please explain why an event centering on a democratic socialist candidate...

[redruddyred]

...is attended primarily by upper-middle class birkenstock-wearing pseudo-preppie types. is politics a rich man's game?

sanders came to my town today.
except for the afl-cio officers, who were all sadly few and far between, there was a real dearth of his so-called 'stakeholders'. am I confusing 'middle' and 'working' class? are working people too busy working to care about their well being in the general scheme of things? do elections not have consequences nearly as profound as we liberals like to wax on about? does politics matter after all, or is the apathy, esp among the democratic 'voting base' as bad as sanders himself mentioned?

also, plz guide this socially retarded political neophyte, one had a strong feeling that the purpose of these events was for politically likeminded people to schmooze and get to know each other. I think that's why they all stayed after to chat. it certainly wasn't for the nonexistent catering.

I'm glad he's running. my impression from him was very 'new england democratic politician-y' which is a group of people I rather like as a whole. still, despite his unusual political career, he seemed very ordinary and even banal w/i our on context.

[libdem4life]

1. You said "today"...during working hours? Just asking.

[redruddyred]

8. a lot of walmart zombies on the nite shift.

I wonder what their excuse is?

[TBF]

16. They're not allowed to sleep? nt

[redruddyred]

18. I didn't sleep nt

[GeorgeGist]

2. Your concern is noted.

Enjoy your stay.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

3. "I'm glad he's running."

Whew!

P.S. Oh. no! No catering!

[Agnosticsherbet]

4. I think there is a powerful appeal to young intellectuals and graduates who found that

their education did not pay off in good jobs.

Every college campus I attended had an active socialist organizaiton.

Socialism is not given a postive spin in schools attended by the working poor or the middle class.

The whole "Birkenstock-wearing pseudo prepie types" sounds like a right wing meme, and a bit conescending.

[redruddyred]

9. you're right.

I grew up in an extreme right wing household.
also, all the ppl I hang around now are apathetic should-have-been blue collar Rs who have been left behind by their party. that is to say, democratic socialists who don't vote.
either way, I felt distinctly uncomfortable.
but since sanders mentioned it himself in his speech, and since I think that the key to getting a decent guy into office will be convincing ppl to actually vote, I wanted to raise the question.

[Cheese Sandwich]

5. "Upper-middle class birkenstock-wearing pseudo-preppie types"

Fuck this noise. Painting with a broad brush. I got my birkenstocks at goodwill.

[RoccoR5955]

13. It doesn't sound good

when someone describes people like this. Personally, I generally see it as an attack from some right-winger. It has that dog-whistle thing about it to me.

[Cheese Sandwich]

14. Transparent concern troll. Hosts were right to lock it.

Just my opinion.

Can you imagine going into the Hillary group and saying "Guys I support Hillary but I'm concerned she gets all her money from investment bankers". You probably wouldn't make it too far.

[redruddyred]

21. I think that's a legit concern?

one which hillary supporters should be addressing.

[Cheese Sandwich]

27. go there and ask them. Let me know what you find.

[redruddyred]

29. I think you should try.

haven't yet been outed as 'concern troll'.

[immoderate]

6. Don't authentic preppies ALSO wear Birkenstocks?

Or should we panic?

--imm

[smokey nj]

7. Please explain to me why you didn't ask them yourself?

[redruddyred]

10. too shy :0

rich ppl are scary.

[smokey nj]

11. Since I wasn't at the event, I don't have an explanation for you.

[Chiquitita]

12. redruddyred, it's alright to feel that way

and I do think your questions are sincere. Maybe your feelings about 'rich ppl' are based on some assumptions/fears that you just need some time to examine. Why weren't the people you wished to see there present? Maybe they aren't following the presidential campaigns yet. They could be very busy just working and surviving. I think there are lots of us who are tired and cynical. And a lot of people who don't know who the candidates are yet. Let's get the word out!

If the people who were there all seemed to know each other, or have free time to chat, and you felt sort of left out, maybe you were just having an off day, a shy day. There's a lot of diversity (in ideology, background, motivations, kindness) among 'rich ppl' and who attended elite schools like Harvard. They are just like everyone else, some generous, some are learning to be.

[redruddyred]

20. I don't think they're following the campaigns at all.

I don't think they think they have a stake in politics.

no need to make fun of my chatspeak. :0

There's a lot of diversity (in ideology, background, motivations, kindness) among 'rich ppl' and who attended elite schools like Harvard.
sure, I even know a few. but it's extremely difficult to communicate across that divide of radically different experiences, assumptions, etc.

[RoccoR5955]

15. And you know for sure

that these people were wearing Birkenstocks, and knew them well enough to know that they are upper-middle class?
Please explain.
Thanks.

[redruddyred]

19. too well dressed, and healthy.

could pick the contruction workers out fo the crowd, even w/o the afl-cio nametags.

[RoccoR5955]

22. So you don't actually know them

You are just presuming because of the way that they dress and the appearance of their health that they are upper class?
Interesting. I wonder how one does this without being somewhat biased, and often times incorrect.

[redruddyred]

23. can pick a jew out of a crowd too.

experience will get you everywhere.

[RoccoR5955]

24. Oh?

That certainly sounds biased. Do you base it on their nose or what?

[redruddyred]

25. my jewish upbringing, with other jews

but, yes, I do have a big nose. thanks for reminding me.

[RoccoR5955]

26. OH, I was born and raised in Brooklyn myself

In an Italian-Jewish-other neighborhood. You know not far from where Bernie grew up. I went to Brooklyn College too.
I still know poor "yuppies" who wear preppy cloths and wear Birkinstocks. They know where to get used clothing and shoes cheap. Just sayin' that you can't always tell a book by its cover. People are often much more different than what they put on in public.

[redruddyred]

28. depends what you consider poor tho.

look, I know a number of these people, not personally, but I recognize them. even my local rep, who I would consider solidly middle class, looked shabby in comparison.

[TBF]

17. Cool story, bro. nt