Susan Sarandon Explains The Positives for Progressives of President Trump

[DanTex]

118. Fair point about Stein voters.

But a few things in response.

Of course, it would be stupid for Dem politicians to bash green voters (or any other voters, really). But when I discuss politics, on DU or anywhere else, I'm not acting like a political strategist, I'm expressing my opinions and exchanging ideas. My objective is not propaganda, it's simply having an honest discussion. If I were working for a campaign, I wouldn't say some of the things that I'm saying, but since that's not my role here, I will say exactly what I think about Jill Stein or anyone else.

Another thing, there's a distinction between green voters (or Bernie-or-Bust voters), and the prominent voices on the far left that are encouraging people to vote green or BoB. It's the same distinction between Trump voters, many of whom are voting against their own interests, and the GOP propagandists that delude those people into voting against their own interests.

Personally, 2000 was my first adult election, and I toyed with the Nader thing (I ended up not voting out of apathy, which is just as bad). Whether the Stein/BoB influence tipped 2016 is difficult to say, but in 2000 there's no doubt at all, based on how close Florida was. Well, the 8 years of W were a pretty serious lesson in political pragmatism for me. Yeah, Nader's schtick had appeal to my young naive self, but let's get real. There are consequences to GOP presidencies, and they are severe.

So it's hard for me to blame naive 20-somethings for falling for far left "both parties are equally bad" rhetoric, since I used to (almost) be one of them. But it's not hard for me to blame Jill Stein, or Cornel West, or Chris Hedges, or Jimmy Dore, or Susan Sarandon, or the rest. These people are grown-ups, and they are smart enough to know what they are doing, which is putting Republicans into office.