2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumRobert Reich To Bernie~
On his FB page...
Robert Reich
2 hrs ·
The only thing I can think of doing this morning is to write a public note to my friend, Bernie Sanders:
I dont know what youre going to do from here on, and Im not going to advise you. You've earned the right to figure out the next steps for your campaign and the movement you have launched.
But let me tell you this: Youve already succeeded.
At the start they labeled you a fringe candidate a 74-year-old, political Independent, Jewish, self-described democratic socialist, who stood zero chance against the Democratic political establishment, the mainstream media, and the moneyed interests.
Then you won 22 states.
And in almost every state even in those you lost -- you won vast majorities of voters under 30, including a majority of young women and Latinos. And most voters under 45.
You have helped shape the next generation.
Youve done it without SuperPACs or big money from corporations, Wall Street, and billionaires. You did it with small contributions from millions of us. You've shown it can be done without selling your soul or compromising your conviction.
Youve also inspired millions to get involved in politics -- and to fight the most important and basic of all fights on which all else depends: to reclaim our economy and democracy from the moneyed interests.
Your message about the necessity of single-payer healthcare, free tuition at public universities, a $15 minimum wage, busting up the biggest Wall Street banks, taxing the financial speculation, expanding Social Security, imposing a tax on carbon, and getting big money out of politics will shape the progressive agenda from here on.
Your courage in taking on the political establishment has emboldened millions of us to stand up and demand our voices be heard.
Regardless of what you decide to do now, you have ignited a movement that will fight onward. We will fight to put more progressives into the House and Senate. We will fight at the state level. We will organize for the 2020 presidential election.
We will not succumb to cynicism. We are in it for the long haul. We will never give up.
Thank you, Bernie.
Bob
berni_mccoy
(23,018 posts)bklyncowgirl
(7,960 posts)bjobotts
(9,141 posts)convention so his agenda will not be silenced by the likes of the DLC who cater to the big banks and Wall street for funding. Bernie was unheard of and nearly won the nomination without super pacs or wall street money but from millions of small donations from the voters. His political revolution will never be silenced as the mantle has been picked up from so many young activists. No one else is talking about these populist issues which the majority of Americans say they stand for when polled. The days of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) were days of the lobbyists and money eyed interests eroding what the democratic party stood for...the working man, the middle class, civil right and minorities. Democratic Socialism is the only form of government which both ensures our freedom and our survival from the monopolistic greed of the wealthy few who are destroying the environment and the middle class. Thanks Mr. Reich for such a clear appreciation of the Bern.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)on from this point so that his movement doesn't die away. I sort of think so. I'm definitely among those who think he has been very good for the Democratic Party so far.
In looking for a quote to put on my signature line, I didn't see a single one I didn't agree completely with, unless it was attacking me for being corrupt, of course. A sliiight problem there, but the quote sites edit almost all those out. I want his direction felt since it is, in fact, mine, just don't feel he's the right material for the presidency itself.
Xyzse
(8,217 posts)I am quite the groupie.
vintx
(1,748 posts)ILikeTurtles2
(36 posts)DCBob
(24,689 posts)imo.
Raster
(20,999 posts)Armstead
(47,803 posts)some people need a big supply of it to rub into all those wounds
bjobotts
(9,141 posts)the convention.
DCBob
(24,689 posts)Of course he should continue the fight for the issues.
Not all of Bernie's ideas were going to fly, but let's get the best in as planks to hold up the party.
Thanks Sen. Sanders. With respect.
TheProgressive
(1,656 posts)Senator Sanders,
You are by far the most ethical, moral, decent, progressive, liberal, statesperson to have run for the Presidency in many decades. Thank you for your energy and conviction to make America work for all people, our country, and the planet.
We are not going away or quitting.
What's the next step?
bjobotts
(9,141 posts)panader0
(25,816 posts)ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)Just heard Thom Hartmann talking to a person named Cohen who was talking about 33,000 troops being amassed on a Russian border by America, Germany AND The United Nations!
Scary stuff! Anyone UNDERSTAND what Anaconda is or what it very well COULD LEAD TOO??
World War III was a central theme of THIS discussion... Hillary is The Democratic Hawk! I think everyone NEEDS to check this information out, I'm very scared... and so were they!
Lord Magus
(1,999 posts)And I have no doubt that this "scary stuff" is faker than $3 bill.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)You are spewing nonsense all over DU.
.
Lord Magus
(1,999 posts)I don't trust any RT reports about Russia.
Armstead
(47,803 posts)Oh the humanity!
Lord Magus
(1,999 posts)Armstead
(47,803 posts)Thom Hartmann is on RT because they offered him a slot and the mainstream media tends to shutout people who are as honest and outspoken as him.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,305 posts)Do you write off everything she says, and everyone else on that network? You do know they are owned by General Electric, one of the largest military contractors in the world.
The corporate MSM rarely will give airtime, at least not whole shows, to left-of-center commentators. Cenk understands that all too well.
Its not that complicated.
The only reason Putin allows it is that he knows hosts like Hartmann will highlight mistakes, problems, shortcomings of American policies and behaviour. And he's smart enough to know that he must have an arms length policy with RT America. Let them have free reign or it won't be authentic.
Now you may have a problem, like the right wing media like Ann Coulter that despise anyone that criticizes the US in any way, but some of us think that we have to learn about and face the problems in order to counter them.
As far as not criticizing Russia? Why do they have to? If you want to get your daily dose of Russian critique you can pick up any mainstream newspaper or news network.
