2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: I don't trust Bernie [View all]Sancho
(9,067 posts)The real truth is that Bernie makes a proclamation about "taking money", but he knows full well his vote is is "for sale" - and not simply with contributions. We can't put links on DU (including mainstream media, green publications, local publications, etc.) because they will be hidden with false alerts because of the dysfunctional jury system, but there's plenty of evidence.
When it comes to guns/gun manufacturers, Bernie knows he benefits if the gun money either goes after his opponent or simply does not fund an opponent. He can rationalize a conservative position and protect the gun industry with little obvious connection. It's ok to have the family leave system of Scandinavia, but not the gun control of Scandinavia??
When it comes to big sugar, Bernie knows he can benefit from contributions even if his vote is not socially just or a direct connection. It certainly is not a big loser for him in Burlington so he gets away with it. Bernie is enough of a politician that he calculates when to take a loud stand for media purposes (knowing it won't matter in the end); and when to quietly alter his voting position to gain a benefit (where he carefully concocts a reason just in case he's called on it). Maybe smart, but not revolutionary.
Bernie courted the F35 and parts of the MI for years, and played up every chance to be seen with the troops; but compromised his "principles" and went against many of the local Vermonter's value choice. Even his famous "Iraq vote" was really an abnormality in a mixed record of support/non-support for military actions. At best he waffles and plays the game.
Bernie knows that Wall Street is waiting for an FTT!!! Haha - the rich won't pay a penny more income tax, but every retirement fund in the country will now take money out of the pockets of the middle class, so all those union contracts and public employees will make up the difference in their paycheck. It's a backroom deal that Wall Street loves.
Free tuition for everyone, except there's no tuition equity for undocumented immigrants or even a statute that you must admit the undocumented to every public college; even if they were brought here as kids. Are their "illegal" parents forced to risk deportation by filing out financial disclosure forms with the college application? It's a social justice nightmare pretending that economic justice trumps all (pun intended)!
Bernie wants to play like he's a Democrat, but not really put in the time and effort to be a Democrat. He's a classic grasshopper who loudly plays while the ant works for the future (analogy intended). The examples are numerous and Bernie as President is a fairytale.
I've listened to Bernie for years on Thom Hartman, so I knew who he was long before he ran for President. I would have said the same thing years ago. He tells a good progressive tale, but he is 90% politician and 10% revolutionary. If you listen long enough, you'll see that Bernie does not walk on water (metaphor intended)!
This primary has made it objectively clear that Bernie is not the best candidate for me, whether you like Hillary or not. I always vote straight Democrat, but Bernie has consistently moved lower on my list as this campaign has continued due entirely to his own words and investigation of his background.