Sanders Weasels Out, to Propose Public Option
Progress takes time, baby steps. If you want something, you have to start at the bottom and work your way up. That's the way Bernie Sanders sees it with health care for Americans. Instead of demanding a single payer health care system NOW, like that described in HR 676, a legitimate single payer plan that now has 72 cosponsors in Congress, Bernie thinks it's "prudent" to improve Obamacare first by adding a public option to it, to "work toward" Medicare for all. He like Hillary Clinton and every politician in D.C. thinks it's just not politically feasible for Americans to have Medicare for all NOW. In other words, our political representatives, no matter that the majority of the citizens in this country favor a single payer or Medicare for All system, will not do that. They just will not. The Deciders have decided.
This is what many feared, that the democrats would not counter Trumpcare with a push for Medicare for All/Single Payer and instead defend Obamacare and push for compromises with the republicans and Trump. Sanders appears ready to set up that compromise and push back single payer another couple decades.
"And this weekend, Sanders has been telling people he will introduce health care reform legislation in the Senate within a couple of weeks.
But it’s not going to be a companion bill to HR 676.
Instead, Sanders is telling reporters he wants to “move toward Medicare for all.”
“Right now we need to improve the Affordable Care Act and that means a public option,” Sanders tweeted yesterday.
The public option is the same thing Howard Dean tried to sell and what Obama suggested until he turned into - Obama."
I think about the people who get caught in the "interim". Those that could have been fine, could have lived, survived, etc., but didn't because the process took too much time. It's like the last American soldiers to be killed during the Vietnam war. Many Americans tried for years to end the Vietnam war, over 58,000 Americans died, but there had to be the very last to die for an unjust and immoral war. The last two were Charles McMahon and Darwin Judge, killed in a rocket attack one day before the fall of Saigon. The war should have ended much sooner and if so they might still be alive today. But it didn't so neither one got to live past the age of twenty one. Their lives, like the lives of all American soldiers and military sacrified for U.S. imperialism, were cut short and wasted because of the power and money hungry leaders we elect and put in power.
“The tragedy is not so much that on this path we will end up with a public plan that will be only one more feeble player in the dysfunctional market of private plans, but rather that we will, once again, have walked away from single payer, perhaps for decades, because of this meme about lack of political feasibility,” McCanne wrote last year. “Instead of making private plans compete with a public option, we should get rid of them and establish our own single public plan.”
http://www.counterpunch.org/2017/03/27/single-payer-bernie-morphs-into-p...
Who will be the last to die because they didn't have health insurance? Who will be the last to die because it took so long to do what was inevitably necessary in human society?
Who will be the last Syrian to die for the U.S. directed war against their country? Who will be the last Iraqi to die because George Bush and the neocons, with the majority of Americans blessing, attacked their country illegally and based on lies?
That's the problem with progress, alot of people get left behind. And most the time it's not really progress at all.
Bernie sounds like he always has, like voting for defense spending bills because he "had to support the troops", instead of putting his money where his mouth is and demanding an end to the wars. Can't leave those troops hanging man, if Bernie tried to make a statement they might not get the war toys they needed to continue killing mostly innocent human beings.
We've gone throught this shit many times now. Decent and proper health care is a right, that's what it comes down to. Is it a right or not? There should be no more debate in a society that pretends to be the greatest on earth.
Some still look to Sanders, and the democratic party, to do the right thing.
“We look to Senator Sanders to act on what he promised during his presidential campaign, a National Improved Medicare for All now, not tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes. It is not up to him to decide if single payer can pass in Congress. That task is for the people to decide.”
The task is how to make it so the people CAN decide. Under this duopoly political system we are not the deciders. It's just not politically feasible.
"They use force to make you do what the deciders have decided you must do."
Comments
Bernie, Medicare for all is the only option
but on a lighter note
http://jessescrossroadscafe.blogspot.com/
Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, and Paul Ryan discuss Trumpcare proposal with the House GOP Freedom Caucus led by Jerry Jordan and Rand Paul.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROxvT8KKdFw]
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
I forgot that scene.
This was the first time I felt a glimmer of patriotism in years and years.
Long live Delta House.
Carry a burning candle and share the light.
.
Belushi, always wanted you
edit: can't get images copied at all*help*
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
Here's how to place an image
If your image is on the internet (and not your hard drive), do this:
Copy the image address to your clipboard (right click on the image for menu).
Then, do this:
Paste the image address in dialogue box. Hit OK.
