– whether on race, women’s equality, labor rights and LGBT equality – being driven not by elected politicians, but by the willingness of ordinary women and men to take action that eventually compels political elites to respond. He’s not promising to solve problems himself, as much as to use the White House as a bully pulpit to mobilize citizens against the forces that keep the status quo intact.

The scale of support Sanders drew in a hastily conceived presidential bid launched less than a year ago is evidence of wide and deep enthusiasm for his ideas, not his persona. It’s a relatively safe bet that the next time the Democratic party has to chose a nominee, that person’s ideas will be closer to Sanders’ than to Clinton’s.

The key, for Sanders, is his belief that the grassroots activism of his campaign has to continue after the election – whether or not it puts him in the White House. The metric of his campaign’s success is not simply whether voters in the primaries or in November “feel the Bern”. He has made clear all along that, win or lose, it’s the after-Bern that counts.

The number of independent voters is growing while the number of democrat and gop voters is shrinking. Times are changing. And that's a good thing.

If the platform of the Democratic party includes things like fracking, regime change policies, opposing Glass Steagall, no transparency, and cozy relationships with Wall Street, then the party either needs to shift with the rest of us.... or the rest of us will form a party with real democratic values. Time to get back to representing all the people.

due to years of obstructionist delays. This election cycle matters in a big way.

do reject negativism and reach for the skies. Starting as soon as appropriate by organizing and donating to promote truly progressive government of, by, and for the people.