Bernie Sanders lays out bold 10-point plan for Democrats

[Hassin Bin Sober]

Bernie Sanders lays out bold 10-point plan for Democrats

https://www.alternet.org/bernie-sanders-lays-out-bold-10-point-plan-democrats

While affirming that he “strongly” disagrees with former Newt Gingrich, who led the GOP in the House in the mid-1990s, “on virtually every issue,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is calling on Democrats in Congress to rip a page of out the Georgia Republican’s playbook by creating—and aggressively pushing—a new progressive version of the Contract With America in order to galvanize the nation, offer real solutions to its most urgent problems, and go beyond being simply anti-Trump.

In stark contrast to Gingrich’s original version—”a radical right-wing agenda full of tax breaks for the wealthy, massive cuts to programs vital to working families, and racist and cruel bills to ‘reform’ welfare and our criminal-justice system”—Sanders argues in a Washington Post op-ed on Thursday that Democrats should instead forge a vision that “reflects the needs of working Americans — centered on economic, political, social, racial and environmental justice.”

While celebrating the “Blue Wave” in the midterms that saw Democrats reclaim control of the U.S. House and acheive major wins in state houses and governors’ mansions nationwide, Sanders writes that while it is clear a majority of the American people “rejected President Trump’s agenda benefiting the wealthy and the powerful, as well as his racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia and religious bigotry,” it simply “is not good enough for Democrats to just be the anti-Trump party.”

If Democrats, he writes, “want to keep and expand their majority in the House, take back the Senate and win the White House, Democrats must show the American people that they will aggressively stand up and fight for the working families of this country — black, white, Latino, Asian American or Native American, men and women, gay or straight. This means addressing the crisis of a broken criminal-justice system and reforming inhumane immigration policies. But it also means fighting to expand a middle class that has been disappearing for more than 40 years, reducing inequality in both income and wealth — which has disproportionately hurt African Americans and Hispanics — and aggressively combating climate change, the most urgent threat facing our planet.”

[Me.]

1. Thank You For Your Concern Sen. Sanders

But the Dems have got this and you'll have to just bear with us not following Loser Gingrich's playbook.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

2. You mean The Democratic Senate Leadership that Bernie is part of? Yeah, they've got this.

[Me.]

4. So He's Not Referring To The House?

That Gingrich reference led me to believe otherwise. And yes, Nancy has this, thank you very much.

[democrank]

9. Senator Sanders is referring to a NEW version, a progressive version of

the Contract with America. It’s a good idea. I welcome all the help we can get with a progressive agenda, including from Independents.

[Me.]

15. Well If You Listen To Speaker Pelosi

You'll find she has it all covered and doesn't need to copy anyone, and Rep. Cummings reiterated their plans this morning as the Sen, at the very same time, was handing out his thoughts for what the Dems should do on a different network. Our Dems leaders are smart people who know exactly what this past election was about and have been saying it over and over.

[democrank]

20. To me, it's not about a party, it's about my country.

I welcome anyone willing to help....including Independents.

[stopbush]

121. The help an Indie like Sanders can provide is horribly over estimated.

Pelosi and the D leadership are WAY ahead of any idea Sanders might have.

[Go Vols]

225. k

And, following the 2016 election, a parade of would-be 2020 aspirants -- Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand -- signed onto Sanders' "Medicare For All" single-payer health care proposal. It's a role he played in 2016, albeit a somewhat unlikely one. Clinton, once she realized that Sanders posed a real threat to her chances, moved hard left on virtually every issue -- ensuring there was no space between her and the Vermont senator.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/29/politics/bernie-sanders-2020-analysis/index.html

[lapucelle]

13. I thought some naysayers were insisting that there wouldn't be a blue wave?

It's nice to see them proven wrong.

[JCanete]

46. there were people saying don't be complacent....but hey, do what you want with it. nt

[Cha]

47. BS said he ".. didn't see it coming.." Well

IT CAME.. Through the Democratic Party's Hard Work and they don't need BS telling them what to do.

[calimary]

83. Such curious initials...

[pandr32]

120. LOL!

[lapucelle]

7. The BS reference seems to be to the House. I'm sure Leader Pelosi will take any suggestions

from outside her caucus under advisement.

Given the fiery independent's efforts and record in outreach, I'm sure Nancy will know exactly what to do with his advice.

[thesquanderer]

96. BS is in her (the Dem's) caucus. (n/t)

[Me.]

99. No He's Not

he's in the Senate

[thesquanderer]

109. He caucuses with the Dems. And as far as we know, they're happy to have him there. (n/t)

[Me.]

138. He Caucuses With Senate Dems

not the House Dems

[George II]

200. He's a Senator. Pelosi is the Democratic leader in the House.

[lapucelle]

124. Leader Pelosi's caucus is House Democrats. BS is a senator. N/T

[thesquanderer]

127. LOL! I'll blame the trypotophan.

My point was that BS caucuses with Dems (yes, yes, in the *senate*) and they seem happy to have him. So that kind of turns the question from "should Pelosi care about what an Independent says" to "should Pelosi care about what a (Dem caucus member) Senator says."

[Me.]

139. You Keep Missing The Point About How Things Are...Is It Deliberate

The Dems she cares about are in the House and it's their opinion that concerns her and why you don't have other Senators telling her what she should do.

[thesquanderer]

152. That's fine. As I tried to say....

... I understand now that the concern (at least for some) is whether she should care what a Senator says, opposed to whether she should care what a non-Dem-who-caucuses-with-Dems says. Not the same thing.

[GulfCoast66]

156. Wrong! Different houses.

She could give a damn about what a Senator wants her to do.

