mndemsocialist
mndemsocialist's JournalWhat coverage has NPR given Bernie?
Hello, all,
Yesterday, one of the main news programs on NPR had a story from a rally for Trump, talking about the size of the crowd and its enthusiasm.
A few of the attendees were interviewed, expressing why they liked Trump.
Has NPR done the same type of story about Bernie?
I used to be able to go on the NPR website and pull up stories on specific topics from past news programs; I tried that this morning but wasn't able to do that.
Question from a curious American about forming a government
Hello, all,
I understand that the governing party has to go before the House on non-confidence votes, during their mandate.
But I have read references to "going before the House" for a confidence vote right after an election.
What does "going before the House" mean, right after an election?
Does the new House then sit and "elect" the PM? And if there is no way to win a confidence vote, the GG will call on another party to meet the House?
I was under the impression that the party leader with the most seats goes the morning after the election to the GG and receives the right to form the government. I know that's the British method. Is it so in Canada?
I am sure that the GG can not go to the current ruling party and say to them, "You've been in long enough, it's time for a new government"...but it would be nice
If you want to see Bernie’s agenda come to fruition
Whether it is to have his back in the White House, or a Hillary nomination instead, if we want to continue Bernie Sanders’ agenda after the campaign, we have to build an organized democratic socialist presence in US politics.
Bernie Sanders is a democratic socialist, which means he believes that both the economy and society should be run democratically. Bernie has long championed public programs and democratic rights which empower working class people and lessen the power of Wall Street and the corporate elite.
At this time, most people in the United States do not classify themselves as "socialist" when asked to describe their politics. However, many of the things they value, particularly progressives–universal (single-payer) health care, equal pay for equal work, greater democracy in the workplace, and providing access to college for all–are at the core of both Bernie’s agenda and the goals of democratic socialism.
Sanders believes, as do democratic socialists, that empowering working people through unions and workers’ cooperatives will overcome the obscene levels of wealth and income inequality in the United States.
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) supports Bernie’s agenda and thus his bid for the presidency, in order to help build a stronger progressive and multi-racial movement in this country, and to build the democratic socialist voice within that movement.
If you want to see Bernie’s agenda come to fruition, only a stronger democratic socialist organization as a component within that movement will change US politics over the long run. Having a stronger democratic socialist presence in American politics will legitimize the word “socialism”, and thus undermine the red-baiting of the Right, which has used that tactic for decades, to try to wreck even the most basic progressive reforms such as Social Security, Medicare, and the civil rights movement.
So, if you like Bernie, check out Democratic Socialists of America, at www.dsausa.org.
Cross thread
Hi, how does one post something one has read to another group on DU.
I would like to post soemthing I read in the Socialist Progressives forum to the Minnesota forum.
Thanks
Did you know?
Did you know that Minnesota was the fourth-best state for George McGovern in 1972, even though our electoral votes went to Nixon? McGovern won Massachusetts and DC; the next best state for McGovern that yet went for Nixon was Rhode Island, then Minnesota as #4.
Do you think that Minnesota would still be one of the strongest states for McGovern today?
Personal story: When McGovern was running again in 1984, I spoke with him while wearing my DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) button. He leaned in and in a quiet voice said, "Actually, I am one of those, too".
(By the way, DSA is not a third party, but a political organization seeking economic democracy.)
New to Minnesota
Hi, I have only been in Minnesota for a little over a year, and have a couple of questions:
1. Do we have any form of gerrymandering here in Minnesota? Who draws the district lines, both congressional and legislative? Is there an independent commission which does it (as in Iowa)?
2. Why do we vote for judges here in Minnesota? Are they appointed, then face the electorate for re-election (again, as in Iowa)? Or are they elected for their first term?
Thanks.
A question from an American about events in Ottawa
I was wondering, how did the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Commons come to have a gun?
I know that he is an ex-Mountie, but is the Sergeant at Arms normally armed, or does he keep a gun in his office?
Just curious...
Minnesota House
What are people hearing about the Minnesota House races?
Will the DFL be able to hold their majority?
As I do not have cable tv, I am not seeing the commercials (Thank goodness). Is Governor Dayton giving credit to the majority in his ads and/or campaign statements?
My experience with ACA
Just had a h#ll of an afternoon, trying to deal with my state's health care marketplace. I am still without a plan as of almost 6 pm this evening. My current policy expires on the 31st of this month, I am unemployed, and I am scheduled for surgery in October. Even with the unemployment, I still make too much money for the state low-income assistance program, because they figure in the GROSS benefits; well, I don't receive the part of the gross amount that then goes for taxes, now do I, so how can that be income?
As I qualifed for a 73% tax credit discount, there were then no plans that "fit" me.
The lady helping me said I should just go to a broker. She had become just as frustrated with the system as I was. But I already had talked to a broker, and it was ridiculously expensive.
Since I had no choice, I drove over to a different broker to see what (s)he could do. He did come up with something, but it was still a little steep. He told me that because of ACA, that there was a new rule that policies bought in the second half of the month don't go into effect until the following month (so in this case, October). So regardless, I have one month with no health insurance. The agent was actually sympathetic, and even seemed weary of a for-profit system of health care, himself.
I have half-heartedly accepted the ACA; I much prefer single-payer. More people are covered, and existing conditions now play no role in determining coverage, and that is good. But D#MN, people! This is ridiculous!
The main thing is, once again, like so many others, I have come face-to-face with the naked greed of the Insurance Industry and hence am reminded (as if I needed reminding) of the sheer evil of a health care system based on capitalism. We are not a civilized country as long as profit is being made on the backs of the sick.
I kept muttering to myself this afternoon, "I hate this f#@$ing country", but actually, it is the capitalist system that needs to be changed.
Profile Information
Gender: Do not displayHometown: Minnesota
Home country: USA
Current location: On the line between the towns of Ramsey and Anoka
Member since: Sun Jan 19, 2014, 05:19 PM
Number of posts: 48
