THE WEEK: Bernie Sanders has conquered the Democratic Party

[Donkees]

Jeff Spross
BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS CORRESPONDENT


April 24, 2018

Excerpts:

Bernie Sanders' bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 was not universally welcomed, to put it mildly. His basic argument was that Democrats could assemble a cross-ethnic and cross-class coalition by offering big universal public programs like Medicare-for-all and free college tuition. But large portions of the party dismissed him as an interloper, a naive radical, or even just another entitled white male.

Which makes developments since the 2016 election rather interesting: Quietly but steadily, the Democratic Party is admitting that Sanders was right.

But the most interesting policy here is a federal job guarantee. This would be a public option for work, offering employment with a living wage and benefits to anyone who wants it. The idea goes back at least as far as the Civil Rights movement. Stephanie Kelton, one of Sanders' key economic advisers, has been working on the idea for years with economists associated with the University of Kansas City-Missouri and the Levy Institute, and pushing it up through Sanders' network of political outfits. Meanwhile, another group of economists, including William Darity and Darrick Hamilton, has also been building out the idea. And Sanders himself organized a townhall with Hamilton to talk about it.

CAP suggested a watered-down but still admirable version of a job guarantee a few months ago. Then Gillibrand publicly endorsed a job guarantee in mid-March. And she's kept up the drumbeat since. This past Friday, Booker released legislation for a pilot program version of the job guarantee, built off Darity and Hamilton's work. Then on Monday, Sanders pushed his chips in, announcing legislation for a full-bore national version of the policy.

This actually looks somewhat similar to how Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards all egged each other on towards health reform in the 2008 campaign. Parts of the Democratic Party are now taking the basic building blocks of Sanders' political philosophy and running with them.

http://theweek.com/articles/769073/bernie-sanders-conquered-democratic-party

[alfie]

1. Guaranteed work with decent pay and benefits...great!

I am glad more lawmakers are taking this up. There are so few jobs in my rural area that have that feature. Minimum pay jobs with uncertain hours and limited if present benefits are what are mostly available to young people or to anyone with limited skills.

[PaulX2]

40. 8 People Have Half The World's Wealth

Something stinks reeeeeeal bad. Time we started talking about the smell.

https://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases/2017-01-16/just-8-men-own-same-wealth-half-world

[Le Gaucher]

57. What does it mean to have a billion dollars or 10 billion?

You only need so much food and so many clothes. All the money you can spend on yourself is never more than few 10's of million .. ( Iam not talking Yatchs/Private Jets) .. even if throw that in - I am pretty sure a man cannot spend more than a billion or two.

Net that out .. and what is the meaning of wealth?

The rest of the wealth is simply to control means of production of goods/services.

Supply siders have argued that the social progress is perfectly aligned with the goal of this individual trying to put his money to work.

I would partly agree with it - with caveats. As long as there are no externaties like pollution, global warming etc ( basically social costs /private profits) , strong safety net - I don't mind having a single mutli trillionarie controlling all the world's wealth.

He /She should however have same the political power as the rest of us.


Ideal capitalism , if you will.

[Wednesdays]

158. It means POWER

With that kind of wealth, they can literally buy an entire country. Including this one.

[Exotica]

59. 8 have the same as the bottom 50%, they don't have half

sorry to be a stickler, it is my nature, lolol

[samnsara]

2. he will need to run as an I...

[MuseRider]

4. There was no mention at all

about him running again. NONE This was about the ideas and how his goals have moved things in the right direction. Drop the primary, this is about moving the party and the country out of this stagnant state it has been in.

[Duppers]

80. Perzactly

Some folks will continue to put any ideas fr Bernie thru their own filters.

[Nitram]

97. Filters? How would Bernsters react if someone wrote a headline:

"Trump Conquers Bernie!" because Bernie happened to agree with an idea that Trump said he supported?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

153. Yes, and Bernie has the right ideas for moving a progressive Democratic agenda forward...

Whether the Bernie Bashers here recognize it or not, it really doesn't matter. What's important is that most of the other 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls do, which explains why many of them have adopted many of Bernie's positions... a welcome sign that the Party is moving in the right direction.

[MuseRider]

156. Perfect response.

Thank you.

It really is not hard to see of you can just clear all that blood out of your eyes.

[HenryWallace]

24. Yes, yes..... if he only belonged to the right tribe!

(instead of just embracing the issues which are the purest expression of true concern for the common citizen)

[SammyWinstonJack]

27. Ha!

[DownriverDem]

33. Hey Bernie

Join the Dem Party now! Many of your supporters don't realize that if you don't, trump will win again. They think we can have a 3 party election and still win. Come on people. Realize how bad a trump 2nd term would be.

[HenryWallace]

98. Hey fellow Party members...

Embrace your historical commitment to work for the benefit of all of our citizens, through active and effective government rather than the market based strategies of the last 40 years....

