Sanders Candidacy Has Evolved Into an Inspiring World-Changing Success - HuffPo

[Scuba]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/miles-mogulescu/-sanders-candidacy-has-ev_b_10215786.html

• Bernie has placed the issue of America’s corrupt campaign finance system front and center on the political agenda. And he’s done it not only with words but with deeds, raising over $200 million from over 8 million individual contributions averaging $27, while Hillary has relied on larger contributions and several Super PACs. Until millionaires, billionaires and corporations are no longer allowed to buy our elections, it’s unlikely that we will solve any of the nation’s serious problems. Bernie is leading the way.

• Bernie has made “democratic socialism” a word that can now be spoken in polite company. 42% of Iowa Democratic caucus-goers identified themselves as socialists. A year ago, I doubt if the number would have been 4%. Increasingly, younger people reject unfettered, unregulated neoliberal forms of capitalism and are looking for an alternative. Bernie has started to provide one.

• Bernie has set the political agenda for the Democratic Party and the progressive movement while Hillary has followed meekly behind. He has made the issue of economic inequality one of the pressing issues of our times. Raising the minimum wage to $15; guaranteeing healthcare to all Americans; making it possible for every student who wants it to get a free college education at a public institution; increasing social security benefits by lifting the cap on social security taxes for wealthy taxpayers; creating well-paying jobs by investing in our crumbling infrastructure; taxing Wall Street transactions; breaking up the biggest banks who tanked the economy and threw millions out of work; opposing corporate-friendly trades deals that send American jobs overseas: These are the winning issues for Democrats. Hillary and the Democratic Party would be wise to appropriate much of Bernie’s programs if they want to defeat Trump and win over voters who’ve been left out of the neoliberal global economy.

• Bernie has emphasized that climate change is the existential issue of our times. He opposes fracking. And he wants to put a tax on carbon. Adequately addressing climate change could literally determine the future of the human race on this planet.

[Uncle Joe]

1. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Scuba.

[ladjf]

2. Excellent article.

[bigwillq]

3. Kick (nt)

[boston bean]

4. He's turning it into a joke, by not accepting defeat.

But this is par for the course, considering his actions in Iowa.

[nc4bo]

7. Riiiiiight. nt

[ALittleBirdie]

5. K & R

[B Calm]

6. Another positive unifying post from a Bernie supporter! K&R

[nenagh]

8. K&R...

[ucrdem]

9. Well . . .

He's made a contribution but it's a pretty mixed bag. As far as helping in November I think it might be a wash at best.

[marions ghost]

10. Excellent points

I don't see that the Democratic party will be able to appropriate Bernie's programs. They would be wise to, yes--and they will throw some lip service at it. But they won't succeed in convincing the voters. There is no evidence to support a belief in any substantial changes taking place under their leadership. All we'll get with Hillary is status quo, and that is not working for the majority. Anyone who thinks it IS working is delusional and out-of-touch. Big changes are inevitable. Because it's the only right and moral path out of corrupt oligarchy.

[djean111]

11. Which is why I am leaving the "Democratic" Party.

Any assertions that it can be changed from the inside are delusional at best, vulpine and intentional lies at worst. The Third Way worm has already taken up residence and hollowed it out from the inside.

[marions ghost]

12. Without a radical refresh and reboot

the Democratic party will continue to be corrupted by this insidious worm.
Totally agree. But I don't know if there's the will to do it.

The challenge is clearly out there now.