"Bernie has more influence on the future of the Party than Hillary"

[Mike__M]

Even if Clinton wins, it will be her side's last gasp. Millennials are here. They're gaining experience every day. They want democratic socialism. They won't be happy if they're denied.

Independent's Matthew Turner:

Bernie Sanders is out, but he has more influence on the future of the Democratic Party than Hillary Clinton


<snip>

The truth is that millennials have a different view of the political sphere than their elders. They are constantly being told what is best for them, but they are the only real experts in their own state of affairs. This is something that mainstream politicians across the globe are failing to recognise. They have a different experience of capitalism and a different idea of socialism. For baby-boomers, socialism is a term associated with the authoritarian Soviet Union and memories of an imminent nuclear threat. To millennials, it is capitalism that is becoming the dirty word.

Millennials grew up through the crisis of capitalism in 2008 and see the roots at the ideological birth of free market dogma and neoliberalism. They have seen both establishment Republicans and Democrats swear allegiance to this greedy, failing ideology whilst they become the most indebted generation to ever exist, and see their ability to get onto the property ladder diminish year on year. They see a society governed by plutocrats and a system that cannot tackle the colossal issues of the day. They have inherited the decadence of a dying consensus which serves them no purpose.

This is why although the nomination looks locked up for Hillary Clinton, the future of the Democratic Party lies in the hands of Bernie Sanders and his progressive allies.

<snip>

This movement has the ability to be bigger than Bernie Sanders and the Democratic Party, he is simply beginning the path towards a consensus of a new kind of politics. It is gaining traction at astounding speed and in a decade’s time, millennials will be the backbone of the electorate. This is when they will have the best chance to exact their revenge.

SOURCE

[KPN]

1. Yep, absent a violent revolution

change happens slowly. Unfortunately, some of us don't have too many decades, if not years, left and feel frustrated. But it is what it is. We will continue to drift left as a nation. I have great faith in my kids and their cohort from what I have seen of their adult lives thus far. It's because of them that I have great optimism about the future. Sadly, my generation has been a disappointment.

[Skwmom]

2. If Clinton wins, there is total corporate control of the Democratic Party. n/t

[Avalux]

3. Not just the party, but the entire government.

The line between corporations and the government will not exist (it's very thin as it is); Hillary will dole out positions to her CEO friends. Then when she signs TPP into law, it's all over.

[CajunBlazer]

4. As young people grow older and take on more responsibility, their political views change

Also most of the young peoples' support of Bernie centered on his proposal of free college tuition and reduction of student loan debt. Assuming that some relief is provided in these areas, they will be less drawn to Bernie's message.

The bottom line is that while Bernie will probably be more than just the independent Senator from a tiny state, his influence will still be limited. He has always been a somewhat of an "outsider" with a propensity to criticize both parties which has somewhat limited his effectiveness. We are not even sure if he will be a Democrat or an independent going forward. While he has chaired some Senate committees, he has never been considered a real Senate leader by his peers.

Also, it will at take a few years before the "Y" or "Millennial generation" obtains real voting power. The the oldest in that generation are now 40 and youngest are 16 and usually young people under the age of 30 are not big into voting. Those that got into the Bernie campaign are the exceptions or they would have been a bigger political force for Bernie. Bernie is 74 and one has to wonder how long it will be before he retires from the Senate.

So, if Hillary is become the next President of the United States, I wold think that Bernie's influence would be very, very limited compared to hers.