Dare to dream and work for how things should be rather than accepting the narrow constrains of "today vision!"

Too many of our members have abandoned these issues, the result being electoral disaster and Donald Trumps 1st term....

(don't you love satire....)

[Demsrule86]

128. I want to win the next to elections period...I don't want to dream...these are make or break

elections. Let's run on health care...save the ACA...raising the minimum wage, create jobs, manufacturing plan and get the hell out of the Mid East...not stuff that will get us branded socialist and cause us to lose in 20...in which case the fat lady will truly sing for the progressive movement.

[HenryWallace]

168. Ah, the times they are a changin....

I think we agree for the most part..

However:

In 2018 Millennials are going to be the largest voting block.

[link:http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2018/feb/13/will-millennials-be-largest-voting-bloc-2018-rock-/|]

And over half of Millennials self-identify as Socialist.

[link:https://www.aier.org/blog/over-half-millennials-identify-socialist-heres-how-change-their-minds|]

PS: While an improvement, the ACA still sucks (it's the best health care plan that the conservative mind could think up)! Why should I defend a warmed-over version of Romneycare, when the rest of the World is using some form of a Universal system that delivers better care at half the cost (in fact, by defending it solely, you risk alienating your constituents as the rational conscious changes).

[Demsrule86]

169. I think it is a number of years before that happens...and we know the winning issues. We have seen

the special elections. Healthcare and student loan reform...also get rid of tax cuts...but running on a guaranteed income is not going to work even with millenials...increasing the minimum yes...that sort of thing.

[HenryWallace]

170. Think gay marrage...

except the positive effects will be felt be everyone; good policy will reinforce itself, half-assed policy leads to ultimately to frustration (the "Party of Business" was in the minority for forty years; in a democracy, this should be the norm).

[Demsrule86]

171. Gay marriage took years to get first of all. Also, change creates chaos. You think people agree with

an anti-business message, they don't. It is not a winning message. Also, they want the ACA fixed and maybe a public option. But too many get their health insurance through business for a stand alone bill to work...and you need 60 votes...for a public option, you could do it in reconciliation. The reality is we will not have a super majority for some years so none of this can be passed. But we can make things better....but the guaranteed income and Medicare for all isn't going to happen.

[mountain grammy]

72. Yes, how dare he

Promote Democratic ideals and principles.

[HenryWallace]

100. But don't you understand....

I like the color red and cute donkey images.

[Demsrule86]

129. Sen. Sanders does not help the Democratic Party outside of voting for legislation.

[mountain grammy]

136. Your opinion.

Not necessarily a fact

[Demsrule86]

141. My opinion...I believe if he runs in 20, we lose.

[mountain grammy]

148. My opinion?

If we don’t take the House and/or the Senate in 2018, we can forget 2020. We’ve got to stop this agenda.

[DownriverDem]

29. Then we are totally screwed

If he runs as an independent trump wins. Get real.

[Demsrule86]

130. And I will hate Sen. Sanders until I die if this happens which will be much earlier than if a

Democrat won.

[Doremus]

143. Because he did that in '16?

He did run before, remember? He ran as a Dem, remember?

smh

[Demsrule86]

157. I said 20...I don't discuss the 16 primary as per TOS.

[thesquanderer]

36. He'll never run for pres as an I. Terrible idea, it would make an R victory more likely. (nt)

[BannonsLiver]

124. Then another 4 years of Drumpf is a lock

So yeah, I could totally see him doing that.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

151. That would spell D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R!!

[MuseRider]

3. Shooting for the stars.

Ask for a shitty small change and you might quietly get it, ask for the stars that will really change the lives of the suffering and things will begin to move. I don't think even Bernie thought he would raise the minimum to $15 right away (happening in some states and cities) but the start and end goal were important. Start with a big goal and be happy for the smaller change but continue shooting for the big goal that could change the lives of most of this country. Incrementalism only works if the larger goal remains and you continue to pursue it. JMO and the reason I still support Bernie and will support anyone who moves this way.

[Sophia4]

54. Right. Bernie can afford to aim high and speak out for ideas that will take us

in the right direction toward shared prosperity.

For Bernie, it is about the long term -- ideas that will make our country better for everyone. For him it is not just about winning and losing in the short term.

I'm happy to see how many people here are beginning to understand that.

[Adrahil]

113. Bernie invents slice bread!!!!

This is getting ridiculous.

[Sophia4]

122. Somebody had to do it!

[Demsrule86]

131. Yeah...suggest you look up McGovern. This is a center left country and many of his ideas won't

help us get elected.

[Sophia4]

160. I worked on the McGovern campaign.

The Democratic Party was as divided then as it is now.

