"IT'S NOT ABOUT BERNIE, IT'S ABOUT US!"

[Progressive2020]

60. About Bernie

Bernie certainly did not invent the idea of Universal Health Care, but he has popularized it in a way that no other politician has been able to thus far.

I think one reason why Bernie has not joined the Democratic Party is because he is loyal to his own Progressive views rather than any Party line. I can understand why that might irk some Democrats.

I think Bernie's goal is to move the Democratic Party in a more Progressive direction, and so also the country. I think that he has had some success in this, and that is part of why he gets the attention that he does. He did not invent the wheel, but he is good at selling it.

Again, I can see how this might aggravate some Democrats. Bernie has come into the Party as an outsider and remains an Independent. I think Hillary was right that he wants to disrupt the Party. I think that he wants to change the Party into a more Progressive Party. In trying to do this, he has ruffled some feathers amongst Democrats, which I understand can be aggravating.

Given all this, I think that pro-Bernie people and pro-Hillary people should try to bury the hatchet and work together for 2018 and 2020. Sanders should work closer with other Dems and share more credit. Non-Bernie Dems should maybe acknowledge that Bernie has mobilized a Progressive Movement that they (the Dems) might be able to harness and ride to victory on in 2018 and 2020.

Just my two cents.