Bernie Sanders Has Renewed My Hope

[Crossless2.0]

Bernie seems at first glance to be an intelligent man with a strong sense of fairness.

He has no chance in American politics.

He is a U.S. Senator.  So he has had some success in American politics.

I think his biggest obstacle to becoming President is the Democratic nomination.  If he can manage that, then I think he can beat Jeb Bush (who, I predict, will get the Republican nomination).

I think his biggest obstacles to securing the nomination have little to do with policy positions and much to do with the trainload of money Clinton will bring to bear, plus her "brand" recognition among voters.  On an issue by issue basis, I think he can kick her ass assuming he can cut through the noise and get his message out.

Then again, there's no telling what back room machinations will go into choosing the nominee.  The party bosses and big money donors might just decide that Bernie is too far left to have a chance in the general election.  If electability becomes the issue, Bernie could be in trouble.

[Secular Elf]

It's kind of hard to see value in voting when your government works as an oligarchy, instead of a representative republic, but if we don't all stand up and do something it won't get better.

With that I definitely agree.

[Secular Elf]

He is a U.S. Senator.  So he has had some success in American politics.

I think his biggest obstacle to becoming President is the Democratic nomination.  If he can manage that, then I think he can beat Jeb Bush (who, I predict, will get the Republican nomination).

I think his biggest obstacles to securing the nomination have little to do with policy positions and much to do with the trainload of money Clinton will bring to bear, plus her "brand" recognition among voters.  On an issue by issue basis, I think he can kick her ass assuming he can cut through the noise and get his message out.

Then again, there's no telling what back room machinations will go into choosing the nominee.  The party bosses and big money donors might just decide that Bernie is too far left to have a chance in the general election.  If electability becomes the issue, Bernie could be in trouble.

With all that being said, if Bernie does not at least make it to the Democratic Convention and make a strong showing among the delegates I will be crushed. We keep getting more Republicans in every branch of government all hope is lost.

[Secular Elf]

Here is Bernie's town hall speech in Denver Colorado, June 20, 2015:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlZ44NQ7TuM

[Neo-Scholastic]

I cannot believe that anyone in the 21st Century could believe that socialism is anything other than destructive given its track record of total failure. Ask any Eastern European about socialism and maybe you'll gain a little perspective. And before you get all bleary eyed about Norway and Sweden remember that the only way they can support their generous social programs is because of OIL.

[Chad32]

Because a higher minimum wage, higher marginal taxes on the rich, and universal healthcare and education would improve our country. We can keep some capitalism, but there have to be things that guarantee a better life for everyone. Cutting taxes on the rich, raising taxes on the poor and middle class, and gutting things like the safety net, education, and healthcare is destroying us.

[Crossless2.0]

Odd, Chad, but I don't recall Sanders advocating that we move toward a Soviet-bloc style system. You can't deny that the U.S. spends an enormous amount of money (tax revenue and shit we put on the proverbial credit card) for things like wars of choice, corporate welfare, etc. that just might be better spent on other priorities and programs. In the unlikely event that Sanders was nominated and later elected (no one should hold their breath waiting for that), what might happen? Option 1: Congress stonewalls and stymies his every move (and why not, since Sanders is the actual left-wing bogeyman they only pretend Obama is). Option 2: His presidency could marginally move public discourse and policy somewhere closer to what used to be the center before Reagan and his disciples utterly skewed everything rightward.

I doubt the sky would fall.

[Neo-Scholastic]

Because a higher minimum wage, higher marginal taxes on the rich, and universal healthcare and education would improve our country. We can keep some capitalism, but there have to be things that guarantee a better life for everyone. Cutting taxes on the rich, raising taxes on the poor and middle class, and gutting things like the safety net, education, and healthcare is destroying us.

I agree that higher wages, better healthcare, and real education would improve our country. We must be realistic about how those things happen. Following the industrial revolution, the fact is that Anglo-American style capitalism has been the single most effective cause of innovation and prosperity. It has it's faults, sure. Anti-trust laws must be enforced. Worker protections need to be in place. There should be a social safety net to help people through tough times and re-enter as independent and self-sufficient citizens. I'm not concerned about someone making a boat-load of money that they earned honestly and have put back into their business to serve the public with even greater effectiveness. Good for them. But if you look at the some of the richest people alive today, many of them have gamed the system with the help of government at the expense of the general public.

The problem, as I see it, is that there is too much money in politics. Corporate cronyism that draws away money from lean and productive companies that make better products and services to everyone's benefit. Pay-to-Play contracting makes the political class corrupt and wealthy at the expense of the middle class. The social services that are supposed to go to the needy get chewed up by bureaucrats and public service unions.

When we enlarge the influence of government over how people make and spend their money, then people with influence will use government to make money for themselves and their big shot friends. Not only that but it undermines the influence of any institution it doesn't control like charities, families, churches, and fraternal organizations. Regardless of what you think about the role of those institutions in society, once they are gone, and their functions taken over by the government then government has a complete monopoly that it can enforce at the point of a gun. That is exactly what socialism has done in the past, is doing now, and will always do in the future. It is tyranny dressed up as utopia.

[Crossless2.0]

Chad, is it fair to assume you take a dim view of the Citizens United ruling?

[Neo-Scholastic]

Chad, is it fair to assume you take a dim view of the Citizens United ruling?

Is it wrong to for people to join together for common cause, whether for business or to promote a particular policy, both of which take money?

I'm much more concerned about Kelo v. City of New London in which the power o eminent domain was used to force one private party to transfer private property to another private concern.