Bernie Sanders has been a fantastic influence on the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton , but as he appears to be losing his presidential bid it is becoming clear that both Clinton and the party elites (establishment) will not “try to match Bernie Sanders’ left-wing politics” much longer. This has been one of the positive things as the Sanders candidacy has infused progressive policies and conversation to the front, forcing Clinton to appear more progressive and making it difficult for her to backpedal going forward. Because of this, it is essential that Bernie stay in the race till the bitter end, because when he is gone, both the Democratic Party and Clinton will quietly “etch a sketch” their policy positions back to the middle/right, preparing for inevitable moves farther right. On any fight starting positions are important and with Bernie, a lifelong progressive, you know he would strive for the best position. Without Sanders there will be no strong voice for the left and the media will no longer pay it any real attention.
The link below to a Salon.com article by Ben Norton explores some basic differences between Sanders and Clinton. As his subtitle says “Sanders has exposed just how reactionary and corrupt the Democratic Party is—while Clinton wants things to carry on”. Sanders has been calling for a revolution and that makes the Democrats as uneasy as the Republicans. Who would be in control and many other questions are obviously frightening to them. Clinton has been “condemning Sanders for ‘trying to convince the next generation of progressives that the Democratic Party is corrupt’.” And that may be a pretty accurate description: “warmongering, corporate-funded, pro-privatization Democratic Party leadership has long made it loud and clear that it is thoroughly corrupt and reactionary.” Norton says that with Obama much of the so called “Change” was little more than “George W. Bush lite”. With few exceptions it is hard not to agree. In the last 30 years “wages have stagnated, poverty has increased and people have become more and more dissatisfied with the way things are.” Where is the Democratic Party leading the charge for the average American, the working man? AWOL. Instead most of their effort focuses on silencing the only voice calling things as they are and suggesting real change.
What the Democratic Party and the Clintons don’t want to accept is that “as the Republican Party has shifted to the extreme, far-right, the Democratic Party moved along to the right with it. Instead of holding ground (shifting to the left was not even on the table), the Democratic Party embraced neoliberalism” which is good for the top 10% or so. That hasn’t worked out so great for the bottom 90% of Americans. Norton adds: “Americans are desperate for actual change, and Sanders has offered a new path. Clinton has flatly insisted that Americans cannot have basic things that much of the world takes for granted — single-payer health care, free public higher education, environmental policies that don’t rely on fossil fuel corporations that destroy the planet.” Sanders and Clinton see things very differently. They live in different world and yes their tax returns require a different number of digits. Maybe the sky is a different color as well. It is often hard to understand the positions some take particularly when they claim to represent the same base.
Read the whole article below and support what really makes sense, even if it might be difficult.