2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumAs a Bernie supporter, I'm really sick of Hillary supporters being denigrated
I'm a Bernie supporter, but I know a lot of Hillary supporters. Most weekends, at dinner parties or brunch tables, I find we're all Democrats, but I'm the only one not supporting Hillary.
So who are these people? Rahm Emmanuel acolytes? Cartoonish plutocrats in monocles and top hats? Stockholm syndrome victims?
Nope. In my case, they're ordinary members of the suburban upper-middle class. They worry about the climate change. They fight for women's rights. They want to see America's infrastructure rebuilt. They recycle, drive Priuses, donate extensively to secular charities, and work to elect Democrats down-ballot in every election year, not just the presidential quadrennial.
And they support Hillary -- not because they support corporations (though they'd happily admit that the stock market affects them more than the minimum wage) but because they honestly believe Hillary has a better chance of succeeding as a president. They call themselves pragmatists, and they see Hillary as one of their own.
I like these people, who include my closest friends and immediate family. But that's not the point. The point is: they are active, engaged, supportive members of OUR party. And frankly -- as a Bernie supporter -- I am getting really tired of Bernie supporters treating them as either non-existent or as corporate stooges.
It is easy to get the impression, here on DU, that Bernie supporters won't be happy until Hillary supporters are driven from the party or made to recant their heresies. That's how Republicans behave, and it's sickening to see that mentality here. (And while this ludicrous DU fight between Hillary and Bernie supporters has problems on all sides, the routine calls for ideological conformity comes largely from one side).
By all means, bash DWS, Rahm, Ed Rendell, and any politician you like. But the disparaging of fellow Democrats that goes on here is appalling. Bottom line: "you're with us or against us" was a stupid line when George Bush rolled it out over a decade ago. The paraphrase from (ostensible) Democrats is no better.
Here endeth the rant.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)I wish everyone could skip the bashing, unless something is REALLY out of line.
Armstead
(47,803 posts)They are fine people, and we simply agree to disagree.
However, when people act like buttholes (to use a technical term) here or in real life, they deserve to be called on it.
Blue_Adept
(6,400 posts)This is my interactions locally with family and friends. My online side is different as most of my friends are younger and trend toward Bernie.
Every single thing you said about the Hillary supporters you listed is ME to a T.
It's also why I will have absolutely no problem supporting her in the fall if my candidate doesn't go the distance.
revbones
(3,660 posts)You said "By all means, bash DWS, Rahm, Ed Rendell, and any politician you like. But the disparaging of fellow Democrats that goes on here is appalling. "
DWS is a Democrat. You said it is ok to "bash" her.
Rahm is also a Democrat. You said it is ok to "bash" him.
I'm assuming you think it's ok because of their actions or corruption.
Given that, I would ask you to consider that the beliefs of others may be every bit as valid as your own. Those people may believe Hillary is corrupt or want to call out her actions.
How would you resolve this?
pdsimdars
(6,007 posts)I was just blocked from posting because I said someone was lying. And the reason was because it was a fellow Democrat on this site.
I had no idea. I have seen people say far worse things, but I got blocked. What is the line? If someone complains?
CreekDog
(46,192 posts)You've got 4 hides already and you're hairsplitting over where the line is that allows you to denigrate people here simply for being Hillary supporters.
djean111
(14,255 posts)cockroaches, and someone could not wait to see us crawling to Hillary "when" Bernie loses?
I think it is the Hillary supporters who seem to want to drivey Bernie's supporters - Not Real Democrats!!!!! - out of the party.
So I will have to, as a Bernie supporter, respectfully disagree.
Bernie's supporters have been called racists, misogynists, and - one of my favorites - accused of having mommy issues.
I think it best to just let things run their course. JMO.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)I don't support the rich or oligarchy like i have been told here. I don't have a pot to piss in but i am regularly told I am on their side here.
BernieforPres2016
(3,017 posts)They're suburban upper middle class who worry about the issues that affect them personally (like the stock market) more than things that don't affect them personally (like people working 40-50 hours a week at minimum wage and still being below the poverty level)? But they drive Priuses and recycle and see Hillary as one of their own! She will maintain the status quo and pay lip service to the poor and then we can all feel better about ourselves as caring liberals! And if Hillary and Bill get richer in the process, well they deserve it.
You really sound like a Bernie supporter.
Proud Public Servant
(2,097 posts)I'm prosperous. I'm a product of elite schools and sent my kid to the same. No, I'm not personally affected by the minimum wage, and I am personally affected by the stock market, in which I have a very healthy 401k.
Am I not good enough, not pure enough to support Bernie? Tell me now; I haven't voted yet.
BernieforPres2016
(3,017 posts)I also went to an elite graduate school (though only an ordinary public undergraduate school) and I have a healthy IRA rollover that used to be a 401K. It would be much healthier were it not for the too big to fail banks crashing the economy (that support Hillary) and the stock market in 2008-09.
You claim to be a Bernie supporter, but are somehow more offended by people pointing out all of Hillary's corruption and war mongering than you are by BernieBros and the many other insults leveled at Bernie supporters?
