Tuesday, January 19, 2016

What most Bernie Sanders supporters seem to miss. His uber progressive policies would be dead on arrival in Washington.

Courtesy of the Washington Post:  

In other words, Clinton is the candidate who is more realistic about what can be accomplished in today's divided political landscape. Sanders is aiming for more progressive ideas that would be much tougher to pass and implement -- if not downright impossible, such as single-payer health care. 

If you're a Democratic primary voter, Sanders's candidacy is arguably more exciting. And the issue of health care is no exception. While Obamacare has a 67 percent approval rating among Democrats, December polling from the the Kaiser Family Foundation shows 76 percent of Democrats strongly or somewhat favor the general idea of universal health care. 

But that -- and the majority of policies that form the center of Sanders's platform -- have almost no chance getting through Congress in the near future. Which party controls the Senate could change in November, but come Inauguration Day 2017, the House will almost certainly will be under Republican control. 

That would make it nearly impossible for a President Sanders to switch the nation's health-care system into a government-controlled one that is anathema to Republicans' free-market views. With Democrats in charge of the House and the Senate in 2009 and 2010, Obama and his allies fought tooth and nail to pass his reforms to the private health-care system. As Clinton pointed out Sunday, a proposal to move to the kind of single-payer system Sanders favors was so politically divisive, it didn't even come up for a vote. 

The question we keep asking ourselves is: Do Sanders supporters care that their guy's ideas would be dead on arrival in a Republican Congress? As he inches closer and closer to Clinton in both national and early-state polling, you could reasonably argue that they don't.

Don't forget that Sanders does NOT have the kind of national clout to bring along Democratic candidates on his coattails so it is unlikely that the make up of the Senate or House would change much from what it is today, even in 2018.

The same cannot be said about the Clintons.

Also keep in mind that President Obama, arguably one of the most intelligent men to  occupy the White House, took stock of the situation and realized early on that single payer health care was not doable, so he did the next best thing.

Hillary has a similarly pragmatic approach and she will strengthen and improve the Affordable Care Act rather than attempt to do the impossible.

Many other of Bernie's policy ideas are also certain to bring the Republicans together in opposition, backed by billions of dollars courtesy of big business, and they will also likely die on the vine and never even make it onto the floor of the Senate or the House.

THAT is why I am supporting her. And why I think she is our ONLY choice in 2016.

150 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:10 AM

    I don't care if his proposals are dead on arrival. He will not start a war, Hillary is a war hawk. He will not advocate or sign legislation favorable to wall street, Hillary is the banker's and wall streets best friend. He is not a corporationist Hillary is. Hillary is a bad candidate. Electing a good candidate is the first step in reforming the country. Any decent legislation that Hillary proposes (they absolutely hate her the way they hate Obama) will be blocked. They will pass her trade deals, war resolutions, corporate handout legislation. Hillary is the best Republican running. They will tie her up in corruption hearing and impeachment her entire term.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous9:39 AM

      I agree.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous9:58 AM

      +1,000

      Delete
    3. Anonymous9:59 AM

      excellent point.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:24 AM

      This!!! I'll accept the status quo for 8 years before the destruction Clinton is sure to deep.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:30 AM

      the trolls are out in force today.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:48 AM

      Yeah, right, the status quo.

      Is that what you think is going to happen if Trump or Cruz or Rubio or any of the Repubs are elected? We'll just stay where we are with no backslide into conservatism?

      That's very naive of you.

      If there's a repub POTUS and even one house controlled by the repubs, say goodbye to reproductive freedom, same-sex marriage, and the line between religion and state.

      The people in this country may be moving more to the left, but the repub leaders aren't.

      Delete
    7. Bernie Gets It Done: Sanders' Record of Pushing Through Major Reforms Will Surprise You
      What kind of experience does Bernie Sanders have? Let's take a look.

      Sanders [in Congress, as an Independent] did something particularly original, which was that he passed amendments that were exclusively progressive, advancing goals such as reducing poverty and helping the environment, and he was able to get bipartisan coalitions of Republicans who wanted to shrink government or hold it accountable and progressives who wanted to use it to empower Americans.

      Here are a few examples (13) of the amendments Sanders passed by building unusual but effective coalitions:

      http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/bernie-gets-it-done-sanders-record-pushing-through-major-reforms-will-surprise-you

      Delete
    8. Anonymous11:14 AM

      11:20 THAT is Exactly why Senator Sanders should stay where he is. It is like chiseling marble. Read this>
      http://www.salon.com/2016/01/19/paul_krugman_progressives_would_be_stupid_to_attempt_bernie_sanders_proposed_do_over_of_liberals_biggest_victory/

      Elizabeth Warren too. It is called a team effort.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous11:27 AM

      Bernie will work and he will get things done. The meme his policies would be dead on arrival in Washington is almost laughable. Clinton is concerned and doesn't have much more, so I get why they say that one.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous12:34 PM

      I'd love to believe that Sanders can "get things done."

      But I'm afraid it's just another empty platitude.

      Unless there's a big shift in the congressional makeup, how could Sanders possibly get things done?

      Delete
    11. A Superfan In Atlanta12:39 PM

      Plus, I don't think a Republican ran Congress is going to be waiting with open arms for another Clinton presidency. We took a chance on President Obama twice. I'm willing to take that chance again with President Sanders. I'll wait for President Elizabeth Warren to run so we can finally get the first woman president elected! Hopefully, she runs as Bernie's Vice President during his second term so we can get this party started!

