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Democratic socialist Melat Kiros defeats 15-term incumbent in Colorado House primary
(www.theguardian.com)
this post was submitted on 01 Jul 2026
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No, the anti-incumbency wave is coming from progressives and (formerly) centrist Democrats who are tired of the status quo and lack of progress. Bernie is progressive enough that he will probably not be primaried, though if he was it would surely be for a younger similar progressive.
Yea but he's a Zionist, which for many is a hardline right now. He's also just ... old. I like Bernie generally, but he's barely left of center.
What the fuck are you smoking? Bernie Sanders has been one of thr first and loudest critics of Israel in the US government.
“I don’t know how you can have a permanent ceasefire with an organisation like Hamas which is dedicated to turmoil and chaos, and destroying the state of Israel" -Sanders. Yes, criticizing and demonizing the only organization actively fighting against this genocide...
“Israel has a right to defend itself” - Sanders.
“It is no longer good enough for us to be pro-Israel, I am pro-Israel...[Israel has] absolute right to live in peace and security”" - Sanders
Israel’s so-called rights are rooted in its colonial framework; Sanders’s attempt at equivalence between the colonised and the coloniser is evident even in the language used: the humanitarian versus the political.
“I think it is very important for everyone, but particularly for progressives, to acknowledge the enormous achievement of establishing a democratic homeland for the Jewish people after centuries of displacement and persecution,” -Sanders. This is literally Zionism.
Hundreds of his staffers had to beg him to call for ceasefire:
https://inthesetimes.com/article/bernie-sanders-former-staffers-palestine-gaza-israel-ceasefire
https://theintercept.com/2023/10/24/bernie-sanders-ceasefire-letter-israel/
https://truthout.org/articles/sanders-doubles-down-against-gaza-ceasefire-in-the-face-of-progressive-backlash/
https://www.commondreams.org/news/cease-fire-gaza
Sanders refuses to call it a genocide: https://x.com/SDGMasterglass/status/1758513912427725233
When an audience member interrupted him and asked if Palestinians “have a right to resist,” Sanders, incensed by the interruption, yelled back, “Shut up! You don’t have the microphone!”
Defending the bombing of Gaza
What's up with .ml users attacking people like Bernie, AOC, and Mamdani so often?
They’re leftier-than-thou, for one. For two, any solution that doesn’t completely rewrite the rules of society and production is just fascism lite. For three, I’m not saying they’re a hub of russian disinfo, I’m just saying what they argue for - whether practically or rhetorically - is almost always in line with russia’s interests. Although that is purely coincidental, I’m sure.
Because they don't want successful leftists proving that socialism and democracy can go hand-in-hand. They want to have their ill-conceived revolution and fuck all what happens after it so long as it results in the complete breakdown of the fabric of society. They imagine themselves as the authoritarian dictators in what comes after, even though it could just as easily be anyone else.
I've asked them what their plan is for replacing industry, supply chains, transportation, maintenance, and all those other things after their "revolution" and they've basically cussed me out and said "What the fuck does any of that matter? Why are you even thinking about that or bringing it up?"
All they want is chaos and destruction. They're petulant children who want to get their way and are willing to break other people's things if they don't.
ad hominem.
Criticism isn't "attacking".
Oh yea, and all those quotes you put there, was because we pressured these people with criticism.
My guy, you are literally entrenched in the comments building a narrative contradictory to Bernie's actual stance. You aren't criticizing, you are attacking.
Why ml's continue to attack the only hope of progressive leadership in the US is a mystery to me.
Every ml user I've seen has zero interest in making the world or America a better place.
They want to live in their marxist fantasy land and completely ignore the whole "there's always a dictatorship" part of communism or atrocities committed by the USSR, CCP, DRPK, etc...
Replying to comments = "entrenched"?
Agree to disagree.
It's not like I'm just making stuff up...
I'm a very active member of DSA. I help our electoral working group with cutting turfs and other needs. We've worked hard to get support for our endorsed candidates in the primary, and are currently still working hard for our endorsed candidate for the midterm. We've helped successfully flipped our county blue for the first time in 100 years. We've prevented fascists and christian maniacs from attacking and getting onto local school and library boards.
