Democrats Are Turning to More Progressive Newcomers Who Are Winning Primaries

CBS News: New York Loss Causes a Political Earthquake 

Newsweek: Why Democratic Socialists are Suddenly Winning Primaries

It's been an interesting primary season.  Democratic voters are turning out in record numbers, even in some red states where the number of voters supporting Democratic candidates is double the number of votes Republicans are getting.  The other development is that many of the Democratic candidates who are considered "moderates" within the party are losing primary elections to newcomers, mostly identified with elements of the party further to the left, in the "Democratic socialist" part of the party.  

Frankly, I'm just fine with that.  

This party has needed an injection of individuals who are willing to take some bold risks to protect what's left of our government and constitution from the existential threat Trump poses.  Too many turf protectors and nest featherers have us in the position where we now find ourselves.  It seems Zohran Mamdami's influence has been one of the factors in these wins in many of those New York congressional districts. 

Most of these districts are safe for Democrats, so the primary winners will more than likely go on to win the seat as well, and it doesn't necessarily mean big gains.  But these politicians are really not politicians in the common definition of the term and it appears they will be bold risk takers, which is exactly what the Democratic party needs right now.  It's hard when establishment politicians lose races they are expected to win, or think they should win because they are the establishment, but I don't see a problem here.  The country hates Trump, and his greatest opposition hasn't come from moderate elements of the establishment branch of the Democratic party.  It's come from progressives, and from angry independent voters who disapprove of the job he is doing by almost a 3 to 1 margin.  

With the latest round of primaries comes the twentieth win scored by Leaders We Deserve, the organization led by David Hogg, who made a wise move when he was shoved out of the DNC.  

A Pet Peeve

Democratic socialists are not communists.  Keep saying that and it will prove genuine ignorance.  The political movement is one that is of, by and for the people, a democracy if you will, and the philosophy of socialism is simply the belief that if resources from the community are used to earn profit, they can also be used for the improvement of the whole community.  It includes convictions that we, as a nation, and as an American community, are responsible for the well being of our neighbors.  It includes the belief that health care is a basic human right, not a profit-generating commodity.  It supports the right to a sufficient and adequare education.  And it believes that human beings in a prosperous society should not have to struggle to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.  

If you want to see a very strong, working model of a socialist society, look no further than the descriptions of the first Christian church in Jerusalem, after the resurrection of Jesus, described in the book of Acts by Luke, in Chapter 2:43-47.  There you will find the best example of socialism that exists in human history.  

My Commitment

I will absolutely vote in the November mid-term elections.  I will vote for the Democratic party nominee and for those who are identified on the ballot as Democrats.  I will do my research before I vote, so that I know the political persuasion of every human being on that ballot, and will not, under any circumstance, vote for anyone, even if its just for the office of dog catcher, who is associated with, affiliated with or has expressed any kind of like for the GOP and Trump.  

I don't care, at that point, whether they are progressive, moderate, establishment or renegade.  Anyone running against a Republican is worth my vote.  And that's the viewpoint that every Democrat needs to take.  We're turning out and we're demonstrating a united front against the biggest enemy to our democracy we have faced since World War II.  

But, know in advance, that I am for a whole list of progressive reforms that politicians like Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Zohran Mamdami are promoting.  Government of, by and for the people should also serve the people.  Let's keep that in mind.