It's not just about putting Bernie in the White House. It's about much more! [View all]

[pat_k]

We’re fighting to put Bernie in the White House. But that’s not all we are fighting for.

Challenging Beltway Group Think

Whatever the outcome, every person inspired to play an active part in the campaign, every dollar raised, every delegate won, helps disprove the notion that universal health care, billionaire’s tax, and so on, are "toxic" topics that Democrats must avoid at all costs.

Inside the beltway, the "conventional wisdom" is that raising "socialist" ideas will bring the wrath of... well someone.. down on them. Bernie's campaign is showing them that what "comes down" is masses of money and a well-spring of energetic support. Seeing the real consequences of raising "socialist" ideas can help put some spine back into them... Well, perhaps not actual spine, perhaps just enlightened self-interest (Maybe I could rally some support and raise more money for reelection if I were bolder? Hmmm.)

Inspiring People Across America to Fight for What Bernie Stands For

One of my fondest wishes is that, whether or not Bernie wins the nomination, people who have been inspired to take action by Bernie's campaign, will be inspired to continue the fight for what he stands for after the campaign is over.

Even if he's elected, he can't get the things we want done, done, without a lot of help from "out here."

Change doesn't get done without people “on the ground.” His campaign is bringing in the "troops" needed for the fights ahead: winning back Congress in 2018 (if we don’t manage it this cycle); lobbying to get more sponsors for bills that implement his proposals, lobbying to push those bills through. Big change rarely happens overnight. But if enough people are inspired to stand up, we will ultimately win.

To those who argue that Bernie should drop out, I say this: it would be a terrible mistake. Bernie needs to stay in though the convention, regardless of the cumulative numbers. If he drops out, any state that hasn't voted yet will lose out because the people on the ground will have the wind knocked out of their sails. We would lose people who may otherwise have become agents of change.

Imagine This

Imagine if we had just 250 citizen lobbyists in each congressional district pestering members of Congress (or staffers) face-to-face, gathering names on petitions, raising money, working on Congressional elections, and so on. That's a mere 0.15% of people who turnout to vote for candidates in the middle or left side of the spectrum. (That's assuming an average district size of 700,000; 75% over 18; 60% voter turnout, and about 50% of those in the middle or left side of the spectrum).

With the support of small contributions, these folks could be paid to work full time on our behalf. We could create a formidable "K street" operation of our own.

Corporate America may have the money, but people on the ground translate to money and power too. I think too many don't believe this right now. It’s time for that to change. Bernie’s campaign has already accomplished amazing things. Embrace those accomplishments. Use those victories to feed confidence in our own power to effect change.

Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about.

As a wise friend used to say, we don't need a movement. More of us just need to move.

Turning Hopelessness and Immobility into Confidence and Action

Can it be discouraging? You betcha. Except for voting, I've felt hopeless and immobilized for some time. But, some of the “old-timers” here may remember me. I was in the fight for the integrity of our elections. We lobbied members of Congress, face-to-face, to get a Senator to stand with Stephanie Tubbs-Jones and object to the Ohio electors on Jan 6, 2005 (something that even John Conyers told us was impossible). So many joined that battle. And we did it. We “got” Barbara Boxer. The full extent of the fraud in Ohio is a permanent part of the Congressional record. The tragedy of the stolen election is memorialized. It was proud moment for all. Throughout the Bush presidency, we lobbied for his impeachment, won sponsors, and in the process, put a indelible stain on the Bush presidency.

What I learned, and what I have lost touch with, is that when I get out there and work with others, my hope is naturally renewed. In the process, I encounter other people and groups who are out there tackling problems that seem overwhelming... and winning. It's almost impossible to feel hopeless when you witness people in action first hand.

Bernie’s campaign has inspired me to get back into the fray. I’m committed to staying in for the long haul. I hope many of you feel the same.

Have confidence in yourself. That’s where it all begins.

It always seems impossible until it's done.
― Nelson Mandela