I have long admired CrashingVor’s writings and insights. I believe that CrashingVor’s diary today is a sincere attempt to smooth the divide between HRC and Bernie supporters. That said, I’d like to offer my thoughts as to some of the characteristics of this poignant divide. These thoughts were inspired by my disagreement with this statement: “Many of their [HRC and Bernies’] differences are of degree, not kind, means, not end.”
“[Differences of] degree.” HRC and her supporters believe in incremental, pragmatic changes, such that big oil, Wall Street, big banks, insurance companies, the pharmaceutical industry, defense contractors and war makers along with our elected representatives can continue to fleece 99% of us.
Whereas, Bernie wants to lead a strong coalition of citizens who are energized and inspired to get involved in our own governance, now, by electing him and other progressive representatives; to reclaim our democratic values, and work to hold our government to these fundamental, humane, life supporting, planet saving democratic ideals. I don’t think anyone believes that these changes would happen overnight, but if we are going to make real and necessary changes, we have to start now.
“[Differences of] kind” HRC has shown us during her tenures, both as Senator and as Secretary of State, that she is willing to continue regime changes and war making. She has shown us that she will promote the continued use of fossil fuels and the practice of fracking; putting our air and our water and our planet in peril. She has told us flatly that we will never, ever achieve single payer health care.
Whereas, Bernie has shown us over the course of his 30 year career serving as mayor and in both houses of congress, that he opposes war and regime change. He has been explicit in both, his opposition to the continued use of fossil fuels and his desire for us to work toward development of clean, renewable energy. He has stated bluntly that our single greatest threat today is Climate Change. He has made it clear that health care is a fundamental right of all human beings and that, as other developed nations have, we too can provide health care to all of our citizens.
”[Differences of] means” HRC is willing to continue a long tradition of pay-to-play politics by taking big money from big donors and Super PACs. She has been adamant that she will not disclose the transcripts of her speeches given to some of her big money donors, which could disprove “less than ethical promises” she may (or may not) have made to her big money donors. She has shown us that she is willing to blatantly and repeatedly distort Bernie’s positions on substantive issues in order to win this election. She has shown us that she is willing to change her positions on key political matters for political expediency.
Whereas, Bernie has refused to accept money from big oil; big banks; Wall Street; the pharmaceutical industry; Super PAC’s; etc. Instead, he funds his campaign with small dollar support from two million regular folks who can afford to donate an average of $27 apiece. Bernie has been an unrelenting supporter of publicly financed campaigns so that our elected representatives can serve their constituents rather than the interests of their campaign donors. Bernie has pointed out simple, clear, factual differences between his and HRC’s positions on various issues. Bernie’s well documented (and available for all to see) political values and democratic goals have been consistent throughout his entire political career. This is one of the most significant reasons Bernie is considered to be the most honest and trustworthy politician in our lifetimes.
“[Differences of] end” It is difficult to state clearly what HRC’s ultimate goals are. She says she is “fighting for us” but that is not a statement of goals. By all appearances, HRC’s goals are to make the ever-lauded pragmatic, incremental changes in some areas, but by her statements and actions, she has shown us that she will continue to engage in and support the unjust and destructive practices of the status quo, sometimes referred to as the Establishment.
Whereas, many of us who support Bernie do so because we ardently believe--indeed we know--that the survival of the American Dream; the survival of the middle class; the survival of the less fortunate among us and the survival of our planet, requires that we make BIG and fundamental changes in our priorities and political practices NOW. It requires, as Bernie reminds us over and over again, that WE STAND TOGETHER, UNITED IN PURPOSE, to make this great nation work for ALL of us.
