Hey there, Aunty Jean. I consider myself a Progressive Pragmatist. Progressives are niche candidates who can win only in certain districts. AOC, for example, is very popular in her district, but she would lose heavily in adjacent Congressional districts. The constituents prefer someone more traditional.

Progressives can often get big numbers in primaries, because that's when one's most ardent base participates, but more moderate candidates win in general elections. In 2016, many Bernie supporters were offended, they stayed home, and you know what we got.

What you consider "brainwashed," many others, including me, consider "pragmatic." You can love a candidate, but you also have to consider whether or not the candidate has a chance of winning. A vote for a third-party candidate is often a wasted vote, and it automatically means one less vote for the Democratic candidate we want to win.

I am active in national Democratic politics, and I'm older than you. By the bye, who is the devil?.