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guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
Sun May 20, 2018, 03:23 PM May 2018

Sanders Slams US Inequality as Report Finds Nearly Half of Americans Can't Afford Basic Necessities

From the article:

"The three wealthiest people in America own more wealth than the bottom 50 percent — over 160 million people," says Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)....

That's how Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) responded to a new study from United Way's ALICE Project, which found that 43 percent of U.S. households—nearly 51 million families—cannot afford "a bare-bones household budget of housing, child care, food, transportation, and healthcare."


To read more:

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/18/sanders-slams-us-inequality-report-finds-nearly-half-americans-cant-afford-basic?
54 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Sanders Slams US Inequality as Report Finds Nearly Half of Americans Can't Afford Basic Necessities (Original Post) guillaumeb May 2018 OP
K&R...Thanks for posting red dog 1 May 2018 #1
Just a reminder of what Sanders has always said. guillaumeb May 2018 #4
Gosh. Really? He slams it? Wow. Squinch May 2018 #2
Try to contain your enthusiasm. eom guillaumeb May 2018 #3
Bernie loves to talk about problems. Blue_true May 2018 #7
And he slams them too, apparently. Squinch May 2018 #33
So What's He Going To Do About It? Me. May 2018 #5
By himself? guillaumeb May 2018 #9
He Can Be The Starting Point Me. May 2018 #17
Continue to be a decisive wedge that splits off votes from whichever Democrat wins the nomination? NightWatcher May 2018 #10
Sounds accurate to me sarah FAILIN May 2018 #23
Low expectations can decide what is considered unattainable. guillaumeb May 2018 #38
A President can do a lot!! InAbLuEsTaTe May 2018 #26
So We Should HOpe Comrade Trump Will Do It? Me. May 2018 #35
OMG, are you serious?! I was talkin about President Sanders!! InAbLuEsTaTe May 2018 #43
OMG, Are You Serious? Me. May 2018 #47
Very serious, assuming Bernie runs... think it's 60-40 he doesn't. InAbLuEsTaTe May 2018 #49
Don't Think So Me. May 2018 #50
I'm okay with it, either way. InAbLuEsTaTe May 2018 #53
Peace Me. May 2018 #54
What do you mean? He's got numerous policy proposals to address economic inequality. KPN May 2018 #51
Oh No...This Is About BS Me. May 2018 #52
If he just figured this out, its shows how outdated he is..... Civic Justice May 2018 #6
I would call this framing the issue guillaumeb May 2018 #11
the issue has been framed for quite some time, the re-submission of that data Civic Justice May 2018 #22
You MUST make your response a stand alone post. guillaumeb May 2018 #27
Yes he is greatly concerned about economic issues and soley economic issues. sheshe2 May 2018 #32
It's About Not Having Even $400. Me. May 2018 #36
He failed to see the essential connection between systemic racism guillaumeb May 2018 #39
Wow. sheshe2 May 2018 #41
Thank bravenak as well. guillaumeb May 2018 #42
I will get a message to her via friends. sheshe2 May 2018 #45
Hear, Hear! smirkymonkey May 2018 #19
A great statistic which is easily understood. What do we propose to address the problem? jalan48 May 2018 #8
I think that one obvious solution is raising taxes on the rich. guillaumeb May 2018 #12
They have been successful at framing it. A statistic like this cuts right though the bullshit. We jalan48 May 2018 #13
Agreed, but we also must present alternatives. guillaumeb May 2018 #14
I agree. jalan48 May 2018 #15
Disgustingly sinful! The three richest- Gates, Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett; RestoreAmerica2020 May 2018 #16
And they are taxed at a level comparable to the 1920s. guillaumeb May 2018 #28
Praise the LORD for Bernie Sanders. He says what no other Democrat has ever had the nerve to discuss boston bean May 2018 #18
What other Democrat is talking about it? SMC22307 May 2018 #21
Good question. jalan48 May 2018 #34
Geez....be not brainwashed ...the picture is bigger than one man. Civic Justice May 2018 #24
LOL. boston bean May 2018 #25
. Squinch May 2018 #37
Hi squinchy!! boston bean May 2018 #44
Hey, boston! Squinch May 2018 #48
I almost detected a tiny bit of sarcasm in your response. guillaumeb May 2018 #29
It's obscene. SMC22307 May 2018 #20
Agreed. Taking the country back.......... guillaumeb May 2018 #30
Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe May 2018 #31
Happy to post it. guillaumeb May 2018 #40
K and R Hassin Bin Sober May 2018 #46

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
4. Just a reminder of what Sanders has always said.
Sun May 20, 2018, 03:39 PM
May 2018

It could be a large component of the progressive message.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
7. Bernie loves to talk about problems.
Sun May 20, 2018, 04:59 PM
May 2018

Fixing them? Wellll, oligarchs, oligarchs, the oligarchs are coming!!!!!