I've active in my community defense working group, getting my community training on firearms, first aid, gardening, getting people active in fitness and hiking. I'm active in our ICE watch group, I've protested at ICE buildings numerous times. I help make ICE whistle kits every week that we hand out to community members to help keep them safe. I'm active in our poll patrol group, which makes sure that our polls are kept safe and free from interference.
I'm active in our Child Watch program, allowing parents to attend events and be active without worry of care for their children. I'm active in our BDS campaign and our campaign against Surveillance Apparatus (data centers, FLOCK, etc). I help make maps for our team to canvass businesses put up flyers and info about ICE and KYR placards.
I attend pro-palestine car rallies and banner drops. I help marshall protests and events. I've literally fought with Proud Boys and other fascists.
I've marched with striking teachers and other union members. I've provided water, food, and monetary assistance to strikers.
I've onboarded many people into DSA. I table at Pride fests and personally got hundreds of people signed up for DSA and activated them.
What have you done to organize your community!? How dare you attack my dedication to progressing Socialism in my community.
Bernie is our only hope? The momentum of Socialism is not hinged on one single person. It is a mass movement. Bernie is not the sole arbiter of Socialism in the USA.
I think the word Zionist is too nebulous for me to want to debate here but he's still one of the most critical reps in congress of Israel. No chance he gets primaried. Your views are an extreme minority.
He previously cheered on Israel, criticized Gaza, defended the bombing of Palestinians, and refused to acknowledge the genocide. How is that nebulous?
My reply here: https://lemmy.ml/post/49472329/26470085
Because it's used in multiple contradictory ways. Sometimes it means anyone who defends the idea of Israel existing in any form or who criticizes Hamas or other pro-Palestinian factions. Sometimes it's taken to mean belief in a Jewish ethnostate where Palestinians are to be expelled or even exterminated. And some people try to make it mean both at the same time to smear their ideological opponents. This is a fact of the way the word is used and one person's statements or actions don't really change that.
He is super old. I guess if that's your argument maybe. If he doesn't retire he may see a challenger if he becomes incapable of fulfilling his duties any longer.
Hopefully he will start promoting a successor before that time.
Nicely .ml'd
When discussing electoral politics, especially in America, I'd suggest adjusting your scale of where "the center" is. Also, Bernie may be a liberal zionist. But he also is promoting and endorsing people far to his left. That speaks volumes to what he wants to be built after he is gone.
I'm merely commenting why he may be a target of getting primaried. I'm DSA and a ML ... Bernie has onboarded countless thousands to DSA and socialism in general. For that we can thank him. He has shifted his stance recently if I remember, but he's been staunchly a zionist in the past.
My friend someone in DSA should know Bernie would never be primaried by a DSA candidate. A DSA candidate would be endorsed by Bernie when he decides to retire. He's like 500 years old and the most liked politician in the country. If the DSA started talking shit publicly about Bernie; I would be more concerned that some CIA infiltrated it's leadership. It would be the worst political move I could think of.
DSA has codified anti-zionism into its bylaws. There is also an expulsion process (restorative rather than punitive). We also have the ability to rescind endorsements of those who do not follow our anti-zionist or bds platform. The point is to avoid unyielding fealty to DSA members in perpetuity even if they do not abide by our platform.
Conveniently, Bernie has finally shifted his stance last year. I think you're consistently missing my point. I don't think Bernie is in any danger. I'm simply acknowledging the situation in which he would be, which isn't that much of a stretch considering his past stances.
Plenty of DSA and other Socialists criticize Bernie. The reality is, he's not that far left of center. That's fine, DSA is big tent, and there's plenty of room on the Dem ballot line for sort-of-left-of-center. I've acknowledged his role in onboarding countless people to DSA and Socialism. I've also laid out his shortcomings. What else do you want from me?
Do you think it's a good move for DSA to primary Bernie Sanders? I hope not. Because that would be political suicide.
