Anthony Cody on Sanders Supporters

[Reader Rabbit]

For those who don't know him, Anthony Cody is a former school teacher and a founder of the Network for Public Education. This post is from his Facebook page, which is public: Anthony Cody Facebook page.

I have seen a bit of concern posted here and there from those worried that supporters of Sanders will not turn out in large numbers if he is not the nominee (although the vast majority of Sanders supporters did vote for HRC in 2016, it should be noted).

I wonder if we might try looking at this from a glass half full sort of perspective. Like this: Sanders has a strong anti-establishment message that resonates with a lot of disaffected and disenfranchised people. He activates and motivates these folks in a way that other candidates do not. He will bring these voters out to the polls if he is the candidate. But clearly that trust is limited, and not easily transferred to anyone else.

I see people worrying, berating, shaming, and blaming them in advance for whatever fate awaits us. I think this is entirely counterproductive. I understand the anxiety, but it is focused on trying to control what other people choose to do. We cannot control what they do. Bernie Sanders does not even control what his supporters do. He has inspired many to believe in him, but this is not a cult, and he does not command them.

I, and probably the vast majority of Sanders supporters you encounter online, will vote for the nominee no matter who, just as we did in 2016. And the projected outrage at these hypothetically disloyal others is demoralizing and even insulting at times. This energy would be much better spent in a more positive direction, encouraging people to fight back, register others to vote, knock on doors, and take on the challenge before us.

One thing teachers learn, if they are to survive their careers, is that the only person anyone has control over is themselves. To try to force others to do what you want them to do is destructive of both oneself and one's ultimate goals.

And for what it's worth, I supported Sanders in the 2016 primary and campaigned and voted for Clinton in the general. Right now, I'm leaning more toward Warren and/or Sanders, but I will vote for whoever wins the primary. However, the internecine hostilities—mostly conducted online with faceless strangers—is extremely disturbing.

[George II]

1. But his top three staffers did NOT vote for HRC, they brag that they voted for Jill Stein.