Sanders Pitches $3.5 Trillion Spending Bill to Thousands at Indiana Town Hall

[AZProgressive]

Addressing more than 2,300 people in West Lafayette, Indiana Friday night, Sen. Bernie Sanders made the case for the $3.5 trillion spending plan to invest heavily in human infrastructure, explaining how the proposed budget currently being written by Senate and House committees following passage in the House is "the most consequential legislation for working people since the New Deal."

"When more than 2,300 people come out in the middle of the hottest summer on record in West Lafayette, Indiana to hear Bernie Sanders talk about the $3.5 trillion Senate reconciliation bill, you're doing something right."
—Misty Rebik, Sanders' chief of staff

The event was one of two town halls the Senate Budget Committee chairman is holding in Republican and swing districts this weekend, aimed at talking directly with working people who stand to gain from the legislation and its investments in child care subsidies, free community college tuition, paid family and medical leave, and a transformation of the U.S. energy system in a push to rapidly shift away from planet-heating fossil fuel production while creating jobs.

While the chair of the Senate Budget Committee typically works within the halls of Congress, the senator said ahead of the event, "I think really, the function of a budget chairman is to get out among the people."

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/08/28/sanders-pitches-35-trillion-spending-bill-thousands-indiana-town-hall?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1630166609

[mahina]

1. Bless him

[jimfields33]

3. He has changed our politics so wonderfully

We owe him a lot for bringing the progressive issues to the front. I don’t believe we’d be as far as we are without him. He’s a blessing to this country.

[wackadoo wabbit]

27. I so much agree with you! /nt

[BlueLucy]

2. OK but college towns are not red. nt

[Doremus]

4. This is how you show you're passionate about effecting positive change for the people.

Tweets and armchair screeds not so much.

[Peregrine Took]

6. Bernie walks the walk - why we love him so much! n/t

[George II]

5. It looked like most of those in the audience were college students, not working people.

[Sympthsical]

17. True. Everyone knows college students go on to vacation for the rest of their lives

That's why I went back to college for a second degree recently. I mean, here I've been, wasting my life working 40-60 hours a week.

I could go to college and then do nothing at all!

I feel like such a fool.

Weekend, check. Post about Bernie, check. Younger voters, check. Ah, I see.

[George II]

18. Your snark is duly noted. Nice of you to keep following me around, sir.

[Sympthsical]

22. I'm interested in threads about progressives

It's not my fault if every single one gets consistently derailed.

Given the snark about college students, I'm kind of holding out for the harrowing story of how, one time in the 60s, someone paid for college with a part time job, followed by the wondering astonishment that kids today seem far too lazy to do the same. It's riveting stuff.

I reassess my whole life every time I encounter the sheer heroism of it all.

[George II]

24. There was no snark about college students, there was a comment that most of the crowd was....

....college students.

I'll be sure to run any future posts of mine in threads like this for your approval before I post them.

[sheshe2]

28. He has always campaigned in college towns.

They were white boys and a large part of this rally base. However they never bothered to vote.

I'm interested in threads about progressive
It's not my fault if every single one gets consistently derailed.

Given the snark about college students, I'm kind of holding out for the harrowing story of how, one time in the 60s, someone paid for college with a part time job, followed by the wondering astonishment that kids today seem far too lazy to do the same. It's riveting stuff.

This happens to be a message board. We talk, yet we do not all walk in the same direction. It would be pretty dull here if we did. As is the country the people are diverse. I welcome all conversations here. Fact is we are a rag tag crew, young, old, male, female and ethnically diverse.

We are a coat of many colors. I like it that way.

[George II]

42. Indeed.....

[sheshe2]

46. I can't find the clip I want.

Coat of many colors comes to mind after seeing Joseph and the Technicolor Coat in Boston.

Donnie Osmond was Joseph and he was great. It was Andrew Lloyd Weber. There was the scene when his father gave him that coat and he spun and spun around.

So many colors spinning on stage. Bright beautiful colors.

That is who we are, bright beautiful colors.

Thanks for Dolly. Love her.

[Nixie]

49. "Progressives" meaning Bernie fans. I'm just trying to make

it easier for you going forward if you keep insisting that saying anything about “progressives” gets derailed. No. It’s about Bernie, which surely you know.

