I know of many leftitsts (greens and socialists) who will have nothing to do with Bernie Sanders.....We need to confront this argument as there is a wide open field of independents to be captured. Well-known author and political scientist and socialist Michael Parenti posted recently a critique of Sanders on foreign policy grounds (Parenti seemed to like Sanders' domestic policies) that ended with this statement,
Today, I wish Bernie the best. He is a Democrat although he calls himself a socialist and an independent. But he takes very good stands on Social Security, human services, and curbing the banksters. However, he has voiced not a word about what his foreign policy might be. I suspect it has not improved. I will most likely not be voting for him. Probably I will support some third-party candidate who will run a hard hopeless campaign---of the kind we used to do in Vermont years ago.
and this was my response posted on F/B
Have the utmost respect for Dr. Parenti. I also have wondered what Bernie's vision of 21st century US empire is. He has also supported basing the F-35 in Burlington. Of note, w/o being specific, Sanders stated in Keene, NH (6-6-15) that he preferred a reduced US footprint in the Middle East and to let Saudi Arabia combat ISIS. Having recognized the above, I feel from too many years working inside the beltway that Sanders represents an alternative to the status quo domestically. It's a given that foreign policies and domestic policies are linked. While Sanders may not be as ideologically pure as the hopeless campaigners of years ago, he is far from hopeless as a candidate and at a minimum represents a step in the 'left' direction.
I find this position validated more and more...in Sanders' trying to open up the debates and to make the debates
about real issues...Such an approach is extremely valuable to the left of the left which never gets presented by MSM. Furthermore, Sanders mentioned in Keene, NH (6-6-15) that he favored
publicly financed elections. Such an approach would open up the political spectrum to new ideas and new voices....
The ideological purists - persistence ignores the fact that in Europe where there are 'ideologically pure parties' - i.e., Green Parties, Socialist Parties, these parties rarely if ever monopolize elections but participate in coalition governance....The US has no such coalitions but through Sanders, it can and will open up debates to new voices. The US Green Party and or Socialists would
never get their foot inside the US political spectrum in national campaigns without someone like Sanders paving the way. The public isn't ready and the press won't allow them to hear a progressive message. Yes some 'outside the box' candidates may do well in local elections but the US, the world do not have the luxury of time for them to somehow magically appear on the national stage.
This is why I'm supporting Sanders - his impact will go well beyond this immediate election. And no, I do not think he is a sheepherder - I can tell you that this progressive voter will not fall for the trick.
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