Sanders on Clinton in 1995

[eridani]

http://inthesetimes.com/article/18889/bernie-sanders-president-bill-clinton-1995

First, serious progressives have no reason to be “disillusioned” with Bill Clinton, or to accuse him of “selling out.” Bill Clinton is a moderate Democrat, a founder of the conservative force within the Democratic Party known as the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). As governor of Arkansas, and during his campaign for president, he made no secret of the fact that “welfare reform,” “crime” and “free trade” were major tenets of his program.

If anything, progressives should be astonished that a moderate Democrat like Clinton could bring himself to raise taxes on the rich, and lower taxes—through an expansion of the earned income tax credit—on the working poor. It was certainly a pleasant surprise when Clinton took military action in support of a popularly elected government in Latin America—as he did to restore Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power in Haiti—instead of bolstering right-wing elites. And after 12 years of Reagan and Bush, it has also been a welcome change to see a president who is pro-choice and who, however ineptly, has tried to remove some of the restrictions on gay men and women in the military.

Has Clinton been a better president than Reagan or Bush? Yes. Have his policies begun to seriously address the enormous problems facing our nation? No. Has he tried to build a political movement that would empower working people so they could make real improvements in their lives? Absolutely not.

Clinton and his party depend on corporate money and the support of wealthy donors, so it shouldn't surprise us that he would want to placate corporate America with NAFTA, GATT and special trade status for China. We should not be surprised that the president has refused to lead the effort for real campaign finance reform. And we should not be surprised that his health care initiative, which finally placed the American health care crisis at the top of the national agenda, was in fact developed and supported by the largest health insurance companies in the country.

<snip>

Will the president heed our advice? Probably not. He seems not to understand that no matter what he does to please corporate America and the Wall Street Journal, they will still hate him. He seems not to understand that the big money interests who control our economy will not look fondly upon a president who gives them only 75 percent of what they want, when they can have a Republican who will give them 100 percent.

[jillan]

1. You gotta love Bernie "Has he tried to build a political movement that would empower working people

so they could make real improvements in their lives? Absolutely not. "

Everything in here, it doesn't matter if it's 1995 or 2016, Bernie's feet are planted firmly on the ground.

I am so happy he is running for President. The more I find out about him the deeper my support becomes.

Excellent post! Thanks eridani

[pkdu]

2. Are you fucking serious - "never before published "...oooh brave as fuck

"Written in January 1995, this never-before-published-online article by then-Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) assesses the first two years of Bill Clinton's presidency, taking Clinton to task for not pushing hard enough for progressive goals including raising the minimum wage and economic stimulus spending. Sanders explains why, under Clinton, there was “virtually no organized and effective opposition to the American ruling class,” and criticizes the former president for his focus on welfare reform, crime and free trade as ways to “placate corporate America.”"

[eridani]

3. Reading skilz are your friend. Use them.

It says never published ONLINE. Because internet usage wasn't very widespread then?

[iAZZZo]

5. "It says never published ONLINE. Because internet usage wasn't very widespread then?"

^ this ^

internet 'widespread' among dos users and a few on aol at that time. replies reveal then contemporaneous user('s) 'state-of-the-art'

thank you for clarification member eridani

[iAZZZo]

6. "...oooh brave as fuck"

please....... your harsh expletive is not becoming of members herein

[tecelote]

4. Honest, ethical and full of integrity.

Imagine what America would be like if Bernie Sanders was status quo!

[iAZZZo]

7. "Honest, ethical and full of integrity."

Honest, ethical and full of integrity
Imagine what America would be like if Bernie Sanders was status quo!

^ this^