Bernie, as a loyal supporter, I have a message for you:
After all you have done for the progressives in this country, after all of the things you have done to reshape this party, you cant shape change from within the broken system. Arizona, New York, and now California. When it comes to broken primaries, The Democratic party has its share. I send you this message, not knowing if it will be received or even read, not knowing whether you will see my response out of the thousands you get daily; in hopes that a clear statement can get you to reconsider the decision I know you have been asked to make, and will soon cave to. I have seen very little in my time, as a voter, and as an American.
However, what I have seen is very simple, and it is this: Without risk, there is no reward. Without risking everything, like you did by chaining yourself to the African American woman so many years ago, you risked yourself, and your reputation. You risked yourself by standing up to a system that was so entrenched in its belief, that it was willing to arrest you for having the courage to stand up and say: 'Enough is Enough'. Without this risk, and without the risk of millions of African Americans Across the country, without the risks taken and the ultimate price paid by Dr. martin Luther King Jr, we would not have had the Civil Rights Act.
I write this to you as a final plea. I Embarked on your campaign with you, with little hope for America. Over the last Seven months, I have seenw hat we can accomplish, and I too Fear what will become of our country if we do not take drastic action. I am a young man that, like you, saw the fundamental wrongs of the system in which we live. And as someone with the utmost respect for you and your Career, I ask something of you that I am not sure I could do myself. I ask you because my pleas have fallen on deaf ears. You have spent your life fighting for us, and so I ask, Bernie: Please consider fighting for us as an independent candidate or under the green party.
I know what I ask of you is dangerous, I know that is risks a Trump presidency. I too do not want a Trump presidency. However, we have reached a head, Bernie, and I can only hope that you know this as well as the many millions who struggle like me to make ends meet, and live day by day hoping only to have enough to pay rent and have food. I, as a young man working full time at a franchise of mcdonalds in Hot Springs, AR for minimum wage in our state, 8 dollars per hour, That I cannot make ends meet. I need this revolution. For some, this is symbolic. For some, this is a political statement. For me, this is my life. Without hope, our world will never change. Without real action, our system will never change. I cannot afford to sit idly while another 4-8 years of status quo is enacted. Please, Bernie, hear the plea of those you fought for all these years. I believe in you, and I believe I speak for the majority of People in this campaign, Bernie. We believe in you. Not only do we believe in you, we are here to stay. Please, do not back away from the presidency, you are so very close. This movement isn't about you, nor did you ever want it to be about you. I know that. This is why I beg of you, one final time, Chain yourself to the voters of America, not to the Democratic party. Be our voice, Bernie Sanders. Without you, Millions of people just like me are going to lose hope. In the famous and Eloquent words of Dylan Thomas:
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Do not go gently into that good night, Bernie.
Thank you for your time, Sen. Sanders, And I look forward to seeing you become the leader we need. Please, give us a chance to make history and change the path our country is on, for good.
I, Taylor Trotter, Hereby endorse Bernie sanders for President of the United States.
Thank you, and have a good evening.
