Bernie Sanders inspires me. He’s one of the few people who authentically represents the interests of his constituents and his country. In the video below, one in a series produced by Brave New Films, Bernie speaks eloquently about the connection between green policies and economic growth and the strides that the government has made in the past year towards a viable green future.
We could certainly use a few more Bernie Sanders on Capitol Hill.
Mom
Izik
Denette
samsonblackwell
Hole in the Fence 
I was very proud of Senators Bernie Sanders and Mary Landrieu when I watched them last night. Bernie is not only articulate and forceful and convincing, he also happens to have the facts straight.
It has been frustrating to see the Democrats unable to put the message in the words that people need to hear. In fact, Obama and the Democrats wanted tax breaks for *all* Americans on their first $250K in income. Yes, even the
billionaires would get the tax break on their first $250K.
I voted for Obama with enthusiasm, but it’s hard to keep cheering when I see him backing down so often.
As was I. I’m going to paraphrase myself, here: a few more Bernies in congress and we’d have a government that was worth talking about.
Like you I voted for Obama with great enthusiasm and great expectations. And I’ve also been disappointed on several occasions. This is not to say that I expect him to be perfect, but I do expect to see him fight for ideals that he espoused quite forcefully as a candidate. This tax deal has moved me some distance from him. I feel it’s difficult to support him now, and I’m wary of his pleas for understanding. My expectations have not been well met.
Thank you for responding to my comment. I will try and answer each of your questions one at a time. I apologizes in advance if I misspell something, I am a product of the New York government school system.
“Who are you are referring to when you say “Bernie needs to get out of the way of the people that are trying to help. Who exactly is Bernie standing in the way of?” In context I was speaking of his vote against drilling for natural gas or refining oil shale. I think this also goes to respond to your question “And still I am confused about your preferences to using domestic oil to pollute instead of Saudi Oil. I guess if you don’t care about pollution any oil will do.” I was not condoning using domestic oil to pollute. Recent studies on drilling for Natural gas and oil is actually helpful to the enviroment Check Here.
I am surprised that you resorted to an old debating tactic by creating a straw man with your list of government agencies and then imply I view them as problems and need to be taken over. The government has a duty to protect it’s citizens domestically on a state level and internationally on the federal level. All though I think that if an independent private auditor was put in charge of making all of those agencies cost effective we would have a better quality service and still be able to cut the budgets. All of those agencies you listed, and any other you can name, are full of corruption.
Now, so you don’t mis-characterizer my comments. I have friends that are police officers, sheriff deputies, fire fighters and military servicemen (as I served in the Army myself) and I have the utmost respect for the troops on the ground. The corruption I am speaking of is in the administration of those agencies and not in those that actually perform the duties of those agencies.
“It sounds also like you think single payer is a threat to our well being. Are you saying that if you were given the option of having access to health care whenever you needed and for any reason you would say No Thank you because it was funded by taxpayers money?” We do not have a single payer system now and I have access to health care all that I want. Here is a shocker, I don’t have health insurance. I have found that it is more cost effective for me to put money in savings and pay for health care as it is needed instead of paying money to an insurance company. So how will a single payer system benefit me?
It is my opinion that if people where in charge of paying for their own health care the cost of health care would drop like a rock. Any place I go to get medical attention lower there prices without hesitation when I inform them I am paying cash. I have found that most people that favor single payer or government run health care either do not want to be bothered by do it themselves or do not feel other people can be responsible enough to take care of themselves.
I hope I did not come across as too long winded in my response but I felt you deserved a complete response. I look forward to hearing your responses to my comments and fully acknowledge that I may be wrong and that if you have good data that supports your opinion I am open to reading it. Thank you for your time.
The problem with Sen. Sanders “solutions” is that he wants to fund government agencies to solve the problem. He is not willing the let the people solve the problem.
He complains on one side of his mouth about the problem of importing oil from Saudi nations and then votes against a bill that would expand domestic fuel supplies through off shore drilling for natural gas and refining oil shale (both processes are environmentally healthy).
Just like his desire to take over the health care system with a single payer system, he is only willing to help the country if the efforts are being funneled through the government.
If he really wanted to help he needs to get out of the way of the people that are trying to help.
Well, that is a very interesting point of view mcoville. I am not quite sure I understand what you are saying but it sounds interesting.
Who are you are referring to when you say “Bernie needs to get out of the way of the people that are trying to help. Who exactly is Bernie standing in the way of? I thought Bernie as a person was doing a pretty outstanding job. Do you think the Insurance Companies are “people” and trying to get us health care? Is that what you are saying?
And Bernie’s “problem” is that he wants to fund government agencies to solve the problem. I am not sure I understand exactly how this is a problem? Do you regard fire, police, armed services, teachers, veterans hospitals, FDIC, Justice Department, Postal Service, Social Security, Health Department, Coast Guard, FCC, FBI, CIA, Forest Service, National Parks,just to name a few, a problem that needs to be handled by private ‘people’ or individuals rather than funded by “We the People” as in government of, for and by?
And still I am confused about your preferences to using domestic oil to pollute instead of Saudi Oil. I guess if you don’t care about pollution any oil will do.
It sounds also like you think single payer is a threat to our well being. Are you saying that if you were given the option of having access to health care whenever you needed and for any reason you would say No Thank you because it was funded by taxpayers money?
Would you rather be triaged by an insurance company you are paying thousands of dollars a month only to have them say, “Conditions to having insurance and paying us premiums is staying well. If you get sick you no longer qualify for insurance?” Is that your idea of a health care option?
We’ve got a lot of problems right now that is for sure. What I am also sure of is that Bernie Sanders is not one of them.