***Bernie Sanders is up on CNN Town Hall***

[nolabear]

Full disclosure-I don’t like Bernie but I’ll be fair and hope everyone else will too.

This is really great though. Wonder what the Green Room is like!

[floppyboo]

1. Rousing welcome for SBS!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

61. Bernie's crushin it... as usual!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[George II]

78. .

[sheshe2]

84. .

[nolabear]

2. First: Medicare for all. How to phase out private ins. companies

Current dysfunctional system. Function of current system is to make billions of dollars in profits.

Year 1-down to 55 for Medicare. Cover dental, eye, ear. Healthcare is a right.

Didn’t get how though.

[sheshe2]

85. "Didn't get how though."

[a kennedy]

3. I've already written to CNN thanking them for this night.......love it.

[nolabear]

6. It really is great.

[IamFortunesFool]

7. Yes, CNN is doing some things to atone for past sins

....they still normalize Trump all day, though. And the irony is they seem to be aware of it but can't stop.

[Rhiannon12866]

83. I wrote to them back in 2004 or 2005 because I was so outraged when they cut away from John Kerry

Speaking live before the Senate to show a taped statement by some RWer, "for balance," they said. I said I wouldn't be tuning in again. One day last week I did catch about 5 minutes - and encountered something similar again! A female anchor had former Rep. Luis Gutiérrez on discussing the "immigration crisis." "For balance," they also had an irate Republican who kept interrupting and shouting Rep. Gutiérrez down. The anchor unsuccessfully tried to get him to wait his turn. Obviously, not much has changed.

[Honeycombe8]

54. Does cnn have an email for the public?nt

[a kennedy]

56. I just sent to "contact us" section......

[Honeycombe8]

59. Thx. nt

[ecstatic]

4. He didn't answer the question: "How do you plan to phase out private insurance

companies for your "medicare for all" plan. Just reiterated that medicare for all is the best way to go.

[nolabear]

5. Two: Voting rights for all felons, violent offenders, etc.?

Young people need to vote more. Cowardly Repub governors are suppressing the young people’s vote.

If someone commits a serious crime they are punished. The right to vote is inherent even for those who commit terrible crimes.

[mobeau69]

9. Bernie screwed up. The pukes will go after him on this like a pack of wolves.

Not good.

[JudyM]

24. It's not screwing up to stand by your convictions. I respect that.

[mobeau69]

29. True. Has he addressed this before tonight?

[David__77]

49. Yeah.

He addressed it on the recent Fox town hall.

I like it and while it surprised me a bit for a moment, it makes sense to me.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

52. And, as usual, Bernie is right on this issue.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[George II]

80. .

[mobeau69]

73. Thanks. I see where he's coming from but I'm having trouble wrapping my head around it.

I've honestly never thought about this before.

[David__77]

89. I don't know that I fully agree with him on that.

I think that it might make sense to make suspension of voting rights a specific sentence and only for some subset of crimes.

[mobeau69]

90. Pete gave the answer I was looking for.

Basically was: Look, when you're a convicted criminal you lose a lot of your rights, including your freedom.


As a strictly political issue, most voters aren't going to get all worked up over a child molester not being allowed to vote while in prison.

[chimpymustgo]

13. Reparations??? Yes!! 10/20/30 to focus on minority and poor communities.

Minorities have literally been ROBBED and BURNED out of thriving communities. That MUST be recognized and compensated for.

[artislife]

71. Yes they have and still in this day and age. nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

86. No question!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[artislife]

51. I actually agree with this and have thought this for years

I don't understand how committing a crime influences whether you are a citizen. Also, if we believe in the power of redemption and that if one has served their time, why do we still punish them?

Felons are humans. Some never turn their lives around and probably wouldn't vote anyway. But what about those who want to rejoin the community and give back?

I await the flames.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

60. No flames... you're right!! And how better to protect an inmate's rights

via criminal justice related legislation than to allow them to vote for their political representatives. It's simple common sense.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[George II]

81. .

[sheshe2]

87. Released felons should be allowed to vote.

I don't really want to give incarcerated Charles Manson voting rights. I believe in a woman's right to chose. Manson stabbed Sharon Tate, an eight and a half month pregnant woman to death. He took her and her babies right to chose away from them.