I don't know who you think you're fooling. You know who you're voting for and so do I.
JimDandy
(7,318 posts)That poster's favorite group is Hillary Clinton. Also he has no recs which means not only have they not found one single post about Sanders worthy of recommending, but also not a single post in favor of Democrats or our issues was worthy of his rec.
Proud Public Servant
(2,097 posts)Proud Public Servant
(2,097 posts)JimDandy
(7,318 posts)ibegurpard
(16,685 posts)I can differentiate between them and Internet assholes.
merrily
(45,251 posts)whatever to say about Bernie supporters being denigrated from Bill Clinton to Clintonite Krugman and complicit media to DUers who support Hillary flat out amaze me. They don't necessarily convince me they are Bernie supporters, faux DU Bernie's supporters having stepped up adroitly the day Bernie announced, making us suspicious of posts like your OP. But their ability to see only HIillary's supporters side of things does amaze me. Hell, the NT does not even portray Jesus Christ as that selfless. After all, he did curse a fig tree, throw moneychangers out of the temple, enjoy him some footwashing from a humble follower and stuff like that.
whatchamacallit
(15,558 posts)Yes, they are very concerned.
merrily
(45,251 posts)Much less concerned about attacks on Bernie and his supporters.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280104497
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280142680
Gender: Male
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Current location: Washington, DC
Member since: Mon Aug 1, 2011, 07:51 AM
Number of posts: 1,768
Judging by the screen name, is a government employee. Classic
But, embrace your badness, fellow Bernie Bro.
Jitter65
(3,089 posts)I know many of the same people you know and I know many in the deep red south who feel the same way about Hillary. Most don't have access to computers and don't know what twitter or a blog is. They are fine people, honest, and not new to politics, civil/voting rights. They have no syndrome. And they view Hillary as human, capable of making mistakes, even lying as we all do...including the beloved Bernie Sanders...but they believe she is the best candidate for the Presidency, and they like her too. She is comfortable with them, always has been. In fact she is comfortable with all levels of the economic and social strata.
Thank you for your really decent post.
Rebkeh
(2,450 posts)Our time and energy is better spent elevating Bernie rather than tearing down the other side. Unless you want to stick to the issues, there's no need to get in the mud with them with name calling and personal insults, the issues speak for themselves. They are so very wrong on so many things, use those instead.
bkkyosemite
(5,792 posts)frankly I'm really sick of Hillary supporters who do this. They have smart ass comments about Bernie all the time. They say things that are smug and ha ha ha bs.
You can vote for who you want and so can your stock market Hillary supporters too. But when I have seen the lies and corruption of the Clinton's it is hard for me to vote for her. Seeing her lie about Bernie and anyone else to get a vote is unethical. Bill and Ryan in that clip where he talks about cutting Medicare because that was what he was talking about. So many things Hillary has lied about. Dishonesty is not a virtue. It is a huge rock around her neck.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,710 posts)I don't have a cigarette holder.
I don't have a monocle
I don't rock a Benz, a Lexus, or a Jaguar...I don't even have a car...
I don't speculate in the stock market. Hell, I don't even have a saving account.
Plebeians for Hillary, That's the group I proudly belong to!
all american girl
(1,788 posts)I'm not sure if I'm good with the bernie folks or not....but damn, I'm a dem....since 1980 when I was in junior high....
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,710 posts)That's okay...
Hating rich folk or folk well off enough to rock a Benz doesn't make you a liberal...
My buddy would always make a nasty comment when he saw someone driving a nice car. The irony is he grew up in relative luxury, his dad was a prominent real estate developer, and he stands to inherit a low to mid eight figure inheritance when his mom passes away.
all american girl
(1,788 posts)we all come from different places,but it doesn't mean we are always completely different....I grew up properly poor, under Carter and Reagan, I'm not poor anymore....I'm not sure what it makes me now
ffr
(22,671 posts)Most of us who've been life-long democrats are democrats second, partisans third. I welcome both sides to support their candidate with enthusiasm and passion. And I find all the bickering healthy, because I want more democrats engaged in political discussion moving forward. The way I look at it, if these supporters are engaged, they're more likely to cast their vote come election day. Plus, I'm a huge Bernie fan. It just so happens I've always loved Hillary, so she's my first choice.
At the same time, I think your rant is well placed. I think there has been a snowball effect where some of the more impressionable supporters are letting things get a little out of hand. I read that it's going on from both sides, so I cannot comment first hand, mostly because when I'm attacked for ridiculous things like my avatar, my reply is similar to above, where I'm encouraging them to stay engaged. It must throw them off, I suppose, but I'm being truthful. I want republicans swept out of government.
Big tent American first. That's who we are. Nice rant BTW.
BeyondGeography
(39,377 posts)Lots of good people on both sides. Obnoxious behavior gets more oxygen on the Internet.
Orsino
(37,428 posts)Threads begun with that word have a tendency to suck, yours being a notable exception.