Let me edit. She could give a damn about what a non-Democratic party member in the senate wants her to do.

[thesquanderer]

195. Yes, addressed in my subsequent replies. Though again, 2 diff issues.

Right, he's a Senator. Maybe she doesn't care about advice from a Senator, ok. But to your second point, the members of Congress value all those who caucus with the Dems, whether they call themselves Dems or Inds. Hence, Dems can give an Ind committee assignments (even positions of ranking member or chair), as they have done. This Dem bias against BS's Ind status exists among some here in the bleachers, but is not an issue for those actually in the game.

[George II]

104. Did you forget this?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

12. Exactly HBS... and everyone knows that Bernie has led the progressive agenda for DECADES that most

Democrats embrace today... some only recently, after seeing the positive response of the voters to the positions Bernie has espoused. We need more leaders like Bernie who SET the agenda. It's one thing for politicians to take polls to decide what positions to advocate... it is quite another to take positions that shift polls in their direction, which is the sign of a true leader.

[Power 2 the People]

78. Well said InAbluEsTaTe.

Bernie is leading us back to our true Democratic roots.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

89. How some people here can't see that is astounding... or, maybe don't want to see is more accurate.

[Power 2 the People]

110. Then they would have to admit that we took a wrong turn in the 90's by lurching right

Now we are moving to the left where we should have always remained. FDR is our standard bearer not Joe Lieberman or any DLC,3rd way conservadem. We are the party of working people, not banks or corporations.

[Small-Axe]

114. Utter nonsense.

The Clintons, Al Gore, Obama, Biden, and Pelosi (plus Democrats who are too mant to name) are the modern inheritors of FDR's liberal Democratic Party.

"Lurch to the right" is a smear of our party. Is this rot allowed here?

[R B Garr]

134. Thanks! The same losing smears are starting up again,

and thanks for correcting it. It’s especially laughable in a vile way considering Clinton actually won. Bernie could have ran, but no one bothers to bring that up in context of the times. Only the Clintons’ get smeared, and it’s rot, you are right.

[dawg day]

190. Or could it be that this tendency to attribute all this to this one man in particular---

Sounds like cult behavior, and we have enough of that with the GOP.

Bernie Sanders is one person. He says a lot of things, many of them good. Many of the things he says are said by others, including many serving as Democratic members of Congress.

Many of us are tired, as no doubt the Democrats in Congress are, of having every liberal or progressive idea-- including the many that have been fought for by others for decades-- attributed to Bernie Sanders, as if he's the only one who is brave enough to say it--

And as if "saying it" is all that really matters.

That many of us don't worship Bernie obviously is a problem for some, but maybe we're not all that good at worshipping.

This isn't about a single man, for goodness sake.

[disillusioned73]

211. Spot on..

it needs to be said - repeatedly..

The Joe Liebernisation must end...

[tecelote]

93. We need more leaders like Bernie who SET the agenda.

Exactly!

[Small-Axe]

94. No, I'd say everyone knows BS has led the Populist agenda for decades.

True leaders build coalitions when they serve as legislators and develop comprehensive and well-vetted plans. BS has done poorly in this regard.

His populist positions are sometimes regressive, he seems to put little thought into the unintended consequences of his positions, and he has no record of real accomplishments.

Being progressive is about advancing progress.

The Democratic Party has liberal values and a record of genuine progress that shines brightly in comparison.

[George II]

111. No he hasn't. Can you direct us to some real, concrete accomplishments of his over those....

.....decades?

The agenda HAS been set, and has been in place for several years. It's known as the Democratic National Committee Platform. The Democratic agenda is set by Democrats.

[George II]

69. Do you know the function of his Senate Leadership position?

[marylandblue]

3. I am not a Bernie fan, but I don't see anything wrong with what he said.

[Me.]

6. I Think He Should Stop Telling Dems What They Should Do

because unlike others, I believe him when he adamantly says he's not a DEm. What is he going to do should be the question.

[realmirage]

11. You should support Democratic allies

rather than tearing them down. We need all the votes we can get.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

16. Precisely!! Good luck though,hatin on Bernie to tear him down 4 reasons I cannot begin to understand

is non-stop around here.

[area51]

28. +1 n/t

[Me.]

18. REally

So I guess you've missed all the scolding and admonishing he's been doing regarding the Dems.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

32. It's called smart advice.

[Cha]

35. No, it's Not.. it's call insulting our Democratic Party

with names like "weak" and "elite" which he got Wrong.

[Me.]

48. Cute

Never heard that definition before except from patriarchs, you know the 'for your own good' kind.

[Cha]

36. BS insults our Democratic Party with epithets

like "weak" and "elite". It goes way beyond "scolding" in my opinion.

[Me.]

50. Well There's A Big Field Of Dems Going/Wanting To Run In '20

and the focus and support will be on them and believe me, they won't be kicking around those who they need to support them. It's the Nancy Pelosi school of thinking...honey rather than vinegar.

Nice to see you Cha...

[Cha]

52. Yeah, Honest Honey!

Last edited Sun Nov 25, 2018, 07:07 PM - Edit history (1)

Not distilled vinegar.

Great Visionary Points, Me.

You, too,

[Cha]

33. Tell that to BS when he insults our Democratic Party.

[realmirage]

184. I think what he's doing at this point

is pushing the Party to be better. To some it comes off as insulting, but I don’t take it that way. I always want my Party to be challenged to be its best. I think there are things the Dem Party is doing well and there are areas where it could do better.

