Friday, April 22, 2016

Will the movement that Bernie Sanders helped to inspire survive beyond his campaign? Quite possibly.

Courtesy of MSNBC:

Key allies of Bernie Sanders are planning to meet in Chicago after the final votes have been cast in the Democratic presidential primary to plot the future of the movement galvanized by Sanders’ presidential campaign. 

Sanders’ loss in New York’s primary this week has put the Democratic nomination almost certainly out of reach, leading many to wonder what will become of the millions of people who donated, volunteered, and supported his campaign, including many who seem unready to settle for likely nominee Hillary Clinton. 

The two-day People’s Summit is timed for mid-June in order to fall between the final set of primaries in California and elsewhere on June 7, and the Democratic National Convention in late July. It aims to continue building the “political revolution” Sanders often invokes and to develop a “People’s Platform” of issues important to the movement. 

“There’s a vibrant conversation going on about what happens to the movement after the primaries are over,” said Charles Lenchner, who co-founded the group People for Bernie, which is helping to organize the summit. “This is a collection of groups that share a lot in common and want to work together in the future and who represent a significant portion of the coalition that has come together around Bernie Sanders.”

Personally I think a movement like this is essential to the future of politics in this country and 100% support it moving forward.

I actually see this an offshoot of the Occupy Wall Street movement and think that if it can formulate a strong message, and find the right messengers, that it will have an important and dramatic impact on how politics is done in this country.

And as much as I might support Hillary Clinton right now, I would like to see an organization like this exerting some influence on her future policy decisions.

And do you know who would be the perfect VP to act as a liaison between Hillary and this group?

Elizabeth Warren.

(Sorry, coudn't resist.)

73 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:39 AM

    OT-Senator Warren>
    http://www.warren.senate.gov/files/documents/2016-4-21_Letter_to_SEC_on_Steven_Cohen.pdf

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:04 PM

      OT?http://www.rawstory.com/2016/04/why-havent-bankers-been-punished-just-read-these-sec-insider-emails/

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:21 PM

      YES!http://www.politicususa.com/2016/04/22/sanders-talks-hopes-clinton-platform-democrats-big-step-unity.html

      Delete
  2. Anonymous8:41 AM

    If you look at Sanders' major demographic, they're not known for their commitment.

    And pretty soon it'll be peak beer season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:56 AM

      unfortunately, the 18-30 year olds don't vote reliably

      Delete
    2. Anonymous9:05 AM

      This is almost word for word one of the messages David Brock's troll squad is being paid to shit out all over the internet. Their other favorite is one that starts out "I used to support Bernie until...". For the life of me I can't understand how Clinton and her pals can think insulting and stereotyping an entire generation is going to convince them to vote for her in November.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous9:14 AM

      One can always hope but yeah, I have to agree with you.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous9:24 AM

      All the best to them--as long as they don't help Trump get access to the nuclear codes.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:08 AM

      This is based on statistics, 9:05, not bias. Maybe Clinton supporters are using that fact for political purposes, but that's a different issue. The truth is that younger voters aren't known for getting out and voting on a regular basis. If this "movement" inspired by Sanders helps improve that, great.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:33 AM

      I hate to say this, but they will act the same way the firebaggers did if Sanders gets in and can't produce unicorns and rainbows for everyone right away. They will turn on him like the firebaggers did Obama when they didn't get what they wanted and the recognition they thought they alone deserved and refuse to vote in 2018.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:50 AM

      By "firebaggers", 10:33, do you mean the people at www.firedoglake.com which is now a defunct blog and they have changed their name and their leader?

      Delete
    8. Anonymous11:38 AM

      Anonymous9:05 AM,

      The irony of you labeling all of us who don't support Sanders and/or used to support him as David Brock's troll squad, while you're complaining of being labeled and insulted, seems to escape you completely.

      Delete
  3. 66gardeners8:49 AM

    I sincerely hope Bernie Sanders legacy will be positively influenced by how he goes forward. Real American patriots need his kind of spirit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:42 AM

      And just what is his legacy now? Besides a bunch of empty promises? He has done virtually nothing as an elected official up to this point.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:00 AM

      Spirit he has. Accomplishments? Not so obvious. And his movement of non-voting college kids and independents will never hang around and actually do anything. They will most likely refuse to vote at all unless they can write in Bernie. Hopefully he's not stupid enough to encourage that. We can unite against the hate and evil on the right, or this country is truly gone.

      Delete
    3. @ 10:42 -- check this out, please: I dare you.

