Do you want Bernie Sanders to be the President?
If your answer is, "Yes." full stop, period, end of discussion, then this article is for you.
If your answer is, "Yes." with an bunch of Blah, Blah, Blah, then maybe you shouldn't bother to read this article because: What I have to say will be of zero interest to you.
So if the "filter" worked, it is just us here with no one to distract from the simple truth.
Starting in the early 1970s I told everyone that would listen a simple truth. There were few that listened over the years and even fewer that believed this simple truth.
The following as an updated iteration of that simple truth:
Tuesday, 8 November 2016, will be the 58th quadrennial U.S. of A. presidential election. If as a result of that election Bernie Sanders receives substantially more votes than any other presidential contender then: On 20 January 2017, Bernie Sanders, at exactly 12:00 noon EDT, will be inaugurated president.
I browse about a bit, and I suspect there are some people that will vote for Sanders, but it is not at all clear that anyone (but me) is serious about doing voting for Bernie on that date. I will be voting for Bernie, end of report!, full stop, period, capisci?, end of story. Now that, that is clear:
There is a simple, no nonsense path to kickstarting this revolution that is not about Bernie, as Bernie has stated. If we, the people, decide that Sanders should become the President of the U.S. of A., then let's put it to the test. If enough people actually vote for him, it will happen.
Don't even bother tossing bullshit into this discussion. I don't care what Bernie has to say, his opinion is of no concern to me. I don't care what Hillary has to say, her opinion is of no concern to me. I don't care what Donald has to say . . . period. I don't care what the "powers that be" think, or do. The simple fact is that if we vote, they can't stop this from happening.
I know this is a shocking thought, like wow, "just do it", or some other goofy internet meme. But the raw truth is staring you in the face. The real question is: How much of the noise "out there" is just sound and fury signifying nothing, and how much is the expression of angst by those with a real commitment to change? I for one would like to know the answer to that question. I would like to know how many eligible voters are ready to say "enough is enough" and to actually vote for a change.
Comments
I had this thought, myself early on.
My dilemma is that NM does not allow/will not count a write in vote for POTUS. So, in order to comply with your scenario, please guide me. I'm willing to put up my vote.
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
The existing rules do not apply!
The point I have been making over and over again for more than forty long years is: If we organize and do it "they" can not stop it. If, and it is a big IF, there is the will, if we are starting a real revolution, if there are enough of us "they" will be forced to bend to the will of the majority.
This can only work IF the numbers are there. As I said, I would like to know if this is the will of the people, or are we-all just part of a tiny Cul de Sac of the "Matrix".
Forty years? That's not very encouraging, PriceRip.
If you've been saying this for forty years and nothing really significant managed to happen, it doesn't look good for the future. Things have only gotten worse within the last forty years. We're in a new gilded age, and the masses can't be bothered to do anything about it.
Forty years asleep
The American people went into a walking coma 40 years ago, from which it appears they are finally beginning to wake up. The awakening is in large part due to the fact that there is a new generation that's come of age who are not asleep. Those of us older folks who remained awake were marginalized and unable to get traction (until now, at long last).
For this reason, I don't believe that we can accurately predict the future on the basis of the preceding 40 years. Things are different, the demands of the time are different, and the demographics of the American populace are different.
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
I hope you're right.
I really hope that this isn't a cyclical thing.
We (American voters) are the old beaten mules. We comply.
The young stallions are going to be harder to break than our parents were. They see the greed that has built fences to contain us and realize that it is not just and not sustainable.
There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties.. This...is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.--John Adams
Depressing is the word
And, back in the day I was referred to using the pejorative, "idealist" when in fact I should have been referred to as a "disillusioned realist". Nobody ever listens to anything in context, ever.
Depressing or not, it did deflate some of my enthusiasm.
I wonder if "dreamer" would be a better word. I'd like to be a dreamer, but you have to be asleep to dream.
The Abyss Beckons
I am one of the lucky ones, depression is kept at bay by staying mentally young. I like to say I have been institutionalized for 60 years. I started kindergarten in 1954 and only recently retired from university teaching. So, while I still claim to be a disillusioned realist, I am often infected with enthusiasm by association. So with practice I am able to sustain a delusional state for extended periods and thereby maintain the appearance of optimism for most casual observers.
