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Flying Squirrel

(3,041 posts)
Tue Aug 1, 2017, 01:25 AM Aug 2017

I am a Democrat who supports Bernie Sanders.

Last edited Tue Aug 1, 2017, 02:03 AM - Edit history (4)

I have voted Democratic my entire life (my first vote was for Dukakis in 1988). I am the democratic base, and so are other Bernie supporters.

To call me a misogynist because I support him is hurtful and divisive.

To say I am not part of the party's base because I support him is hurtful and divisive.

To imply I am racist because I do not support the Establishment's latest challenger to him is hurtful and divisive.

To say Bernie is "too old" is ageist and a violation of DU's Terms of Service.

To attack Bernie and his supporters within the Democratic Party is a violation of DU's Terms of Service. To continue to reference his supporters as "bros" is hurtful and divisive.

I am still a member of this website, until such time as the administration decides otherwise; and on behalf of all Bernie supporters on this site, I demand that the TOS be followed with regard to us.

As far as I can tell, there is only one side re-fighting the primaries on this website and trashing those they disagree with. It needs to stop.

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Why we have this rule: Our forum members support and admire a wide variety of Democratic politicians and public figures. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but our members don't expect to see Democrats viciously denigrated on this website.

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Why we have this rule: Most of our members want this to be forward-looking, friendly community that is focused on creating a better future for our country. Continuing to rehash old fights that have already been resolved is divisive and counter-productive.

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This post is a request for civility and the following of DU's TOS. It is not flamebait.

Thank you.

23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I am a Democrat who supports Bernie Sanders. (Original Post) Flying Squirrel Aug 2017 OP
I also support Bernie. Lunabell Aug 2017 #1
+1 Lunabeii! dae Aug 2017 #8
I would add: flor-de-jasmim Aug 2017 #2
There's a lot of phony drama, and deliberate shit stirring on this site. It's always been that way. Warren DeMontague Aug 2017 #3
Agreed +1 rpannier Aug 2017 #4
I agree. CentralMass Aug 2017 #5
Welcome Back Donkees Aug 2017 #6
Excellent OP Flying Squirrel and I agree with you 100%! dae Aug 2017 #7
I still support Bernie, disillusioned73 Aug 2017 #9
Bernie has my back and I have his. Autumn Aug 2017 #10
It's tough here to be -- Hell Hath No Fury Aug 2017 #11
I am dem Robbins Aug 2017 #12
Don't feel bad, I've been here since 2004 and I was just accused of being a Russian bot. beam me up scottie Aug 2017 #13
I will follow the TOS. Xyzse Aug 2017 #14
I've been a Democrat for more than 40 years. I've been a supporter of Bernie since he Nanjeanne Aug 2017 #15
Thing is Robbins Aug 2017 #17
I'm encouraged that my fellow Dems in the real world are nothing like Nanjeanne Aug 2017 #18
funny thing is Robbins Aug 2017 #19
As for my beliefs, there has only been one candidate in the last few years that supported LiberalArkie Aug 2017 #16
Bernie has true Democratic ideals DeeDeeNY Aug 2017 #20
Thank you for this post. I think that confronting the anti-"left" factionalists can be a good thing David__77 Aug 2017 #21
I had to read this forum by reply count to find threads like these JonLP24 Aug 2018 #22
Things have really changed.. disillusioned73 Aug 2018 #23

flor-de-jasmim

(2,124 posts)
2. I would add:
Tue Aug 1, 2017, 02:17 AM
Aug 2017

Don't hide behind the excuse of "fighting the last primary" whenever Bernie is mentioned. He has been one of the few unrelenting fighters visibly working to bring attention to ways of improving other people's lives. In saying that, I am not diminishing the efforts of others, only pointing out that for reasons unrelated to the last campaign, he is still out there helping to get out the democratic message.

Thanks, Flying Squirell

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)
3. There's a lot of phony drama, and deliberate shit stirring on this site. It's always been that way.
Tue Aug 1, 2017, 03:30 AM
Aug 2017

People find new excuses to run the same old playbook. Same Shit, Different Day.