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

      http://feelthebern.org/bernie-sanders-on-energy-policy/

      And Burlington, VT, is now 100% powered by alternative energy (Bernie was Mayor there for 8 years):
      http://www.thenation.com/article/bernies-burlington-city-sustainable-future/

      Hillary's bills to date:
      A bill to establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site in the State of New York. Bush signed the bill Dec. 3, 2004.

      S. 3613: A bill to name a post office the "Major George Quamo Post Office Building." Bush signed the bill Oct. 6, 2006.

      S. 3145: A bill to designate a highway in New York as the Timothy J. Russert highway. Bush signed the bill July 23, 2008.


      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:40 AM

      Barbara Carlson11:14 AM,

      President Obama has accomplished MUCH more than that, yet Sanders and many of his supporters think he hasn't accomplished anything.

      Delete
    5. @ 11:40 That was not the issue. The question (10:42) was Sander's accomplishments.

      President Obama's accomplishments are beyond impressive, despite the GOP's obstruction on every turn.

      I am not a "BernieBro" who denies his flaws, I just would like to provide the increasingly "anti-facts" reactionary group of IM blog commenters with some links ...and add one about Hillary's record in Congress.

      Let the records speak for itself.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous12:24 PM

      @ Barbara
      So? Texas now uses wind energy for well over 25% for the whole STATE>

      Bernie also had his hands in sending Texas NH toxic waste.
      Fu_k Bernie Sanders.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous12:24 PM

      Barbara Carlson, I disagree with you (I'm for HRC) but I thank you for politely engaging here in political discourse.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous12:52 PM

      Sen. Sanders has been a driving force on bills regulating Banking and Finance, helping the veterans of our wars, and he hasn't voted to make the worst foreign policy disaster of this nations history. I think you Haters for Hillary should tone this he doesn't have a lot of trophy legislation stuff down a bit.

      Delete
    9. Thanks 12:52 -- I feel strongly that HC has been sleeping with the enemy, so to speak, for so long that any progressive movement on Wall St. reform on her part, if she is elected, seems doubtful.

      And I put "if" due to these worrying stats...

      New York: 3.2 MILLION New Yorkers were blocked from voting in Tuesday’s primary because their party affiliations were mysteriously wiped out. A last-minute emergency lawsuit failed to save these votes.

      Texas: A recent study found that GOP voter laws decreased Democratic turnout in the primary by as much as 50%.

      Arizona: The Republican-led government closed nearly 70% of polling sites in Democratic-leaning counties. The lines were so bad for many Democratic voters that Bernie and Hillary are suing the state.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous1:48 PM

      I don't think Hillary has ANY influence over local Election Boards in Texas and AZ, run by Republicans most likely. And as far as NYC, why would she disenfranchise her own voters? She won that borough big time.

      Sanders may have had some legit issues, but the HRC corruptions nonsense is ridiculous. If she's so corrupt, why did Bernie vote for her as Sec. of State and praise her in office? Bernie has PRAISED her over the past 20 years. He only went negative this year and boy, it cost him the nomination.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous2:06 PM

      12:24pm Likes to spout lots of hyperbole regarding Sander's record and his actions but mysteriously they NEVER have any links where we are able to verify their hysteria against Bernie.

      I don't know about the rest of you, but don't ignorant people just PISS YOU OFF :-)

      Delete
    12. @ 1:48 -- I am not saying HC is corrupt or had anything to do with it, but that voting suppression in the Primaries seems to be hindering DEM voting which if allowed to play out in the November election put a Democratic outcome in great jeopardy on level.

      This is not democracy: how much disenfranchisement will voters be subjected to (on both sides) before they stop voting altogether?

      Delete
    13. Anonymous5:37 PM

      Actually, Barbara, you ARE saying Hillary Clinton is corrupt ("sleeping with the enemy")

      Why not just be honest and come out and say it.

      Delete
  4. Caroll Thompson8:50 AM

    I have my doubts about such a movement lasting very long. For proof, no one has to look further than the voting rate of Democrats/progressives in mid term elections. Actually, we wouldn't need a movement if the Dems/progressives would show up to vote in the mid term elections.

    I am hoping for a Clinton/Warren ticket myself. I also bought a lottery ticket today because I love to dream.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It will be Raphael Cruz,perfect,not 2 women,and first female POTUS!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous1:25 PM

      Most of us are not ready for a boy from Calgary, Alberta Canada to become President.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous9:09 AM

    I would need to know specifics about some of the members of this group. What have they accomplished in the past? How savvy are they about the real political arena? Are they employed? Have they voted in the past? What are their personal and political goals if they have any?

