We Are The Storm!

We Are The Storm!

by Cindy A. Matthews

Storm is coming... 

Or so says the hashtag we've seen online in recent weeks. The storm officially arrived on Wednesday night, August 24, just as we arrived at the IBEW Union Local 8 Hall in Rossford, Ohio, to watch the Our Revolution live stream. The sky turned opaque black-green with ominous wall clouds, the rain poured down in buckets, and then the tornado sirens sounded. We promptly took our live stream event away from the large glass windows of the foyer down to the hall's basement where we shared a meaningful discussion. 

We were eager to hear Senator Bernie Sanders address us, the faithful who braved the elements, but in reality we've known our marching orders for over a year now: We're to take the political revolution to the streets, to the internet, to the airwaves, to our state houses and Congress. The only thing that's different is now we have an organization backed by Bernie to help us reach our goals and build a future to believe in. 

There have been some whiners complaining that by starting another progressive-minded organization we are re-inventing the wheel. My question to them is, "Can you ever have too many 'wheels'?"  as wheels have been known to go flat, break apart and even fall off at times. Yes, there are many fantastic progressive groups already fighting for various worthwhile causes, such as climate change and health care, and there's no reason for them to stop what they're doing. But did you ever  stop to think perhaps a large umbrella organization with a high-powered name like Bernie Sanders and the momentum of his unprecedented presidential campaign behind it could aid us all the more as we attempt to make some real headway against the entrenched establishment?

If there's anything we've learned this past year, it's this: The establishment doesn't like us. They want us "progressive do-gooders" to go away so they can continue making their obscene profits and taking corporate billions into their Super PACs to run their crooked campaigns. The establishment is willing to steal our election by any means necessary. Don't the New York and California Democratic primaries prove that? 

Now more than ever, we need to stick together and gather ourselves into the "storm"... The storm that is going to blow through every local, state and federal office and clean house, ridding ourselves of the corruption, greed and injustice perpetrated upon the 99% by the 1%. 

In other words, now is not the time to whine and complain and fight among ourselves. Now is the time to get to work raising the issues and supporting progressive candidates. Whatever group or organization helps you and your fellow progressives get things done use it and don't lose it. 

Bernie says we should focus our energies on local, state and regional government--as these are the entities which directly effect our everyday existence. Whether it's our water being contaminated by fracking or prescription medicine prices going sky-high, statewide initiatives currently on the ballots of many states are worthy of our attention and assistance. Once a precedent is set (such as in Vermont's GMO labeling law) it encourages other states to follow suit. Bernie gave examples of ballot initiatives to regulate drug prices in California and ColoradoCare to enact universal health care for Coloradans as worthy issues for progressives to support with our money, time and voices.

Electing progressive candidates from school boards to city councils to state houses is imperative to give any progressive governor (and any future progressive president) the proper support to enact progressive legislation. Bernie stated Our Revolution will support "Berniecrats" running for office at all levels and gave the names of several candidates, from Vernon Miller, a Native America school teacher running for school board in Nebraska, to Jane Kim, running for the state senate in California, to Zephyr Teachout, running for Congress in New York state. 

Of course, there are many, many more progressive candidates running or hoping to run for office out there. One organization can't possibly help them all, but there are also other groups supporting candidates, such as Brand New Congress. Together with Our Revolution, progressive activists have more resources than ever before. 

Our live stream gathering agreed that most of us have been wasting valuable time and emotions recently over worrying about the remaining presidential candidates. In the grand scheme of things, the presidential race is a drop in the bucket. Our planet can't wait--and it won't make a difference who is sits in the top seat of the Executive Branch if there's nothing and nobody left to govern.

We talked about issues that are important for us in Northwest Ohio--the TPP taking even more jobs from our area, the quality of our water and the perilous condition of Lake Erie due to excessive agribusiness chemicals run-off, and the lack of support for alternative energies in Ohio because of the fracking lobby. 

Tackling these challenges, we can make the most impact by working locally and regionally. As a local group, we can be flexible in our approaches and can choose specific options that will work best for us to obtain our objectives. Our failures and successes will stand as examples to others across the country and help them devise stronger attempts to tackle similar issues. Together we'll eventually bring about positive change for all.

And isn't that what the political revolution is all about? 

We are the storm. We are sounding the sirens and spiraling in on our targets.  We will level corruption in our wake and blow away the filth of our government. Establishment beware.

 ***

We don't have to take things lying down--we should speak out, tell the truth, and "correct the record" every time we come across a false narrative about the political revolution.  Read Bern Notice's example below. He makes his point well in a thorough and respectful manner. Do likewise.

A Reply to Amber Phillips of the Washington Post
by Bern Notice

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/29/bernie-sanders-supporters-want-to-throw-out-most-members-of-congress-by-2018-about-that/
 

Ms. Phillips, I read your article about what's going on with the congressional elections. I agree with you on a number of things. For example, we do want to get rid of many of the people in Congress. I also agree that it's improbable that we could vote out every member of Congress in two years.

