Forum Post: Bernie Sanders is the 1 percent’s worst nightmare: How he promises to upend America’s oligarchy
Posted 9 years ago on May 27, 2015, 6:18 p.m. EST by factsrfun
(8342)
from Phoenix, AZ
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
SANDERS: What is my dream? My dream is, do we live in a country where 70 percent, 80 percent, 90 percent of the people vote? Where we have serious discourse on media rather than political gossip, by the way? Where we’re debating trade policy, we’re debating foreign policy, we’re debating economic policy, where the American people actually know what’s going on in Congress? Ninety-nine percent of all new income generated today goes to the top 1 percent. Top one-tenth of 1 percent owns as much as wealth as the bottom 90 percent. Does anybody think that that is the kind of economy this country should have? Do we think it’s moral? So to my mind, if you have seen a massive transfer of wealth from the middle class to the top one-tenth of 1 percent, you know what, we’ve got to transfer that back if we’re going to have a vibrant middle class. And you do that in a lot of ways. Certainly one way is tax policy.
Bernie Offers DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz 2016 Advice
You should post this entire letter.
June 1, 2015 Washington, D.C Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz Chair Democratic National Committee 430 South Capitol Street SE Washington, DC 20003
Thanks for doing the excellent job you are doing. The purpose of this letter is to discuss the issue of debates in the upcoming Democratic primary nominating process. In recent weeks, as I have traveled around the country, I have been hearing concerns from voters about the need for vigorous candidate debate. The people of this country are tired of political gossip, personal attacks and ugly 30-second ads. They want the candidates to engage in serious discussion about the very serious issues facing our country today. In my view, the candidates for President should engage in a series of debates beginning this summer. I want to outline my reasons why these debates would be very beneficial to the cause of the Democratic Party and progressive politics in America.
Voter Turnout : In recent years, low voter turnout has hurt progressive candidates all across our nation. As you know, the lower levels of turnout in both 2010 and 2014 have resulted in huge Republican gains in the House and Senate as well as in statewide and legislative races. It’s obvious that when more people vote,more Democrats win elections, and so the purpose of our campaign should be to encourage as much voter participation as possible.I believe a larger number of debates beginning in the weeks ahead would encourage such voter participation and I think we have ample evidence to demonstrate that fact. First, the large number of debates in the 2008 Presidential campaign is probably one of the reasons why that campaign was so successful in helping not only elect President Obama to an historic victory but for the Democrats to control the House of Representative and elect sixty members of our Democratic Caucus in the Senate.Those debates helped voters, beginning in the primary process, to understand more about the candidates and their positions on issues.
I believe that we should not learn the wrong lessons from the past but instead should look at the fact that an engaged and vigorous nominating process was one of the keys to success in registering voters early on and convincing people they had a meaningful stake in the general election in November. In 2008 voter turnout was extremely high, and that vigorous process of multiple debates and an engaged nominating process, was one of the reasons for this increased voter turnout that enormously benefitted Democrats at all levels of politics.
Inter Party Debates
In addition to having a number of early debates beginning this summer and continuing through the primary and caucus process, I believe we need to go beyond the bounds of traditional party debates. I am extremely concerned by the fact that many working class Americans are voting against their best economic interests by supporting rightwing Republicans whose agenda represents the interests of the billionaire class, and not the needs of working Americans. Why are millions of struggling Americans voting for Republican candidates who want to cut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and education while giving huge tax breaks to the very richest people in this country?
That is why I believe we should be open to a less traditional form of debating by welcoming the opportunity to debate not only amongst members of the Democratic Party but also having debates between Democratic and Republican candidates during the primary process. I believe that these interparty debates would put in dramatic focus the shallow and at times ridiculous policies and proposals being advocated by the Republican candidates and by their party’s platform. It would also serve to engage large numbers of voters who typically do not pay attention to the process until much later when the general election begins to come into focus. By engaging these voters early and raising the stakes around the election I believe we can get people to participate at higher levels which will undoubtedly benefit Democrats up and down the ticket.
Further, I also think it is important for us to debate not only in the early states but also in many states which currently do not have much Democratic presidential campaign activity. While a number of these non target states have not in the past had much campaign presence, I believe it is critical for the Democratic Party and progressive forces in America to engage voters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. By expanding the scope geographically of debates beyond the early calendar states we can begin to awaken activism at the grassroots level in those states and signal to Democrats and progressives in places like Texas, Mississippi, Utah, and Wyoming that their states are not forgotten by the Democratic Party
I would be happy to discuss these ideas and proposals with you or members of your staff. In the meantime, I hope we can use this as an opportunity to build a constructive dialogue around this issue and others affecting the nominating process.