NightWatcher

(39,343 posts)
10. Continue to be a decisive wedge that splits off votes from whichever Democrat wins the nomination?
Sun May 20, 2018, 05:12 PM
May 2018

by preaching unattainable Progressive ideas such as free education and healthcare with no viable means to fund them?

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
38. Low expectations can decide what is considered unattainable.
Sun May 20, 2018, 09:24 PM
May 2018

The 8 hour day was considered unattainable, and the 10 hour day before that.

Me.

(35,454 posts)
35. So We Should HOpe Comrade Trump Will Do It?
Sun May 20, 2018, 09:13 PM
May 2018

if that's what he's counting on, he should stop talking

KPN

(15,646 posts)
51. What do you mean? He's got numerous policy proposals to address economic inequality.
Mon May 21, 2018, 11:22 AM
May 2018

A better question is what is the Democratic Party going to do about it. Bernie is the clarion caller. He's doing a damn fine job of that. He has proposals which many elected Dems have adopted. He's shifting others' positions. But he isn't going to do it all by himself. And frankly, I don't think there's any chance of him becoming President. Realistically, no one individual is going to do it by his/her self. So, what is the Democratic Party going to do? It takes a hell of a lot more than a platform; not to mention we all know about fidelity (or actually lack thereof) to platform. What are we going to do about it?

Me.

(35,454 posts)
52. Oh No...This Is About BS
Mon May 21, 2018, 11:32 AM
May 2018

And there is nothing clarion about him...if he's serious he can actually start something, more than talk. Nobody is asking him to do anything by himself. And btw, he hooks onto other Senator's proposals rather than the reverse.

 

Civic Justice

(870 posts)
6. If he just figured this out, its shows how outdated he is.....
Sun May 20, 2018, 04:12 PM
May 2018

He keeps struggling trying to make himself relevant, but the solution to American issues is not something that Sanders need to keep trying to play the "lone-wolf" self promotion gaming about.

It takes Party Unity with a Unified Party Message and the Party CONTROLLING a UNIFIED PARTY NARRATIVE.....

Sanders does not know when to figure that out... and begin to concern himself with Unified Coalition Building With Democrats !!! He's an Independent with some Democratic Ideals, and many Far Left Ideals... and he has yet to figure out, that to make anything work.... it takes a Unified Coalition of Party to do so.

He can't do it as an Independent, and that should have been evident when he boarded the Democratic Ticket, then that should tell him, that it takes the Independents to join with the Democrats and Build a UNIFIED COALITION AS DEMOCRATS... if anything is to be changes, improved and promoted to advance America.

Geez!!!!!!!!!!!

All this "lone-wolf" grandstanding is doing is setting up for "vote splitting madness" and we have November Fast Approaching.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
11. I would call this framing the issue
Sun May 20, 2018, 05:12 PM
May 2018

and reminding people of just what right wing economic policy is accomplishing.

 

Civic Justice

(870 posts)
22. the issue has been framed for quite some time, the re-submission of that data
Sun May 20, 2018, 06:10 PM
May 2018

can only be beneficial, with a coalition of Democratic Minded People, who support FAIR LABOR AND FAIR PAY, and promoting in this country "collective voice" in and across the entire American Major Industrial Sector. That can only be made to be a reality with a Democratically Controlled Congress and a Democratically Controlled Administration. Who devotes itself to American People as the value basis within this nation, where Industry serves the people which includes living wage pay, benefits that include pension plan contribution by industry, and industrial re-investment in America.

That's what it was that grew business in America, and the only way they got giant tax breaks was by and through the RE-investments they made in America, both in industry and community and workers benefits and pension contribution. That provided corporations with means and measures of tax relief.
Trump gave them tax relief with no mandate and no responsibility to re-invest in America nor to provide benefits and pension contributions. He just allowed them to walk away with the money, and they stash it off-shore and invest in foreign countries seeking slave wage labor.