      Delete
    12. Anonymous4:16 PM

      12:39 You might as well drink your preferred poison now. "We took a chance on President Obama" and he did extraordinarily well. You want to wait for the 'perfect' candidate you might as well not vote. Or post on the internet.

      Delete
    13. Anonymous4:21 PM

      9:10, you are talking out of your mind. I believe Hillary has the experience and values this country needs. I remember how excited Minnesotans were about Jesse Ventura until he got elected and did just what he said he would. I like Warren, but I think she needs to stay in the Senate and more people like her need to join her in both houses. Barack Obama was never a fire breather, but he got shit done. And he never campaigned as a radical, but many people put their own beliefs and desires on him, and were disappointed. You just keep living in your fantasy land, it seems to make you happy.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous9:13 AM

    Guess who else didn't have national clout when he ran? BARACK OBAMA. And plenty of Democrats were elected to the House and Senate in his wake. If Hillary gets the nomination, the presidency is going to go to a Republican. Mark my words.

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    1. Anonymous10:18 AM

      And I'm sure if Bernie gets the nom, the Dems will win for sure, right?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:30 AM

      Horse crap

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:41 AM

      9:13 AM Think you are totally wrong, 9:13 AM.

      There are many millions of us that do support Mrs. Clinton throughout the country and are eager to give her our vote.

      I can hardly wait to see the first woman POTUS and also seeing two POTUSs living in the White House and governing.

      History would continue being made by another Democratic POTUS as we've had with President Obama these near two terms.

      It drives Republicans nuts, which is even more of the 'icing on the cake'!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:51 AM

      It drive the sane liberals crazy that you wish to vote for that POS!

      Lets just vote for Bllonberg for pres!

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:14 PM

      Who the hell is Bllonberg?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous12:49 PM

      Oops-

      Bloomberg

      ie put the 1% in the whitehouse!

      Delete
  3. Anonymous9:15 AM

    Ditto. Plus, she is fine statesman.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:27 AM

      Correction: That would be STATESWOMAN to the USA and the world.
      You go girl>VOTE HRC!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:51 AM

      She lies like snowdrift snookie!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous4:23 PM

      11:51, prove it. Put up or shut up. $arah is in a class by herself.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous9:18 AM

    You do realize Gryphen that Hillary is OWNED by Wall Street. Not just a little owned, she is PWND by Wall Street. Why do you just ignore this?? It's not even questionable when her fuckin' top economic adviser is Gary Gensler!
    Perhaps you need to read up a little more on your phony hero and her ties to Wall Street. All she does 24/7 is suck up to them for more money just like her hubby sucked up to them so she could be a phony Senator. I'm a big fan of yours Gryph but you really need to tell it like it is about this phony bitch.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-scheer/hillary-blames-bernie-for_b_9018360.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:57 AM

      +1,000

      Delete
    2. If you seriously think that Hillary Clinton is owned by anyone, you are a special kind of stupid.

      She was the Senator from New York moron. You know, where Wall Street is located.

      And has been reported in the past (http://tinyurl.com/hyh7bs4), Obama has received a substantial amount from them as well.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:28 AM

      Gryphen - you're right! Barack did accept money from Wall Street, and as a result the big banks have only gotten bigger and he's never proposed the reinstatement of Glass Speigal (the repeal of which, under Bill CLINTON, lead to the financial collapse). Lucky for us, the choice isn't between Clinton and Obama in 2016, but Clinton and Sanders.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:28 AM

      If you think her top henchman can be Gary Gensler and she's not OWNED by the street, then YOU my friend are the special kind of stupid.

      The Clintons have been pulling this hustle for decades.

      "Mr. Gensler worked with Sen. Phil Gramm and [former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman] Alan Greenspan to exempt credit default swaps from regulation, which led to the collapse of AIG and has resulted in the largest taxpayer bailout in U.S. history."

      The Commodity Futures Modernization Act, legislation WRITTEN by Gensler was "one of the main causes of the collapse in '08," enabling the great recession -- is an enormous embarrassment that her husband on occasion reluctantly has conceded was drafted by his aides and signed into law by him with great enthusiasm.

      Billary is just more of the same, now wearing a dress. Feel the Bern

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:36 AM

      ALL politicians in the U.S.Congress have received backing (financial) from the Wall Street dudes. It's a given! (To include the Bernie!)

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:43 AM

      Billary?
      How about we just stop with that ridiculous dog whistle? You want to criticize Hillary Clinton? Then do it. Let her stand by herself rather than claiming she's only half of a couple.