2 years ago was different, and I don’t like things that were said any more than you do. But I don’t feel like we can afford to hang on to that. This next election is so important that unity and striving for our top goals is more important than how I feel about the past. I feel like it’s logical that he has the largest base of followers and so I’m just anticipating him as the front runner and the eventual nominee and I’m ok with that because the alternative is obliteration under drumpf.

If it’s some other nominee than I’ll be behind them 100 percent as well. I just don’t see anyone like Obama who could swoop in and take the nomination. But anything can happen. I’m open to all options including Sanders. This is just the way it is. I know that everyone will support the nominee whoever it is, I just don’t think it wise to put deep cracks in the nominees before the general election. Been there done that.

[Cha]

192. No, he's NOT. BS isn't even paying Attention

to what our Democratic Party is doing.

Spouting.. "It is not good enough for Democrats to just be the anti-Trump party"

Nancy Pelosi encouraged candidates to forget about trump's day to day shite and concentrate on HEALTH CARE!

BS is Late to the DEMOCRATIC BLUE WAVE Party.



We Won on Health CARE It was about HEALTH CARE, BS.. Get with the Message!

[realmirage]

197. Health care is one issue

And it’s very important but there are other issues we’re losing the war of perception on like immigration and globalization to name just two. Sanders speaks to those issues better than most democrats.

The guy is on our side. I know ALOT of Sanders supporters who really liked him 2 years ago and they still like him. We need to realize these people want what’s best too. We all have our strong opinions but at the end of the day we are on the same side.

[Cha]

223. BS gets it Wrong again.

[R B Garr]

224. This is laughable and exposes the superficiality of these

empty underhanded attacks on Democrats. The midterm results prove you totally wrong. Democrats gained by focusing on keeping the health care already fought for, and he doesn’t speak better than Democrats. This is the second election cycle that he was rebuffed in very liberal California.

The parroting of those empty promo lines gets really old.

[George II]

74. Is he? Perhaps he could follow the example of Independent Senator Angus King.

[progressoid]

162. And be a centrist?

[George II]

164. Is that the only way to see it?

[progressoid]

191. Uhm...an uninspiring centrist?

[George II]

207. Apparently he inspires his constituents, which is a big part of his job.

[sheshe2]

112. That goes both ways, correct?

realmirage
11. You should support Democratic allies

rather than tearing them down. We need all the votes we can get.

He is our ally and we are his, correct? Then by your own words he should not tear down his allies.

[marylandblue]

17. He caucuses with the Democrats, and agrees with Democrats on many issues

So presumably he has something to say, and Democrats can choose to agree or not.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

37. You're making WAYYYY too much sense mb!! Which means your wise observation will be ignored.

Forget common sense... when it comes to Bernie, nothing stands in the way of a good bashing.

[aikoaiko]

23. I welcome Bernie's support and criticisms.

He helps make the party stronger.

[Me.]

30. You May

we'll soon see if House members do

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

38. No doubt!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

45. It's funny how EVERY SINGLE CALCULATION regarding us taking The Senate always includes Sanders.

But wahhhhh! He’s not a Democrat!!!

[Me.]

49. So You Don't Believe Him When He Says He's Not?

[OilemFirchen]

61. It also includes Angus King.

I can't count the number of fawning Angus King threads on DU.

Actually, that's not true. I have counted them. I just can't divide by them.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

70. Can you show me links to Angus King's Democratic get out the vote rallies around the country?

I haven’t seen any.

Which position does King hold in The Senate Democratic Leadership? I must have missed the announcement.

Thanks in advance.

[George II]

80. Why do you ask that? And, you should research the funtion of the Democratic Leadership position.

You may be surprised.

[OilemFirchen]

90. Here you go:

Can you show me links to Senator King criticizing, ostracizing, or belittling the Democratic Party?

BTW, Joe Manchin is Vice Chairman of the Policy & Communications Committee.

[George II]

72. "EVERY SINGLE CALCULATION regarding us taking The Senate always includes".....

....the 45+ Democratic Senators AND the Independent Senator from Maine, Angus King. But I don't remember seeing King lecturing the Democratic Party on what they should be doing.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

91. LOL, Bernie is more of a Democrat based on his voting record than most registered Democrats.

But, of course, that will never be good enough for some people. It feels like it's "Bizarro World"!!

[sheshe2]

122. Would Senator Paul Wellstone agree? Sierra Blanca.

Or the Parkland students? Brady Bill.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

126. I think he would...I said most. Certainly gotta give Sen. Wellstone his due.

[sheshe2]

130. No, I don't think Wellstone would at all.

He fought fearlessly. I think you should reread what happened and who actually sat on the board who helped push it through. This was a very poor and brown community.

Nor the Parkland students fighting for their lives. A school should not be a war zone and simple gun rights should be just that. Simple. A no brainer to fight for children's lives in a place that should be a safe haven for children, to learn, laugh and be given the right to actually grow up. To live.

[Small-Axe]

154. I'm pretty sure Paul Wellstone wouldn't attempt to comfort white folks...

who were uncomfortable voting for African Americans.

[sheshe2]

163. Ummhmm.

Fact.

May that good man rest in peace. Would love to hear his words about today.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

173. Thats like sayin Wellstone wouldnt refer to kids as super predators who needed to be brought to heel

[Small-Axe]

174. Sounds more like Trump re-tweets.

Not a good look on a Democratic forum.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

177. The point is Wellstone wouldnt say a lot of things, so your point is what's not a good look on a

Democratic forum... but thanks for making that clear. Bernie sets a great example for Democrats to follow... why the constant need to disparage this fine man?

