, or earlier if Bernie does not win the primaries, I hope both groups will unite. Bernie
and Elizabeth are so much alike in their political, economic and humanitarian views. This union will
strengthen them, and I hope they will take quick action. Our whole nation needs to reform -- and needs
it very badly. To me it looks like the democracy we have always known is on its last legs. We can't go
on much longer like this. And more and more people are finally becoming aware of the situation.
I am rooting for the both of them.
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)her options open.. I'm sure she, like many Dems, are fully aware of which side of the Clinton whiteboard one is listed. She is a politician, after all.
Cal33
(7,018 posts)I think she was able to do this because she was one of the few politicians who had
the courage to point out the depths of corruption and degradation our nation has
fallen into -- and she told the truth in such depth, and with such eloquence! It was
high time that someone in authority did come out with such information for the
American people -- and she was the one who did it, and is continuing to do it. A
large fraction of our entire nation loved her for her daring. She has earned our
admiration and respect
She is 67 years old now. How much time has she left to "leave her options open" to?
At one time we were the most admired country in the world, and deservedly so.
Among other things, we did help so many foreign nations get back on their feet after
World War II. I think both Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are trying to bring
our nation back to that state that it once had been.
The job ahead is an incredibly difficult one. I don't expect to see it accomplished
in my life-time.
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)In either a Sanders or Clinton administration. She wants to stay neutral until the GE.
Cal33
(7,018 posts)present circumstances would be to take Harry Reid's place after he leaves in January, 2017. I
realize that she is still a junior senator, but she is also the most dynamic and effectual
individual of that entire body.
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)andym
(5,446 posts)I think that progressives who have an interest in politics need to start running for office at the local level and then give a shout out to Bernie. I think he should start pushing this in his speeches-- "It's time for you to get involved." This is especially important for his younger supporters who could be the vanguard of a new political movement. As a Bernie supporter and admirer for a long time, I really hope he starts to move in this direction-- the creation of a long overdue mainstream movement to reduced corporate influence and promote the common good.
postscript: Candidate Obama asked his supporters to push for change and create a movement to influence him and the other elected politicians to make progressive changes. He told us it would be needed. But the movement never really materialized after his election. Here is another chance to advance progressivism. Let's not miss it.