Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumI too was a willing part of "the establishment".
No, I have never held political office outside of my union, but inside my union, I was an officer on my local Board, and I was a union representative for over 30 years.
And as an officer, as part of the establishment, I helped craft local policy for the union.
And as a convention delegate, as part of the establishment, I help craft policy for the national union.
And as a union representative, an elected member of the establishment, I helped craft our local office agreement, which dealt with many facets of my home office.
How did I become a part of the establishment? I was elected after becoming active in the local union, and by helping the current establishment as they worked for the union.
It is vital to remember that the establishment is a necessary part of any organization, because outside of a very small family unit. we need an establishment, however we term it, to coordinate the necessary activities of the organization. Nothing accomplishes itself.
At times, I would hear local complaints about how the union, or the establishment, if you prefer, was making decisions that a local member or members did not like.
My response was quite simple. I asked the member what they did to participate in the decision making process. Almost every time, the member would admit that he/she/they never attended local or general meetings, and never communicated with the local officers.
And after he/she/they admitted that, I would respond that their own inaction indicated to me that they agreed by default with the union position.
So please, all who speak of the establishment, tell me what organization does not have an establishment.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)If you have not seen it, I highly recommend it.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287616538
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
marble falls
(57,204 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)We all have voice, and a vote. Yes, some voices are louder, some more listened to, but that is often because the member ship gives those voices greater weight.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
marble falls
(57,204 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
showblue22
(1,026 posts)Others call it deep state.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)And in each case, it is intended as a negative. But it implies a separation, a sense that the establishment is oppressing the people.
And of course history is filled with such examples, but sometimes we must admit that what we believe to be the best course of action is not something that a current majority accepts as true.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TwilightZone
(25,479 posts)Therein lies the difference.
This isn't difficult. Denigrating most Democrats for being the "establishment" is silly, regardless of the definition or the source, especially when the critic has been part of the same establishment for decades.
It's also a rather odd strategy since they're the ones who get stuff done and build coalitions.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)I was a long time member of a national team that worked in many local offices. During an office visit, in my own large local, I was confronted by a member of the union who asked me if I ever considered that what I was doing in the offices might be stressful for the affected members.
I responded that yes, as a union officer and representative, such considerations were always a concern. The member apologized and admitted to never attending any meetings.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ancianita
(36,133 posts)I've been part of the establishment for my local AFT Local #1. I know the world you work in.
I'm no critic of the establishment, knowing that the working class helped build it.
And I'm to the left of Bernie.
I remain a Democrat who supports the Democratic Party.
If people can't use establishment as anything but stigma or some virtue signalling label, if they have no better language control than what divides, they are the ones I criticize.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)As you said, every organization builds its own establishment.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden