2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Bernie Supporters - Please read my post [View all]AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)Last edited Mon Aug 17, 2015, 08:28 AM - Edit history (2)
Which I read and acknowledged. I've eliminated my original response for lack of reciprocity.
Communication requires open ears and hearts, but that goes both ways.
Restored:
I very much appreciate the effort to reach out to others here. I am struck by what appears to be lumping all Bernie Sanders supporters in the same category. We are decidedly a diverse bunch. I supported Barack Obama wholeheartedly in the 2008 election. I openly admit I ignored warning signs that a President Obama would be more centrist/right leaning than Candidate Obama. For instance, the first endorsement he got from a congressperson was from Ben Nelson, one of the worst rightwing Democrats. He has the dubious honor of being the deciding vote in favor of Bush's massive tax cuts. Also, when Obama started filling his cabinet, I ignored his choice of Larry Summers and Timothy Geinthner, both at the helm of the economic meltdown caused in large part by Bill Clinton's repeal of Glass-Steagall. I was a huge Clinton fan when I first came to DU 10 years ago, and I got an education. But I digress; I'll address the Clintons a bit later. Candidate Obama was magnificent. He had the world in the palm of his hand. I still believe he was the better choice, but I also have to admit where he has fallen short. He's done some terrific things, and I have to admit some pretty crappy things too (education policy, allowing deep see drilling, retaining most of the Bush tax cuts, etc., etc.) In other words, I see him through clear eyes now. It is weird to be at odds with many of the same people I stood shoulder to shoulder with during the 2008 campaign. We weathered the race-baiting campaign the Clintons ran together. It wasn't me that changed; my opinion of them has not changed. Yet I feel nothing but hatred from many people whom I once considered friends.
I was very excited about the prospect of an Elizabeth Warren candidacy. She's a vibrant woman that is so knowledgeable about how the system works. I would have loved to see her as the first female president. However, after careful consideration, I realize Bernie Sanders is the better candidate. His record is strong and consistent. I don't feel the same cult of personality as I did with Obama. Bernie is a no nonsense politician with a strong record of fighting for the oppressed. I admire him immensely. He jumped in this race because he believes the middle class is on the verge of extinction due to bad policy, much of which originated during Bill Clinton's tenure in office. I get how much Pres Obama means to the black community. I think he's an astoundingly capable man and do not regret my support for him. Not one bit. I've just learned to view him with a critical eye and, for that, I am forever grateful to what you probably consider the "hard left" here at DU.
I once adored the Clintons. I worked my ass off for Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996. Both my kids worked alongside me. My son received an award from Sam Farr for being the youngest campaign worker in California. And then I got an education on DU. I began to read the links provided to me and started actually reassessing. His NAFTA, welfare reform, and tough-on-crime policies have devastated a generation of our most vulnerable. And maybe you can forgive their behavior during the 2008 primary, but I cannot and probably never will. I don't think they are racist but they most certainly race-baited as a political tactic. They are doing it again with the attacks on Bernie starting the moment he announced his candidacy formally in Vermont. I remain not okay with it. I will not browbeat you with that. That assessment is yours to make.
What the leftwing here at DU has taught me is a critical eye. I think the Clintons are bad for the Democratic Party. I think they are more accurately the Clinton Wing of the Democratic Party. I am appalled at her behavior at State from maintaining a private server in her home to the exponential increase in arms sales to countries on the watch list with a concomitant huge donation to the Clinton Foundation. I am not alleging quid pro quo. But she made zero effort to sidestep the appearance of wrongdoing. They have enriched themselves over the years inappropriately. I think it is and has always been about them. I don't believe her pandering to the various voter blocks. And, to be blunt, I will never forgive her her vote for the Iraq War that set the clusterfuck in the ME into action. I am happy to vote against her, again, in that regard. I am especially happy to be given the opportunity to vote for someone that voted a decisive NO! on the authorization to use military force.
I will not lecture you nor anyone else about whom to vote for; I am simply stating my position. I never attack Clinton supporters but they almost always confuse my lack of regard for the Clintons as a personal attack on them. Again, I have not changed in my feelings about the Clintons; it's others who have changed and that is their prerogative. I really do care about the plight of minorities in this country, black and brown, women, LGBT, etc. And that is a big part of why I don't support Hillary. She and her husband pander to these groups to get elected but have done very little to help their circumstance. Not sure I fully understand the social justice vs. economic justice brouhaha. Bernie has explained his view that they are parallel issues that do have bearing on each other. He wants to improve life for the 99%. The Clintons seem more interested in feathering their own nest. I read very recently that Hillary had prevented the full release of tax info from Swiss banks preventing the US from going after the tax-dodgers while accepting huge donations to the foundation and monster speaking fees. That reeks of quid pro quo and, quite frankly, it makes me angry that they just don't give a shit about the appearance of wrongdoing.
So, in conclusion (sorry for my lengthy reply, you've got plenty of reading to do on this thread as it is), thank you for reaching out. I appreciate the effort and I hope you at least come away from this thread with a better understanding of Bernie supporters. We are a diverse bunch that just seek honest government, government that lifts all people up, government that protects the rights of all Americans. With my best regards, cheers.