‘Just got my first ‘ask’ from the Sanders campaign, so it’s official…“Bernie for President in  2016!”  

I reached way down in my moth-eaten pockets to throw a bit in the kitty because Bernie’s entry into the race means that all of the important issues at risk to be sidelined in the 2016 debates will now have to find a place in the conversation.

So, even as Hillary Clinton attempts to be neither too far too the left nor too far to the right, and all the Republicans scramble their claws in an effort to crowd as far to the right as possible, at least one contender will be standing squarely where he always has: for unbranded equity, justice, compassion, environmental responsibility and transparency.

The admirable Elizabeth Warren insists she will not run this time, and the only other Democratic contender so far is distinctly to the right of Hillary, making him barely a Democrat at all.

It’s up to Bernie to carry the standard for the poor, the elderly, the disenfranchised and the vulnerable.

I am of the opinion that it is up to us to support that effort in any way we can. I expect many will disagree vociferously, and that’s okay with me.

He’s running as a Democrat rather than risk blame as an independent “spoiler,” as proved to be the kiss of death for Ralph Nader’s credibility.

Bernie isn’t young and he isn’t female; but he carries the standard for Vermont values like none other.  

Maybe he doesn’t stand the chance of a snowball in hell.  Back in 2007, that’s what the “smart money” said about one Barack Hussein Obama.  

However things shake out, it will be a glorious battle to reclaim democracy and I wouldn’t miss that for the world!

No candidate will be perfectly in sync with my every policy wish, but Bernie comes pretty damn close.  So that’s where I personally feel my loyalty will be best spent over the coming year.

This is an unabashed and unsolicited pitch for the underdog, and if GMD isn’t the place for that, I don’t know where that place would be.