2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Bernie may be more of a Democrat than the Democrats. [View all]PatrickforO
(14,566 posts)However, in 1932 when FDR was elected, labor was winning. Lots of people were looking at the new Soviet Union. Many Americans went there - yes they got disillusioned by Stalin - but they still went. And at that time people were marching in the streets and getting shot down by police.
You bet it was about labor. And you know what? FDR was the greatest friend the oligarchs had because the New Deal in fact delayed the revolution which would surely have come.
As to racial oppression, I'm in sad agreement with you.
Bernie is calling for a 'political' revolution, and I'm supporting it because I'm 57 on my next birthday and I really don't want to live through a pitchfork type of revolution. Because our system now is unsustainable, and as angry (justifiably) as you are about the profound racism that still grips this country, many more are getting angrier by the minute at the economic oppression we all face. The next step? Pitchforks. That's why I'm supporting Bernie.
It isn't rah-rah crap. It is one last tilt at the old windmill - one last try at doing it from within. FDR wasn't perfect by a long shot, nor was the New Deal, particularly through the eyes of Jim Crow. Bernie's plan is better because he does take racism into account.
So, we'll see where it goes.