I can accept that. I’ve seen them do things that would freak out a circus in that respect.

The games rigged and paid for but it will never change until they stop taking their money

Bernie Sanders managed quite well without corporate money. So did Ocasio-Cortez and many others who followed the Sanders model, and a lot of those won. Even O'Rourke ran his Senate campaign on the claim he wouldn't take special interest money, although I don't know how well he actually adhered to it.

@mordant I can't say Bernie did quite well he did lose the primary right? I don't consider Bernie a viable option unless I can run as a Democrat then switch to be an Independent when I win.

@MarkF Bernie always plays the long game. He's moved the party quite markedly to the left. He even forced Hillary left. He's changed the game. And absolutely no one thought he'd get anywhere near as far as he did.

Bernie always was and still is an independent who caucuses with Dems and ran for President as a Dem. Same as Angus King and others. And he has zero reason to become a Democrat, at least not on Democrat's terms. He has far more influence as he is. He was never disingenuous about what he was; he simply didn't meekly join the party when commanded.

I'm not saying Bernie is the best choice for 2020. The jury is out on that one. He's older, and thanks to his wife, he even has some political liabilities to contend with. I think he's got the best policies, still, but his uninspiring delivery can be a problem. Also, I don't know if he's put enough effort into building trust in minority communities; he seemed constitutionally incapable of seeing racism as anything but an economic justice issue for example. Also I can foresee people with weaker policy positions than I'd like, who might be better at actually running the government.

But I haven't yet seen anyone with Bernie's dogged ethical strength. He has some blind spots but always sticks to his principles. What you see is what you get. He's got rare integrity and a unique combination of tame ego and don't-give-a-fuck assertiveness. Frankly, I think the nation very foolishly looked a gift horse in the mouth (and now look what we've got). Bernie got me excited about politics for the first time in my rather lengthy adult life.

We'll see what happens but no matter whether he runs, wins or loses, I'm grateful to Bernie for his contribution to the national discourse throughout his life, and especially during and since the last presidential campaign.