Faiz & Pramilia: We Love You. But to be a Birdie in the nest: its US, not the Dem Party. And I’m Not Ready Yet for Him to Quit Campaigning for My Values.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread almost as fast as the bush fires that plagued Australia for months, I am reading snippets about the fear. Most of the blue governors, particularly those of CA, IL, NY, & WA taking the lead, are issuing stay-at-home for state residences the next month. They are listening to epidemiologists and public health experts. And likely, insurance companies. One wonders how much Ron DeSantis is listening to experts when he decided cities or counties could reopen the beaches just 24 hours after his stay at home order, and Colorado State University released its hurricane forecast. Prediction: above normal activity. Moreover:
BEFORE THE STORM — “South Florida hospitals cut back staff and work hours, await surge in coronavirus patients,” by Sun Sentinel’s Cindy Krischer Goodman: “In what may be an ironic Catch-22, South Florida hospitals are reducing staff hours, forcing paid time off or reducing pay while they await a predicted surge of coronavirus patients.”
(source: Politico)
This is the best part of America. But those governors would not have been quite as bold in the past. They would been passive-aggressive like Andrew Cuomo, who serves corporate masters, or Jerry Brown’s last term, in which he expressed no desire in warring with chemical companies. But thanks to Bernie Sanders and his “Not me. US” approach, they have chosen to be leaders, trying to put fingers in the dikes, and keep people employed, children instructed, and get more help to the frontlines. I predict that many states will consider measures to sidestep constitutional requirements to fiscal balance.
Bernie Sanders is trying to be one of the leaders in the Senate that is pushing for more unemployment insurance, free testing, free treatment (in next bill), moratorium on rent (which I see being extended to Small Businesses, which Bernie would favor), etc. Bernie’s presence in the Senate would not garner the media nor establishment’s notice if he were no longer in the race.
And this why, with due respect, if the WaPo is reporting accurately, you should re-embrace the grassroots and trust us. We aren’t rich but we will keep pushing, especially with the knowledge the campaign is putting forward about what negotiations are taking place, and also from experts in public health. We are solid ground with great soil. Bernie has done more to enrich it by bringing back the thematic vision that Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt held in partnership. In this crisis, Bernie may not appear as a happy warrior as FDR did during the Depression, but when I see a chess game set up on a real chessboard in the background of a recent virtual town hall on COVID-19 legislation, it says that Bernie is considering every move and how it impacts other moves. The moves may not be perfect, but do not discourage Bernie from continuing his campaign and raising the issues. The ideas resonate and all of us are calling our representatives, sending notes to Senators, etc, demanding action. This is exactly what Bernie does best: the organizer in chief.
The campaign should be saying: we’re on and will keep fighting for our universal goodness for the working masses and those who will possess greater needs in the near future. I would say that between now Father’s Day, there will be more bills to pass to fight this pandemic and the corruption that is so blatant. I’m happy to make a phone call. Meantime, this part of my post is aimed at Faiz: it’s time that Bernie rally his base and the indies again. Get him an interview on The Young Turks with Ana Kasparian. Go on Tim Black’s show, Kyle’s, Nomiki’s, Democracy Now, all of the shows that Way of the Bern, C99, and we watch.
Last bit of advice: make getting a debate with Biden a priority, in which both candidates have to appear remotely from their home studios and not in a hostile corporate studio like last time. Let the American people decide who is the leader for today and tomorrow. You can worry about the DNC later. The primary season has already been extended by the DNC.
This guy didn’t leave the struggle. You shouldn’t let him give up now, just as he didn’t give up for working-class people in the South Side of Chicago.
(credit: Tribune Archives via the DU)
Tip jar for Grace Slick…and Woodstock.
Discuss. Do you think Bernie should hang it up after Wisconsin?
Depends on the result. If he gets crushed like in the other midwestern states recently, I agree with Faiz and Pramila, if it’s a close loss, not sure. If he wins, keep going. In any case, Bernie and Jane will decide and I will support their decision.
If the official votes are still going on past next week, Bernie should continue with the town halls and going on progressive shows. Rally us.
I also don’t think his “hanging it up” will be quite the same as the other candidates
I think he would be relegated. Is that what he wants or the DNC does. Is he is supposed to be sacrificed for someone who is not likely to win if not carefully vetted?
I STRONGLY disagree with you. Anything can happen, and he needs to stay to the convention. We need his leadership.
No. The corporate media has to focus on issues its paymasters hate. Bernie’s campaign keeps the spotlight on them. He bows out, they will stop.
That too.
