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Bonobo

(29,257 posts)
Fri May 1, 2015, 12:41 AM May 2015

Why I believe in Sanders: We are all human and even the very worst can be persuaded.

http://www.publicconversations.org/blog/conversations-open-doors-reflecting-american-life
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/555/the-incredible-rarity-of-changing-your-mind

I listened to a great episode of "This American Life" last week. It was about changing people's minds.

The first story was about how all common wisdom was thrown on its head when a new approach to changing minds about same-sex marriage took place in California following disappointing results overturning same-sex marriage a few years back.

Basically, what it comes to is that dialog is necessary. A sharing of emotions, not a head on head war of facts or data. Not head stuff, but heart stuff.

We must not give up on the idea of the 99%. Most of us have the same feelings and can be reached with the heart. It is why I support my liberal ideas and will NOT ever give up. I think IF IT IS MORAL, IT IS COMPELLING. I will not ever give in to the so-called practical approach because I will not give up on believing in the humanity of people.

In this episode, we see first hand evidence that it is all possible. America CAN change and be more humane of a place. But first we must give up on the idea that it cannot be done.

And so to all of you who give up before the battle even begins, I say stick with the part of you that believes in people, stick to your idealism and hope at least until the General Election. We have to be the agents of change and we must drive drive drive to the left to the direction we know is right. Do not give in to fear.
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Why I believe in Sanders: We are all human and even the very worst can be persuaded. (Original Post) Bonobo May 2015 OP
I am voting for him in the primary because he is the candidate I trust to do what he says--and merrily May 2015 #1
Bernie has the heart and the head to change America JEB May 2015 #2
Felt it was hopeless back in 2008 fadedrose May 2015 #3
Republicans don't vote for Democrats AgingAmerican May 2015 #4
Good post BrotherIvan May 2015 #5
If everyone who wishes Bernie could win actually voted smokey nj May 2015 #11
Agreed BrotherIvan May 2015 #13
If anything, the LGBT movement has shown how Americans can change and be more humane. AZ Progressive May 2015 #6
Yeah, that's the truth. Bonobo May 2015 #7
In a very very short period of time, politically. joshcryer May 2015 #9
Sanders' answers were 100% on target in his interviews today. joshcryer May 2015 #8
Yeah. Orsino May 2015 #10
I want to believe. aikoaiko May 2015 #12

merrily

(45,251 posts)
1. I am voting for him in the primary because he is the candidate I trust to do what he says--and
Fri May 1, 2015, 12:44 AM
May 2015

I like what he says. He is the only candidate declared so far who, for me, combines both those characteristics.

May the best person win the primary

fadedrose

(10,044 posts)
3. Felt it was hopeless back in 2008
Fri May 1, 2015, 01:24 AM
May 2015

when I fell for Obama. No way a black could ever be president of the United States.

Felt that in 2012 too. No way a black man could be reelected to a second term.

Now in 2015, am thinking, no way a socialist could be elected as president of the United States.

Oh, and back in 1960, according to what the nuns in Catholic School told me, no Catholic could ever be president of the U. S., and I believed Kennedy could never win.

Looks like I struck out 3 times, a poor record.


 

AgingAmerican

(12,958 posts)
4. Republicans don't vote for Democrats
Fri May 1, 2015, 03:13 AM
May 2015

And Democrats don't vote for Democrats that act like Republicans.

Go Bernie!!

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)
5. Good post
Fri May 1, 2015, 03:20 AM
May 2015

If people look deep down, a lot of them would say they wish Bernie would win but don't think he can. If he can get a lot of momentum, maybe some of those people will listen to their own hearts.

smokey nj

(43,853 posts)
11. If everyone who wishes Bernie could win actually voted
Fri May 1, 2015, 08:21 AM
May 2015

for him, he'd win. Money can buy a lot of things, but money doesn't vote.

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)
13. Agreed
Fri May 1, 2015, 11:29 AM
May 2015

They are organizing on reddit now, trying to get people to switch their affiliations to vote for Bernie or registered for the first time. Our very first job is making sure a) people are registered to vote as a Democrat in the primary b) they know how to do that and b) how to participate in caucuses in their state.

Obama's strategy with the caucuses was brilliant and kept him in the race until he gained momentum. He could lose the primary to Clinton but still pick up almost as many delegates as Clinton by winning the caucus (not every state has them). There is even one for expats living abroad which there are a lot on this board. The Bernie group needs to get that info out there as much as possible.

I think a lot of people might hang back, believing the myth that is being pushed by the party elite and centrists: Bernie can't win, he's not a serious contender. But if he does win a few, just like Obama, he can start to pick up momentum. I'm also hoping for some big endorsements like Warren and MoveOn.org. If they don't get behind Bernie, they are defeating their own message.

AZ Progressive

(3,411 posts)
6. If anything, the LGBT movement has shown how Americans can change and be more humane.
Fri May 1, 2015, 04:37 AM
May 2015

For someone who's had to be very cynical since the Bush days, it's a breath of fresh air.

Bonobo

(29,257 posts)
7. Yeah, that's the truth.
Fri May 1, 2015, 05:00 AM
May 2015

You can't give up and say that "such and such people will never get there!"

Hell, even Obama had to evolve, right?

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
9. In a very very short period of time, politically.
Fri May 1, 2015, 05:11 AM
May 2015

I mean they were literally passing anti-gay marriage laws less than a decade ago. Now the majority of the country is for gay marriage and within the next few months it will be almost assuredly a federal level, country-wide paradigm.

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
8. Sanders' answers were 100% on target in his interviews today.
Fri May 1, 2015, 05:08 AM
May 2015

He didn't waffle 99% of the time except for a question about marijuana, but I understood why he didn't want to come out in complete support. Legalization is, admittedly, an experiment. I do wish he said that the experiment is going well, but I'll give him time to fully look in to how well it's really going in the states that have legalized.

What's going to be annoying is when other candidates come out in favor of the "experiment" rather than being fully behind it, and recognizing that the "experiment" is working.

Straightforward answers are damn important, getting the policy position correct is damn important, I tire so much of waffling language. It's just tiresome. Say where you stand. Explain your solutions.

Orsino

(37,428 posts)
10. Yeah.
Fri May 1, 2015, 08:07 AM
May 2015

Believing in the humanity of all IS the practical approach. It's just not the most immediately profitable one for the billionaires.

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