The election is not about Bernie Sanders...

[kentuck]

It is about the people of America.

Bernie Sanders cannot do anything on his own. He must have the people behind him.

The people must decide whether or not they want to change the way our government operates. The people must decide if this is the time to act.

Bernie is the leader. He has the knowledge and wisdom to turn our country in the right direction. He understands what is wrong with our system of government. He understands what is wrong with our campaign system.

But, are the people ready for change? That is the question.

[LordGlenconner]

1. You're absolutely right

The election will be about the two nominees from the GOP and Democrats who will face off in November 2016.

[Cosmic Kitten]

9. Not what the Op is saying.

Not all democrats are
willing to actually fight
for the public interest
over corporate interests.

The TPP is one such fight.

[Cleita]

2. True kentuck. We need to be also razor focused on our Congressional races too.

Here in my state, my Democratic Rep and one of my Democratic Senators is retiring. The Republican vultures are already circling. People must start backing candidates for those offices now, in the red states too, instead of just throwing up their hands and saying the seat can't be won by a Democrat. We need a complete Democratic takeover in 2016. This time if we have a real liberal like Bernie in office as President, things might get done in a far more progressive way than in the past.

[mopinko]

13. true dat.

if there is no good dem, find one.

[arcane1]

27. Definitely! We can't let the presidential race eclipse the important congressional ones

We'll need congress no matter who wins the White House!

[kentuck]

30. But, if the presidential candidate is popular and does well with the voters...

It tends to help all the other Democrats on the ballot, also. Mediocre candidates at the top of the ticket get mediocre results down the ballot.

[arcane1]

31. Sad but true.

And even popular presidents sometimes, sadly, need Dems in congress to push back against them. TPP comes to mind

[Rosa Luxemburg]

34. Yes

[99th_Monkey]

3. Implicit in what you're saying is ..

If Bernie looses, we won't have anyone to blame but
ourselves for the hell-hole into which this once-great
nation slip-slides.

[kentuck]

4. Yes.

It is up to the people to make changes when they are needed. Otherwise, we get the government we deserve.

[BrotherIvan]

7. Zactly

Because every country in Europe after the crash that cowed to austerity is suffering. We will see more cuts to every single social program as we "look forward" and the downward slide will continue as we embrace the TPP. So yes, until we push back and break the cycle of neoliberalism in this country, we are royally screwn.

[Gregorian]

5. Even those who are drunk on FOX need it, but don't know it.

The people are comatose to a large degree. It's going to take some real effort to get them conscious and breathing.

This is essentially one of our last chances in a multitude of ways. We cannot tolerate a candidate who is asking permission to win.

Bernie's principals cannot be compromised. Affordable education, health care, and all of the rest of his points are crucial ingredients for a healthy country. Anything less is a recipe for what we have now, but just a little bit kinder and gentler, to paraphrase an asshole.

[Vincardog]

6. This person is ready willing and able.

[BrotherIvan]

8. I hope people listen up and let go of identity politics

Bernie Sanders is discussing solutions for our current state of affairs. Surprisingly, nothing he is proposing is radical in any way. He is responding to the recession of 2008--which may have been halted or slowed with the tepid response of the last six years, but is being set up for another whopper and regular people have not felt the effects of recovery--the same way that FDR did. And it really does set up Hoover-FDR comparisons. He is proposing solutions that work, that have been *proven* by history to be the only solutions that improved the lives of the working classes of this country. His arguments for this are logical and easy to understand.

How many times on this board has it been argued that austerity and trickle down are not the answer? How many times has it been proven that neoliberal policies do not improve anything for anyone but the wealthy and hasten the slide into neo-feudalism? How many times have we seen that Democrats following traditional Democratic principles can not only win elections but are the best marker for every single metric for the US including the stock market? When did everyone forget all that?

[Cosmic Kitten]

10. +1

Selectibe political amnesia
is a consequence of
the cult of personality.

[lovemydog]

16. Civil rights and economic fairness go hand in hand.

I don't believe in the 'melting pot' theory that we should all become soup. I look at things more like a salad bowl. Every ingredient is valuable because it is distinct. Civil rights are hugely important, and not mutually exclusive from economic justice. I contend that we can't have one without the other.

[lewebley3]

17. Not, me I want to identity of a Dem, not a GOP person!

I want to be on the team that is working to keep the GOP and their crazy
candidates out of the power.

[BrotherIvan]

18. As has been explained to you numerous times, Sanders is running as a Democrat

He is also pushing traditional Democratic policies.

[lewebley3]

20. Yea, he was too good for Dem's until he needs money!

Sanders followers want Bernie to use the money Obama and Clintons
raise for the Dem party,. But want to bash those same people for being to
close to rich people.

[lovemydog]

35. I'm still trying to understand what you mean by

'I hope people listen up and let go of identity politics.'

Can you explain further?

[BrotherIvan]

36. Saying a candidate isn't viable

Because he's old, has crazy hair, or is "white and male" as was put so elequently by one poster. Instead of focusing on issues and what the candidate stands for.

[lovemydog]

37. Well, he IS an old white male with crazy hair.

And a viable candidate. I'm liking him more the more I see him speak. I think his policies & where he stands on the issues are both outstanding.

[lewebley3]

11. I am for Hillary not for Bernie: She is hardworking loyal, quailfed Dem!

We need to get behind her and the Dem's

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

15. Maybe you need to get behind Hillary, but "we" don't.

Bernie all the way. If HRC is the nominee, then fine. Today I am fighting for Bernie Sanders!

[arcane1]

28. Bernie busts his ass every day, for decades, for the people ONLY.

[mopinko]

12. ready as they ever have been

it seems to me.
time will tell.

[appalachiablue]

14. K & R. REMEMBER TO VOTE FOR THE 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RACES TOO!!!

[arcane1]

29. YES!!

[appalachiablue]

32. You know it!

[ucrdem]

19. You are 100% correct my friend:

this election is, was, and forever shall be about Hillary Clinton, period. All other issues including the first appearance of what I can guarantee will be a steady supply of fresh anti-Hillary heroes will eventually turn out to be about the Clintons and events of the past week show no sign of deviating from this script.

Fasten your seatbelts America, the Clintons are back.

[kentuck]

21. I have no doubt but that is the plan.

However, as they say about the best-laid plans of mice and men... Sometimes things do not go according to plan...

[ucrdem]

22. LOL, I suppose you're right.

But I'd be more inclined to agree if they hadn't already gone like clockwork according to plan A.

[kentuck]

23. You may be right but....

I always hold out hope that on a given day, at a given moment, the voters of this nation will awaken and demand immediate change....

[ucrdem]

24. They might.

Let's just hope they don't wake up and decide that Jebster is a change candidate.

[kentuck]

25. That would be Plan B.

That would not be wise, in my opinion.

[arcane1]

26. It's definitely going to take more than sitting on our asses posting snarky DU posts.

And I'm ready!

[L0oniX]

33. It's corporate rule or...fight for the change.