Why Bernie should go all the way to the Convention:
Bernie is carrying OUR mandate, and has won the right to present it on the stage at the Democratic Convention.
Bernie is a charismatic figurehead, and a believer in The Movement,
but The Movement started before Bernie decided to run for President,
and will continue whether he is elected or not.
The Middle/Working Class is in an ever growing revolt against the Establishment/Clinton/Big Money take over of the Working Man's Party. As a figurehead and spokesman, Bernie helped grow The Movement by putting our issues in the face of the Country, The Democratic Plutocrats, and The World.
It is important to keep up the fight, with or without Bernie.
We must make our voices heard at the convention, and influence the Party Platform as much as possible. WE must let them know we are watching, and WILL hold the Party accountable.
There are many issues we must continue to fight for:
*Getting rid of Citizen's United and SuperPacs
*Spotlighting Corrupt politicians bought by Corporate Interests
*Breaking up the "Too Big to Fail" Banks
*Trade Deals that only enrich the already rich and cost Working Americans their jobs.
*Raising the CAP on FICA deductions to protect Social Security (any trial balloons about raising the retirement age or reducing SS MUST be met with an uproar)
*A "Speculation Tax" on Wall Street that would be dedicated to Tuition FREE Public Universities, and pay down student loans
*Medicare for ALL, and a revamping of Medicare to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
*Returning to a Pre-Reagan Progressive Tax Schedule (more equitable wealth distribution)
*Capital Gains taxed as income
*Closing tax loopholes and off shore tax cheat havens
*Getting rid of Private-For Profit Prisons
*Reducing our Prison population, and addressing the Racist courts that fill them
*Legalizing Marijuana
*A Peaceful approach to a solution in the Middle east
*Protecting and expanding Women's Rights. Equal Pay for Equal Work
*Protecting our Environment, addressing Global Climate Change
We must carry these issues (and others) to The Convention.
We must be unified to make our voices heard,
and we must continue the fight after this convention.
Bernie and The Movement has done far, FAR better than I ever expected. It resonates with Americans, and The World. Wealth Disparity is a HUGE, all encompassing issue. Bernie rang the bell, and rang it loudly.
Win or Lose, The Movement is STILL about us.
Keep the Faith.
I will.
Among these are:
*The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;
*The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
*The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
*The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
*The right of every family to a decent home;
*The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
*The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
*The right to a good education.
All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.
[font size=3]America's own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for all our citizens.[/font]
Please note that the above are stipulated as Basic Human RIGHTS to be protected by our government,
and NOT as COMMODITIES to be SOLD to Americans by For Profit Corporations.
[font color=firebrick][center]"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans.
I want a party that will STAND UP for Working Americans."
---Paul Wellstone [/font][/center]
[center]
[/font]
[font size=1]photo by bvar22
Shortly before Sen Wellstone was killed[/center][/font]
= new reply since forum marked as read
I blame THEM (Hillary supporters) for insisting on nominating a candidate with historically HIGH negatives, and smaller poll margins against the Republicans than Sanders.
That doesn't seem very smart to me.
The SMART thing to do is support the guy with the best chance of winning in November but what do I know? 
I've only been politically active for 55 years, and a registered Democrat since 1967.
Also not very smart is the way the Hillary crowd is going out of their way to romance the Sanders Democrats and Independents over to Hillary's side by taunting, insulting, bullying, abusing, and ridiculing them like they won't be needing them or me in November.
