Perhaps there's another reason why the DNC has it in for Bernie and wants him out, pronto.

[snagglepuss]

Bernie has given a voice to progressive ideas that up until now has been marginalized and in so doing has rallied millions of people around these ideas like never before. Progressives can now look around and see that they are not isolated but part of a groundswell. Perhaps's what is most concerning to the DNC is that everyday as more networks are forged, as more people are exposed to democratic socialist ideas, groundwork is being laid that could be the basis for a new party to emerge.

[Beowulf]

1. I think you could be right!

[Kalidurga]

2. The Occupy Party is their biggest fear.

They have a network of sorts already. They can talk to activists in other parties. I have no idea how the no leadership party would choose a leader, but they would have to if they were going to be a political party.

[snagglepuss]

4. Although I understand problems with rigid hierarcial structures, I think Occupy

suffered by not having leadership. Perhaps having no leaders is fine in small groups but once a movement grows to a certain size I think structure and leadership is essential.

[Kalidurga]

5. Well it's funny they did have leaders

They had lots of leaders they just didn't call them that. I watched in amazement as people stepped up to lead groups in teach ins and in meetings and in protest marches and in coordinating meals for people that came to protest in getting warm clothes for some who didn't have them in calling the police when a homeless man nearly died of exposure in calling union leaders to come and talk with us and to give speeches in gathering songs and writing songs for an Occupy concert/sing along someone gathered books for an Occupy library... but having a central leader wasn't something they were keen on doing. If they ever start up again as far as protesting they might consider having a go-to person to coordinate things and having an informal vote on leadership.

[tk2kewl]

21. top level organizers needed, but not "leaders"

Something similar to an open source software project. It can be done.

[corbettkroehler]

11. Bingo!

Let's not forget that the Occupy movement was suppressed in may locations, including cities with mayors who are Democrats, such as Oakland.

[Kalidurga]

13. Our Mayor was cool. The Sheriff not so much. The city police not as bad, but not good either.

I think the Mayor kept the violence down. We never got sprayed or roughed up too much.

[DemocracyDirect]

3. The progressive movement should shore up its gains at all costs.

That means starting progressive groups in every electoral district and advocating for progressive candidates.

It really has to start from the bottom up, as Bernie said.

You can see how the powers of division works to try to suppress individual leaders.

The future is at stake!

Be the change you want to see in the world! - Gandhi

Be The Bern!

[snagglepuss]

6. "starting progressive groups in every electoral district and advocating for progressive candidates"

Yes this is key. What the Sanderstorm has revealed is that there is massive hunger for significant change, hopefully the take-away will be "if you build it, they will come".


BTW I love "Be The Bern" Brilliant!

Welcome to DU!

[DemocracyDirect]

16. Thanks snagglepuss...

"Be The Bern" is hereby public domain.

We have to keep the progressive movement alive, especially when others start to have a bit of remorse.

[hopemountain]

17. thank you!

i have the ghandi quote on a magnet on my fridge. not too long ago, a friend called saying how much that quote had affected his life - and thanked me for spreading the inspiration. welcome, democracydirect

[Land of Enchantment]

7. The membership of the 2 major parties

has been declining for the past 5-6 years. The current percentages are 42 indy, 29 dem and 26 repug. The 3 % is unknown. I intend to change mine to indy after I vote in our June 7 primary. I have emailed the DNC a LOT mostly to tell them how badly they suck for their treatment of their members by anointing hilly and screwing Bernie. They even sent the survey which was no doubt dumped on some poor clerk to read after I was done with it.. I am done with them and they ARE afraid because I know other folks who are fighting back against them too and I am sure it is universal. They are going down.

[rhett o rick]

8. For those that are hinting, we do not want to start another party, the Democratic Party

is our party, the People's Party and we need to kick the Conservatives pretending to be Democrats out. Tell the Clintons and DWS to start their own party. Call it the DLC Party or the Third Way Party, or maybe the Goldman-Sachs Party.

[DJ13]

15. ++++++++++++11111111111111111

[marions ghost]

18. I'd like to believe that

but I'm not sure we can win against the Third Way on their turf. They are so powerful. And they do not want us as we are, they only want us as voters for Them--they are seriously conservative. It's not a natural hook-up.

The Democratic party USED to be the people's party. That was quite a long time ago.

[snagglepuss]

22. The OP is my mulling of what other concerns the DNC might harbor about

Bernie. Perhaps it would have been better for me to use "organized force" than party however the term seems beside the point which is that there is now the possibility that after the election there exists the possibility that having now been organized, progressives could be a formidable power pushing change within the party or without. The cat has been let out of the bag.

[DAMANgoldberg]

9. That new party to emerge could be...

the Green Party. Their views are a lot closer to Sanders than the typical Democratic position. If that happens, that means this site will be Green Underground. #ImwithJill

[marions ghost]

19. Green party has too much baggage, too many negatives

it would have to be fresh.

[LiberalElite]

20. Agree. nt

[wilsonbooks]

10. I plan on working within the party when I can and helping to organize locally.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/working-families-party/422949/

[highprincipleswork]

12. One of the best reasons to stay in. Best candidate against Trump #2. Possible legal action #3.

[senz]

14. It's sad when Democratic leadership fears the people.

Orwell was amazingly observant.

[TheProgressive]

23. 'basis for a new party'....Hmmm, interesting....

What should it be called?

[phantom power]

24. Sanders is proving you can organize and fund a campaign without the DNC.