2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumKing:If President Obama is against reparations,blasting Bernie Sanders ......is insincere
King: If President Obama is against reparations, blasting Bernie Sanders for the same stance is insincere
Eight years ago, presidential candidate Barack Obama, having already opposed reparations many times, emphatically closed the book on the idea and said, in no uncertain terms, "I have said in the past and I'll repeat again that the best reparations we can provide are good schools in the inner city and jobs for people who are unemployed."
Now, in his last year as President of the United States, Obama does not appear to have changed his position on reparations in any way whatsoever. If anything, he has lived out his early declaration by focusing on issues like jobs and health care as what he perceives to be the best way to lift up people of color.
In fact, not a single presidential candidate, or any nationally known politician currently advocates reparations for African-Americans. Not one. That's why I find it peculiar, at best, when I see Ta-Nehisi Coates and many others blasting Bernie Sanders for saying he opposes them. President Obama, the most powerful politician in the world, has privately and publicly opposed them for eight straight years, but Coates was relatively silent about that.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/king-obama-doesn-back-reparations-don-blast-sanders-article-1.2506362
JRLeft
(7,010 posts)difficult things then you can fight for one more.
TheBlackAdder
(28,222 posts).
It would be an electric third rail, much like Gay Rights were 10-20 years ago!
The funny thing is, most everyone here knows this, so these posts are being disingenuous!
Get the politicians in, who can drive down-ballot changes to congress, then other changes could follow.
Right now, we're just stuck in a defeatist position. The status quo that will remain for another century.
.
mhatrw
(10,786 posts)But Sanders is perhaps the one major national politician who might actually listen to your argument respectfully and even change his mind about his current stance on the issue.
So why use reparations as a rhetorical cudgel against Sanders but not against any of the other candidates or current politicians who will simply laugh off the suggestion?
Everybody has his or her pet issue that Sanders is "not revolutionary enough" to embrace.
Should atheists protest the fact that Sanders is not running against religion?
Should Muslims protest the fact that Sanders is not running against Israel?
Should Native Americans protest the fact that Sanders is not campaigning to give them back their land?
This only serves the establishment.
"Sanders is not really committed to X because he's not off the political charts in his commitment to X" is a bit of disingenuous "intellectual" gamesmanship that can be used against any politician for any X.
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)who seek to hold my wages and opportunity down. . . now those guys are my enemy.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)Double Standards are not acceptable to me. At all. When I see them I assume bias and in this case I am very disappointed because that's exactly what it is.
Hillary Clinton talks about ideals of equality for women that have yet to exist on the planet, this is the best part of her. In a world where some places do not let women drive, she says women's rights are human rights. The difficulty level of reaching her goal is very high. I share that goal. But to claim it's some easy trifle compared to making a good health care plan is disingenuous. It's just a need to say 'Bernie wants hard things, Hillary wants easy things so Bernie owns this issue'. She trades in those large ideas and goals to gain votes and support. To claim otherwise is not honest.
I sort of think both Hillary and Obama would take issue with you saying they don't push for difficult things. What do you think about that? Would the President say 'well all my proposals were easy to accomplish light lifting while Bernie pushes for difficult things'? I hardly think so.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Obama didn't come at us with a "Throw the bums out" charge. He wanted to create his Hope and Change from within the existing structure.
I can't even see any utility or reason to compare the two.
What this gentleman--and many of the complainers--are missing is that the issue could as easily be some other "Too Hard To Do" issue--Sanders is "OK" with some revolution, but he's "status quo/too hard" with others. It makes him come off as insincere and 'one note.'
restorefreedom
(12,655 posts)he has fought harder thst anyone for economic justice. we all know that the legacy of slavery includes housing, health care, education, access to healthy food. and jobs. even environmental discriminstion...look at flint.
bernie wants to have medicare for all. tuition free college. jobs thst pay a decent wage. decriminalize marijuana. get rid of for profit prisons. police accountability.
there's some reparations right there.
MADem
(135,425 posts)came to the fore on a platform of REVOLUTION....but he only wants REVOLUTION in some areas, for some people.
A fifteen dollar minimum wage is not going to help the guy who is last fired, and first hired. Not all problems can be solved with better medicine and more money thrown at the white people first.
The fact that there's PUSH BACK against anyone pointing this out tells us more clearly than any survey, any investigation, that the whole white supremacy/white privilege thing is not a done deal here in the good old multicultural USA.
restorefreedom
(12,655 posts)well, except the uber wealthy.. they are finally going to have to suck it up and pay some taxes.
when a real plan for reparations is presented, lets see where all the candidates stand on it. until then, bernie's platform has the best chance of addressing the legacy of slavery and institutional racism in every aspect of life.
and how he throwing money at white people first? he wants everyone to have health care, education, and a decent paying job.
he also wants to decriminalize marijuana (hillary does not) and wants to end profit,prisons. meanwhile, one of hillarys advisors was a profit prison lobbyist.
bernie and om have the best plans to right these wrongs. when reparations become a real possibility, lets see what they all say.
MADem
(135,425 posts)He energizes those on the far left, and some Greens and Libertarians and students who, looking at life from a position of having naught, find "free" and "sharing" good things.
When they get older, they turn into nasty little Republicans just like their parents.
Pot is going to be "done" by the states--just like equality was. It doesn't matter what national politicians think about it. People who think it does are looking at the wrong things.
If you don't understand what "Last hired, first fired" means, I can't help you.
restorefreedom
(12,655 posts)bernie's strong stance against the tpp imo will hopefully result in more jobs staying here...more jobs for everyone. part of the problem is the service industry thst repubs love has no need for longevity in jobs...people are tools. bernie wants us to start making stuff again. good paying manufacturing jobs, union jobs.
bernie is exciting people who didn't think they had a place in the political process..now they feel they do.
i know i am tired pf waiting for scraps from the 1% loving gop. even obama sold us down the river with tpp.
i think we are due for a revolution. if we try for it all and get some, we are better off than if we try for some and get scraps or nothing at all.
MADem
(135,425 posts)People will just end up paying more for the same shit, because even with tarriffs, the stuff will still be cheaper than trying to bring manufacturing back when it's gone-baby-gone. Our future is in working smarter, not harder.
Bernie is exciting fans of Ronald Reagan--and that doesn't include black people, quite obviously.
http://www.salon.com/2016/01/25/bernie_sanders_could_be_the_next_ronald_reagan/
No one had ever entered the White House so grossly ill-informed.
...
restorefreedom
(12,655 posts)but working smarter is not giving up on us making good products and having good jobs that will benefit every community.
the "everything will just cost more" argument surprises me...classic gop fear mongering
should we also give more tax breaks the the "job creators"?
salon has gone off the cliff imo...i appreciate you clipping it, but i no longer consider them or vox to be reliable sources...they are clearly biased.
John Poet
(2,510 posts)out of the party. There are plenty of us.
That is, unless you want us to STAY OUT of the party, come general election time...
MADem
(135,425 posts)many of us, I will. Until then, I'll see his platform for what it is--a plan for "some of the people" and not all of us.
Not that it matters, anyway--I know that he won't get a single proposal passed into law. Not free college, not free health care, not tax the rich. His math is bogus, and those rich people in Congress aren't going to vote to cut their noses off to spite their faces.
Autumn
(45,120 posts)all of the people to make progress on debilitating levels of inequality and student debt, the increasing threat of climate change, and the firm grip on the nation's democracy held by the billionaire class and corporate interests. Issues that concern us all. regardless of race. Bernie is the one talking about high unemployment among black youth, as well as high incarceration rates and discussing the ways to level that playing field.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mass-movement
mass movement
Word Origin
noun
1. an organized effort by a large number of people, especially those not forming part of the elite of a given society, to bring about pervasive changes in existing social, economic, or political institutions, frequently characterized by charismatic leadership.
I don't know where you live but where I live that $15 minimum wage is gonna help a hell of a lot of Blacks, Hispanics and other minorities , college students , young people , women and middle age people , so your claim of him throwing it at white people is ridiculous and actually out and out racist.
And what the fuck is so bad about "better medicine" for those who need it? Seeing "democrats" complaining about those things, like health care and a higher wage to help people is downright stomach turning.
The push back you are complaining about is the fact that you and your ilk use this reparations issue against Bernie but give Hillary, Obama and O'Malley, who also do not support them a pass. To make it clear. The push back is against the hypocrisy.
restorefreedom
(12,655 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)His "mass" doesn't go uptown.
And "me and my ilk" see that, even if you don't.
Autumn
(45,120 posts)mhatrw
(10,786 posts)Those who categorically dismiss and/or ridicule any whiff of reparations?
Those who categorically dismiss and/or ridicule any mention of institutional racism?
John Poet
(2,510 posts)Nothing more.
in_cog_ni_to
(41,600 posts)OPERATIVES decide THEY want it to be. What an idiotic argument. Probably one of Hillpack's worst. Which one of you pulled that one out of your magic bag of slime?
Jeezus effing krist...give it up.
PEACE
LOVE
BERNIE
MADem
(135,425 posts)He has modified that message slightly when people said "WTF????" to him, but it's quite clear--from this little imbroglio, and the pushback from his supporters, that his priorities do not lie with the issues of people who are black or brown. If they have a boat, his ypothetical, pie-in-the-sky, rising tide might lift them. If not, they'd just better learn to swim, or drown.
And, because yours is one of the rudest, nastiest, and most unkind posts I've seen today, I want to memorialize it:
8. Bernie's "POLITICAL Revolution" entails what HE, BERNIE, wants it to entail, NOT what Hillary
OPERATIVES decide THEY want it to be. What an idiotic argument. Probably one of Hillpack's worst. Which one of you pulled that one out of your magic bag of slime?
Jeezus effing krist...give it up.
People who have to talk like that are arguing from a position of weakness....just sayin'....
in_cog_ni_to
(41,600 posts)Not HRH and not O'Malley...just Bernie. And YOU and your Hillpack think you can set Bernie's"Political Revolution" to whatever you want it to be. It's hypocritical and ridiculous.
Obama has been in office 7+ years. Why weren't you screaming about reparations to Him...he has the power of "Hope and Change", remember? Better yet, insist YOUR CANDIDATE support reparations! Just because Bernie calls for a "POLITICAL Revolution" it doesn't mean Hillpack operatives can set what his POLITICAL Revolution looks like. That takes some real chutzpah!
I'm glad you "memorialized" my post because I meant every word if it.
PEACE
LOVE
BERNIE
MADem
(135,425 posts)32. That has nothing to do with you insisting BERNIE, and ONLY BERNIE support reparations. Not Obama,
Not HRH and not O'Malley...just Bernie. And YOU and your Hillpack think you can set Bernie's"Political Revolution" to whatever you want it to be. It's hypocritical and ridiculous.
Obama has been in office 7+ years. Why weren't you screaming about reparations to Him...he has the power of "Hope and Change", remember? Better yet, insist YOUR CANDIDATE support reparations! Just because Bernie calls for a "POLITICAL Revolution" it doesn't mean Hillpack operatives can set what his POLITICAL Revolution looks like. That takes some real chutzpah!
I'm glad you "memorialized" my post because I meant every word if it.
1. I never insisted "BERNIE, and ONLY BERNIE support reparations."
So--right out of the gate, you promulgate a Big Lie. AND you demonstrate with no question that you do not understand Coates' nuanced -- but not terribly complex -- argument.
Obama never positioned himself as a candidate of "REVOLUTION." Sanders has. If he wants the title, he needs to deliver the goods--or come off as half-baked. See--THAT is what is "hypocritical and ridiculous" -- to quote YOU.
At least you're lightening up (if only slightly) on the personal invective--that's a start.
mhatrw
(10,786 posts)or else his revolution is only for white people!"
"It doesn't matter that no US politician in history has every promised free cars to any group of constituents! Bernie is the only one who wants a revolution, so if he doesn't give every African-American a free car he and all of his supporters are defacto racists!"
MADem
(135,425 posts)You blew that one over with a short little bellow!!
mhatrw
(10,786 posts)You have to have eyes to see.
MADem
(135,425 posts)72. It's called satirical argument by analogy. I am not surprised that did not "get" it.
View profile
You have to have eyes to see.
LOL!
Kentonio
(4,377 posts)Someone who has never had the slightest intention of supporting him, lecturing on how his revolution doesn't go far enough.
MADem
(135,425 posts)I'm not "Bern-splaining" here. I'm having a discussion with regard to political differences.
Now, move along, since it's obvious you have nothing to contribute.
Kentonio
(4,377 posts)A discussion implies listening as well as talking and a willingness to consider other points of view. You've shown none of that in recent months, you've just leapt at any opportunity to attack Sanders, often by making ridiculously over the top comments like you did here.
The fact you think it isn't extremely transparent shows a lack of respect for the intellect of other posters. Seriously you think we haven't noticed?
MADem
(135,425 posts)As you have done on more than one occasion--without a point to make, either.
So, rather than lecture ME about what a discussion is, why don't you try, for once, to lead by example and HAVE ONE, if that's your interest.
"In recent months" you have shown up, followed me around, and lectured me while exhibiting the very behavior you decry.
Now, if you have something to say, say it.
Otherwise, keep moving.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)The la la land you are living in is nearly as unreal as that of the RW. Add to that the mean, exclusive spirit of your communication to others here, and you make a most ineffective advocate for your positions. And yes, I'll take a hide if needed. I'm sure I speak for many, many others here with my observation/opinion.
When you can post without meanspiritedness, I'll listen to you.
MADem
(135,425 posts)And if you don't care for what I'm saying, yet you persist at listening to it, I'm obviously piercing that Dream World armor you've got on--which is probably a good thing, even if you don't fully appreciate it now.
firebrand80
(2,760 posts)It's hard to see beyond "Team Bernie" vs. "Team Hillary" on this forum, so trying to discuss the issue is really useless.
MADem
(135,425 posts)firebrand80
(2,760 posts)I would point out that the willingness to engage Bernie on the issue shows that Coates believes he has a chance to win Bernie over on the issue, but he knows he has no chance with Clinton. I would then argue that it's the same reason that BLM didn't demonstrate at GOP Presidential rallies the way they did at Clinton, Sanders and O'Malley events.
But never mind all of that, St. Bernie was attacked, the army must defend and counter attack.
MADem
(135,425 posts)"magic bag of slime." At least that's what a Bernista just told me for not feeling that Bern!
smh!
firebrand80
(2,760 posts)To abandon the argument and move on
MADem
(135,425 posts)You provide a framework for argument, and for your trouble you get back childish pouting and name calling. Not a way to win converts.
Kentonio
(4,377 posts)It wouldn't, it would be a terrible idea that would doom his campaign instantly. Which is why so many people are are trying to push the idea that he should do it of course.
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)I can see no way in which reparations fits into his campaign. It is a vertical divisor. It is the opposite of what he campaigns upon, an imbalance between the 1 and the 99. Bernie can tackle reparations, if he chooses, but to my mind it would be the square peg to the round hole that is his ultra consistent campaign.
firebrand80
(2,760 posts)That Bernie openly acknowledges the impractically of many of his propositions (admitting that they won't happen without "political revolution" , but becomes a pragmatist when questioned about reparations.
Kentonio
(4,377 posts)Running on something a majority of Americans actually want but with the understand that it may be difficult to achieve, is not the same as running on something a majority do not want and which is impossible to achieve.
firebrand80
(2,760 posts)"A majority of Americans don't want it" wasn't Bernie's answer.
Kentonio
(4,377 posts)He's a good guy but he's also a politician with a campaign to try and win.
firebrand80
(2,760 posts)I think it's a little silly for politicians to take losing positions or promise people things that don't have a chance of happening.
But again (and I don't want to go in circles here) Coates' point is that Sanders seems to brush off charges that other things he proposes are impractical or divisive, but he doesn't take the same "pragmatism be dammed" attitude with respect to reperations. He's simply pointing out that this is an inconsistency.
Kentonio
(4,377 posts)If you buy into the basic premise that the other things such as universal healthcare are impractical or divisive. I don't think he sees them as either.
If Bernie is anything he's a pragmatist at heart. That's how he achieved what he did in Burlington.
firebrand80
(2,760 posts)the current Congress. Which is why his answer to how his agenda gets through Congess is "political revolution."
Kentonio
(4,377 posts)But when you have policies that are supported by a majority of Americans and which benefit a majority of Americans, the real question is why can't you turn those policies into votes in congressional races? I'm yet to see a compelling reason why not, if you take a pragmatic approach and concentrate on making it clear to voters exactly what you want to do, how the costs work out in comparison to the benefits and avoid overt partisanship. Poor working people in red states are not natural Republican voters, and they can be brought back into the fold if you give them a reason to come back. Currently just too many people have given up hope and just don't bother voting.
Empowerer
(3,900 posts)Where you will be welcomed to participate in a thoughtful discussion on this.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)have ever cloaked themselves in the mantle of "Revolutionary".
They are both pragmatists, working well within the system.
Sanders is an ideologue spouting Revolution for its emotional appeal but stops at the subject of Reparations.
Do I agree with reparations? Not sure, after reading Coates I admit my mind opened up a bit.
ram2008
(1,238 posts)In the context of Bernie's campaign.
MADem
(135,425 posts)word.
The problem is, Sanders doesn't want to take on 'all' revolutions--he doesn't want to stray far from what he perceives as his core group of supporters.
ram2008
(1,238 posts)And yet Hillary supporters and Coates don't seem to get it. You're right, he doesn't want to take on all "revolutions" and never said he will.
When he says "revolutionary" political movement, he is talking about taking away power from corporate interests and the billionaire class via the working class, poorer people, and those who don't normally vote coming out and saying "enough is enough." To take control over their political system and have their voices heard, instead of letting it be drowned out by moneyed interests.
So again, Mr. Coates is missing the point as are people who are coming up with this bizarre notion that Bernie is some sort of radical extremist.
MADem
(135,425 posts)his revolutions are race and economic-based ones, only? And I don't think you want to go there. I don't think HE wants to go there.
Mr. Coates made his position very clear--if you reread his essay, you'll see it.
ram2008
(1,238 posts)What part of that don't you understand? It simply implies the voters - the people - once again reasserting their power over moneyed interests in congress and the presidency, by coming out to vote in large numbers never seen before and demanding things like Single Payer and public college tuition which the establishment moneyed interests have fought very hard against.
That is all it is, nothing more nothing less. He is not a "radical" despite people constantly trying to paint him as one.
MADem
(135,425 posts)What part of that don't YOU understand?
And you don't think that "the voters...the people" include BLACK people? And their interests and concerns?
smh!!!!
My goodness gracious...you can't make this stuff up.
ram2008
(1,238 posts)Reparations have nothing to do with voter turnout or defeating moneyed interests in congress. Try again.
"Washing congress of moneyed interests..."
So NOW that's Bernie's goal?
Never mind that fifteen bucks for the "white working man" and all that...? Never mind that "free college" stuff?
You try again! That was a goalpost move of impressive proportions!!
ram2008
(1,238 posts)Why do you keep saying it will only affects white people?
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)I've never seen anything like it, who doesn't support universal healthcare and higher wages for all?
Recursion
(56,582 posts)KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)has done.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)libdem4life
(13,877 posts)and his exasperation with intelligence added was great. Questions:
Who gets them? What are the qualifications? Do they need birth certificates, because many were not born here. Some are part white. Need a DNA sample? How much? Depend on age? A baby get a much as a 70 year old? He went on and on with the sheer absurdity. No one even knows WTF they are, yet they want Bernie to "fix it" for them...the White Guilt and all. Just another phony trap.
He did say that the Native Americans were due reparations as in land, benefits, etc, because it was very clear about their history and our piss poor actions.
I think most POC would appreciate a $15 an hour job minimum and health care and respect. That we Can Do.
MADem
(135,425 posts)The point is that this country has been built--up to TODAY--on undervalued, underpaid labor from people of color. It's not about 1865 and prior. It's way beyond that.
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)I grew up in a desperately poor area now officially called a Wilderness in Oklahoma.
Ever hear of Coolies?
I lived in a California town called Sebastopol...from Sevastopol...Russian...where Russian workers were seriously undervalued and underpaid.
Good lord, if we have to pay "reparations", whatever that is, to every group...unless your just saying POC only...we might as well just fold up and go home.
The white enslavement of building the railroads is equally egregious and stunning in its evil.
And I see Nothing in your post that does not refer to slaves...forced or underpaid labor.
I could go on, but then it would be too long as I am an avid reader, a true Liberal, and think for myself.
KingFlorez
(12,689 posts)I'm not going to blast anyone for being against reparations, because I'm not for them and I don't believe that they could ever be passed. The issue here is that being pragmatic has been called "crushing people's dreams" and several other things when it comes to other issues, yet when it comes to this one it's a-okay.
The revolutionary candidate has his limits and this proves. There is nothing wrong with being realistic about what goals are achievable and setting a bar.
kenfrequed
(7,865 posts)There have been a few of them taken against Bernie and it always seems to be fluffed up by people that are far, far, far less "revolutionary" than Bernie is.
mhatrw
(10,786 posts)And he's a member of the establishment because he took money from some people rich enough to afford my candidate's fundraising dinners!
And he's a racist because he has the exact same stance on reparations that my candidate has!
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)how much, and who would pay...hint...higher taxes. Who wants to pay higher taxes for some ludicrous anti-Bernie program...raise your hands. Or you could reply intelligently of your own knowledge, follow my posts on this thread and answer a couple of the questions.
I'd consider it a joke if some weren't so bound and determined to jab Bernie with it. There used to be a true political party called Know Nothings...look it up. Perhaps they are reviving the concept, if not the Party.