      Delete
    7. Crystal Sage11:01 AM

      I am having deja vu when I hear from the pro-Bernie people. Back in the day, I was a George McGovern supporter. I agreed with his stance against the Viet Nam War as well as many other things. I was young and worked hard on his campaign. So did many liberals of the day. In the election he carried only one state - Massachusetts. If Bernie does win the nomination, I am afraid that a similar outcome will take place. Just remember, McGovern lost to Richard Nixon (later to resign as a result of Watergate.) We cannot afford another Republican in the presidency. Obama has worked hard to undo the mess left to him by Bush. With an already GOP controlled congress, there is no guarantee that even the Senate will go to the Dems, so a Democratic president is a must. If both the presidency and the congress go to the Repubs, we will be in deep do-do.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous11:28 AM

      last night on MSNBC, one of the commentators said the same thing. The Clintons have become extremely wealthy from Wall st. Starting with Bill. Bill is a hustler. He did some good things but he also did a lot of things that hurt the US, primarily the middle class people. Chelsea was born with a silver spoon, got into "standford" got out and got a job right away on tv. married a hedgefund guy and works for the Clinton Foundation for $900,000 a year and commands speeches (lies about Bernie) for $35,000 to 75,000 a year. I have listened to her and she is not a great speaker. She is able to do that because she is a Clinton. Hillary was also noted by a couple on msnbc to be using dirty politics, lying about Bernie over things that can be proven to be lies. She is desperate and she attacked Obama unmercifully during 2008. Hillary will be business as usual. This is a political revolution against the 1%ers and it won't stop with Bernie's election but moving on to replace corrupt congressmen on both sides who sell their votes to the highest bidder. His win will continue to inspire the millenials to get out and vote against the establishment.
      Gryphen, I am shocked you will support Hillary. That is like the conservatives who continue to support sarah palin. Hillary will not bring the change Bernie will. and if you think Hillary will try to get anything done, it will be worse on her than Bernie because she is so hated on the right and the truth is she is not trustworthy. You should have watched the factchecking on this last debate...some were nice but those whose job it is to factcheck were surprised with Hillary. She deliberately lied about Bernie and tried to discredit him on several things , even the one about wall st without mentioning and Bernie is not dirty, he could have said that her husband did away with the glass stegall and Hillary still does not want to mess with wall st. period. I am shocked at you gryphen. I think you are spot on about a lot of things and everything palin but on Hillary, you are way out there and yours and other's support of her may cost us deeply and egregiously.
      Gryp

      Delete
    9. Anonymous11:30 AM

      anonymous 10:38 You are dead wrong about Bernie taking money from wall st. Has never happened and never will. maybe you are just mistaken or down on all politicians or outright lying.....but not Bernie. He and Elizabeth warren are clean of wall st.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous11:55 AM

      Gryphon that was very disingenuous argument!!!

      So Goldmann Sachs just give away money with no expectations.

      Lol's and the Koch bros are just philanthropists.

      BS these big donors want laws that favor them!

      Bernie, says no to Wall Street and it's buddies!

      Delete
    11. Anonymous12:08 PM

      Gryphen, I am shocked that you would call anyone who believes that Hillary is owned by wall st is a special kind of stupid. Yeah, she went to wall st during the biggest financial crisis they caused by their criminal activities and said "cut it out"..did they? no they love her because that is asas much teeth as she will give them..wall st loves Hillary and I know you live in Alaska still ( I did for 20 yrs.) but HIllary is absolutely owned by wall st. Omg , do you not read Robert Reich or other strong progressives...Bernie has over 170 top economists who said his plan would save americans money and is the best economical plan yet.
      It was only eight years ago that Hillary Clinton was repeatedly attacking Barack Obama as a dangerously inexperienced naif who would be unable to get anything of consequence done as president. Now, she presents herself as a defender of his sundry accomplishments, and attacks Sanders for being insufficiently supportive of the president.


      Delete
    12. Anonymous12:08 PM

      http://www.occupydemocrats.com/170-top-economists-pen-letter-backing-bernie-sanders-plan-to-break-up-the-biggest-banks/


      Just last June Clinton was speaking against the Iran deal. She was never in favor of it:

      Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton offered her most pessimistic assessment yet of the Iran nuclear deal on Thursday, telling supporters the United States should not trust Tehran to carry out the agreement.

      "Do I trust the Iranians?" Clinton said. "Absolutely not."

      Her remarks are likely to further embolden Republicans in Congress who have broadly panned the agreement and have argued it opens the way for Tehran to eventually get a nuclear weapon.
      She also said she would obliterate iran if they tried to harm Israel and wants Netanyahu and she to re new their relationship and make it stronger.
      http://www.reuters.com/.../us-usa-election-clinton-iran...


      Mud Slinging is saying "Secretary Clinton, I think, called him naïve. Turns out that Obama was right." ? He did not lie, simply stated a fact, on one television show. You are in for a big surprise if Clinton makes it past the primaries (doubtful at this point) if you think that is mud slinging. If Bernie wanted to start mud slinging he would bring up the fact that countries who increased their donations to the Clinton Foundation received an increase or gained a State Department clearance to buy caches of American made weapons.

      Meanwhile, Hillary is getting her daughter to do her dirty work for her by saying that Bernie wants to get rid of health care for millions. Then she is doubling down on her daughters statements by further backing them multiple times. These statements, unlike Sanders', are lies and are continuing to be pushed by Clinton's camp. No better than ted cruz using his daughters for his own political purposes.

      Like it or not, Clinton is the one running the dirty campaign that is financed by the ultra rich (6% alone from Wall Street, double what she claimed).



