2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Goodbye DU [View all]PatrickforO
(14,570 posts)I at times felt patronized, shunted aside, thought of as what Rahm Emmanuel called a 'libtard.' One of those unicorns, you know. Funny story - I posted a little deal about Bernie on The Hill and some right winger called me a 'parasite.' But you know, he is a perfect example of someone brainwashed by corporate propaganda over years of exposure to Fox and hate-talk radio. So, he's a hater.
I say this because I had kind of an epiphany tonight watching the convention. I have been a fervent and (I like to think) pretty articulate and well-informed supporter of Bernie Sanders. I also cheered Obama over Hillary in '08. I came to see Clinton almost as a mechanical caricature who was empty inside, wanted only to be elected but didn't really care about us.
Tonight in the convention speeches I heard different from quite a few people. Hillary was humanized for me. I honestly had no idea she has this long track record of accomplishment.
See, someone on here pointed out that the right wing has had since the 90s to hate Hillary and undermine her and everything she stands for. They have. The 90s was when the real GOP hate started, with Rove the 'son' of Atwater, both vile snakes.
Anyway they have spent a long time making Hillary into a sort of cartoon caricature. But she is not. She is a real human who actually does care. Not Bill so much, but those others - that guy with dwarfism from Nebraska - she kept in touch with him for years and called him before the numerous surgeries he had to have. Honestly, a cartoon automaton isn't gonna do that.
Don't leave here because of a cartoon. We libs are AT the table now and we got about 80% of Bernie's positions in the platform and that platform is a message for the POB in the party not to take us for granted. But if people like us LEAVE the table now that we've worked so hard to get TO the table, then they will take us for granted.
If I were you I would not leave. I would do what I'm going to do: stay, argue, advocate progressive positions.
Last word: even if you leave I do urge you to vote for Clinton. Sure the Greens are pretty close to where we are, but they aren't real in terms of their ability to win. Vote Clinton and then hold her feet to the fire, as well as all the downticket Dems we put in office. That's the way to go. Let's not let Trump anywhere near that nuclear football.
Nonetheless, good luck.