[Small-Axe]

179. A Trump re-tweet from 2016 million of a 20 year old quote taken out of context

Vs something BS said this week. I don't agree that he's a great example or one to follow.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

180. Never seen a tRump tweet or retweet. Sorry, I don't follow him... perhaps you do and that's fine.

The point is, I could cite a plethora of positions that some Democrats have taken that Wellstone wouldn't have agreed with, nor would Bernie. The exact timing of when those positions were taken is irrelevant and taking a quote out of context - as you did in Bernie's case - was EXACTLY the point of my previous post. So, you're really just making my case and arguing against yourself.

[Small-Axe]

185. No, I'm definitely not one to follow populists. You?

Trump's tweets of this quote were widely reported in the mainstream media in 2016. I'm sure other sources helped push this 1996 out-of-context quote as well.

The BS quote wasn't out-of-context and it just happened. It is, unfortunately, in a pattern of what seem like significant gaffes on the issues around race.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

186. BS is right... Bernie is as popular as ever for a reason.

Many of the same reasons that made Sen. Wellstone so popular.

[betsuni]

176. WHATABOUTHILLARY

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

178. Nothing to do with Hillary... it's about what Wellstone and what he would or wouldn't say.

[betsuni]

182. If it's nothing to do with Hillary, perhaps better not repeat old right wing propaganda about her.

Trump: "How quickly people forget that Crooked Hillary called African-American youth 'SUPER PREDATORS.'" It has nothing to do with anything.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

183. LOL... YOU are the one spreading propaganda... I didn't say a word about African American youth...

never would. I said "KIDS," the words she used... many still AGREE with her. I don't think Wellstone would have agreed with her... if you think he would fine... my point still stands, that is, Wellstone would have disagreed with LOTS of positions other Democrats have advocated. I could cite dozens of other examples off the top of my head... and those wouldn't make those Democrats, or Bernie, any less worthy of our admiration.

[betsuni]

187. Oh, I know what you did.

Nobody's fooled.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

188. You may think you're a "mind-reader," but nobody's fooled.

No need to twist Wellstone's well-known disagreements with fellow Democrats on a whole host of issues... he was an exemplary Senator.

[betsuni]

189. ...

[betsuni]

196. "Aren't most of the people who sell the drugs African-American?"

[JudyM]

218. Oh, snap!

[GulfCoast66]

159. But there is one small problem. Actually a big one.

He’s not a member of the Democratic Party. And publicly criticizes them all the time.

And he has not gotten one thing done in his entire career. Can you tell me some important legislation he has sponsored in the past 30 years that has become law?

Talk is cheap. Results matter.

[sheshe2]

166. ++++

Umhmm1!!

[Small-Axe]

168. I take it that you do not consider renaming post offices "important legislation?"

[GulfCoast66]

169. Can't say I am familiar with that ground breaking legislation

And I try to keep up with important issues.

[Small-Axe]

171. I will take that as a NO!

[Eliot Rosewater]

79. I like you, please do NOT hold your breath on this one. Will never stop

[empedocles]

10. The first priority should be focused on traitortrump

Not a Gingrich style 'contract' [that was an ego driven Gingrich vehicle all about Gingrich].

And, we cannot assume trump will stay on the rails for awhile. trump may figure, December [before the Dems get rolling] is the time to try something really big, to promote/helptrump/ or damage/destroy Dems, etc. - A 'December Surprise'

[marylandblue]

21. I think we should investigate Trump but not focus on him

He wants the negative attention so he can suck all the air out of the room. Better to put forth a group of legislative priorities. We can't run on just being not Trump. I think Pelosi agrees with that as she has discouraged talk of impeachment, and encouraged healthcare and the Green New Deal.

[empedocles]

145. Its arguable, as many, many argue; that trump is such a danger he should be removed from office asap

Pragmatically, the case can be made that trump should first be thoroughly investigated and exposed. Then with necessary, wide popular support, impeached. This could force 'con Senators into very difficult situations. At some point Mueller will provide detailed, convincing evidence.
Until then, Democratic early agendas would tend to disappear in the Senate. Used too often for individual politician interests as seems to be to often the case now - often to the detriment of possible Democratic party accomplishments.

Pelosi, and seasoned hands, want a very, strong case against trump before using what political capital they have - for fear of failing to convict, [which could benefit trump, perhaps greatly]. Dems should not promote a large laundry list of proposals that will not go anywhere - that would just provide plenty of targets for 'cons to dilute popular dem support. A clear, defensible theme will be healthier imo.

[It may be a very unpredictable, wild year or two ahead].

[Ponietz]

201. I agree with you

In my view, the Rule of Law is the absolute bedrock of any free people.
It is the Truth that cuts through propaganda.
Justice, first, and fast.

[qazplm135]

155. I also don't see anything that is either "bold"

or new.

Literally everything on that list is already a part of the Dem platform.

Not figuratively...literally.

[Wintryjade]

158. That is what bothers me the most. His ownership of what Democrats have been working for, for years.

Well before we ever heard from Sanders.

[sheshe2]

167. You are correct, qazplm.

[George II]

71. That's a nice Reader's Digest version of our Democratic Platform.

[George II]

85. As Yogi Berra used to say, this is "like deja vu all over again". This four-day old list....

....has already been fully debated here on DU.

[pnwmom]

131. He can't resist Mansplainin' to Pelosi and all those new women House members. n/t

[Kentonio]

204. Typically divisive bullshit

He's one of the leaders of the progressive movement, and according to you he can't make suggestions about actions the house should make or else he's sexist? Ridiculous.

[LanternWaste]

227. I dig your consistency in accusing people of being divisive.

When the irony (absolutely lost on you) is that the division is born of posters making that charge over and over. Absurdia Redux.

