People ask “Why Bernie?” Natural question. I’ve got my own answers, and I am always writing too many words, because I think the answers matter so much. If you haven’t seen it there’s a remarkable video with a powerful set of images accompanied by the lyrics of the classic Bob Dylan song, “The Times They are a-Changin’.” Because it’s the best possible advertisement, I’m going to point you to this inspiring video farther down this post, but I can’t help myself, so here’s a few thoughts.
If you read the cesspool of attacks on social media and comments sections across the internet, Bernie is a mediocre guy who hasn’t accomplished much. Bernie supporters can respond by pointing to his groundbreaking mayoralty, with his far-sighted effort to create a People’s Park on the shore of Lake Champlain, his developing of Community Land Trust policy to create affordable housing, and a range of other innovative policy that helped create the charm of Burlington today. One could point to his great public stances opposing wars and defense spending, tax cuts, budget cuts to social programs, condemnation of criminalization of urban communities, spiraling inequality, his defense of Obama’s Iran nuclear deal, his standing with picket lines and pipeline protesters. For this campaign, one should also tout his wildly progressive positions on climate, health care, medical debt, student debt, public colleges, empowering labor, a sea change on taxes and a goal of offering housing for all and a job guarantee. And, did I say, “on climate?” I know I did, but it bears repeating.
We can argue about the fierce urgency of the moment — very fitting on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance weekend. It truly is urgent, with the impact of all this personal debt and unaffordable housing, as well as the outrageous cost of medical care, prescription drugs and private health insurance in this country (so much higher than anywhere else). Above all else, our very existence is threatened by the timid response of our leaders over decades to the looming climate catastrophe. The time for markets and half-measures has passed. We’re out of time.
Too often, though, words and argument fail us — fail to move people with entrenched positions and preconceptions. So, naturally, because I’ma wordy idiot, I will say a few words about the video below. It’s as powerful as last cycle’s “America” ad, which was set to the words and music of Simon and Garfunkel. This one is to the words of Bob Dylan and a more recent cover version of his song “The Times They Are a-Changin’” — performed by Lia Rose. It’s incredibly powerful — the images explain far better than I ever could that it’s not about Bernie. It’s about the issues and the people who are looking to the campaign to give them a voice. It’s “Not Me. Us.” It’s not just a slogan. It is the campaign. It’s pointless to argue about whether Bernie has “earned” the right to challenge for the Presidency, or whether he’s a “real Democrat.” Because... it’s not about him. It’s about us. The times are changing, and it’s time we took a stand.
WHEN you vote for Bernie Sanders, you’re not merely voting for Bernie Sanders (he’s not going to be around long enough to monetize his Presidency, for one thing — and maybe not long enough to see the foundation he wants to lay turn into a new house for America). You’re voting to realize a different vision for this country. You’re voting for the future — for the people in the video below, and the dreams of the tens of millions of Americans they’re standing in for). Without further ado: