Bernie Sanders: We Are The Majority

[G_j]

www.commondreams.org/views04/0121-12.htm

Published in the February, 2004 issue of The Progressive

We Are the Majority
by Bernie Sanders

 How do we build a political movement in this country that represents all of the people and not a handful of millionaires?
The middle class is collapsing, the people on top are making out like bandits, and the poorest people are struggling just to keep their heads above water.

Today, the concentration of wealth and income in this country is not only greater than at any time since the 1920s, but it is far greater than in any other major country on Earth.

It is not acceptable that the wealthiest 1 percent of the population owns more wealth than the bottom 95 percent.
That's not America.

It is not acceptable that the 13,000 wealthiest families in this country earn more income than the bottom twenty million families.

It is not acceptable that the greed of corporate America has resulted in the CEOs of large corporations earning over 500 times what their average worker makes.

That's not America, and we're going to change that.
...more...

[izzie]

1. Right on Bernie.

n/t

[gWbush is Mabus]

2. that was great!

[IrateCitizen]

3. Count on Bernie to always tell it like it is

He is the rarest breed of politicians -- a politician whose primary and foremost concern is the well being of the people (ALL of the people) rather than thinking most about his political survival.

Then again, maybe he's discovered that the best way to ensure your political survival is to represent the people....

[G_j]

4. one thing I've learned to expect from Bernie

over the years: when he speaks, his words are never empty political spin or fluff.
He is that rare case of a 'politician' who tells the truth.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

5. now here is a Vermonter i could really get behind! thanks G_j

[RUexperienced]

6. Bernie is a socialist...

And he thinks he is in the majority?

[IrateCitizen]

8. Do you care to discuss something substansive...

... or just throw labels around?

Bernie Sanders' political record is quite impressive, regardless of what kind of label you want to attach to him. Under his leadership as mayor, the city of Burlington, VT was transformed into one of the ten "most livable cities" in the United States. The efforts of he and his "Progressive Party" created lots of public space, reinvigorated the downtown centers, and even attracted business investment -- resulting in an absolutely wonderful city.

Furthermore, he is the longest-serving independent in the history of Congress. Despite his "socialist" label, he continues to be re-elected to the House by large margins. I don't imagine this has anything to do with the fact that he is a tireless defender of small rural farmers, workers, veterans and families, does it? I don't imagine it also has anything to do with the fact that while other politicians are busy meeting with big donors, he can often be found crisscrossing his state for town hall meetings.

If there is a politician in Washington who truly knows what the "majority" of his constituents want, it's Bernie Sanders. He knows this because he actually MEETS with them and LISTENS to them, rather than relying on a bunch of polls and "focus groups". He also comes up with solutions to their problems and issues. The day that the things that Bernie Sanders represents and believes in (see my list above, or visit his website http://www.bernie.house.gov) come to no longer represent what the majority of Americans truly believe, then I'm not too certain I really want to be an American anymore.

[G_j]

9. correct

Sanders IS speaking about the MAJORITY: the people he represents and the rest of everyday Americans. His piece is strong on facts not "Socialist" or any other type of rhetoric. The facts speak for themselves, it's just that most politicos would rather evade them because they put a spotlight on their own complicity.

[RUexperienced]

10. If you bothered to click on the link

you would have noticed that this was not my label, but that of the author.

i[]Representative Bernie Sanders is an Independent and a democratic socialist from Vermont. This is adapted from a speech he gave at "Fighting Bob Fest" in Baraboo, Wisconsin

If Bernie used his own streetcorner survey methods he would find out that very few people would want this country to become a socialist one.

Bernie Sanders claiming that he is the majority is as ridiculous as Jesse Helms claiming that he represents the majority of citizens.

[IrateCitizen]

11. Once again, nothing substansive

I am quite aware that Bernie Sanders is a self-proclaimed democratic socialist (note the title is NOT capitalized, an important distinction). However, this has absolutely NO bearing on the content of any argument.

If Bernie used his own streetcorner survey methods he would find out that very few people would want this country to become a socialist one.

Strawman argument. Bernie Sanders is not seeking to make the United States a "socialist country". The question is, are the things that Bernie Sanders fights for -- sticking up for workers, supporting veterans' benefits, protecting the environment, stopping corporate abuses of power, supporting rural family farmers, promoting openness in government -- not things that the majority of Americans support? If they are not, why does he continue to be re-elected -- even as he eschews "big donor" fundraisers in pursuit of grassroots campaigns?

Bernie Sanders claiming that he is the majority is as ridiculous as Jesse Helms claiming that he represents the majority of citizens.

Once again, total strawman, and completely lacking in substance.

A thorough discourse is a two-way street. I've provided you with several examples, and you have only provided labels and meaningless analogies. I'm still open to the idea of engaging in a thoughtful debate, but you'll have to bring a little more substance to the table if you wish to be taken seriously.

[RUexperienced]

15. Do you at least agree that he is too socialist

to win a major leadership spot in the Democratic party?

And if he is too leftist to represent the Democrats, do you honestly think he is in the mainstream?

[IrateCitizen]

12. Regarding "democratic socialists"

If you want to know what democratic socialists stand for, go to http://www.dsausa.org. They're far from what you probably perceive "socialists" as representing.

[IrateCitizen]

13. A KICK for Bernie

:kick:

[G_j]

14. hey that's an interesting link

thanks much!

[debsianben]

16. Or, for another take on democratic socialism....

http://www.sp-usa.org/about/principles.html

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Bernie for Sec'y of Labor

:)

[G_j]

17. kick

:kick: