The question then becomes, if/when the Democrats nominate the aspirational candidate (Elizabeth Warren), what will the "independents" do? Will they stay home? Will they vote for the "status quo" - which in this instance means voting for an unethical, immoral criminal of questionably mental stability? (That's one heck of a "status quo," isn't it?) Or will they conclude that the need for change outweighs the risks of change?
Personally, I think this is an easy choice - but then, I'm not terrified of the idea of change. I'm not in love with the status quo (notwithstanding that the status quo has treated me, personally, pretty well - reliable income in retirement, excellent health insurance plan, no debt, good personal health, functional family, etc.). Hmm... maybe that's why I'm not afraid of change - I'm not hanging on by my fingernails.
What saddens me, frankly, are the people who are like me, in terms of their personal situation... but who, rather than recognizing that they're fortunate, and that our system simply doesn't provide like this for all (or even most, any more), just want more, more, more for themselves. People who are âsqueezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinners,â in the words of Charles Dickens; people who, notwithstanding their good fortune, cower in fear of change, of imaginary threats, of non-existent "exploding crime rates." People who fear and hate "the other," where the "other" is anybody who doesn't share their race, or their religion, or their politics... or whatever.