I'll Pass on the Revolution, Thanks

I like Bernie Sanders. There's something authentic and endearing about him, his style, and his message. I think he believes it. I think his values are right. I admire that even after 35 years in public life, he still wants to fight for what he believes in. I admire that he's made reaching out to young people and people outside of the political process such a central point of his campaign. I agree with his broader values, that the American economy is rigged against the working class, that health care is a human right, and that education should be affordable. In short, I really like Bernie Sanders and his platform, and I'm not going to vote for him in the Democratic Primary.

Bernie Sanders is running as the change candidate when we have a Democratic President. His argument is essentially that this President did a good job, but that a Senator Sanders would go much farther, and would make real bold change in the areas of bank regulation, health care, higher education, and the wages of our workers. For one thing, I don't believe that a President Sanders would have much more success in making these changes than President Obama has, so I have my doubts. Second, because I have my doubts, I also am looking for someone who I think can at least make some incremental changes, which is exactly what he espouses against really. Third, I'm not even sure I want to go from the ACA to Medicare for all over night, or some of his other more immediate changes.

Even if I believed that Senator Sanders could win the general election, which I sincerely doubt, I'm not sure I really want his brand of change right now, or believe that these fights would be fruitful for the American public. When I hear him say he'll keep his army of supporters and they will pressure Congress to make his changes, I wonder if he understands that President Obama at least partially tried that with OFA. I have serious doubts about the particulars, across the board, and I'm not willing to take this chance at this time. Yes, I know, I'm saying no to free college education for everybody and Medicare for all. That's kind of a downer. I have serious doubts about their viability, and on their merits.

Most of the case that Sanders' supporters make against Hillary Clinton fall equally flat with me. I don't necessarily feel that she is a slam-dunk to be elected, or that the Republicans will want to help her achieve many goals, but I feel better on both of those fronts about her. I think arguments that she is a corporate shill or Republican-lite are silly and not grounded in reality. I think she's been a strong change agent. I think she's a solid Democrat. I think she's our best chance to win. I also think she's our best chance to get things done. There are arguments against some of these points, but they aren't the arguments I accept.

Bernie has run a great race. Some of my friends who work for him have done amazing work, and deserve the commendations they are receiving in the press. I think his overall vision for the country is beautiful. I'm just not buying all the way in though, right now. I get that there is a political revolution being attempted right now- I just have to pass on joining it.