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In reply to the discussion: Bernie is not even a Democrat, so why is he ripping our party apart? [View all]Madam45for2923
(7,178 posts)83. We see Bernie very differently. That's a fact. Can we still UNITE?
factfinder_77
0. Bernie is not even a Democrat, so why is he ripping our party apart?
http://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/352632-bernie-sanders-is-not-a-democrat-so-he-should-stop-tearing-us-apart?amp
At some point very soon, supporters of Bernie Sanders have a decision to make. Do they want four more years of Republican majorities, or do they want to be part of implementing policies aimed at helping the poor and working poor? In this political climate, it's a binary choice. Either supporters of Sanders help to elect Democrats who can beat Donald Trump or they contribute to his re-election. Period.
All the talk about a living wage, single-payer health care, and social justice means nothing if Republicans are re-elected in 2018 and 2020. All the talk about building an economy that works for all Americans means nothing if "Bernie bros" attack every Democrat who isn't Sanders. He isn't even a registered Democrat. I would love to hear Sanders's opinion on how the Democratic Party can rebound and rebuild, but it has to be preceded by him actually joining the party, not merely using it as a vessel for his run for president. Democrats are your allies, not your punching bag or your Uber.
It's time for the fantasy to end. Sanders wouldn't have beaten Trump. He couldn't even beat Hillary Clinton. Pretending otherwise is completely illogical and only serves to reopen old wounds that ensure more Republican victories. If supporters of Sanders want an ally on health care, they certainly won't find it in Republicans. It hurts the very people that both Democrats and Sanders supporters are attempting to help his supporters denigrate up and coming Democrats as "corporatists" who are "owned by Wall Street."
I'd love if campaigns didn't have to look for corporate donations, but it's the political reality we live in, not the one we want. Maybe if we had more Democrats in office we could get rid of Citizens United and actually pass campaign finance reform. Then we could get money out of politics and get Congress back to work. You know who I can guarantee won't help you get those things done? Republicans. We don't live in a fantasy land where everyone gets everything that they want. Compromise is a necessity. I wish that with the snap of my fingers we had universal health care and free college, but that's not how our system works. That's not how the framers intended our system to work. The framers intentionally designed our government in a way that makes change incremental.
Attacks from Sanders and his supporters on Democrats aren't helping to rebuild the party, nor are they helping to build a strong economic message. Attacks from Sanders and his supports are an unnecessary Kamikaze mission that will undoubtedly lead to more Republican victories. If Sanders and his supporters want criminal justice reform and financial reform to pass, then maybe they shouldn't burn down the house of the only ally that they have. I'm sure Cory Booker or Kamala Harris would gladly sign onto legislation that repairs our failing penal system or repatriates American funds overseas. They've already joined Sanders's health care bill. I'm not so sure that the same can be said for Ted Cruz or Luther Strange, but feel free to give it a try.
The sole focus of the Sanders wing and the Democratic Party should be to beat Trump in 2020. Trump is the natural evolution of a party that has lost its moral compass. He's the natural evolution of a country quickly losing its grip on reality. He's unfit for the office of the presidency. He's the single most important reason for Sanders and his supporters to put aside their hostility and work hand and hand with the Democratic Party.
Now is not the time to relitigate the primary battle between Clinton and Sanders. Now is not the time to enact arbitrary litmus tests that will create even more chaos within the party. Now is the time to come together and link arms. Now is the time to take attendance and recognize who is with you and who is against you. Now is the time to rebuild our country and ensure it works for every single American. Taking an all or nothing approach to political issues isn't just unhelpful, it poisons the process and prevents meaningful conversation. It mirrors the childish and destructive antics of the Tea Party, not the behavior of well-informed adults.
We have to figure out a way to work together moving forward. The country may literally depend on it. This can't be a battle between the establishment and Sanders because that's exactly what Trump wants. This has to be a battle between right and wrong, a choice between democracy and authoritarianism. Only one side is hell-bent on protecting our democracy and the other isn't. So now Sanders and his supporters must choose a side. Straddling the line won't suffice. Will they work with Democrats to help take back our country or will they stand on the outside and throw stones? I know what Trump hopes that they do.
0. Bernie is not even a Democrat, so why is he ripping our party apart?
http://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/352632-bernie-sanders-is-not-a-democrat-so-he-should-stop-tearing-us-apart?amp
At some point very soon, supporters of Bernie Sanders have a decision to make. Do they want four more years of Republican majorities, or do they want to be part of implementing policies aimed at helping the poor and working poor? In this political climate, it's a binary choice. Either supporters of Sanders help to elect Democrats who can beat Donald Trump or they contribute to his re-election. Period.