That sounds nice.
I wish I could be as optimistic as you. In order to remain optimistic in this world, I would probably have to adhere to a pretty strict drug regimen to keep my mind limber
And a university professor? That sounds pretty groovy to me.
Ah! Yes! Going Old School!
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYtISWl3KDw]
John Lennon articulated it
John Lennon articulated it well 44 years ago, and he was shot and killed. " Imagine" has always moved me deeply. The propaganda machine was very successful at keeping us fearful, afraid, and within the boundaries that the governing parties must have us to maintain Myopia. I will be voting for Bernie in Michigan... don't yet know how write ins are handled here.
RA has a valid point
There are a number of states that do not count write-ins. If we can't show how many votes he got, how do we say he won? Seems to me like we can't prove that the numbers are there. I'd love to see it happen, but don't see how we do it.
I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance. - e.e.cummings
Step One
Be very public about what we are doing. Make it very obvious to all as the election approaches. Make it very obvious to everyone in the polling place. Make a statement in your local paper in a letter to the editor. Be "in your face" and "up front" about it to the point that no one can deny it.
As I keep saying this only works if enough people agree to take this action.
They don't seem to have a problem ignoring our will
for instance, pretty sure they've ignored our will on things like gun regulation and marijuana legalization for a long time now. Plus they've revealed that they're willing to commit fraud to usurp our will and diminish our support's apparent size.
But what the hell, let's go for it. But what's the plan? Just voting for Sanders isn't going to cut it if not enough people actually do it. And the way things are right now, Sanders supporters are prepared to fracture should he not be the nominee. We'd have to prevent/undo that first, then we'd have to convince people to vote for someone who isn't on the ballot at all, and even then it may not matter at all because of our crappy Electoral College, which, if I recall correctly, are the actual votes that pick the president, and we don't really matter overall when it comes to those, because they're basically the super delegate bullshit on a greater, even less democratic scale.
[video:https://youtu.be/ZlwbTUs-17k]
But it's still worth trying, and I actually have an interesting idea: could we do a Kickstarter for something like this? One dollar pledged equals one promised vote (hey, money is speech after all). Would have to ponder that a bit more, like goal and reward for backing. Also, is this suggestion a weird parody of vote buying?
Begin at the beginning:
To get this going we first need voters to make a simple unadorned declarative statement of intent via a petition, a Kickstarter campaign, or whatever. Without a clear indication of numbers and intent, nothing will happen.
Given the history I have experienced (1960s until now) I doubt anything real will come of the Bernie inspired "revolution" unless we make it happen.
What action items would you suggest PriceRip?
Write in voting rules vary and in some states is prohibited.
Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. Stephen Hawking
Two Favorite Questions
Your "What action items would you suggest PriceRip?" is just like my two favorite classroom challenges, one of which is: As I stand stationary, I ask the students while pointing toward the opposite side of the room, "What should I do to start walking forward?".
As students suggest various options, I attempt to comply (with a bit of Slapstick humor), and as every mechanical engineer knows I fail miserably. After a few failures I ask the students to carefully observe as I perform this (very difficult to describe) task. The usual lament "even a child can do it, so why can't we make a robot that is able to smoothly walk across the room?" obscures the reality that "no!" a child doesn't "just do it". Learning to walk with grace is difficult because the process is very subtle. In fact, very few of the cognoscenti properly describe the process.
All the above is just a long winded way of articulating my usual reply to any good question, "I don't know. But, I think we can figure it out."
For me it starts with this question:
suggesting we need to get an unambiguous measure of our potential target audience. If we can identify those for whom Bernie's message resonates, then we can tailor appropriate action items. I fear that protests at the national conventions will be as ineffective as they are fractionated. Without coherence the main stream response, "self-entitled losers" will gain traction. As it has been, it shall ever be.
We have yet to learn to take that first step.
But, HOW do we accomplish this?
How does the voting take place? How is it counted? How is the candidate we vote for actually installed as POTUS?
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
If we are to forge any kind of revolution
don't we have to first ensure the damn votes are all counted?
