Bernie Sanders
Related: About this forumBernie Sanders' platform in an easy to digest format. These are all mainstream ideas.
More than 50% of the American public agree with each and every one of these positions. Challenge your crazy right wing uncle to disagree with any of it.
Jobs and income: In my view, we need a massive federal jobs program which puts millions of our people back to work. We must end our disastrous trade policies. We need to raise the minimum wage to a living wage. And we have to fight for pay equity for women.
Campaign finance reform: As a result of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, American democracy is being undermined by the ability of the Koch brothers and other billionaire families. These wealthy contributors can literally buy politicians and elections by spending hundreds of millions of dollars in support of the candidates of their choice. We need to overturn Citizens United and move toward public funding of elections so that all candidates can run for office without being beholden to the wealthy and powerful.
Climate change: Climate change is real, caused by human activity and already devastating our nation and planet. The United States must lead the world in combating climate change and transforming our energy system away from fossil fuels and toward energy efficiency and sustainability.
College affordability: Every person in this country who has the desire and ability should be able to get all the education they need regardless of the income of their family. This is not a radical idea. In Germany, Scandinavia and many other countries, higher education is either free or very inexpensive. We must do the same.
Health care: Shamefully, the United States remains the only major country on earth that does not guarantee health care to all people. The United States must move toward a Medicare-for-all single-payer system. Health care is a right, not a privilege.
Poverty: The United States has more people living in poverty than at almost any time in the modern history of our country. I believe that in a democratic, civilized society none of our people should be hungry or living in desperation. We need to expand Social Security, not cut it. We need to increase funding for nutrition programs, not cut them.
Tax reform: We need real tax reform which makes the rich and profitable corporations begin to pay their fair share of taxes. We need a tax system which is fair and progressive. Children should not go hungry in this country while profitable corporations and the wealthy avoid their tax responsibilities by stashing their money in the Cayman Islands.
Faux pas
(14,665 posts)merrily
(45,251 posts)And Bernie is good at saying things clearly. Maybe actually believing what he is saying helps.
corkhead
(6,119 posts)merrily
(45,251 posts)winter is coming
(11,785 posts)merrily
(45,251 posts)Been there. Heard that.
donnasgirl
(656 posts)There were two comments that stood out to me and both came from Registered Republicans, The first one I found funny because of the way he said it, he is and will vote for Bernie Sanders for the very reason he gave was because of ( His words ) Chris Christy the fat bastard wants to take Social Security which leads him to believe that the whole field of useless Republicans would do the same. The second one I found interesting for a couple of different reason, he stated that in his view Bernie Sanders actually talked like a Politician of old, one who not only talks the talk but his record over the years shows he is an honest politician which he said that he wished the Republicans had a Sanders to choose from so he could vote for him, he will vote for sanders. In the past few days we have had some close the door but we have had many who actually stated they are watching him very closely and they like what they see in him and much of his platform.
erronis
(15,238 posts)Bernie has latched onto something very powerful that most people like - plain speaking and honesty.
Since I moved to Vermont a few years ago I've been able to watch him in local talks. He takes questions, answers them directly and sometimes with humor, and asks questions back to the audience. He is not scripted by handlers.
I sorta worry that other candidates of both parties will start to adopt a airbrushed fly-away hair, a gravelly Brooklyn/Vermont accent, an attempt to be direct and honest. Well, if it works all the better. Let's all remember that their personas are carefully crafted by a lot of media/political hacks.
BainsBane
(53,031 posts)The question is HOW it can be implemented. Those are very similar to Obama's positions, but he wasn't able to implement them over the objections of congress.
corkhead
(6,119 posts)I believe President Obama could have accomplished more of the populist agenda* had he gone more to the people. He did some of it, but not enough imho.
* TPP is not part of the populist agenda
RufusTFirefly
(8,812 posts)Bernie won't be the only person running for office in 2016. If it becomes clear to Congressional candidates that Bernie's policies have wide support, it will not only influence who gets elected to Congress but also how those in Congress choose to govern.
BainsBane
(53,031 posts)is it? You seem to place a lot of faith in the words of a president. The majority of House districts still remain in Republican hands, and their primary contests veer to the extreme right. Those constituents aren't disposed to embrace the liberal ideas they've already rejected for years now.
I could create a wish list, and it would propose a far more egalitarian society than the one above. It means nothing, however, without a concrete plan to pass and implement it.
People vest so much in the beliefs of a presidential candidate, when ultimately what matters is what they can manage to get accomplished.
peacebird
(14,195 posts)thesquanderer
(11,986 posts)People will vote for Bernie because they actually want what he's talking about.
winter is coming
(11,785 posts)not something he's come up with just before election season.
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)at all levels.
Just like the Pukes and Baggers did.
Get people legally registered and get them to the polls.
Oh and...get people off their lazy asses to vote too.
BainsBane
(53,031 posts)like the obsession of this site, it will not change anything. The Tea Party works at the local level to get candidates to run who reflect their views. Here people expect the existing politicians to make things happen for them.
peacebird
(14,195 posts)I like that.
emulatorloo
(44,115 posts)salimbag
(173 posts)Waiting for Bernie to say something about immigration policy. I know he has supported reform in the past, but he needs to update his position.
TM99
(8,352 posts)after Clinton finishes making all of her promises in her current campaigning events.
Sanders is not a 'me too' kind of politician.
Once the hubbub dies down from her speech in Nevada, I imagine we will see him speak on the topic with his usual blunt pragmatism.
d_legendary1
(2,586 posts)Sorry Rock but you've just been replaced!
-none
(1,884 posts)Major Hogwash
(17,656 posts)And one that we need now!
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)chknltl
(10,558 posts)Might rankle those not in this group but Bernie Sanders' platform is straight forward common sense and as such should be labeled the Common Sense Platform. I'm thinking ol' Thomas Paine won't mind.
cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom