The Biggest reason I just can't #FeelTheBern (The Fetishization of Not Knowing)

[Hortensis]

19. I am more liberal than Hillary but have come to

Last edited Thu Feb 11, 2016, 05:04 PM - Edit history (1)

realize that I cannot support Bernie. I'd held that door open for some time. Yes, I definitely would vote for him over any GOP candidate because I share many of his stated goals and they're really scary, but nervously because I now finally recognize that Bernie is not a far wiser, more moderate and reasonable version of his more extremist followers but, rather, that they actually are a fairly true reflection of who he is.

I have them to thank for sending me to read about the far left in America. Because of that I now understand that their constant, profound disrespect and contempt for liberals and the intense righteousness and intolerance toward everyone who is "not with" them are characteristic of the anti-Democratic, extreme left wing." "Progressives," as this era's version is calling themselves only, reject all other progressives as enemies unworthy of the name. So typical, so telling! And so dysfunctional!

Of course, Sanders disses economists who disagree with him and others, like PP, who decide for practical reasons to support his opponent. These aren't just calculated political statements, they are expressions of genuine, newly generated contempt for those who aren't "with him."

Most shocking and clarifying is to understand that this group's greatest hostility is and always will be reserved for liberals, especially moderate liberals. Also that that intolerance of moderates is also the key to their strange lack of hostility to not just the right, but particularly those on the far right -- whom they strongly resemble in many important ways. Too many for comfort.

In any case, these are unfortunately not just minor traits that can be ignored in Sanders but evidence of a dysfunctional rigidity and inability to form alliances that historically has relegated extreme left movements to the sidelines of American politics. The Tea Party is a recent right-wing extremist success only because it was formed and funded by the Kochs and their coalition.

“Why should we work within the Democratic Party if we don’t agree with anything the Democratic Party says?”

"The Democratic Party ideologically bankrupt, they have no ideology. Their ideology is opportunism.”

"It would be hypocritical of me to run as a Democrat because of the things I have said about the party."

Bernie Sanders

“Bernie alienates his natural allies. His holier-than-thou attitude—saying in a very loud voice he is smarter than everyone else and purer than everyone else—really undercuts his effectiveness.” - Rep. Barney Frank

"Guma recalled meeting Sanders for the first time at a campaign information session and asking why the candidate for Senate should get his vote. ... "Do you know what the movement is? Have you read the books?" he recalled Sanders responding. "If you didn't come to work for the movement, you came for the wrong reasons—I don't care who you are, I don't need you." From Mother Jones