Isn't that when revolutions usually happen?
When votes stop being counted, eventually revolutions take place, no?
How does that phrase go? Where there are no ballots, there will be bullets instead?
My plan all along,
if Bernie were not to win the nomination, has been to write-in his name. I just checked our Secretary of State's web site.
Here in Minnesota, the rules state: "a write-in candidate for U.S. President must file a written request for his or her votes to be counted."
I have no idea if Bernie will file such a request. Regardless, I'll be voting for Bernie Sanders, one way or the other!!
"Stand Up! Keep Fighting!" - Paul Wellstone
Count Me In
I've been talking to people in the last week, and think I've made some converts. I've been traveling, flew to my daughter's wedding in Michigan. As a result, had the opportunity to talk with quite a few people in the late 20s to early 30s range.
They would ask what I do and for 7 months, that has been work on Bernie's campaign. "Bernie?" And I told them about his platform. -- They liked it. They will look him up.
We need to organize if we are going to get enough people to do this!
Taking this to the extreme
Let's say, come November 8, 85% of the people voting in the general election write in Bernie Sanders, regardless of whether that's allowed in their state. 8% vote for Trump, 3% vote for Clinton, and the remaining 4% is for various third party candidates.
Who would be declared the winner, and on what basis? How would that be handled by the Electoral College? Or would SCOTUS make the decision?
If this ain't a Constitutional crisis, what would be? And if not precisely a Constitutional crisis, certainly an existential one for the United States of America.
More importantly, if that scenario came to pass, how would We the People handle it?
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
The House would make the decision.
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
We would have to be committed.
If 85% did this and did so very publicly, it would be unstoppable, an yes it would generate a crisis. So what is the real question?
To, me the question is as I wrote:
For this question I have no answer.
One Step at a Time
You're looking too far ahead. I don't think we have to worry about that right now. First we have to get 85% to vote for Bernie. If we do that, the rest will work out.
That is my very point.
Yes, I want Bernie to be President.
However, I can't see the future.
Also my cinicism really gets into the way. I have no faith in the Democratic Party doing the honorable thing. I think that the fix is in, all the way from Obama and down to the floor sweeper. Some number of senators and representatives might come to their senses and vote for Bernie.
What are the Republicans going to do? If they're smart, they'll kick Trump out and put Kasich in his place. Hillary would have a hard time defeating Trump and no chance of defeating Kasich.
We already have a 4-way race: Libertarian, Republican, Democratic, and Green. Right now, the libertarians and Greens together would pull in about 15% of the vote. If the Republicans stick with Trump, the Libertarians might pull in 15% on his own.
It will be really difficult for any party not headed by Bernie to win 50%. Which brings us to the Congress.
If, and this is a very big if, we can get some Berniecrats to actually win House seats, especially those currently held by Republicans and equally useless Democrats, we might have a chance. If this doesn't happen The Republicans or Libertarians will be chosen.
What I'm doing now is continuing to support Bernie and his candidates as much as I can and also help the Greens. If they can pick up Illinois [quite possible] and Pennsylvania [iffy], they would be represented in all the big population states. They are on the ballot in Texas but I suspect Trump would win there. I consider the Greens as kind of an insurance policy. If Bernie REALLY wants to defeat Trump, he'll have to either go indy or Green.
Of course, all of this is just my not so humble opinion. YMMV.
Life is strong. I'm weak, but Life is strong.
Well I'm voting for him, one way or another,
Regardless of what happens. So, there's one tiny portion of a percent....
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
I question the sincerity of this "revolution".
Bernie Sanders drew large crowds to rallies but, now many of those people will actually vote for him? Every time, and where I ask this question I do not get a clear signal indicating a clear majority willing to "step up" and be counted.
I WILL step up,
and I hope to be counted!
"Stand Up! Keep Fighting!" - Paul Wellstone
We are nearing a perfect storm for drastic political change
PR, your essay encapsulated pretty much my thinking on the subject--and my emotions, too. You and I are hardly alone in our passion to bring an end to the massive corruption eating at the soul of this country. "Not for me, us" Beautiful. Bernie meant it and still means it. Do not give up--no votes have yet been cast at the convention.