      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hillary-clinton-shadow-banking_5696d0fae4b0b4eb759d2606





      Hillary is a moderate republican and a dirty politician. Bernie sanders is not a one trick pony. Hillary was a terrible sec of state....she wanted to take ghaddifi out and talked obama into it....he was replaced by ISIL. Then she wanted to take out Mossaud and obama said no, because he was not going to make the same mistake again, deposing without new leaders to prevent ISIL from there as well,. Obama has regretted taking out ghadaffi and now having to deal with ISIL. Hillary and bill have made their millions from wall street and the connections there. Hillary lamented the sorrow of Moussad killing thousands of his people with "chemical weapons' ...yet she neglects to mention that she made millions of dollars negotiating the sale of weapons, INCLUDING CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL, to various countries for a $100,000 + donations to the CLINTON FOUNDATION......now if chemical /biological weapons bother her, why sell them to countries who buy them to use? Such stupid hypocrisy!!!!

      Delete
    13. Anonymous12:11 PM

      Chelsea Clinton earned a degree from Stanford and a PhD from Oxford. She then started working for the family business like so many other children of wealthy parents.

      Bill Clinton was a Rhodes Scholar.
      Hillary Clinton went to Yale Law School.

      Are you saying Chelsea couldn't possibly be smart enough to earn a place at Stanford and Oxford without help from her parents?

      What do Chelsea's accomplishments have to do with Hillary's run for POTUS?

      Delete
    14. Anonymous12:13 PM

      anon 11:28 some typos I should have proofread.
      $35 to 75,000 per speech, (not year) and (Stanford) lol

      Delete
    15. Anonymous7:08 PM

      Truth is, either Bernie or Hillary can beat the Republican nominee.
      Personally, I am going to really have to hold my nose to vote for Clinton. Probably can't do it. As many have noted here, she is tied at the waist with the war profitteers. As Bernie pointed out in the last debate thankfully, Clinton made over $600,000 for "giving speeches" from Goldman Sacs, IN ONE YEAR.
      This is shameful. I wonder, what year was this?
      Anyone know?
      And so, you are going to tell me now, that there would be no conflict of interest if she got elected? Ha.
      Someone said, but unconfirmed, that this is where Chelsea's husband works?
      Hillary has been sucking on the teat of Wall St. for too long now. Go away please.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous9:18 AM

    I understand the reasoning, but will support Bernie until he is no longer an option. I have to vote for the candidate who represents the America I dream of. I voted for President Obama because of my beliefs and will support Bernie for the same reason.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:36 AM

      Likewise and, if a Republican is elected, may God help us all.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:21 AM

      9:18 here. 9:36, if it ends up being a Republican, I am hoping it is Trump. Give what they what and lets see what the outcome is. But, along with destroying the GOP, he would undoubtedly destroy our country and possibly the entire planet.

      Delete
    3. 9:18 -- yes. A man's reach must exceed his grasp, else what's a heaven for?

      Youth were behind Obama's fresh idealism; they are now behind Sanders'. Without hope the people perish.
      But I will vote for whomever gets the nomination. A GOP president is my worst nightmare; and I don't live in the U.S.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:24 AM

      Agree +1000.

      Electing Sanders would immediately shift the public dialogue, bringing hope for the future.

      Who could seriously believe Clinton would succeed in getting Republicans to cooperate on governing when Obama has not been able to?

      Vote Sanders – continue to Know Hope

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:29 AM

      9:18 AM

      +++++++++++++++++++++

      Delete
    6. Anonymous11:57 AM

      No Sanders in the general-

      I will vote fo Jill Stein Green party!

      In AK the Reps will win, a vote third party could add a party to our elections, ifeel that gives a value to my vote!

      Delete
    7. Anonymous4:31 PM

      So Barbara, you really think enough youth who historically don't vote will vote for Bernie? Bernie's enough to change electoral history?

      11:24 For one thing, Clinton is white. More importantly, I think she can fight like a honey badger.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous9:18 AM

    You don't take into account which clown will be the GOP's nominee, and what the fall elections will look like.

    In any event, Clinton will be a better candidate with tough opposition in the primaries. She gets complacent when she thinks she's got in in the bag: see 2008, 2015.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 66gardeners12:20 PM

      Don't forget that Sanders did say Obama should be primaried from the left because he was not happy with what Obama had accomplished as president.

      What has Sanders accomplished after 25 years in congress. I say Sanders needs to be primaried next time. He couldn't find anyone to do it in 2012, so now he will do it himself. Obviously he is not happy that Hillary will continue Obama's policies.

      Here is a link from Politifact that probably has the most info about that.
      http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/nov/10/martin-omalley/fact-checking-martin-omalleys-claim-bernie-sanders/

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:59 PM

      One thing Sanders did not do,
      he did not use knowledge gained in the senate for insider trading and amass a fortune, like others do!

      Delete
    3. @66gardeners: What has Sanders accomplished after 25 years in congress?

      Bernie Gets It Done: Sanders' Record of Pushing Through Major Reforms Will Surprise You
      What kind of experience does Bernie Sanders have? Let's take a look.

      Sanders [in Congress, as an Independent] did something particularly original, which was that he passed amendments that were exclusively progressive, advancing goals such as reducing poverty and helping the environment, and he was able to get bipartisan coalitions of Republicans who wanted to shrink government or hold it accountable and progressives who wanted to use it to empower Americans.

      Here are a few examples (13) of the amendments Sanders passed by building unusual but effective coalitions:

      http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/bernie-gets-it-done-sanders-record-pushing-through-major-reforms-will-surprise-you

      Delete
  7. Anonymous9:24 AM

    I don't know, they said we'd never elect a black man, either. I'm sure glad "they" were wrong about that one, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:31 PM

      Yep.

      Delete
    2. In a nutshell;
      Hillary is a chicken hawk. She wants war to continue or get worse, so her wall street buddies, and herself can make $$$.
      Sanders is an old hippy. He promotes all things good. Peace, sells but who's buying? (I am) He sells environmental issues. He is pushing for clean alternative fuels. He is for cleaning up our earth. He is selling love. He is even better at raising college kids enthusiasm than Obama.
      I am willing to take a chance at a nonchristian, old hippy who has never let go of hippy ideals.
      I'm voting Bernie. If he doesn't get the nomination, I refuse to hold my nose and vote for Shillary! I'll write in Sanders, and I think there are many out there like me...Even at the risk of losing to trump or Cruz. Maybe four more years of repression will wake people the F up!

      Delete
  8. Anonymous9:24 AM




    I think the Clinton brand has been seriously damaged by the conservative/republican noise machine and she can not win the independent voter to her side. She will lose.



    ReplyDelete
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    1. I will vote for whoever is the Dem in the general. But, I do hope it isn't Clinton. The nutters are already firing up the Clinton scandal machine. It doesn't matter if it has any truth. They'll keep the noise up.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:20 AM

      Do you think the independents will flock to vote for Bernie Sanders?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:34 AM

      The Clintons have ALWAYS had to handle the hate from Republicans. I'm sure they expect and are ready for it. Glad that President Bill Clinton will be assisting her in the fight!

      She's one tough broad and will beat the shit out of them. It's already fun watching her. She's smart, an excellent debater, well educated, strong, verbally effective, spunky and has more experience as to serving and working for Americans than do any of the Republicans in the clown car!

      Bernie is a nice guy, but will not be elected. He has no foreign experience to speak of and Hillary has A LOT!

      I want her handling things vs Bernie and especially don't want any of the Republicans near the red button. Remember, they love war and promote it all the time. They could care less when it comes to killing more Americans!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:30 AM

      To whom? Canada Cruz, who can't even be sure he's American. "Naturalized" is not 'Native born." Or Trump, the second coming of Hitler? How about Rubio, who needs a gun for Christmas to feel safe from ISIL, who obviously are coming for him? That's really mature, huh? What else ya got? Hillary will win.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:00 PM

      Clinton is a bunch of questions waiting to be answered!

      Bernies past is consistent with today campaign promises.

      Be nice to see a politician do what he says he will.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous1:03 PM

      How did wiping the server work out for Hillary???

      FBI is finding out why she did it!

      to bad Hillary, your just like Palin hiding emails from your constituents, shame on you!

      Delete
    7. Anonymous4:33 PM

      1:03 Last I knew, the FBI had not asked Hillary about the server. FBI may be learning, like Trey Gowdy, there is no 'there' there.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous9:38 AM

    But, but, but how can a Christian be arguably one of the most intelligent men to ever occupy the White House?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous9:40 AM

    I say no to Billary 2.0.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:52 AM

      Sexist

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:28 AM

      I say YES to Hillary Clinton, POTUS.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:01 PM

      We can all use some Schillary in our lives!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:05 PM

      Hey it was Bill who said we get two for the price of one. Still NOPE to Billary 2.0. Hill by herself, maybe. But she's bringing Bill. So a big NOPE.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:21 PM

      Jesus, do we really have 11 more months of this?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous12:56 PM

      Bill removed glass steagall...

      ...what will Hillary give to pay her debt to the Wall Street, that "loves her?"

      Delete
    7. Anonymous1:05 PM

      No after the first few primaries Clinton supporters will be ashamed to endorse her any longer.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous4:34 PM

      1:05 Keep dreaming.

      Delete
  11. Bernie Sanders IS the only candidate who recognizes that climate change is the most pressing problem we face. It not only affects our national security, but our very existence.

    When our food supply is gone, our little remaining water too contaminated to drink, air unbreathable, and disease hammers a weakened populace, it won't be just humans who go extinct. We'll take most of the warm-blooded species with us.

    In fifty years, it won't matter if someone is in bed with Wall Street, cheats on his/her taxes, has been married four times, establishes a theocratic dictatorship, or even leads us into another stupid war.

    What WILL matter is whether we have acted to avert the worst of the damage we are causing this planet we call home.

    There are a thousand other reasons to support Sanders over Clinton, however, this is the most vital one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:28 AM

      Bernie has been in congress since 1990. Twenty-five years and still no change out of him.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:28 AM

      So Hillary doesn't believe in climate change? Since when?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:05 PM

      Bernies wants to close the revolving doors. In 2009 he called for removing the revolving door in the defense industry, in economics taking Goldmann employees out of admin, and I imagine big pharma revolving doors will close too.

      Schillary is in favor of lobbyits!

      Delete
    4. 66gardeners12:26 PM

      Again, in the 25 years Bernie has been in congress, the revolving door has gotten worse.

      Bernie = Fail

      Delete
    5. Anonymous1:08 PM

      The other politicians fail to mention the problem of revolving door policies1

      Fail for all of them and Hillary!

      And they're just as happy as hogs a a trough!

      Delete
  12. Anonymous9:56 AM

    When the going gets tough for Hillary, she gets going. Bernie is too old and I dont think he'd get much done with jerks like Cruz around. Hillary will make a great President.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:07 PM

      Sanders records show he passed way more bill than Schillary dreamt of.
      Sanders eats punks like Cruz for breakfast, everyday!!!

