I’ll donate to, and will be working for the nomination of Bernie Sanders
I’ve been saying I’m a spectator for a while and would be happy with whoever the Dems pick. While that is true, it is pretty wishy-washy. Sanders embodies close to everything I’ve been looking for in a Presidential candidate, so my fence sitting is really mere cowardice.
So here is my quick list of reasons why I support Sanders:
1) Sanders is right about the economy. Sanders is the candidate that really “gets it” with regard to how the middle class is being screwed by our rigged system.
2) Sanders is willing to run a 50 state campaign. He knows creating the kind of change he is trying to create isn’t a one man job, but will need support from every Congressional District and election precinct in the country. That’s the kind of party building I’ve been longing for.
3) I’m feeling the Bern. The argument that he can’t win is ludicrous on its face. It is puerile and you’d have to be an irredeemable misanthrope to make it. Being a liberal, I am not that.
4) If he loses, we get a battle tested Hillary Clinton, and that is a pretty good spot for the party to be in.
Good for you. I’m glad your flogging was cancelled yesterday. 🙂
It’s funny because I understand the weaknesses of Sanders and the strengths of Mrs Clinton (there are admittedly many). I just really objected to the out of hand dismissal of a candidate who, as you noted, “embodies close to everything I’ve been looking for in a Presidential candidate.”
DJ Trump goes out and does his shtick for a few months and people start filling their pants with fear-induced loads. Let’s stick to our progressive guns, so to speak. Let the thing play out. Isn’t that what politics is as well?
If it comes to it and Sanders isn’t on the general ballot then we decide from there.
I’m still undecided, so I’d love to hear more from folks on here and their arguments for either side. I find I align with Bernie’s beliefs the most but I like Hillary’s foreign policy experience and depth of knowledge. Part of me wonders also how Bernie actually expects to get anything done with the Republican obstructionism. Its a battle of my heart vs. my head at this point.
J330: That’s great! Last night in Iowa was about as on target as Bernie could have been. Even if he doesn’t make up the fraction of a point to ‘win’, his campaign and supporters have put him toe to toe with HRC. And the more time that passes with Bernie in the spot light, the further left the message gets driven for the Dems. Hillary will either need to pick up some of what Bernie’s throwing down, or double down on whatever she believes in this week. As Dorian said, if Bernie doesn’t get the nomination, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
It’s time Democrats stop being the Center-Right party of the US.
#feeltheBern
This is the discussion I wanted all along. Let hash out the philosophy and policy ideas of Clinton v Sanders. Let’s scrutinize their records and decide which candidate best represents us. Let’s not allow fear to dictate to whom we lend our support.
Look, I understand Trump is an awful character. However, we need a bit of perspective. Trump has gotten a lot attention on the TV and he’s lead in some polls and he was the runner-up in one caucus. Some people are acting as if the Reichstag is on fire already and the Brownshirts are patrolling the streets. I think we still a bit far from that doomsday scenario and it shouldn’t be such a large factor in this discussion. Right now it makes good entertainment and that’s all.
DG, have you seen the Trump rallies where black people are beaten while Trump looks on smirking? How about the one where a Sikh man was dragged out while the throngs of pigs chanted “USA USA”… or the migrant worker who was attacked and beaten with his attackers referencing Trump as their cause? Maybe consider the White Nationalist groups endorsing him……. He may not be TOTALLY Hitler, but he is the most Hitler person currently seeking office, and the most Hitler person who has gotten this far running for president in a really long time
Also, welcome to the drum circle, Jason! We’re gonna make some olive oil and hemp soap later while we do dabs and listen to Phish. Then we’ll make a bunch of uninformed financial decisions and disrespect our elders! (other than Bernie, of course)
Like I wrote over and over, Trump is a scary guy politically because he’s playing this game and whipping some very nasty scum into a frenzy. I totally get it. However, other than holding rallies he hasn’t achieved anything yet. Attendance at a speech and poll numbers don’t elect a President.
Two ISIS inspired maniacs were shot and killed outside some fascist Draw Mohammed event in Texas last year. Again scary shit. But I’m trying to put that in perspective, if you see what I mean. I’m not going to jettison my progressive socialist principles because of it.
I’ll stay relatively calm even if Trump wins the NH primary. Now, if he wins a big (more significant) state primary like SC or NV, then we have to redouble security around the Reichstag. Until then my pants will remain dry.
Also, before I forget to compliment you, Jason…
“It is puerile and you’d have to be an irredeemable misanthrope to make it.”
That should pet a few people here against the grain.
im gonna get really hyperbolic here for a minute…. so, that disclaimer aside… if you have a pre-cancerous mole, you dont wait until it shows up in your groin to get it addressed. You recognize it is dangerous and do all you can to wipe it out.
I’m going to give you an A for effort, but I can’t get down with the metaphor. You’re giving the guy too much credit because of media saturation and a handful of ugly incidents at rallies.
Look, I have my (one good) eye on it. I take fighting fascism seriously. It’s a little thing I picked up from the grandparents. But let’s not give Trump victories he hasn’t earned yet.
Has anyone here read the Roth novel ‘The Plot Against America?’
@Dorian: Roth’s “The Plot Against America”… Outstanding book… Well worth anyone’s time if they haven’t picked it up already.
Oh Good. I was away this morning and I was afraid I might miss some good ol’ hippie punching.
Shut up, hippie.
Tom Tomorrow’s take:
http://images.dailykos.com/images/201945/story_image/TMW2016-02-03color.png?1454076345
As usual, Tom Tomorrow nails it.