I’m light of the two elections he lost, it seems very helpful to keep the focus on facts about his losses. It’s not wrong to acknowledge that Bernie is building a brand and his brand of “progressive” has been rejected by the electorate (Democrats). Democrats are still “progressives.” Hope that helps.

[AZProgressive]

52. Voters were more interested in beating Trump

Which is why Sanders had a more difficult time. I think many Democrats are progressives even if they rejected Sanders for whatever reason.

I think Bernie Sanders is more effective as budget chairman than he could be as President. The media and board would be a lot more harsher if Bernie Sanders was pulling out of Afghanistan so glad Biden is taking the heat for making the correct decision.

One thing I notice is I praise Biden when he does the right thing and Biden and Sanders are on the same page. In fact Bernie referred to Biden as his friend more than once during the primary. A lot of people here aren’t willing to give Bernie credit for doing the right thing.

[Nixie]

53. His two losses and the timing suggest it was more than

beating Trump, it seems.

As far as giving credit or doing the right thing — do the right thing for whom? it’s always curious to see if he’s asking for donations. I can’t imagine how he would twist some of the things he does if a Democrat did them.

But agreed about “progressives.” Bernie-ism is a brand, and some still try and smear others over their limited interpretation of “progressive,” which was the reason for my post. Thank you.

[AZProgressive]

54. I'm on so many email donating lists besides the ones I personally donate to

They all ask for donations including Bernie.

I think mostly the Russian trolls trying to influence liberals in the US that probably turned people away from Bernie due to the negativity associated with that but this is more of a problem on Social Media websites like Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter. However I like Bernie Sanders, AOC, etc rather than some that claim to be their supporters or “holding them accountable” with vicious negativity.

There is a reason why I share my opinion on DU as this place is a safe place for US Democrats.

[Nixie]

55. No offense, but it was Bernie, himself, who turned people away. The Russian trolls actually

promoted Bernie because that caused a divide in our party which favored a RWer candidate.

Yes, this is a place for Democrats, but not a place for misinformation and revisionist history. I think that's why you see so many stay focused on the facts about Bernie's losses.

[AZProgressive]

56. I just read The Battle for the Soul book

Which is full of inside info on the primaries so I’m well aware of the primaries.

I also understand the differences between the various factions in the US and on the left and Russian efforts to influence the Trump cult and those on the left.

She is small time but she covers an example of what I mean.

Glenn Greenwald is one of those who used to be on the left who is now fully right wing that pushes Russian propaganda. They are more interested in dividing Americans or keeping things like this coronavirus going or flood this country with misinformation. Again there is a reason why I share my opinion here.

[Nixie]

57. It actually looks like just an old-fashioned version of burnt bridges for Sanders, though.

The bridges were burnt from 2016 and people caught on to the damage that caused our party. The review for that book says Trump was a "populist," which Bernie was, too. People rejected it, and rejected both of them.

[AZProgressive]

58. Right wing populism is actually fascism imo

Right-wing populism, also called national populism and right-wing nationalism,[1][2][3] is a political ideology which combines right-wing politics and populist rhetoric and themes. The rhetoric often consists of anti-elitist sentiments, opposition to the Establishment, and speaking to the "common people". Both right-wing populism and left-wing populism object to the perceived control of liberal democracies by elites; however, populism of the left also objects to the power of large corporations and their allies, while populism of the right normally supports strong controls on immigration.[4][5]

In Europe, the term right-wing populism is used to describe groups, politicians and political parties that are generally known for their opposition to immigration,[6] especially from the Islamic world,[7] and for Euroscepticism.[8] Right-wing populism in the Western world is generally associated with ideologies such as anti-environmentalism,[9] neo-nationalism,[10][11] anti-globalization,[12] nativism,[13][14] and protectionism.[15] European right-wing populists may support expanding the welfare state, but only for the "deserving";[16] this concept has been referred to as "welfare chauvinism".[17][18][19]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-wing_populism

Isn’t “Right-Wing Populism” Just Fascism?
It’s a bad idea to listen to right-wingers who claim to be on the side of “the people.” Usually it turns out they want to crush the people by force.