 

disillusioned73

(2,872 posts)
9. I still support Bernie,
Tue Aug 1, 2017, 09:39 AM
Aug 2017

Nina Turner & Tulsi Gabbard - the smears have not worked..

our #'s are fewer because of the "purge" of 2016.. but silenece is what some around these parts want.. I will continue to be that splinter that reminds people of what left leaning policies look like, unlike our conservative counterparts with a D on their jersey..

example; single payer/ medicare 4 all - the time is now, keep pushing..

 

Hell Hath No Fury

(16,327 posts)
11. It's tough here to be --
Tue Aug 1, 2017, 02:14 PM
Aug 2017

a Dem supporter of Bernie's goals.

Sanders showed the Party the future and the path to success -- it's up to them to take notice.

As a Liberal, working class woman whose Party has all but abandoned me and those like me here in my hometown of SF, it becomes increasingly hard to vote against my interests. I shouldn't be bullied, or shamed, or shut down for saying I have a VERY serious problem with the Big Money infestation the Party suffers from, nor for pushing back against candidates who I do not feel have my most basic interests at heart. I have spent decades vigorously supporting Dems who were pro-choice, pro-LGBTQ, pro-environment, pro-civil rights -- now I choose to be AS vigorous in my support for candidates who fight economic inequality. And I won't apologize for it.

Robbins

(5,066 posts)
12. I am dem
Tue Aug 1, 2017, 10:31 PM
Aug 2017

voted for first time in 1992 and voted dem for much of time since then.to follow rules i won't get into how i voted in 2016 after primary for bernie.

i support bernie in his fight against trump and for president in 2020.nina turner and tulsi gabbard are my runnerup choices if no bernie.

i am progressive democrat.

beam me up scottie

(57,349 posts)
13. Don't feel bad, I've been here since 2004 and I was just accused of being a Russian bot.
Wed Aug 2, 2017, 05:25 AM
Aug 2017

I've been taking breaks when I get frustrated for years, it helps to step away and find friendlier places on the internet. I mostly hang out on Facebook, all of my friends are there and it's the best place to get breaking news. Plus the variety of groups is incredible. I can talk to people all over the world about any subject.

I am a Democrat and I have supported Bernie since he was mayor of Burlington, and like you I am the Democratic base.

Xyzse

(8,217 posts)
14. I will follow the TOS.
Wed Aug 2, 2017, 11:15 AM
Aug 2017

I historically voted for more Democrats than any other political party. I have been an Independent ever since I've started voting. Because I actually believed in Sanders, that persuaded me to register as a Democrat for the primaries.

I support what Bernie is doing as he is indeed trying to push the Democratic Party towards their FDR roots.

His current push towards Universal Healthcare / Medicare-for-All system no matter which party is in power is great to see.

The true test is not just what one says and does while pushing for an issue, but what one does when they actually have influence and power to do so.

After the primaries went, I decided to go back to being an Independent. Which is how I normally am to begin with.

However, I also realize that as time goes, the Democratic party has moved further towards the right in many issues. Part of this is because they do want to work and make the best out of a situation, as such they compromise. There have been instances where they considered compromising on Social Security, allowed Media consolidation, Bailed out Predatory Equity Corporations such as Blackstone, Link to tweet
" target="_blank">saying it is harder to be rich than poor, and now even saying being anti-abortion is not a litmus test.

That indicates an even further Right-wards shift that is troubling. I understand trying to work within the means, and what is available, but at some point or another one has to have a bottom-line on issues. One can not compromise oneself over and over without turning in to someone you don't recognize any more. It is a gradual process as well.

The Democrats have purportedly been the party of the people. The party that would stand-up to special and moneyed interests to lift up everyone as a whole. It is not enough to do so by words or simply by pointing to the platform as we find some politicians in the Democratic Party going against Nurses/Care-givers. When one finds themselves working against the people whose job it is to take care of people, one must take an honest look at themselves and see where one might have gone astray.

Which is why I know that I will work with the Democratic Party during the primaries. To try to help candidates that whose endeavor it is to make the focus about people as a whole. We know that the Democratic Party is the party of Social Justice, Gender Equality and Minorities. However, when some Democrats are even hinting that they will compromise even on those issues, then one must wonder what else they are willing to give up on.

That is the difference. That is why one must be vigilant and look for people who would keep standing. I do not have to like a politician to support, their race, gender, personality, charm or what not has never been what I look at. It has to be their actions and its outcome.

There is much to like in the Democratic Party's platform. Our challenge now is finding candidates who are willing to fight for them.

