commentary editorials
Sanders is Only an Able Servant of Power
By Cindy Sheehan
Years ago, when Sanders burst upon the mainstream political stage, Black Agenda report aptly styled him as a “sheep dog,” and they were correct: many of us sussed out the pattern: In open primary seasons (where there is no incumbent running), many so-called established progressive candidates jump in, ostensibly to “push the party to the left,” but, inevitably, they corral voters in to very enthusiastically vote for them, and more importantly, donate to their campaigns. When this so-called progressive candidate eventually loses, he/she will give uncritical support to the criminal who climbed to the top of the garbage heap. Unlike the MAGA caucus in Congress, these so-called progressives rarely make demands on leadership, or candidates, for this support, so no benefits are ever given. They may be put on the committee of their choice, or, even more probably, they are promised that the Party will not primary them in their next run, but, NOTHING is done for the people who gave their time and treasure to them. Zero. Nada.
So, yes, Bernie, and every so-called “progressive” politician. Even if the incumbent is inept, corrupt, mentally deficient, and a war criminal, the rightwing Dem party will “Go with Joe.” Right now, seeing a few of RFK Jr’s tweets that are moving him closer to the political establishment, I predict he will do the same. After all, he calls Joe Biden a “good friend.” Why wouldn’t anybody endorse a good friend? I would, but I choose my friends more carefully: war mongers and corrupt assh0les need not apply.
Bernie Sanders, once the darling of political activists and a former vocal critic of the establishment, took a predictable turn in the political discourse when he pledged to “do everything he can” to make sure Joe Biden is elected in 2024. This cowardly admission may have shocked many of his remaining supporters who once saw him as an alternative to the two-party system that has for long been a disappointment for Americans seeking true change.
Political Representation: Exposing the Fraud
With Bernie’s endorsement of Biden, it becomes even more obvious that the two-party system is a well-orchestrated ploy to deceive the masses into believing they have a say in their political fate. When politicians pledge to support another candidate rather than advocating for their principles, the concept of democracy comes into question.
Instead of surrendering to the failed system, individuals should explore alternatives that promote transparency, grassroots activism, and unbiased representation of people from all walks of life.
Exploring Alternatives: Beyond Bougie Elections
If you can’t seem to find enough moxie inside of you to completely eschew the Federal Electoral Industrial Complex, one way to counter the duplicitous nature of the two-party system is to support independent and third-party candidates who share your values and are genuinely committed to change. These candidates often eschew corporate donations and rely solely on people-powered movements, making them more likely to prioritize the welfare of their constituents.
A better option is to engage in direct democracy, where citizens can participate actively in decision-making processes via advocacy groups, grassroots organizations or joining local political movements.
Real-Life Examples: The Power of Activism and Independent Candidates
Throughout history, we have seen people-powered movements challenging the status quo and demanding change. In recent years, movements such as Occupy Wall Street, the antiwar movement, and the Dakota Access Pipeline protests have shown the power of grassroots activism, until they were co-opted and their power greatly diluted/corrupted by Get Out the Vote energy for the Demon-rats (who never deliver and always betray).
Moreover, independent (from the Dastardly Duopoly) candidates like Ralph Nader, Jill Stein, and Ross Perot have galvanized support and tried to bring crucial issues to the forefront. These individuals were able to mobilize significant support by emphasizing their independence from the two-party system and strong focus on their policy positions. However, even the power of their parties/movements have been limited because of one thing we won’t be getting into for this little fling: the legacy media. In my opinion, the power of Bernie was profoundly diluted by his constant iterations of support for Demon-rats—-no matter how corrupt, vicious, or warlike they are. Bernie claims to be politically independent, but that’s like Dylan Mulvaney claiming to be a girl: Bernie is a Demon-rat at heart, his actions speak louder than any stale rhetoric.
Vote for an outsider, if you must vote: but that’s just my opinion.
Conclusion: Time for Action and Change
Bernie Sanders’ endorsement of Sloppy Joe Biden might have left many of his supporters disappointed and disillusioned (because, when will they ever learn?), but it simultaneously serves as a wakeup call to break free from the two-party system’s stultifying grip. By exploring alternative methods of political engagement, supporting independent candidates, and striving to become more informed citizens, we can work towards a future that genuinely embodies the very essence of democratic ideals.
Many times, I feel like the establishment thinks that if we don’t vote, we are apathetic, but organized efforts to explain why we won’t vote, or why we will no longer be supporting those same establishment hacks, could also be a form of “voting” and effective in combating the demonic duopoly.
It’s time to stand up, be the change we want to see (organized election boycotts and worker-strikes seem to be getting some traction), and refuse to join Bernie in his lap dog kennel any longer. The choice is yours.
Cindy Lee Sheehan is an American anti-war activist, whose son, U.S. Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, was killed by enemy action during the Iraq War. She attracted national and international media attention in August 2005 for her extended antiwar protest at a makeshift camp outside President George W. Bush’s Texas ranch—a stand that drew both passionate support and criticism. Sheehan ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2008. She was a vocal critic of President Barack Obama’s foreign policy. Her memoir, Peace Mom: A Mother’s Journey Through Heartache to Activism, was published in 2006. In an interview with The Daily Beast in 2017, Sheehan continued to hold her critical views towards George W. Bush, while also criticizing the militarism of Donald Trump.
Sheehan was the 2012 vice-presidential nominee of the Peace and Freedom Party,[4] and received 1.2% of the statewide vote in the 2014 California gubernatorial election.
The author has granted this website to reprint selected essays. All rights are reserved.
The views and/or opinions of the author do not necessarily reflect those of APS Radio News or of its affiliate, APS Radio.
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