Hillary was a center left candidate, and she also lost the electoral college and therefore the presidency. Unfortunately, it is not a matter of receiving the most votes from all Americans. It is a matter of receiving the most votes in states with low populations. That's a pity because we need better labor laws, universal (single-payer in one form or another) healthcare, better education and so many social programs so that we can be a healthy country. What a shame that people are subjected to so much propaganda and that they are uninformed about what is happening in other countries in which life expectancy is longer, student test scores higher and labor laws fairer.

The ignorance is astounding.

I say that as one who lived on a modest income in Europe for quite a number of years. So I am speaking from my own experience.

[NickB79]

144. Shoot for the stars. Even if you miss, you still end up on the Moon.

[OilemFirchen]

147. Couldn't have said it better...

if I were Richard Bach or Erich Segal.

Or, to you E. E. Cummings fans, richard bach or erich segal.

But you probably get my drift.

[SidDithers]

5. ...

Sid

[betsuni]

17. I love you.

[SidDithers]

19. You too...

Sid

[NCTraveler]

6. A number of Democrats have been pushing for a federal jobs program for years.

Including introducing actual legislation.

There is a desperate push to divide the party by authors like this. Their positions are weak at best, deceptive all the way around, with a goal to help Republicans.

These authors are Sanders worst friends. Only Sanders base won’t be able to see how this is stabbing Sanders in the back.

http://theweek.com/articles/759268/how-senate-democrats-rolled-over-played-dead-wall-street

http://theweek.com/articles/760606/hillary-clintons-revealing-economic-elitism

http://theweek.com/articles/757549/democrats-need-repeal-replace-use-republican-talking-points

http://theweek.com/articles/743998/what-dont-need-individual-mandate-after-all

[MrsCoffee]

10. Exactly.

[PaulX2]

18. And Trump Convinced All Them "Working Folks" To Vote For Him How?

The right tells the masses to blame liberals for losing the money the billionaires steal from them every day. You know. The folks our government is set up to further enrich by our tax dollars.

See Military Industrial Complex, and Exxon for starters.

And how many Enron Executives went to prison? Lawyers?

Or banksters.....

The game is rigged. Just ask Warren.

Democrats need to convince VOTERS we will actually do what Trump promised to do and never even tried.

Draining the swamp, and having the wealthy once again pay their fair share.

[NCTraveler]

21. The federal government wasnt a swamp.

That phrase should never cross our lips. It’s based in anti-government sentiment and is in direct opposition to our goals.

Trump promised some horrid economic policies.

[PaulX2]

26. NC We Used To Have Cooks In The Army We Now Have Halliburton / KBR

Contracting out the meals. Then when they get caught cheating and over billing no one goes to jail. But if you steal a 6 pack, you are arrested, and sentenced. And you can never get a good job because you have a record.

Our drugs cost 10 times as much here in many cases as the same drugs cost worldwide. All "politicians" babble about is re-importation. How about being unraped by drug companies?

We are being screwed BIG TIME. Not by "the government" but by the laws "POLITICIANS INFLUENCED BY MONEY" pass to take our tax dollars and return it to the campaign funders. Look at the tax cut the Kochs just got for their "work" electing Republicans.

Millions went to Bernie's rallies because he addressed how badly we were being screwed by the Oligarchs. I'm one.

He lost. The message wasn't.

But too many people now know and understand how little power they have compared to billionaires, and polluters.

The corruption does not stop at the edge of the Republican Party, regardless how bad we wished it did. We need to drive them from power while we fix our party. Both can be accomplished at the same time, for the same reason.

[shanny]

51. When the federal govt pays more attention to "special interests" than

what the average citizen wants as it has for decades then, yeah, it is a swamp.

[NCTraveler]

53. Im all for lobbyist and special interests.

Their necessity cannot be understated in a representative republic.

Calling it a swamp is A Trump and Bannon game for good reason. Generate distrust of the federal government and its agencies.

It’s right wing propaganda on steroids.

[shanny]

66. Why should I not distrust a government that

rewards banksters, lets torturers off the hook, won't pass legislation supported by 90% of Americans? Or one that has systematically discriminated against some of its citizens, to the benefit of a few? How would you characterize it?

Is your outrage limited to Bannon and Trump?

[NCTraveler]

71. My outrage is not limited to them.

You present your argument as if it was absolute when it is anything but. There is no starting point in a debate whith such hyperbole being presented as absolutes.

It’s no secret as to who benefits from governmental distrust. Drain the swamp is right wing extremism. I’m a bit taken back to see Trumps campaign slogan being used like this.

[shanny]

79. I'm a bit taken aback to see

this: "Im all for lobbyist and special interests." There is no starting point in a debate which such hyperbole being presented as absolutes.

[Exotica]

120. I agree

MSU scholars find $21 trillion in unauthorized government spending. Agencies disable links to key documents

https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2017/msu-scholars-find-21-trillion-in-unauthorized-government-spending-defense-department-to-conduct/

That is more than the entire national debt!!! And it is only from 1998-2015.

