Great MoJo comparison of Bernie's positions to polls (Bernie Group Post)

[hootinholler]

Last edited Sun May 24, 2015, 12:40 PM - Edit history (1)

From May 19th, I'm surprised I hadn't seen it before.

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a self-described socialist, is an extremely long shot to defeat Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary. Does that mean his views on key political issues are too radical for America's voters? Not necessarily. Here's how his policy positions actually fare in the polls:
socialism

Sanders: Describes himself as a democratic socialist.

His fellow Americans: While only 31 percent of Americans react positively to the word "socialism," just 50 percent view "capitalism" in favorable terms, according to a recent Pew survey. Among 18- to 29-year-olds, nearly half had a positive view of "socialism," while only 47 percent viewed "capitalism" favorably.

income Taxes

Sanders: Famously filibustered the 2010 extension of Bush tax cuts for wealthy Americans.

His fellow Americans: In a February poll, 68 percent of likely voters said wealthy households pay too little in federal taxes.

Much more at link.

[daleanime]

1. K&R.....

[Jackpine Radical]

2. It strikes me that with Bernie we have a chance to educate people

about what "socialism" actually means, at least in the here & now. Get them to realize that their pre-existing opinions have already made "socialists" of them. Bernie's campaign might neutralize the negative associations to that word.

[erronis]

9. Agree. There are a lot of good terms that have been made bad by the politicos and their press -

Liberal
Progressive
Socialist
Liberty (real, not flag lapel pins)
Government
Social Security
Medicare and Medicaid
Aid to Families with Dependent Children (and all it's reincarnations)
Welfare - really! The term is quite descriptive but it's become a slur

[merrily]

3. To the greatest!

[marle35]

4. Even more are in favor of them

when they actually understand the positions. Like for instance the estate tax, when they learn who it actually affects.

[silverweb]

6. Yup.

[silverweb]

5. On pay equity for women:

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]It gets a "thumbs down" because "Most Americans agree that women face pay discrimination, but only about one-third favor addressing the problem via legislation."

Wait. What?

That means two-thirds do favor addressing the problem via legislation or don't really care, doesn't it? How is that a negative response?

On edit: Note correction below. Headed for the coffee maker right this minute.

[hootinholler]

7. Um

1/3 favorable leaves 2/3 unfavorable. Your Do should be a Don't

[silverweb]

8. Need coffee....

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Thanks for waking me up.

[AZ Progressive]

10. We live in a democracy, dammit, it's the news media's job to inform us of what we need to know

in order to make good choices in who we elect. If it isn't so, if the corporate executives get to say what is news, what gets to be covered, and what isn't, then the news media has all the power, not the people, and we don't really live in a democracy (or democratic republic to be more specific.)

[Thespian2]

11. K & R !!!!

Bernie has been on target for years...since many of his fellow politicians don't give a shit about Americans, his proposed legislation always is a difficult battle, but Bernie keeps battling for all of us folks who others dismiss...