Even with the weasel-word "some," it heralds the likely arrival of a dumb broad-brushing or a thinly-veiled vendetta.
ThePhilosopher04
(1,732 posts)ThePhilosopher04
(1,732 posts)just curious.
BernieforPres2016
(3,017 posts)How shocking.
think
(11,641 posts)Single payer health care
Protecting the environment.
Ending our endless war in the Middle East.
Breaking up the corrupt too big to fail banks that plague our economy.
Ending the failed war on drugs.
Working to end institutional racism from law enforcement.
Supporting a $15 minimum wage by 2020.
Bernie just makes sense....
Proud Public Servant
(2,097 posts)Guess I posted in the HRC group a couple of times, and I'm sure I I'd myself as a Bernie supporter when I did.
Renew Deal
(81,869 posts)That some serious sleuthery
snagglepuss
(12,704 posts)Proud Public Servant
(2,097 posts)2 posts in the Hillary group, total -- both in the same thread, neither about Hillary. The thread was about who Hillary should pick as a veep. My first post (here) was a response arguing that oft-mentioned Julian Castro is a terrible choice -- an argument I've made elsewhere on DU; the second was a response-to-a-response to that post.
So there's your explanation. I doubt I even noticed that the post was in the Hillary group.
m-lekktor
(3,675 posts)ThePhilosopher04
(1,732 posts)tech3149
(4,452 posts)I would hope that all that gravitate here recognize that derisive inflammitory comments reflect poorly on the originator and are counter productive.
In spite of my low post count, I've been around here for a long time. I found DU through Bartcop and stayed because of all the news resources and informed and intelligent discussions. That won't change but it as made this forum a prime target for encitement and division.
Don't feed the trolls but let them speak. Better to educate those who might not have the skills to discerne the difference between reality and BS.
VulgarPoet
(2,872 posts)I've never known a Bernie supporter on this site that had Clinton's group as their favorite...
gordianot
(15,242 posts)I suggested that a DU thread in the Hillary group was not helpful. My guess is come the general election if Hillary is the choice my vote would be helpful. Yes at that time the Hillary group was listed as my favorite. I find posts in that group most enlightening any desire to reply is long gone.
CentralCoaster
(1,163 posts)Everyone I know, regardless of their favored candidate, behaves in a civil way.
The only place I see over the top nastiness is on DU and in comments on articles on the Internet, and then I see it coming from both directions.
I honor both sets of supporters, I refuse to stereotype or to call out just one of the two groups for the misdeeds of just a few among them.
Bjornsdotter
(6,123 posts)Bernie grassroots supporters were called toxic and told that our votes were not necessary.
But yes, carry on with your rant.
LAS14
(13,783 posts)Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)Bobbie Jo
(14,341 posts)I see you're already being attacked here, but I appreciate the effort.
The petty backbiting continues, nonetheless.
Funny thing... whenever this issue comes up for discussion, there will always be those who will line up and give a live demonstration. It never fails...
Excellent post.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Autumn
(45,120 posts)Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)And while I can never support their candidate, my feelings towards them actually has nothing to do with her.
Civil Hillary supporters who only look to tout their candidate's upside and further her chances are people I consider my "fellow travelers." Respect...the mere fact that they give enough of a shit to put in the effort makes them okay in my book.
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)They are forcing a corporate puppet into the nomination, therefore they have established themselves as the enemies of progressive policy.
fun n serious
(4,451 posts)Renew Deal
(81,869 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)at our patio party last week?
Oh, we're somewhat more downscale these days, mostly retired on just our savings, such as they are. We've never made payments on a new car in our lives (hubby's too cheap and too good a mechanic), but I've glanced wistfully at Priuses and we at least once discussed buying one. But very well stated, and I appreciate what I feel is a realistic picture of our part of the Democratic "demographic."
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)more sense that way.
Bobbie Jo
(14,341 posts)Legends303
(481 posts)can't find a difference when I go to a right wing website and its the same smears and people actually wants her indited and go to jail so Bernie can win is really low. She is not perfect I admit and she does flip flop on issues but the personal attacks really guys we are suppose to be liberals on this forum.
MisterP
(23,730 posts)a pol well-known for setting up multiple pay-for-play front groups--even the Millennium Challenge Corporation
demigoddess
(6,644 posts)do you really want that????
Beacool
(30,250 posts)BTW, Hillary supporters are the majority of Democrats. With a couple of exceptions, such as in VT and NH, Hillary has won the majority of the votes of registered Democrats. Sanders has won more votes from Independents.
It's not difficult to understand that Democrats would vote for a Democrat over the person who wasn't a member of the party until he joined out of political expediency.
delrem
(9,688 posts)Another self-identified "Bernie supporter" who hasn't noticed that "Bernie supporters" have been systematically targeted as racist, white supremacist, tone deaf misogynist sexists for the past 8 months. Curious, that.
Y'know, there's something about HRC that fits right in with David Brock's style. Not that a "I'm a Bernie supporter but..." poster would ever notice.
runaway hero
(835 posts)we're all on the same side here.