Sanders supporters shouldn’t sit this one out
For all of the Sen. Bernie Sanders supporters out there who are having a difficult time voting for former Vice President Joe Biden and, instead, are threatening to write-in Bernie’s name or vote for the Green Party ticket in November because Biden is not “left-ofcenter” enough, is “too corporate” and/or isn’t as “pure” as Bernie, I say: Please stop.
I am a huge
Bernie Sanders supporter and, believe it or not, at this late date, I am still hoping for a miracle, in which he receives the
Democratic nomination.
However, I also understand that the term Democratic socialist, of which I am one, fairly or unfairly, scares a lot of people in this country.
The facts are: Bernie won the first three Democratic contests of 2020 the Iowa caucuses, the New Hampshire primary and the Nevada Caucuses against eight to 10 opponents. However after South Carolina, when it became only one other candidate (Biden), Bernie lost most of the remaining primaries. That seems to indicate that the most qualified, most honest and most competent candidate will not be our nominee.
President Barack Obama, who is believed to have orchestrated that sudden coalition behind Biden after the fourth primary, believes he knows what it takes to win (since he won twice). He was wrong in 2016, although the popular vote was definitely in the Democrats’ favor.
But former Sen. Hillary Clinton had a lot of baggage, an unpleasant personality — and she made a horrible choice for vice president.
I believe that if Biden, with less baggage and a less offensive personality than Hillary (and President Donald Trump), does indeed receive the nomination, which now seems inevitable, and if he chooses an exciting, knowledgeable vice president candidate, it is possible the Democrats will win the presidency, the Senate and the House in November.
And with Bernie leading the way in the Senate and Alexandria OcasioCortez
leading the way in the House, we progressives — and the country — can actually take some positive steps for the first time in many years.
With progressive voices in the Senate, House and the executive branch, we can progress in areas such as: saving Social Security; expanding Medicare and Medicaid; raising the minimum wage; ending the Trump tax cuts and tax shelters for millionaires, billionaires and corporations.
We will have the opportunity to place justices on the Supreme Court who are in favor of Roe v Wade; we can take steps to reduce and control climate change; tackle prison reform and enact sensible gun control.
Having forward-looking representatives in all three branches of government will also help us reduce the threat of white supremacist and other extremist groups; push for universal pre-K programs; fully support and fund our public schools and push for college tuition assistance including moving to reduce loan debt.
A progressive agenda might also help eliminate the pernicious effect of money in our political system made worse by the Citizens United decision in the Supreme Court.
We could replace Trump’s isolationism with a realistic foreign policy that supports our allies and NATO and engages with the world, including Iran, across a negotiating table, not battlefields.
We could regain international environmental standing by rejoining the Paris Agreement, and eliminate any hint of a federal government filled with people who stand to benefit economically by the decisions they make.
By coming out to the polls in as large numbers as possible, progressives will also help elect a federal government willing to take actions and offer scientifically based direction for ridding ourselves of the coronavirus pandemic.
Economic justice, social justice, racial justice, the environment and so many more issues hang in the balance this November.
So, despite the fact that I have not been able to bring myself to support Joe Biden in the form of donating money, writing any songs or letters to the editor, wearing his shirt, going to his rallies and/or voting for him in the primaries (the way I have in support of Bernie over the past five years), in the spirit of ridding ourselves of what Sanders called “the most dangerous president in American history,” I, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders, will be voting for the Democratic nominee in November.
And I hope, for the good of our children, our grandchildren, our democracy, our country and the planet, you will do the same.
Robert K. McFadden is an Upper Macungie Township resident and a Bernie Sanders for President group member.