Keep up the good work. Sincerely , Senator Bernie Sanders
I wish we would ban political ads and make time for debates available, a lot of time and make them answer real questions, as best we can.
I'm still confused as to why we should accept their rule
All ads that are not out of the candidates own mouth should absolutely be banned. People don't need the toxic exposure to ad agency crap. People need to see the candidates and hear what they have to say for themselves. Bernie is the only candidate running who is running on issues that he lays out clearly and presents a framework to address them.
I wish we would ban political ads and make time for debates available, a lot of time and make them answer real questions, as best we can.
I wish we would ban political ads and make time for debates available, a lot of time and make them answer real questions, as best we can.
content isolated, The rest is rhetoric
Video:Bernie Sanders Wows Overflow Minneapolis Crowd
DK here is a link to a SC ruling that to me is as big and as bad as CU, please take a minute and look at it, I do all I can to bring it to people's attention. In it they rule it suppressed free speech if the state matches the political contributions of an individual. Thus making public funding in AZ virtually mute.
http://www.oyez.org/cases/2010-2019/2010/2010_10_238
Big media's sneering, dismissive coverage of Bernie Sanders is a plague on democracy
Bernie Sanders Draws Crowds With Matter-of-Fact Message
The crowds should only get bigger over time - and HRC support should dwindle the same way.She is not for the people - never has been. Bernie however - has ALWAYS been for the people. Will the MSM ever state the obvious fact - that Bernie Is the only candidate that is "for the people" ?
I think you miss judge Hilary, but Bernie is not afraid to piss off the money people we will see if they are able to shut him up I think this may very well be the last chance for America to get it right, I suppose Hilary could win, then get elected and "hold the line" a bit, but Bernie could shift the tide and anything less than that may be meaningless.
No Hillary is just another elitist out for what she can get for herself.
Is she in someways better than the rethuglicans that are running for office?
I seriously do not think so.
In my opinion - Bernie must win - but it will be a hollow victory "if" there are not enough like him put into office at the same time (local state fed) and then again in the following election cycle.
Hillary is miles better than say Jill Stein, did you see her in the debates in 2012? Jill was in way over her head, Hillary has given every penny she made giving speeches to charity, no doubt Bernie is my man but those of you who would tear down any who don't meet your exact spec, make it so much easier for the scum of the earth GOP to win, it is far pass the time when we can pretend it doesn't matter, that the difference is small, the difference is huge and if the GOP win this time, i expect elections won't matter very much anymore...
Hillary is just another elitist politician - saying what sounds good while actually committing to nothing - while actually taking no stance.
She is no better than any of the rethuglicans currently in office or who are trying to run for potus.
She is in it for Herself - just like all of the worst who are in politics/office.
So do you believe the Hillary would "lower the rate and broaden the base" as Ted Cruz said he would, or do you think that doesn't matter?
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I would take that "hollow victory" if Bernie would win. I'm happy to see you agree that Hillary is seriously no better than the rethuglicans. I suspect she will be the nominee and I will vote for neither corrupt party unless it's Bernie or Warren, but someone else instead. Will you help send the message that we will no longer vote for blatant corruption?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/30/1377299/-Her-stance-on-TPP-none-People-She-is-just-another-Elitist
Thanks for the link. I wish we could draft Warren, but Bernie would be good. Otherwise, I'm voting against all of the elites.
It is not just the presidential race which is important - but every single race in the local state and federal elections.
I think (just one example) the ACA could be so much better than it is right now - if there had been fewer rethuglicans in office trying to stop it and tear it down while they tried to outright stop it.
Yes the presidential race is important - but if there is not a sufficient majority in office to support good legislation - then the presidential term can be quite useless.
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You're right, we continued to slide downhill when the Democrats controlled the House, Senate and Presidency. Voting for either of the corrupt parties will never bring about systemic change.
It seems most state and local elections are controlled also. It's convenient to have the other party to blame for issues and both sides explain to their constituents that it's the other party's fault. I'm not voting for R's or D's, I'm voting against them. Warren or Bernie would be an exception.
No.