      Delete
    2. 66gardeners12:27 PM

      Bernie = 25 years in congress

      Hillary = 6 years in congress.

      Your point is?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous1:09 PM

      Hilary's record of bills introduced and passed is dismal, check it yourself, absolutely nothing zip!

      Delete
  13. Anonymous9:57 AM

    So you're saying vote for the person you think will win, not for the person you believe in?

    'member, folks, we likely never would have heard of Hillary if she hadn't married Bill.

    Bernie gets my vote as long as he is on the ticket. We desperately need a third political party in this country and Bernie appeals to a lot of people of intelligence and open minds who know that a tea bag belongs in a cup, not on some dorky hat.

    Hillary will likely win, more's the pity. I believe she thinks the Presidency is hers by right. If she wins, it'll be Billary all over again, except we'll have to reverse it somehow ... Hillbilly?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:25 AM

      Oh, yes we would have! You obviously (9:57 AM) don't know what all Hillary Clinton was doing prior to marrying Bill Clinton in Arkansas. She's been doing for others (Americans) all of her life!

      She has my vote!!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:26 AM

      TROLL ALERT

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:13 AM



      "When I think of Clinton and her need for safety, her dogma that progressive ideals and policies are too risky I think of today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I think of Civil Rights. I think of the voting act. I am reminded of who fought for civil rights during that era and who did not.

      I think of the 50's and the 60's when the establishment was not safe. When dogma was under attack and when dogma lost. And I think back to 1920 and the 19th ammendment giving women the right to vote. The women that led the efforts did not claim safety over change, dogma over progress.

      Think Big."

      Vote Bernie Sanders.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:27 AM

      Oh my. You obviously have no idea who Hillary Clinton is. She is brilliant. Do you think Bill was following her around on her trips as Sec. of State? Telling her what to say and how to act? Please. She is a go-getter. You will obviously be voting GOP. Hope you like your water with a taste of lead.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:08 PM

      My god the clinton trolls are thick here...

      ...and thick headed!!!

      Delete
    6. Anonymous12:28 PM

      You don't know what a "troll" is.

      When a blog owner writes a post supporting Hillary Clinton, people in the thread who do the same aren't "trolls."

      Delete
    7. Anonymous1:12 PM

      Anyone supporting Hillary wallstreet clinton has to be a troll or a paid schill.

      Much respect for Gryphon except his Hillary misconceptions, Gryphon is smart he will see the light!

      Delete
    8. Anonymous1:26 PM

      So, 1:12, is Gryphen a troll or a paid shill? Or is he a smart person who deserves respect?

      Delete
    9. Anonymous4:37 PM

      9:57 What third party? Bernie is running to be the Democratic nominee.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous9:59 AM

    I wish this question was asked at the debate. How will you implement any of these new policies without a majority in the house or senate?
    Question applies to all of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 66gardeners12:28 PM

      democrats are smart enough to take what Bernie promises one step further and realize that he has been on congress 25 years while things are worse than ever.

      Delete
  15. Thinking like this is why nothing changes in Washington. I would rather have someone elected who will try and possibly fail than vote for someone who won't even try to make substantive change. With the circus that is the Republican party now is the perfect time to vote for someone who really wants to make a difference.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:25 AM

      How many decades has B3ernie Sanders been a member of congress? Talk is cheap.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:17 AM

      Too many, 10:25 AM! Again, the reason why we need limits to those serving in the United States Congress and State Legislatures!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:25 AM

      So you think Hillary doesn't want to change things? Are you listening to her? Do you recall the changes she tried to make as First Lady? She is the most intelligent person maybe in the whole nation. She will be great!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:14 PM


      About

      Bernie Sanders is serving his second term in the U.S. Senate after winning re-election in 2012 with 71 percent of the vote. His previous 16 years in the House of Representatives make him the longest serving independent member of Congress in American history


      About

      Bernie Sanders is serving his second term in the U.S. Senate after winning re-election in 2012 with 71 percent of the vote. His previous 16 years in the House of Representatives make him the longest serving independent member of Congress in American history

      That is impressive for an Idependant party candidate.

      How long has Hillary ever stuk with any job???

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:24 PM

      He represents Vermont. Try being a progressive rep from pretty much any other state.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous12:27 PM

      Hillary Clinton went from a law career to being First Lady to a State Senator to US Secretary of State.

      You act as if she's had a few office jobs over the years but can't seem to make any of them work.

      Delete
    7. @10:25 -- How many decades has B3ernie Sanders been a member of congress? Talk is cheap.

      Read this, put here again for you:

      Bernie Gets It Done: Sanders' Record of Pushing Through Major Reforms Will Surprise You
      What kind of experience does Bernie Sanders have? Let's take a look.

      Sanders [in Congress, as an Independent] did something particularly original, which was that he passed amendments that were exclusively progressive, advancing goals such as reducing poverty and helping the environment, and he was able to get bipartisan coalitions of Republicans who wanted to shrink government or hold it accountable and progressives who wanted to use it to empower Americans.