Let us ask a question: who are some famous “right-wing populists”? Well, let’s see, historically, Hitler and Mussolini can be categorized as “right-wing populists.” Today, there’s Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, a militaristic, sexist homophobe who said if he saw two men kissing in the street he would beat them. There’s Marine Le Pen in France: (“the progressive Islamisation of our country and the increase in political-religious demands are calling into question the survival of our civilisation.”) There’s Geert Wilders in the Netherlands: (“Islam is not a religion, it’s an ideology, the ideology of a r*tarded culture.”) Plus Viktor Orban in Hungary. And in the United States, there is Donald Trump, whose administration has engaged in ceaseless cruelty toward immigrants and who is currently trying to deploy the military against protesters.
All of which is to say: Right-wing populism seems like a terrible ideology that needs to be rejected. I disagree with nearly everything these people believe in. The kind of world they believe in is not one I wish to inhabit. They are in favor of reactionary cultural traditions, militarized borders, bigotry, and rabid nationalism. I am a leftist, meaning that I favor free movement of people and multiculturalism. I am anti-nationalist and anti-militarist. Donald Trump’s ideology seems to me to be monstrous.
I find it peculiar, then, to hear “right populism” and “left populism” discussed as part of the same tendency. Usually when this is done, it is by centrists, who subscribe to the “horseshoe theory” that fascism and socialism have a lot in common. (The idea is that the political spectrum, instead of a line, is horseshoe-shaped, meaning that the ends come together.) This is what led the Center for American Progress and the American Enterprise Institute (a “progressive” and “free market” think tank, respectively) to collaborate on a project about combating “authoritarian populism” from both the “right and left.” Their idea is that Donald Trump, Hugo Chavez, Bernie Sanders, Jair Bolsonaro, etc. can all be understood as part of the same tendency, because they all seek to overthrow “elites” and “the establishment” in the name of “the people” and use the power of the state to create justice.

https://www.currentaffairs.org/2020/06/isnt-right-wing-populism-just-fascism

I think Bernie would be a moderate Social Democrat under most Western Democracies.

[Nixie]

59. My point was more about burnt bridges for Bernie. He couldn't make it past the primaries,

so he was rejected by Democrats. Trump used his tactics to divide Democrats, so whatever you want to call that -- Trump amplified whatever he could to split Democrats. That's why people question Bernie and why he burnt his bridges.

Anyway, no reason to keep talking about why he lost, especially since we can't post links for obvious reasons. I was talking about how Bernie is a brand and he doesn't own the term "progressive."

[Beastly Boy]

7. Here's where Bernie is wrong.

The function of a budget chair IS to work within the halls of Congress. It is the function of a Senator to get out among the people. A small but important distinction.

And even as I applaud Bernie's attempts to get out among the people, his definition of "people" rubs me the wrong way. Getting out among 2300 of Bernie's supporters is hardly representative of "people" in the general sense which is implicit in Bernie's remark. Looks more like a campaign stop to me.

[George II]

10. Did you see the youtube video feed? He had his "Bernie" campaign logo on the screen.

[Beastly Boy]

12. Didn't see the video, but the intent is pretty transparent.

After all, how much factual detail contained in the 3.5 trillion bill can one possibly fit into a rally?

[George II]

23. I watched about 3/4 of it, he barely touched on specifics of the bill. Below is a screen shot

[Nixie]

50. He could have made it a $4 or $5 trillion bill...

would have made for an even more exciting town hall. Why stop at 3.5 trill!

[sheshe2]

29. Ah.

His logo. I see.

[betsuni]

25. That's what confused me. People aren't voting on the bill, his colleagues are.

Seems more like campaigning -- a rebranding of some sort?

[sheshe2]

39. Ummm

[betsuni]

43. Looking at my comment again, I seem to be saying that his colleagues aren't people.

Oops! The people, as in "to get out among the people."

[sheshe2]

45. You meant the people.

That is exactly how I read it.

The vote is with the house and senate, one that the people will benefit from and cannot vote on until the next election when they decide which side the lawmakers are on.

[betsuni]

48. Since these town halls aren't really necessary, he should think about his health.

It's really hot, there's still a pandemic. He's had a heart attack. Trump voters aren't going to a town hall to see Bernie.

[qazplm135]

8. As a Boilermaker myself

Purdue is a great school but pretty conservative unfortunately.

Still, it's got one of the larger student populations in the country, I believe in excess of 40k. So finding 2300 liberal students is pretty easy.

There's a bit of choir preaching going on here.

Go to Fort Wayne. Or Southern Indiana. Those are places in Indiana if you want to reach the other side.

I don't begrudge Bernie doing this, and since Biden was on track to the nomination, Bernie has been one hundred and ten percent a team player, team leader even.