[Demsrule86]

133. Elections have consequences.

Try voting Democratic always if you want change. And this country has move center left so a jobs program isn't going to work in the next few elections. We are running in red areas in 18. And in 20, running to the left will cause us to lose. We need to work on healthcare get people onboard for a public option... and work on infrastructure and jobs.

[shanny]

161. Wow.

Were we talking about elections? Or about a government that has been far too discontected from the people's wishes and needs, not just now but before? Who was in charge during the bankster bailout? Who did not do anything about the CIA torturers?

And who, besides you, is talking about a jobs program in this thread?

[Eliot Rosewater]

103. Why are people here allowed to call our democrats in government a SWAMP?

[LuvLoogie]

107. They voted for trump because he promised to shit on the people they hate

Or they didn't give a shit how he treated people as long as it wasn't them and they got a tax cut.

[HenryWallace]

25. Posted with no comment....

[link:

Link to tweet

?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nakedcapitalism.com%2F2018%2F04%2Flinks-4-24-18.html&tfw_creator=yvessmith&tfw_site=yvessmith|]

[PaulX2]

30. It Would Be Better To Let The 1% Just Keep The Money

And buy yachts the size of Rhode Island right?

[HenryWallace]

93. .... I must have not made myself clear (again)

It's the old Pogo quote, "We have met the enemy......."

[NCTraveler]

44. Feel free to comment.

Last edited Tue Apr 24, 2018, 12:52 PM - Edit history (1)

The discussion should be had. There are a lot of people like me out here who are well to the left of Sanders in his proposal. One of our Presidential candidates is outflanking him to the left. There are concerns about cost and of course the ideological aspect will always be an issue.

Again, legislation has been introduced that includes a federal jobs program. A little longer back Carter actually signed one into law after Democrats passed it.

If we are going this route I would rather see UBI. Other attempts leave people behind and become cumbersome and political in there implementation.

[HenryWallace]

91. No need to comment... You did a pretty good job!

[Eliot Rosewater]

108. It is not are these ideas which were presented BEFORE Bernie mentioned them by democrats,

good ideas, they are.

Damn good, though all here wont agree.

The problem is we cant possibly do anything about it until we have veto proof majorities in both houses AND the WH, though you could do it without the WH I suppose.

But we are how many years away from that? So demanding perfect candidates or insisting on doing things that CANT and WONT happen is actually a way to PREVENT democrats from being elected.

As you know, I wish people would set priorities.

[NCTraveler]

117. I one hundred percent agree with your sentiment here.

I’m just not going to attack our crazy uncle anymore. That doesn’t mean I won’t highlight to his peeps that they have a party with members who have been pushing that which they just discovered.

[HenryWallace]

146. Which comes first; the chicken or the egg...

If your objective is take the House, by all means do the expedient (you may see it as a matter of self-defense).

But understand, it comes at a cost; the inability to meaningfully effect the lives of most of the people who voted for you. And in embracing less than optimal solutions, we sow the seeds of our next electoral loss. The never ending “horse race.”

If however, your objective is to provide universal material economic benefit to all Americans and, in so doing, establish a permanent and lasting movement, then your strategy might be a little different.

[Eliot Rosewater]

149. ignoring this

[Sophia4]

56. The Week is always trying to get us to subscribe by sending us free copies.

I don't like that magazine because I think it is a sneaky conservative mouthpiece.

I just don't like it.

[LisaM]

101. That's what bothers me. These are not new ideas, nor are they original to Sanders.

The Democrats have always pushed for jobs programs and robust benefits. It's so unfair to the many good Dems who've worked hard for years on these things to be shunted off and dismissed as if these things weren't in the platform all along, or aren't part of the party's core DNA.

[NCTraveler]

106. This is a pretty good read. Might interest you.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/how-to-guarantee-a-job-for-every-american

[tonyt53]

105. But, as you clearly see, it doesn't matter unless Bernie says it. Thanks for posting this!

[Maven]

7. ...

[AJT]

8. Does anyone know what type of jobs would be offered?

How do you do this in rural areas?

[Sophia4]

62. Infrastructure improvements.

I visited a family member who lives in a small town recently. The lack of decent infrastructure in the surrounding countryside was pretty shocking. What has happened to small town America? No shopping. No community. Where is it?

Meanwhile housing prices in Los Angeles and other big cities are skyrocketing and we have so many, many homeless under our bridges and in other public places while out streets (in cities) are full of trash. There is lots of work to do where the homeless and poorest people live. Infrastructure. Decent schools. Alternative forms of energy. A grid to insure energy is everywhere and inexpensive. Public transportation. Our country could be a much better place to live -- in rural and urban areas if we had better infrastructure.