The code will appear wherever you last left your cursor.
(If your image is on your hard drive, find it on the internet.)
Carry a burning candle and share the light.
.
Thanks
maybe it's my puter though as sometimes it works, sometimes not. -sigh-
even the help text smile showed up as help, face hits my forehead. LOL
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
The "Public Option" Does NOT Fix Anything!!!!
Bernie Sanders should know better.
There are many things that would greatly improve the Health Care mess, but the so-called "public option" is not one of them.
To understand this, first since our existing system is based on obtaining (overpriced) Insurance policies through Employment and Employers, the vast majority of all the people -- would not even qualify for this so-called "public option" (whatever that might be). So there would not be any true downward pressure on the costs of Health Care, as most people would not even qualify. Secondly, even for those people who are in the "individual" market, simply having one lone, single extra choice (implemented at taxpayer expense, and defined by government) is hardly going to alter the behavior here of the giant Insurance Monopolies. They get most of their business from the existing Employer Model -- which has not been changed by this, so just having a minority of people qualify for a possible defection over to one alternate plan -- will never be enough of a counterweight to ever change their predatory Business Model. So the whole "public option" thing does not fix anything, and is just a charade. This is not either a true "single-payer" system, or an open free market competition. At best it is just a minor, diversionary band-aide which assures that the current existing corrupt system remains in tact. Bad idea!
But there are many things that can be done here though that would have a much larger impact:
.
So Bernie Sanders should be proposing and talking about these things. Senator Rand Paul has been talking about three of them (skipping only the lowering of Medicare age), and Sanders would probably agree with all 4 points.
But let's stop this delusion that simply the grafting of one government plan (which probably wouldn't even be that cheaper anyway since mandates would be tacked on) for just people who are in the Individual market (not the Employer based market) is going to have any impact on the existing massive Monopoly structure.
You have to create wide-open competition, which is what the large buying pools (for everyone no exceptions), and competing across States Lines throughout the whole Country would do. Then Insurance companies would have to both create attractive offerings, and also the range of choices and creative options would expand -- which is what a truly open market (and not Monopolies) always do.
It's time for Bernie Sanders and Rand Paul to get together and create a genuine true consumer-driven model -- and stop this phony fake solution with a meaningless lone "public option" (that few would even qualify for).
Bernie Sanders should know better.....
Amen
this fiasco at the minimum brings to light that the only good option is Medicare for all. What the R's have proven is that they aren't any different than the D's most likely worse as they campaigned for this for 8 years and still no plan other than ACA sucks, it's deja vu all over again
as to her heinous campaign donnie tinyhands sucks.
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
@ggersh
Actually, I think Trump wants to have a good plan. But he let Paul Ryan (Establishment GOP-Corporatist hack) define what the ACA was. So it just became another Cartel-subsidy and tax-cut smokescreen, and a laughingstock of a bill (no reform). If he had listened to Rand Paul, then he would've have gotten something that actually does lower the costs of Insurance (and therefore the barriers to "access" become moot).
The whole argument was incorrectly defined back in 2008 by the Democrats. Access is not the problem (and therefore mandates and penalties to artificially create "access" to just an overpriced ripoff ...solves nothing). The access will take of itself, if the costs are low. The key problem is that this is a Monopoly-Cartel driven system, and this Monopoly-model must be broken-up as step #1 for the costs of health service to be driven down much lower. That would happen with a Buyer-pool based, wide-open (intra-State) market approach.
Agree
all markets are monpolies today. Besides his fetish for GOOG,AMZN etc
he gets it right, in todays amerika monopolie are all that count.
https://promarket.org/richard-posner-real-corruption-ownership-congress-...
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
Bernie who?
I forgot his last name when he came out gung-ho supporting Shrillary.
@Caerus What Bernie's campaign
What Bernie's campaign taught us is that the bully pulpit works. Even in an age of cultivated ignorance, institutionalized efforts to diminish critical thinking skills and corporate owned media blasting us with 24/7 propaganda and celebrity news, Bernie's campaign drew a growing and diverse audience of people longing to feel heard, motivated, part of something greater than themselves for the greater good, as well as for personal security. With the right leadership, people understand that the greater good, the commons, is not the enemy of individual security. Bernie's message resonated. And he could use that same platform now. He knows it can be done. We will never know what led to his capitulation to the DNC/Hillary forces but, here he is, still towing their line. It is sad, he is the best we have. We need better. We know it's possible. Bernie knows it's possible. It's not going to happen from within the Democratic party.
