Have you seen this ad? "Bernie Sanders - The President We Need"

a reply to: hubrisinxs

If I knew Berney Sanders could deliver on the affordable education and would talk more about fixing the broken education system as is, then I would vote for him. He just seems to want to vaguely promise to make all schooling affordable. All of his promises seem too good to be true.

Considering most of these guys come out lying through forked teeth, they promise everything and deliver nothing, i find Sanders approach a little more realistic...

a reply to: schuyler

they know they can beat Sanders in the General,

Oh, they know that, do they??

Real Clear Politics says different. Between Trump, Rubio, and Cruz, the only one who is 'ahead' of Sanders is Rubio. By 1 point. One tiny point.

So - how will each of them beat Sanders, schuyler?

What is the plan of each one?

originally posted by: BuzzyWigs
a reply to: crazyewok

Yes, I understand all that, and have my suspicions about rigged elections and puppet shows.
Be that as it may, with his support base as big as it is, this is still an unprecedented modern candidacy......
the snowball's been rolling for decades now.....
It's become an avalanche - big enough to squash an entire district...Washington D.C.........

The very, very end quote (which BH has just added to her signature) bears repeating:

When millions of people stand up and fight - they win. ~Bernie Sanders

Not saying dont vote.

Just if he does win the popular vote dust off your guns and stand in DC and make sure they honour that vote at gunpoint!

a reply to: crazyewok

They don't teach anything regarding the Electoral College, Consitutient basis, etc etc in American public schools, you are absolutely correct, and (obviously) it's been engineered to operate in that manner.

When I was in basic college courses for State & Local, as well as Fundamental American Federal, and again - basic college courses, I'd say that 50-60% of my classmates truly had no idea what was being dicussed. However, I also met some rather intelligent people who challenged my beliefs and vice versa, and I can't speak for "all," of course.

I, too, have my questions regarding Sanders, but take it from an American - the amount of media coverage he is recieving is quite.... odd. Albeit, the coverage is still typically in a negative demeanor but it stands to reason, him and "the political revolution," whether real or not - I have my doubts - is gaining traction. I do feel like Bernie Sanders has a real chance, I've met many, many Sanders and Trump supporters, but I've not personally met a single soul who is a open supporter of Clinton, Rubio, Cruz, or Carson - although they do have a fanbase.

What I'm getting at, is that I personally feel like there are simply too many Americans who are supporting Bernie Sanders currently, and if TPTB were to pull some sort of move as suggested, I feel as if too many people would take notice, and these are not my words, a quote from Zbigniew Brezenski:

"For the first time in human history, mankind is politically awake."

Enter into the 2016 election, where we have "Trump," and "Sanders," who are "shaking things up," and don't get me wrong - I WANT to believe they are "against the establishment," but I'm incredibly cynical and don't trust a word the Federal government says. These are same sociopaths who granted Nazi scientists immunity/amnesty under Operation Paperclip - and most Americans are more concerned about watching the Super Bowl and posting selfies on Facebook.

I enjoy what Bernie Sanders has to say, but it is that exact reason why I don't trust politicians - it's rare that they keep their word, and I know, I know - "this time, it'll be different!"

I really hope so, I really do - but I think there is something else entirely happening "behind the curtains," of this presidential (s)election process.

a reply to: crazyewok

In my opinion, a revolt is not an unlikely outcome, not anymore......if they have the audacity to dismiss the electorate's choice AGAIN (like they did with GW), it will be a huge motivator.

People are already pissed off enough.

a reply to: RomeByFire

The EC did have a very valuable purpose. In fact one reason was to stop mob rule and people voteing dip#s or radicals into office.

Problem is if the government around it is corrupted then I can see it being hijacked if its not already to keep the corrupt status quo and gravy train going.

The idea of the EC to me only works if there is a small decentralised government with most the government being handed to the states.

The size of the US federal government is far to big for the corrupt system to work without corruption.
To work you need a complete overhaul of your political system or go back to a smaller federal government with most powers handed off to the states.

i vote bernie sanders as the next doctor after peter capaldi steps down hahahaha

a reply to: woodwardjnr

but I'm from the uk, so don't really understand America enough to understand why he lacks mass appeal

He doesn't lack mass appeal. The people are going crazy for him!!!

It's the media that is ignoring him.....
this guy has raised more money from individuals and drawn bigger crowds than any previous election cycle has seen at this stage. The media was first dismissive; then shocked; now are blocking the view. Make no mistake, he's a huge contender and has every chance of beating Hillary.

SOCIAL MEDIA is what will propel him there - not SuperPACs. The people are ready - especially the Millennials - who aren't afraid of what he proposes. The majority of us Boomers (their parents) have also been pushing for this since we were our kids' age....
it's a long time coming.....
and the public is ready.

Edit: My mom is 77. She is a Sanders fan. So there.

a reply to: BuzzyWigs

I generally like Bernie Sanders. He's following in the legacy of, in my opinion, the last great public servant, Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Sanders echoes, albeit from a much more socialist standpoint, much of what Moynihan stood for.

However, being the extreme intellectual that he was, even Moynihan would often comment that the US could not achieve a productive society based on social issues ideals of socialism; free healthcare, free higher education, guaranteed employment, etc., in one person's lifetime much less one president's double-term.

I'd be much more in favor of Sanders if he echoed that pragmatism.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

I believe he is aware that the time has come for this storm to dump rain on the parade of the status quo. He has also made a speech about how no one person - not ANY person who is elected - can do anything at all without bipartisan discussion.