[MrsCoffee]

9. Because conquering the Democratic Party, not the KGOP, is the ultimate goal?

[treestar]

14. +1

[thesquanderer]

48. The first is how you get the second, if you believe that bold liberal ideas are the key to victory.

[justhanginon]

60. You nailed it! His lifelong dream.

[ismnotwasm]

11. .

[LexVegas]

12. ...

[PaulX2]

13. We Could Pay For This By Taxing The Folks With 50 TRILLION In The Tax Havens

Or is it 100 trillion.....

[SammyWinstonJack]

32. A Trillion here, A Trillion there, pretty soon we're talking big money.

Tax the Rich. Enough with their GREED.

[Eliot Rosewater]

110. Great idea, agreed. We of course CANT do that anytime soon so I say how

about we focus ONLY on one thing for now, remove the NAZI FASCIST in the WH.

[Orsino]

15. Where the fuck did that overblown headline come from? n/t

[thesquanderer]

49. Headlines are designed to be provocative and draw attention.

Interestingly, headlines are often not written by the people who write the articles.

[Eliot Rosewater]

111. Misleading and untrue headlines like that help along a narrative that he has conquered the party

which is the furthest thing from the truth, of course.

OP of course made sure to get that headline on here but it is the headline of the writer of the article, so that writer is no longer credible.

[treestar]

16. What exactly?

What policies have they adopted?

The base is black voters. So I don't see Bernie's approach working.

[thesquanderer]

41. re: "What policies have they adopted?"

It's spelled out pretty well in the linked piece, did you read it? Many Dems are indeed promoting ideas he kickstarted into the national conversation, and being bolder. The conclusion sums it up, "before Trump won, the idea of the Democrats hitching their wagon to Medicare-for-all, a $15 minimum wage, or a national public works program seemed radical. But if Sanders' campaign delivered no other message to the Democrats, it was that they needed to get out of their comfort zone. Go big or go home."

[Cha]

20. NO BS hasn't.. although some are certainly

trying to push him down everyone's gullet.

It's not working.

[oasis]

28. I'm for putting Bernie on hold unless and until he reveals his income taxes.

He's had plenty time to get them before the voting public. No more excuses.

[Cha]

31. Yes, it's about time.. all of

them.

Mahalo, oasis

[oasis]

45. How can we take his pie-in-the-sky proposals seriously when he

he can't deliver on the one thing that he has power over?

[Cha]

46. Excellent

point!

[thesquanderer]

50. The article is not about Bernie, it's about the ideas, and how others are running with them. (nt)

[Eliot Rosewater]

112. How ONE person calling themselves a liberal would NOT DEMAND he release

his tax returns pisses me off.

Actually, you cant be a liberal and not demand it.

[oasis]

116. The non release of income taxes is BAGGAGE. Imagine

the disadvantage of a candidate for 2020 entering into a debate with some lame excuse.

[smirkymonkey]

163. I am so tired of this bullshit.

From now on I am trashing all Bernie threads. I am so sick of hearing about him. You are right, it's not working.

Mahalo Cha!

[zentrum]

22. K&R for Bernie!!

[hueymahl]

23. A lot of folks not liking this story

Which I get, b/c the headline is inflammatory. I wish some of them would be less childish with the emoji's and actually provide something substantive, but oh well.

I am personally a fan of these types of ideas, regardless of who raises them. Bernie has a platform to speak from, so they are getting some much needed attention. To me, that is a good thing, regardless of your animosity toward the speaker.

[trixie2]

35. I need for non Democrats to not invade the Democraticundgerground

Start a Bernie site and discuss it there! You wonder why discussions are down? Why posters are fleeing? It is because of crap like this. I don't hate BS but when I come to this board I want to discuss Democrats and what we can do as a party. Discussing a person who WILL NEVER JOIN THE DEMOCRATS AND THEIR PARTY DOES US NO GOOD.

Trash/Ignore

[hueymahl]

39. The childishness on this site has reached epic proportions

If there are people fleeing or not posting, THAT is the reason.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

67. He has always caucused with the Dems. He ran as a Dem in the primary.

Would you rather he not do those things? Because it would not be a good thing for the Dem party if he quit doing those.

But, hey, purity first, right?

[Demsrule86]

127. I would rather he would be quiet...minimum wage raise ...yes please the country supports this...

but guaranteed income will get us a loss of McGovern proportions. We are not there yet and have not sold it to the country.

[Duppers]

82. Ideas are being discussed.

Bernie just proposed another good one. Many here do not want to discuss personality politics.

Talk about advocating small tent ideology, sheesh!



And, btw, I'll be truly SHOCKED if Bernie runs for president ever again.

