An Open Letter to Clinton Supporters and the Clinton Campaign From a Bernie Sanders Supporter

There will be more science fiction fun fairly soon, but for a moment I'm going to take an aside to talk politics politely.

Dear Clinton Supporters and the Clinton Campaign,

For the last few months I’ve been the guy who has talked down other Bernie Sanders supporters when they say they won’t vote for Clinton if she gets the nomination. I’ve done it over and over at this point, and every single time I did it I 100% believed it when I told them why Hillary would be a great 2nd choice. The last few weeks though have more than soured me. I can’t even remember what I said at this point, and I can’t give a better argument than that we need to vote for her because Trump and Cruz will lay waste to the civil rights of millions.

That’s a pretty big deal. I’m definitely 100% voting for Clinton if Sanders does not get the nomination… But I’ve lost all passion for campaigning for or supporting her. I hit a breaking point this week when after Clinton won New York a Senior Clinton Staffer was quoted by Politico saying this about Bernie Sanders: “f--- him.” I thought this statement was horrid, uncivil, and worthy of an apology. However, when I brought it up online, plenty of Clinton supporters seemed to agree. Some joined in the chorus of “f--- him,” some made excuses for why it was okay for someone to say that. Hey guess what—it isn’t. And I shouldn’t need to explain outside of a Trump rally why “f--- Him” isn’t civil discourse.

I agree with Bernie Sanders a lot. According to those silly internet quizzes, I agree with him around 98%. So, “f--- him”? What does that mean they think of me?

This wasn’t the first straw though. That was just the last straw, and just a good and recent example. Truth is, I don’t feel welcome anymore in the Clinton campaign, and don’t feel excited about it anymore. And I know I’m not alone in this: I’ve heard this from plenty of other Sanders supporters. "If we lose, are we going to back Clinton fully? … Should we?" When our genuine concerns are so often treated as foolhardy or naïve? When it’s beginning to feel like our votes are taken for granted? So no, I’m not excited anymore.

But I want to be.

I want to believe in Hillary Clinton. I want to believe that she will work to build a better future for this country, and not just churn the status quo we have. I want to believe she’ll be willing to listen to the concerns of Bernie’s base if she wins the nomination. I want to live in a country where my friend’s civil rights aren’t constantly in danger of being removed, where our healthcare is safe and functional, where people rights aren’t violated, where children don’t have to take on a mountain of debt like I did to get an education. I want to believe.

So, you think Clinton is going to be the nominee? Make me care again. Convince me. Convince us.

There is a comments section on this article, use it. Tell me why I should be excited about Hillary Clinton. Because I’d like to be, and there are plenty of other Sanders supporters who feel the same. I’ll post the best arguments I find in a second blog post.
Thanks, take care. Vote for Bernie 2016.
-James Wylder

A few rules and helpful suggestions (I reserve the right to delete any and all comments that do not follow the guidelines below):
-Don’t try to convince me to vote for Clinton in the primaries. That ship has sailed.
-If you want me to take you seriously, don’t talk down to me and tell me, “When I’m older…” I’m not older right now; I’m the age I am right now. Convince me now, not hypothetical future me.
-No hate speech. No slurs. Keep your language PG-13.
-No endorsements for other candidates, products, or general off topic points.
-Please be civil.