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libdem4life

(13,877 posts)

99. Thanks for your post. It's a tough time to be an American. And to me, a pragmatist is

Thu Apr 16, 2015, 04:36 PM

Apr 2015

someone who sees an idea or situation fairly starkly and without emotion, then moves to the next logical step...a Plan, and then to take an action. Then it moves into Realism. I think that's where many of us, me included, are frustrated. What to do.

I do see Hillary as our best chance...at this moment in time. She or whomever gets the nomination, will go a long way, IMHO, to get Elizabeth and Bernie's expertise, experience and ideas out of the Democratic Fringe, and into the mainstream. It may not be until after the Primary, but I don't think either are looking to run, and a vibrant Democratic party needs a vibrant Left.

The next actionable event, I want to see Julian Castro as VP Candidate. That's setting Democrats up and steering toward the Liberal/Progressive left and securing the majority of Hispanic voters for years to come. Also, it puts Texas in play...maybe not purple yet, but in play.

To me, these are reasonable things that can happen...this year...and I'm sure there are more.

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Bernie Sanders: Every candidate for president must answer the following questions... [View all] Playinghardball Apr 2015 OP

The media will never ask these questions Kelvin Mace Apr 2015 #1

Quick question...let's say the MSM asks...then what? libdem4life Apr 2015 #3

It will be fascinating to watch Kelvin Mace Apr 2015 #5

Pretty sure they all have those answers down...sadly. libdem4life Apr 2015 #14

What do you think those answers might be? Eg Bernie, Sherrod Brown and Elizabeth Warren sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #65

Totally agree...can't imagine why this is so hard for some? It's standard Progressive libdem4life Apr 2015 #66

"they are job creators" Takket Apr 2015 #73

Don't you mean 29 hours? Flatulo Apr 2015 #84

What does this have to do with the MSN? libdem4life Apr 2015 #90

oops... nothing... i meant to reply to OP. Sorry. Takket Apr 2015 #118

... libdem4life Apr 2015 #119

Exactly...Baby steps though, we must at least have someone asking the question. NoJusticeNoPeace Apr 2015 #102

Totally agree...she needs to give both Bernie and Elizabeth prominent places if she is the libdem4life Apr 2015 #105

There is NO benefit to her to ignore us IF we financially support her. NoJusticeNoPeace Apr 2015 #106

Sorry, I don't know where to find 50 million Democrats, let alone how to collect money. libdem4life Apr 2015 #107

Problem is unless we are donating to a VERY big movement where we know our $20 NoJusticeNoPeace Apr 2015 #108

MoveOn.Org is a well-known Democratic fundraiser non-profit. I just went there and libdem4life Apr 2015 #110

Familiar...well done NoJusticeNoPeace Apr 2015 #112

And they're the recipient of those billions in advertising dollars arcane1 Apr 2015 #33

Well we don't want the common person who watches tv to start asking questions about what matters. L0oniX Apr 2015 #59

It's easy to come up with bullet points..even when they are true So, what, pray tell, is the a libdem4life Apr 2015 #2

The answer is to return the tax rates Kelvin Mace Apr 2015 #4

Why is savings more important? Agschmid Apr 2015 #15

Because keeping money in one place fosters stability Kelvin Mace Apr 2015 #114

Totally agree. Now it just needs to get through Congress. libdem4life Apr 2015 #111

Remove the arbitrary cap Kelvin Mace Apr 2015 #113

Or at least up it $50,000 or more. But, oh the wailing and gnashing of teeth. libdem4life Apr 2015 #115

nonsense. And yeah, sorry, he does have an economic background- more so than many members cali Apr 2015 #6

No, I'm more toward the Socialist end of the spectrum and I don't believe in Fantasy. libdem4life Apr 2015 #17

Reforming the tax system is very popular with the public cali Apr 2015 #24

A lot of things are popular...most people don't even understand their own taxes, but when libdem4life Apr 2015 #26

It's very telling that Bernie irritates you. Maedhros Apr 2015 #7

What irritates me is Pie in the Sky. I'll ignore the insult. IMHO, I think that is why libdem4life Apr 2015 #18

Bernie is simply speaking the truth. Maedhros Apr 2015 #27

Maybe if he got just a bit more specific...the Devil is in the Details. But Feel Good is OK, too nt libdem4life Apr 2015 #34

Maybe you should pay more attention to what Bernie says... ms liberty Apr 2015 #44

+1 BrotherIvan Apr 2015 #47

"libdem4life"? I think not. DisgustipatedinCA Apr 2015 #9

Sorry you feel the need to judge, but it's OK. libdem4life Apr 2015 #19

This message was self-deleted by its author bvar22 Apr 2015 #25

Well, this is clever. You want to have a discussion? Or just snark. Let me know. I'm good with it libdem4life Apr 2015 #29

A good candidate would take the issue to the voters. The people favor higher taxes on the wealthy. Enthusiast Apr 2015 #13

With all due respect, the only people whose opinions count are the voters. They elect those who libdem4life Apr 2015 #22

Yes. Voters! Enthusiast Apr 2015 #28

But the majority of these unhappy voters still vote the incumbents. That's history. libdem4life Apr 2015 #32

I disagree with you. It looks like everyone on this thread disagrees with you. Enthusiast Apr 2015 #35

Everyone on this thread? Go away? How original. libdem4life Apr 2015 #36

Like I have said before. WHEN CRABS ROAR Apr 2015 #42

Absolutely. That is what populism it...simple, concise and not complicated. The Leaders libdem4life Apr 2015 #61

The problem is that politicians (almost all of them) only give lip service to the voters. eomer Apr 2015 #74

This is how I feel! Liberalynn Apr 2015 #79

And even they won't know until they are in the actual position. I'll vote for the Democrat libdem4life Apr 2015 #91

You know it's always interesting... Scootaloo Apr 2015 #52

Well, as an old Liberal, one of the things in my Right Wing family that makes me even wierder libdem4life Apr 2015 #53

You didn't have to wait till you were 21 to vote for McGovern. I was eligible at 18. Enthusiast Apr 2015 #80

Three "you"s...pretty personal...oh, and I was born in 1948. Do the math and libdem4life Apr 2015 #85

I eagerly await Hillary to bring up these points ...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz L0oniX Apr 2015 #57

Yeah, right. He's not really running...she is. There is plenty of time for you to awaken libdem4life Apr 2015 #64

Awww I didn't mean to upset you. L0oniX Apr 2015 #75

Not to worry...A Liberal raised with Rightwingers devlops a pretty thick skin. Not easily libdem4life Apr 2015 #88

I love Bernie, I love the questions he asks. And more importantly the ANSWERS he gives to those sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #67

I'm a pragmatist...that seems to be forbidden in these parts. And about the money, is libdem4life Apr 2015 #89

My understanding of the word 'pragmatist' is someone who sees something that just is and cannot be sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #96

Thanks for your post. It's a tough time to be an American. And to me, a pragmatist is libdem4life Apr 2015 #99

That would be a reasonable argument if we hadn't been pushed so far back for the past 30 liberal_at_heart Apr 2015 #122

No, there is really only one question: ConservativeDemocrat Apr 2015 #8

Only one question? Based on what set of rules or guidelines? That you said so? No. DisgustipatedinCA Apr 2015 #10

My rationale? Sure. ConservativeDemocrat Apr 2015 #69

+1,000 Answering those 3 questions will do zero about the issues. The question is, what is going okaawhatever Apr 2015 #11

From a Liberal Democrat...in spite of the recent, uh, responses...agreed. libdem4life Apr 2015 #20

Spoken like a true conservative like you admit you are. Conservatism is what has rhett o rick Apr 2015 #63

Rhett, I don't smear the liberal wing of the party ConservativeDemocrat Apr 2015 #68