All the talk about a living wage, single-payer health care, and social justice means nothing if Republicans are re-elected in 2018 and 2020. All the talk about building an economy that works for all Americans means nothing if "Bernie bros" attack every Democrat who isn't Sanders. He isn't even a registered Democrat. I would love to hear Sanders's opinion on how the Democratic Party can rebound and rebuild, but it has to be preceded by him actually joining the party, not merely using it as a vessel for his run for president. Democrats are your allies, not your punching bag or your Uber.
It's time for the fantasy to end. Sanders wouldn't have beaten Trump. He couldn't even beat Hillary Clinton. Pretending otherwise is completely illogical and only serves to reopen old wounds that ensure more Republican victories. If supporters of Sanders want an ally on health care, they certainly won't find it in Republicans. It hurts the very people that both Democrats and Sanders supporters are attempting to help his supporters denigrate up and coming Democrats as "corporatists" who are "owned by Wall Street."
I'd love if campaigns didn't have to look for corporate donations, but it's the political reality we live in, not the one we want. Maybe if we had more Democrats in office we could get rid of Citizens United and actually pass campaign finance reform. Then we could get money out of politics and get Congress back to work. You know who I can guarantee won't help you get those things done? Republicans. We don't live in a fantasy land where everyone gets everything that they want. Compromise is a necessity. I wish that with the snap of my fingers we had universal health care and free college, but that's not how our system works. That's not how the framers intended our system to work. The framers intentionally designed our government in a way that makes change incremental.
Attacks from Sanders and his supporters on Democrats aren't helping to rebuild the party, nor are they helping to build a strong economic message. Attacks from Sanders and his supports are an unnecessary Kamikaze mission that will undoubtedly lead to more Republican victories. If Sanders and his supporters want criminal justice reform and financial reform to pass, then maybe they shouldn't burn down the house of the only ally that they have. I'm sure Cory Booker or Kamala Harris would gladly sign onto legislation that repairs our failing penal system or repatriates American funds overseas. They've already joined Sanders's health care bill. I'm not so sure that the same can be said for Ted Cruz or Luther Strange, but feel free to give it a try.
The sole focus of the Sanders wing and the Democratic Party should be to beat Trump in 2020. Trump is the natural evolution of a party that has lost its moral compass. He's the natural evolution of a country quickly losing its grip on reality. He's unfit for the office of the presidency. He's the single most important reason for Sanders and his supporters to put aside their hostility and work hand and hand with the Democratic Party.
Now is not the time to relitigate the primary battle between Clinton and Sanders. Now is not the time to enact arbitrary litmus tests that will create even more chaos within the party. Now is the time to come together and link arms. Now is the time to take attendance and recognize who is with you and who is against you. Now is the time to rebuild our country and ensure it works for every single American. Taking an all or nothing approach to political issues isn't just unhelpful, it poisons the process and prevents meaningful conversation. It mirrors the childish and destructive antics of the Tea Party, not the behavior of well-informed adults.
We have to figure out a way to work together moving forward. The country may literally depend on it. This can't be a battle between the establishment and Sanders because that's exactly what Trump wants. This has to be a battle between right and wrong, a choice between democracy and authoritarianism. Only one side is hell-bent on protecting our democracy and the other isn't. So now Sanders and his supporters must choose a side. Straddling the line won't suffice. Will they work with Democrats to help take back our country or will they stand on the outside and throw stones? I know what Trump hopes that they do.
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Bernie is not even a Democrat, so why is he ripping our party apart? [View all]
factfinder_77
Sep 2017
OP
The Dems lost because of voter suppression, which deprived us of millions of votes;
pnwmom
Sep 2017
#7
Have you been reading about what the Russians were doing on Twitter and Facebook
pnwmom
Sep 2017
#31
The Russians aren't part of the "opposing side." At least they're not supposed to be.
pnwmom
Sep 2017
#138
I see your google is broken. Maybe someone else can jump in. I gotta run.
Hassin Bin Sober
Sep 2017
#286
Yeah, math like in 1984 when the population was around 2/3rds the present population.
Hassin Bin Sober
Sep 2017
#282
The population of the US in 1984 was about 20 million MORE than "2/3rds the present population"
George II
Sep 2017
#287
The population of the US was in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, etc. was "1//3rd or 1/2" the population...
George II
Sep 2017
#281
He was making a comparison that she won more votes than ANY presidential candidate.
Hassin Bin Sober
Sep 2017
#283
Of course she got more votes "ever" because the U.S. population is the largest "ever"
Hassin Bin Sober
Sep 2017
#304
Not a meaningless statistic at all - unless you are talking about how likeable HRC is.
ehrnst
Sep 2017
#317
First, people don't consider a candidate's unfavorable rating when voting, but if they did...
George II
Sep 2017
#275
So, if we use your rationale regarding unfavorable ratings, how did Clinton lose?
George II
Sep 2017
#279
She DID crush him! She received more votes than any white candidate in history
lunamagica
Sep 2017
#98
Admirable that Hillary unilaterally disclosed all that... but, was it smart politically?