Is that incrementalism I smell?
Sniff. Sniff. SNIFF. Yeah that's what I smell. Who bribed or threatened Bernie this time? Doesn't matter. He is doing a great Hillary 2.0....So much for a third party led by him in 2020.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4j7ggZqbiU width:450]
No mystery here:
Bernie is where he is because he is a Neocon, except when speaking about domestic issues.
The Deep State cares not a wit about domestic issues, unless they interrupt the flow of the nation's revenues to international murder for Empire.
Although single payer would save the entire nation trillions in health care costs, there are start-up costs that could squeeze defense spending. More importantly, interrupting the extortion paid to our pharmaceutical and insurance Overlords would roil the stock markets. Real valuations and mark-to-market might occur and that would hit everyone's 401ks and pensions, making the natives restless. The bond market would go haywire. This might result in soul searching.
Carry a burning candle and share the light.
.
Squeeze the bejesus out of "defense" (war) spending.
Let's get the nation physically healthy; then we can get the nation morally healthy. Sick people do not fight well--may that's why a decent health plan is not close to reality.
Disappointed in Bernie for backing down
I wish I'd been pleasantly surprised to see him fighting with fire on this issue, but it seems he really is all in with the Democrats now. Bizarre and sad.
Well, we can't leave it up to any politician to save us or do the right thing; the people have to demand it, from all of them. I'll still give Bernie credit for the fact that it's even being discussed now, and has more public support than ever before since his presidential bid. He opened the door and made many more people aware, but then shied away from stepping through the opening he created to actually lead the fight. So the fight must go on without him.
Single payer now. It is long past time.
Sigh!
Very disappointing! Seems that Bernie has, indeed, become a Democrat. Sigh!
He keeps caving and caving to Obama
Bernie is a weasel.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
I don't get your comment.
I guess Obama is still at the table?
dfarrah
He is. Hillary too.
How do you think we got Tom Perez? I'm on my phone. I think the link will work.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/03/06/barack-obama-s-politica...
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
Remember when Anderson Cooper asked Pelosi
…"Who is the leader of the Democratic Party?"
Just the other day. She stopped short of exhuming the dead, but Saint Obama was certainly mentioned. Perez was not, I don't think.
Carry a burning candle and share the light.
.
Leader
She should have answered Free Markets and Reagen are the leaders.
Yep. The reason why the Obamas are staying in DC
Isn't just so the youngest daughter can finish high school.
He along with the Clintons, good ole Eric Holder and many of his other cabinet members have created a new organization to keep an eye on Trump and I bet that he and the others are keeping an eye on the DP members to make sure that they don't drift to far to the left. Why else would they want Perez as head of the DNC instead of Ellison?
And then there's this
Bernie's actions don't make sense to me. He has been out there pushing for Medicare for all, and suddenly he changes his position?
Something has to be going on.
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
I was aware that
the HRC people were clinging to every bit of power they have; I wasn't so sure about BO.
Ugh.
dfarrah
What is Bernie up to? Doesn't look good.
I can understand that Bernie would try to work within the democratic party, but strange. So far he has no allies in the DNC--the establishment saw to that. All the elected and appointed officials were Clintonistas. The "Trump war room" created by the DNC after Hillary's loss is nothing but Hillary supporters and organizations--they have been the ones setting the message of late--which all about Russia. He has been kept out of any meetings with rich donors. Bernie was chastised by Senate democrats after he attacked those who voted against the resolution on drug importation--and he took it. He has jumped into the Russian/Trump conspiracy with both feet.
And he has recently done Town Hall meetings with the weasel Chris Hayes. Is this a deliberate insult to his supporters?
And now he is now essentially undermining the single payer bill in the House, and taking it the table as an eventual goal. Unless he has made backroom deals with the gop to support the public option to recover from the recent Trumpcare disaster.
I keep remembering what Adam Schiff said about the resistance to Trump. That it could radicalize the democratic party base--which was NOT a good thing as the establishment could lose control of them. In a way, seems like Bernie is herding people back to democratic party status quo. Is Bernie now simply the lipstick on a pig to charm progressives?
It Seems...
With...
That his role is indeed to "SheepDog" the flock back into supporting the "Ex? Republican New Democrats" in the voting booth...
If 2016 didn't prove our "What's In It For Me" or they don't get our vote, then I guess nothing will...
The Revolution goes on without a Populist Figurehead until the democrats reach their bottom, or we find our own party to support.