When American People AWAKEN, and realize that "American Currency" is an American Product, and its purpose is to facilitate exchange to prosper the nation and its people. That message has long been lost to current generations, and the advent of American mentality to "maintain a disenfranchised minority population and to contain a d poor white population as members of the service class only levels.... is why and how we became a society where industry ignored its responsibility to nation and people within the nation. Racism and the Disregard for the Poor Whites in the Economic Sphere, has been a centuries long model within America. The Wealthy WEAKEN society, by their greed, because a country and its people prosper and grow when the American Currency CIRCULATES though and by the people in a continual cycle... Currency should circulate in a Metro setting several times before it moves to the next metro sector.
The "whole dollar" does not move from area to area, only %'s of that dollar does so, which means, people can cover their expenses, cities can maintain themselves and people can save, and the remainder is what is reinvested and the fractional parts support what is procured from other areas.... thus is "circulates", as does their circulate back as well.

Everybody's tennis shoes in America are imported, 90% of the clothing on people's bodies is imported, and much of our fruits and vegetables is imported, and the profiteers is the Corporations that Run the Importation Cycles, including Manufacturing, we can't even build a car today, without Foreign Imports dominating more than 60% of what make up the automobile material make up. One can't even go to the store and buy fish and shrimp without it having a "Imported label" on it.

Trumps trade ideals are just like his own business, its about "importing stuff cheaper"... Nothing Trump sells is made in America.

We need an Administration that Mandates that America Companies begin to produce no less than 50% of What American's Consume. That means, RE-INDUSTRIALIZATION and managing what is Imported. To do that means "staff up our ports", and actually "inspect arriving cargo". Other nations are very good at it... America can't be good at it, BECAUSE America has a long history and ongoing mentality to lust for "slave wage labor products"....

Places like Japan, Norway and Such, one can't get anything into their country without them knowing "exactly what it is" and how much of it is arriving. Nordic Region countries, make sure their people are working, ( they don't have a racist mad society, that play racist games against segments of their people to the level and saturation that America does). Their companies are staffed with enough people, so they don't wear down the health of their people, so between pay and good working condition, they have a higher "longevity" of life among their people. This also keeps their health care cost down as well. This is the nature of how things work, when "All" people in a nation are respected as equality human beings as members of that nations society.

Racism in America is the most costliest thing in this nation and to this nation and is the greatest contributor as to why this nation lost its Industrial edge. It's just too dumb to realize that it will never be a one ethnic race nation, because it has never been a once ethnic race nation... but the "white ideological delusion" just can't digest that truthful fact....

So, Sander and any other lone wolf talking and talking is not fixing anything, until they fix many things that are collateral and foundational to the matters that make up the madness that exist.
It takes a Coalition of Like Minds to Drive a Party Agenda to Fix Anything In This Country. American's don't have the guts for the task.... as is demonstrated in the generalized divisiveness within society as a whole.


This is AN EXAMPLE of what "Democratic Narratives Should Promote" to become the dominant narrative principles that saturate the airwaves and the social circles of people discussing the state of the nation and its affairs.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
27. You MUST make your response a stand alone post.
Sun May 20, 2018, 07:01 PM
May 2018

It is excellent.

As to that awakening, given how the conservative and corporate controlled media frames the issues, this awakening will be the most difficult thing to accomplish, as well as the most essential.

And when the largest percentage of US workers were unionized, the working class did better than it had before, and the economy grew because the higher wages allowed for more productive economic activity.

Now, when corporations look for the cheapest source of labor, US incomes and purchasing power are declining as the 1% invest their profits in financial instruments and in bribing politicians.

sheshe2

(83,786 posts)
32. Yes he is greatly concerned about economic issues and soley economic issues.
Sun May 20, 2018, 08:44 PM
May 2018

In the interview with Chuckie Todd...he was asked about the Democratic Party and their direction. He ranted on with his usual stump about how they have to start listening to the people and that the peoples concern were 15 an hour wage, poverty and how people can not afford housing and healthcare. Well, for one thing even 15 an hour will not be raising anyone out of poverty. He also clearly is out of touch with all the peoples issues as shown with his very brief reply about the newest school shooting, he breezed right over that with a … we need to do more, we need some sensible gun laws, this from a man that refuses to vote yea for them, and went on with his economic rant.


He is out of touch, the voters will not be. These children are voters now or will be by 2018 and 2020. Woe to any politician that is not listening to their voice. They will be heard in the voting booth.

You see, it is not just economics to them, it is about their lives. Fifteen dollars an hour will not save them from an AK15 that some politicians refuse to regulate.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
39. He failed to see the essential connection between systemic racism
Sun May 20, 2018, 09:26 PM
May 2018

and economic class warfare.

