Bloody Sunday Massacre in 1916 Everett
‘Nuff Said
I write this as a once seventeen year-old who walked out of college to join the Hard Left. Yes, I couldn’t stay in school while the World burned under Reagan. Of course, I was right; the World — really the planet — burned. Reagan decimated labor unions (PATCO), revived open racism through his “welfare moms” lies, brought civil war to Latin America (killing and displacing thousands), introduced crack cocaine to urban areas, and mortgaged our economic future mortgaged to Reaganomics [people, thank the Internet for more than easy access to porn; it saved our asses].
Eagerly I joined comrades who seductively told me of generations of dead heroes. I could soon describe long-ago labor movement strikes, the brutal dismantling of the biracial sharecropper union, sell-outs by craft unions (like those now providing security to my parents’ family), and so on. In my youthful naivete I accepted no electoral solution would work, leaving only “revolution.” Much like the labor movement history I could soon parrot the gleaming socialist future. (Think Fundamentalists or Amway).
Teenage Angst
Due to my great youth and long hours, it took too long to realize “my movement” was a joke. Outside of loyal members in nearby neighborhoods we had no connection to most workers. Yes, we delivered basic services like food and advocacy but made no lasting change. Nor had we a rat’s chance in hell of delivering on grander socialistic futures. In short, we pissed on the memories of the brave people I described above.
Disillusioned I exercised my white middle class skin privilege and left the primarily urban neighborhoods I attempted to serve (now being torn about by crack addiction and gang wars). I obtained my college degree (half the time at night) and finally dealt with accepting my sexual orientation. I might do some politics but I treated it a reformed drunk handles alcohol (binge occasionally but otherwise stay away).
Jobs Mean Dollars & Dignity
Then the Clinton's got elected (yes, both of them and mostly thanks to Perot). At first it appalled me (a conservative from Arkansas — did everyone forget Carter while I was “away.”) But then I saw people from all income levels had jobs under Clinton, his Cabinet looked like America (meaning not all white males), he lowered infant mortality and teen pregnancy (which mattered to poverty rates), we expanded health care for children, and paid off Reagan’s debt. Did he screw up? Hell, yes. The War on “Drugs” (America) continued, his welfare reform just shoved the problem on the states, and his sexual exploits gave Republicans endless ammunition. But I challenge any Clinton hater on the left to tell me things were not better than under Reagan. For those too young to remember talk to anyone over 50 (don’t scoff; you will get there sooner than you think).
Then we got W (don’t tell me Nader’s election run didn’t play a role). None of have forgotten those travesties.
Not Backing Down
Now we have Obama. As a Clinton supporter, he was not my first choice but I have come to love and admire him. Yes, like the Clinton’s he’s overly conservative for my tastes (hardly surprising given my background). But he gave us health care (yes, it’s flawed but something in place is easier to fix). He takes responsibility for his actions (such as dead American soldiers). Obama’s administrative agencies (Labor and EEOC) have implemented real reforms for workers. He courageously takes on gun control. Like the Clintons he does not back down from the Republicans. Significantly he and Michelle have returned dignity and class to the White House.
Soon we will choose between Bernie and Hillary. In my heart, I know my 17 year old self would again quit school to join Bernie’s campaign. In my brain, my now 53 year old self realizes I would suffer the same disillusionment as my prior self. Yes, Sanders has a been hero who stands alone on many issues. Like Warren he articulates great arguments for economic justice. But like my old movement he has no connection to a larger movement, no significant legislative accomplishment in Congress (yes, I have seen his bills), and unlike Warren has never made an effort to regularly draw issue oriented supporters to larger goals. More significantly, he doesn’t burn with the same ambition as Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, or Hillary. Nor does he give voice to a race, ethnicity, or gender long brutalized in this country.
Hillary Finishing off Republicans
Look Hillary would never move my 17 year-old-self. 17 year olds burn with idealism and need dragons to slay. But when you spend your life fighting dragons — as Hillary has done — you come away with scars. You make alliances with once and future enemies (think Game of Thrones or any of the Real Wives episodes). You make compromises. You make mistakes. You make real enemies (at 53, I often consider it my greatest accomplishment). But if you are smart — no one doubts this of Hillary — you learn from each loss and victory. Let her use those hard earned skills on our behalf. The Republicans are imploding. Let’s finish off the job.
People I beg you whose 17 year old hearts still burn bright to think with your head not your heart.
Yes, I know the cliche about how voting for someone you don’t want will never get “your candidate.” Fine, then work to build a coalition able to cross party lines locally, regionally or nationally so you can elect your candidates. Don’t waste your votes in primary elections designed to appeal to the base (see Trump and Cruz on the other side). Screwing up national and state elections — think Reagan in 1966 (California) and W in 2000 — has been a favored pastime on the left. After all who doesn’t love masturbation? But those hand jobs come at too high a price for the rest of us.
