Parallels

I hear from people to my left, 'We just need to be stronger in our values, and push harder (perhaps violently) for economic justice and progressive values. You are ignoring us, and that is why we are not Democrats. You were too friendly with businesses and the establishment. You make too many compromises. You didn't fight for the working class. That is why you lost in 2016. You will continue to lose until you listen."

But I vote for people who want to regulate Wall Street, curb polution, and raise standards of living. I want to do this without running into the problems they have today in France or Venezuela. We can strengthen our safety nets without sawing away at the tightropes we walk upon.

I hear from people to my right, "We just need to be stronger in our values, and push harder (perhaps violently) for economic justice and traditionalist values. You are ignoring us, and that is why we are not Democrats. You were too friendly with people who aren't white, straight, cis-gendered Christians. You didn't fight for the working class. You compromise too much. That is why you lost in 2016. You will continue to lose until you listen."

But I vote for people who stand up for everyone's rights and well being, and who believe we can expand opportunity without denying it to others. I want to do this without entering a new era of Jim Crow. Looking out for yourself is fine, but only if you do so without pushing others down.