And realistically we do need a party. Simple Protests don't work, the establishment brings in the militarized cops to take them down every time...
I'm the only person standing between Richard Nixon and the White House."
~John F. Kennedy~
Economic: -9.13, Social: -7.28,
I don't know what
"leverage" - if any - Bernie had going in to Philly. I truly suspect Flash and Vito paid Bernie a little visit sometime after Cali and said play ball (with the HRC /DNC Team) or find a horse head in your bed.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
given that nothing bernie (or any democrat either)
has a hope in hell of passing, i'm not sure why it matters.
The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.
Thanks for making that point. I doubt seriously
that a public option would even be bandied about right now [by Dems] if they actually had the power to pass a bill.
Notice how such topics are rarely brought up--until they're out of power, and/or during the lead up to an election cycle. I've seen this movie more times than I care to remember.
If nothing else, maybe this capitulation will help more folks connect the dots. IMO, it's probably up to left-leaning 'Independents' to continue to shine a light on the duplicity of Dem pols, especially regarding MFA, since so many of the die-hard Democratic Party activists don't seem to be able to get past the Party/DNC talking-points.
Mollie
"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures--they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive."--Gilda Radner
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
In Bernie's defense
Says :
My favorite President these days is one who doesn't try to pass or sign anything. That goes for Congress, too.
That's my best case scenario for the nation and the world at large.
Carry a burning candle and share the light.
.
I think it does matter.
It matters because justice is not a real possibility absent political leaders of integrity.
If as you suggest (rightly, I think) nothing Bernie proposed had a chance of getting passed, why not stand up for what is right and loudly proclaim the cause of justice? Why not say what is right and needful directly to the public, and dare the opposition - inside and outside his party - to deny it before that same public?
As I recall, it was doing that which gained Bernie Sanders so much attention among the voting public during the last election campaign (when he was running).
Exactly. And, if he
simply returned to Campaign form the thousands would show up again.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
That reminds me of what Obama said during his first campaign
He said that he would rather try hard to pass good legislation and be a one term president then to not try and be a two term one.
It looks like he picked option two.
Oh except that the republicans blocked his legislation which he didn't offer up until there were enough republicans to block it.
Funny how that works, isn't it?
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
i'm not sure how fruitful it is to speculate on the
motivations that drive any particular political move, but if i had to guess, i would guess that his purpose was simply to put something "reasonable" on the table, in response to the Republicans who have bizarrely been demanding that the democrats come up with a "solution". (i'm sorry, but if they wanted the democrats to solve our problems, they shouldn't have run against them.)
the Republicans have been making a lot of hay out of the "The exchanges are failing! Obamacare is going to collapse!" meme, and they may well be correct -- but it seems to me the public option would in fact fix that particular problem, something the GOP blatherers seem to have forgotten in the heat of their embarrassment and desperation to deflect. what's most irritating is not that Sanders isn't demanding Medicare-for-all, it's that the Dem leadership is not loudly advocating the public option. as usual, they end up looking helpless, hapless, useless, and clueless -- which of course is not the underlying truth. the underlying truth is that they hate the weak semi-sociamalism of the public option just as deeply the republicans hate it.
The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.
It matters a lot ...
Defining the Terms of the debate matters a lot, even if you can't pass a bill.
This is how movements develop momentum and acceptance over time.
For example, Medicare was fought for very hard by President John Kennedy and he got no support in Congress (and it failed). But he kept pushing the issue and kept the debate going. After '64 Congress gained a few more D-seats, and Congress passed it - but this never would've happened in a vacuum, nor without Kennedy's role in defining the problem.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpMNdYhRq90]
The Audit The Fed Reserve (Cartel) bill has also failed and failed for years whenever somebody tried to bring it up. But if the U.S. House passes it this time around, it could then make it through the Senate possibly and White House as well. Without these earlier fights (that failed), there would be no conscience and momentum behind it now.
Nothing real can ever happen, unless you first stick with your Principles (and do so consistently), and set the terms of the debate properly.
Are socialist party members
becoming as pathetic as the dems?
dfarrah
Is Sanders really a Socalist?
His views are more Socalism-lite and I've read grousing from those who are actual Socialists complaining that he's adopted the name but isn't really a part of them, a SINO, if you will. I don't think "real" Socalists have ever claimed him.
Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.
