2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: From WSJ: 'If Bernie Sanders Loses, What Happens To His Army Of Young Voters?' - WSJ [View all]Koinos
(2,792 posts)The aftermath of Sherrod Brown's endorsement of Clinton shows how some turn against a "progressive hero" when they feel betrayed.
Elizabeth Warren's endorsement would be an even bigger disappointment.
Bernie Sanders would have to directly address his followers about the political reality of compromise -- getting some of what you want rather than getting nothing at all.
"All or nothing" doesn't work in politics, and it doesn't work in life either.
I stick with O'Malley because he calls for cooperation and working together to strive for the common good. I like the positive theme of his campaign.
Democracy as a way of life is about working together. Working together requires compromise and negotiation among like-minded individuals who both agree and disagree.
However, democracy does not require compromise with undemocratic or authoritarian individuals who pursue private ends at the expense of others.
At this point in time, our partial democracy is on the ropes. We can't let it slip away entirely because of some ideological stubbornness about "purity."
There are no "philosopher kings" running in this primary. Even if there were, the "people" would not recognize or elect one. We do the best with what we have.
People have to be educated to govern themselves wisely. There just isn't time in a political season to do what years of formal education have failed to do.
Maybe we should concentrate more on "policy discussion" and less on "winning or losing."