[SammyWinstonJack]

37. Something about Bernie just pisses people off.

[Nitram]

47. Something? The fact that he has never been supportive of the Democratic Party. Not even when he was

running as a Democrat? The fact that he continues to attack the Democratic Party instead of the GOP? And then some troll posts an inflammatory headline about Sanders "conquering" the Democratic Party?

[shanny]

52. "never been supportive of the D party"?

despite having caucused with it forever? oh, OK

[SidDithers]

85. Is Bernie trueblue or green?...nt

Sid

[Nitram]

89. Caucused in support of issues he agreed with. Some Republicans do that too on occasion.

Never supported the party. Clinton raised millions to help fellow candidates. Made appearances.

[shanny]

102. Never means never. eom

[Nitram]

104. Never supported Democrats. Supported Democratic issues that he agreed with.

[RandomAccess]

125. Here's a clue for you --

Criticism from a friend and ally IS support. Bernie wants the party to be better. I do too.

[shanny]

162. We agree.

[PaulX2]

58. It's Complicated Nitram

Bernie supports the Democratic PLATFORM not the party per se. It's complicated.

He doesn't have to make Wall Street feel secure while he is trying to give me a raise.

He just tries to give me the raise.

And I appreciate it.

America is ran by oligarchs and their money.

There is a huge difference between Democrats and Republicans but the money pushes THEM ALL.

It doesn't push Bernie.

That is why tens of millions supported him.

He held up his hand and said enough. (Elizabeth too) (Ted Kennedy Too)

I say enough.

Get the money out.

[mountain grammy]

73. Exactly.

It’s why I support him and Warren and anyone with Democratic ideals that the rich will do fine even with redistribution of wealth.

[nolabels]

76. Buckets full of money in politics has been a problem since forever

The only way it got somewhat reduced for while was when they taxed the crap out of it. Our country has been going the wrong way on that issue since the mid-sixties.

I also see a lot of the don't-mess-with-apple-cart types here anymore. Mostly they have this idea if they can just get in front of something before it happens it won't change. Too bad for them, they just could never figure out change is inevitable.

[KitSileya]

121. How can we know money doesn't push Bernie

Unlike the Democratic candidates for nominee, one of which has released her returns since 1992, he hasn't released proper tax returns. Only abbreviated 2014 returns, so we know nothing about previous years - or maybe even more importantly considering the FBI investigation, later years.

[Cha]

69. Exactly, Nitram..

Thank You!

[BeyondGeography]

70. When HRC was in the Senate they voted the same way 93 percent of the time

If “support for the Democratic Party” means voting with Democrats, you have no argument.

[MuseRider]

75. A troll?

"And then some troll posts an inflammatory headline about Sanders "conquering" the Democratic Party?"

Really?

[Nitram]

88. There could be no explanation for the headline other than to get a rise out of Democrats.

Please don't be disingenuous. I'm open to another explanation if you can offer a believable one...

[MuseRider]

90. The poster who posted

this posts all things Bernie and has for a very long time. Get over it and don't call people you obviously don't know anything about a troll just because you don't like the subject matter. It is an article that is of interest to others, sorry. We have not yet gone all the way over to thoughtless masses.

[Nitram]

95. If this were not the DEMOCRATIC Underground forum I'd agree.

[MuseRider]

96. Then perhaps you should

read the TOS and the comments by Skinner about this. You have been here long enough to know that progressives are allowed here. The only qualification that I remember, and I have not heard of a change, is that you must support the Democratic nominee.

[Nitram]

99. On the contrary, if you've read the TOS you know the highest principle is to "Support Democrats."

Not just Democratic nominees. Talk of "conquering the Democratic Party" creates an "us and them" atmosphere within the party. The TOS state that we expect our members to...participate in a manner which promotes a positive atmosphere."

[MuseRider]

114. And you are being that positive ideal?

If posting an article about someone you don't like causes this much distress it really is not worth my time here. We used to laugh at the other side for just this kind of single minded thinking. I get it, you don't like Bernie. So what?

The poster was not responsible for the title of the article but when you post an article you normally do not change the title of it when you post it.

If you can get passed your obvious objection you might see that it was a positive post about ideas that are so old and so needed and for me it was a YAY for the Dems to be coming to this loud enough for others to notice. None of this is Bernie's idea, they are old ideas that should be used in a just and free society. None of them are happening. It does not matter one whit who it came from, and Bernie would agree with that, it just needs to be done and they are talking about it so everyone can hear now. How is that not positive? Are you really going to throw all that out because you did not like the title of the article?

[PaulX2]

92. No Legislation Can Get Passed Unless The 1% Makes Out Like Bandits

If Bernie or Hillary support a bill, and they voted the same 93% of the time, they had to compromise. In order to do something "good" for regular Americans they needed to give Wall Street 95% of the benefit. Then we get our crumbs. 7% of the time the trade off even Bernie couldn't stomach.

http://www.upworthy.com/20-years-of-data-reveals-that-congress-doesnt-care-what-you-think

If the billionaires don't get new yachts you don't get your anything.

