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Scuba

(53,475 posts)
Mon Aug 1, 2016, 10:29 AM Aug 2016

Bernie’s big lesson: Socialists should occupy the Democratic Party, not abandon it

http://www.salon.com/2016/08/01/bernies_big_lesson_socialists_should_occupy_the_democratic_party_not_abandon_it/


But Stein is wrong: Sanders’ experience shows the current limits of third-party presidential politics and the real possibility that the left can use the Democratic Party toward radical ends. If Sanders had run as a Green or independent, he would have traded in his revolution against the one-percent for the prospect of getting just one-percent of the vote—which is what Stein is currently on track to pick up. Instead, he won millions over to democratic socialism and into left politics.

...

“We are very close to building a majority coalition within the Democratic Party,” said Lev Hirschhorn, who worked as a regional field director for the Sanders campaign in Philadelphia, at Wednesday’s forum. “I have no interest in trying to reform the Democratic Party or pull the Democratic Party to the left…I think, however, that Bernie Sanders has demonstrated that we actually can take over the Democratic Party. That we have the ability. We are very close.”

...

Sanders’ overwhelming support from young people, as Jacobin’s Bhaskar Sunkara argued on Wednesday, is the centerpiece of a political coalition better positioned to shape the future than Donald Trump’s. The bulk of that coalition is currently in the Democratic Party, and that’s where the left must engage them—they cannot simply be relocated to a third party by leftist fiat. It’s also, however, vitally important to maintain organizations independent of the Democratic Party—and to build the bases of more radical parties locally, from the ground up. No one understands this better than Sanders, who was positioned mount his historic primary challenge within the party only because he had spent his political lifetime outside of it.

Sanders activists have already remade the party, though only modestly so far. Clinton, after all, is the nominee. But the platform, to a significant if limited effect, is now a much better one, and Clinton chafes at new political constraints imposed by the left. Socialism is no longer a dirty word, and establishment figures must at least pretend to oppose corporate trade agreements. Last Monday, Sanders used his primetime speaking spot to warn Congress against passing the Trans-Pacific Partnership during a lame-duck session — an incredible shot across the bow at a Democratic president during a Democratic Convention.
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think

(11,641 posts)
1. I don't consider Sanders a socialist. Even Democratic socialist is a stretch. If Canada, Denmark,
Mon Aug 1, 2016, 10:42 AM
Aug 2016

and Australia are considered socialist countries then I'd have to reconsider my thinking on this.

killbotfactory

(13,566 posts)
6. The point of democratic socialism is to make sure every human reaches their potential
Tue Aug 2, 2016, 12:01 AM
Aug 2016

Hence the push for healthcare, education, and a decent wage as a right. Basically trying to eliminate the barriers a lot of people face, especially poor and working class people and their children, so they can reach their full potential as a human being without being pointlessly hamstrung by the conditions in everyone's life that are way beyond anybody's control. This is what the socialist ideal Bernie Sanders supports and fights for.

Arazi

(6,829 posts)
3. Never happen. The vitriol aimed at Bernie Sanders for being a "Democratic Socialist"
Mon Aug 1, 2016, 10:53 AM
Aug 2016

during the campaign was mind blowing.

The rage he provoked proves the Dems are not interested in having that be a part of the party

Igel

(35,173 posts)
4. It's easier to take over something than to build.
Mon Aug 1, 2016, 12:05 PM
Aug 2016

Of course, that usually creates a lot of resentment, schisms, and the like. And those taking over and trying to impose change on others ultimately wind up having a kind of purge, if they have that kind of authority, or insult those who leave the party.

It's always best to do what's easy, especially if you can manipulate others. (?)


As one other OP put it today, those who want change aren't the aggressors. No, that's not their self-image. It's those who haven't changed that are really those who are aggressively trying to change things. (Again: ?)

 

2banon

(7,321 posts)
7. Bernie was and still is an FDR Democrat.
Tue Aug 2, 2016, 12:08 AM
Aug 2016

FDR policies are the policies Bernie actually campaigned on.

HereSince1628

(36,063 posts)
8. I'm for reorientation of the Party's thinking. In the end that will be seen as a 'take-over'
Tue Aug 2, 2016, 07:51 AM
Aug 2016

The reforms that are needed require politicians be barred from the immensely rewarding 'side activities' that attend emergence as subcontractors to those whose consideration can be immensely rewarding.

That's not revolutionary, that's apocalyptic for people who 'always played by the rules' and are in line for their rewards.

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