How Bernie Sanders, In New Role, Could Make Wall Streeters Very, Very Unhappy

[babylonsister]

How Bernie Sanders, In New Role, Could Make Wall Streeters Very, Very Unhappy
Ari Rabin-Havt
January 26, 2015

The iconoclast from Vermont plans to use his place as opposition leader on the Senate Budget Committee in a whole new way.



(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) (CQ Roll Call via AP Images)
Senate Budget Committee ranking member Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, holds a news conference on the budget on Friday, January 16, 2015.


Big banks now have to contend with an old enemy in a new position of power.

Bernie Sanders, the United States senator from Vermont, plans on using his new position as ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee to take on too-big-to-fail financial institutions by advocating for their dissolution. Though a registered independent, Sanders caucuses with the Democrats, allowing him to assume the ranking member role representing the minority party.

snip//

Were Washington’s conventional wisdom your only guide, it would be easy to dismiss Bernie Sanders as a gadfly. But the Vermont progressive’s bipartisan track record of success challenges that notion.

In the last Congress, as chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, he teamed with John McCain, Republican of Arizona, to pass much-needed reforms to the scandal-wracked Veterans Administration. In two years marred by partisan recriminations and fighting, the Sanders-McCain bill passed the Senate 93-3 and was signed into law by the president. In crafting this legislation, Roll Call's Humberto Sanchez wrote that Sanders “bridge[d] Washington’s toxic partisan divide” calling it “one of the most significant deals in years."

The role of ranking member of the Budget Committee is one that can drastically change based on the personality and politics of the senator holding the position. Patty Murray, who left the Budget Committee to become ranking member of the Health Education Labor and Pension Committee, used her former position as committee chair (when the Democrats held the majority) to lead the negotiations with Paul Ryan that ushered in the end of sequestration.

Sanders is planning to fight for an aggressive and progressive agenda. Using the bully pulpit of his status as ranking member, he will push for a multipart agenda that, in addition to Wall Street reform, includes proposals for reducing unemployment, raising wages and thereby reducing income and wealth inequality, and expanding Social Security.

Before the new Congress officially began, Sanders announced that he will introduce a $1 trillion infrastructure bill “to rebuild crumbling roads and bridges and invest in other infrastructure modernization projects.”

The plan, according to Budget Committee minority staff, would “put 13 million Americans to work.”

more...

http://prospect.org/article/how-bernie-sanders-new-role-could-make-wall-streeters-very-very-unhappy

[libdem4life]

1. He's awesome and has great ideas...single payer, now this. He, as Warren, are tremendous

Progressives and look to be positioned to bring real change not only to our party, but to how we think about our economy, finances, and now infrastructure and jobs. They are both laser focused and powerful influences nationally to work for we, the people.

As we all know, Hillary, like any politician, can be "influenced" with appropriate action and information. Sanders and Warren are getting more and more press with their passion and intelligence and influence, and I think Hillary wants to see how it all fleshes out to determine where to position herself...how the people are responding. If she sees the flock and the political support moving toward the Left you can bet she's headed that way too.

What a ride to 2016!!

[erronis]

19. I hope Hillary does listen and care about what Bernie and Elizabeth are saying

And I do expect that HRC will not be any more a friend of Wall Street than is Pres. Obama. The question is whether or not the huge corporations can be controlled so they are not such a threat to this country and to its inhabitants.

[libdem4life]

23. Each time one of them gets national coverage, you can bet she knows. In this arena, it is my

opinion that the more popular Sanders and Warren become, and that's the job of each Progressive/Liberal, she will do what most politicians do...start to trial change her message. I think thismay be part of the benefit of her waiting...they seem to be getting more and more press. Yeah! She doesn't want either of them becoming popular enough to pose a challenge. So, she incorporates some of it because the Progressives now have two powerful, increasingly national voices and people are responsive.

Reminds me of when I lived near a Safeway and an organic market started near by. Suddenly a small kiosk of organic foods showed up at Safeway. As the little market grew, so did Safeway's organic offerings and the prices started to go lower. Will Safeway ever be a Whole Foods? No, but they now have a decent, reasonably priced organic section only because they were shown that there was a market for it.

[obxhead]

29. That's right.

The more she hears from popular opinion the better she can shape her lies.

Hillary will govern from an extreme right position. Tax cuts for the rich, energy companies get whatever they want, health insurers get every change to the aca they want.... Fuck, I could go on endlessly.

I don't want bs campaign promises that get ignored starting Jan 20 2017.

