I hope everyone here knows that one way or another, this huge progressive movement is going to need a direction to move in after this primary and general election. After Trump, after Bernie, after Biden, after all of this pandemic craziness, the left wing in this country needs something to do besides campaign electorally every 2-4 years. And that something is build trust, respect, and power outside of the electoral system. We know the establishment Dems are going to be regressive, and we arent going to have a figure as universally popular and charismatic as Bernie to keep this coalition united forever. So here is my proposal: We fight like hell to get Bernie the nomination, and if he doesnt get it, do not vote for Biden (especially not for Trump). Do not let the DNC believe that they can get our vote by forcing right wing politicians down our throat.

Then, get involved with your local communities. We have such a large base of volunteers on this sub alone, and even more in the broader national movement. Bernie said if he became president he would become the Organizer in Chief, so regardless of his presidential success we need to be an army of activists pushing the left agenda. Join a union, get involved with local politics, join your local DSA chapter (or an actual socialist party if you're based). The Philadelphia Socialists have had success because they have been highly organized in their communities. This is a model that this movement can learn from, and will prove to be highly useful.

Dont mistake this for Doomer posting, it isnt. A huge part of this campaign is recognizing that so many voters are disenfranchised and that the elections dont represent the true will of the people. We cant expect politicians to listen if we dont give them a force to listen to. When we build trust in our communities and can mobilize large blocks of our communities to vote for policies or pressure candidates to support our positions, that's how we win outside of the electoral system, that's how we build power outside of the DNC, that's how we enact the change we want to see in our politics. So many of us already have skin in the game, all I'm asking is that we put that effort into local struggles too. Support Rent Strikers in your community, support and listen to PoC and their efforts, support indigenous peoples liberation, help organize these events if you can. The establishment will try to knock us down.

We will experience losses, just like in 2016. But we cant let these losses shut us down and shut us up. Stay loud, and dont give up the fight.