Zealots "know" right from wrong--good from bad--helpful from hurtful Many here, most?, probably fall into that category and want victory over defeat But that's the problem--often we demand the purest solution, not recognizing that a half victory is better than losing the good fight. One example is the health care issue--most here were in favor of universal single payer coverage-- and don't give Obama and Pelosi enough credit for getting the above mentioned half victory. I saw where analysts are claiming thousands of lives already saved--costing billions less than expected--and yet we don't wildly cheer Obamacare.
update at 10:39AM--obviously, very few agree with my position--I expected this. I no longer think Hillary will win the general election--many her "allies" ain't going to have their heart, or their money, in the fight.
We recognize science and want/need full scale elimination of fossil fuels, not recognizing the EPA's efforts--or Obama's edicts, overriding congress. We abhor war, we realize that Bush took a bad situation in Iraq and made it infinitely worse-- and destabilized a whole region--eventually putting Pakistan's nukes possibly in play. Not enough are thanking Obama for not reentering the area big time. For negotiating with Iran--knowing that the other side will rush in to save Israel and make everything worse.
Republicans used to be more pure than us in zealotry. Barry Goldwater wanted to change directions on many issues--came out swinging--and struck out. Reagan's handlers took a different approach. Gradually they weakened unions--PATCO. Gradually they weakened Roe v Wade. An advantage to this slow and steady approach is that it appeases their purists and yet, keeps the issue stoking fires.
There are many more examples of this, and it has not been instructive enough to people with opinions similar to my own. Bernie love is deserved--he belongs on dkos as a front pager. To us, he spouts the obvious on every issue. But, he is unlikely to win--and even less likely to have any sway over congress as president. Think Obama with more undeserved scorn. And that brings me back to the zealot issue--I want healthier air--improved Obamacare--peace--more equality. Bernie in the WH is not as likely to succeed on these issues than is Hillary--and that's why I fear Bernie love. No matter what anyone claims, Bernie will lower Hillary's approval ratings--with the probable help of clandestine right wing money. Left wingers, us!, will find her lacking--and possible lessen donations to her general election campaign. Some of us will get so disappointed at her not so veiled attacks on Sanders that we will hate her. Many will say she can't be trusted--that she's lying about her liberal positions to curry favor. Again, all of this can be true--and we will get nothing, instead of most.
Everyone reading this should have nightmares over the prospect of Republican control of all three branches of government. All should realize that this possibility trumps whatever Bernie could accomplish with an antagonistic congress and a media playing up the dreaded "socialist" word. BTW, I consider myself socialist leaning--a highly regulated mixed economy is my ideal. I also consider myself pacifist leaning and civil rights fanatic. I have a 2 year old grandson--he needs to not live the nightmare.
After you just finished my scold, please figure out--or spell out, my concluding paragraph.