Latest Breaking News
In reply to the discussion: California Democratic chair race angers 'Berniecrats' [View all]haele
(12,654 posts)Down here in Southern California, I haven't heard any real "whining" except from people who are closer to the radical side of the Democratic left than the pragmatic side of the Democratic left.
Here's the situation - the California Republicans (and the National GOP and CoC/conservative "think tank" interests) want to exploit the level of progress we're making. The California Democratic party is moving incrementally left, so as not to lose the old school fiscally and socially moderates and yet give the newer voices in the Democratic left (i.e., the later GenY/Millenials) a chance to start working within the party to effect progressive change. But...
You can see a lot of outside (disruptive) influence when supposed Democratic members and fellow travelers are complaining the press "We're mad because even though we're seeing progress, it's not progressing Fast Enough" and "We've gotten what we want with some issues, but it's Not Perfect! - or worse "The Party gives us a voice, but they don't let us tell people what to do - they expect us to compromise instead of just putting us in charge; they won't just capitulate to us..."
Many of the more vocal so-called Berniecrats are either technocrats - the "just do it my way and it will work better for you" business and entrepreneurial types who think they can do a better job running California from their particular view (without really understanding local political issues that need to be addressed if you're planning on bringing everyone forward along with you) - or dis-satisfied or dis-affected people who frankly want power to change the world to their liking, but don't care what anyone else needs to thrive, also. These are the types that don't play well with others; those to whom the more inclusive Democratic party is a political safe haven as the Republican party is just rigidly structured for them to be able to participate the way they want to.
California is a huge state; it has the economy and infrastructure requirements of most independent developed countries, and just as wide range of social issues to consider.
If we're to be progressively successful to bond us together socially as a State rather than a selection of interests, we must include the far more moderate concerns of Far Northern quarter and the Inland Empire Democrats when we consider policy. All politics are local, as are all issues. What works in one area will not work in others, even when considering economic and/or social policy solutions both between and within the large California metropoles* (i.e., San Fransisco, Sacremento, and L.A basin)
The "Berniecrats" have a strong voice in California Democratic party, despite what the media likes to portray. But they aren't the only voice. And the GOP is trying to leverage their energy and discontent to it's advantage.
Haele
* For you English majors up there, I looked it up - metropoles is one of the two plurals of metropolis, similar to the plural of Octopus.