the political system is broken for the average citizen.I'm talking about getting things done. In a Jeffersonian Democracy, things get messy. "Give and take" is the only thing that works. It's easy for West and Sanders and Gingrich and Cruz to stand by on ideology and lambast the pragmatic nature of politics with loud-mouthed speeches on how America "should be". But what do they ever accomplish? Stupid gridlock and dysfunction. Really, if Sanders had won and actually become president, in quick time he would be marginalized or he would become exactly like Clinton. Obama was no pretend liberal and look where he's ended up.
the only things that "get done" are things that benefit the biggest corporations. obama is right of center and serves corporate power, and hillary is to the right of obama between him and W bush. obama and hillary just use the language of liberalism during their campaigns, but they do not make reforms when in office. they are making things worse, and they know it.
i think bernies campaign was a big accomplishment for americas being able to rationally criticize their economic system. and before that he was speaking out, he had alot of viral videos. its hard to measure what effect some of its had, but the point is hes doing the right thing regardless of the outcome.
cornel wests career speaks for itself, hes up there with the greats.