2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Why I cannot support Hillary Clinton [View all]senz
(11,945 posts)Ronald Reagan started the downward slide in this country. Poppy Bush did nothing to stop it. Bill Clinton, unfortunately, contributed to it -- although he did, to his credit, raise taxes on the rich and balanced the budget. And then Dubya finished off the middle class.
Perhaps like your mom, I'm old enough to remember a better time, a time when unions were strong, the top marginal tax rate was between 75 and 90%, higher education was very affordable (none of these putrid student loans), main streets were full of mom & pop stores (very few chain stores, hardly any monopolies) and one person could make enough money working a 40-hour work week to support a family, buy a house and car, take a yearly vacation. Medical bills weren't as high, either. Furthermore, like your mom, I was diagnosed last year with RA -- and yes it is living hell. I'm feeling somewhat better lately because the methotrexate has been dosed correctly and is kicking in, helping with the pain and exhaustion. I hope your mom is seeing a rheumatologist who is prescribing methotrexate or some other DMARD for her. She needs that. I'm also allowed to take NSAIDs and stronger pain relievers as needed. Plus, I'm retired. I cannot imagine having to walk to the bus stop every day and work all day with this pain. It's horrible, and my heart goes out to your mom and to your friend who died for lack of health care. And to think some politicians still want to revoke the ACA.
Bernie remembers America before Reagan; he knows what we've lost. Unlike some other candidates, he actually cares what's happening to the majority of the people. He's not smug and full of himself.
I hope for your sake and your mom's that we will get a good Democrat in office in 2016, preferably Bernie. If not him, then maybe Martin O'Malley. Like you, I'm very unsure of Hillary.
Hang in there, IVoteDFL. I, and many others, are thinking of you. And thank you for such an eloquent post.