Perfect storm: For decades, PR, you not alone in your despair at the state of the State. Many individuals, many organizations and voluntary associations have all had discontent with the status quo for years, perhaps decades. Alone, without leadership, the discontent has been festering amongst those who care. Finally, in Bernie Sanders, we have a unifying voice, a catalyst promoting the coalescence of the disaffected. And the message is spreading to people who never realized how screwed over they have been--i.e., the movement is growing.
So, the movement, which like New Deal Democrats, consisting of groups of amenable partners, is energized--and it will continue. The mechanism for successful continuation of this radicalization (which really amounts to a return to old-fashioned Progressive values) is yet in doubt. One thing is essential--Bernie needs to keep fighting through and likely beyond the convention. We, as Berniecrats, must do everything possible to support like-minded down-ticket candidates.
The electoral college is a hurdle of course, as the two "major" (co-conspirator) parties are unlikely to support a third party candidate when push comes to shove. However, the election of 2016 will likely see the fracturing of each major political party. The fracture could be irreparable leading to a complete, disorganization of the political landscape. Consider the following scenario:
1. Bolstered by a steadily growing schism in the Democratic Party, the party may likely split into leftist Progressives and center-right DINOs. This leaves two surviving entities, which, may breach irrevocably from each other. Remember the Dixiecrats?
2. Split between Republican establishment types--such as Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell--and the Trumpeters, the Republicans will, at least in the short term be fractured. This leaves two parties.
3. The Green Party, ably captained by Jill Stein, is small but growing. She and her party are gaining wider, although small recognition nationally despite media bias (under-reporting).
4. The Libertarians are gaining support from right-wing disaffected Republicans. Their polling indicates substantial growth to about 10+ %.
So the landscape prior to the November balloting may be occupied by as many as six respectably sized parties (not counting the fringe single-issue or goofy parties).
Who has the most passionate members? Don't know yet. But no one should be surprised by a major political shifting in 2016, to be followed by reorganization into ideologically consistent parties. One such coalition would be the DINOs and the "moderate Republicans" Another could be the Progressives and the Greens. I won't (can't) speculate on Trump's political legacy should he fail to be elected. Nor do I doubt any long-term growth of the
Ayn RandLibertarian party.I do want Bernie Sanders to be President
I am going to find out what the rules for write-ins are here in California.
Could Bernie win if his votes came from
Different sources in total?
In states where you can write in, write his name in.
Then, if he was on the indie ticket in other states, vote for him that way.
If there are enuf states in total to cover both of those scenarios, could he win that way?
Just a thought.
I'm in it all the way to the convention! #Bernie16
Just a *good* thought . . . might work!
well said
Reality, is what you make it.
Shouldn't you check with Bernie first?
Maybe Bernie's campaign was all about reforming the Dem party and campaign financing instead of running for president - sort of a demo project? I say this because he didn't go after Hillary's damn emails, which are a very big deal, or her foreign policy decisions as SOS, or her support for her husband's disastrous policies, when it would have made a difference (during the debates). He also didn't publically fight all the voter suppression and outright hacking tactics used against him by the DNC and Clinton campaign. Indeed, after the final super Tuesday voting shenanigans, Bernie seems to have given up the fight. And he still won't run third party. Just check with him first before you go off half-cocked, because running for president may not have been his real intention in the first place.
Bernie continues to stress it's about US, not him.
If we want him to be POTUS, it is up to us, in any way possible. It is not really his decision now, but ours.
I just emailed the Upstate NY WFP rep to ask directly: is Bernie (you endorsed him in Dec 2015) going to be on the President line on the November ballot? [my guess is they wimp, but wouldn't that be easy for NY?]
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
Not his decision?
What do you mean by "It is not his decision to run for president"? Are we now going to force him to run, should he become the Dem nominee by a saintly miracle or deus ex machina by the gods? Do you realize how unbalanced this sounds?
I agree with riverlover.
What we do individually or collectively is not connected to any of Bernie's possible, or probable decisions. If he chooses to fully support Hillary, I would still write-in his name to drive home the point: This election is not about Bernie, it is about the system. And, for me, Bernie represents the solution to the ills that exist within the system, hence, I will use his (now Public Domain) name to continue making that point.
