We Now Know Why They Wanted To Limit Democratic Debates

[scottie55]

Letting Bernie talk about health care for all Americans could really blow up in the faces of the ruling class.

Imagine all them "lost" profits.

Unacceptable.

You only get treated if it is profitable for your owners.

[Still In Wisconsin]

1. For-profit health care: the biggest reason why the insurance companies purchased the Clintons.

[malokvale77]

16. They did in spades.

I was looking at the connections on muckety earlier.

It's not pretty folks.

[antigop]

2. not just health care. There are many topics the ruling class does not want discussed. nt

[scottie55]

3. I Almost Mentioned Taxes

But I didn't.

[PatrickforO]

51. Like the Trans Pacific Partnership, for instance...

[Enthusiast]

77. Huge +1!

[Enthusiast]

76. Huge +1!

[scottie55]

4. Dying Anyone?

Dying because you can't afford a doctor is a big thing to some people.

Not being able to take your sick child to a doctor.

How about making just a little too much to "qualify" for health care.

I had to garnish 2 employees for medical bills.

I know what happens when you get sick or injured and you don't have Cadillac coverage.

[Odin2005]

5. And look how much they wanted to make it all about guns.

Guns are a divisive issue that helps bring conservatives to the polls and scares blue collar white people in Flyover Country away from the Democrats, which is just what TPTB want.

[malokvale77]

19. This...

and abortion rights. And even that they have allowed the religious right to chip away at.

[Enthusiast]

78. There is no reason for guns to even influence the vote. But, as you said, the PTB are using it to

maintain their hold on the nation.

[left-of-center2012]

6. Clinton and big pharma?

How much money has HRC taken from pharmaceutical companies and health insurance companies in speeches and campaign donations?

[Thinkingabout]

7. Do you know when the decision for six debates was made and who made the decision?

[scottie55]

8. And Decided To Avoid Prime Time

On purpose?

[Thinkingabout]

9. Do you know when and by whom the decision was made for six debates?

[scottie55]

11. The DNC Headed By Debbie Wasserman Schultz Limited Debates

To answer your question. Either she made the decision, or did so on behalf of others.

Most people suspect on behalf of Hillary Rodham Clinton.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/miles-mogulescu/democratic-party-hopes-no_b_8560342.html

Why do you ask?

[hopemountain]

20. crickets....

thanks for the link, scottie55.

[malokvale77]

22. I have seen her/him ask that question several times.

She/he never answers it.

You did however. Other members of the DNC have said as much.

Thank you.

[Thinkingabout]

29. I thought it might be you thought it was DWS, it was decided by Howard Dean when

He was chairperson, the decision had nothing to do with Sanders running or anything he has on his agenda. It has been said it was DWS and Hillary, please remember it was not DWS or Hillary.

[tecelote]

31. It had nothing to do with Sanders - correct.

Hillary was the presumptive nominee. Why risk debates?

[Thinkingabout]

39. Since Hillary has performed well in the debates more would be good for Hillary.

[tecelote]

40. So then, what was the reason?

Why minimize exposure?

Incompetence?

[Thinkingabout]

41. Read post #29, it was Howard Dean who made the decision and it did not

Have anything to do with Sanders running since Sanders was not running at the time for president.

[tecelote]

42. So you think it was incompetence?

You didn't really answer the question of why.

This is the first I've heard that it was not Debbie but it was Howard Dean. Is he being thrown under the bus again or is there a valid reason why?

[Thinkingabout]

45. No, he said it himself, did not stutter when he said it.

It does not have anything to do with incompetence on the part of Dean, DWS or Hillary.

[tecelote]

48. He said what? Still no answer.

What is the reason for fewer debates and why not prime time?

[Thinkingabout]

50. I have posted the answer in Post #29.

[tecelote]

54. No. You just explained that it was now Dean's fault and not Debbie's.

Nothing about why fewer debates during low viewership time slots was thought to be a good idea.

Also... why did it take Debbie this long to mention it was Dean and not her?

Lots of posturing but no answer.

[Thinkingabout]

80. Can you show where I said it was Dean's fault, don't rewrite my post, I am capable

of writing myself, I did not rewrite yours. I would not "blame" Dean or DWS.

