When Bernie Sanders Slams The "Establishment" It's Not Cool Or Smart — It's Just Lazy

[Cali_Democrat]

By KATHERINE SPELLER

You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the "establishment." At least, that's the way it seems based on Bernie Sanders comments as of late. Accusing any non-supporters of being part of the "establishment" has become such a common line for his campaign that even longtime friends and political allies — including California Sen. Barbara Boxer — have sort of had enough. In an interview with Joe Scarborough on MSNBC's Morning Joe on Wednesday, Boxer called foul on Sanders' penchant for over-using the "establishment" label.

Boxer drew attention to the fact that Sanders has a habit of dismissing progressive organizations and politicians that happen to be supporting his opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as parts of the "establishment." Most recently, it was towards California Gov. Jerry Brown who had recently endorsed Clinton.

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Gov. Brown is one in the long list of those Sanders considers "establishment." In January, Sanders implied to MSNCB's Rachel Maddow that Planned Parenthood, The Human Rights Campaign, and NARAL Pro-Choice America were also under the "establishment" umbrella — while also saying he would've loved to have had their endorsements. It made me wonder whether the criteria for being a part of the "establishment" — a word with generally negative political connotations that's awful hard to refute if you're not familiar with individual politicians, their platforms, and their work — has anything to do with being a progressive, or if it really boils down to whether you side with Sanders or not.

Read more: http://www.bustle.com/articles/164203-when-bernie-sanders-slams-the-establishment-its-not-cool-or-smart-its-just-lazy

[tonyt53]

1. His reasoning is the same as his supporters singing "We Shall Overcome". They have no idea.

[JimDandy]

12. Cool. Do you have a video of his supporters singing that? No one has produced one still.

People love the Sanders 1987 recording he did of that song with 30 Vermont musicians, singers and artists. What a nice tribute to him from his supporters.

[msongs]

2. bernie is as establishment as a politician can be nt

[JTFrog]

3. +1 nt

[JCanete]

4. explain what you even mean. Otherwise you're just attacking his strengths for the hell of it. nt

[JRLeft]

5. The establishment is one of the biggest reasons the economic system is working against the people.

[cwydro]

6. That term is so out-dated.

I remember it being used in the 60's when I was just a kid.

Bernie still lives in those days, I guess.

[JCanete]

7. Um, we understand what establishment means. I think you must by now too, but that definition is

inconvenient to you. Establishment is the system we have. Almost all of our politicians work within the system, which means courting big money. They don't work to change the system, which would mean getting destroyed either in the primary, or the general election. When Brown wasn't keeping up with the times, the tune of the new DLC wing of the democratic party, he was holding onto antiquated democratic values. Those values didn't serve him winning the nomination against Clinton, and wouldn't have served to get him into the Governor's mansion, and he's a changed man today.

He's still a pretty good establishment candidate. He's about as left as the the establishment will allow. And if you're going to be on the team, not the bat-boys and the funny mascots but the actual players, you'd better support the rest of the team.

So we don't have any illusions about why Brown would support Hillary. Political expedience is important if you want to get things done. The question I wish people would ask themselves is how much are our politicians giving up to get that little bit done? If you look at the last 35 years, I'd say a whole lot, and I'd say there's been relatively little to show for it.

[uponit7771]

8. +1, it's lazy whining seeing Weaver and Diving OPENLY said they did NOT compete in "southern states"

... and the long shot black guy won in 08 with similar system and situation.

[Maru Kitteh]

10. With the VERY "funny" name, no less.

Guess he doesn't count.

I wonder why that is . . . hmmmmmm.

[Maru Kitteh]

9. And then there's the fact that he's only EVER had "establishment" jobs

No steady check for him wasn't gathered from taxpayers. He IS the establishment.

[Jitter65]

11. All ready cost him a few votes in Cali. nt