As allegations go, it lacks not merely evidence, but originality going back years ("you guys turned this place into the site of a practical civil war..." "pushing the them and us narrative" "when will you people wise up?&quot




"It's pathetic quite frankly."
Part II. Indeed.

[Kentonio]

231. Sure, its the people complaining about the endless attacks who are the real attackers...

Pretty confident I've heard that line of reasoning somewhere before.

[democrank]

5. Thank you, Bernie.

Unlike Gingrich, some excellent points in your plan.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

22. An excellent plan indeed!! Glad to see a politician who gets it...

we can't win simply by tearing down the Nazi-in-Chief. We can do that, but, at the same time, Democrats need to start off the next Congress by passing in the House a bold progressive agenda and show voters we know how to lead, as Bernie has demonstrated. He's giving his Democratic colleagues wise advice... let's hope they take it.

[realmirage]

8. Indeed

Good plan

[SidDithers]

14. Bernie Sander (I-VT) is telling Democrats what they should do...

Sid

[aikoaiko]

25. And many of us welcome his comments.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

41. No question... I sure do. Bernie speaks truth to power, lighting the way forward.

[brush]

42. How does he plan to get anything past turtleman and the repugs in the Senate?

Not to mention trump?

Reality is reality.

[aikoaiko]

51. We won't know until we try. A lot can happen in 2 years

If these ideas get enough support in red states, anything is possible.

[brush]

58. Do you really think McConnell will even allow a vote to the floor of the Senate?

[aikoaiko]

65. Maybe not, but we can't cower. We have to put it to him and his ilk.

The people need to see that we're fighting for them and that the McConnell and gang are fighting against.

At least I would prefer that we do so. I get the reality of the situation, but doing nothing because of mean ol Mitch is not acceptable.

[brush]

75. Our power is in the House. See post 63.

Last edited Sun Nov 25, 2018, 07:24 PM - Edit history (1)

[aikoaiko]

98. Of course we can and will investigate the hell out of Trump and his admin. That's easy.

But I think it is a mistake to only be the anti-Trump party and we need to fight for things we think are important.

There could be a lot to be gained by painting McConnell and the GOP Senate as blockers after things pass the House.

[brush]

101. That's a good thing, although we know the deplorables aren't deserting trump.

[Me.]

144. He Won't Even Let Con Votes He Doesn't Agree With Come To The Floor

[brush]

151. I know. Some here don't seem to know.

[JCanete]

56. Reality is unequivically showing the American people that the republicans only care about their rich

owners....and SHOWING every step of the way that we will fight those owners, rather than trying to thread the needle between the needs of both in the name of being statesmen, or worse, because we don't think we can win elections without their support. The people with money have enough firepower. They don't need our help finding a compromise between their interests and the needs of public at large.

Make it as black and white as it can be for the voter who is too easily led astray, and then beat the Republicans out of office with fighting rhetoric that doesn't back down and clowns the Republicans at every turn for betraying Americans. Doing battle with the republican base on the other hand, has always been the worst strategy possible.

Besides, do you think a more moderate means of approaching Republicans, like attempting to reach across the aisle, ever bears anything but poisonous fruit? What works is proposing big things loudly and then making the Republicans the reason why we can't get them done. They are the obstructers. Show the American people what they are standing in the way of. Repeat it over and over. Challenge them over and over. We shouldn't be on the defensive. We should be making them feel the need to reach across the aisle to us.

And every time they try to divide us on race and antiquated values call them out for what they are doing. Don't feed into their culture war by making it all about the culture war. Pull back the curtain and explain to the public that these are tactics of distraction. That Republicans don't want to focus on how they are stealing from the commons to pad their pockets. They don't want us to follow the money.

[brush]

63. Tell that to McConnell. Our best bet is to investigate, subpoena...

and hold hearings in the House now that we have that power.

Come 2020 with all the dirty dealings of trump and the repugs exposed to the public we will have a great shot at not just holding the House but regaining control of the Senate (of course we have to also combat vote suppression and gerrymandering). Then we'll be able to deal.

Everything else until then is just "I want a unicorn theory."

[questionseverything]

108. back to the unicorn insults

as I recall that was the hc supporters favorite insult when we were asking for universal healthcare rather than insurance we couldn't afford to use


well if I am wasting my time on a democratic message board asking for healthcare instead of "insurance"

I guess it is my time to waste

[brush]

119. I assume you know how the Senate works, right? The repugs are in charge...

and McConnell can stop any bill from the Dem House going to the floor for a vote. Witness what he did to get Gorsuch on the Supreme Court, and Kavanaugh for God's sake. It ain't happening with repugs in charge. And then there is trump who can then veto.

Come 2020 we may have the Senate as well then we can push through universal healthcare, something we all want.

But let's be real, that's not getting through the repug-led Senate now.

[questionseverything]

228. i don't think even du wants universal healthcare but that is beside the point

so is your idea that the democratically controlled house will produce no legislation?

since mitch wont like it?

I don't think that is a good idea for trying to get re elected in 2020

[Cha]

39. Yeah, The Democratic Blue Wave that BS

stated he "didn't see coming.. ". Well it Did Come Through their Hard Work.. and the Democratic Party can handle their Own Business.

[nolabear]

19. The plan itself is great. But I don't see how he gets it done.

He seems to expect the Dems, who already have structures and networks in place to move an agenda forward that I can guarantee isn’t as immediately far reaching as his, to fall in line with him. He’d accomplish a lot more by trying to work with them to move things forward as much as they can while accepting the fact that it won’t all happen at once.

I’ll admit I don’t like Bernie. He seems disconnected from the realities of the Democratic Party and for a supposedly more socialist Dem he can’t seem to become willing to work with people. He just appears to want his agenda (which, again, is a good goal) to supersede the party’s.

[marylandblue]

24. He was never a team player, not his style

But maybe he feels now is his best moment to push progressive priorities and position himself or a protege for 2020.

[Adrahil]

62. He's a gadfly. Always has been.

He basically makes blue sky plans without having any practical implementation plan.


I now believe he does this party way more harm than good.

[QC]

26. !!!!!

[Cha]

40. And, I for one am Ruddy Happy about that.

Our Democratic Party is Doing BLUE WAVE FINE Without BS.

[ismnotwasm]

27. Nope.

[dem4decades]

29. If he wants to led the Party, he should join it. Just sayin.

[demmiblue]

31. He already has a leadership position in the party.

[Cha]

43. Then why is he always insulting my Democratic

Party by calling it disingenuous names like "weak" and "elite".

Oh, and I don't care that BS is Not a Dem. We're doing BLUE WAVE FINE without him in our Party.

[pnwmom]

132. What is his leadership position in the House? n/t

[grantcart]

148. No he doesn't and he has emphatically stated so. Both he and King

Caucus with the Democrats and get preferred committee assignments. Neither are in the Democratic Party or its leadership and repeating it is stating a falsehood.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

153. Lol

[disillusioned73]

213. Tehehehehe....

[LuvLoogie]

34. Bernie is a third base coach in a league of his own.

He tried to be a DH as a walk on.

[question everything]

44. Well said. I did not bother to read the OP

wondered whether the first "goal" is to become a Democrat. I don't know why he still has admirers on these pages.

[Maven]

53. ZzzzzzzZzzzZZzzZ

Attention seeking gadfly and non-Democrat has opinions. His time would be better spent knitting.

[Me.]

54. Thank You

Made me laugh with the knitting

[George II]

73. Bazinga!

[LexVegas]

55. ...

[violetpastille]

57. This Democrat would like to see Bernies Bold 10 Years of Tax Returns.

Just curious.

[Adrahil]

60. This one too. NT

[elmac]

92. I dont need to see his taxes

because he isn't or hasn't run for president in a GE. But, i'm sure Fox news would disagree with me, hint, hint.

[George II]

102. I want to see his tax returns now, and for at least the last three years, maybe four. Plus...

...we should see his ENTIRE tax return, not just the Form 1040.

It's curious that after being in the House/Senate for 25 years at about $170K per year his 2016 net worth was only $350-500K, and now two years later it's $2M or more.

[Cha]

107. Very Curious.. let's see some

transparency.

[Cha]

106. I don't give a shite what "foxnews disagrees" with..

[MrsCoffee]

115. So transparency in government is not for you.

Got it.

[dsc]

143. Several candidates showed theirs prior to the GE

Hillary for instance in both 08 and 16. Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, and Ted Cruz. Even Martin O'Malley showed 5 years.

[George II]

87. Bazinga! I'd settle for just three or four FULL tax returns, like many many others release.

[Cha]

97. lol & Dead ON, violetpastille!

[Wintryjade]

59. Sanders is not a Democrat to lay out a plan for the Democratic Party. Twice in the last 2 yrs

he has walked away from the Democratic Party name.

[NastyRiffraff]

64. He walked away

Only AFTER he used it. First in his presidential campaign, then in his Senate campaign. He's a grifter and so is his wife.

[Wintryjade]

66. Correct. Twice in two years he used the Democratic Party to then put an "I" after his name.

[Me.]

100. That Bait & Switch Still Appalls Me

we should by now have learned W's fool me once meme by now where he's concerned

[Wintryjade]

113. As a life long Democrat, I am offended. I do not get why he or his supporters would expect otherwise

from us.

[creeksneakers2]

67. It all sounds wonderful

But I'm curious about what all of it would cost. It probably wouldn't be as popular if the public could be convinced that big tax increases for them would be needed.

[PDittie]

103. Probably less than

the cost of 10 or 15 F-35s. It probably would be even more popular if the public could be convinced that no tax increases would be needed.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

181. Yes, big tax increases on the super-rich; so whats the problem? Bout time they paid their fair share

[R B Garr]

203. Bill Clinton raised taxes on the rich. Decades ago. He left

office with a surplus. That surplus would have gone to his vice-president Gore, who was bold enough to introduce climate change policy when it wasn’t cool and trendy. Gore was ridiculed and mocked; now others are trying to mimic him.

No rewriting history with omissions/distortions about Democrats.......

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

205. Yes, I agree, trying to pin middle-class tax hikes on Bernie, as I said, would be such a distortion

when, in fact, he seeks only to tax the rich. That's how you pay for things like Medicare for all - as Bernie has been advocating, even as a few of his Democratic colleagues have criticized him for taking that progressive position - or his climate change policy. So, no question Bill Clinton would agree with Bernie on his tax position, yes.

[R B Garr]

206. Yet much progress could have been done with Universal healthcare

decades ago, but the all-or-nothing advocacy was more important. Not very progressive when examined now.

Al Gore championed climate change decades ago. No band wagoner there, he was the pioneer. Let’s not distort history.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

209. That's where we disagree, which is fine... Medicare for all has always been the best way to go...

and the most progressive policy.

I couldn't agree with you more, however, about Al Gore, so, I'm not sure what your beef is. He is, without a doubt, the undisputed, heavy-weight champion of the world when it comes to climate change policy.

But then, there's nothing wrong with Bernie attempting to continue and complete what Gore started. Why you feel you have to denigrate Bernie with your "band wagoner" comment reflects badly... no doubt, the same could be said for any number of your favorite candidates, perhaps, even more so, in connection with positions that others in the past have championed.

[R B Garr]

210. Rewriting history to make every Democratic accomplishment

tied to Bernie is just not accurate and not sustainable. It’s absurd to imply that Democrats were against climate change when Clinton/Gore were elected 25 years ago. Your comment implying Bernie was ostracized over his climate change view is just false. No rewriting history.

You imply it’s only Bernie’s idea to tax the rich when Clinton actually did it 25 years ago. No rewriting history.

Universal healthcare 25 years ago was certainly progressive. Just touting single payer doesnt make you progressive if you reject other options along the way that could get you there. Public option is progressive. Rejecting Pre-existing condition clauses is progressive. ACA is progressive. Grandstanding isn’t progressive.

[George II]

68. Look like a pared down version of the Democratic National Committee Platform

https://democrats.org/about/party-platform/

Each and every one of those have been in the "plan" (i.e. Platform!) since 2016.

Increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour and indexing it to median wage growth thereafter. (Check!)

A path toward Medicare-for-all. The Medicare-for-all bill widely supported in the Senate has a four-year phase-in period on the way to guaranteeing health care for every man, woman and child. Over the first year, it would lower the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 55, cover dental, hearing and vision care for seniors, provide health care to every young person in the United States and lower the cost of prescription drugs. (Check!)

Bold action to combat climate change. (Check!)

Fixing our broken criminal-justice system. (Check!)

Comprehensive immigration reform (Check!)

Progressive tax reform (Check!)

A $1 trillion infrastructure plan (Check!)

Lowering the price of prescription drugs. (Check!)

Making public colleges and universities tuition-free and substantially reducing student debt. (Check!)

Expanding Social Security. (Check!)

He's missing a few though:

Nothing about organized labor, gun violence, racial equality / systematic racism, support of Veterans, protecting voting rights, and others.

[JCanete]

81. Well hell, if we already have it written somewhere that we can point to incase somebody asks,

I guess its all gravy.

[George II]

84. No, it's not gravy. Gravy includes ALL the ingredients not just some. Flour and water....

....are pretty tasteless without the drippings from the roast.

[JCanete]

88. I'm forced to concede on that point. nt

[sheshe2]

125. Boom!

George II
84. No, it's not gravy. Gravy includes ALL the ingredients not just some. Flour and water....

....are pretty tasteless without the drippings from the roast.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

214. It's one thing to have policies that are planks in the party platform...

It's quite another to put one's political ass on the line and actually advocate vociferously to the electorate to enact those policies in trying to get elected, as Bernie has done, and to push others in the party to do the same.

[johnp3907]

76. Our marching orders!!

So nice of him to Bernsplain the Democratic Party to us Democrats!

[BaronChocula]

82. Hey

At least he's being constructive. Just because it's Bernie doesn't mean it's wrong.

[MrsCoffee]

86. How about he lead by example and join the party. Maybe then people will take him seriously.

Otherwise....

[Phoenix61]

95. How generous of him.

Maybe he should focus on his own party and leave mine alone. Just another old white guy running his mouth telling me what I should do.

[lancelyons]

105. How can you not agree with that. Makes perfect sense and I was big on Bernie.

[Trumpocalypse]

116. Most of the candidates that Sanders endorsed for the House lost.

Is he really the best person to take advice from?

U.S. House endorsements for Bernie Sanders, 2018
Ammar Campa-Najjar Defeated
Barbara Lee Won
Mike Levin Won
Joe Neguse Won
Sanjay Patel Defeated
Jesus Garcia Won
Marie Newman Lost primary
Liz Watson Defeated
Pete D'Alessandro Lost primary
J.D. Scholten Defeated
Greg Edwards Lost primary
Jessica King Defeated
Peter Welch Won
Randy Bryce Defeated

[Me.]

141. Aren't Lee, Welch & Levin Incumbents?

so not really surprised

[SixString]

117. Mahalo Bernie!!

[George II]

128. .

[Hassin Bin Sober]

150. Lol.

[wryter2000]

118. If he wants to tell us what to do

He needs to join the goddamn party.

[kennetha]

123. Isn't there a new rule?

If you want to run in democratic primaries, you actually have to be and serve as a democrat?


https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/391459-dnc-panel-adopts-rule-requiring-candidates-to-run-serve-as-a-democrat

[VOX]

129. Laying out my bold, 1-point plan for Republicans: FUCK OFF.

But, since I'm NOT a Republican, far be it from me to tell them what to do.

[pnwmom]

133. So a male Independent Senator is going to lecture the House Democrats, including

its female leadership and many new members, on how to "keep and expand their majority in the House."

Why doesn't he concentrate on working his magic in the Senate? It seems that they could use more of that there.

[Maven]

136. He's been busy rigging his own primary

So a real Democrat couldn’t mount a credible challenge against him.

His remaining energy is devoted entirely to speechifying against billionayuhs and undermining Democrats. Who has time to legislate?

[R B Garr]

135. So Bernie is on a new book tour, and we get another false alarm

about Democrats??! What an opportunistic coincidence.

[Small-Axe]

147. Available for pre-order now on Amazon and Walmart.com.

[George II]

161. Actually, if you're in New York tomorrow night, you can get a $45 Orchestra ticket to see him....

....at the Town Hall New York theater for a mere $6.00, and that price INCLUDES his latest $27.00 book!

https://www.vividseats.com/theatre/bernie-sanders-tickets/bernie-sanders-11-26-2901605.html

[Small-Axe]

194. Orchestra seats for $7. Or would that seem to plutocratic?

[grantcart]

149. Bingo

[delisen]

137. bernie sees a parade,jumps in front of it, and designates himself leader.