[libdem4life]

37. You're missing the point. She's not stupid. And she's not extreme right..give it a rest. n/t

[obxhead]

38. I have NEVER claimed that Hillary Clinton was or is stupid.

She's very intelligent.

However, I will not give it a rest. She has consistently governed from the extreme right and will say whatever she needs to say to continue that path.

She supports the filthy rich at any cost to those that are not in the elite 1% class.

I will never "give it a rest" when it comes to supporting the human race over the sub human hoarders at the top.

[libdem4life]

39. It would be stupid not to be influenced by a real movement/activity from the left.

[obxhead]

42. It's extremely successful to speak to a political side

and then just do whatever the hell you want once elected.

Anyone who thinks Hillary will govern as a progressive, is a fool. She won't even govern as a moderate Republican. If elected, Hillary will be indebted to the 1% and will repay them handsomely.

Hillary IS the 1%. She will help herself regardless of, and in spite of, whatever comes out of her mouth during the next 2 years.

It's time to wake up (all of us) and find a real progressive to run. The only other option is more of the same handouts to those that need it the least.

[libdem4life]

46. I don't totally disagree with you. But when the Progressives develop a real political block

and I mean more than just Warren and Sanders...ground up block...then we'll be ready to field our own candidate. Until then, we have some influence, but you're right...she does not have to shift much that can't be unshifted once in office. (Still, think SCOTUS, Federal Judges, Women's Rights, international experience, etc.)

The facts are that we don't have that, but Warren and Sanders are the leaders and if we'd stop bashing Hillary and maybe take the next 4 years to put together a real block...instead of bitching, even 2 years can really make some midterm changes with our people, then we start to have the power to REALLY DO something.

One billion dollars. Yes, there will be favors on both sides for that kind of campaign cash. That's precisely why Warren and Sanders are the leaders and in wonderful positions where they should stay...they have their sights set on re-wiring the economic stronghold that controls our political system, and many other things, as well. They would not be willing to grovel for the cash this term as the rest have to do. They can keep their dignity and form the Progressive message.

It's not going to happen overnight, but they are are alerting folks to the issue. They are already de facto Progressive leaders and are becoming national if not household names.

Frankly, that's what the Tea Party has done as we all watched in horror. And if Cruz gets nominated? Oh my lord.

Warren and Sanders have proven that there is life in the Progressive/Liberal side and will provide "cover" for other new ones ... and then we start to have a chance.

[erronis]

31. Love your analogy of HRC to Safeway

I think/hope that Sanders and Warren are in for the whole ride/battle/win.

We live in a reasonably unpopulated area of the NE that gets an onslaught of well-to-do visitors during peak seasons (ski/foliage/etc). When these visitors aren't here, the local markets stock their shelves with the stuff-that-will-sell to us locals. When our esteemed money-bearing visitors show up, the local market has foie gras, fresh bakery goods, etc. -all for a price.

All vendors of goods (politicians, used car salespeople, dentists) need to adjust to the current customer demands. Of course they would probably rather influence the demand so they don't have to pivot on their heels and offer something they've been against for years. Of course it's rather inconvenient that the innertubes and their long-term memory can bring back pronouncements from 6-12-24 months back that are contradictory to their PR firms.

[libdem4life]

36. The path of politics is a story of politicians changing one way or the other. It's how they stay in

the game. I don't care what anyone says. The politician wets their proverbial finger, puts it in the air, and whichever way it's going, they are there. They are either flaky or pragmatic...depending upon your relationship to them. Heck, we have Rs who are converting to pro-life Ds who waffle,...they all waffle. You can't represent millions of individuals and satisfy all of them, so it takes a bit of a sea change...slowly.

[7962]

40. No! We must all think the exact same, all the time!!!

[YoungDemCA]

43. And everyone must think like me, all the time!!!

That's what democracy is about, after all.

[7962]

45. By George, you've GOT it! Now, everyone GET IN LINE! nt

[obxhead]

28. ROFL

I think you forgot the sarcasm thingy.

[daleanime]

2. K&R....

[rhett o rick]

3. Run Warren Run, we need Sen Sanders in the Senate. nm

[babylonsister]

4. Funny, I've read the same argument

as far as keeping Warren in the Senate; she's needed there. They're both needed wherever they wind up, or where they are.

[rhett o rick]

5. We need a progressive president. But I don't want to lose both Sen Warren and Sen Sanders

from the Senate. I will support either. I will never support HRC.

[babylonsister]

8. I'm not a fan either,

but will vote for her if it comes to it, because I refuse to sit an election out, and there is no viable candidate in any other party.