[Cal33]

69. Howard Dean is an ex-DNC-chairperson (2-12-05 - 1/21/09). He may give advice

at most, if asked, but he has no direct say in any DNC decisions today. There are
only 6 Democratic Primary Presidential debates this time. In 2007-2008, when
Dean was DNC chairman, there were 26 Primary Democratic Presidential debates,
and Hillary was running for president for the first time. Here's the link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_presidential_debates,_2008

[Amimnoch]

32. How DARE you use logic and facts here!

amusing hyperbole.. that's the best you can hope for here these days.

I can only imagine the horrendous disappointment when they realize that the Wizard of Vermont really just gave the scarecrow a piece of paper, not an actual brain.

[Thinkingabout]

58. You are right, thanks.

[Bradical79]

59. The fact is DWS has been chairperson for awhile

I don't understand what Dean has to do with this. In the previous primaries Hillary Clinton attacked Barack Obama over not wanting more debates after they had 18 of them. The DNC then scheduled more debates. Why could that be done in '08 but not now? How is Dean relevant to the debates this year?

[Thinkingabout]

62. DWS followed Howard Dean as chairperson, she followed Dean's decision,

She has been chairperson since 2011. BTW, Hillary did not run in 2012.

[Bradical79]

63. Well, yeah

So how is Dean relevant to her decision to not hold more debates and the terrible schedule? She's chair, she's responsible. It's 2016. Why would you stick to a schedule your predecessor came up with years earlier? In '08 Clinton demanded more debates and got more debates after there had been 18 or 19 of them. It's not that hard.

[Thinkingabout]

64. Maybe so the DNC would not follow the clown car show of the GOP.

Five candidates was on stage the first debate, three the other times, how many times is it necessary to answer the same questions ten times, twenty times, the DNC can be leaders, not followers. Where is having dozens of debates going to change the answers with candidates when candidates does not change their positions? How does this help the three candidates? The have been on talk shows, was ask the same questions, maybe there are more talk shows where they don't have to face off with the other candidates. In this primary process Hillary has won the debates, she spent eleven hours testifying before congress recently, she is not going to fall on her face.

[Bradical79]

65. It's unfortunate you think so little of Clinton

Having lots of debates in the previous Democratic primary cycle was wildly successful. Clinton even ran agressive ads demanding more debates after 18 or so. This preceeded a historic victory for the Democratic party. Not sure why you think more Clinton on tv would suddenly turn this into a GOP style clown show.

[Thinkingabout]

66. Wrong, I hold Hillary in high esteem, I dont see a need in following

The GOP and their clown cars. It has been shown the DNC debates are much more productive than the GOP debates and the clown car. As a Democrat, we are better than following the GOP.

[Bradical79]

68. Makes sense. I'm convinced now.

I know when my prefered candidate is benefiting from televised debates, my first notion is to make sure there are the least amount of debates possible with the smallest viewing audiences. That's a real show of confidence.

[Cal33]

70. Who said anything about "dozens of debates?" Sanders and O'Malley asked for more

debates. Just let them decide on the number. Hillary asked for more debates in 2008,
and she got them from Dean. Just give Sanders and O'Malley the same consideration,
which DWS did not do.

[MadDAsHell]

84. "when candidates does not change their positions?"

You're joking right?

[Thinkingabout]

91. Which candidate does not change their position?

[Loudestlib]

55. Half-truths make the best lies....

“I do not support the exclusivity clause,” said former DNC chair and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean in mid-October.

[Thinkingabout]

92. What is the half truth?

[Bradical79]

56. I don't get it

Dean was chairperson 6 or 7 years ago wasn't he? How can he be responsible for the 2015/2016 debate schedule?

[riversedge]

10. This OP certainly falls under the category of the 'silly season'

Desperation also comes to mind.

[scottie55]

13. It's Not Silly To Schedule Debates When The Fewest People Possible

Will be watching.

Especially since the contrast between our candidates and the nut jobs is so stark.

[malokvale77]

25. It's almost like they are hiding something. nt

[tecelote]

15. Desperation seems to be tagged to Hillary lately.

Bernie's closing in fast.

Celebration is Bernie's tag.

Silly season is over. That was when Hillary had a real lead and nothing else mattered. She lost that.

Bernie is winning and he is on the way to being President elect.

[riversedge]

18. Only in the bubble that Sanders fan live in.

[tecelote]

23. Now that's desperation!

'Trying to say we live in a bubble when the race is neck and neck.

Sanders surged and denying that is being in the bubble.

Try the reality based world. Silly season is over.

