Ta-Nehisi Coates: Why Precisely Is Bernie Sanders Against Reparations?

[MADem]

273. I think MOST do. I think you are mistaken--woefully so. And those BS supporters are going to be in

for the disappointment of their lives when it dawns on them that no, he's not going to get "free" college and health care on demand for all, just like he's not going to get 'reparations.' The difference is, he ADMITS it when it comes to the latter, but he doesn't admit it when it comes to the former.

It's interesting what things he'll admit to--in 2006, he said gay marriage for VT was "too divisive" too, and wanted to stick with civil unions.

He knows his audience, that's for sure. And it's obvious who isn't considered important, simply by what he regards as "divisive."

Thing is, when the True Believers in his audience realize they've been hoodwinked, totally -- and they have been sold "an idea" or "a dream" that they will never actually see realized, they're going get bitter, hectoring, angry (see the archives of DU when Obama didn't deliver as much "HOPE" or "CHANGE" that some felt was appropriate or sufficient) to be turned off from the political process. Not a smart move on his part. He will turn short term dreamers into world-weary, long-term cynics who take a "Screw it, I'll get MINE and to hell with everyone else" attitude....and that's how Paulbot "MY STUFF, SCREW YOU, GOVERMENT" libertarians are born.

Mr. Coates is not just some schlump off the street--this argument he is making is genuine, reasoned, coming from a place of knowledge and scholarship-- and quite nuanced. And clearly, it resonates (negatively with Team Sanders, obviously) based on the responses this thread has gotten.

This is a real "Show us your principles" moment, and Sanders did not make the grade. I am amused at how he can be "pragmatic" about some things that might cost trillions, and completely obtuse about other things that might cost trillions. This dream that Congress will never pass? Why that's a "good" dream. This OTHER dream that Congress will never pass? That's a "divisive" dream.

Great big "FEH!" to his arguments. I am NOT impressed at all with him in the way he handled this conversation. If you're going to be a Don Quixote idealist who tilts at millenial windmills, don't pass by those black windmills, like he passed by those gay windmills in 2006--that's just not cool.

And it looks, well, glaringly OBVIOUS.

Politics as usual....he's no different than his opponents. He's just more quirky and folksy, and thus he APPEARS more authentic, while he plays the same games that his 534 colleagues on the Hill play.

I'm really very surprised that he came out so bluntly on this topic--it does show where he's at, though, and where he's at ain't a good place for people with melanin.