Today I am going to do something I have never done before.

[Waltons_Mtn]

I hope you don't mind me posting here and not in the General Discussion. It seems a safer place. I don't post too often, maybe a DU Rec here and there, but I keep pretty quiet. I am not as eloquent with my words as most of you are so I generally get flamed every time I post something. Hence the silence.

I have often been one of those people who said all politicians are the same. That it didn't really matter which politician was running, since the system is so corrupt. I often argued that you aren't voting for someone to represent you. You are voting for someone to represent some big business interest. That it is all one big club... and your not in it. That all changed at the end of last summer.

I have always considered myself a Democrat, even though I never have registered as such. I knew of Bernie Sanders. I saw video clips of him here on DU. Read the comments praising his courageousness to do and say the right thing, even when the odds were strongly against him. He would always fight the good fight. At the end of last summer I got on a website one of my friends posted on Facebook and took a little survey. It was one of those who should you vote for surveys. It had all of the candidates running at the time, both Republicans and Democrats. When I was done I was a 94% match to Bernie Sanders. So I guess I am not so much a Democrat as a Democratic Socialist.

I don't know how many times I have felt like I had to hold my nose and vote for the lesser of two evils. And if HRC wins the nomination I guess I will be back to holding my nose. Honestly, I have never felt my vote counted for much. Here, in this county of Texas, where every elected official is Republican, a single vote for a Democrat doesn't go far. But not today. Today I will do something I have never done before. For the first time, I am going to vote in a Primary. Today I won't be holding my nose. Today, for the first time ever, I am going to vote for a candidate I want to win.

[dana_b]

1. welcome aboard

and good going!

[thereismore]

2. Welcome, there are many of us democratic socialists here. nt

[Fawke Em]

3. Welcome to the Love Train!

And I still watch reruns of The Waltons when they're on. Are you from Virginia or just like the show?

[Waltons_Mtn]

6. Actually from Wisconsin.

Much more personal than that. If I had a dime for every time I got called John-boy as a kid, I would rival Hillary's biggest donors.

[haikugal]

4. You are among friends. Voting FOR someone feels good doesn't it? nt

[Waltons_Mtn]

7. First time it has happened to me.

Been legal to vote since Bush the first.

[tk2kewl]

5. very nice

It sure feels good to have a candidate that reflects your true values, doesn't it?

[farleftlib]

8. I disagree. You are *very* eloquent

I am going to vote for a candidate too. Not a "better-than-the-other-side" candidate but someone who I really feel enthused about.

[democrank]

9. Thank you for this, Waltons_Mtn.

It`s wonderful to be able to cast a vote for someone whose values you share.

[CharlotteVale]

10. Loved your post (and your user name).

[Bubzer]

11. I'm happy to hear you're geting to vote for a candidate you want to win!

The political system does have a habit of being soul-crushingly corporatist. I hope everything works out... and hopefully you'll speak up more!

[dpatbrown]

12. Well put!

I too have been waiting a long time. It sure is a nice feeling.

[warrprayer]

13. Great post!

You are in the best of company!

[Akamai]

14. Absolutely eloquent and a super post!

Very well said. I certainly hope your candidate wins.

Yesterday I was talking to a very good friend who had earlier asked me to put a Hillary Clinton sticker on my car, but I put up a Bernie Sanders one instead. She told me yesterday that she actually prefers Bernie Sanders, and we were chatting about why that was so. So I looked directly at her, stood several feet away from her, and demonstrated the absolute believability of Bernie in addressing issues. He does not dodge, he does not change the topic, he is focused on these issues. These are real issues that have really impacted people in a very negative way for so long.

Now that Bernie's raising the issues, these issues cannot be ignored anymore.

Very well done!

Go Bernie!

[canichelouis]

15. This 40 year long registered Dem has been waiting a long time

For a candidate with a spine!
Finally, we have one.
It baffles me that others don't get it!

[chervilant]

18. That is one of my

ALL time favorite Mr. Fish toons!!!

lol

Feeling the BERN!!!!

#NotMeUs

[zentrum]

27. ^^THIS^^

[Fast Walker 52]

30. Awesome! Go Bernie GO!!!!!!

[LiberalLovinLug]

67. This toon went viral, as toons go

The fact that this cartoon still holds so much water should be embarrassing to the DLC leadership. But they really don't seem to care, as long as they still get invited to all the "right" Washington cocktail parties.

