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silvershadow

(10,336 posts)
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 10:23 PM Apr 2016

This third party would keep Hillary honest: Bernie Sanders backers must become a Tea Party of the

left

(snip)

Without that kind of movement, willing to work both within and outside the Democratic Party, willing to defeat Democrats in primaries or even to run against them in a general election, the status quo will continue: subservience to Wall Street and the policies favored by the 1 percent whose money shapes elections on the national and state levels, the false belief that terrorism can be defeated by our own brand of terror (war through drones), fossil fuels will continue to be extracted from the earth and accelerate global warming, millions of people languishing in our prisons (many for nonviolent crimes), social services (child care, health care, elder care, etc.) will continue to be sacrificed on the alter of “no new taxes,” the economy will continue to depend on endless “growth” with devastating consequences for the life support system of the planet, the U.S. will continue to have the most expensive and least successful health care and pharmaceuticals in the advanced industrial countries, the values of selfishness and materialism that are the “common sense of global capitalism will continue to pollute friendships and families causing psychic pain and family instability, and cynicism toward government and despair at the possibility of fundamental change will give new opportunities for racist, sexist, xenophobic and fascistic forces to gain public credibility.

Pessimistic? No, this is exactly what happened in the past seven years of the Obama presidency, and it will only worsen unless there is some ongoing political movement capable not only of speaking to the economic pain so beautifully articulated by Bernie Sanders but also capable of addressing the hidden psychic injuries of the globalization of selfishness that impact not only the poor but almost everyone in the society.

Such a movement would have to overtly challenge the capitalist system. Minimally, it would support the ESRA—Environmental and Social Responsibility Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (which bans all money from elections except public funding and requires corporations to prove a history of environmental and social responsibility once every five years to a jury of ordinary citizens who would hear testimony from people around the world who have been impacted by the operations, policies, and advertising of that corporation (check it out at www.tikkun.org/ESRA). And this movement would reject the fantasy that “homeland security” can be achieved through (military, economic or cultural) domination of others around the world, and instead insist on a strategy of generosity manifested in a Global Marshall Plan and showing the people of the world that the US genuinely cares about their wellbeing (check out the details at www.tikkun.org/gmp).

There are tens of thousands of Sanders activists in states that have already finished their primaries. Bernie could call upon them to create statewide conventions in which they organize themselves into an ongoing movement, precisely what Bernie said needs to happen. Yet unless he explicitly articulates how folks can do that, provides a structure for doing so, and allows his supporters to access his supporter lists to build a movement, it is not likely to happen. In the aftermath of his large loss in New York, particularly in New York City which is usually the symbolic center of American progressivism, we at Tikkun magazine have already gotten many notes indicating despair and a desire to retreat from all politics, a reaction to the way that election seemed to systematically disenfranchise many thousands of voters and to the bare facts that Bernie’s trailing in the delegate count and in the popular vote makes them feel that there is little chance that we will have nothing to inspire us in the next eight years of American government. While Bernie himself will obviously concentrate on the remaining states that have not yet held their primaries, his followers should be urged to use this time to organize a new national organization.

more: http://www.salon.com/2016/04/24/this_third_party_would_keep_hillary_honest_bernie_sanders_backers_must_become_a_tea_party_of_the_left/

