United States Democrats, workers and fossil fuel

This 18 August 2020 video from the USA says about itself:

Senator Bernie Sanders complete remarks at 2020 Democratic National Convention

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT): “Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Trump golfs.”

By Brian McLain in the USA, 21 August 2020:

My name is Brian McLain, and I’m a union worker from Iowa, a Bernie delegate to the DNC, an Our Revolution member and former long-time Republican.

The only reason that I am a Democrat today is because of Bernie, Our Revolution, and the pro-worker policies they champion.

I’ve been watching the parade of Republicans — like Michael Bloomberg and former Ohio Gov. John Kasich — speak at the DNC. I understand why the Democratic establishment invited them to be in the spotlight. But it makes me wonder which side is the Democratic Party on? Regular working-class folks like me — or anti-worker, pro-corporate Republicans?

I was a Reagan supporter and a believer in free-market economics. I was a county RNC delegate for Ron Paul in 2008 and 2012. Then I was introduced to Bernie Sanders. Bernie was the first Democrat who talked to me like a human being and helped me understand his side of the argument. He didn’t move over to my side — he moved me over to his side. And I am not the only Republican working-class voter that Bernie converted.

Since the Democratic Party isn’t willing to do the work to talk to voters like me, I’m so grateful that Our Revolution is all over America doing the organizing necessary to prevent a dictator-like second Trump term. Can you pitch in what you can here to support our work to save American democracy from Trump while holding the Democratic establishment accountable?

I am committed to defeating Donald Trump. But we can’t afford to allow the Democratic party to capitulate or pander to the GOP. I know I can count Our Revolution to stand up and fight as hard as it can against great odds to do everything in its power to make our government represent regular folks like me — not just corporate CEOs who can buy access.

So next time a Democrat says we have to move right to capture Republicans, remember me. I am a Democrat not because of Joe or Hillary or whatever centrist advertised as the “safe” candidate. I’m here because of Bernie. Pitch in here to help Our Revolution carry on his mission and do the work needed to reach working-class voters like me!

This movement is here to stay.

In solidarity,

Brian McLain
DNC Delegate & Our Revolution Member

This 19 August 2020 video from the USA says about itself:

Sunrise Movement: Dems Must Address Climate Crisis as DNC Drops Pledge to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies

The Democratic National Committee has dropped a pledge to eliminate tax breaks and subsidies for the fossil fuel industry from its party platform, after a DNC spokesperson said the amendment was originally included in “error”, despite both Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris supporting it on the campaign trail. Varshini Prakash, co-founder and executive director of the Sunrise Movement, says it is “disappointing to see” Democrats back away from the pledge, but adds that as long as social movements sustain pressure, “it will be a priority for the Biden administration, should they win in November.” Prakash also discusses hopes for a Green New Deal, the importance of Kamala Harris’s place on the ticket and the lack of young voices at the DNC.

By Lucero Mesa in the USA, 20 August 2020:

Hi friends,

My name is Lucero Mesa, and I am a Bernie delegate and Our Revolution national board member from South Carolina.

I heard disturbing news yesterday when I learned that the Democratic Party reversed its commitment to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies in the party platform.

They are saying that including the language was an error, but it certainly makes me feel reinforced in my decision to join with Our Revolution members to vote no on the platform to protest the failure to include Medicare for All.

We won on Superdelegates, but the health insurance industry got their way on Medicare for All, and fossil fuel companies won on subsidies. Pitch in here to help Our Revolution continue to lead the way organizing to make the Democratic Party work for American voters, not corporate power.

I’m proud to stand with my fellow Our Revolution progressives at the DNC to demand that the commitment to end fossil fuel subsidies be immediately restored by the DNC.

We were able to make that demand because we have done the work to understand Party rules and get in a position where we can have a voice on the platform. Without this critical work, there would be nobody on the inside to prevent corporate power from influencing our legislative roadmap.

To be clear, we agree that Donald Trump is an authoritarian who poses an existential threat to the survival of American democracy. We have to do everything we can to beat him.

But that doesn’t mean we are going to just accept the Democratic Party caving to fossil fuel companies instead of listening to scientists.

Pitch in what you can here to help us put pressure on Tom Perez and the Democratic Party to side with the people instead of big oil.

In solidarity,

Lucero Mesa
Our Revolution National Board

OIL LOBBY RALLIED DEM GOVS AGAINST BIDEN ORDER Fossil fuel trade groups in Louisiana and New Mexico rallied Democratic governors in opposition to Biden’s executive order pausing new oil and gas leasing on federal lands and in offshore waters, according to emails and communications shared exclusively with HuffPost. [HuffPost]