[tokenlib]

16. Welcome.. It feels good to support Bernie

No second thoughts this time,

[jillan]

17. You are very eloquent with your words! I feel the same way as you, finally voting FOR someone.

It's a good feeling!

Thanks for sharing.

[Dont call me Shirley]

19. Progressive Socialist Democracy is what the doctor orders.

[charliea]

20. Well Said

I haven't always considered myself a Democrat, I'm a Boomer raised in a Republican household (way) back when they were socially tolerant and fiscally conservative. Remember the Eisenhower speech about the military industrial complex? Reagan ruined that though and I've been an independent ever since.

I took a similar quiz, or maybe the same one (https://www.isidewith.com/) ? Anyway I had a 97% congruence with Bernie's stated positions. For full disclosure I had an 88% with Hillary, and a 79% with O'Malley. Scarily I had a 17% congruence with Ted Cruz! Too close for comfort!

I've spent the last several decades choosing the least worst candidate to vote for. Finally I have a candidate that will advocate for all that I think we should do in this country, who I've donated money to, and who by Dog I will vote for.

I live in Oregon these days and our primary is a little too late in the season to be decisive but if, as I hope, Bernie is still in the running then (and he said he will be) there will be one newly minted Democrat voting in the primary.

Feel the Bern!

[Uncle Joe]

21. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the sharing, Waltons_Mtn.

[99th_Monkey]

22. Thank you for standing up & speaking out ... would that ALL of us 'little people' would do that

That's what Bernie's revolution is about, each of us finding that place of peaceful courage
inside, that place of knowing what's really important and what's true, and what this nation
so sorely needs, NOW more than ever IMHO.

We are indeed all in this together, like Bernie so eloquently stated last night on CNN at the
forum, in résponse to a question about his spiritual values. We're all connected, and when
one of us hurts, it effects all of us; when some of us are oppressed we're all adversely
impacted by it, in ways we don't fully understand but are nevertheless axiomatic & fateful.

Your vote in Texas means way more than you may imagine, as it sends out a ripple of hope
and courage; not despite living in Texas but because of it. I live in Oregon, a solidly Blue
state that Democrats more or less take for granted; so compared to my vote, yours bucks
the ugly Red tide and sends an important message, in ways we may not fully understand.

Thanks again for your OP, and for making your case. Well done.

[840high]

23. No more holding my nose!!!!

[TxGrandpa]

24. This Texas county is also red as red can be....but...

...I also sent in my absentee ballot in the Democratic Primary. Just a drop in the bucket compared to the votes on the other side of the fence. But I'll do the same in the general elections.

[Waltons_Mtn]

49. I figure if my vote helps Bernie get just one more delegate.

Then my vote actually matters.

[DhhD]

70. Welcome. I voted in Red Tarrant County, Texas for Sanders yesterday.

Hope you are reading in the Places|US|Texas Group.

[zentrum]

25. Hope you

….keep posting.

I think you speak for many here. Many here do not want to vote with a clothespin on our collective noses.

[platitudipus]

26. Good for you Waltons_Mtn

I am into my 6th decade on this planet and have never voted in my life. When I found out Bernie was running, I went right to the courthouse and registered as a democrat so that I could vote in the primary. He earned my vote...I won't vote for a 'republican'.

[dchill]

28. 100th rec!

Welcome!

[Thespian2]

29. Good for you...

Since the days of Jimmy Carter, I have not voted for a candidate I thought represented me...I have already sent my international ballot to my voting state, Florida...I lived there before moving to Canada...so that's at least one vote for Bernie...

[cantbeserious]

31. Congratulations - Welcome Aboard

eom

[WillyT]

32. Most Excellent Post !!! - K & R !!!

[merrily]

33. Thank you for posting. You seem eloquent to me. As far as flaming, just ignore it.

It's just what happens on a message board when people post anonymously. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[OZi]

34. I feel the same way.

I've been a registered Dem more than I've been unaffiliated though. I'm thinking it may be time to reconsider that.

