General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I believe it is correct to criticize Bernie when he disrespects my party. [View all]moriah
(8,311 posts)This forum is called Democratic Underground.
When you say, "All of us", that suggests internal criticism, which is extremely healthy indeed. It's why we have primaries, why we work to build a platform. We have flaws and must find ways to work with everyone in our big tent. We will have our squabbles, because it is a big tent. But the ideal is unity and trying to get the best for everyone in our big tent, including the little groups within it.
If that's what I truly perceived Bernie to be doing -- making the criticisms, but from inside, with the goal to strengthen the party -- I would have few issues. But he sadly is pushing a division in the party of addressing economic vs social justice, when we should be focusing on both. And even if it wasn't his intent to do so, that's what his candidacy did.
And we can't make the false assumption that social justice will come when we have economic justice. (If we all drove the same car maybe, but we know that's not what Bernie or anyone supporting him means by economic justice) But since rich black men are still pulled over and harassed on the presumption they stole the nice vehicle, obviously just having the trappings of wealth doesn't negate the social paradigm we have to address as well.
They both must be worked for together, and we must work together as a Party to get the best for everyone.
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There's a big difference between the right "all of us" have to criticize our Democratic candidates -- where our criticism is for the health of the party -- and the rights of outsiders to trash it and cause division.
We of course are all Americans and can say whatever the hell we want. But that's what I meant by "the same right as all of us". Us Democrats.
If you really can't see the distinction, perhaps this isn't your home. And I'm sorry for that, because you've been with us awhile.