From what I’ve been reading here, Bernie Sanders fans say that there are no progressives or liberals left in the Democratic Party, but you're wrong. Overwhelmingly, WOMEN are liberals and progressive, PEOPLE OF COLOR are liberals and progressive, as are gays, lbts, teachers, scientists (who have been maligned by the right), etc. and the list goes on and on .... WE make up the vast majority in the Democratic Party. Young voters are about 1/5 of the voting population; those under 30 are about 17% according ot the NY polls from last night. Women voters make up 59% of the Democratic base. (Numbers are from a Michael Tomasky column at The Daily Beast today, 4/20/2016). Together we could change the world. (Really, I mean that).
And I know that Sanders' fans know this, because you're talking about the biggest issues that affect these constituencies, that affect us ... you're talking about economic rights: Wage gaps, income inequality, an entrenched system that hurts the working class, etc. And you're right. But you don't connect it to women's rights and I hope to convince you a little bit here that is a big mistake.
Consider this: Women's rights are economic rights! Listen!
“It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America!” (Patricia Arquette, calling for supporters of black rights and others to think about women's rights, at the Academy Awards ceremony, 2015) ... “They talk about the gender pay gap not closing for another 40 years. I mean, who’s got 40 years? I don’t have patience.” (From the NY Times today. 4/20/16).
And that's only one issue among many that impact women, economics, and our national well-being. Hey, I get the argument against identity politics that is so important to all you economic warriors for justice who support Bernie. But where you err is here: it doesn't have to be an either-or proposition. Consider that there are two ways for Hillary Clinton to go in this election. The first way is to try to bring the Bernie Sanders fans into the fold, after which we all join together on the issues (in other words, meld together the issues of economic rights for all that the Bernie fans champion with the rights of women, gays and minorities that the Democratic Party champions, as well as the rights of young voters to participate fully in our economy, politics and culture), and hope for a wave election this November.
The other way is to understand that Sanders' fans will never come around for whatever reasons they may have, in which case Hillary Clinton will have to tack to the right for votes in the fall (especially from Republican women in this election). The effort she puts into one or the other choice, depends solely on Sanders' supporters and whether you can see a path together with her (us, liberals, progressives etc. in the Democratic party). She, and we, can't force anyone to do it. It's up to you to make this decision. What Sander's supporters do now before the Convention will make a big difference in how it all goes forward. The time is now to think this through).
Let's talk a moment about Citizen's United. This is a case that was created for the sole purpose (originally) of PREVENTING a particular woman, Hillary Clinton, from successfully competing to run for President. If there is any person who wants to overturn that piece of junk, it's Hillary Clinton! Yes, she has to use the system in place to be able to compete. That's the way it was set up by the Republicans who brought the case, and the Republicans on the Supreme Court who discovered a new "free speech" right for giant corporations, who decided the case. So hating Hillary for doing what she has to do, for using the campaign finance system that Republicans created, because of a court case that Republicans brought to try to destroy her personally, is really ironic. She'll work hard to get that overturned, that's a given to those of us who have followed her career. A given.
Those of us who have followed Hillary Clinton for years and years know that she's FAR more progressive than her husband, and always has been. Consider that there is a reason that the Republicans have attacked and hated Hillary Clinton since the early 1970s (yes, its been that long!) and tried to destroy her over and over and over. SHE represents real change. The real deal. She will bring in an era of economic progressivism (not communism or socialism, sorry Bernie fans, because the majority of Americans actually like capitalism, yes they do! but a hybrid like FDR), and an era of liberal politics. She will bring a new era in women's rights, and the of rights many others. This is why African-Americans, Latinos, and women all over the world support her so surely. They know what promise she brings. Its why the right wing works so hard to convince you she's evil, untrustworthy, etc. etc. etc. She represents CHANGE. It drives them crazy that she might succeed! :):):)
Sure, women's rights don't affect a lot of Bernie's fans - or so they think - since the demographics show most of his supporters are young males. But you have mothers, don't you? Sisters. Aunts. Wives and lovers, significant others. I'm asking you to GET ON BOARD the train with your sisters and we'll all fight together for economic justice, for economic change in our society, as a part of this very LONG revolution we've been fighting for over one hundred years now. The revolution as defined by Bernie Sanders may soon be over, but there's another revolution out there that we've been fighting for one hundred and ten years, and we can strengthen it AND keep the Bernie revolution going if ONLY you will join with us to promote the women's revolution.
And so, consider also that Susan B. Anthony, the original suffragette, died in 1906. Today, 110 years later, we are poised to perhaps elect the first female President of the United States. Its a revolution that has taken a century to mature, to come to fruition, to come to this day when we have an opportunity accomplish something that Susan B. never even contemplated! It's amazing. It's exciting! And yes, its a evolution revolution in the best sense of those words.
The doors are open, a welcome is being extended, I want you all to join the our revolution, and I want to join yours. Let’s hop on the HIllary train, as we fight for economic justice for ALL. Let's do it together, let's get a wave election this November that turns out Republicans from office from sea to shining sea.
Just a thought, and a hope. Thanks for reading.