40 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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This third party would keep Hillary honest: Bernie Sanders backers must become a Tea Party of the (Original Post) silvershadow Apr 2016 OP
We've got to come up with a name! oldandhappy Apr 2016 #1
That's your thing, not mine. I just posted the story. It indicates though how much power we silvershadow Apr 2016 #2
I agree with that. We've got half the party and growing. w4rma Apr 2016 #6
One can only hope. :) nt silvershadow Apr 2016 #9
I have been saying that about the older repubs! oldandhappy Apr 2016 #11
:( nt w4rma Apr 2016 #18
But neoliberal politicians are relatively young, Corey Booker, the Castros & others unfortunately. appalachiablue Apr 2016 #19
Voters are everything. No voters, no power. (nt) w4rma Apr 2016 #20
OK It is a good op and I hope you post it again. oldandhappy Apr 2016 #10
Pls start you own party. A third party left of the Dems could be a good thing as a coalition . . . brush Apr 2016 #29
To be fair, the Greens have failed at it for the same reason that the (big L) Libertarians have. Chan790 Apr 2016 #36
Better name for sure, Tea Party of the Left is awful and was used by Bubba recently. appalachiablue Apr 2016 #13
We've already got one with a good name: The Progressive Caucus. (nt) w4rma Apr 2016 #16
Amen to that. Who even suggested we needed a name anyway? nt silvershadow Apr 2016 #30
I say the Democratic Party. peace13 Apr 2016 #26
Exactly! Sanders is in line with the FDR Dems, he should be the party's standard-bearer. Myrina Apr 2016 #32
Any working plan must include targeting Democratic primaries. w4rma Apr 2016 #3
Gerrymandering. nt silvershadow Apr 2016 #4
Another huge reason to target primaries. Primaries aren't gerrymandered. w4rma Apr 2016 #5
The districts are. A leftist who wins the primary will never win the general. But you knew that. silvershadow Apr 2016 #8
If by 'extreme left' you mean: Clinton's corporatist wing, then yes. w4rma Apr 2016 #12
Yes! Just look at the red and red all over the map. silvershadow Apr 2016 #14
You mean the districts that Sanders won in the primaries? w4rma Apr 2016 #15
I'm not sure we are even talking about the same thing. I will just have to let you go. silvershadow Apr 2016 #17
Populists are popular. Corporatists are extremists. (nt) w4rma Apr 2016 #21
i dont disagree insightdeluxe Apr 2016 #7
Yes, because that tea bagger mentality worked out so well for the country La Lioness Priyanka Apr 2016 #22
Face it, we are a fractured party, regardless. A sleeping giant has been awakened on both sides. silvershadow Apr 2016 #23
Why do you think the author is talking about a... tex-wyo-dem Apr 2016 #28
Bernie Sanders backers must become a Tea Party of the left La Lioness Priyanka Apr 2016 #31
No third party until the US modifies its election system to allow for a credible, fair third party.. marble falls Apr 2016 #24
...for a credible count of the votes. If they can't get cast and don't get counted it is pointless! peace13 Apr 2016 #27
I agree with that. No more machine voting. marble falls Apr 2016 #34
A Tea Party is a brainless, astroturfed thing promoting fake issues to the detriment of all. Orsino Apr 2016 #25
I know you'll probably savage me for posting this, but... Gumboot Apr 2016 #33
Dumb. Chan790 Apr 2016 #35
Liberals, and progressives already have a party, it's called the Democratic Party. denbot Apr 2016 #37
She doesn't want our wing even in the party and doesn't need us. Did you see the silvershadow Apr 2016 #38
It is we, that do not need her. denbot Apr 2016 #39
K&R down with 3rd way Katashi_itto Apr 2016 #40

oldandhappy

(6,719 posts)
1. We've got to come up with a name!
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 10:44 PM
Apr 2016

Good Post. Clear statement of our situation. Thank you. Love the last paragraph.

This is the third time I have seen 'tea party of the left' and it kind of grosses me out. The tea party was a frightful invention of the K bro and others who were destructively minded. We need a positive, growth oriented name. Help! Please! Come on everyone!



Progressives for America
People for People
A New Democracy
U.S.A. for All
Campaign for America

I'd like to avoid the use of the word 'party' since we really are a movement in which people from all parties are welcome.

 

silvershadow

(10,336 posts)
2. That's your thing, not mine. I just posted the story. It indicates though how much power we
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 10:46 PM
Apr 2016

wield. I expect a might fine seat at the table, since I represent at least 1/2 or more of the party.

