When I first heard Bernie use the term Democratic Socialist, I thought, ‘This is the candidate for me!’ But I was torn. I felt a certain loyalty to Hillary, having been back in the U.S. (Washington DC) since the end of 1988 after years of living in Europe, and watched from the beginning her and Bill’s ascension. I was deeply impressed with her brave attempt at bringing civilized healthcare to the U.S. I had supported her over Obama back in ‘08 because I felt he was more conservative and hawkish based on his debate answers (seriously—he was).
Anyway, as a Euro-style Democratic Socialist, I felt Bernie’s platform was a dream and was drawn to his message. But it didn’t take long for disillusionment to set in. It began with the hate speech and memes spreading rampantly through social media on Democrat and Bernie fan pages. I had been so happy to be associated with the party of decency, that this sudden stabbing of vitriol was a shock. The Hillary I knew, the one who’d spent her career working to bring groups together for a better world, didn’t resemble the Hillary in these ‘Feel the Bern’ memes. However, this Hillary DID resemble the false one created by the VRC (vast right-wing conspiracy).
I watched as many Berners spread the propaganda, which has it’s roots in old lies perpetrated over and over by right-wing outlets, and I wondered if the Tea Party or Karl Rove hadn’t infiltrated the Bernie camp. Whatever the truth, my disgust grew—I had no intention of being associated with a group of frothing, rabid, irrational Hillary-haters who believed anything negative that came across their screens. That was libertarian nonsense and a blight on the Democratic Party (which I belong to by default since there isn’t currently a viable option—these are not times for ‘making a statement’).
But even I was worried. What if those memes were right? I started doing research to be sure I wasn’t mistaken in my memories and knowledge. It took some digging, because Hillary Clinton has learned after years of attacks by the VRC to just ignore it all. I know to be wary of most American news outlets these days. But she wasn’t defending herself against the allegations anywhere. There wasn’t info out there other than highly suspect anti-Hillary op-ed pieces and doctored graphs. There was very little in the organization periodicals like Foreign Affairs. Then it dawned on me: despite the shear tsunami of accusations against her, Hillary has been living in a fish bowl since Arkansas. She’s weathered them all—been cleared of those that were officially investigated (over and over). If she were so nefarious and criminal, she’d be in jail by now. Unfortunately, if people don’t know or comprehend what you’re doing, they make shit up—especially if they want to hate you.
As an environmentalist, one of my big concerns is her seemingly misplaced trust in Big Bio-Chem Agriculture (Monsanto, etc.) I discovered that it wasn’t that she’s ‘in bed with them’, as the memes claimed, it’s that she genuinely wants solutions to feeding the world. Big Ag has some ideas, she listens—doesn’t mean she’ll be in their corner. I have no doubt that she’s been apprised of the problems and will work toward a solution that’s safer for the planet. Interestingly, I’ve heard no comment on that from Bernie—maybe because her connection isn’t what the memes are making it out to be. And as has been said, her connection to Wall Street is that she was their senator—of course they’d be talking. She talks to everyone, and that includes the rich and powerful.
Hillary is similar to Bill: she is a work-horse policy-wonk who lives in the global context and all it’s complexity—something that most normal people cannot comprehend. She is someone who’s adept at working with all sides and works toward a common, global solution. She doesn’t waste time on the naysayers (btw, a word to the #BlackLivesMatter group that tried to ambush her at that rally: have a look back at your propagandized video and actually listen to what she suggested you do—it was very, very wise, wonkish, and helpful). Also, many of these supposed corporate connections pass through the Clinton Foundation (Oh gosh, such a nefarious entity, with all it’s charity work)—yes, for legitimate, decent reasons.
Bernie, for all his wonderful ideas, is just that: an idea man. And he’s absolutely right, we truly need a revolution to allow Democracy to rein Capitalism back in. But even I, with all my optimism, realize that he could never accomplish even a fraction of what he promises as long as this country is as conservative as it is. We need a bit of prep work before the revolution—the kind a policy wonk knows how to do.
So maybe I would’ve moved back to Hillary on my own due to her clearer specifics on solutions, but the Berners are the ones who pushed me back into her camp sooner, with all their silly, hate-filled memes. Common sense alone should tell them most of those accusations couldn’t possibly be true. You can believe what you want to, or you can actually be on the side of truth. And the truth is, no politician has been as derided, attacked, lied-about, and harassed like Hillary Clinton—and WOW, has she not only survived, but thrived. Having gracefully taken the heat for everything from terrorism & police racism to the financial disaster of 2008, she still stands, still has respect of her global peers—and why? Because she knows how to bring sides together and get it done.
I find that impressive . . . and if there is a little bit of a dark side, it’s the kind of darkness that we need to handle freaks like Paul Ryan and the rest of the Republican monsters.
I’m immensely grateful to Bernie Sanders for what he’s brought to the table—ideas that absolutely have to be a part of the American scenario. I hope he continues to make such a huge impact—but I think it’s Hillary who’ll be the one to implement them.
