Thanks for the response! Let me address your recommendations in order:

1. Create a new political party rather than investing energy transforming the Democratic Party: I used to feel this way, but I think what Bernie, AOC, and many others have shown is there is a yearning for a transformation of the Democratic Party beyond fellow democratic socialists. A good example of this sentiment was expressed by Stacey Walker recently: “We need a leader with a bold vision, and as a black man living in America, I’ve had enough of politicians telling me we have to scale back our dreams and ambitions.”
2. Run more candidates at local and state levels: We are working on it! Here are just three in Seattle, Columbus, and San Francisco.
3. Think in terms of 30 to 50 years and not just the next Presidential election: Totally agree. As important as I think this upcoming election is, I’m not one of the folks who says this is “our last chance.” That’s simply not how history has ever worked.
4. Avoid hero worship of individual people in favor of praising values: Similar to the last, I do not think Bernie is uniquely capable of being a democratic socialist president of this country. I will say however that there is nothing wrong with admiring admirable people! Sure people may get carried away but I don’t think there is anything wrong with having Bernie as a hero generally.
5. Discourage your colleagues from personal attacking and name-calling those of us that may disagree with you: Obviously when we are out canvassing and so on, we do not call people names or use personal attacks, and if anyone ever did they would be reprimanded for that. But social media is social, even if it is socializing about politics. People are allowed to get angry, frustrated, etc. I would always encourage people to express themselves respectfully as well as passionately, but I am very wary of tone policing. I am a lawyer, being calm and logical is literally my job, but I don’t think that should make my voice in civic discussion anymore important than someone without that training.