My view.

Thank you sheshe.

sheshe2

(83,786 posts)
45. I will get a message to her via friends.
Sun May 20, 2018, 10:08 PM
May 2018

I do not do social media...twitter... though she invited me. I have enough stalkers and do not need more.

Thanks again.

jalan48

(13,870 posts)
8. A great statistic which is easily understood. What do we propose to address the problem?
Sun May 20, 2018, 05:11 PM
May 2018

"The three wealthiest people in America own more wealth than the bottom 50 percent — over 160 million people,"

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
12. I think that one obvious solution is raising taxes on the rich.
Sun May 20, 2018, 05:14 PM
May 2018

But the right has been framing taxation as a taking and many US citizens accept that framing even if it hurts them.

jalan48

(13,870 posts)
13. They have been successful at framing it. A statistic like this cuts right though the bullshit. We
Sun May 20, 2018, 05:29 PM
May 2018

need to repeat it over and over again.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
14. Agreed, but we also must present alternatives.
Sun May 20, 2018, 05:31 PM
May 2018

My parents' generation, the WWII workers, enjoyed higher wages and a sizable percentage had union jobs and defined benefit pensions for retirement.

RestoreAmerica2020

(3,435 posts)
16. Disgustingly sinful! The three richest- Gates, Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett;
Sun May 20, 2018, 05:49 PM
May 2018

[The GuardianThe Guardian
UPDATED : Thursday, 9 Nov 2017]

The richest is Gates, the Microsoft founder, with US$89 billion, followed by Amazon’s Bezos with US$81.5 billion, then investor Warren Buffett with US$78 billion and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg with US$71 billion. Analysis of the wealth of America’s richest people found that Gates, Bezos and Buffe)tt were sitting on a combined US$248.5 billion fortune.

400 Americans. now have more wealth combined than the bottom 64% of the US population. In estimated 80m households or 204 million people,” .....“That’s more people than the population of Canada and Mexico combined.”

....study found that the 400 richest people in the US were worth a combined own as much wealth as the bottom half of the US population, or 160 million people. The study found that the 400 richest people in the US were worth a combined US$2.68 trillion



.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
28. And they are taxed at a level comparable to the 1920s.
Sun May 20, 2018, 07:03 PM
May 2018

Allowing them to buy politicians and fund research institutes to influence the debate.

boston bean

(36,221 posts)
18. Praise the LORD for Bernie Sanders. He says what no other Democrat has ever had the nerve to discuss
Sun May 20, 2018, 05:58 PM
May 2018

I’ve never seen anyone ever say this before. Again. Thank GOD for Bernie and Bernie alone.

Life would not proceed without this man saying the same thing over and over saying things no one else in power says or believes.

How could we go on without this one man.



SMC22307

(8,090 posts)
21. What other Democrat is talking about it?
Sun May 20, 2018, 06:08 PM
May 2018

I haven't caught a lot of news lately and don't see any other posts. Pelosi? Schumer?

 

Civic Justice

(870 posts)
24. Geez....be not brainwashed ...the picture is bigger than one man.
Sun May 20, 2018, 06:26 PM
May 2018

there has been for decades endless stories about the disparity in and of wealth distribution. Heck, Teddy Roosevelt dealt with this more than a 100 yrs ago..... so, not like Sander's come out with some genius idea. Democrats have acknowledged these type of reports for decades, Obama addressed it when he spoke of "CHANGE" and the elements needed to achieve that change.
Where were all the people then?..... they faded away and expected him to do it all by himself, they even faded and did not help stand against the incessant republican attack machine from Tea Party to Others who sat silent and did not heed what President Obama said. Obama said: He could not do it alone, that it takes the help and support of everyone... (guess people selectively just forgot that fact)

unfounded devotion is never a good thing.... we see that by the Trump voters and we need not to see any more of it by the Sanders Followers. Trump voters has shown us how bad such a concept of devotion without concern for big picture facts is.....

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
29. I almost detected a tiny bit of sarcasm in your response.
Sun May 20, 2018, 07:04 PM
May 2018

Just the tiniest bit, but there nevertheless.

SMC22307

(8,090 posts)
20. It's obscene.
Sun May 20, 2018, 06:07 PM
May 2018

I cannot believe how some people are forced to live. This country has truly unraveled the past couple of decades... thanks, Reagan, outsourcing, bought-and-paid-for politicians, prosperity preachers, right-wing media...

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