Bernie Sanders

join into one party and leave the 'Democrat' out of it. Same for 'Liberal'. Using those terms is hypocrisy for moderate conservatives and corporatist neoliberals. They can tangle over including social justice and equality issues among themselves.

Retaining DEMOCRATIC in a party I speak of is critical for the concept and since our democratic institutions are declining terribly. Maintaining the powerful and inclusive ideas of the Big Tent, liberalism, education, the environment, workers, families, equality, social justice and FDR-JFK heritage is key. Greens should be included.

LIBERAL should be rightfully reclaimed by those who believe in its values; it's inappropriate for corporate conservatives to use the term any more which has been badly corrupted, and not only the by the conservative economic philosophy 'neoliberalism.'

PROGRESSIVE is good but better if combined with Democrat. A la, The Democratic Progressive Party, although a bit long. The Germans have Social Democrats, Christian Social Democrats, and more.

We've been pushed away from the vilified 'Liberal' since Reagan at least, and are now being scorned by some from the new Democratic Party of the last 25 years.

Before long we'll fall off the edge into obscurity, the hope of some no doubt, if the Democratic Party isn't reclaimed or recreated. And oblivion for millions of people who want to move the country and world forward in a better direction is not going to happen.

Trying to form a new party I'm not opposed to per se but from history we know it takes much effort and years or decades to establish.

A critical aspect of the party I write of means possessing strong organization and discipline, and unity which permits dissent. (And I don't mean the dreaded formal, rigid hierarchy or authoritarianism). These might be anathema, esp. discipline to some on the left, and well, they'll just have to get over it.

No serious groups, movements, institutions and organizations whether political, social, religious or otherwise, can be strong, effective and lasting without these principles.
The 18th and 19th c. abolitionist and anti slavery movements, and the 20th c. Civil Rights, labor, womens, environmental, LGBT, and even the Democratic Party are examples. Same for notable freedom movements and groups on other continents.

Seeing the growth of activism and the formation of movements and parties rise up in the last several years, like Occupy (I know, no hierarchy!), Pademos in Europe, Bernie's campaign supporters and now Democracy Spring has given me renewed hope for the future.

My two cents and semi serious opinion. Probably be banished for this, but if that's the way it goes so be it.