 

w4rma

(31,700 posts)
6. I agree with that. We've got half the party and growing.
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 10:57 PM
Apr 2016

And the neoliberal voters will die off from old age.

oldandhappy

(6,719 posts)
11. I have been saying that about the older repubs!
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 11:01 PM
Apr 2016

Unfortunately this Bernie supporter is also in the category of 'will die off'!

 

w4rma

(31,700 posts)
20. Voters are everything. No voters, no power. (nt)
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 11:22 PM
Apr 2016

Younger voters aren't connable like our grandparents were and are. Younger voters reasearch. Older voters ofter think they already know it all.

brush

(53,467 posts)
29. Pls start you own party. A third party left of the Dems could be a good thing as a coalition . . .
Mon Apr 25, 2016, 11:49 AM
Apr 2016

with the Dems could dominate the political scene and render the repugs relatively powerless.

I hope that happens but it'll be hard work. The Greens have tried it for years but we only hear about them every 4 years when they try to run for president. Starting from the ground up is hard work, I mean with the petitions needed to get on ballots, running for local offices like the school board to gain recognition as a viable entity, then on to county and state assembly and state senate positions.

It's tough. I hope it happens. There seems to be a big part of the demographic who are independents who could be called on, but independents aren't a monolith. Some are left-leaning, some moderate and some conservative. How would that work?

Or are you speaking of an actual "teaparty" model that gloms onto the Democratic party in sort of a hostile takeover?
IMO that remains to be seen as I fear the Sanders revolution could evaporate after the primary fight for the nomination is lost. Haven't we already seen a lessening of enthusiasm since the New York loss? And where will the funding come from? Where will the big money backing that funded the teaparty come from, that actually put it on the map and made it a "thing", a "thing" that stunk up it's party and pulled widly right, but a "thing"?

 

Chan790

(20,176 posts)
36. To be fair, the Greens have failed at it for the same reason that the (big L) Libertarians have.
Mon Apr 25, 2016, 05:20 PM
Apr 2016

They're top-running. They don't run for down-ballot spots or local elections with a viable national or state organization. They keep throwing all their resources into the Hail Mary presidential campaign.

If they were smart...they'd suspend their efforts for the Presidency until they're a force in state races and can viably run Senate campaigns. it would take them 4 cycles, maybe 12 years at the nearest edge. Take all the money, energy and resources they're going to waste on another Jill Stein candidacy and put them into party building, running for offices in major cities and small towns and lower posts at the statewide level like Treasurer and Sec. of State. It can work...it was working here in Metro Hartford until the national Green party came in and fucked it up by forcing them to abandon local issues to cheer-lead for first Nader, then Stein. It was working in DC with their candidate coalition with DC Statehood Party until the national Green party fucked that up too.

The biggest challenge the Greens face is their unwillingness to allow their growth to be bottom-up because the narcissists at the top would lose control if they were forced to focus on local electability rather than vanity campaigns for the Presidency.

appalachiablue

(41,047 posts)
13. Better name for sure, Tea Party of the Left is awful and was used by Bubba recently.
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 11:04 PM
Apr 2016

Democracy Forward Movement. And the Real Deal Democratic Party.

 

peace13

(11,076 posts)
26. I say the Democratic Party.
Mon Apr 25, 2016, 10:53 AM
Apr 2016

Let the folks who changed think up their own name! Not our problem! They could go with something that represents global economy and militarization.

Myrina

(12,296 posts)
32. Exactly! Sanders is in line with the FDR Dems, he should be the party's standard-bearer.
Mon Apr 25, 2016, 03:17 PM
Apr 2016

Clinton can go back to her "deep Conservative roots" and rejoin the GOP, and the TeaBillies can have Cruz, Walker and the other Dominionist whackadoodles on the far-right.

 

w4rma

(31,700 posts)
3. Any working plan must include targeting Democratic primaries.
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 10:49 PM
Apr 2016

If the plan doesn't include voting against neoliberals in Democratic primaries it will fail spectacularly.