You're having a completely different conversation my friend. I am talking about the reality that having a campaign "against Bernie" would be like shooting the momentum of the DSA in their own foot.
I'm not talking about whether he's a liberal zionist or not. Or whether he took "too long". I'm talking about good political moves and strategy to actually win. If you are listening to people in DSA seriously consider trying to primary Bernie you are likely talking to a CIA op.
DSA wants to actually TAKE POWER. If you're analysis is not based on moves to make actual material change I don't think you should call yourself an ML.
All I want from you: "yeah, DSA trying to primary Bernie would be a really bad idea and cause confusion within the voting population. I was just pointing to him as an example of how much our momentum has moved left"
Comrade, the momentum of Socialism is not hinged on one single person. It is a mass movement. He's not even the best representation of what DSA/Socialism is. If an member or ally of DSA, certainly an elected, has policies or views that go against the platform of DSA and Socialism in general, we will act accordingly. We will not just mindlessly follow so-called Socialist members in congress if they have views/policies that go against our platform. I literally posted the codified resolution DSA made last summer to address things exactly such as this, albeit. While Bernie is not a DSA member, is he wants our help or endorsement, he must meet certain criteria.
I repeat, Socialism is not hinged on one single person. It is a mass movement. We are making move across the country. Bernie is not the sole arbiter of Socialism in the USA.
You bet your ass if Bernie continued Zionist takes that he will not have support of DSA (hell, he lost the support of his own staff, as I sourced). AOC lost her national endorsement for these exact reasons. Are we going to primary AOC and Bernie? Likely not; our efforts/money are better spent elsewhere.
There is plenty of criticism of Bernie within DSA. It's not a CIA op lmfao, the guy literally almost lost his entire staff because he wouldn't support a ceasefire and refused to call it a genocide.
It's amazing at what lengths some people will go to avoid answering a simple question.
Is it a good move for a DSA candidate to primary Bernie Sanders?
You're simply being pedantic.
"You bet your ass if Bernie continued Zionist takes that he will not have support of DSA (hell, he lost the support of his own staff, as I sourced). AOC lost her national endorsement for these exact reasons. Are we going to primary AOC and Bernie? Likely not; our efforts/money are better spent elsewhere."
Still avoiding answering the question because you keep trying to have a separate conversation that has nothing to do with what I initially replied to you for.
I'll ask again. Do you think it's a good strategy for DSA to primary Bernie Sanders?
It's a yes or no answer mate.
Provide citations and sources, you're tslking out of your ass, tankie.
https://lemmy.ml/post/49472329/26470958
Blocked for the tankie comment.
You're from lemmy.ml- it's the tankie center of Lemmy. Of course you'll get called a tankie.
It's a meaningless pejorative from Libs. I'm allowed to block anybody using it unironically and insultingly. If you have a problem with my actual arguments or sources, then lay them out rather than typing ad hominems.
Bitch can't hang. I asked for citations and sources for Sanders being a zionist and they noped out like the punk ass empty rhetoric tankie they are.
Seems to get you pretty steamed for being a "Meaningless pejorative." If you want to pretend to not be bothered, maybe just ignore the comment/commenter without saying anything? Might make your life a little less shit.
thank you for the insight. Blocked.
Aw, another tankie blocked me? Oh no!
Sensitive fucking babies.
This is why the left always eats itself.
Constantly snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
And yet we're seeing a surge of support for Socialism across the country. We're seeing progressive policies passing in places that Trump even won in. DSA membership is surging like never before. More and more people are sympathizing and on board with the destruction of Capitalism and billionaires.
Sanders is just one man. We have a mass movement on our hands.
Just wait until actual candidates start winning the primaries and leftists have a chance to purity test them and decide not to vote as usual.
I'll take the anti-zionist, anti-genocide, anti-imperialist purity test any day of the week.
Thankfully, the road to Socialism isn't through popular vote. Know your history. ;-)
It can be.
Peaceful movements move mountains.
https://www.grassrootsthinking.com/nonviolence-is-violence-too-somebodys-gotta-die/
I feel dumber for spending the time to read that article.
You seem like a troll. Good luck. Blocked.