What is the "establishment" that Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz Rail Against? A lesson in hypocrisy.

[TomCADem]

In typical, hypocritical fashion, we have two long time members of the establishment who have elevated themselves by railing against the establishment of which they are a member.

Marty Cohen, co-author of The Party Decides, a 2008 book that argues that political insiders still play a huge part in selecting a party nominee stated, "I tend to think of the establishment as a group of people that is consistently involved in party politics, whether they be elected officials, whether they be interest group leaders, whether they be radio personalities," Cohen said, "people who have consistently been involved in shaping the party."

Under this definition, Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz clearly are members of the political establishment as are most elected officials and anyone who is consistently involved in party politics. Even if you add wealth, Bernie Sanders who wealth exceeds 2.5 million, and owns three homes, and has recorded income in excess of $1 million a year, still would be a member of the political establishment.

Now, to avoid being thrown in the bucket of Ted Cruz, Bernie supporters might try to add the caveat that the person cannot be a conservative. But, if this is the case, then the Democratic establishment might only consist of Joe Manchin in West Virginia and a few others.

The fact of the matter is that Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz are long time members of the political establishments that they repeatedly rail against. Indeed, Bernie's case, it is particularly hypocritical, because always opts to run in the Democratic Senate primaries, and is now running for the Democratic nomination, but then eschews any responsibility towards supporting the party.

However, maybe I am wrong. If you have a better definition, plus a list of examples of who would fall into that definition, I would be happy to discuss.

https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/Decoder/2014/0213/Sen.-Ted-Cruz-filibuster-angers-GOP-leaders.-Where-does-fight-end

Sen. Ted Cruz filibuster angers GOP leaders. Where does fight end?

Sen. Ted Cruz (R) of Texas is unpopular with many establishment Republicans in D.C. They see him as the driving force behind last year’s partial government shutdown, which sent their party’s approval ratings to new lows. Perhaps as a result, Senator Cruz was pretty quiet through the first part of 2014. But now he’s forced GOP Senate leaders into a vote they badly wanted to avoid.

Cruz is doubling down on his outsider status. He’s burning his remaining bridges with a blowtorch, to throw more metaphors into the mix.

Not that he’d see it that way. Cruz describes his actions as consistent with GOP small-government principles. It is party leaders who have moved away from those, according to the Texan.

“Today’s vote is yet another example that establishment politicians from both parties are simply not listening to the American people,” said Cruz in a statement Wednesday after the Senate approved an increase in the national debt ceiling.

Link to tweet

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[Faux pas]

1. Well old

teddy munster has never listened to we the people. Just the dim witted evil ones like him.

[nycbos]

2. Help help I'm being repressed.

[gollygee]

3. Whenever I hear people rage about "the establishment"

I interpret it as someone who believes in ridiculous conspiracy theories.

[msongs]

4. the establishment is any living being that gets in trumps way. nt

[murielm99]

5. Or gets in Bernie's way,

like Planned Parenthood.

[TomCADem]

8. It is a sad that those folks who are most willing to elevate themselves...

...at the expense of others like Bernie Sanders, Ted Cruz and Trump are rewarded for such a self-aggrandizing approach to politics. Power of principle.

[RandiFan1290]

13. Awww

Have a bad night, Tom?

[Cha]

11. Exactly!

[Hortensis]

6. Sanders sounds exactly like a Bro. That's their attitude and

the message many of those antagonistic, malcontent "revolutionaries" are emboldened to push: We the electorate can't stop them.

And they really don't care that Russia is the engine powering them.

[TomCADem]

7. It Is Just a Fraudulent Talking Point As Used Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders

Both are Senators and in Bernie's case, he has been in Congress forever. It is one thing if Yang or Steyer were running against the political "establishment." Both could credibly argue that they are not involved in party politics.

However, Ted Cruz still lists himself as a Republican notwithstanding his rhetoric. Likewise, Bernie Sanders repeatedly runs in Democratic primaries. Both are longtime members of the establishment they repeatedly attack.

[Hortensis]

12. Yes, Sanders voted 95-99% "establishment" since 1992.

Craving for the lying and hypocrisy of charismatic populist leaders is not limited to the right.

[uponit7771]

10. +1

[redqueen]

9. It's when the two parties can magically come together to do things to help us all!

The Telecommunications Act!
NAFTA!
The repeal of Glass-Steagall!
The Iraq War!