Bernie Sanders. We have all heard the name, and if you are a right-winger, it should scare the living hell out of you. Why? Because progressive millennials across the country are feeling the Bern and loving it.
Sanders has the ideas and now the following to be a successful candidate for the Democratic nomination in 2016. He racked up an astounding 15,000 supporters at a rally in Seattle; 27,500 supporters in Los Angeles; and a record-breaking 28,000 supporters in Portland all from his grassroots campaign. That is the largest turnout for any 2016 presidential candidate so far.
Apparently, Sanders has the secret blend of herbs and spices.
In March, Hillary Clinton was leading the Democratic polls with 44 percent of the vote while Sanders had only 8 percent. Then just a few days ago, he rocked the New Hampshire polls leading 44 percent to Clinton's 37 percent. Everyone thought Clinton had secured the Democratic nomination, but Sanders is sweeping everyone off their feet. While Clinton has what it takes to become the first female president, I can't help but wonder if she is the best presidential candidate our nation has.
While infinitely better than Donald Trump, Clinton is just not in touch with the American people like Sanders. The presidential nominees of both parties show our true colors as a nation; America's form of government is an oligarchy, not a democracy. People like Trump and Clinton can wrangle much of the vote because they have paid millions upon millions of dollars to buy corporations' and political leaders' votes, run advertisements and embark on massive campaign trails to increase their visibility while Sanders has done nothing of the sort. As a senator of Vermont for 24 years, he has not once run a negative campaign advertisement, and he repeatedly asks for serious debates over serious issues because that is what a democracy does. He is a completely small donor-run campaign (no donor gave over $100,000), and he is on his way to finishing strong. The only thing that stands in his way of the Democratic nomination is you.
Yes... You!
You need to vote, and not just in the presidential election. You need to vote in the primaries. I understand how frustrating our electoral process is. I understand you may feel like your voice will not be heard. I understand it may be difficult (if not impossible) to find the time to utilize your right. But you need to do it. Just do it. Because once you do, everyone will be feeling the Bern.