It's been going on for 3 generations now....first his, then mine (the Boomers), and now the Millennials.....
what's new is social media. But of course, you know that. I understand that he's asking to be put in the amphitheatre with the lions (or worse, "Monday Night Rehabilitation").....but the support he's getting is truly phenomenal.

a reply to: RomeByFire

I really hope so, I really do - but I think there is something else entirely happening "behind the curtains," of this presidential (s)election process.

Me too..."something evil this way comes"

But given the opportunity I will vote FOR Sanders rather than against the corporate fascist.

a reply to: BuzzyWigs

It's a great ad and I would certainly approve it for viewing by all audiences.

To those naysayers out there, I would say that you're argument that the corruption in our govt. is too entrenched to overcome is every bit as weak as the argument that climate change isn't worth addressing because it can't be reversed in our lifetime.

Americans may be slow to wake up, but once we do, big unexpected things can & do happen and despite your pessimism, rest assured that no problem is too big for us to address & conquer.

This is probably the most crucial part of his campaign, but if Bernie takes Iowa & New Hampshire it's game on baby!

Go Bernie!

originally posted by: crazyewok

Edit :actually your wrong
A US president has been elected FOUR times without the popular vote.

Let's deal with this one first. I NEVER SAID the popular vote always prevailed. So don't go claiming that's what I said. I didn't even come close to saying that.

That wasn't the issue. The issue was your claim that the Electoral College members do not vote against their remit. I say they do not, and you have found that over 200 years and what? fifty elections involving literally THOUSANDS of Electoral College Electors (535 each election these days, so that's 15,000 or so in the 20th century alone) that electoral college members have done so 157 times?

Wow. I'm impressed. And HALF those times were when the person they were "supposed to" vote for WERE DEAD!!!! I know we have some dead voters out there, but it's rare to compel people to vote for dead candidates.

So you're left with well less than a hundred instances over tens of thousands of votes where an elector has "gone rogue." And for the record, in NONE OF THESE CASES was the results of the election changed as a result. None.

Well, sir. I don't think that is a significant number and there's no reason to believe that suddenly, after 200 years, all the electors in the 22 states that can will suddenly throw the election.

That's just ridiculous.

a reply to: crazyewok

Only "Super Delegates" can give their vote to anyone they want. Regular delegates are obligated to follow their state's or in some states, counties or districts, popular vote. So yes, the popular vote matters. Even the Super Delegates usually go with popular vote.

a reply to: schuyler

Can you tell us how the GOP candidates "know they would beat Sanders", though? Because that's the topic.

Most of us are familiar with how flawed the election process is. So - for purposes of being "responsible citizens", can we talk about how the contenders on the GOP side would beat Bernie?

I certainly feel a glimmer of hope, despite my jaded, beaten down political views... more than the whisper I dared to feel 8 years ago... even folks I know who swore they'd never engage with the system again, for either "side," have registered to vote and donated to Mr. Sanders.

Something about that man is genuine and reaches people... despite the media's unbridled laughter. I wouldn't have believed this situation in a zillion years... but our economics are gravely wrong, and our social structure is ill... maybe I'll go back to naive and hopeful, and dive in... something has to change... maybe a funny little Jewish man will be a catalyst for decency... odd as that thought is (heh).

originally posted by: schuyler

originally posted by: crazyewok


Because he carry’s the popular vote?

That irrelevant

The electoral college are who decide who will be president and in nearly half of states the representatives don’t have to vote in favour of the popular vote.

To ignore this facts makes you naive.

Can you name an election when the Electoral College voted in opposition to what the state's directed by their votes? You cannot because the Electoral College doesn't do that. If you'd like to know the intricacies of the Electoral College, go look here. The issues involving the Electoral College have nothing whatsoever to do with its members "going rogue" and voting in opposition to their remit.

Now I don't believe Sanders has a real chance, and the reason the GOP keeps talking about Hillary is because they know they can beat Sanders in the General, but your analysis of how the election works is not only naive, it's completely misleading.

You love election year don't you? I have lots of respect for you Schuyler, retired librarian, you do understand it's all a confidence trick.

a reply to: BuzzyWigs

Everything he's saying resonates with millions of people - I would hope that you all would show enough respect to listen to what he is saying, and stop calling him a "communist." Just, listen, please.

It's all over again! When will people learn...
Like every other politician telling you excactly what you want to hear. Their PRs are masters of deception.
He's a good orator, we can give him that, but once he gets into machine, there's no turning back, he becomes a puppet.

P.S. Every single word is carefully crafted to struck an emotinal chord.

I say screw emotions, use your head.

Your government is unrepairable. Period.
Add MIC to that.

Good luck!

a reply to: Baddogma


PLUS, when you think about which of any of the hopefuls would be most 'presentable' as a world leader, Bernie has
"worthy of respect" written all over him.

originally posted by: BuzzyWigs
a reply to: Baddogma

PLUS, when you think about which of any of the hopefuls would be most 'presentable' as a world leader, Bernie has
"worthy of respect" written all over him.

What is your definition of a world leader? Someone who is kissing up to the same corrupt system most of us serfs are bitching about? OR One who continues the madness of corruption most of us are now feeling?

Personally, as a citizen of the United States, I want my government to take care of it's own damn people first before they pretend to care about the people of other countries! Ironic that the US government preaches all the BS it does to enforce it's ways on other countries while ignoring the same problems of it's own citizens?

The United States of America is not voting for a World Leader! We want someone who will take care of US and THEN help solve the problems of the rest of the world!

How can anyone be expected to be a WORLD LEADER, when they can't even take care of their own?