Bernie is the right candidate in the wrong party Democrats are heavily influenced by lobbyists

[UglyGreed]

KING: Bernie Sanders is the right candidate in the wrong party as Democrats are heavily influenced by lobbyists

Last month, Michelle Alexander, the Ohio State University law professor and author of "The New Jim Crow," which is arguably the most important book on race and justice ever written, wrote an explosive op-ed titled "Why Hillary Clinton Doesn’t Deserve the Black Vote."

It made waves, was widely shared, and sparked some serious discussions on how and why Clinton has such strong support among African-Americans in spite of a record that doesn't really suggest it's deserved.

The headline of the article ended up being more widely discussed than some more of the meatier aspects therein. Others understandably called the piece an endorsement of Bernie Sanders, but that really wasn't what the piece was about. In some ways, Alexander offered not just a scathing critique of Hillary, but really of the entire Democratic Party. This closing paragraph may have summarized her thought best:

"The biggest problem with Bernie, in the end, is that he’s running as a Democrat — as a member of a political party that not only capitulated to right-wing demagoguery but is now owned and controlled by a relatively small number of millionaires and billionaires. Yes, Sanders has raised millions from small donors, but should he become president, he would also become part of what he has otherwise derided as ‘the establishment.’ Even if Bernie’s racial-justice views evolve, I hold little hope that a political revolution will occur within the Democratic Party without a sustained outside movement forcing truly transformational change. I am inclined to believe that it would be easier to build a new party than to save the Democratic Party from itself."

{snip}

As easy as it is, politically, for Democrats to make Republicans out to be the lone enemy, that's just not historically accurate. The Democratic Party, including the Congressional Black Caucus itself, is heavily funded and supported by corporate lobbyists. A deep dive into those lobbyists and the influence they have is disturbing at best. Even the very board of CCA, the notorious private prison company, is awash with influential lobbyists and donors to the Democratic Party. Thurgood Marshall Jr., who has been on the board of CCA for 14 years, was a former official in the Clinton White House and is now a donor to the Clinton campaign.

I seriously doubt Bernie Sanders could've made it this far without running as a candidate inside of the Democratic Party. Even though he has received virtually no support whatsoever from the political establishment, and has absolutely refused financial support from lobbyists, his placement as the opposing voice to Hillary Clinton on the debate stage and on the campaign trail, has helped catapult him in a significant way.

{snip}

"Maybe we’ll all continue to play along and pretend that we don’t know how it will turn out in the end. Hopefully, one day, we’ll muster the courage to join together in a revolutionary movement with people of all colors who believe that basic human rights and economic, racial, and gender justice are not unreasonable, pie-in-the-sky goals. After decades of getting played, the sleeping giant just might wake up, stretch its limbs, and tell both parties: Game over. Move aside. It’s time to reshuffle this deck."

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/election/king-bernie-sanders-candidate-wrong-party-article-1.2572400

[rhett o rick]

1. Bravo for Sen Sanders. Willing to risk his and his families safety to take on the fight against

the Wealthy and Powerful. d

This is a class war and Clinton is on the side of Goldman-Sachs.

[farleftlib]

2. Great article

’ Even if Bernie’s racial-justice views evolve, I hold little hope that a political revolution will occur within the Democratic Party without a sustained outside movement forcing truly transformational change. I am inclined to believe that it would be easier to build a new party than to save the Democratic Party from itself."...

A lifelong independent, Bernie has, in essence, used the primary system of the Democratic Party to get his populist message out there without ever being sincerely embraced by the party itself. I've already said that I think Sanders should stay in this campaign all the way until the convention, but what if Bernie did opt to pivot and run as an independent candidate down the road — even in this campaign?

What if he started or joined a new progressive party where lobbyists were banned, money from super-PACs was rejected, and the death penalty was opposed?

As the march to the right in the Dem party continues (pro-DP, pro-Wall St. pro-War, pro-global corporatism, anti-Labor, anti-environment etc), I think the advent of a new progressive party is almost surely coming. Young people are not going to hold their noses and vote against their own interests like us old Dems have been doing for decades now.

[UglyGreed]

3. Kick

[RiverLover]

4. This is the most honest article on politics that I've ever read. I wish it weren't true.

But it is.

Thanks so much for posting it, UG. People need to wake UP (& say Game Over.)

...a political party that not only capitulated to right-wing demagoguery but is now owned and controlled by a relatively small number of millionaires and billionaires....

This needs to change. Or why have Dems at all.

[UglyGreed]

5. No problem

[BernieforPres2016]

6. Right on the money, Bernie's movement requires a 3rd Party

The idea that establishment Democratic politicians (and former Democratic politicians who are now powerful lobbyists) will ever try to get the money out of politics is a pipe dream. The party of FDR is no more.

With regard to the CBC being bought and paid for and selling out its constituents, there are plenty of articles on that at this website: http://breakingbrown.com/

I didn't realize Thurgood Marshall, Jr. was one of the profiteers of a the private prison industry that lives on the backs of mass incarceration of African Americans that was given a huge boost during the Clinton administration. Absolutely revolting.

[MaeScott]

7. Why, yes. Yes it does require another party. The 2 major parties are corrupt 2 the bone.

Easier to start from the ground up, 50 state strategy writ progressive...with as much passion as there is RIGHT NOW, could be done.

[BernieforPres2016]

8. If Bernie isn't the nominee, I don't think he will run as an independent

But I'm hoping that shortly after the election (no matter who is elected) that he will start a 3rd party.