The Sanders movement has done a great job in changing the
national conversations on wealth, power, race and foreign policy. “Socialism”
is no longer a word to hide from and progressive alternatives are being debated
everywhere. For the first time in many years we have a real electoral option
and the opportunity to make a case for change before the American people. The
field is full of genuinely progressive candidates like Dave McTeague who can
help carry a people-before-profits program through if they can win support from
workers, young people, people of color and women.
Even if Sanders and other good candidates lose, there
will be no going back from this historic moment. A stronger foundation now
exists for winning a higher minimum wage and workers’ rights, rent control,
equal rights for all and defeating racism and sexism, real immigration reform,
a peoples’ budget and money for healthcare and education and not for wars and
occupations. We support these goals and work for them every day.
Still, the political campaigns remain weak on foreign
policy, racism and sexism, trade policy and immigration. Sanders and the
candidates running with him need a firm push from the people in these areas.
Real internationalism needs to replace foreign policies driven by short-term
American interests and trade deals. White, male and heterosexual privilege
needs to be defeated. The door needs to be opened to women, youth and people of
color in every area. Strikes and worker resistance to corporate power need to be
encouraged and supported. The passions which built the Occupy movement, the
civil rights and womens’ movements, the environmental movement, the immigrant
rights movement, gay liberation and union organizing need to be continuously
reignited and every politician must be held accountable for their relationship
to these movements.
Social change takes time and effort. We win when we
organize and fight back.
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