[yuiyoshida]

30. Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the caldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,—
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

Scale of dragon; tooth of wolf;
Witches' mummy; maw and gulf
Of the ravin'd salt-sea shark;
Root of hemlock digg'd i the dark;
Liver of blaspheming Jew;
Gall of goat, and slips of yew
Sliver'd in the moon's eclipse;
Nose of Turk, and Tartar's lips;
Finger of birth-strangled babe
Ditch-deliver'd by a drab,—
Make the gruel thick and slab:
Add thereto a tiger's chaudron,
For the ingrediants of our caldron.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

Cool it with a baboon's blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.

~~William Shakespeare

[druidity33]

37. Classic! nice touch... nt.

[salib]

47. Never quote the Scotish Play.

[yuiyoshida]

57. Shakespeare is English

is he not?
William Shakespeare (/ˈʃeɪkspɪər/;[1] 26 April 1564 (baptised) – 23 April 1616)[nb 1] was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare

[salib]

60. Old thespian superstition.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatrical_superstitions

Thought it would be fun to recall that.

[paleotn]

52. O well done! I commend your pains!

[paleotn]

49. Or the goldfish bowl....

...inhabited by Hillbots? Now tell me, what exactly do you have against an additional 29 million Americans having healthcare coverage? With Bernie's solution, no one can make a buck off their health problems possibly?

[840high]

24. You mean Debbie's desperation not

to expose Hillary to the public?

[davidpdx]

46. Debbie's Desperate Debate Debacle

[Dem2]

67. No, fantastical bizzaro world theories are helpful

[Helen Borg]

12. Yup. Just shut up and die!

[libdem4life]

14. Name a major social/political issue that does not boil down to "who has the money"

It's like they taught us, until a sale is made, no one gets paid. Seems in politics it's the same, just accomplished a bit differently. I do not think Bernie's fixation on the billionaires is faulty. It is the lead goose in flight. The rest just file in formation.

How does anyone think we got in this fix anyway? Nixon Shock.

"The Nixon Shock was a series of economic measures undertaken by United States President Richard Nixon in 1971, the most significant of which was the unilateral cancellation of the direct convertibility of the United States dollar to gold."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon_Shock

The housing bubble arose from this series of actions. First just printing money, then it became securities and bonds, then some became phone, then......on and on and on....the Bailout....on and on and on...Somebody better get a handle on this. And it won't be anyone from the above mess of thieves and their henchmen and hench maidens.

Here's the truth. The banks don't have squat...aren't worth squat...some don't even have a penny on the dollar on their REAL books and the Emperor has no clothes. I'm pretty sure Bernie is smart enough to know this, and sees this as the opportunity for a political solution, rather than the crash that is currently impending. They have thought up so many clever ways to cover their lies and theft with more lies and theft to dupe people, it's without shame. They are crooks and always have been.

Bernie threatens this, and that's why I worry about him. He's leading the Pitchfork Voting Revolution.

[scottie55]

17. The Golden Rule

Has always been the golden rule.

[libdem4life]

21. That is not a political issue, my friend, these are words of Jesus, as are The Beatitudes.

It is the Rule of Humankind. Cannot be compared to our political system, just as when Jesus was in Rome. Not much has changed. He said it is easier for a rich man to go through the eye of a needle than to go to heaven. I think that's where spirituality and politics/money part ways.

You don't want me to get started on this...my grad classes were in Theology.

I have done some comparison to the Beatitudes and the original intent of the Democratic Party and why I am a Democrat, and it is a bit consoling.

[HereSince1628]

27. Jesus in Rome? As something other than a sculpture?

[libdem4life]

33. I have no idea what you are talking about. And I don't take kindly to what may be some sacriligious

jest. If that's what it is. Don't respond.

[HereSince1628]

44. No idea? Ok below is pasted the statement I am commenting on...

Cannot be compared to our political system, just as when Jesus was in Rome.

As far as I know, there is no reference to Jesus, the man, ever being in Rome.

Which is why I asked. What are you referencing that says with authority that Jesus,the man, was in Rome?

I'm not asking for a copy of his passport, just where did you get that?

[Cal33]

72. "Social/political issue...." This may not be a political issue, but it is definitely a social one.

[libdem4life]

73. That is true. However, our morality underlies everything we do...social, political, etc.

Someone quoted the Golden Rule and I expounded on it a bit...since I know a bit about that subject.

I even gave the Democratic Party a shout out for being the closest to the Beatitudes...the second most important tome attributed to Jesus.

