Bernie Sanders unveils plan to break up telecom companies and launch universal broadband access

[PatrickforO]

16. Yes, but if we elevate the conversation, if we talk about it, if it is on the table,

those debating the issue and then forming legislation that reflects the will of those representing us in Congress, we have a chance to move in the right direction.

It is interesting, reading this thread. I see that many of the Biden supporters seem to be...doubtful. To put it charitably. One even remarks, "Not a chance in hell."

But, you know, the Square Deal didn't really have a chance in hell. Not until Teddy Roosevelt started talking about reform and people started reading things like The Jungle. Then we had some regulation around food manufacturing.

The New Deal didn't have a chance in hell, either. Not a chance. Until the people had suffered to the point where they were about to overthrow the government and champions arose in the Democratic party.

The Civil Rights Act didn't have a chance in hell, either. But LBJ strongarmed it through, because he was the one guy that could have done it.

Let's not forget Medicare. DEFINITELY not a chance in hell. It was maligned by health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, the AMA and others as being SOSH-A-LIZED medicine. Yet it passed and I've yet to meet a senior who was not grateful for it.

So, you know, I see Warren's statement that we need a big, bold agenda as being true. Because a party that knows what it wants and forcefully advocates that will draw FAR more followers (and independent voters) than a party that chooses a bland centrist agenda.

AND NOTE: I'm not saying that the idea of fixing ACA from all the Republican sabotage over the last decade would be that bad. I myself am for M4All, but whatever it is we are touting, we need a compelling slogan, a compelling case.

Concerning the power of slogans, here's a kind of funny/sad story about the difference between a compelling case and milquetoast: My state representative is a right wing-nut. A holy roller evangelical who is ultra conservative on most issues. In other words, she doesn't represent me by a long shot.

So, in the 2018 election, I was delighted when a candidate stepped up to oppose her. I gave the candidate data, reports, money, etc. Like you do when you're trying to support someone grass roots.

As the election crept closer, I went to a neighborhood gathering of supporters for her in my legislative district, and paid for a yard sign. When I saw what it said, I sighed:

It said, &quot candidate's name) Make politics boring again."

Seriously.

I sighed and went ahead and put the sign up in my yard. The result of the election was no surprise. The wing-nut still represents me and the candidate we all had such high hopes for has returned to being a private citizen.

This is why I say that WHATEVER WE MOVE FORWARD WITH, WE NEED TO BE AGGRESSIVE AND COMPELLING ABOUT HOW WE COMMUNICATE IT.