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In reply to the discussion: Chris Hedges: The Great Unraveling [View all]muriel_volestrangler
(101,263 posts)72. "He functions as a sheepdog to corral progressives, left-leaning progressives"
Hedges despises Sanders:
What about Bernie Sanders? Should far-left progressives support him?
He won't run as an independent. He's already cut a deal with the Democratic party and won't get into the debates unless he supports Hillary. By April, it's dead. And all that energy and all of that money goes back into the Democratic party. He functions as a sheepdog to corral progressives, left-leaning progressives, back into the embrace of the Democratic establishment.
http://www.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/2015/06/06/22341657/a-hasty-interview-with-journalist-chris-hedges
He won't run as an independent. He's already cut a deal with the Democratic party and won't get into the debates unless he supports Hillary. By April, it's dead. And all that energy and all of that money goes back into the Democratic party. He functions as a sheepdog to corral progressives, left-leaning progressives, back into the embrace of the Democratic establishment.
http://www.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/2015/06/06/22341657/a-hasty-interview-with-journalist-chris-hedges
Chris Hedges: Bernie Sanders 'Cut A Faustian Bargain' With Democrats
http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/archive/segment/5592dc51fe3444b1450001b9
http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/archive/segment/5592dc51fe3444b1450001b9
I intend to devote no more time to the upcoming presidential elections than walking to my local polling station on Election Day, voting for a third-party candidate, most likely the Green Party candidate, and going home. Any further energy invested in these elections, including championing Bernie Sanders ill-advised decision to validate the Democratic Party by becoming one of its presidential candidates, is a waste of time.
...
The voices of those who matter will not be heard in these elections. The marginalized and poor in our internal colonies, the 2.3 million people in our prisons and their families, the Muslims we persecute here and in the Middle East, and the suffering of the working poor are airbrushed out of the discussion. In this Potemkin America there is only a middle class. Our liberties, including our right to privacy, along with the consent of the governedall of which have been taken from usare held up in this electioneering farce as sacred and inviolate. We are assured that we live in a functioning democracy. We are promised that our voice will count. And even Sanders will tell you no different. If he stepped forward and spoke the truth, especially about the Democratic Party, he would be banned from the debates, vilified and crushed by the Democratic establishment, stripped of his Senate committee chairmanships and tossed into the political wilderness to which Ralph Nader has been exiled. Sanders, unfortunately, lacks Naders moral fortitude. He will, when it is all done, push his followers into the vampire-like embrace of Hillary Clinton. He is a Pied Piper leading a line of children or ratstake your pickinto political oblivion.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_electoral_farce_20150616
...
The voices of those who matter will not be heard in these elections. The marginalized and poor in our internal colonies, the 2.3 million people in our prisons and their families, the Muslims we persecute here and in the Middle East, and the suffering of the working poor are airbrushed out of the discussion. In this Potemkin America there is only a middle class. Our liberties, including our right to privacy, along with the consent of the governedall of which have been taken from usare held up in this electioneering farce as sacred and inviolate. We are assured that we live in a functioning democracy. We are promised that our voice will count. And even Sanders will tell you no different. If he stepped forward and spoke the truth, especially about the Democratic Party, he would be banned from the debates, vilified and crushed by the Democratic establishment, stripped of his Senate committee chairmanships and tossed into the political wilderness to which Ralph Nader has been exiled. Sanders, unfortunately, lacks Naders moral fortitude. He will, when it is all done, push his followers into the vampire-like embrace of Hillary Clinton. He is a Pied Piper leading a line of children or ratstake your pickinto political oblivion.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_electoral_farce_20150616
I doubt that Sanders would agree with Hedges that "we in the United States are not morally superior to Islamic State", though you apparently do. Hedges is telling you to have nothing to do with the Democrats. Do you really see that as 'right on about everything'?
