2016-04-14 – What is the one thing that makes Bernie Sanders different from Hillary Clinton? Political Revolution. Hillary is the gradualist and Bernie is the revolutionist.
But a president doesn’t have the power (in the office of the presidency) to bring about revolution. A president is hemmed in by law and precedent. In a way, Bernie is running for an office whose very structure will thwart his promise.
Ask Barack Obama.
No doubt, Obama did a lot against severe constraints. But on so many issues, Congress had the last say. And their word was: No revolution!
The revolution (from the left, at least) is going to have to come from the people. And a political revolution is going to come from grassroots political organizing.
Not from a single vote cast in one election.
When I hear Bernie supporters say that they will sit out if Hillary gets the nomination, I know that they have no commitment whatsoever to Bernie’s political revolution. A revolution is not a once-and-done event. A revolution transcends the candidacy of a single individual for president, no matter how weirdly charismatic he is.
Anger can bring down the establishment, but it can’t build up a better one. That takes. Patience.
It takes participation in senatorial races. It takes participation in House races. It takes participation in statehouse races—because that’s where redistricting and voting laws are passed. It takes participation in municipal elections—because that’s where the schools and roads and water systems, etc. live.
And all you do is vote once every four years? That’s not a political revolution. That’s depending on your Dad to do all the work. Get off your ass and take out the garbage for a change!
Do 1 simple thing. Get involved! Your one-off vote for Bernie is a vanishingly small commitment. If Bernie loses, don’t go home. Make his political revolution still come true.
Check out:
Take out the papers and the trash
Or you don’t get no spendin’ cash
If you don’t scrub that kitchen floor
You ain’t gonna rock and roll no more
Yakety yak (don’t talk back)
Just finish cleanin’ up your room
Let’s see that dust fly with that broom
Get all that garbage out of sight
Or you don’t go out Friday night
Yakety yak (Don’t talk back)
You just put on your coat and hat
And walk yourself to the laundromat
And when you finish doin’ that
Bring in the dog and put out the cat
Yakety yak (Don’t talk back)
Don’t you give me no dirty looks
Your father’s hip, he knows what cooks
Just tell your hoodlum friend outside
You ain’t got time to take a ride
Yakety yak (Don’t talk back)
Eightoh9 