Bernie Sanders campaigned for Marxist party in Reagan era

We all know that Bernie spent his honeymoon in the Soviet Union...but a lot of people tend to downplay the significance of that.

We also all know that Bernie claims to be a "Democratic Socialist", who supposedly wants no more than the United States to become another Sweden...lots of welfare, but allowing for free enterprise (except for all of those that would be squashed or regulated out of business under the Green New Deal that he supports, of course).

Also, Bernie runs for President as a Democrat...but actually sits as an Independent in the Senate. Clearly he does not suscribe to the idea of center-left politics...although he may be warming to the Democrat Party now that it is veering hard to the Left in so many ways.

But, how many people know that beloved old Bernie was (still is?) a card carrying Communist activist not so many years ago...

Bernie Sanders campaigned for the Socialist Workers Party in the 1980 and 1984 presidential campaigns and was investigated by the FBI for his ties to the Marxist group.

Sanders has always played down the extent of his involvement with the party, which included radicals who praised the Soviet Union and Cuban communists, and has denied ever being a member. Asked in 1988 about his role as an SWP elector in 1980, he said: "I was asked to put my name on the ballot and I did, that’s true." In fact, his ties to the party are deep and enduring.

So, what kind of policies did the Socialist Workers Party (that Bernie campaigned for) support?

Andrew Pulley, the party's 1980 presidential candidate, said that American soldiers should "take up their guns and shoot their officers" (Sanders was one of three electors for Pulley on the Vermont ballot).

Mel Mason was their candidate in 1984 and praised the Russian and Chinese revolutions and said: "The greatest example of a socialist government is Cuba, and Nicaragua is right behind, but it's still developing."

This party called for the abolition of the U.S. military and the nationalization of "virtually all private industry," as well as the establishment of "official ... 'solidarity' with the revolutionary regimes in Iran, Nicaragua, Grenada and Cuba."

Sanders stated in a press release during these times that: "I fully support the SWP's continued defense of the Cuban revolution."

Bernie was the featured speaker at the party's 1982 campaign kick-off rally.

"At a time when the Democratic and Republican parties are intellectually and spiritually bankrupt, it is imperative for radical voices to be heard which offer fundamental alternatives to capitalist ideology. I wish Mel Mason good luck on his campaign," Sanders wrote in a letter to the Militant in January 1984.

Let's Just Say it Out Loud. Bernie's a Communist

a reply to: mobiusmale

I don't think anyone questions this. Most voters I have heard that like him say they like him and don't think his ideas can ever happen in America ... and I am shocked because if you don't like his ideas why do you like him?

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

No person running for president with ideas like his would ever have a chance. I think it's just more to the point that people do share his views and people like him, and he likes the underdogs, and they needed someone to represent them, that's why he put his name out there for the communist party.

The beauty of the democratic process and democracy is that anyone can represent what they feel might be right. And that also shows why the west and the free world has been successful. Sure you can run as a heavy socialist or even communist, but it might not sit well with other people.
It also means people can change, is he a communist now? I don't think so. I just think he loves the idea of socialism.

Sometimes I think these people are the worst kind of hypocrites. Bernie Sanders, Michael Moore, Jim Carrey and their ilk. They're wealthy, they're among the elite, yet for some unknown reason (probably just fragile egos) they think that they somehow have the moral authority to tell others how to live their lives. They're the absolute epitome of capitalism, yet they claim to espouse socialism.
I guess to sum it up I'd have to say they're completely full of sheite.

a reply to: mobiusmale

Point is, how did so many Democrats turn into Social Democrats?

There is no denying, Bernie is not the only Marxist on that lot.

Obama was a clever toy.

a reply to: ColeYounger

Bernie was a homeless bum pretty much for most of his life.

originally posted by: deckdel
a reply to: mobiusmale

Point is, how did so many Democrats turn into Social Democrats?

There is no denying, Bernie is not the only Marxist on that lot.

Obama was a clever toy.

It was planned. They took over the school systems. Same way all the other Socialist dictators did it, corrupt the youth.