The problem is in the US we don’t have real political parties that stand for particular interests and values. Yes, relying on this Democratic Party would be relying on air. But this is not a functioning democracy. 1/

In a functioning democracy, political parties represent a cohesive set of interests and values, and the expertise that stands behind those interests and values lives within the party. 2/

Bernie is himself effectively a political party in the US, and yes, his long incumbency made that possible. San Francisco could elect no one but Nancy Pelosi because she too had a lot of expertise and capable staff. 3/

When power or capability attaches to seniority, voters can no longer vote their values and interests. They have to trade off the “market power” introduced by incumbency against their “representative’s” increasing deviations from constituent priorities. 4/

There’s no democratic check. You can vote yourself entirely out of power in order to perform your values, or you can vote for the incumbent. Almost always, you vote for the incumbent, who is now largely a free agent. /fin