People that want me to keep toeing the party line don't seem to realize that I've been asked to hold my nose too many times already. Someday I would like to get to smell some roses.

btw. I got 98% Bernie on isidewith.com. Hardly scientific I'm sure, but still

[AikenYankee]

35. Excellent ...

Thank you.

[davidthegnome]

36. Good to have you with us.

I'm from a family of pretty fanatic democrats... I've pretty much always voted straight D, I've been to conventions, I've tried to organize in my tiny little community, I've taken part... in some cases with more enthusiasm than others. Never before though, have I felt this genuinely good about a candidate. Never before have I felt so strongly that someone represents the things I truly believe in. I liked Obama, I fought for him, but... I had my reservations, there were many issues on which I felt he was too conservative, others on which I felt he was too moderate. I saw Obama as a solid candidate, a solid President, a solid person overall. He was extremely diplomatic, calm, rational, a good speaker, able to reach out across the aisle. I still like him. I think he's a decent man.

That said... had Sanders run in 08, my vote would have been very different. I have voted in every primary I've had the opportunity to vote in, but this time, I'll be glad to finally do so without any major reservations. For years, I have been one of those poor people, one of those working class members, that Sanders represents. I went to school for a year and had to drop out because I ran out of money - and am even now in crippling debt because of it. I have no health insurance - and no way to get it as my state (Maine) did not pass medicaid expansion.

For me, it doesn't just hit close to home, it IS home. I have experienced and lived with, personally, the results of failed policies and/or policies that didn't go far enough. I have experienced and lived with the results of extreme poverty, having to make that call on whether to buy groceries or pay for heat. I have worked in the service industry for years, I have worked for minimum wage, I have done my time in the trenches, worked myself beyond the point of exhaustion and kept right on going anyway - despite the knowledge that I was screwed, either way.

Things have changed for me lately... thirty one years old now, still in extreme debt, still no health insurance, but now I have a bad back, so I can't work like I used to - and as for getting disability in the state of Maine? Not likely. Not likely at all.

Compassion. Courage. Opportunity. Equality. Progress. Sanders, more than any politician I have ever even considered supporting... represents these things, knows them, lives and acts as if they are real things. He demonstrates his belief in such things - and through his integrity, through a lifetime of work, has more than earned my eager, wholehearted support.

So it wasn't just a yes from me from the start, it was a hell yes. This revolution has been a long time coming - and we're just getting started!

Let's win us an election!

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

37. I will early vote in Texas tomorrow. I am as happy as I was in 08.

I can't wait to see Texas turn blue.

[Waltons_Mtn]

47. I look forward to Texas being blue too.

I think it it will take Montgomery a little longer though. Too many oil execs dreaming they will be part of the 1%.

[awoke_in_2003]

64. Glad I popped in here

Looks like I head to the polls tomorrow

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

65. Check early voting places and dates.

[awoke_in_2003]

66. Yeah, I will do that. nt

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

72. I don't know what city you're in. I just voted in the Fiesta on Main St. in Houston.

It was easy and breezy. I don't know if early voting ends tomorrow or later.

[awoke_in_2003]

73. North Richland Hills...

just east of Fort Worth.

on edit: I just checked- voting starts March 1st

[azmom]

38. Kick

[rnk6670]

39. Absolutely could not

have said it better myself. I, too, am exhausted with the shell game switch-a-roo that they pull every time. We need a true liberal without shame and that person is Bernie Sanders.

[Duckfan]

40. Please give us a report of how the rest of the state is leaning/feeling.

I heard a report on Texas the other day, but I'm just looking for a second opinion.

[Waltons_Mtn]

48. It is eerily quiet around here.

I have only seen one Trump sign, at a junk yard! Lots of signs for local elections, Judges and Sheriffs. The bumper stickers all still say W. My coworkers have only supported candidates that have now dropped out. It is fun listening to them try to say good things about the guy they were bashing last week.

I have not had cause to travel the rest of the State much. So I don't have much to report there.

[Samantha]

41. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this

I loved reading your thread.

Sam

[LittleGirl]

42. Welcome to the

club and as soon as Bernie announced, I knew who I would support. I was AWOL with voting from 80-2008 so know how you feel.

Good choice and thanks for your post!

[pacalo]

43. As Samantha said, I enjoyed reading this thread, too.

And you write just fine, Waltons_Mtn!

Thanks so much for posting & good luck to Bernie in Texas!

[Lunabell]

44. I've been a registered Democrat for over 34 years,

And I feel the same way.

[emsimon33]

45. Beautifully said!

[PatrickforO]

46. I'm not gonna flame you.

Bernie cares about the same stuff I care about. I support the guy on every single issue and am ecstatic that he has the voting record to SHOW that he's not just blowing hot air. And, he is invoking us as I felt Obama should have. By god, I'll march for single payer!

[beemer27]

50. Feels Good, Don't It !!!

Sometimes you just have to listen to what your heart says, and DO IT! We all know that the powers that be don't want a guy like Bernie in, and are doing everything they can to prevent it. That's OK. We so seldom get a man of true principle and ethics that it just feels good to support him. He might make it. In fact, he has a pretty decent shot at it. If he doesn't, we will feel good for supporting him, and perhaps learn how to do better next time we get an honest man running for public office. Either way, we win.

[RKP5637]

51. K&R!!! n/t

[4Q2u2]

52. I am probably going to be banned soon from HRC post's

They are all crowing about her big leads in Texas and Penn.
I stated that it was awesome that she was winning all the RED states and that should work great in the General election. There is no way she wins Texas, Penn, Florida in the General election, and probably not Ohio.

I am pretty sure that they do not do sarcasm in there.
I just could not take it anymore, it seems that they are more bent on getting the first(or making Hilary the first) Woman President that the major issues do not matter.

[monicaangela]

54. I have already been banned

And consider it a badge of honor.

[4Q2u2]

56. Echo Chamber = Star Chamber

The keep forgetting that the BEST Burgers are made from SACRED COWS.

[monicaangela]

53. I love it when a person makes a consciencious decision to vote

for someone who has their best interest at heart. I am happy you realize Bernie Sanders is the best candidate in the race, democrat or republican. Never say your vote doesn't count, every vote counts, even in a republican country in Texas, a vote helps to make it known that not everyone has given in to the powers that be, and it allows those republicans running your county the opportunity to know that not everyone is happy with their politics. That alone would make it worth it for me to vote if I lived in your country.

[SammyWinstonJack]

55. Good on you! Go get 'em! Vote for Bernie. Vote for real change.

[DirkGently]

57. Most eloquent.

And expressive of what a lot of folks are feeling I think.

[Rider3]

58. Good for you!

Yes, vote your heart. The only thing that makes me mad is that our votes really don't count. The only votes that DO count are the delegates and, then, the electoral vote. Although they are supposed to vote the will of the people (i.e., make our votes count), they instead vote their own way -- not that of the society they represent. We need to make the popular vote the one that counts -- not the delegate or electoral vote. We need to rid the country of those.

[lunatica]

59. I'm a fellow Democratic Socialist

I'm in California so I have a while to wait for the Primaries. I think I'll follow your lead this time. Thanks!

[RunInCircles]

60. First Candidate I've ever donated to also

I've never donated to a political candidate before. What would it matter I do not have a lot of money and any donation would not reach the radar screen of anybody else. They have their rich backers lined up and that is all they need. I donated to Bernie. It still isn't enough to make much of a difference but can you imagine if he were to receive a donation from 3 million different people? Think about the message we could send by increasing our number of small donors. This might even be more important than my vote because it sends a real message in the language the fat cats understand. Consider if you have not donated trying to send $5.00 to increase the number of donors.
Go Bernie!

[Glorfindel]

61. Hooray for you! I'm another PROUD Democratic Socialist

Thank you for letting us know.

[hifiguy]

62. Welcome aboard!

At last we have a candidate who is the Real Deal. I've followed politics for 45 years and have never seen anyone like Bernie except my late, much lamented Senator, Paul Wellstone.

Bernie's like a big hit of fresh air, isn't he?

[Admiral Loinpresser]

63. Beautiful. n/t

[NoMoreRepugs]

68. Bernie MoMo can't be stopped....

have said it before, it's like I've gone back in time and am watching Bobby Kennedy galvanize every diverse group of people imaginable

[Enthusiast]

69. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

[TxDemChem]

71. Hubby and I are with you.

We are about to head to the Denton county polls and represent for Bernie. Glad you are with us in this sea of red.