HerbChestnut
HerbChestnut's JournalGoodbye DU
I stayed until the very end, but it's time to leave. Normally I wouldn't bother to create an OP like this as I'm sure most people don't care (I wouldn't tbh) but I have one last thing to say before signing off for good. I've been a supporter of Bernie Sanders since he announced his candidacy, and I came to this website because it was a place to talk about the campaign with like-minded people. At first it was great. I really enjoyed my time here last summer and was pleased to see so many others as passionate as I am about politics in America. However, as Bernie became more popular, and an actual threat to win the nomination, I noticed an increase in the number of outright hostile threads about him and his supporters. It quickly got to the point where coming to this board became significantly less enjoyable.
As the primary dragged on the vitriol from both sides only got worse, and I got the distinct impression that progressives aren't wanted here whatsoever. Worse, now that Hillary has officially won the nomination, some of the most spiteful posters on this board all of a sudden want to embrace Bernie and his supporters. I'm sorry, but you can't spend an entire year demonizing people only to expect them to shake your hand after you win. It's become abundantly clear that my views and those of other Bernie supporters are not wanted on this board. In some ways, it's a reflection of the Democratic Party right now.
So in an attempt to stay within the ToS, consider this constructive criticism of HRC and the Dem Party. If you really want party unity now and in the future, you need to listen to and embrace the Sanders wing. Yes, we're loud. Yes, we're passionate. We are both of those things because we *truly* believe in progressive ideals. Free college tuition. Single payer healthcare. A sane foreign policy. Environmental justice. Racial justice. Economic justice... The list goes on. Ignore progressives at your own peril.
I'm leaving because my experience on this site has turned sour over the last 9 months, and it's entirely because of certain posters who (frankly) take the progressive vote for granted. Goodbye, it's been an eye opener, and I wish you all the best of luck in the future.
-Herb
Reality is setting in on both sides
Clinton/Kaine is the Dem ticket
Bernie supporters want none of it
There will be more to come from this convention...
Clinton Delegates holding back Progressive Agenda
The Dem Platform has been a mixed bag so far with Hillary's Delegates voting against many Progressive amendments including:
Language against the TPP
Single Payer Healthcare
Specific Language on a Carbon Tax
Revolving Door amendment to keep bankers from occupying regulation positions in government
Ban on Fracking
Discussions are still under way so there could be more to add to this list before the weekend is over, but it's pretty clear who the real Progressives are in that room.
Profile Information
Member since: Fri Jul 24, 2015, 01:17 AMNumber of posts: 3,649
