General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Enough with the scolding please. [View all]BainsBane
(52,999 posts)I support single payer, which is why I want to see a serious bill proposed that is written in a way to become law.
I support massive cuts in defense spending. What I object to are claims, not born out by his voting record, that he somehow stands above Democrats on that issue.
https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/27110/bernie-sanders/22/defense#.WeGWlltSzIU
In fact, a number of Democrats have voting records far less accommodating of defense appropriation. Even John McCain opposes the F-35.
We could see support generated around those issues, except the priority for many is promoting Bernie. If the goal is to see issues advanced, people should post about the issues and encourage substantive discussion. Instead we see posts insisting anyone who asks about the details of the bill are the enemy. Clearly that isn't something people do when they want legislation passed. There is another goal, and it's not healthcare or any other issue.
Our last election did focus on kitchen table issues, at least in terms of what our nominee discussed in her campaign speeches. She talked about jobs more than anyone else. She talked about fixing healthcare and education. She developed policies to tackle the systemic inequality in K-12 that cements generations of poverty and ensures those students will never be able to qualify for "free" higher education, that would disproportionately benefit the upper-middle class whose property taxes enable their children to attend high quality schools. She talked about weaning America off fossil fuels and economic development zones that would create new jobs for workers in fossil fuels. The media didn't cover Clinton's issue positions. Now you repeat false media claims that she didn't focus on those issues. I see it time and time again. People refused to look at her website or listen to her speeches, and then made declarations about what she did and didn't do based on what they saw on TV. They not only remained uninformed about what she did propose, they insisted on remaining uninformed so they could repeat the same memes. I'm sorry, but I don't believe that is what people who care about issues and policy do.
The fact is most people don't vote based on issues. Political science research shows as much. They vote based on cultural signifiers. If Democrats didn't want to inform themselves on the GE candidates' issue positions and policies, what makes you think swing voters will?