Don't fall into the corporatist trap by thinking that neoliberal Democrats will vote progressive from blackmail. You must vote progressives in yourself. Noone else will do it for you.

 

w4rma

(31,700 posts)
5. Another huge reason to target primaries. Primaries aren't gerrymandered.
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 10:54 PM
Apr 2016

Noone can gerrymander a primary. Primaries are the only elections that matter in gerrymandered districts.

 

silvershadow

(10,336 posts)
8. The districts are. A leftist who wins the primary will never win the general. But you knew that.
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 10:58 PM
Apr 2016
 

w4rma

(31,700 posts)
12. If by 'extreme left' you mean: Clinton's corporatist wing, then yes.
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 11:03 PM
Apr 2016

Clinton won the unpopular wing on unpopular issues and name recognition. Progressive issues are mainstream.

 

w4rma

(31,700 posts)
15. You mean the districts that Sanders won in the primaries?
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 11:08 PM
Apr 2016

Thus showing Sanders to be the true 'moderate'?

 

silvershadow

(10,336 posts)
23. Face it, we are a fractured party, regardless. A sleeping giant has been awakened on both sides.
Mon Apr 25, 2016, 01:16 AM
Apr 2016

There is no amount of window dressing that can change it.

tex-wyo-dem

(3,190 posts)
28. Why do you think the author is talking about a...
Mon Apr 25, 2016, 11:38 AM
Apr 2016

"Teabagger mentality?" The Tea Party is an AstroTurf movement promoted and funded by wealthy corporate oligarchs bend on pressuring the already radical RW anti-government GOP to become even more radical...a wholey destructive fake movement that drew out the most racist, xenophobic, etc elements of our society.

A true Progressive movement such as being discussed, would be the opposite...a true grassroots organization based on the principles Bernie has been campaigning on the entire primary that's been resonating with millions.

 

peace13

(11,076 posts)
27. ...for a credible count of the votes. If they can't get cast and don't get counted it is pointless!
Mon Apr 25, 2016, 10:58 AM
Apr 2016

Orsino

(37,428 posts)
25. A Tea Party is a brainless, astroturfed thing promoting fake issues to the detriment of all.
Mon Apr 25, 2016, 10:10 AM
Apr 2016

There can be no such thing as a Tea Party of the Left. No big corporations are going to secretly bus us from rally to rally. If we want progressive change, we're going to have to do it ourselves.

Gumboot

(531 posts)
33. I know you'll probably savage me for posting this, but...
Mon Apr 25, 2016, 03:38 PM
Apr 2016


Let's be honest - these should be the 10 key values of The Democratic Party... if it wasn't being devoured by Wall Street.

Damn, I really wish my Party would come back over to the left side of the aisle... where it would find America's working people crying out to be represented.

Lucky for the DNC that The Greens get absolutely zero TV time, or they'd be in huge trouble.

 

Chan790

(20,176 posts)
35. Dumb.
Mon Apr 25, 2016, 05:10 PM
Apr 2016

Why should we leave our party?

Let the Third Way fuckwits, Neo-Liberals and Centrists leave to form this idealized third party. In fact, I wish them all the luck in it--I believe it will take the sane edge of the GOP with them and relegate the GOP to the dust-heap.

We'll end up back in a two-party system within 20 years where the two parties are Democrats (Progressives) and New Centrist Coalition. (Clintonites, Mainstream GOP, Third Way, Moderates and Neo-liberals.) It would kill conservatism in America.

denbot

(9,894 posts)
37. Liberals, and progressives already have a party, it's called the Democratic Party.
Tue Apr 26, 2016, 02:55 AM
Apr 2016

Our wing needs to organize, and assert, not fracture and desert.

 

silvershadow

(10,336 posts)
38. She doesn't want our wing even in the party and doesn't need us. Did you see the
Tue Apr 26, 2016, 02:57 AM
Apr 2016

Town Hall smarm?

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