Do you realize how this:
sounds? My life is defined by "reality checking", literally. When I play, I play several levels deep. And, by the way, repartee is weak within you young padawan. In other words, "get with the program." because the challenge is, "What is it we individually and collectively need to do to force the "new reality" onto a system corrupted by years of manipulation and greed?"
I read last night's speech as US, not Him
So yes, deus ex machina, he could be installed as figurehead, and if he tires or dies, someone else assume the helm. I am trying not be be offended at unbalanced.
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
He already chose to run for President!
It's not like we're discussing all of us writing in my grandma and foisting the presidency on her while she was minding her own business (sadly, Gram has passed away, but I'd still vote for her over Hillary). The point being, he has already repeatedly expressed a will and a desire to lead the country.
If PR's scheme actually worked, he could always refuse the position, no one can be forced to be President, but I think that would be very unlikely.
Response from NY WFP
So there. Hold pattern in NY, where more than one election has been stolen.
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
Malcolm X
Are there enough discontented voters in New York that a "march on Albany" could be possible. I know I can be delusional (I live in the Malcolm X's home state, so I tend to think big.) but really, sometimes a relatively small group of people can generate great change.
There was one last week in Albany
by the Save Seneca Lake, anti-gas storage, anti-fracking, anti-pipeline groups and then on to DC. Over 1K IIRC, maybe more. Large alliances of "conservation" anti fossil-fuel, fresh water proponents are forming here. Hope is in the air.
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
This is encouraging.
It would be very nice if this should lead to bigger things. But, as of right now this is huge, we have had a similar victory in Nebraska. As you all know a group of very determined people were able to successfully push back on the Keystone XL pipeline project. In addition Jane Kleeb holds the position of Chair of the Nebraska Democrats. At least in Nebraska, my team is on the winning side for a change. During the discussion leading up to this development:
Maybe incrementalism will die in Nebraska? Color me optimistic:
Such dismissive downer statements from some.
I am alive and angry.
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
This sustains me
When I moved to Kearney, Nebraska most did not care that the tiny Rowe Sanctuary was one of a very few safe havens for Lesser Sandhill Cranes. I joined a very small group of very determined people and now the Sanctuary is thriving and this world class ornithological destination is recognized by the local PTB. The job is not complete (probably never will be complete) but for now at least things are moving in the proper direction. "Hope is in the air" indeed.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Oh, and a side note: Some of the alliance will be individuals you will not care for very much, but in the end they may surprise you.
Good try
Didn't Bernie just spend a boat load of the money "WE" gave him in an effort to become POTUS? I think he is waiting to see if "WE/US" have it in us to continue the revolution. Bernie doesn't walk away from a fight.
Up until yesterday
I would have done this. IA makes it easy for write-in candidates. But he's voting Hillary and is therefore now part of the problem. It's not him. It's us. And we, by and large, have been dicked by the Dems.
Jill Stein is on the ballot in IA. Jill Stein will receive my vote.
Seriously, NWIA?
You can't see that he has little choice to say he will do so if she's officially nominated?
He's try to make changes and gain leverage at the Convention. What could be gained at this point by him saying he refuses to vote for Hillary?
He has done more than any individual person to expose the corruption and greed and dysfunction in our system. But fuck him, right? He's part of the problem because he (reluctantly) said yes, he'll vote for the nominee of the party he's running in if she's confirmed at the winner.
As well, there is the FBI inquiry, the DNC hacks, the new
Class action suit about DNC fraud. Still time. Things can happen at any time.
Most of us here are mature enough to know that instant gratification is abnormal. Now, long views are less acceptable, but 1 year plans might be good.
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
Not fuck him
But he's done. He's siding with the Dems, believing he can move them. I simply don't know why. For half a century, he has recognized the flaws with the established parties. I fully understood his decision to join one to make a big push now that his career is winding down. But I never bought into his push to support the party. While I'm not surprised that he will not go 3rd party, I'm shocked that he would publicly announce his support for her. Whole he did not use the word "endorse," what else is it when someone says for whom they will vote?