Once you understand that “inspiration” isn’t what should be motivating you, it gets easier. When you’re locked into the mindset of having to be motivated by some outside stimuli, the world and the problems that come with it just seem intractable.
17 Likes
Nor does he seem to have much political foresight. He was busy running President Obama down in 2012 when what was most needed was an enthusiastic crop of Democratic voters who would have elected a Congress President Obama could have down so much more with. That I agreed with several of the issues Bernie raised does not change the fact that his actions then were politically stupid.
12 Likes
Wow, Bernie – How is this different from something Donald Trump would say?
5 Likes
My honest guess is that he’ll walk away, take his marbles and go home. I think what he’s gonna do is tell his followers, “YOU make the decision for yourself. Don’t let the “establishment” sway your vote.”
12 Likes
Somebody needs to fill him in on what the term “mansplaining” means. I get that Sanders supports feminist initiatives, but that’s like, the minimum necessary qualification for running as a Dem. The point is, what has he done? What has he fought for? Does he really think the only thing that matters is the good thoughts that are floating around his head?
11 Likes
Sure, we all like unicorns, and are inclined to want to empower people who promise them to us, but that doesn’t make promising people unicorns honest. Ironically, the person that Bernie fans slander as dishonest turns out to in fact be the honest and (mostly) realistic one in this case.
That said, perhaps Bernie really does believe in unicorns, so maybe it’s more delusion than dishonesty, but who can say?
14 Likes
I agree. I have been a Dem since I first voted in 1974, at 18 in the most political of all political towns, Chicago. I am also an openly gay man, and I have been openly gay since a little after I was 18. But now, according to Mr. Sanders and his wondrous minions who cannot pause long enough to view the real world instead of sniffing unicorn farts, I am supposed to hide the fact that I am a proud member of the Democratic Party, though I realize the party is flawed - you know, like every other goddamned political party in the history of politics. But now, despite the fact I have never hidden my sexuality - and believe me, even in this more enlightened era, a lot of str8 people don’t realize how difficult that can be, especially in the past and especially during the AIDS hysteria of the '80s Reagan years - I am supposed to keep my Democratic membership in the closet, as though it is something I am supposed to be ashamed of.
But I am not ashamed of being a member of a party that has tried to advance the lives of people in this nation for almost 90 years. I will shout my pride from the fucking rooftops. And if Mr. Sanders does not like it, he can cover his ears and high-tail it back to his secure little lair in Vermont.
28 Likes
This may be the fatal gaffe.
9 Likes
I agree. Stick to the issues, Bernie.
1 Like
I’m angry, too! I like Senator Bernie Sanders – I have liked him and what he’s stood for, for many years now. I truly hate to hear him say the kind of thing that belittles blacks who have chosen to support HRC.
I apologize for not qualifying my response to @rcarlosnyc. I should have stated that “some” Bernie supporters are too young (hence my ‘ignorant’ comment) to see a larger picture, the nation’s history, how we got where we are today, etc. My comment was aimed at those younger folks who are all revved up, very idealistic. I remember how I was back in my twenties. As I’ve aged, I have mellowed a bit and am able to view a wider picture.
As a white man who recently turned fifty, I would be quite happy and proud to have a President Bernie Sanders. I sincerely don’t believe he has a bad bone in him. I think he’d do right by the nation. I also believe he’d have a rougher time of getting things done than a President Hillary Clinton. IMHO, Sanders is worth much more to us in the Senate.
Let me say it: I will support (dollars and my time) and vote for Bernie Sanders, should he win the Democratic nomination.
I did not call you, Trippin, ignorant. As I stated, I should have qualified my comment by adding I was speaking to the many younger folks–who, very well can be noted as ‘ignorant’ as relates to not knowing. I was ignorant of many things in my youth. I am ignorant today of stuff, too. That wasn’t meant to call anyone stupid, dumb, etc.