[NurseJackie]

140. You said it! That's absolutely correct!

[MrsCoffee]

142. Ain't that the truth.

He is really full of himself.

[empedocles]

146. Yep,

[George II]

157. Bazinga!

[Wintryjade]

160. Yes, even when he is in the back of the 250k march in Washington DC.

[Adrahil]

165. LOL. On the mark.

Go away Bernie. You had your shot.

[EffieBlack]

172. Exactly!

[Cha]

193. Snap, Analogy!

[EffieBlack]

170. A non-Democrat giving us marching orders? Ok. But what's his plan for Independents?

[JI7]

175. he is a Senator , what does he plan on doing as Senator in the Senate

[Tom Rinaldo]

198. Good question. I think he's been executing his plan for Independents

In short it is to look first to the Democratic Party over the Republicans for policies that tend to support the mass majority of the American public. And look to Democrats whenever possible rather than support a third party candidate Those messages are pitched to Independents rather than to Democratic Party loyalists who almost always take those truths for granted.

Seriously, I don't know why the ranks of Independents keep growing (especially among the young) but they do. Loyal Democrats support Democrats, but loyal Democrats are not even a plurality of the electorate. Sanders, by choosing not to run for President as either an Independent or a Green, tells even idealistic leftist Independents to remain pragmatic enough to work with a coalition that can deliver the goods. By virtue of the choices he himself makes, he steers other non Democrats toward cooperation with the Democratic Party.

[EffieBlack]

199. You "think he's been executing his plan for Independents?"

What plan? Talking is not a plan. Has he written out a plan for Independents and released it? If not, why not?

He's an Independent, not a Democrat, so why is he issuing agendas for a party he doesn't belong to when he hasn't bothered to lay out and communicate a plan for his own political faction?

Would he be receptive to a plan for Independents put together by Chuck Schumer or Nancy Pelosi or the DNC?

[Tom Rinaldo]

208. OK if you want to look at it that way

He issued a policy agenda that he wants the Senate Democratic Caucus to enact. He is a member of that.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

202. Excellent point... but, will not stem the tide of bashing Bernie.

For some, nothing he does to support Democrats and advance progressivism will ever be good enough. They even still go after his wife for alleged wrongdoing... even those things for which she was cleared, while they look the other way when it comes to others.

[R B Garr]

212. Isn't the issue with his wife about transparency and double

standards and that the actions seem to go against his own standards for others, like the $500,000 to a family members woodworking school?? Has that been returned? We’ve been told it’s all about appearances of wrongdoing, but with the Sanders, it has to be like an actual conviction or something. Much different standards it seems.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

215. Thank you for making my point.

[R B Garr]

216. You keep rewriting history, it seems. That's the point.

When you have one set of standards for Democrats but don’t adhere to them yourselves, that’s hypocrisy, and it’s noticeable.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

217. There, you did it again... thank you.

[R B Garr]

220. Rewriting history that diminishes Democrats and misrepresents

them is also “doing it again”. No more rewriting history.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

221. LOL, you CAN'T be serious!!! Ironically, YOU are the one rewriting history

in your refusal to acknowledge, as I have explicitly stated, Al Gore's leadership on the issue of climate change policy. In case you missed it, let me repeat what I said, and I quote:

"I couldn't agree with you more, however, about Al Gore, so, I'm not sure what your beef is. He is, without a doubt, the undisputed, heavy-weight champion of the world when it comes to climate change policy."

Your refusal to accept my full-throated acknowledgment of Al Gore's sterling record of advancing the cause of climate-change policy sounds more like rewriting history to me... unless your sarcasm escapes me, in which case you have my humble apologies.

[R B Garr]

222. You were insinuating that Democrats were against Bernie's

climate change policies when 1) they aren’t Bernie’s policies and 2) Democrats aren’t against them. That is rewriting history. Of course you have to acknowledge Gore’s accomplishments because they are unmistakeable.

No need for me to link to your own posts. Those insinuations that undermine Democrats are a big fail with voters as we’ve seen with the election results, too. People aren’t buying it.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

226. I insinuated no such thing... good try though!!

[R B Garr]

229. Your post #202, and that's just for starters

people note the Sanders’ double standards and hypocrisy and that she had been “cleared” as if that’s all that matters for them while they hold others to different standards.

I figured you would ignore your own posts, though. That’s why I said there’s no need to link to them to continue these excuses and denials.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

230. Apparently you're the one ignoring your own posts... not me as you have claimed. Let's review:

First, you wrongly accuse me of "insinuating that Democrats were against Bernie's climate change policies when 1) they aren’t Bernie’s policies and 2) Democrats aren’t against them. That is rewriting history."

I say I insinuated no such thing... and I certainly did not. Apparently, you're the one who's "rewriting history," not me, by your citing post #202 of mine as the supposed source for that "insinuation" about Bernie's climate change policies. A careful reading of that post doesn't say anything - not a SINGLE WORD, not even a hint - about Bernie's policies on climate change... not even close. Good try though.

As you apparently recognize - and are now trying to change the subject - Post #202 only mentions critics of Bernie going after his wife for alleged wrongdoing for which she was cleared... you really think that insinuates anything about Bernie's climate change policies? Really?!

I see there is no point in trying to have a serious conversation with you, as you are intent on twisting my words beyond all recognition. Perhaps, you can find someone else who will play... sorry, I'm not interested.

Have a good evening.

[WeekiWater]

219. The "amendment king" is going bold. N/T