Hillary Clinton’s lead in the Democratic Primary has provoked taunts against Bernie Sanders’ supporters. Calls of ‘Bernie or bust’ have been met with retorts of ‘vote blue no matter who’—an argument that, while perpetuated by Democrats, is overt bullying. Ms. Clinton’s supporters are exhibiting an intolerance of anyone daring to support progressive reform, treating being a liberal as synonymous with being a Democrat. This, in turn, suggests being a Democrat is merely a badge of superiority over Republicans rather than a principled approach to fighting for progressive reforms. Such arguments manipulate voters into supporting Ms. Clinton, based on fears of what a Trump presidency—or any Republican presidency—would mean to the United States.

Donald Trump is a punching bag for Democrats in the same manner Ms. Clinton is a punching bag for Republicans. The mainstream media has widely instigated this dichotomy, and one could argue it significantly contributed to both Ms. Clinton and Mr. Trump securing leads in their respective primaries.

Broadening the polarity between the Democratic and Republican parties may make for entertaining news and increased viewership, but the implications are overwhelmingly negative for the American people. Numerous studies have shown a direct correlation between political polarization and income inequality—including one cited by Robert Reich, Bill Clinton’s former Secretary of Labor during, in his 2013 documentary Inequality For All.

The progress Mr. Sanders puts forth should not fall by the wayside just to get Ms. Clinton into the White House.