If there’s one constant at a Bernie Sanders rally, it’s the refrain of a “political revolution.” Sounds awesome, doesn’t it? And I know exactly what us excited young (some of us newly politically active/aware) people are envisioning. Election night in November. Watch parties everywhere with fellow Berners who voted, caucused, maybe canvassed or phone banked for our guy. A triumphant Bernie takes the stage with his wife and declares the Revolution has succeeded.
We’ve won the White House, thanks to us! The young people and the oppressed under the corrupt system have spoken. And starting from day 1 of the Sanders Administration, we go to work attacking: income inequality, campaign finance, criminal justice reform, student loan debt, health care costs, LGBTQ discrimination, etc. etc. High Fives, hugs, kisses, are shared. As are shots of favorite spirits, or whatever libations are on hand. The party lasts long into the night, hangovers at work or school the next day be damned.
Well, I’m terribly sorry, but if this is what you are envisioning as the culmination (or even the start) of the “Revolution” Bernie speaks of, I’m afraid you’ve missed the point entirely, and are merely trying to ace the final without ever having shown up to class or taken any notes (A method I’m familiar with myself). If this is beginning to sound condescending, read on, because there are instructions on how to shut me up, and prove my argument moot.
First, let’s have a look at the most despised/misunderstood people in the Berner universe right now.. The dreaded Superdelegates. “Who are these people and why are they so in the tank for Hillary??” I’m actually going to skip that last part, because there’s a more important discussion here. Most Superdelegates are elected officials, answering to their constituents, and more importantly, the party apparatus that has set the agenda at places like county and state party conventions. And before you snap back with “F- the Party!,” remember, our guy Bernie has chosen to run as the standard bearer of the Democratic Party. So, for now, we’re all Democrats. Had he chosen to run as an Independent, this would be a different conversation.
Now here’s the kicker. Every single one of you out there has the ability to attend these conventions. Either as an observer, or better yet, if you are or were in a caucus state, as an elected delegate or Precinct Committee Chairperson. What happens at these conventions? Policy is discussed, an agenda is set, local and state representatives make their pitch for the state primaries in preparation to face off against their Republican opponents. Don’t know who’s running for these offices, when the primaries are, what their respective agendas are? Hey.. the internet! Find your state's Democratic Party website.
Now of course you’re going to be hit up for money every step of the way. I know I get my requisite x number of emails from Bernie every day asking for money. And I give when I can. Many of you can’t afford to donate a dime to Bernie let alone some local school board rep. or dog catcher. But you can make phone calls, canvass, organize, create online petitions, Facebook groups, etc. Ever wonder how every day a grotesque anti-LGBTQ/anti-reproductive rights/anti-student/anti-woman/anti-human race bill comes up or gets passed by your state legislature? That’s because the Republicans have stacked the state houses with their candidates, as (some of us) have twiddled our thumbs on the sidelines, mostly in off years like 2010 and 2014. Worse yet, a President Sanders couldn’t roll back many of these awful discriminatory laws.
Did you come out and vote for your local/state/US House/US Senate reps and/or governor in 2014? Will you in 2018, with no Bernie on the ticket to support or Trump (or Hillary, for some of you jokers) to oppose? If you’r answer is “no” or “maybe” or “lolwut?” don’t talk to me about “revolution.” Are you willing to take the time to get up early on a Saturday, and spend a boring day listening to boring pitches from local and state reps about where they want to take the party, and make your own voice heard in terms of where you want the party to go? Did you click those links in the last paragraphs and say “TL:DR”? Well, ok, but then don’t talk to me about “revolution.”
But maybe you’re saying: “Well, I’ve had it with the Democratic Party, and especially Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who’s totally stacked the deck against Bernie, and argle bargle!” Well, whether that’s true or not, we’re not fans of Debbie either, to say the least. Did you know she has a primary challenger? And you can donate or volunteer phone bank or spread the word about him? If you didn’t at least click that preceding link, don’t talk to me about “revolution.” Maybe you’re saying “I love Bernie, but I’m not even a Democrat, and am not interested in falling in line with the party.” Fine.. great.. find an Independent/Green Party/Deez Nuts Party candidate you like. Or if you’re old enough, see about running yourself. It may sound daunting, but with a little time and energy, it’s far from impossible.
The bottom line is this. The revolution that Bernie is talking about doesn’t start and end with merely a vote for him. And honestly, he could do a much better job of conveying this, which I believe he will when the dust of this primary fight settles. But in the meantime, the #1 argument I see from the “#NeverHillary” or “#IfBernieIsn’tTheNomineeI’mTakingMyToysAndGoingHome” brigades, is that the Democratic party has stacked the deck against them, or is still too far to the right on issues they care about. That’s fine, and I’m not here to cajole you to fall in line behind Hillary if/when she ends up being the nominee.
But I am going to tell you that if your argument is that you don’t have a voice, and the Democratic party establishment as is doesn’t work for you, then there’s way more effective action you can take than to endlessly tout Bernie and/or trash Hillary, The DNC, Wasserman Schultz, and superdelegates on Twitter and Facebook and the Kos comments sections. Imagine harnessing that energy into helping set the agenda for your local and state Democratic party, or in supporting candidates who do represent your views of where the Party should go. It is within your power, if you’re willing to put in the time and energy to events that aren’t nearly as fun as 90 minutes at a Bernie rally, and offer way less instant gratification than flame wars on Twitter.
Organizing, listening, speaking, lobbying, canvassing, and getting behind candidates just down the street or at the state capitol. Investing the same energy as 2016 into 2018. Finding and networking with those who oppose the disgusting GOP led discriminatory laws mentioned previously. That’s revolution. That’s where real change happens. Are you in for the long haul, or are you done when this one election season is? If you really believe in everything Bernie is fighting for, this is just the beginning. Welcome to politics.