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"The very word “drought” is part of the deception, implying this is somehow reversible. It isn’t." <
jtuck004
Aug 2015
#4
I have thought that this may be the last time to use our pitchforks at the voting booth.
libdem4life
Aug 2015
#44
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable."
hifiguy
Aug 2015
#61
Never heard that one, but Amen to the wise JFK. That's why they took him from us.
libdem4life
Sep 2015
#109
Hedges just has to throw in a smear against Obama and Clinton using the same Trump broad stroke
Fred Sanders
Aug 2015
#9
I read the article as far as the part I quoted, isn't that enough to know for the purposes of this thread?
Fred Sanders
Aug 2015
#18
He's basically saying that the entire system is corrupt and beyond redemption.
PotatoChip
Aug 2015
#29
I completely agree with your post. I believe what Hedges says is right on the money.
rhett o rick
Aug 2015
#33
We are in a do or die situation. Moving to a third party is sucide. The Democratic Party
rhett o rick
Aug 2015
#37
Hedges doesn't believe we can win playing the Oligarchs game. Obama and Clinton play
rhett o rick
Aug 2015
#68
It's not a direct attack. The word IF - a big word - makes it conditional at best.
hifiguy
Aug 2015
#78
This is why I'm for Sanders, and why I'm tilting at this windmill one more time.
PatrickforO
Aug 2015
#12
Great post. I think there are a lot more like Sanders that are waiting to see if there really is
rhett o rick
Aug 2015
#40
The OP is an anti-Democratic party article that has no place on a Democratic board
muriel_volestrangler
Aug 2015
#43
Hedges believes in democracy, which is the most important thing to believe in...
Octafish
Aug 2015
#55
Hedges' point is not Sanders' point; Hedges has condemned Sanders
muriel_volestrangler
Sep 2015
#101
ill-advised decision to validate the Democratic Party by becoming one of its presidential candidates
muriel_volestrangler
Sep 2015
#105
I thought 'PUMA' was a crap idea in 2008, and it would be crap in 2016
muriel_volestrangler
Aug 2015
#58
As a Bernie Sanders Group host, are you happy with Hedges' remarks about Sanders?
muriel_volestrangler
Aug 2015
#84
"If" he has a legit criticism of Bernie I have no problem with it being discussed.
L0oniX
Aug 2015
#85
No, I don't hang out there; but I'm surprised at a Bernie Sanders supporter
muriel_volestrangler
Aug 2015
#88
Is there any proof that "Bernie is just a sheepdog to herd the gullible progressives"???
L0oniX
Aug 2015
#89
He represents the "Underground" faction of the Democratic party. I believe he does belong here.
corkhead
Aug 2015
#93
Hedges is not in any faction of the Democrats. He wants the party gone
muriel_volestrangler
Sep 2015
#102
So....you would go with Marx and Engels plan? Already tried that. Doesn't work either.
Fred Sanders
Aug 2015
#74
Used to be the uber-rich were content with just all the physical toys and the simple pleasures of money.
Fred Sanders
Aug 2015
#73
"He functions as a sheepdog to corral progressives, left-leaning progressives"
muriel_volestrangler
Aug 2015
#72
Funny how often the folks beseeching others to "read the article" have obviously not done so themselves.
Fred Sanders
Aug 2015
#75
On the contrary, I welcome folks educated in Marxist lore and revolutionary zeal, it is the ID of
Fred Sanders
Aug 2015
#87
Apologies to AOR poster for my dates of death....you make a valid point of surplus from labor. Capitalism
Fred Sanders
Aug 2015
#91
Gloom and doom is not for me! I remember 2008, for example. Remember that? I recall no time of economic perfection, but
Fred Sanders
Sep 2015
#108
People will get there on there own as material conditions dictate or they won't Fred...
AOR
Aug 2015
#92
I understand what you are saying, but a revolution, fascist or socialist needs one thing above all
Fred Sanders
Aug 2015
#94
Chris is correct, we must stop the neoliberalist march. Neoliberal = Nazi.
Dont call me Shirley
Aug 2015
#66