One More Time For The People In The Back
About a month ago, I wrote the following: “Dear Democrats, As long as there are only two major parties, you don’t get to blame me for not voting for your candidates because I don’t fall under your fairly small ideological umbrella. Until another major “liberal” or “leftist” party comes along to compete with you, it is incumbent upon you to make your umbrella large enough so that I will fit underneath it.”
I would like to elaborate and clarify that assertion, because the statement above in one case was interpreted to mean that it’s up to the Democrats to win my vote and if not, that kind of perspective can lead to Donald Trump winning the election even though I’ve been fairly vocal about my utter lack of support for Donald Trump.
Here’s the deal: some Democrats absolutely do not want anyone from outside of their party having input in their party and their party processes. This especially applies to the party leadership, but you can find these people all over the web, and I’ve shared examples below.
The first utilizes a term like the alt-left, which suggests a lack of understanding of the alt-right.
The second example endorses Clinton for 2020, which...third time’s a charm, right?
Annette shares her thoughts:
And you might wonder whether these are just rogue Democrats, but in reality, the highest levels of the party questions Democratic credentials. Either you’re a Democrat, or you’re not.
Some Democratic Party members absolutely discriminate against non-party members. I was told personally during the primary that as an independent voter, I shouldn’t have a say in the Democratic nomination process. And I have seen it happen to others during and after the election. ‘It’s a private club! Either you’re a member, or we don’t care what you say.’
Frankly, I find it infuriating that there are people who would shut the door to leftist, liberal, progressive, and centrist non-Democrats during the primaries but then expect our votes during the general election. And then, if the Democratic candidate doesn’t win, the same people have the nerve and audacity to blame us. It’s ridiculous. It’s entitled. It’s arrogant. It’s not right.
And so, I stand by my assertion that it is incumbent upon the Democratic Party to make its umbrella large enough so that I--and millions of others like me--will fit underneath it. It would benefit the party to do so.