I definitely will support either!

[rhett o rick]

11. I hope it doesn't come to having to support HRC in the general.

I notice you are approaching 150,000 posts. I think you win a toaster. Not sure.

[TNNurse]

30. So if HRC is the candidate

(not my choice either), how will you vote???

[rhett o rick]

34. I won't vote for a Republican if that's what you mean. nm

[TNNurse]

35. That is exactly what I mean.

[PAProgressive28]

6. Please take down the picture

I don't like him pointing his finger. That makes me nervous. He's too aggressive.

[babylonsister]

7. Hahaha!

Seriesly?

[freshwest]

25. Another scary picture:

[forest444]

10. I'm surprised you'd think so, PAProgressive.

Frankly, in this photo he reminds me of a college professor - a really good college professor - patiently and methodically taking questions from his students.

[valerief]

33. Heavens, just imagine if he were black on top of it!

[7962]

41. You gotta be kidding. He's not doing it in a threatening manner nt

[ReRe]

9. K&R

Go Bernie! Even if Bernie and/or Elizabeth give Hillary a run, and even if either of them loose the primary, they will be in the Senate. If they then fashion laws for the 99%, would Hillary veto them? That's the question.

[rhett o rick]

12. I think we have a long way to go before we get any progressive legislation

in front of a President H. Clinton.

[ReRe]

13. All depends...

... on the next election. My life has been lived waiting on hope and the next damn election for far too many years.

[rhett o rick]

14. Our election system that has encumbants winning like 80 - 90% makes change hard.

Also, when candidates run on change until they are elected it makes it hard also.

[ReRe]

15. Since I posted that reply to you...

... had to do some other things and got to thinking. If Bernie & Elizabeth don't run, my next choice would be Joe Biden. I don't think there's any better women's advocate around. And Joe Biden is no BHO. I'd rather see him win the election than HRC, any day of my life.

[Scuba]

16. Ask Anita Hill about Biden's advocacy for women.

[ReRe]

17. You're right...

Did he vote to confirm Thomas in the end? Thanks for reminding me, Scuba.

[Scuba]

18. He did more than just vote for confirmation, he ran the hearing ...

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/anita-hill-clarence-thomas-biden-hearing

“I think he did two things that were a disservice to me, that were a disservice more importantly to the public," Hill said. "There were three women who were ready and waiting and and subpoenaed to be giving testimony about similar behavior that they had experienced or witnessed. He failed to call them."

[Bluenorthwest]

20. I hope Bernie is in the Primay so I have someone to vote for in the Primary.

Clinton and Warren both have past baggage and current reticence around that baggage that makes me highly uncomfortable with either of them. If they are the choices, I'll write in Bernie.
Looks to be one hell of a depressing, backward turning, progress reversing election cycle.

[obxhead]

44. I hope for Bernie in the General.

Every other option will likely deliver more of what we barely have to the few families at the top.

[Enthusiast]

21. Yay, Bernie!

[charliea]

22. Stick it to 'em

I doubt that Senator Sanders, is even aware of these responses but...


Go Get 'em Bernie!

[Dustlawyer]

24. As these candidates all start racking up the money we need to be there to ask them what did they

have to promise to do for those giving the money! At every campaign stop there should be people there with signs showing how much that candidate has raised and asking the question!
Bernie supports ending campaign contributions and having Publicly Funded Elections (PFE's) instead. If we focused on this and demanded PFE's we could attack the root problem that has taken away our Representative Democracy!

[Kalidurga]

26. I like unhappy Wall Streeters

It makes for happier everyone else on the street.

[tclambert]

27. If it makes Wall Street unhappy, it must be good.

[valerief]

32. I wish we lived in a Sandersful world instead of our Bow to Obscene Wealth While You Suffer world.

[AndyTiedye]

47. Corporate Personhood

The courts have ruled that corporations are people.
If people can be subject to the death penalty, why shouldn't corporations be too?

Corporate personhood would be an improvement over the corporate godzillahood we have now
where corporations are immortal superbeings that can run rampant through our cities and towns,
destroying everything that gets in their way.

[calimary]

48. Make 'em squeal, Bernie!!!!

Foul up their works worse than they fouled up ours! Pee in their pickle barrel! Multiple times!

[The Green Manalishi]

49. Too big to fail is just right to jail. EOM

[TeamPooka]

50. K&R!

[hughee99]

51. I love Bernie, but anyone who thinks he could really make Wall Streeters very very unhappy

hasn't been paying attention to how things work for the last 30+ years.