Dear Editor,
I was asked why I continue to advocate for Senator Sanders’ candidacy in view of the common wisdom that Secretary Clinton has already achieved the Democratic nomination. It would take an unforeseeable twist for me, personally, to vote for Donald Trump, but it is not inconceivable. Many, many, others will.
Bernie Sanders has delineated the systemic problems visited on the vast majority of us by self-interested representatives. A “political revolution” is required to change just about any of it.
Donald Trump also represents a “political revolution,” albeit an undefined and undisciplined one. He could easily be elected if Hillary is the Democratic candidate. Hillary represents, and has the approval of; the political elites who have created the current system that we have concluded is both unfair and unwise.
A majority of those who voted in the primaries (both Trump and Bernie supporters) appear to have awakened at the same moment. The closed primaries that have favored Clinton are not realistic indicators of a National election, when all of those independent, non-affiliated folks come out. Legions of people are untrusting and frightened.
This opportunity may not, ever, be repeated. In addition, Bernie is a virtually perfect exemplar of the approach he advocates. He has been talking and working for his oft-repeated ideals his whole life. I trust him to continue. I also trust him to continue explaining to the public, and challenging the powers that be sufficiently to “move the needle.” It won’t be easy. It could be ugly. But it just could be the last opportunity for a generation or longer.
Someone said, “I can see why young people would be attracted to Bernie; he’s offering free tuition.” (In the first place, free tuition is not a strange idea. California had free or virtually free tuition for residents in its world-class State University system until the “Howard Jarvis taxpayer-revolution” began in 1978.)
But that is not what attracts youth to Bernie. Rather, it is his definition and appreciation of “the rigged economy” and the ravages of climate change, neither of which will get necessary attention if Bernie is not elected and both of which affect youth the most.
The voters and supporters of the two insurgent (populist) candidates are not interested in perpetuating the “status quo.” In fact, they are prepared to blow it up, and live with the resulting chaos. The great fear is that little changes. The greatest fear is the perpetuation of the status quo.
Corporate media, entrenched politicians, the super-delegates, the captains of industry, Wall Street, the participants in the military-industrial complex, the fossil fuel industry, big pharma, and big just-about-anything-else have a vested interest in keeping most things just as they are.
This campaign season has seen the awakening of the individual who asks, “Who speaks for me?” It is Sanders and Trump, and there is little in that face-off to recommend Trump.
Sincerely,
Mark Trabucco
Owego, N.Y.
