MannyGoldstein appreciation thread

[Ned Flanders]

146. My Political Views Have Evolved, Why Hasn't DU?

I'm a long-term lurker at DU, with nowhere near the number of posts which give one "celebrity" status around here, but I hope you can take a moment to consider my experience with DU.

I was raised Republican, voted for Reagan, but came around about the time they were investigating Bill Clinton's penis. But I still had some rather right-of-middle views, based largely upon my ignorant conservative upbringing. And then I found DU. Democratic Underground (and Bartcop) were instrumental in giving me the information I needed to change course, to recognize the injustice and mistakes of the Republican/Conservative agenda. As I spent more time here, my philosophies and beliefs about life and social justice have changed, I think, making me more Progressive. It is ironic that even as I move to the left, my party has moved more to the right.

I have taken in new information and evolved accordingly. Why hasn't DU? How can you continue to support a candidate who clearly represents the old, corrupted way of doing things? I cannot believe that I have evolved politically to the point where I am considered "far left," but DU is still supporting a candidate who has called herself a moderate, and acted even more to the right.

Skinner, and you other admins: I am calling you out! Can you take a moment to explain why you apparently support HRC? I understand the need for unbiased moderation, but really, you have displayed bias by your silence. To paraphrase some brilliant dude, "in situations of injustice, when you remain silent, you have chosen to side with the oppressor." So really, can you make a stand in support of your candidate?

It should be overwhelmingly clear by now who is the best candidate for President. To those of us who support Bernie Sanders, it is completely unfathomable why any good Democrat would support HRC. If we come across as shrill or overbearing, it is because of our shock. I mean, WTF, really? We have watched the conservatives using all manner of dirty tricks, including fabricating bogus "scandals," so it is very clear to us, and very disappointing, when one of the "good guys" like HRC uses those same tactics. I mean, Mr. Sanders was honorable and honest enough to defend HRC during a debate against the email "scandal." Yet when a scandal is fabricated against Bernie, she remains notably silent, and allows her cronies to wage a full-on media war against him.

We laugh at Trump because he is endorsed by Putin, but when the bankers endorse Clinton, some say it means nothing. C'mon, folks. If it walks like a duck...? Or do you prefer Occam's razor, ya know, the most likely explanation thing?

We have "free speech zones," in the guise of "candidate primary forums," where you aren't allowed to speak any ill will of the candidate. Such forums only facilitate cognitive dissonance.

And members who express their displeasure too forcibly are banned. All opinions are not welcome. There is a difference between Manny and your average conservative troll. By lumping him into their category and silencing him, you have shamed yourself and diminished the quality of DU. What a bummer. I guess I'm next....