I disagree with you on two key points. First is on your premise that, "There doesn't seem to be a Sanders political revolution happening, at least not yet. Sanders's endorsements seem to have come too little, too late in many cases."

I disagree with your premise that this is Bernie Sanders' political revolution. It is not. It is our political revolt. While Bernie did serve as the mechanism that united us, many of us have been fighting individual level against the corruption in politics years before Bernie decided to run for president. This is not a new phenomenon; rather it is the first time that people in power have been forced to take notice. We united behind Bernie because he gave voice to our real world concerns, unlike other previous major party politicians.

Second, just because we haven't voted out every single member of Congress we are targeting this term does not mean the political revolt isn't happening. Nothing worth fighting for happens over night. Rare is the case where a movement for justice won out the first time they stood up.

The measurement of a movement isn't about it bringing reform the first time up. It's measured by how long it persists, and if it has staying power until the day is won. An example of this is the Civil Rights movement of the mid-twentieth century. It did not end segregation in 1954. It took fourteen long years of struggle, and the loss of several leaders before segregation was ended. 

Reference:
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African-American_Civil_Rights_Movement_(1954%E2%80%9368)

In other words, it's not about how you start. It's about how you finish.

Lastly, You quoted President Obama saying, "Don't boo, vote." For the record, the majority of us intend to do exactly that--just not for Clinton or Trump. Honestly, to some degree, I can't fault people who opt not to vote. Considering all of the shenanigans that went on in the DNC Primary up to the DNC convention that benefited Hillary Clinton, it gives the impression that people's votes don't count.

It also gives the impression that you're not interested in hearing opinions that differ or point out the deficiencies of your own. I hope people do vote, but if they don't, you need to understand that the DNC had a big hand in why people vote third party, write in a candidate, or opt to stay home instead.

Bio: Bern Notice is a busy activist in the political revolution, writing opinion pieces and rallying the troops. 

***

Read this article (link below) and see what's what about the staff resignation controversy at Our Revolution. It will ease your mind immensely: https://medium.com/@pplswar/how-not-to-resign-from-our-revolution-6dd5953e2290#.7xksu4mz3


I think the lesson to learn from this mainstream media smear is to not jump to conclusions and to always act professional in all your dealings. We're running a political revolution--not a gossip club. Use both your heart and your head before engaging your mouth/keyboard.

We'll see you in the streets, online, on the picket lines--at the Dakota Pipeline on the Standing Rock Reservation. Get involved in Our Revolution. The planet you save may be your own.

Update 8-29-16 6PM: 

Our Revolution announces its board of directors:

Nina Turner
Fmr. Ohio State Senator
Deborah Parker
Native American Leader
Ben Jealous
Civil Rights Leader
Jim Hightower
Political Leader, National Radio Commentator & Writer
Jim Zogby
Arab American Human Rights Leader
Huck Gutman
Former Chief of Staff for Senator Bernie Sanders
Jane Kleeb
Environmental Activist
Lucy Flores
Fmr. Nevada Assemblywoman
Larry Cohen
Labor
Catalina Velasquez
Immigration, Reproductive Justice and Trans Queer Liberation Activist
Shailene Woodley
Actress and Environmental Activist   

Outside-In Thinking

This week we take a look at how Bernie Sanders' role as an "outsider" in Washington D.C. is a hidden strength that many have overlooked--especially the mainstream corporate media and establishment political party members. First up, we look at how Independent voters will play a bigger role in this election than ever before.

 

Can “Outside-in Thinking” Provide the 
First Back-to-Back Democratic Presidents
 Since Kennedy-Johnson?

by Hugh Campbell

Looking at polling data from the point of view of an Independent plurality  which favors Bernie Sanders by 36% over Clinton, we can see it makes Sanders a likely winner against any Republican in November. It is risky for a party that shares only 30% of the electorate to ignore the decisive role that Independents play in choosing presidents. 

 The article Who's Spoiling Now? Polling Indicates That Democrats Underrate Sanders' Electability at Their Peril warns that Democratic voters flirt with peril by using their control over primaries at the front end of a defective run-off process to deny victory in November to the nation's preferred choice, Sanders. 

To win in 2016, Democratic primary voters need to vote strategically, based upon reliable information, in favor of the alliance with Independents that Sanders offers them. 

The polls' most optimistic message can be summarized in the mathematics of the Democratic primary. With 30 percent of the electorate expected to vote 2:1 for Clinton, Democrats provide Sanders half the votes he needs to win the primary. But since he leads Clinton by 36% among Independents, who are 43% of the electorate, he can gain another 14% if his Independent supporters will only deign to contaminate themselves by participating in the primary of the Democrats they otherwise disdain. 

