Bernie Sanders continues to lead the charge on foreign policy, trade, environmental protection, healthcare, and other issues. His candidacy could be a game changer for our country and the future of our world, for the better. He will need to progress through the primaries with enough support to become the Democratic nominee.
I aim to host a phone bank for Bernie when I am able to; considering my demanding work schedule as a union worker at one of Vermont’s most prestigious liberal arts colleges (Bennington College). I also want to run for delegate again. Friends in Tampa & Bennington, what are your plans to help Bernie win?
Perhaps my strongest advice for fellow Bernie supporters is to follow Bernie’s lead, and drop the “Bust” out of our electoral activism. He was the first candidate to sign the pledge to support the Democratic nominee. We need to set examples for how the Democratic Party and the left ought to conduct itself once we have the reigns. I implore my fellow leftists to engage others — especially other Democrats — with tactical criticisms and “Mr. Rogers” level decency. Regarding the former, we need to be assertive with issues like the Green New Deal and changing our defense policies. Regarding the latter, we need to cool it down in our heated discussions with supporters of different primary candidates, especially when we are the subject of callous (maybe online) attacks. The media infused feud between Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren breaks my heart.
It is the birthday of an American hero: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We should do our best to emulate his lessons of leftist advocacy & turning the other cheek — he preached Mohandas Gandhi’s satyagraha, non violence, as a means to confront oppression. In our situation, we should bring a similar approach to confronting belligerence within our volatile political atmosphere, and utilize love to win the day. We can and should be assertive with Bernie’s platform while treating those who disagree with kindness.
Stay groovy,
Asher
