HillareeeHillaraah
HillareeeHillaraah's JournalActually, that's not what we were debating.
But nice pivot.
We were debating whether or not one can point to Senator Sanders' legislative accomplishments as proof that he is skilled at building relationships in order to bring his legislative goals to fruition.
Because having ideas is one thing, making them law is where change lies.
While I did concede that Sanders accomplished more in his 26 years than Clinton did in her 8, I'd put her work in helping negotiate the Iran nuclear deal up against what he calls his greatest legislative accomplishment: getting 11 already liberal senators to vote Yes on the ACA, thus making part of the law his amendment to add funding for Veterans to obtain health care services outside of the VA.
Which do you imagine was a bigger hill to climb?
And by the way, not to split hairs here but that actual legislation basically says, this government program isn't working (the VA) so here's some money for you to obtain services in the private sector.
What's the word I'm looking for here? Ah yes, irony.
I think he's a fine Senator who should stay in the Senate.
I'd have to argue with the "incredibly important" part, still
Yes he did get things done. And I will concede that Senator Sanders accomplished more in his 26 years in congress than Secretary Clinton accomplished in her 8. (Although she did get Two Post offices renamed to his one)
He is a fine Senator. I think he should stay in the senate.
Although with a 10% batting average...if this was baseball, he'd probably get traded, not made captain of the team.
Good debating with you. Gotta go to work.
Thanks for the link but...
...again, it lists just the amendments he got passed. The real work comes -and I would respectfully argue the success is judged - by just how many of your amendments become actual, affecting-the-lives-of-people laws.
I believe the actual number in his entire legislative career is over 500 amendments passed, 43 became laws. (Some, he co-sponsored).
So that's what, less than 10% ? Again, admirable but not particularly earth shattering. Many of them were reporting requirements and softball laws.
Yes he is known as the amendment King
But how many of those amendments went on to become laws? That's where the real push lies.
During his time in the senate two of his bills became laws: S 885 renames a post office in Vermont.
S 893 gives a cost of living adjustment to veterans and their families. Admirable but is that really a hard sell?
His greatest legislative accomplishment - again admirably aiding veterans - added funding to the ACA for veterans to go outside of the VA for health care services. It's noted that the real push was in getting 11 already liberal democrats to sign on to the provision. They were voting no because the ACA eliminated single payer option.
Think about that: the jewel in his legislative crown was negotiating to get liberal senators to vote a little less liberally, and vote FOR the ACA.
Not what I'd call a tough slog.
Of course we all want that...
.but governing is also about convincing the people who don't see those changes to be in their best interest to instead, vote with you. So governing is also about relationship building with the other side. That's the politics part of governing and legislating.
It's not accomplished by calling everyone who doesn't see it your way, corrupt and careless.
So let's say Bernie did get elected. What next? He's called most of congress, all of banking and many in business corrupt. So naturally there will be push back.
How does he overcome not having more than a few legislative allies?
You can't just wish for something. You have to create a path through to something. Because the other side gets a vote too.
I'm for Hillary. She's the better relationship builder. And I plan on holding her feet to the fire to strive for all she's running on.
Bernie being interviewed now on MSNBC
Unbelievable!
Chris Matthews starts with foreign policy topics. Gitmo...how do you solve a problem like Gitmo asks Matthews. Bernie says I don't have all the answers and then pivots to the standard "until we solve the problem of corrupt campaign financing nothing can work in America". Matthews seemed perplexed by the pivot.
Sanders may be a good man. I believe he is in fact a decent human being. He simply is not ready to be president.
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