(Sorry this response is taking so long to write – I am still recovering from my surgery and somewhat succumbing to my spinal problems. Otherwise, my typing skills are very good.)
If you stay pissed at me, then that’s on you.
edited for spelling
7 Likes
Talk is cheap. Aiming high requires action. That is my fundamental issue with Sanders. Where has he been all these years?
8 Likes
Pitchforks… going for the Pat Buchanan vote? Just kidding.
Huh, I thought Obama has been a pretty good president. However, he has betrayed many of us with his support of the big banks and wall street. Eric Holder’s office was kept open while he protected all his friends before going back to work for them. Not one CEO was held responsible for the economic calamity of 2008. NOT ONE. That is my biggest gripe with our President, and why I don’t care for Hilary, as she’s embraced all the same criminals in wall street.
But I neither hate nor despise President Obama; in fact I voted for him twice. Perhaps you may want to think before painting all the “Berniacs” with one blanket derisive term, much can be said about Hilary’s rabid fans that isn’t very flattering either. Obama isn’t above reproach, and neither is any politician. I will vote for whoever wins the democratic primary.
4 Likes
Might not help but how are his comments controversial or disputable? I like both Hillary and Sanders, would be happy to see either as president, am a little wary of the divisions in the party but that said, Hillary’s strategy in embracing Obama is transparent and it’s hardly a low blow for Sanders to point it out. Hillary played much dirtier against Obama win 2008. One thing I love about Obama is that he keeps his perspective on what matters and doesn’t get bogged down in personal grudges. I think we should follow his example and focus on keeping the GOP out of the White House. That said, Sanders’s analysis of Hillary’s strategy seems hard to dispute.
5 Likes
He’s a Democrat when it suits him.
10 Likes
Nope. No apology. The term that I derisively use, “Berniacs” is really meant for those who are way too far gone to see any semlance of real world issues. And I will continue to use it. The stakes are WAY too high right now.
Oh, PS; The big banks and Wall Street will CONTINUE TO THRIVE under any POTUS until there’s an actual revolution from the American public that starts from the ground up not the top down.
5 Likes
Yes, I noticed that as well. It reminded me of how Gore distanced himself from Clinton and how some of the other Democrats recently distanced themselves from President Obama and the ACA. They were foolish. With regards to Hillary and her obvious distancing, I can also think she had much bigger things on her plate – should she decide to actually go through with another presidential campaign. Not excusing her, but I kinda thought it was more tactical on her part because she also was coming under fire for Benghazi. If she teamed up with Obama during that time, then it would have looked like they were colluding. Remember – these folks are lawyers or college professors at heart.
All of that said, I hear you.
5 Likes
I’ve been hearing from people who work for Dem senators that they all think Bernie is really kind of a dick, and I think it’s starting to come out in the campaign. I doubt that will sway any of his exuberant young supporters, who are just going to focus on the free college tuition they will never, ever get, but if he manages to win the nomination it will be a problem. And yet we are all supposed to pretend that Hillary is the one with the big “likeability” deficit.
16 Likes
He is not a democrat. He is an honest to god socialist. Read this (and my apologies for posting it again – but I think this interview with Bernie’s brother explains his political orientation clearly.) It may thrill progressives – and if we weren’t considering him seriously for our nominee, it would perfectly acceptable for him to hold his views. But as the standard bearer of the democratic party – not so much:
8 Likes
Reminds me of a statement by B.F. Skinner that in studying animal behavior, for many years he felt his theories were sound if the animals would just behave so he could prove it. He started making progress when he realized the animals were behaving in a perfectly normal fashion, it was his theories that needed to change.
Just so, it does no good to run a campaign that isn’t working and blame the voters for not considering the things they should consider. A campaign has to convince the voters as they are, and inspiration is part of what is expected from a candidate by many voters. To lay out a vision of where you would like to take the country is not a lie, it’s a shorthand way to express your values. I expect a viable candidate to provide both a long-term vision and short-term promises.
3 Likes