I read this years ago.

Nothing has changed.

http://www.businessinsider.com/major-study-finds-that-the-us-is-an-oligarchy-2014-4

Hillary and Bernie both want to help the majority of Americans. The price is soooooooo high. Trillions of debt passed onto our children just so the have lesses can have less.

[PaulX2]

34. This Wasn't Bernie's Idea

Roosevelt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Bill_of_Rights

"We" got away from this....

[MuseRider]

74. Correct and not a single thing about Bernie

implies this has to be "HIS" idea. I don't think he gives a flying f*** about how this gets done. He pushes it, plans it and if someone else introduces it I doubt he really cares. Somehow there are people here who always find someone who has said something similar and likely never did anything more than mention it and calls Sanders a stealer of their ideas. These are not even his ideas for the most part, they are done in other countries successfully.

You hit the nail on the head with this, "We got away from this". Yes we did and this is in good part why we are where we are now.

[Victor_c3]

38. Yes, yes, yes!

Immagine what such a thing would do for the economy!

Shitty employers paying shit wages would have to offer more to their workers if they wanted to keep them. I’m sure prices would go up a slight degree. On the other hand, more people would be able to live a better quality of life. We’d all be winners with such a scheme.

[PaulX2]

42. Tax The Billionaires Not Force Hard Working Business Owners To Earn Less

I have 6 employees, and many of them make more than I do.

But the cost of my alarm went from $35 a month to $109 for the same alarm with the same service.

I know how bad I am being screwed.

All the money is in the "assets" of our owners.

[Lil Missy]

43. Who??

[panfluteman]

55. Even Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential Campaign

Saw this political trend and wisely but cynically capitalized on it. I feel that, after each day of hard campaigning, he would go back to his hotel room in the evening and watch some videos of Bernie Sanders' campaign speeches, to borrow or co-opt some of his lingo. And then he went right back on the campaign trail and put some of that lingo into the speeches he made to poor rural Americans. But the big difference between Trump and Bernie was that Bernie was sincere and in earnest when he made those promises - Trump wasn't.

[Sophia4]

65. I think you are right.

[R B Garr]

164. Trump is a con man. If he copied what Bernie was saying,

what does that mean? It is not a good thing to have the same talking points as a con man.

[mshasta]

61. ahahhahahaha

he wishes will be like the Obama acceptance


let the new generations stepped in

[Still In Wisconsin]

63. ...and the purpose for posting this here is? n/t

[johnp3907]

64. HELP! HELP!

I’ve been conquered!

[mshasta]

68. good one!

[NurseJackie]

77. ...

[Maven]

81. Also:

[NurseJackie]

84. Love it!

[sheshe2]

137. There's more!

[NurseJackie]

154. That's great! An animated gif is worth a thousand (or more) words.

[sheshe2]

155. True.

[Maven]

159. ...

[BoneyardDem]

78. I'm thinking this is a fucking joke

[MFM008]

83. Sanders again...

[Proud Liberal Dem]

86. "Conquered"?

That's a bit extreme IMHO.

[ProfessorPlum]

87. stupid way to frame this. But I'm happy for Democrats to actually push for progressive policies

that's a move they rarely try, but is most welcome.

[dawg day]

109. Hmm... the party of FDR...

LBJ... Obama-- and now Liz Warren and Kamela Harris.... rarely tries to push for progressive policies?
Well, I guess maybe "pushing for" is more important than "getting" progressive policies?

Sanders "pushes for", and that's great.

But "getting" is greater, and no one "gets" progressive policies better than the Democratic party. Could they do better? Sure, but anyone who pretends that the party hasn't achieved progressive policies must have been asleep since WWII.

[ProfessorPlum]

118. golly gee

you are new, aren't you?

[peggysue2]

94. Hummm

And the author of this piece? What little I could find indicates he describes himself as decidedly 'a lefty with a newly discovered respect for conservatism and communitarianism, as well as a libertarian streak in economic policy.'

That Horseshoe Theory writ large. Again.

As for Bernie Sanders? He's conquered the Democratic Party in his daydreams. None of the issues this author cites were St Bernard's original ideas.. Btw, saying it and making it so are completely different. The devil is in the details, something Sanders always falls short on.

Can we stop with this nonsense? Because HELLO, the November elections are looming large.

There's one thing I can absolutely predict: We don't take the majority in the November elections, there will be no room for daydreaming, speculation, or would'a, could'a, should'a. The American experiment will be dead along with the House that Bernie Built, the one made of straw.

[OilemFirchen]

135. Probably not the Horseshoe Theory.

More like Horseshit Throwing. It's a political philosophy inspired by a Chinese menu, and all the rage these days among the New Journalism clique. Understanding nothing is a bonus, especially when communicating with a readership who understands even less.