So no criticism from me, but I just think this is a fruitless enterprise. Most of their voters don't really care about economic issues, they care about social and cultural issues.

[questionseverything]

9. Not as fruitless as bad mouthing someone else's efforts

[qazplm135]

11. Bad mouthing how?

I didn't remotely badmouth anyone, I commented on my belief on it's effectiveness.

[sheshe2]

47. You got crickets.

No, you did not badmouth anyone.

[George II]

13. The crowd looked like mostly college students, probably a high % from out of state....

....and considering the venue, 2300 was small. Although it was streamed online, the most I saw was 420 viewers.

[AZProgressive]

14. I don't know if this is his only stop

But he is trying to build support for a major part of the Party’s agenda and if Biden ends up signing both bills but especially this one that will be a major accomplishment for the President.

This isn’t much different than Kamala Harris visiting states to build support for Biden’s agenda. The key thing is they are all working together and I support that.

[George II]

15. Much different - Kamala Harris represents all 50 states. I'm curious who paid for Sanders' trip.

[lapucelle]

33. I got an email touting the event and asking me for money.

Here's were the donation link took me:

[George II]

38. Well now, that's a curious little nugget.

[sheshe2]

41. " Your contribution will benefit Bernie Sanders"

WTF?

Thought he was there to promote an Infrastructure bill. He is there to fund raise and benefit himself.

I don't get it.

[Nixie]

51. Ah, so it was a fundraiser? Wow.

“Your contribution will benefit Bernie Sanders.”

[qazplm135]

20. I have no criticism

Of his efforts, I just don't think talking to a bunch of college kids anywhere is going to move any needles.

[Me.]

30. PJB Is President And Kamala Harris Is Vice-President

THey are supposed to go around the country as that is part od the job. THat is much different compared to the Senate budget chairman whose is task should be focused in Congress or is Senator Sanders going to try for another run. This is the second trip of this sort that he has made.

[AZProgressive]

32. This is about the reconciliation bill

This isn’t another campaign but this is like when Kamala Harris went to Arizona and West Virginia (to put pressure on Manchin) for the earlier reconciliation bill. I’m sure Biden wants to sign this and Bernie is helping build public support and he made other stops. What he is doing is a good thing.

[Me.]

34. I KNow What It's About

and students are not the audience he should be seeking. As for other stops...any in Vermont?

[AZProgressive]

36. I hope he comes to Arizona

But I wouldn’t go even if he did as I mostly stay inside during the pandemic. Sanders and Tlaib had a presser earlier in one of the poorest districts in the US so glad he showed up there.

[George II]

40. Tlaib is in a 70% Democratic district, and Michigan has two Democratic Senators. No minds to be.....

....changed there.

[George II]

37. Once again, VP Kamala Harris represents the entire country, all 50 states. That includes both...

....Arizona and West Virginia.

Did you notice the upper right part of the screen of the youtube live stream? That wasn't the Seal of the United States Senate.

[brooklynite]

44. The key word to discuss is "building"

Is he changing any minds, or talking to people who already agree with him. Will they do anything to convince their elected officials (mostly Republican in Indiana) to support such a program?

[qazplm135]

19. I doubt out of state

I'd be pretty shocked if he couldn't draw 2300 college students out of 40k with school in session.

Now Purdue has a pretty high foreign student pop with engineering being a major degree field.

[Klaralven]

16. Must have been SRO, since the Tippecanoe Amphitheater only seats 1511

https://www.tippecanoe.in.gov/217/Tippecanoe-County-Amphitheater-Park

Purdue wouldn't give them a bigger space? I guess the students aren't back yet.

[George II]

21. There were a number of empty seats in the venue.

[leftstreet]

31. DURec

[iemanja]

35. Is he running for president already?

Why is he in Indiana?

[MineralMan]

60. He might do better by addressing a larger audience that spans

more generations and states. He is pitching that bill to people who will have no influence on whether or not it passes. He'd do better by haranguing other Senators, I'd think.

He spoke to just over 2300 college students. It wasn't really a "town hall," because the audience was in no way representative of people In West Lafayette, IN, any more than it was representative of the nation.

It got him some publicity on progressive websites. Other than that, his speech will have zero impact on the bill in the Senate.

It might garner a few more supporters among the group that heard it, but that's about all. What is he running for, in the first place? Surely not the presidency. He has lost that race at least twice now.