      Here are a few examples (13) of the amendments Sanders passed by building unusual but effective coalitions:

      http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/bernie-gets-it-done-sanders-record-pushing-through-major-reforms-will-surprise-you


      Delete
  16. Anonymous10:10 AM

    Republicans hate Clinton infinitely more than they hate Sanders. They've had 25 years of hating her and magnifying their differences with her to astronomical proportions. They will try to block everything she tries to do with as much if not more determination and ferocity than they've used against Obama, whose administration she was part of. They have no such history with Sanders. Sure, they wouldn't exactly enable him either - but they wouldn't GET OFF on stymieing him the way they would get off on stymieing Clinton, so I think electing Clinton will be like waving a red in front of a bull as far as Republicans are concerned.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:27 AM

      The best thing we can do is get out the vote for liberal senators and representatives. I don't think Clinton or Sanders are going to get far if the Republicans control Congress.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:24 AM

      Are you kidding? Bernie has been in Congress for a quarter century...they all know him and haven't exactly supported him.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous2:07 PM

      And how do they feel about Hillary Clinton, 11:24?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous4:39 PM

      Yes, 10:10, which is why I'm supporting her. I see know reason to pander to the Rs.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous3:52 AM

      Hillary lost my vote when she said ALL women will vote for her and not Bernie....

      Delete
  17. Anonymous10:15 AM

    Not f he sweeps in many of his fellow progressives with him. in fact it is out only hope as a democracy. The rethugs will let hillary fight wars and enrich the rich. nothing else.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:36 AM

      Not so sure he would do that. There could be a backlash at the local level to make sure this country isn't "ruined" by the communists.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:23 AM

      Exactly. You can bet the Kochs have the "Is America ready for a SOCIALIST in the White House?" ads ready to roll, and it will be a small step from there to calling Bernie a communist, and there will be NO crossover voting, and people who aren't paying attention will be swayed.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous6:27 PM

      The GOP wants Bernie to win the primary. That's got to tell you something. Sure, there will be "dirt" and accusations on Hillary... but they most likely have an arsenal against Bernie.. child out of wedlock, etc. Hillary can weather it better, and her supporters won't be swayed.

      Bernie has great domestic policy ideas, but does not have any support from either party in the legislature to make them real, so they aren't going to come into fruition. However, we will have continued international crisis at every turn, and I trust Hillary to handle the diplomacy... not Bernie AT ALL. I like our country to improve, but it won't happen if we end up on the short end of the global stick. We are global now. Everything depends on international relations. I don't think Bernie has any experience with foreign affairs. In my opinion, registered Republican voters will vote for Donald or Hillary. She will also carry Hispanic and African American voters - and women. I like a lot of what Bernie says, but he isn't a good candidate for leader of America (or world). IMO

      Delete
  18. Anonymous10:23 AM

    I've always been pro Hillary Clinton and am eager to provide her my vote.

    Plus, think it'll be highly interesting having BOTH Presidents Clinton in the White House following the outstanding job done by President Obama (in spite of all the obstruction by the Republicans!).

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous10:23 AM

    Time to go donate to the Bernie campaign again!
    First time in my many years of voting that I have EVER donated to a candidate.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous10:23 AM

    What Bernie needs is a $arah Pali endorsement with Bristol on the stage demonstrating how one drills baby drills.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:17 PM

      I think she Palin is in bed with Hillary and Trump not Sanders!

      Delete
  21. Anonymous10:24 AM

    Reading about "Billary" brings back bad memories of the 1990s, only this time it's people on the left side of the aisle whining about it rather than conservatives.

    I wish she had divorced Bill years ago, if only to stop people from assuming a woman wouldn't be anywhere if it wasn't for her husband.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:21 AM

      Oh please. Had they divorced, then what? As Ann Landers always said, "Are you better off with him or without him?" Hillary made her choice, and it was right for her. The GOP will always complain about a strong tough intelligent woman in any kid of power. Divorced or married, Hillary scares the crap out of them. She is going to eat their nominee alive, and they know it.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:30 AM

      I'm a Hillary fan. I'm just sick of people saying the only reason she got anywhere was because of her husband.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous3:47 AM

      I was a HUGE Hillary supporter when she was running against Obama. I thought she would have been better president. After all she was the one pushing for single pay on insurance. Just like the one Bernie is pushing, hers didn't go through, so now she's against it?
      That's one reason why I won't vote for her. She constantly flip flops (see single pay insurance as just 1 example ), she constantly lies (in this day and age everything is recorded)

      Delete
  22. Anonymous10:34 AM

    I'm ambivalent about the whole Clinton vs Sanders thing. I hear very good arguments on both sides of the issue (and also some ridiculous ones).

    But, I'm not so sure Congress would be more willing to work with Sanders vs. Clinton. Liberals complain that Clinton is too centrist (or that she's an outright republican, which is just silly). Sanders is a socialist.

    If you think any of those whiny infants in the republican party are going to happily work with any Dem POTUS, you're out of your mind.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous10:39 AM

    Nothing worth doing is ever easy. We have to start somewhere. I'm more concerned with the money that passes back and forth with these sleazy politicians who want only to line their pockets. Bernie will be the beginning of a long hard fight. Hard but necessary. It's now or never, folks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:55 AM

      You want to start somewhere? Start electing progressives at the local level.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:21 PM

      Progressives, not corporately owned dinosaurs!

      Delete
  24. Anonymous11:01 AM

    I love this blog because I hate the Palin's with a passion for being fucken crooks and phonies, but I have to call bullshit on that... we can give it a fucken try at least.... Go Bernie!!!!
    Long time reader from Los Angeles

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous11:12 AM

    As I've posted (on this blog) many times before -

    We (voters throughout the country) need to select Democrats on the national, state and local levels.