You'd have to go back to 1836 to find a Democrat elected to succeed a two-term president from the same party, when voters elected Martin Van Buren to follow Andrew Jackson.

Bio: Hugh Campbell is a seasoned financial professional, currently providing subject matter expertise on a variety of regulatory topics, including the Dodd-Frank Act, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and overall compliance monitoring. Hugh has previously held positions as Chief Risk Officer (CRO), Chief Audit Executive (CAE) and Director of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Compliance.

 * * *

Now we'll take a look at how Bernie sees himself as an "outsider" and what that can mean for the benefit of all Americans.

Book Review of Outsider in the White House

by Cindy A. Matthews

Outsider in the White House
By Bernie Sanders with Huck Gutman
Verso Books

They say the mark of integrity in a man is consistency. Bernie Sanders is the world's most consistent man.

It's 1996 and Bernie Sanders is running for Congress for a fifth time, but this time it's different. The Republicans are out for blood. Bernie has been making waves in Washington standing up for ordinary citizens, and the Republicans feel they must end this precedent of an Independent Congressman with progressive ideals. They throw millions of dollars at his Republican opponent Susan Sweetser. Sweetser hires a professional firm to create negative TV ads and mass mailings telling Vermonters essentially that Bernie is an evil socialist who isn't good for their state. 

All seems bleak, doesn't it? But Bernie Sanders isn't a quitter. He continues to campaign like he always has, attending parades and town hall meetings, shaking hands and listening to what the voters have to say. He'll admit that he's had some extremely close races in the past. In fact, he won his first bid to be mayor of Burlington by a whole ten votes! His first run for Congress wasn't easy, either, but hese hard-won victories have taught him a lesson: Stay the course, and keep your constituents and their concerns foremost in your mind.

Of course, Bernie regained his seat in 1996. Outspent and out-advertised, he won it handedly over Sweetser and her wealthy backers. How? Simply put, the mud Sweetser slung at Bernie didn't stick. Vermonters didn't believe a word of it and felt insulted anyone would try such a low-handed tactic. After all, they knew who the real Bernie Sanders is, a man who keeps his word and fights for what he believes in without resorting to negativity and mudslinging, always doing his best to help his fellow man. The voters were too smart to fall for the lies of an expensive, slick ad campaign based on the empty promises of the Republicans.

Outsider in the White House is a second edition of Bernie Sanders' 1997 book Outsider in the House, but its contents are more relevant than ever. The first part of this edition shows how much of a scrapper the senator from Vermont is, how tough a campaigner, no matter how great the odds or the dirty tactics his opponents use. As the only Independent in the House--and now the Senate--he's fought hard to be taken seriously by his fellow legislators and has made friends in both major parties. Neither Republican nor Democrat, Bernie has been able to use his outsider status to form alliances for the benefit of the American people, one recent noteworthy cross-aisle alliance being his work with Sen. John McCain to improve veterans' access to health care. 

The second part of the book Bernie tells us how he sees America's challenges. Remember, this book was written in 1997. You'd assume he's changed his positions somewhat, right? Wrong! Bernie Sanders is still talking about our growing income inequality between the workers and the CEOs, America's loss of jobs due to NAFTA (and now the threat of TPP), the need for universal health care, the crisis in our educational system and the necessity of protecting our environment. He even warned us in '97 about the corporate media and how a handful of billionaires can dictate information we receive as they deem fit, preventing the American electorate from becoming knowledgeable and informed voters.

On page 279 he warns us that we're in danger of becoming an oligarchy, where only the rich are represented and their wants and desires catered to at the expense of working Americans. Eighteen years later, this very nightmare has come true in the 2008 mortgage crisis and in the form of the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling. Why oh why didn't we listen to Bernie earlier?

A foreword by Bernie and an afterword by John Nichols bring the narrative up to the present day, detailing the excitement and enthusiasm generated by Bernie's run for the White House. Bernie's desire to help all Americans live healthy, peaceful and productive lives  explodes from the page and is contagious. You can't help but cheer "Yes! Go Bernie!" after every point he makes.

Integrity, consistency, positivity and honesty attract voters. Lucky for us, Bernie Sanders possesses these characteristics in abundance. To become a part of his "future to believe in", read Outsider in the White House and get out and vote in your state's Democratic primary in the coming weeks. You--and all of America--will be glad you did.

* * *

Finally, some comments by a supporter who's definitely on the "inside" with Bernie...

Hello,
I listen to Bernie, and I love his message. He is my candidate for the Democratic nomination for president. My name is Marc, and I am from Massachusetts, and I voted for Charlie Baker.
 
As someone who in the past has worked on Republican political campaigns, I want to share with you my opinion. Please have Bernie focus on the senior citizen vote, the African-American voter who remembers Bill Clinton's crime bills, and immigration!
 

Good Luck!
And go Bernie!
Marc Wells