Local Union Chapters DISREGARD National Leadership To ENDORSE Bernie Sanders

[Segami]

“Bernie is talking about social security and I think that’s important,” responds his friend Carl Lamar, 62, from Des Moines. “I think it’s about even here between Bernie and Hillary and a lot haven’t made their mind up yet. I’m pretty sure my mind is made up and I’m voting for Bernie.”

~snip~

Sanders still only has formal backing from a handful of national unions – but increasingly it does not matter. In a stark illustration of his argument that revolutionary political change can only come from below, a growing number of local union chapters are choosing to ignore their national leadership and back Sanders on the ground instead.

“We have had quite a few visits here from all the different candidates and staffers,” says Steve Vonk, local president of the United Steelworkers, as he introduces Sanders to an enthusiastic meeting opposite a Bridgestone tire factory in Des Moines.

“We’ve had a lot of visits from Bernie’s folks. They have been very persistent. We’ve asked them all [the presidential campaigns] to bring their candidates, but we’ve only had one taker and he’s right at home in the union hall.

“I am going to caucus for Bernie,” he adds to loud cheers. “I can’t remember in my lifetime a public servant who truly cares as much about the poor, the middle class, working men and women as Bernie Sanders.”

The USW is among those who have decided not to make any national endorsement yet, but senior Sanders campaign staff believe this to be natural territory for them now.

“The steel workers are one the great unions in our country,” Sanders tells the crowded hall. “You understand that change, real change, never comes from the top down; it always comes from the bottom on up. And the middle class does not grow unless the trade union movement grows.”

There is a tricky tightrope to walk when it comes to explaining why union leaders in Washington are slower to the feel the Bern.


cont'

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jan/26/bernie-sanders-local-union-endorse-iowa-united-steelworkers

[Thenewire]

1. Promising impossible things

Will get you support, go figure.

[cali]

5. He hasn't promised anything but that he'll fight for progressive goals

And he's been a stalwart union supporter who actually has put on his walking shoes and walked the union picket line.

[Thenewire]

13. Sanders represents the white liberal American

Just like Trump represents white conservatives for the republicans. He is from a majority white state that doesn't understand the hardships and prejudice minorities face elsewhere. They might feel bad about it once in a while but what do they care, they are willing to bet it all on Sanders and couldn't care any less if he loses since they would have made their point. Whites will be alright under a republican like Trump.

[cali]

15. Oh bullshit and terribly lame bullshit at that.

Last edited Wed Jan 27, 2016, 12:21 PM - Edit history (1)

And as a Vermonter, let me have the pleasure of telling you how wrong you are about my state.

Unlike hilly dear are, Bernie has never used dog whistles or threatened to BLM activists that he'll only talk to white people or carelessly bleated that all lives matter or attacked a black pastor. I could go on and on.

[kenfrequed]

8. Robert Reich answers this

Go look up the video.

[angrychair]

16. Impossible

"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."
Christopher Reeve

"It it were not impossible, any asshole could do it."
Angrychair

[cali]

2. Good on them for not allowing the bigwigs to corral them

[PatrickforO]

3. The guy in the back of the hall who asks, "How are we gonna pay

for these things, none of this is free?" Well, here's the answer: We have the money to do EVERYTHING Bernie wants to do. Right now, though, much of it is in the wrong hands. That's why he wants corporations, billionaires and Wall Street to pay their fair share.

[CharlotteVale]

4. K&R

[farleftlib]

6. As they should

Nobody should tell anyone else how to vote.

[notadmblnd]

7. look at the faces of the people behind Sanders

They don't look like it was made mandatory for them to be there. They seem happy unlike HRC supporters

[eShirl]

9. There's a Hillary poster on the wall at a Bernie event?

OK...

[Segami]

12. The photo with the dudes is a Hillary event.

[notadmblnd]

14. The picture I posted is a HRC event

See how happy HRC supporters are to be there supporting her?

[Segami]

11. Happy for HRC.....is so contagious!

If we see anymore happiness, a brawl might break out!....contain your happiness guys........

[jillan]

10. Paging Rachel Maddow. THIS is what Bernie was telling you but what you failed to understand.