But your point is well taken.

[sheshe2]

138. ...

[Sugarcoated]

115. LOL

[JCanete]

119. The framing of Sanders influence, whatever it has been, as conquering the party is not at all

helpful. It suggests civil war or heated battle rather than a negotiation of direction and some common agreement that has come out of 2016. It suggests that Senators have been forced to take these things up, rather than to have been freed up a little to have the opportunity to do so with the help of a more primed public. And that work has also been done by Senators over the yeare who may have been isolated when they tried it, but have, as has been suggested here, proposed this very type of legislation in the past. This is more a confluence of all of that effort helping to move us in this direction. The real news is that its not just a single senator or congressperson with his or her ass in the wind anymore. Its still just a handful, but its who that handful is that is promising. Its the presumed frontrunners for the 2020 nomination who seem to be getting out front on these reforms. I'm excited for our future if we can survive the next 3 years.

[Jim Lane]

172. It wasn't all because of Bernie but his campaign was a factor

The first Congress in which a majority of the Democrats in the House co-sponsored a single-payer bill was... the first Congress elected after Bernie's campaign.

The proposal had of course been around for years. It wasn't Bernie's idea. What changed in 2016 was that someone ran a national political campaign advocating the idea and got more than 13 million votes. He did far better than the commentariat had expected a self-described democratic socialist to do. Did those election results have at least some impact on the political environment? Call me crazy but I'd say Yes.

And, please, I know that one of his opponents, the one saying that his plan for universal health care would never ever happen, got more votes than he did. There's really no need to remind me, especially given that it doesn't refute what I'm saying. Bernie did far better than had, for example, Dennis Kucinich. Their platforms were similar in many ways but the greater success of Bernie's campaign meant that he was more effective in pushing the political dialog to the left.

[JCanete]

173. Hey Jim, I certainly didn't mean to undermine Sanders contribution to our current politicdal climate

on the democratic side of the aisle, and you'll find plenty of very recent posts of me making note of what you just did...that he wasn't simply at the right place at the right time...that he cultivated a relationship over the years with those of us on the left who appreciated the values he spoke to, he has been doing his part to set the stage for more liberal politics in Washington for decades...it has only recently gotten big visible traction.

I just see no reason to stoke animosity with fellow democrats rather than trying to find common ground. The animosity may not be surmountable but the kind of language in the title of the post isn't an appeal to values...it comes across as more of an "in your eye!" to those who like the party as it has been and see Sanders presence on the stage as an assault.

[Jim Lane]

175. I agree with you that the headline's wording was clickbait

As you say, its effect was to stoke animosity. Nevertheless, I also agree with Donkees's decision to follow good practice in using the linked article's headline, rather than substituting her own. There's no implication that she agrees with the headline. (BTW, even the article's author may not agree with it. No form of the word "conquer" appears except in the headline. In many publications, authors don't control the headlines, even on their own work.)

Thanks for your comment about Bernie's contribution. What's obvious from this thread (and from many others) is that some people on this board DO deprecate Bernie's contribution. If we consider the universe of all Democratic politicians and public figures, including independents who align themselves with Democrats, Bernie comes in for more bashing in DU posts than do all the others combined. I was reacting more to that atmosphere than to the specific statements in your post.

[Progressive dog]

123. No he hasn't

conquered the Democratic party, and if he is trying to, he should first join it.

[BannonsLiver]

126. ...

[Kolesar]

132. The insurance companies killed single payer but the obtuse Bernie fans refuse to acknowledge it

Because she stole the nomination or superdelegates or crooked Hillary or come back tomorrow and post the same thing.

[JCanete]

174. And how did they do that? Who fails to acknowlege that insurance companies have undue influence? nt

[OilemFirchen]

134. Why don't you ever participate in your own threads?

That's a bit unusual, don't you think?

Don't you think?

[sheshe2]

140. +++

[OilemFirchen]

145. Hey She!

Remember when discussion boards had, like, discussions?

We sure had some weird ideas back in the day.

[sheshe2]

150. I could say more...

Yet will leave it at yes, I remember when we had actual discussions.



PS...I love to talk to people in the OPs I post.

[DFW]

167. Enola Gay didn't hang around, either, after all. n/t

[Kolesar]

177. Good catch...eom

[Blue_Tires]

139. If he actually joined the party he'd be perfect....

[sheshe2]

142. * sigh

[Paladin]

152. Way too many Bernie threads popping up at DU right now.

I'm highly suspicious, and I advise other for-real Democrats to be the same.

[DFW]

165. Teilen und siegen, as they say in Dresden

I'd be more than just "suspicious."

[Hekate]

166. When did he rejoin the Democratic Party? Inquiring minds want to know. nt

[JNelson6563]

176. Lolz oh bullshit.