It's not a smear to indicate that those that want to cut foodstamps are rhett o rick Apr 2015 #81

You need to get your eyes checked ConservativeDemocrat Apr 2015 #93

Again you go for the distraction. Sen Simpson is a conservative and tyically wants to cut SS. rhett o rick Apr 2015 #97

When you're so far out in left field you need to see the stadium with binoculars ConservativeDemocrat Apr 2015 #100

I don't say Democrats and Republicons are exactly the same, never have and never will. rhett o rick Apr 2015 #109

To "prove" your assertion that conservative Democrats want to slash Social Security... ConservativeDemocrat Apr 2015 #120

The way you chose to read that chart is incredibly amusing. RedCappedBandit Apr 2015 #86

The way DUers who bash Hillary from the left are equally as so ConservativeDemocrat Apr 2015 #92

this has to be against the tos. stonecutter357 Apr 2015 #70

Pretending there is only one relevant question is.... irrational. LanternWaste Apr 2015 #98

It is the paramount question: can you actually walk the walk? ConservativeDemocrat Apr 2015 #101

How can this be kicked enough? Enthusiast Apr 2015 #12

Kick. Agschmid Apr 2015 #16

Hey would it be OK if I copied the bumper sticker from your signature line? Cheese Sandwich Apr 2015 #21

Bernie is desperately needed. mylye2222 Apr 2015 #23

Yes, they must answer and present a plan of action. K&R Jefferson23 Apr 2015 #30

Yes, that's what's missing. The Plan of Action. libdem4life Apr 2015 #37

Is this the only post on Sanders you've ever read?? BrotherIvan Apr 2015 #48

No, but I'm always open to learn. Seems most of the ideas I've heard and read about need libdem4life Apr 2015 #103

Thank you. Bernie Sanders. JDPriestly Apr 2015 #31

k&r AtomicKitten Apr 2015 #38

I believe every presidential candidate should be asked lovemydog Apr 2015 #39

Ouch! Those three questions seem to rub some the wrong way! Rex Apr 2015 #40

Kick. Go Bernie. GoneFishin Apr 2015 #41

Hurry up and announce Bernie. We got work to do Autumn Apr 2015 #43

Sanders - Feingold Aldo Leopold Apr 2015 #45

How does he think a Democrat will answer? nt boston bean Apr 2015 #46

DURec for That! Unexploded Scotsman Apr 2015 #49

good questions blackspade Apr 2015 #50

Bernie, you're confusing ought with is. malthaussen Apr 2015 #51

with 2016 it'll be two families spending nearly a bil each MisterP Apr 2015 #54

Having Bernie in the race can shift candidates to the left IronLionZion Apr 2015 #55

The shift would only be in what is said and not what gets done after the election. L0oniX Apr 2015 #58

That's the spirit! IronLionZion Apr 2015 #62

Where does Climate Change stand in your priorities and do you believe it is happening? glinda Apr 2015 #56

This should absolutely be asked as well. Novara Apr 2015 #71

The uber wealthy exploit the environment in the same way they exploit average people. RedCappedBandit Apr 2015 #87

The only question that *really* matters ... warrenswil Apr 2015 #60

actually private companies counting our votes is the root questionseverything Apr 2015 #95

Bernie Sanders has a chance to go down in history as someone who helped save America from itself ... Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2015 #72

Not only each candidate for President... Abbraxus Apr 2015 #76

My favorite question: Bigmack Apr 2015 #77

How would he counter the Koch Bros...... Historic NY Apr 2015 #78

They will be answered with lip service whatchamacallit Apr 2015 #82

no comment! NYC_SKP Apr 2015 #83

They already have their talking points Cosmic Dancer Apr 2015 #94

+ about a million. Dark n Stormy Knight Apr 2015 #104

Happy to be the 200th Rec! woo me with science Apr 2015 #116

K&R liberal_at_heart Apr 2015 #117

How can there be any doubt at all that Bernie should be elected POTUS? Zorra Apr 2015 #121