Yes, Socialism-Lite is
about right. Exactly what we need.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
In a word, 'yes.' Seriously, the ones who hitch
their wagons to the Dem Party, clearly are. (IMO)
As best I can tell, the only answer is to create a Party from the ground up, since almost every organization that I see anything about appears to be an attempt at co-option, which becomes obvious if you delve deeply enough into its agenda, structure, and organization (as in founders).
Mollie
"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures--they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive."--Gilda Radner
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
The Greens have
been -ahem- "building" their party for decades. Years later they still get 2.8%. Third parties don't work.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
I wasn't referring to the Green Party,
and I'm in total agreement with you that they are totally useless.
But, what you're saying is exactly what the corporatist Dems want folks to believe. IOW, a variation of "they--meaning the 99%--have nowhere else to go."
Sorry, I don't buy it. It would take a lot of work, and probably many, many years, but if ever there was a time that folks would consider abandoning both corporatist neoliberal legacy parties, it's now (IMO).
Mollie
"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures--they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive."--Gilda Radner
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
Hahahahahaha. Not a surprise. Nothing he does or says surprises
me anymore since he got down on his knees to the Clinton Turd Wayers and the DNC.
I'm tired of this back-slapping "Isn't humanity neat?" bullshit. We're a virus with shoes, okay? That's all we are. - Bill Hicks
Politics is the entertainment branch of industry. - Frank Zappa
Don't you realize this is a good thing?
People will only be slightly disappointed with a failure to pass an incremental, and pretty much worthless change in a program.
People would feel awful if somebody actually proposed getting with the rest of the industrialized world, and those darn meanie poopie head Republicans blocked it.
So, really, this is good for us. We know that the only way we can get what we want even talked about is to vote Democrat, because if we don't give them super majorities in both houses AND the presidency, nothing good will happen. And even then, we have to make sure that we don't do anything TOO drastic, because those darn meanie Republicans are people that we have to work with...
/snark
Now please excuse me while I go throw up.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ8bpdfy02c]
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
What dimension of chess are we playing these days?
n/t
Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.
I'm with the folks who are aware
…that you can't get there by voting "for" anything.
They have strategies based on reality.
Carry a burning candle and share the light.
.
Remember what the PO is.
The Public Option is essentially health insurance at cost (well actually a slight administrative cost, since it will essentially mimic Medicare we can assume app. 3%) Therefore the premium would be about 25-30% less than private insurance. All but the most confirmed anti socialists (about 25% of the population) would (relatively) immediately buy it, assuming that the personal mandate is still in effect. (which the Freedom Caucus has just guaranteed) That means that premiums will also go down with time. (at first only the sick would buy the PO, but over time more of the healthy would buy in) Eventually the PO would cost only about half of private insurance. Viola! Single payer! (especially if the "tax penalty" more closely resembles the actual cost)
Yes, there are valid arguments against this idea. (I see one or two, but I'll leave that to others) One, since it is part of my argument, is that by a limited definition of the PO, would be that premiums will be based on cost rather than by income. That can be countered, as Obamacare sort of does, by limiting deductibles and premiums to a function of income. The ACA limits out of pocket costs at roughly 19% of income. If the PO includes this policy the only remaining issue would be to make that limit more humane. (19% of $25k is, in real life, a hell of a lot worse than 19% of $500k)
There is a difference between incrementalism as a tactic and incrementalism as a betrayal. The Democrats have made us forget that.
On to Biden since 1973
It is my understanding that this is not the case:
My sources say the mandate can be lifted by executive order.
I didn't check on that, but that's the buzz.
Carry a burning candle and share the light.
.
Obamacare Mandate
Trump can't just eliminate the mandate. He would face lawsuits, etc.
Never serious
At some point, the preponderance of evidence holds sway with me. As I look at Mr. Sanders and his behavior, I have pretty much had to conclude that he is not - and maybe never was - serious.
From the "damn emails" debate comment to his post-convention support for the evil Mrs. Clinton, a pattern is showing. Every time he should go for the jugular, he pulls the football. This is a man who would be president of the United States had he wanted. However, he played badminton when he should have been throwing hard fastballs as a serious politician would have done. And don't think he doesn't know what he's doing; you don't go from filling NFL stadiums to overnight being unable to draw 100 people to a small town library without noticing that something is very, very wrong.
Agreed.
I was in denial for a long time but, I was only lying to myself. Had to apply the same rules and standards to Sanders as every other politician and the truth is as you wrote. I won't claim to understand why he has done what he has done, but it's obvious to me he's another one who talks a big game, but that's all he seems to be willing to do. I can't make excuses for the man anymore.
Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.
big hat and no cattle.
See Sane Progressive on Sanders and the DNC
This was released on February 34, and begins with her reporting on Sanders supporting the Russia fiction, but is also an unflinching analysis of key actions by Sanders and the Dems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqJfzdlvkTY
Off Topic: Looking forward now to hearing Sane Progressive on today's passage of legislation opening the Net to full surveillance -- as described in an email from FightfortheFuture.org. Excerpts:
[end block quote; footnote text aomitted]
Thing is
he can still fill stadiums. [sigh]
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Bernie is and never has been perfect.
I've never completely agreed with everything he has either done or said. But I love him anyways. No one is ever going to just wave a wand and make single payer happen. The insurance industry is has billions to spend and will fight tooth and nail against anything resembling socialized healthcare. I've lost my retirement savings to medical bills and that wouldn't have happened under single payer so it's not like I don't have skin in the game. Yea incrementalism sucks but you have to start somewhere.
The real SparkyGump has passed. It was an honor being your human.
Exactly. Bernie may not
be the progressive we want. But, he's the only one we got. Who else going to fight the good fight? Liz?
I really truly really truly thought Bernie would be back on the College circuit shortly after New Year's bellering his campaign message. That that hasn't yet happened is disapointing and disheartening, becuz if he did he could be a political god, herding the kids to the Left. Instead...
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
No one's asking him to wave a wand and make it happen
The current congress isn't going to pass his public option idea, any more than they are going to pass single payer. I'm fairly sure everyone understands that.
The point is, what is he advocating for? What message is he bringing to the legions of people who support(ed) him and are listening to him? What policies is he pushing forward in the public imagination? His campaign kept to one strong, consistent message on healthcare: single payer/Medicare for All. And people responded in huge numbers. Now he's giving mixed messages, at best. Wavering. Talking incremental steps and ... cough ... compromise with trump and the republicans - who will never do that.
What I'd wish to see from Bernie is the independent truth teller he built his campaign on, and rallying those millions of people to demand real universal healthcare, until enough people are on board to make it happen. No wand waving required.
Unfortunately, that isn't what Bernie is doing. So be it. He is not all we've got. Looking to politicians to lead this obviously isn't going to get us there.
I've been looking at the group called Physicians for a National Health Program. Their website has an excellent FAQ and loads of information. They have it right, it seems to me.
Political change will come when the tide of public demand swamps our elected "representatives" and "leaders" -- so building the tide is the only way to get there.
"What I'd wish
to see from Bernie is the independent truth teller he built his campaign on, and rallying those millions of people to demand real universal healthcare, until enough people are on board to make it happen."
Exactly. And what I expected Bernie would be doing. That apparently isn't going to happen. I didn't say I expected Bernie simply to wave a magic wand. I'm pushing 65, unicorns and rainbows having Long left the building. And it's true we can't expect politicians to make this happen, but what separates Bernie from the typical politician is no one owns him. Or didn't. Until Cali or Philly, apparently. Becuz, he could be the Pied Piper to lead this parade. And, if he did it would be a lot easier. Instead, we're back on our own. And, frankly, without someone like Bernie I don't think we get it done. And, sadly, I can't think of anyone on the Left that replaces Bernie. We were so close to getting this done, and the PTB somehow got to Bernie, and just like that we're back to square one.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
The Democrats could save themselves
If they just stopped the manipulation games, returned to what they were before the Clintons destroyed their identity, and united to loudly push #medicareForAll. They would sweep the midterms and the next few elections.
Beware the bullshit factories.
yep. n/t
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
In Huckleberry Finn, the judge thought
just a little help might put Huck's drunk father back together, and gave the old man a room in his house. It didn't work. When looked in on later the father was (as I recall) out the window, and as for the room "we had to take soundings to navigate."
I don' t think it would have worked, in the story, ...
... if the judge sent Huck's father to AA.
Beware the bullshit factories.
Better to have sent him and bottle
to see the Duke and the Dauphin doing the Royal Nonesuch.
they could sweep the elections if they
ran united on marijuana legalization (preferably with full pardons for everyone ever convicted of possession).
but yeah, medicare for all would be nice too.
The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.
I agree
I think the main thing is just to start representing the People again without compunction or compromise or corruption.
Beware the bullshit factories.
Just Read This...
I'm the only person standing between Richard Nixon and the White House."
~John F. Kennedy~
Economic: -9.13, Social: -7.28,