Bernie Sanders takes aim at 'greedy' Koch brothers

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By BILL BARROW

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders is making the billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch the face of a "corrupted" political and economic system that the Vermont senator wants to upend.

Sanders delighted a South Carolina rally of more than 3,000 people Saturday with his assertions that the Kochs and other "greedy" billionaires are destroying American democracy by infusing huge sums of cash into campaigns and election.

The Vermont senator, who is pushing former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton from the left, called for publicly financed elections that would allow "anyone" to seek public office without "begging from billionaires."

And he pledged that his nominees to the Supreme Court would have to promise themselves that they would try to overturn the Citizens United decision that allows corporations, unions and wealthy individuals to spend unlimited sums in campaigns.

FULL story at link.



FILE - In this Aug. 14, 2015, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks at the at the Iowa Democratic Wing Ding at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. The Vermont senator sought to broaden his appeal with black voters Friday, Aug. 21, 2015, in speeches in South Carolina denouncing "institutional racism" in the American political and economic system. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6f3fc721964a4ef98e1653827d7cada2/bernie-sanders-takes-aim-greedy-koch-brothers

[cantbeserious]

1. Why Settle For The Lesser Of Two Corporate Evils - Go Bernie Go

eom

[Cal33]

14. Of course I am for Bernie! But if Hillary should win the Democratic nomination, I'd

vote for her over any Republican. Helping a Republican to win the presidency would
be suicide for democracy in our nation! Just remember the Supreme Court: 4 of the
Justices are close to retiring. Hillary would never appoint a Republican candidate.
A Republican president could have the Republican Party controlling the Supreme
Court for the next 30 years. And you know what that means!

Besides, didn't Bernie, himself, say that he would support any Democratic president
over any Republican?

[rhett o rick]

16. Problem is some progressives in 2002 pledged an oath never to support turn-coat

Democrats that bowed before king George and either believed his lies or agreed with his passion to kill Iraqi's.

Problem is that the Democratic Party Elites would rather see a Republican than a progressive.

I guess if you don't want a republican, nominate Sanders.

[Cal33]

19. R: Problem is some progressives in 2002 pledged an oath never to support turn-coat Democrats

that bowed before King George and either believed his lies or agreed with his passion to kill Iraqi's.

C: Things have changed over the past 13 years. They are worse now. The corporatists have become
much stronger. They probably thought they were not strong enough to go all out and change our
Democracy into an Oligarchy. That's probably what held them back, because if they tried and lost,
the price they'd pay would have been high. Just imagine being charged with treason! Today we
are already half way an Oligarchy. If the Repubs. were to have both Houses of Congress, the
Supreme Court, and the Presidency in 2016, what do you think are the chances that they will try to
go all the way? Yes, we are living in very dangerous times. No doubt about it.

Hillary as President would mean the status quo. There will be little or no change. This would give
Progressives more time to improve their strength and get more Progressives elected to Congress. I
think under these circumstances Elizabeth and Bernie would not hesitate to make sure that the whole
country gets to hear about it, each time some Progressive bill is defeated, and each time some
Conservative bill to make the rich still more powerful is presented by the Conservatives. They will
make sure that the Republicans get the full blame for their actions. They are the bad guys, they are
responsible for our nation's present misery! This will be hammered in non-stop. We should learn this
from the Republicans: Repetition is necessary to have info stick in the minds of the population.

Elizabeth, Bernie and others will have more time to build up strength to win in 2020 or 2024. There
is hope. As long as there's life, there's hope. If the Repubs. should win all 3 branches of government
in 2016, it probably will signal the death of Democracy in our country.

R: Problem is that the Democratic Party Elites would rather see a Republican than a progressive.

C: I strongly doubt this. I see them as wanting to become billionaires and enjoying what they see as
the good life billionaires are having, and the power that goes with it. But there is a fine line that
differentiates them from the all out Republican -- they haven't crossed the line into SADISM. The
Corporatist Republicans have crossed this line -- hence their disregard for human lives in favor of profit.

R: I guess if you don't want a republican, nominate Sanders.

C: I definitely will vote for Sanders in the Primaries. I can vote for him in the General Election only if he wins
the Primaries, which I hope he will.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

18. That's like saying Hillary is Romaine, Bernie is Iceberg.

If they run out of Iceberg lettuce, I will choose the Romaine. I will not choose the dog shit lying in the grocery store parking lot.

[Cal33]

20. A fair analogy, yes.

[rladdi]

2. The Koch brothers are socialist also. But they want Gov. Walker elected so he will be there puppet.

There plans are to destroy the environment of this nation. close down EPA, pollute the water, lands and air, as they make billions in products that do that. They are the most evil men in this nation, worst then ISIS.

[Enthusiast]

7. The Koch Brothers are not in any sense socialist.

[daleo]

9. That would be akin to fascism

Corporations and the state, united to perpetuate and increase the power of a narrow elite.

[Dont call me Shirley]

13. The kochs are Totalitarian-Authoritarians like their BFF Stalin.

[Uncle Joe]

3. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Omaha Steve.

[SoapBox]

4. Both of Bernie's speeches today were great.

Bernie...Bernie...Bernie...Bernie!

[WillyT]

5. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

[Devil Child]

6. Bernie "When I Ride The Rich Hide" Sanders

Go get 'em Bernie. Give them hell and take no prisoners.

Just set up monthly contributions to the campaign, now part of Bernie's Super PACK.

[Enthusiast]

8. K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations!

[C Moon]

10. They must be plotting something horrible now that Trump has stomped on Walker.

Private jets must be flying in and out of Koch-land every weekend.

[Stellar]

11. kick!

[Sunlei]

12. It's good a sitting Senator is not afraid to speak up for Americans in this way, his way.

[Cal33]

15. Agreed. He seems to be the only Democratic presidential candidate who has the guts to do so.

[rhett o rick]

17. So do the Clinton supporters like the Koch bros? Or are they still hiding? nm

[FiveGoodMen]

21. Why in the world would the headline writer need to put quotes around greedy?!?