opinion

Opinion: Should Bernie run?

By every statistic, our economic system is failing most of society. Yet, to question that system — capitalism – has always invoked the knee-jerk fear of "socialism." But this may be changing.

In every poll, the majority opts overwhelmingly for increased taxation of the rich and the corporations, universal health care and the preservation of Medicare and Medicaid, free public education and relief of student debt, increased Social Security benefits, and raising the minimum wage. These are in essence "socialist" policies — so apparently socialism is losing its sting. And well it should, since "socialism" denotes no more than that which benefits the majority in the most egalitarian way possible — something most people yearn for regardless of what it's called.

The Democrats' losses in the 2014 mid-term elections are attributed to their failure to advocate the economic policies for which the people expressed the need.

Vermont's Sen. Bernie Sanders understanding the stigma — however unwarranted — of "socialism," bills himself as an "Independent." But he's a socialist — and as such, expresses the thwarted will of the people more than any public figure today. The time may be ripe for his message, as it was for Franklin D. Roosevelt's in 1932. Right-wingers will attempt to discredit Bernie by branding him "commie" or "socialist," as they did FDR — to no avail, since Roosevelt was elected to four terms because he consistently advocated for the people. Bernie's ongoing success in Vermont parallels this experience.

So the question is not whether Bernie should run for president — he should — but under what aegis? As a Democrat, he will not win the nomination because of today's conservative, corporate-controlled Democratic Party machine — which is perfectly represented by Hillary Clinton.

The argument is made that if Bernie campaigns as a Democrat in the primaries — perhaps along with Elizabeth Warren — they might force the Democratic Party to adopt a more progressive people's agenda. This may be true, but it will be only lip service, and once in power, it will be the same old Wall Street-subservient Democrats. On the other hand, if Bernie runs as other than a Democrat he will be accused of splitting the Democratic vote and contributing to a Republican victory, as Ralph Nader was in 2000.

However he runs, Bernie will probably not win the presidential election in 2016, despite his popular program. But that victory is not the object of his running. It is a simple fact that we Americans, living in an alleged democracy, do not have our interests advanced by either major political party. Therefore, the only political exigency is the emergence of a potent progressive movement that expresses the will of the people — one that gives them a voice strong enough to counter the destructive policies of corporate power that have coopted democratic governance and been advanced by both major parties. The destructive status quo, prevailing regardless of which major party is in power, opens the prospect for Bernie running on a third party ticket through which he can articulate a progressive agenda — and there's every indication that a lot of people are ready to hear him.

The third-party matrix already exists in the Vermont Progressive Party that has introduced and helped pass many bills rescuing a beleaguered citizenry. There is the Green Party. There is the possibility of resurrecting Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition that would encourage the needed African-American vote. There is the growing Working Families Party that was key in electing progressive New York City Mayor Bill DiBlasio. And there is the yet-to-be-named party that unites all these progressive forces under a new banner.

So let Bernie risk the "spoiler" role and, as a presidential candidate, spearhead a truly progressive movement under whatever third-party ticket serves him best. Who knows where the chips may fall — or how many other progressive candidates can find seats through a new people's party? Worldwide demonstrations indicate that the people are rising against the oppressions of capital. The overwhelming victory of Greece's progressive Syriza Party and the impending success of Spain's left-wing Podemos Party – both newcomers – should be the inspiration and model for progressive politics in America.

Andrew Torre lives in Landgrove.