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Ferd Berfel

(3,687 posts) Wed Mar 23, 2016, 06:34 PM Mar 2016

How the Democratic Party Establishment Suffocates Progressive Change

http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/03/22/how-democratic-party-establishment-suffocates-progressive-change

The Democratic Party establishment persistently strives to downsize economic and political expectations. Sanders aims to upsize them, which is why he is viewed as such a threat

The Democratic Party establishment has recently found itself discomforted by Sen. Bernie Sanders’ campaign to return the party to its modern roots of New Deal social democracy. The establishment’s response has included a complex coupling of elite media and elite economics opinion aimed at promoting an image of Sanders as an unelectable extremist with unrealistic economic policies.

The response provides a case study showing how the party suffocates progressive change. Every progressive knows about the opposition and tactics of the Republican Party. Less understood are the opposition and tactics of the Democratic Party establishment. Speaking metaphorically, that establishment is a far lesser evil, but it may also be a far greater obstacle to progressive change.

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Rather than an excess of pipe dreams, our current dismal condition is the product of fear of dreaming. The Democratic Party establishment persistently strives to downsize economic and political expectations. Sanders aims to upsize them, which is why he has been viewed as such a threat."

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There is legitimate room for intellectual difference. What is so stunning is the tone of the critique and the fact it sought to diminish an important policy (fiscal stimulus) just because Sanders was using it to his political advantage.

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Progressives must surface the obstruction posed by the Democratic Party establishment. Primaries are prime time to do that, which means there is good reason for Sanders’ campaign to continue.

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6 replies

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Highlight:

How the Democratic Party Establishment Suffocates Progressive Change (Original Post) Ferd Berfel Mar 2016 OP

Many of us, the vast majority, want the Democratic Party to move back to FDR policies... Dont call me Shirley Mar 2016 #1

Well said. n/t pampango Mar 2016 #2

It's never going to happen without Bernie Ferd Berfel Mar 2016 #3

Or a Progressive Majority. Dont call me Shirley Mar 2016 #4

yep Ferd Berfel Apr 2016 #5

GDP please...nt joeybee12 Apr 2016 #6

Dont call me Shirley

(10,998 posts)

1. Many of us, the vast majority, want the Democratic Party to move back to FDR policies...

Reply to Ferd Berfel (Original post)

Wed Mar 23, 2016, 06:42 PM

Mar 2016

The Second Bill of Rights, Franklin D Roosevelt

The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the Nation;

The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

The right of every family to a decent home;

The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment;

The right to a good education.