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SANDERS: What is my dream? My dream is, do we live in a country where 70 percent, 80 percent, 90 percent of the people vote? Where we have serious discourse on media rather than political gossip, by the way? Where we’re debating trade policy, we’re debating foreign policy, we’re debating economic policy, where the American people actually know what’s going on in Congress? Ninety-nine percent of all new income generated today goes to the top 1 percent. Top one-tenth of 1 percent owns as much as wealth as the bottom 90 percent. Does anybody think that that is the kind of economy this country should have? Do we think it’s moral? So to my mind, if you have seen a massive transfer of wealth from the middle class to the top one-tenth of 1 percent, you know what, we’ve got to transfer that back if we’re going to have a vibrant middle class. And you do that in a lot of ways. Certainly one way is tax policy.
Re. ''Wealth Inequality in US" please try to see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM and perhaps we should more fully try to understand the pressures and forces arraigned against BS, whose very excellent words you quote above: http://forward.com/news/308582/who-the-jewish-billionaires-are-backing-in-2016/ and Tax Policy in the USA does NOT get written by the Executive or Legislature, btw.
So in 2001 that wasn't "The Bush Tax Cut"?
You act like you know so much about the details of government then spout out the most ridiculous shit. A clear tell that you are a political hack, like a child who knows his alphabet but has no clue as to what the words mean.
Do feel free to enlighten me but be gentle lol! I'll refrain from repeating myself again and just limit myself to cross linking to my replies to you here.... http://occupywallst.org/forum/bernie-sanders-and-elizabeth-warren-want-obama-to-/#comment-1061236 and here.. http://occupywallst.org/forum/6-awesome-things-about-bernie-sanders-you-might-no/#comment-1061235 + Note that The 99% Struggle is beyond .. ''the details of government'', a USG that is Co-opted, Controlled and Corrupted by Corporations and Bankers! Re.''Wealth Inequality in US" again please try to see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM
You must be very proud of your guys in the house getting the TPP fasttrack through another victory for you and all dem haters.
https://occupywallst.org/forum/the-democrat-haters-score-another-big-they-got-tpp/
You need to stop equating those who doubt the ''Corporate Donkey" with having anything to do with the ''Corporate Elephant'' - you duopoly-fixated; binary-minded, reductionist jackass! Here - pop a gasket on my linking you to this ... http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/31514-an-berniesanders-talking-filibuster-could-help-stop-the-fast-track-to-greater-inequality Do u think that BS would be standing without OWS?
yeah as soon as you start posting shit about what the GOP do in equal measure as if any of your crap was real, you have one agenda building your own bullshit party so you attack the Dems in the hopes of gaining converts, it's not that hard to figure out really
If your initial fundamental premise is false - then all subsequent "conclusions" are nonsense. You get that from a basic point of logic, right? Taking shots at The Repugnants is like shooting fish in a barrel here on an OWS Forum because they are unconscionable scum who don't, never have and never will represent The 99%. Dems .. who are here, give a shit about The 99% .. but their Corporate Co-opted Politicians don't! And therein .. lies both the problem and the biggest difference between us. Anyway, here's what's also important .. if you've the wit and wisdom to see the issues at stake:
http://www.occupy.com/article/when-too-big-fail-fails-scheme-seize-depositors-money
http://www.truth-out.org/buzzflash/commentary/billionaire-families-lobby-to-repeal-estate-tax-and-further-entrench-us-oligarchy
Yea the good old "no need to talk about the GOP" bullshit you attack the Dems because you love the GOP you love the TPP and all the GOP do.
The thing about repeating lies, is that it ONLY ever really reflects on The Liar! You"love"the DNC = Truth!
http://occupywallst.org/forum/6-awesome-things-about-bernie-sanders-you-might-no/#comment-1061991
Have you heard about that other Democratic shill Thom Hartmann? He's always talking about how stupid it is to let the GOP win, you must really hate him.
Nope, I am familiar with TH for a long time and I just copied this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKpMB_kW35I from him to you here: http://occupywallst.org/forum/bernie-sanders-may-run-will-that-motivate-ows-to-g/#comment-1062208 Listen out for Thom's critique of capitalism.TH does seem to be well to the left of you though but maybe the theory of ''Left Pull'' - works on You Too!
However .. perhaps your querulous self should consider your B-S reply to me here .. http://occupywallst.org/forum/sanders-has-already-won/#comment-1062169 instead!
Yep that Thom Hartmann is one hard core democrat you got that right!
His ''core'' is harder than mere ''democrat''! Eg.TH gets what a Private Health Insurance Corporations' fkn stitch up ''ACA'' is and so he pushes for Universal 'Single Payer' and much more. Thom Hartmann is the kind of''democrat''that the DNC hates! + fyi: http://occupywallst.org/forum/at-minute-38-this-film-explains-rich-people-are-ri/#comment-1062321 So yep, claim him for dems but NOT the DNC, by any estimation!