InAbLuEsTaTe
Sep 2017
#179
I don't really get what you are saying here. Do you mean that it is better to be shady and/or
lunamagica
Sep 2017
#294
Exactly! Unfortunately, there will ALWAYS be third-party candidates running...
InAbLuEsTaTe
Sep 2017
#177
Where did I say anything about "being divisive"? Speaking of strawmen.
Cuthbert Allgood
Sep 2017
#16
You keep saying that. So how are the primaries being re-litigated? I just don't see it.
George II
Sep 2017
#72
The OP pointedly says that this is NOT the time to re-litigate the primaries, and he/she isn't.
George II
Sep 2017
#85
True, but it's WAY past time to re-litigate what we STAND FOR as a party.
InAbLuEsTaTe
Sep 2017
#182
Oh yeah, you're right, forgot about the Democratic leadership's promotion of their "Better Deal."
InAbLuEsTaTe
Sep 2017
#192
It's re-litigation to keep arguing that Bernie shouldn't have been allowed in the primaries.
Ken Burch
Sep 2017
#107
WHERE? I can't locate where it says that. Is that actually a part of the OP?
NurseJackie
Sep 2017
#136
I didn't claim it was in the OP. I was talking about the general concept of re-litigation.
Ken Burch
Sep 2017
#164
I agree... we just need to make adjustments to guarantee the primary process is fair going forward.
InAbLuEsTaTe
Sep 2017
#183
How about this...no non-Democrat can ever run in the Democratic Primary going forward.
Demsrule86
Sep 2017
#322
I'm seeing different stats for the percentage of non-elderly Americans with employer-bases insurance
femmedem
Sep 2017
#97
That number might be "90% of nonelderly/child with ins. get it through their employer"
ehrnst
Sep 2017
#186
I don't see anything even remotely re-litigating the primaries in the OP. Where is that?
George II
Sep 2017
#43
In one day the Clinton Foundation does more for people in need than any
Eliot Rosewater
Sep 2017
#243
Current and ongoing issues are not re litigating the primaries. There are no Blank Checks.
Lil Missy
Sep 2017
#135
Democrats regularly appear on Fox News, it's been happening since it's inception.
George II
Sep 2017
#46
He is only "tearing the Democratic party apart" in the wild imaginations of a bitter minority.
phleshdef
Sep 2017
#6
Actually, Bernie is doing more to bring the party together post-election than is Hillary.
InAbLuEsTaTe
Sep 2017
#180
Actually, that's not true. Unless 'unity" now means be as divisive as possible by
Ninsianna
Sep 2017
#249
I could, but I usually refuse to answer questions that common sense can answer.
phleshdef
Sep 2017
#224
I will take zero glee when I am proven to be correct about what I have said and predicted
Eliot Rosewater
Sep 2017
#65
So you actually believe that these 'Hillary BASHERS", on this site, cost her the election?
Fix The Stupid
Sep 2017
#185
HRC stated that she will not run again. So battling on her behalf is kind of a moot topic now.
TheBlackAdder
Sep 2017
#22
Zip, you're making WAYYY too much sense... we either unite or die as a party.
InAbLuEsTaTe
Sep 2017
#181
Believe it or not, "corporations". They probably didn't exist when Latin was created....
George II
Sep 2017
#197
Good post...coming from a Sanders fan. Not that I agree with everything in it, but the notion
JCanete
Sep 2017
#122
This is as annoying as the posters who post nothing but 'pro-Sanders' articles.
SharonClark
Sep 2017
#19
EH, there is another new person on the same "mission" who will take up the slack!nt
m-lekktor
Sep 2017
#152
NJ, I often disagree with your positions but I always admire your rhetorical skill ...
philly_bob
Sep 2017
#149
I know what you mean, it happens you look back realize career politicians change.
Autumn
Sep 2017
#219
Writer M.S. Hopkins is labeled as "Opinion Contributor" in his byline by The Hill,
philly_bob
Sep 2017
#68
Um, HRC was realistically the only candidate who was fighting for greater equality
Ninsianna
Sep 2017
#84
"Attacks from Sanders and his supporters on Democrats aren't helping to rebuild the party, ...
Lil Missy
Sep 2017
#75
The Hill loves to dig at Democrats & stir things up. You took the bait.
Bernardo de La Paz
Sep 2017
#88
Not with OPs like this. Someone the OP respects need to let them they are now the problem.
aikoaiko
Sep 2017
#222
Woah! Again we DO see Bernie very differently. Like polar opposites. That's really a fact.
Madam45for2923
Sep 2017
#250
How much is the DU anti-Bernie lotto up to now? If it's over $500 million
bagelsforbreakfast
Sep 2017
#202
The Clinton's and Al Gore ran on progressive ideas way back a quarter of a century ago.
R B Garr
Sep 2017
#329