Nope. Sorry. No!

You want to give Chris Watts incarcerated felon his voting rights after killing two daughters and his wife and unborn child? NO.

[True Dough]

88. Jeez, none of Bernie's supporters answered your pertinent questions

Please, Bernie backers, step up and provide a response.

[ecstatic]

8. Question 2: Do you support restoring voting rights for convicted terrorists and sex offenders?

He didn't dodge this question. His answer is YES.

[mobeau69]

12. Has he addressed this before?

Seemed like he was stalling while trying to formulate an answer in his mind.

[elleng]

10. Thanks

[nolabear]

11. Three: Reparations. How to end the wealth gap for black people.

He’ll sign onto a study. The way to most effectively deal with it is 10% of federal funds to focus on communities with long term poverty and improve education, infrastructure, etc.

Not bad.

[chimpymustgo]

17. I am not a fan of Bernie as the nominee. But he helps drive the conversation. n/t

[JudyM]

28. He talks unapologetically and directly about his positions. That's what we need.

[Go Vols]

31. +1

[George II]

14. He didn't even come close to answering the first question, and he wasn't accurate....

....(I won't call it "lying" ) about Medicare not covering eye care or hearing aids. Medicare covers BOTH, including cataract surgery, eye exams, and eyeglasses. My wife and I have both received benefits for both eye surgery and eyeglasses, and my (right wing republican) neighbor gets his hearing aids covered by Medicare.

I'm going back to watching the Capitals/Hurricane hockey game.

[RobertDevereaux]

26. Hmmmm...

I’m on Medicare and I use a separate VSP plan for eye exams and glasses.

So I had to check.

From this website.
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/eyeglasses-contact-lenses

%%%%
Eyeglasses & contact lenses

Medicare doesn’t usually cover eyeglasses or contact lenses.

However, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps pay for corrective lenses if you have cataract surgery to implant an intraocular lens. Corrective lenses include one pair of eyeglasses with standard frames or one set of contact lenses.

Your costs in Original Medicare

You pay 100% for non-covered services, including most eyeglasses or contact lenses.
You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for corrective lenses after each cataract surgery with an intraocular lens, and the Part B deductible applies. You pay any additional costs for upgraded frames. Medicare will only pay for contact lenses or eyeglasses from a supplier enrolled in Medicare, no matter if you or your supplier submits the claim.
%%%%

[Autumn]

77. I'm on Medicare and I have to pay for a supplemental to get eye exams and glasses.

My husband doesn't have the supplemental because he has VA. Medicare wouldn't pay for his hearing aids so VA did.

[Green Line]

82. Does not cover eye exams

Or glasses, it will pay $40.00 for only one lense, not frames after cataract surgery. I had both eyes done, after paying the deductible, new glasses, eye exam and eye drops it was close to $1000. He also never mentions that you have to have a supplement plan to cover the 20% that Medicare doesn’t cover.

[nolabear]

15. Four: Intl trade and trade policies.

Fair trade, not unfettered free trade. Anti-NAFTA, CAFTA, not sure I understand what he’s for.

Can anyone help me?

[nolabear]

16. Taxes: how does being a millionaire effect your policies on the wealthy?

Best seller. (I’m skeptical) He should pay his fair share.

[elleng]

19. Doesn't change his policies on the wealthy; MUST pay their fair share.

Expects to return to former/current income level.

[mobeau69]

32. So he's not expecting to become president?

[elleng]

37. He got that joke question too!

Income would increase to $400,000, from $174,000.

[mobeau69]

39. Missed that.

I'm watching NHL too!

[elleng]

43. HA! Was watching Rachel; will watch her rerun.

[Sparkly]

18. Economic Plan: Everybody write a bestselling book.

[George II]

21. Bazinga!

[nolabear]

22. That's one that throws me. I know numerous best selling authors.

Not a one of them is a millionaire. You have to be monstrously best selling. I suppose maybe he isz

[Honeycombe8]

46. He did say on the NYT Best Seller list. That is monstrously best selling, I guess. nt

[nolabear]

20. What is one thing you've changed your mind about recently?

More attention to foreign policy. (Good answer. I don’t like that neglect)

Yemen.