But I don't argue it.

Peace Out

[malokvale77]

26. "They are crooks and always have been."

Bernie threatens this, and that's why I worry about him. He's leading the Pitchfork Voting Revolution.

I'm always reminded of her Bobby Kennedy remark in 2008.

[thereismore]

28. I'd like to know how it came to pass that Bernie

was allowed to run on the D ticket. Who fucked that up? I bet Debbie has a lot to answer to the Clintons.

[Duval]

35. Didn't Bernie switch from I to DEM? Isn't that legal?

[tecelote]

36. He had no chance.

A "Socialist", please!

Pretty funny that now.

As you said... Debbie has a lot to answer to the Clintons.

[scottie55]

38. Hilarious

Both Bernie and Hillary are real Democrats.

I don't know why Bernie called himself an independant. I don't know if I would want to be part of the oil, coal, Wall Street first party if I could help it.

Oops, forgot to mention war....

[Cal33]

74. I see you are new here. Welcome to DU. Hope you will like it here. 35 years ago

when Bernie began in politics, he saw that there were politicians, both Republican
and Democratic, who were being paid by and taking orders from the Corporate
Power people. He didn't want any part of that corruption. So he did not join
either of the two major parties.

But if you look up his record, beginning from the time he became Mayor of the
Capital of Vermont, you will see that he was always for the middle class and the
have-nots. You can also see from his voting record as US congressman and senator,
that he voted with the Democratic Progressives in the high 90s percent of the
time. His record shows that he is more of a Progressive Democrat than most
officially Democratic politicians.

He is a man of integrity -- a person we can trust to work for the American people,
not the greedy Corporate Power people -- which is a quality sadly lacking in many
politicians today.

[Bradical79]

61. Well, when 3 of the other 4 candidates are ex-Republicans...

and the DNC chair endorsed Republicans herself, I think it's hard to raise a fuss over an independent liberal Senator joining the party and running too without looking silly

[kjones]

82. Wonder what you think of Warren...

[Bradical79]

83. I think she's great

She's not running so I didn't add her to the tally. The post is more about the hypocrisy of a faction of Clinton fans who like to call Bernie Sanders a fake Democrat or express confusion over why a liberal independent is allowed to join the party and run for office. I think O'Mally is the only one of the group of potential candidates that was a life long Democrat.

[Duval]

34. And that includes our Main Stream Media!

Thanks, scottie55!

[WillyT]

43. K & R !!! - It's ALL About The Money...

[AzDar]

53. K & R

[Uncle Joe]

71. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, scottie.

[Enthusiast]

75. They limited the debates because the electorate would prefer Bernie to Hillary.

If the American people knew about single payer we would have already had it.

The media engaged in no less of a conspiracy in the single payer blackout than they did in cheer leading their way to the Iraq War.

How many of us are sick of the corporate ruling class and their bribed political guardians?

[fredamae]

79. What Useful service does the Insurance Industry

offer for the premiums we pay aside from Profits for CEO's/Shareholders?

[kjones]

81. If I'm not mistaken, the last debate had pretty good ratings...

despite the name calling and conspiracy peddling that Bernie folks
tossed out beforehand.

[scottie55]

85. Imagine If It Was Prime Time

And not in the middle of a holiday weekend. Twice the viewers maybe?

[kjones]

87. Ah yes, the "enemy of the good" nt

[billhicks76]

86. Slave Economy

It's like they want destabilization.

[scottie55]

88. Please Read The Shock Doctrine

By Naomi Klein.

You will get the picture.

[raindaddy]

89. What would the plutocrats do if they couldn't prey on the middle class and poor?

[NCjack]

90. Bernie has the Big Mo. Expect Hillary to ask DNC (Sweet Debbie) for more

debates stop the hemorrhaging of her supporters -- no, strike that -- to explore in greater detail the issues facing the American people.

[scottie55]

93. I Don't Think More Or Fewer Debates Will Help Hillary Now

The Cat Is Out Of The Bag.

The idea of covering all Americans with health insurance is very powerful.

[awoke_in_2003]

94. The only business UHC punishes

is insurance companies. I cannot believe companies like GE or Walmart wouldn't be behind it. Most companies would save tons of money.

[scottie55]

95. It's A Lot To Do With The "Big Government" Thing

I am sure.

They want EVERYTHING privatized.

And controlled by a handful of ass clowns.