    Crowd emotions are very different from individual feats and talk is cheap. Bernie's past record,
    -illegitimate son
    -paying wife and step-daughter out of campaign $
    -suing Clinton for same legitimate $ offer he refused
    -being kicked out of commune for being so lazy & just chatting while others picked up his workload
    -running on the democratic ticket when he has never been a democrat
    -spent honeymoon in Soviet Russia
    -wife Jane sued & got chunk of $ from college where she worked
    Need I say more?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, you do need to say more. Begin with your list of candidates with an unblemished political record and an exemplary personal life.

      As to the first part of your response, your questions are only meaningful to you. Should one or more bear fruit, you will have the satisfaction of telling everyone you told them so.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:34 AM

      Adding that the college went bankrupt due to Jane's GREED.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:44 AM

      Deadbeat Dad
      bought and paid for by the NRA
      A non environmentalist ( okay with anything as long as it's not in his backyard)

      there's a couple to add to your list

      Delete
  6. Anonymous9:41 AM

    Are we concentrating on the wrong enemy - Trump? Sometimes our focus can be skewed and maybe Bernie is the real threat to our democratic White House win since he appears to be a "divider not a uniter" of OUR party.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:45 AM

      I view them as the same type of people.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous10:27 AM

    We must remember. Blogs are not truth. Truth doesn't come from people on the Internet and everyone who's matured past grade school knows that. Truth comes from one person living. Only an individual can dictate his or her truth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:33 AM

      Shhh, Alicia. The grown ups are talking.

      Delete
    2. Do you see that tiny paper cup the nurse just brought you?

      Those are you meds, and you REALLY need to take them.

      Truth is not subjective, it simply is the truth.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:57 AM

      Why, Alicia, thank you for confirming that a Palin has never blogged anything truthful in all these years. Well played.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:23 AM

      TRUTH, Alicia? You with your thousand internet aliases and fake social media accounts and phony posts full of lies dare speak of truth?

      You can't handle the truth!

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:45 AM

      Hi, Alicia. Bye, Felicia.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous1:10 PM

      10:27 You must remember. You are a person on the internet so according to your very own words truth is not coming from you. Thanks for admitting it.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous11:11 AM

    My absolute favorite David Brock PAC Troll Meme is "Sanders isn't really a Democrat."
    2000: "The 3rd party candidate should run as a Democrat to not hurt Democrats."

    2016: "A 3rd party candidate running as a Democrat hurts Democrats."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:43 AM

      Sanders is not running as a Democrat. He is running as an independent while using the DNC party to do so. He's actually running against the DNC.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:22 PM

      Because it's all true.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous1:57 PM

      I was always a third party voter when I didn't vote Republican, and YES Bernie is an Independent and a lot of us Independent voters do not like the fact that he got into bed with the Dems. It's his biggest negative as far as a lot of us are concerned.

      It's been nice that he finally made a bunch of Dems look at their corporate overlord candidates, but seriously, why didn't he stay true to his principles instead of joining the corporatacracy of the Dem party?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous4:30 PM

      @ anon 1:57pm
      Bernie joined the Democratic Party for their, as you call it, corporatacracy.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous11:15 AM

    Will Susan Sarandon in attendance?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:00 PM

      oops, redo = "Will the great Susan Sarandon be in attendance?" #DesperatelySeekingSusan

      Delete
  10. Anonymous11:28 AM

    I'm really tired of Bernie Sanders and would strongly hope that we see less and less of him via the media! He's angry, nasty, too old and appears to be trying to divide the Democratic Party.

    I strongly support Hillary Clinton for our future POTUS! And, think that Elizabeth Warren would be an outstanding VP candidate with her! They'd win hands down and demolish the Republicans!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:54 PM

      At least he doesn't have a brain problem like Shrillary.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:05 PM

      1:54. Name-calling is so immature. It's not even a meme.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous4:29 PM

      @ anon 1:54pm
      If that's all you've got on Hillary is your same lie no wonder I selected to vote for her over the SS Senile Sanders that is sinking this week.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous1:02 PM

    I think Sanders is trying to wrestle control of the Democratic Party away from the Banking/WallStreet/ MIC factions which currently control it. It will be much easier to turn the Democratic Party away from the whims of the 1%ers than trying to do it with the republicans

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:50 PM

      Well, so far, he's failed. He's 74. I don't know how much longer his great wrestling match will continue.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:49 PM

      Are you going to let this old man try or are you part of the problem?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous4:28 PM

      Well Bernie spent most of the last 30 yrs pandering to the NRA and doing their bidding.