    It's more important in this upcoming election than it's every been (I'm a retired, senior citizen) in my lifetime.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Before you publish these, you really should take a minute to read the comments. The WaPost is THE Newspaper for War, and despises Democrats. They see Bernie as a more formidable challenger, and will consistently work to undermine him, using their fake centrist Democrats to write fake concern stories like this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:39 AM

      totally agree. Mark. thanks.

      Delete
  27. Anonymous11:19 AM

    Excellent points, Gryphen!! Anyone who thinks Sanders has a realistic chance of pushing through his policies has a short memory. This GOP will sign another pledge next january to block any and everything President Clinton wants to a accomplish. They truly want America to fail so they can strut around saying "Told you so." Have you heard one Republican express the least concern over Flint's poisoned residents? Have they passed an infrastructure bill? Are they happy that gas is under $1.70 a gallon and going down, thus putting some cash in the pockets of the poor workers? Nope. All they have is hate and fear, and that is all they care about..maintaining their jobs while doing nothing.
    Bernie has wonderful ideas, but a 'revolution' would involve removing the GOP from office, and there are too many of them currently to make that happen. We need to hod the Senate, and make gains in the House, and keep Bernie and Liz working for us! President Clinton will handle things.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous11:57 AM

    OT-READ THIS>
    https://theintercept.com/2016/01/19/navy-seal-turns-over-picture-of-bin-ladens-body-faces-investigation-of-business-ties/

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous12:18 PM

    Please, can we stop with the Billary, Schillary, Shrillary crap? What's next, are so-called progressive Sanders supporters going to talk about her thick ankles?

    It seems like a bunch of 2016 progressives have turned into 1991 conservatives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:38 PM

      They are called cankles, and yes they need to be discussed. As well as her North Korean Peoples Leader MuMus.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:43 PM

      Thanks 12:38, for proving my point and for representing the "feel the Bern" crowd so eloquently.

      Delete
    3. I'm not anonymous, I support Sanders, but I do not denigrate the Clintons. The truth about them is far more damaging than any stupid name calling (like Bernie Bros — can you accept that I, as a 63-year-old man, am not a Bernie Bro?).

      Delete
  30. Anonymous12:52 PM

    How any minority could vote for a
    Republican is beyond me! Minorities are
    reduced to cockroaches to them!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous1:11 PM

    MADDOW: Well, if you and Senator Sanders and Governor O`Malley ever decide that you want more and you don`t want to negotiate, it you can all just show up here and I`ll help.

    http://www.politicususa.com/2016/01/19/rachel-maddow-asks-hillary-clinton-buried-democratic-debates-tv-siberia.html

    Maybe she could have said "Alaska?"

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sure let's all give up and accept a Hillary triangulation presidency. She'll change her position four times as she waves with the poll numbers. She'll suck up that Wall Street money and allow the banksters to run roughshot over the country like they did while Bill Clinton was in office.

    I'm tired of holding my nose when I cast a vote for President so in the Primary I'll vote my heart. If Hillary is the Democratic candidate I'll vote for her but won't expect her to do much during her term(s).

    All Hillary wants is to be the first female President. She won't do anything other than what the oligarchs and banksters want her to do.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous2:22 PM

    It seems to me that if Bernie wins the primary and goes on to win the general than those who vote for him are going to vote in those that will help him. I think if Bernie wins the general we will see a sweep for the Dems in the election too.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous3:18 PM

    I love Bernie but yes, his platform would never get passed. I will vote for the Dem regardless but I know Hillary is wise to what goes on in DC, she knows how the White House and Congress works, she's been a First Lady, a Senator and Secretary of State, I consider her experience a huge asset.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous3:51 PM

    This GO HRC!>
    http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/01/19/3740635/flint-mayor-endorsement-2016/

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous4:13 PM

    "And why I think she is our ONLY choice in 2016."

    Yep.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous9:17 PM

    What makes you think that anything Hillary proposes will get anywhere? The Rethugs may just hate her more than they hate Obama. And you saw how that went down. If we just give up, nothing will change. You're right. But if he (we) can start that revolution, and vote in more progressives, we might just take this country back. Hillary is one of THEM. Bernie is one of US. I choose US.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous2:34 AM

    If we elect Hillary, none of what Bernie stands for will happen and wall street will continue to run America. If we elect Bernie, he might be able to change things. I will take might happen over won't happen any day.

    Vote Sanders.

    ReplyDelete
  39. In other words, let's play the game as usual. Let the Washington establishment decide who our nominee should be. Err on the side of practicality instead of idealism. As much as we like to say the story of America is the story of the underdog, we don't really believe that. Rather than standing for a principle, just roll over and take what's dished out. Wow, that certainly inspires me. Nothing can quash hope like a sobering dose on "no hope."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:59 AM

      Vote for whomever you want.

      Delete
  40. Anonymous4:34 AM

    Shorter Hillary supporters: No we can't

    ReplyDelete
  41. Morality is determined by universally preferable behavior. Forcing someone to pay for something that they don't want is not universally preferable behavior. Therefore, forcing someone to pay for something that they don't want is immoral.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Didn't they say the same things about Obama when he was running against Hillary?

    ReplyDelete

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