Recently, like many around me, I have been feeling the Bern... Why?
Well, here's this old guy who spent his whole life serving the country and really doing it well. And an old lady who has spent her life serving the country and really making a mess of things. Never mind the Republicans, they're all going to lose this race, in my opinion. So, as I see it, it's between Bernie and Hillary. But far more important is the how than the who.
If Bernie wins, it will be a win for the small donors, the positive campaign, the independent minded people, and for Progressive values. If Hillary wins, it will be a win for big money donors, for business as usual politics, and for...a woman. Not necessarily all women. But certainly a woman. Now, don't mistake me for being sexist here. I'm just saying that Hillary more for corporations than people - men or women. And considering her deep entrenchment in the Democratic political establishment, a victory for her wouldn't really feel like a victory for the truly progressive women's movement. It would feel like a victory for the corporations who have succeeded in leashing the Democratic Party and now the feminists are getting the corporate-approved tiara.
Never mind burning your bra. Never mind radically rejecting and throwing off the bonds of paternal slavery. Just join the system, suck up to it, and do its bidding - and you shall have the mantle of power. Oooh goodie! And just to make sure people don't figure you out to be the Faux-Liberal that you are, make sure you do a few Progressive things here and there in the margins, as time permits. This is how I see Hillary and Bill Clinton. And this is the opposite of what Bernie Sanders is saying - and doing.
Bernie doesn't want or accept big money. He doesn't have a Super PAC. And he is boldly calling for universal healthcare, banking reform, campaign finance reform, a drawing down of our military action, free public college and university tuition, a huge infrastructure investment, and many many other truly bold and progressive measures. Will we get all those things? Probably not right away. But someday, we can all hope for these and much greater things. But it's brave and bold to stand up for what is right and true, especially this day and age. And that is why I've been inspired by him.
Because it's not just about politics. It's about people. It's about using our collective resources to make the world a better place for everyone. That's the purpose of government. If the government doesn't do that, then what purpose is it serving?
"I am willing to lie, cheat and swindle my way to a position of power to make the world a better place."
Does that sound like a good compromise to you? Sadly, that's probably among the most enlightened viewpoints currently taken by politicians... Until Bernie came along and made everything in this race about one thing: serving the people.
Well, here's this old guy who spent his whole life serving the country and really doing it well. And an old lady who has spent her life serving the country and really making a mess of things. Never mind the Republicans, they're all going to lose this race, in my opinion. So, as I see it, it's between Bernie and Hillary. But far more important is the how than the who.
If Bernie wins, it will be a win for the small donors, the positive campaign, the independent minded people, and for Progressive values. If Hillary wins, it will be a win for big money donors, for business as usual politics, and for...a woman. Not necessarily all women. But certainly a woman. Now, don't mistake me for being sexist here. I'm just saying that Hillary more for corporations than people - men or women. And considering her deep entrenchment in the Democratic political establishment, a victory for her wouldn't really feel like a victory for the truly progressive women's movement. It would feel like a victory for the corporations who have succeeded in leashing the Democratic Party and now the feminists are getting the corporate-approved tiara.
Never mind burning your bra. Never mind radically rejecting and throwing off the bonds of paternal slavery. Just join the system, suck up to it, and do its bidding - and you shall have the mantle of power. Oooh goodie! And just to make sure people don't figure you out to be the Faux-Liberal that you are, make sure you do a few Progressive things here and there in the margins, as time permits. This is how I see Hillary and Bill Clinton. And this is the opposite of what Bernie Sanders is saying - and doing.
Bernie doesn't want or accept big money. He doesn't have a Super PAC. And he is boldly calling for universal healthcare, banking reform, campaign finance reform, a drawing down of our military action, free public college and university tuition, a huge infrastructure investment, and many many other truly bold and progressive measures. Will we get all those things? Probably not right away. But someday, we can all hope for these and much greater things. But it's brave and bold to stand up for what is right and true, especially this day and age. And that is why I've been inspired by him.
Because it's not just about politics. It's about people. It's about using our collective resources to make the world a better place for everyone. That's the purpose of government. If the government doesn't do that, then what purpose is it serving?
"I am willing to lie, cheat and swindle my way to a position of power to make the world a better place."
Does that sound like a good compromise to you? Sadly, that's probably among the most enlightened viewpoints currently taken by politicians... Until Bernie came along and made everything in this race about one thing: serving the people.
