I’m so over the “Bernie or Bust folks.” I was a Bernie supporter and voted for him. But elections go as they do and Clinton has won. She isn’t evil. She didn’t win by cheating. She won because many many people supported her and voted for her. She won because her campaign did a better job. She had an enormous and well run campaign, and she was able to reach out and pull more people into her camp.

I still think Bernie is the better choice for President, but our system is what it is, and so I’m thrilled to do whatever I can to see Clinton elected. Simply electing someone isn’t the end of the story. AFTER they take office is when the really hard work begins. Obama didn’t accomplish everything he wanted, and nor will the next president. Governing is hard, simple as that.

I do totally grasp why some Bernie supporters can’t seem to let go. When I was younger, I felt similarly in some past elections. We aren’t taught enough about how our democracy works and how our political process works. So the confusion and dislike for the real thing grows from that poor civics education we receive I think.

There’s been so much talk about super delegates who can cast their vote as they choose, but no talk about the electoral college, which really elects our next president. They are the scary folks, not the super delegates! It is ESSENTIAL that everyone does their part to have a Clinton victory huge enough that the electoral college MUST align with the popular vote. Hey Bernie supporters, start wrapping your head around that one.

It is my hope that the Sanders campaign- what Sanders has done- can help change politics for ever. What he accomplished- doing all that he did on small amount donations has been truly incredible. He may not have won the nomination, but his efforts have been highly successful in other ways. I hope the tantrums of a small few supporters don’t interfere with his everyone being able to see his legacy and accomplishments.

I’m not going to put all of my efforts to talking about how we must beat trump (although we really do.) That is just part of the efforts ahead. A Clinton presidency will do great things for gender equity. At the very least it will raise the issue of gender disparity to the forefront just as race issues were so crystal clear under the Obama presidency. As a gay man seeking real equality, these efforts for gender equity are so crucial to moving our country forward.

I’m also not going to wax poetic about how historic a Clinton nomination is. Other fierce and determined women have set the stage so that Clinton can be where she is. THAT’s the real history. This whole election cycle is part of that ongoing and important history.

Governance and change are slow and frustrating processes. That’s by design and it is actually a good thing. Imagine how fucked we would all be today, if Bush had had more power directly after 9/11. The Patriot Act was bad, but how much worse it could have been! Real change comes though the balance of power in Washington, and that means, we should all be focused on all three branches of government, not just who may be president. For me, knowing that the next president will most likely appoint supreme court judges is the single most important thing this election is about. In that regard, a vote for Clinton isn’t that different from a vote for Sanders. We must see Roe v Wade maintained and progress made to stop the erosion of a woman’s right to choose. We must see judicial decisions that overturn citizens united. We must see decisions that protect voting rights.

As important as the judicial branch, we need to see a real change in Congress. The republicans have been in control and have been the party of obstruction. That is harming everyone. I’m all for a balance of power between different parties, but government needs to function and if conservatives won’t do anything except obstruct, then we need to see a change in power. Let’s return control of the House and senate to democrat control and get back to the business of governing.

It is hard to let go of supporting a candidate who seems so perfect like Sanders. I get that. So my hope is that over the next weeks, these Bernie or Busters will come around to see the bigger picture. Our democracy may be depending upon it.