As a Bernie supporter, I am going to do what so many Clinton supporters have told so many Sanders’ supporters: Im just going to leave. This after participating on this site for over a dozen years.
Im leaving for a number of reasons: The primary reason is because this has gone from a “Crashing the Gate” site to one that is now proudly a guardian of the Democratic Party status quo. Only a true long time supporter of this blog will get the reference to “Crashing the Gate.” Kos has, apparently, crashed the gate, decided he likes life on the inside and wants to be a Player in the Party. And thats fine. Like many many people have said, its his site. And if you are a true progressive and not a Democratic Party hack, then one is just not welcome here. And thats fine. Its his site.
Another reason is that this is a “professionals” site run by and for “professionals.” Read Frank on so called “professional liberalism” to follow what I mean. As an example, I think it is extraordinary that there has been NO front page stories on the Verizon strike. This is the most important job action this decade, but after the first or second day, there has been no stories about it. Meanwhile, there is a daily recap of the Democrats efforts to get a hearing for a milqtoast Supreme Court nominee. And thats fine-its his site.
Another issue I have had is the just inane and self destructive bashing of Bernie and his supporters on this site. Why in the world you supporters of HRC, including and especially Kos and the FPers are dredging up stuff day after day against a candidate and his supporters when your candidate has won the nomination fight and should be leading the way to unity. It is the worst example of political advocacy I can ever remember. And thats fine too. Its his site.
The final straw, the reason I am leaving today instead of some other day, is the following exchange between Kos and a frequent poster here. It occurred as comments to Kos’ latest “Bernie’s efforts are racist” rants:
EDITS….KOS COMMENTS ARE IN ITALICS, DCLAWYER’S REGULAR PRINT, MINE, WHEN COMMENTING ON THIS EXCHANGE, IN ALL CAPS...AND THANKS FOR THE EDITING ASSISTANCE!
dclawyer06 May 27 · 01:01:45 PM
gah, more of this?
I wish you'd spend more time addressing the economic issues we African American deal with and less of this manipulative garbage.
Bernie Sanders is not my enemy and he's not opposed to my interests.
Please stop this.
dclawyer06 dclawyer06 May 27 · 01:02:53 PM
That's my opinion, as one African American who agrees with the frustration expressed by Valtin. Just stop. You're better than this.
kos dclawyer06 May 27 · 01:04:55 PM
I am better than protecting the sanctity of the vote? Actually, I can think of nothing more noble. It takes my breath away how many have so little respect for democracy. And how quickly they’d toss it away to get what they want.
YES, KOS HERE IS EXPLAINING TO AN AFRICAN AMERICAN HOW HE OR SHE DOES NOT RESPECT DEMOCRACY AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO VOTE AND STATING THAT THE “DCLAWYER” IS WILLING TO THROW HIS VOTE AWAY TO GET WHAT HE WANTS. I DONT KNOW, I JUST THINK YOU REALLY DONT HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO A PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT VOTE IN LARGE SWATHS OF THE COUNTRY AS LATE AT 1965 HOW IMPORTANT THE VOTE IS. THE EXCHANGE CONTINUED:
kos dclawyer06 May 27 · 01:02:53 PM
So you are supporting the disenfranchisement of your community? I certainly have no interest in him disenfranchising my Latino brothers and sisters.
dclawyer06 kos May 27 · 01:09:20 PM
good lord,
nmt
kos dclawyer06 May 27 · 01:14:18 PM
Again, a non-response. And I get why. The Sanders coup attempt is indefensible.
dclawyer06 kos May 27 · 01:22:28 PM
It's not a non response, it's an expression of disgust. I'm trying to be polite.
kos dclawyer06 May 27 · 01:28:25 PM
In other words, a non-response. If you know of a way to excuse tossing aside the votes of predominately brown voters to give the victory to the choice of white voters, and it’s NOT an expression of white privilege, I’d love to hear the argument.
As a bonus, explain how that would be (small “d”) democratic.
dclawyer06 kos May 27 · 01:37:55 PM
No I've said my piece and this is your blog. Given it's demographics, I suspect your curious use of race as a bludgeon to marginalize Bernie Sanders rather than, say, actual engagement in the economic issues we POC face will go over well quite well here. . .
WHAT A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF COOL, CLASS IN THE HEAT OF ARROGANT CONDESCENSION. I DONT KNOW YOU DC LAWYER AND i AM SURE WE WILL NEVER MEET, BUT MY HAT IS OFF TO YOU IN THE WAY YOU HANDLED ONE OF THE MOST RACIALLY CONDESCENDING EXCHANGES I HAVE EVER SEEN.
I will end by just asking one last thing from the HRC supporters out there. And I am sincere about this: I have seen some of your posts suggesting that Bernie supporters go to specific other sites, but I have not really paid attention to them before as I never thought I would leave here. Can you please let me know that sites I might like to go to as a Bernie supporter where I can have a dialogue with progressives that I can respect.
One last thing for irony. For the last week I have been working on a blog entry about how I am becoming resolved in my own mind to support Hillary in the general. There are several reasons for this:
-I really like her support for increasing the taxes on wealthy individuals. Thomas Pickety stated that one of the biggest reasons why the pay to the wealthiest few has risen so astronomically is that the tax rate on the highest income earners has been lowered so much. So, while she does not go as far as I would like, she makes some progress.
-I like that she came out for a medicare for all private option. This is the best practical way of achieving single payer as the insurance industry will not be able to compete with this over time.
-The $12.00 minimum wage. While $15 is better, the difference isnt as much as one would seem. Virtually no one wants at $15 minimum wage enacted tomorrow, it is to be phased in over the years. Well, 12 is on the way to 15. So, I have no problem with passing that first and then working on 15.
-Paid family leave.
I will write a blog post like this. I just want to do it on another site. So if any of you HRC supporters want to tell me of the sites you were encouraging other Sanders supporters to go, thats where I want to post.