      BTW without banks the average person could never buy a car or a home.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous1:14 PM

    The objective reality is that the NRA helped elect Bernie Sanders to Congress and that he voted with them repeatedly in return. Those are the facts. And Erica Smegielski, daughter of Dawn Hochsprung, the principal who was murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School, called Jane Sanders out:

    http://bluenationreview.com/sandy-hook-victims-daughter-chides-jane-sanders/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:26 PM

      Why would Bernie care about those Sandy Hook kids when he didn't even care about his own child Levi?
      Sorry, but if anyone ever really expected Bernie to be more than a few campaign slogans they did not look into his life at all.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous1:18 PM

    Jane Sanders writes off $9,000 for meals to dump toxic waste on TexMex poor

    http://www.tllrwdcc.org/about-the-comission/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:43 PM

      You are a fucking liar.
      Your lie is easily debunked by looking at page 7 of the Sanders' 2014 tax return. The write-off for meals was for Bernard Sanders for Government Service.
      https://go.berniesanders.com/page/-/Bernie%20Taxes%20Full.pdf

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:04 PM

      Bro, lay off the expletives. It doesn't make your point ANY more valid.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous4:51 PM

      "Bro" is another myth being spread by Brock's Troll Squad.
      Page 7 of the tax return - link above - proves what's written about Jane Sanders is a fucking lie from a fucking liar. If you can't handle "expletives", don't read comments on a blog.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous5:20 PM

      You use expletives non-effectively, though. It's boring. https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2016/04/15/sanders-gave-percent-income-charity/Po0Qvqfvnzo5SV3ZbOKvEL/story.html

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:35 PM

      8:06 - I am the one who replied to you with the revelation that Bernie only donated4% of his income to charity. But I am not the one who wrote to you about the meals. So you are wrong.

      However, a few pro-tips:
      1) Hillary has genuine supporters. We are paid nothing. Labeling all of her supporters as "paid trolls" is therefore a lie FROM YOU. There are millions of us -- a lot more of us than have voted for any other candidate on the left or right.
      2) Your unchecked and perpetual vitriol makes your candidate look bad. We are all representing our campaigns. Bernie didn't train you guys about that. Everything you write is a de facto reflection on Sanders.
      3) Work towards losing graciously and remember, Bernie and Hillary are each better than anyone in the GOP & have said so. A vote for a mythical third party is just political tourism and will give Trump the nuclear codes. Peace.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous1:24 PM

    So far Kochs, NRA, Scott Walker & Trump have all applauded Bernie Sanders! And his fans wonder why Dems don't embrace him

    #FleeTheBern

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:50 PM

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:36 PM

      A David Brock Paid Troll.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous2:44 PM

      The David Brock Troll Swarm has found IM.

      Delete
    4. I am the one who wrote "+1" and I am not a troll. But hey, let's not devolve.

      I agree that Trump & Sanders spew the same RW junk.

      Delete
  15. Anita Winecooler3:35 PM

    I got to see Hillary at one of her stops today. One of our clients is a stones throw away from this place called "Curds and Whey" in Jenkintown, Pa. It's this curious mix of colonial style hoooooooge homes, a few authentic Tudor style, and the center of town is all Art Deco Style, but somehow it works.
    Anyhoo, I realized something about Hillary that we don't get from the media. She actively listens to people's concerns and offers solutions. One of her high school friends was there with photos of Hillary, but one woman spoke of having a special needs child, her husband works two shifts at one job during the week and a part time job on weekends to help get their child's therapy and care paid for.
    The mother can't get a job, because she has to learn what it takes to give her child a chance at reaching his/her full potential, plus it takes four hours of working with the child and the professionals. I caught a little of what Hillary's response was before I had to leave, Bundling other families with similar needs, include wrap around care, and respite care for the parents. I wish I could have stayed longer because it was clear she's given a lot of topics some serious thought.
    As an aside, fried cheese curds are gross.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:38 PM

      Thanks for that, Anita Winecooler. I'd like to have joined you there.

      And I'll gladly take your advice about fried cheese curds.

      Delete
    2. Anita Winecooler5:42 PM

      I wish everyone got that close to all the candidates, it's a different experience than what we see on television. The only reason I got in was my client had extra tickets or I'd have been in the parking lot watching on jumbo trons.

      http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/20160423_Hillary_takes_aim_at_unequal_pay__gun_laws.html

      Delete

Don't feed the trolls!
It just goes directly to their thighs.