Anyone who has been paying attention during these primaries
can recognize that the Sanders campaign tells a story that should be told and retold. Supporters of Bernie Sanders have done something quite remarkable. They championed a presidential candidate who stepped into a major party's primary race as an outsider and they managed to propel him into a genuinely competitive position, despite his eventual loss.
Now, those Sanders supporters should be able to understand that they can make things happen by participating in the process. Now is the time for them to demonstrate their strength by sweeping Republicans out of office, and in all 50 states. This year is the beginning of an opportunity to move this country out of the hands of the right, starting in every district, state and federal.
By participating in every election that comes up from now on, with the enthusiasm and grassroots energy they have demonstrated, they're on the verge of changing politics in the United States forever. But only if they will do it. Yes, Hillary Clinton will become the next President. But that's not the point.
Voting is the point. In 2016, all of those millennials and others who supported Bernie Sanders can help swing state and federal legislative elections nationwide. All they have to do is show up at the polling places in November and vote. The Democratic candidates may not be ideal, but they're on the ballots. Elect them. Then, between November, 2016 and November, 2018, go find better ones.
In the meantime, if the Democratic Party can regain control of the Senate and some state legislatures in 2016, the trend will begin. The Sanders supporters can help do that, by turning out in record numbers in all 50 states. In 2018, that trend can flip the House of Representatives and even more state legislatures. Then, in 2020, those efforts will result in reversing the gerrymandering in many states and even more progressives can be recruited and promoted into office.
Between 2016 and 2020, there will be new Supreme Court justices appointed, along with judges in many, many federal courts. That Democratic Senate will support them, rather than obstructing their appointments. Meanwhile, the process of finding better and better candidates for all offices can continue.
There is much opportunity here. By taking advantage of that, we can transform politics in this country. You've learned how during the 2016 primaries. Take that into November elections and onward. Make change happen. Exert the power that you demonstrated in pushing Bernie Sanders almost to victory.
Here's what I and many others in the previous generations will do to help: We will help you elect those new leaders. We will vote with you. We will provide financial support for candidates you find who will move the country forward. We have your back in this. 2016 is the beginning of a new politics. Stick with it and we'll be there for you.
I promise!
= new reply since forum marked as read
Come up to the 21st century and leave that 60s-era, campus radical phrase ("fighting the establishment"
in the past where it belongs.
The OP is offering an olive branch of unity and support to Sanders supporters in hopes that his movement continues and is successful in getting better, more progressive candidates elected in the future.
Why not just accept that support and work on building your movement while knowing that there are people from previous generations of progressives who will help?
And btw, my progressive bona fides go back a ways. You maybe shouldn't insult people willing to help you.