If you think Thom Hartmann, or Abby Martin for that matter, have the kind of character that can be easily bought and will simply follow some script they deep down do not believe in, for a modest salary, then you either have zero ability to judge character, or you are darkly negative about the human race in general.
He was given some airspace to present his take on the news, and he took it. Maybe in some future utopia the large news media conglomerates will be publicly owned or owned by Noam Chomsky, but until then we should calm down on the purity test, and appreciate that someone like Thom has a place to spread progressive thought and response.
ReRe
(10,604 posts)... I watched LK yesterday. His guest was Sir Anthony (Hopkins). I thoroughly enjoyed it!
ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)I watch RT and FSTV and NEVER MSM... RT America is so very informative, but so many uninformed STUPID people WILL NEVER LEARN!
ReRe
(10,604 posts)Free Speech TV, Link TV, AJA (while it existed), RT, online radio. Long ago before any of these existed, I listened to short wave radio.
bjobotts
(9,141 posts)Buddyblazon
(3,014 posts)You have any proof?
FighttheFuture
(1,313 posts)Try watching Thom Hartmann, Ed Shultz, Lee Camp... on RT News. They do ot report to Putrin and provide some real insight to the bullshit going on in this country that our"media" will never provide, except via Comedy Central or John Oliver or Stephen Colbert.
Response to Lord Magus (Reply #14)
Post removed
Lord Magus
(1,999 posts)You actually believe this garbage?
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)a few moments out of your day to look up ANACONDA! Then come back with your so very silly, petty and UNINFORMED comment. What a country we've become, we seen NOT to ever learn!!!!
Lord Magus
(1,999 posts)You and your fellow tinfoil hat wearers might want to check a map of Europe.
avaistheone1
(14,626 posts)K&R
mmonk
(52,589 posts)tom-servo
(185 posts)PufPuf23
(9,113 posts)Txbluedog
(1,128 posts)Orsino
(37,428 posts)bigwillq
(72,790 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)lovemydog
(11,833 posts)felix_numinous
(5,198 posts)renate
(13,776 posts)Thanks for posting it!
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)I figured RR knows a hell of a lot more than me.
Thanks for this post, babylonsister.
libodem
(19,288 posts)Trajan
(19,089 posts)His feet are planted firmly on Terra Firma ...
Exactly what I have been saying to anyone who would listen - this isn't the end .. it's a whole new beginning ...
We have a chance to bring real beneficial change for regular working families, if only we can focus on a strong message of economic fairness in the marketplace ....
Young people want to dream of their successful future ... The chance to go to university is a paramount need, yet most would never have the opportunity without a solid progressive government in control ...
Workers need the power to negotiate wages, compensation and workplace rules .. The current system is biased towards corporate control of every aspect...
Health care, public education, social security, endless wars ... Everything that really matters to regular, every day families of ALL races and colors ... It will only come through a progressive government ...
Thanks Mr. Reich ...
Dem2
(8,175 posts)Well said.
PatSeg
(49,533 posts)Martin Eden
(13,216 posts)Thank you, Bernie.
chapdrum
(930 posts)The numbing comfort of the status quo.
Hey, the game's starting.
speaktruthtopower
(800 posts)He understands the economy and people at a broader level.
Response to speaktruthtopower (Reply #34)
Florencenj2point0 This message was self-deleted by its author.
Herman4747
(1,825 posts)leftynyc
(26,060 posts)Bernie raised important issues this campaign. He'll be a very valuable asset during the general and in the senate.
Herman4747
(1,825 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)Uncle Joe
(59,634 posts)Thanks for the thread, babylonsister.
dembat
(47 posts)Hello Bernie, I have been watching you since I was in college studying political science when you were a congressman, and I must say you have never deviated from your message. I supported you during these primaries, and I really wanted you to win the nomination. I love you Bernie for being a true American patriot fighting for the poor, and the middle class. Don't ever shut up Bernie, hold Hillary's feet to the fire, make her pursue a progressive agenda for all people, and not for the one percent. Thank you Bernie for your dedication to America.
disndat
(1,887 posts)I think we can still be surprised. Bernie has heart and he will go on to lead even without being in the WH because of the
vast support all over the country he has gathered, people with his same passion.
TacoD
(581 posts)Arazi
(6,879 posts)bvar22
(39,909 posts)...for the immense courage and integrity is taking on Wall Street and the Big Money Interests that have had way too much influence in the Democratic Party.
He proved that it can be done, and done without sacrificing ethics or integrity.
I wish we had 500 more just like him.
Onward to Philadelphia...and beyond!
[font color=firebrick size=3][center]"If we don't fight hard enough for the things we stand for,
at some point we have to recognize that we don't really stand for them."
--- Paul Wellstone[/font][/center]
[center][/font]
[font size=1]photo by bvar22
Shortly before Sen Wellstone was killed[/center][/font]
tomp
(9,512 posts)Yes, but will it shape the democratic party agenda? I predict lip service with status quo action from hillary.
FailureToCommunicate
(14,255 posts)kentuck
(112,249 posts)Bernie should go back to the Senate and make sure that his movement stays alive and that the progressives remain a strong part of the Democratic Party in the future. He should work to put forth a progressive candidate in 2020. That is the best thing he can do for our country.
jtuck004
(15,882 posts)MelungeonWoman
(502 posts)I'm keeping the faith.
myrna minx
(22,772 posts)mountain grammy
(27,008 posts)Smarmie Doofus
(14,498 posts)Now.... about 2020......