Nanjeanne

(4,878 posts)
15. I've been a Democrat for more than 40 years. I've been a supporter of Bernie since he
Wed Aug 2, 2017, 01:29 PM
Aug 2017

was Mayor of Burlington and I learned about him from friends who lived there. He has always represented what I believe were the core principles of the Democratic Party. When I became frustrated beyond belief by the party's right leaning turn, it was Sanders who kept me in the party. I remain a Democrat, and proud to be a Sanders supporter, a liberal ... a progressive ... or whatever is the latest word used to describe what at one time was simply a Democrat.

But yeah -- it's not much fun any more to comment since no real discussion is allowed. Forget bashing -- I've been alerted for saying that Howard Dean is always introduced as former Governor, former Pres candidate -- but never as advisor to multinational law firm that works on behalf of pharmaceutical industry among other corporate interests. That seems like leaving that current job out is deliberate.

Robbins

(5,066 posts)
17. Thing is
Wed Aug 2, 2017, 04:45 PM
Aug 2017

we true leftists and supporters of bernie sanders have to be real careful what we say.those who i and others call neoliberals are just waiting to try to get us kicked out.on social media i can be more free to say what I think.

polls this year show bernie is most popular pol in america.and ppp show he and biden would beat trump by double degets.the smears against him isn't working.

many people have left dems to become indys.dems need to work to win them back since people can scream popular vote all they want but as gore found out you have to win outside of california in enough states.

Trump is terrable but we need someone to offer true change to lead country forward.Only bernie and both nina turner and tulsi gabbard i feel can do that.i have to in order of following rules mute my oporion of other dems.

Nanjeanne

(4,878 posts)
18. I'm encouraged that my fellow Dems in the real world are nothing like
Wed Aug 2, 2017, 05:54 PM
Aug 2017

the handful of people eager to pounce here on DU. But there was a time when you could point out issues you may have with some politicians and an honest discussion could be had. Not any more.

Robbins

(5,066 posts)
19. funny thing is
Wed Aug 2, 2017, 08:22 PM
Aug 2017

polls show bernie is only disliked by 8 or 9% of dems.you wouldn't know that from clinton supporters on social media and here.

i really can't offer my crite of dems here according to rules but let me say while i hate gop as much as ever.whenever i hear about trump propsol or see statement i just cringe i am not very happy overall with dem leadership that much eather.dems for example should be following bernie's lead on single payer.

LiberalArkie

(15,686 posts)
16. As for my beliefs, there has only been one candidate in the last few years that supported
Wed Aug 2, 2017, 04:06 PM
Aug 2017

my viewpoint. I am of the Kennedy, Carter wing of the Democratic Party. Not the corporate interest wing.

I support Bernie and the people he advises. He knows how I feel. If he says that he feels he is getting too old to be president and says that I should support John Doe. I will do that as I know that Bernie has researched mr Doe and Mr Doe sees my point of view.

Just as though I support the philosophy of a person biblically as "Jesus Christ" I support the philosophy of one called Bernard Sanders.

David__77

(23,217 posts)
21. Thank you for this post. I think that confronting the anti-"left" factionalists can be a good thing
Mon Aug 7, 2017, 02:44 PM
Aug 2017

There are various concepts being promoted on this site, including anti-"purism," anti-"far left," accusations of racism and sexism, etc. As someone who voted for Sanders in the primary, I do not think that this is ultimately about Sanders.

There is a necessity, in my opinion, to struggle for the future of the Democratic Party. It is the responsibility of progressive-minded people to articulate and fight for a political program. I think that this can be done while acknowledging those Democrats who disagree and without being hostile.

I wish that many more former posters to this site would again post and contribute to a lively discussion about the future of the Democratic Party. There are many fields on which to struggle.

JonLP24

(29,322 posts)
22. I had to read this forum by reply count to find threads like these
Sun Aug 12, 2018, 03:19 AM
Aug 2018

What is unfortunate is a lot of people got the ban hammer even middle of the road people that aren't strongly on one side or the other divide but now it seems these rules don't matter much anymore not to mention the longtime RW trolls.

 

disillusioned73

(2,872 posts)
23. Things have really changed..
Mon Aug 13, 2018, 03:52 PM
Aug 2018

and not for the better.. I don't spend much time around these parts anymore, you tend to know where you are not welcome..

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