In the classic comedy bit, Sister Mary Elephant begs her students to settle down. Today I am Sister Mary Elephant and I am talking (shouting) to Hillary and Bernie supporters.  “Class. Class! Class!! SHUT UP!!!!”

Stop it. Just stop it. Stop vilifying your opponent in this Primary race. You can fight for your candidate without insulting the other. You can, and should, point out differences between Hillary and Bernie without dismissing one of them as unworthy. I know, I know, things have gotten a little tense since Iowa. Team Bernie is pretty excited about the results and Team Hillary is kind of freaking out and everybody’s starting to mouth off. Cut it out.

Pledge right now that you will not only vote for the eventual Democratic nominee – regardless of who it is – but that you will wholeheartedly endorse, support, and fight for the nominee just as vigorously as you now endorse, support, and fight for Hillary or Bernie.  (By the way, in the General you can vilify, insult, and dismiss the Republican all you want. So hold on to those slings and arrows, you’ll need ‘em.)

Do you really want a President Trump? President Cruz? President Rubio? Do you want our slow slog for healthcare to be set back decades? Do you want the war on women to drag on? Do you want a climate change denier in the White House? Do you want the next four Supreme Court Justices to be nominated by one of these guys? Do you realize how fucking important this is?  Your infighting and name-calling and childish threats to not vote in the general unless your candidate wins the nomination are really, really dangerous. Are you listening? Are you hearing this? Class. Class! Class!! SHUT UP!!!!

Thank you.

Now, here is your assignment:

• Print this page.
• Sign your name below.
• Tape it to your fridge as a daily reminder.
• Like and share this post. Thanks.

I currently support (circle one) Hillary/Bernie for the Democratic nomination for President. I hereby pledge to not insult, vilify, or dismiss my opponent or his/her supporters in the Primary race. If my candidate does not win the nomination I will not only vote for the Democratic nominee, but I will wholeheartedly endorse, support, and fight for the nominee just as vigorously as I now endorse, support, and fight for (circle one) Hillary/Bernie.

Signed _________________________________

Charles Bursell is a writer, performer, host and commentator heard nationally on SiriusXM, National Public Radio, and The Pacifica Radio Network. He currently hosts the podcasts Stream of Consciousness Talk Radio Theatre and Conversations With Charles Bursell. Both shows, and more, can be found on several platforms, including Apple Podcasts (iTunes) and Libsyn.com.

Contact: charlesbursell@gmail.com  Follow: facebook.com/charlesbursell