But most of all Thom pushes for more democrats in office, that's number one with Thom!
Thom Hartmann, like me stands for running the GOP from office, I say by whatever means at your disposal, Thom prefers you stick to the ballot box, but still the first and most important thing is that the GOP is not allowed to win.
So of course you and the DNC hate Bernie:
http://t.co/y8uD5ROEE9
You wanna have a case? Present the actual voting records (senatorial and congressional) - show us the voting breakdown - then perhaps you could clearly show how much the same the members of the two parties are.
So far all your rhetoric - is - just that - rhetoric.
Put up or Shut Up.
That's all you've got isn't it? Precisely NOTHING! Your Dem-adDICKtion is incorrigible now. Sad really.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/the-democrat-haters-score-another-big-they-got-tpp/#comment-1062014
You wanna have a case? Present the actual voting records (senatorial and congressional) - show us the voting breakdown - then perhaps you could clearly show how much the same the members of the two parties are.
So far all your rhetoric - is - just that - rhetoric.
Put up or Shut Up
I think that that's quite enough attention for you now. You are overdosing on it! Bye and get well soon.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/the-democrat-haters-score-another-big-they-got-tpp/#comment-1062006
You wanna have a case? Present the actual voting records (senatorial and congressional) - show us the voting breakdown - then perhaps you could clearly show how much the same the members of the two parties are.
So far all your rhetoric - is - just that - rhetoric.
Put up or Shut Up
16th track "(When we conflate the dems with the rethuglicans)"
We are doing our best to prevent legitimate debate.
As - we can't have people considering matters like:
Who supports access to Health care for all
Who attacks and denies Health care for all
or
Who supports raising taxes on the wealthy
Who attacks raising taxes on the wealthy
or
Who supports expanding Social Security
Who attacks Social Security
or
Who promotes environmental standards and protective restrictions
Who attacks environmental standards and protective restrictions
I mean if we do not shut this stuff down it becomes pretty easy to see that we really can't conflate the dems as being exactly the same as the rethuglicans.
We need to support our meaningless "public self defeating" circular logic arguments - that to gain participatory democracy and control of government - that the people need to opt out.
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9th track: (Take no action) "as Nothing can be done - believe us!"
We support the status quo of handing the USA over to the 1% - but that just don't float - so instead we urge taking no action and clothe it in an appearence to be rebelling against the system - and we are so happy that few catch on to these facts
Because you know we're all about that base, 'Public base, to take no action
We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base, take no action We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base, take no action We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base
Yeah it's pretty clear, we ain't for you
But we can shake it, shake it like we're supposed to do
'Cause We got that boom boom that all the 1%'s chase
All the right crap spread in all the right places
We see the citizens groups working that action to take
We know that shit ain't real (believe us)
Come on now, make it stop ( as we like things the way they are)
If you got apathy apathy - just raise it up
'Cause every inch of you is perfect
From the bottom to the top
Yeah, our Koch he told us don't worry about your stance
He says, people they like a little more BS to hold to at night
You know we won't support no publc-figure, speaking truth to all,
So, if that's what's you're into
Then go ahead and move along
Because you know we're all about that base, 'Public base, to take no action
We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base, take no action We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base, take no action We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base
We're bringing doody back
Go ahead and tell them citizens groups hey
No, We're not playing - you stink - you're naive,
We're here to tell you,
Every inch of you is played from from the cradle to the grave
Yeah, our Koch told us don't worry about your stance
He says, people they like a little more BS to hold at night
You know we won't support no publc-figure, speaking truth to all,
So, if that's what's you're into
Then go ahead and move along
Because you know we're all about that base, 'Public base, to take no action
We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base, take no action We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base, take no action We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base
Because you know we're all about that base, 'Public base, to take no action
We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base, take no action We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base, take no action We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base
Because you know we're all about that base, 'Public base, to take no action
We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base, take no action We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base, take no action We're all 'bout that base, 'Public base
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Bernie sanders supports the US bombing of other nations
what are you doing to convince more Americans not to support bombing other nations? I oppose wealth inequality I often post stuff about why I oppose it, the ill affects within society, other than "it happens" why do you not build a case against bombing and attempt to persuade more people to your position? Right now it is clear the majority support bombing other nations, and oppose wealth inequality, why do you not do more, or at least something to convince people not to bomb?
mind you I agree with you i think deals like the one recently signed with Iran by Obama to be much better than bombs, I expect you will be posting soon in support of Obama in this treaty, or do you really not care about bombs is it really just about hating the Dems for you too?