[George II]

25. Yemen is a big issue, but remember that resolution (not legislation) was written back in 2017.....

....by Senator Chris Murphy. Thanks Senator Murphy!!!

[JudyM]

30. What happened to your hockey game?

[George II]

34. I mentioned that about 10 minutes ago, then the 2nd period ended. Just started the 3rd period.

[mobeau69]

36. Two teevees and a desktop.

I do it all the time.

[George II]

72. Hurricanes defeated the Capitals, on to a seventh game. Now rooting for Nashville for a seventh game

[nolabear]

27. I'm surprised no BS supporters are on the thread.

Where’d you all go?

[Honeycombe8]

47. They may be in the Bernie Sanders forum. nt

[RobertDevereaux]

53. Nope. Not much over action there.

I checked.

I guess you guys are Simply Not Interesting Enough. :^)

[Honeycombe8]

57. I checked, too. crickets. That's odd. nt

[floppyboo]

64. How did you check? I thought you had to have a preference to visit?

In any case - here's a commercial break! I'm here!
Like that he called out nutty yahoo as a racist. About time.

[brooklynite]

79. No - just to post

[artislife]

66. It isn't really

I find myself girding my loins, so to speak, whenever I see Bernie in the title of an OP from a non-supporter.


This has been a surprisingly pleasant experience.


Though, I have duly noted all those who wish to make it clear that Bernie is at the bottom of any list for president, save Trump or Pence. I understand your position and I will not misconstrue that this means he's a real Democrat.



Because he isn't .



Even though the party seems to think he is one of the Democratic candidates for the presidency.

[floppyboo]

75. tangental, but I feel for your girded loins.

Fortunately, there is that ignore feature, which, once logged in, makes all the nasties disappear. Hence, lessening my impetuous nature to defend.

[artislife]

76. I spent the day

laughing at all my ignored people from the last election. At least half or more are in purgatory. Their accounts under review.

But seriously, I shouldn't read the primary forums.

[sheshe2]

68. We would see it if they were.

Still goes to latest and greatest.

[artislife]

55. It is traffic time on the West coast. nt

[ecstatic]

65. Was the town hall aired on CNN international?

They might be in a different country or time zone.

[artislife]

67. You talking about our service members

and ex-pat community, yes?

[nolabear]

33. Mueller: do you agree with Warren on impeachment?

Congress has to take a hard look, investigate, etc. and see 45 not re-elected.

[Honeycombe8]

48. Good answer. nt

[Snotcicles]

35. How did Klobuchar and Warren answer the reparations and felon voting questions? nt

[nolabear]

38. Rectify Democratic Socialism with failures of socialism in other countries?

Surprising round of applause.

He’s in his wheelhouse now. 1%, corporations, etc.

Not authoritarian communism. Democratic civilized society. Healthcare is a right. Every young person has a right to education. Housing, childcare too expensive. Expand Medicare, education, infrastructure, not just the wealthy.

Testy response to question about his old ideas.

[jalan48]

40. Thanks for posting nolabear!

[RobertDevereaux]

44. Seconding jana48's thanks. Good on you, nolabear!

[elleng]

41. Not anti Israel, Netany treating Palestinians unfairly.

U.S. must deal with Israel AND Palestinians fairly.

[nolabear]

42. Netanyahu-How to maintain relationship in spite of critiques?

Netanyahu is RW and treats people unfairly. US should deal with Middle East on a level field and not as a RW racist government.

[artislife]

58. !!! nt

[nolabear]

45. What about armed guards in schools?

Against it. And we need reform in criminal justice. Invest in young people with jobs and education.

[nolabear]

50. I've got to give it a rest for a bit. Y'all are on your own. But...

Warren is trending the most on Twitter, FYI.

[elleng]

62. Kamala Harris coming up.

[mtnsnake]

63. I think Bernie has it the roughest because everyone is already so familarized with him

which makes it harder for him to come off as being a fresh new face with fresh new ideas. Considering that, I think he's doing well just the same.

[JudyM]

70. I felt he answered the questions best so far - most directly and substantively, well thought out.

Even though a lot was the same as he always says, it was interpreted substantively through the questions.

[walkingman]

69. I think Bernie is as impressive as he was in 2016 - he also has some formiable challengers. Go Dems!

[Uncle Joe]

74. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread nolabear.