From Social Democrat to Progressive Independent
Primary Season is pretty much done. Votes have been casted to decide who should run in the 2020 general elections of the US. Though it has seemed like a long road, it has been a vital time for far-leaning leftists to decide whether or not being a Democrat is as progressive as being independent from them. Though there appears to be shared values in The Democratic Party and those whose politics veer a sharp left, some obstacles appear to be in place which seemingly prevent a nod of unity and strength. The question is, will Democrats and those leaning democratic come together and demolish the possibility of another Trump presidency? The US has to wait until November 3 to find out, if results are even possible on the same night polls close.
It is hard to tell if those who supported Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders will be enthused enough to vote for now-confirmed Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden. The Former Vice President had the majority of votes in The Democratic Party but some democratic voters seem less likely to vote for him, citing no concessions given or alienation from the majority of members. Though party loyalists may see such voters as divisive or being irrational, it is not wise for some of them to shame or demand undecided voters to vote for them if said voters are not comfortable or confident in the party. The pushiness is understandable, however, since such votes are vital in ensuring the opposition does not win, but part of being in a democracy means allowing the voting process to happen with little outside influence.
Voters who supported Sanders as a presidential candidate may think the process to nominate him was obstructed by corporate lobbyists, big-money coalitions and tactics of other potential candidates. Some of this may be true; however, if such maneuvers had not been previously used, the US would probably have more of a free democracy. Instead, the US has a two-party political system often defined by monetary contributions and the majority of those who are able to consolidate enough votes to win elections. That is just the American way!
It is justifiable, then, why some would choose to identify more as a progressive independent rather than a social democrat. Though progressives used to be a large part of The Democratic Party, it appears many have either fallen into a certain kind of hibernation or have achieved little progress, except, of course, for Sanders who has reawakened it. Sure, some will say the Congressional Progressive Caucus has managed to stay afloat and influence many outcomes beneficial to the US, but how much progress has the US been able to achieve as a First World leader? The US falls short in universal healthcare, manageable debt, stress management and even those who are unfairly imprisoned for a variety of non-violent reasons, including the criminalization of cannabis and certain drug addiction.
The upcoming general elections in November appear to be crucial ones which will help decide whether the US veers towards a more compassionate, sensible and unifying nation or stays in a tightly-wounded, capitalistic society which brings about rough edges and even discriminative objectives, such as loss of certain rights, blame, and inconsistent leadership. Even if some democratic voters go from being a social democrat to a progressive independent, the only type of progress which appears to be on the ballot at this moment is the process of coming together and deciding the future of the nation.