Late to this discussion (didn’t know this thread was up until this morning) but no, I do not think Bernie should hang it up after Wisconsin.
Although I do agree with jcitybone, to some extent, that if Bernie gets “crushed” (which would be extremely demoralizing for me) perhaps it would be time, if only because…. how much more abuse can he or us take by this point??
Here’s the thing, imo, the sooner Bernie yields to calls to drop out (before everyone’s had a chance to vote! Let alone before the convention..wth) the sooner they’ll all start yelling at Bernie and his supporters to actively elevate and support Biden, possibly the worst candidate I’ve ever seen run in my lifetime.
They’d all just pivot to accusing us of not being enthusiastic enough about Biden. No criticism of Biden allowed, at all.
At this point the only way things could get better, for my frame of mind, is if Biden takes on Bernie as his VP or at least a REAL progressive woman as VP.
Not Harris, not Warren, not Abrams, not Klobuchar.
we can take the abuse. when the goin gets tough. i know you’re a fighter, mags. I only argue because this is maybe the most important argument I’ve made in my life or will make in my life. I don’t know how, but I feel a fire inside that says this is the time that we all have to get off our pity pots (me especially!) and somehow show Bernie the depth and the passion that we have. life and death to me. 🤗🦜🦜🔥❤️🦜
Like Senator Sanders says, “No me, us!” As in, it will take US to make it happen.
I mostly agree with you, but I’m very close to my breaking point (as far as caring about poltics).
Of course the bastard Dems, well that’s what they want, they want us to all give up, and they’re not going to change. Far too many of them are corrupt phonies who’ve sold their souls for money and/or fame. I’m supposed to support them?? I’m supposed to allow them to continuously point their fingers at us and take their shit? They hardly feel like allies! That’s for damn sure.
If not for agreeing to fight for the people around me at the Bernie’s Back rally, and if not for people like you that I know haven’t given up yet, I’m not sure where I’d be right now tbh.
Because with the Dems pushing Biden on us, and gawd knows what lousy VP to come, and the spectre of this upcoming November, and the very likely event of Trump not only winning, but us being blamed for it, forever, it’s extremely tempting to tune as much of it out as I can.
I can relate, but I can’t give up.
I do understand, mags. Like I said, giving up is just not an option for me. Plus I always really liked those Hail Mary passes in football games.lol
You know my answer!
Of course not, why should he? ANY primaries held since any of us started staying at home shouldn’t even count. They are clearly manipulations ONLY.
Biden has won very few states outside of the deep south. Since when does Red America choose our candidates for us??? Oh, I know! When that’s expedient for the DNC!
I agree that the primaries that were held right as, and since, people began staying home shouldn’t count.
Bernie should stay in for sure and not be quiet about it. Take it right to the convention. Then if Bernie doesn’t have enough votes he should bargain with the DNC. Bernie offers them a choice — he campaigns for Biden on the condition that Bernie chooses Biden’s running mate or Bernie continues his campaign for president with the Green Party.
not enough ballot access for any 3rd party run. i read.
NOOOOO!!!!!!!
Here’s another example. Tony Evers was wanting to give up and just let voter suppression take place. But look what’s happening now:
Bernie Sanders in this race has the potential to empower others.
https://youtu.be/qlfW62c2nIQ
Yay! I thought a governor had emergency powers – – let’s see. And hope!
striking workers, too. plus, right now he gives hope to many front line workers who ask for help. he has so many more supporters than we or he can even know and if it’s not him, i’m afraid for those people.
Very good point.
The fat, orange, badly made up yahoo has already jumped on BrainDead. Re-election will be a cakewalk for the worse humans one can imagine. Bernie has got to see this race through the end. I would also like to know exactly what Ms. Jayapal is up to?
no one can blame me or us. We handed them The very best candidate of a lifetime and not only did they fight for their candidate which is fine they plotted against us from the very beginning and they are close to pulling it off. I don’t want to hear one damn word about who I should vote for if we don’t rally behind Bernie and get him in there
T and R, Ms. Benny!!
righteous rant! ty benny!
I hope you put this in some kind of letter to send some of your connections and maybe a Twitter post with the main ideas. I really like the part about getting him on the shows again rallying the progressives. we have to do it! I am going to tweet about it, but I’d rather retweet you!
sunday ot too, i take it
This is another show Bernie should get booked on.
and this is Taibbi’s sweet spot.
Perhaps we should all just move to Vermont, ans join the secessionist movement. Semi kidding.
Let’s just take over Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. But the property taxes would have to be adjusted, LOL.