Why I support Bernie although I do not consider myself to be a Socialist.

[JDPriestly]

I think our economy is out of balance, and Bernie seems to be the only candidate who is even admitting that fact and proposing ways to get it back in balance.

When our productivity is growing and even our employment statistics are growing, but our wages are not even beginning to grow in proportion to our productivity, then something is wrong and our consumption is will inevitably spiral downward as capital for investment is available but money to purchase products and services is not sufficient to match the potential production. There has to be more balance.

Now, environmentalists, I should say short-sighted environmentalists might see that as a good thing. But the fact is that ordinary people have to have the income to be able to adopt the new technologies that will help us cut back on our use of fossil fuel. Solar panels and windmills and electric cars cost a lot of money. Just putting new windows into a house or insulating it better costs money.

And even more than more money in the pockets of middle-class consumers and the poor, getting our economy back into a healthier balance will mean more accessible tax revenue for our government and more money for education, infrastructure repair and the defense we need against environmental damage (and that damage is coming).

I just don't see Hillary as an independent (from the corporate status quo of D.C. and New York), strong enough (personally strong enough) to do what is right I don't see her fighting, to increase the very top tax rates and to sign bills that will reduce corporate subsidies especially for companies that export jobs and factories and that hire H1-Bs rather than educate Americans. .

I think that Sanders has demonstrated in his life that he has the courage to stand up for his convictions even when the majority is too short-sighted to see the wisdom in his views.

It's time for free pre-school and college education in this country.

My grandfather made a big choice to go to high school instead of just straight to work and farming. That choice made all the difference in my family, all the difference. An education blesses not only the person who acquires it but that person's descendents.

We owe it to our children and grandchildren to make sure that they have the blessing of educational opportunity.

We owe it to our children and grandchildren to give Bernie a chance in the White House.

Let's get our economy back into balance.

[HassleCat]

1. And a progressive

Sanders is not only a socialist, but a progressive, a true progressive, not just someone who uses that label when he finds it convenient. He honors the original motivation of the Progressive Movement, which was to give the ordinary family, mostly factory workers and farmers back then, a chance against the large corporations, meaning the banks and railroads in those days. Times have changed, of course. The heroes and villains are different now, but the basic principle is the same for progressives. We would rather use the power of government to make sure the ordinary citizen gets a fair shake, a safe workplace, some defense against the bank that forecloses on her mortgage, a better GI Bill and veterans' health benefits, and so on.

[kath]

5. He does honor the history of the Progressive movement, and mentioned Robt M LaFollette in his speech

In Madison the other night.

A little history lesson, since the histories of Progressivism and of the Labor movement are so poorly taught in schools:

La Follette has been called "arguably the most important and recognized leader of the opposition to the growing dominance of corporations over the Government"[2] and is one of the key figures pointed to in Wisconsin's long history of political liberalism.

He is best remembered as a proponent of progressivism and a vocal opponent of railroad trusts, bossism, World War I, and the League of Nations. In 1957, a Senate Committee selected La Follette as one of the five greatest U.S. Senators, along with Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun, and Robert A. Taft. A 1982 survey asking historians to rank the "ten greatest Senators in the nation's history" based on "accomplishments in office" and "long range impact on American history," placed La Follette first, tied with Henry Clay.[3] Robert La Follette is one of five outstanding senators memorialized by portraits in the Senate reception room in US Capitol. One of America's top schools for public affairs, located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison bears his name.
(Snip)
Soon after obtaining his law license, he won the Republican nomination to the general election for Dane County District Attorney and went on to win the seat in 1880. After two terms, he went on to be elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served for three terms. There he was noted for championing Native and African-American rights.[2]
he went on to be elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served for three terms. There he was noted for championing Native and African-American rights.[2] His opposition to patronage and his support for a protective tariff helped secure his appointment to the Ways and Means Committee headed by William McKinley, where he helped draft the Tariff Act of 1890 (McKinley Tariff).
(Snip)Despite the unpopularity of his views at the time, however, Congressman La Follette successfully championed the rights of minorities against prejudice.[8]

In the early 1890s, he began to believe that much of the Republican Party had abandoned the ideals of its antislavery origins and become a tool for corporate interests. In his home state, he was convinced industry and railroad interests had too much sway over the party.[2] To counter this, La Follette began building an independent organization within the party that stressed voter control.[2]

It was not until 1891 when La Follette’s passion as reformer began due to the alleged bribe made to him by state Republican leader, Senator Philetus Sawyer. Senator Sawyer bribed La Follette in order to influence a court case against former state officials. Outraged from the corruption and power within politics Robert La Follette stated,“Nothing else ever came into my life that exerted such a powerful influence upon me as that affair. It was the turning point, in a way, of my career. Sooner or later I probably would have done what I did in Wisconsin. But it would have been later. It would have been a matter of much slower evolution. But it shocked me into a complete realization of the extremes to which this power that Sawyer represented would go to secure the results it was after.”[9]

This incident marked the beginning of his rage against powerful influences, such that he contributed the next six years into creating a Republican bloc known as Insurgents in “support of other party members (Scandinavians, dairy farmers, young men, disgruntled politicians) with grievances against the stalwart faction.”[10]

The Insurgents stressed the need for more direct voter control and championed consumer rights.[citation needed] The Insurgents' call for reform gained more support after the Panic of 1893 shook up the economic, class, and ethnic assumptions held by most Americans.[citation needed]
(Snip)His speeches decrying the sway of big business (especially the railroads) and his call for a more direct democracy (including direct election of nominees in party primaries) drew ever larger crowds.[citation needed]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_M._La_Follette_Sr.

[HassleCat]

7. Unlike the governor now

Contrast the activities of Fighting Bob with the Walker Weaseling we get from Madison now. How far we have fallen.

[kath]

8. Yes, what a horrible fall.

For Wisconsin, of all states, to have one of the country's very worst (if not THE worst) governors.

[appalachiablue]

9. Thanks for including this important info. on La Follette & glad Bernie mentioned him of course.

There was a Republican Gov. among my ancestors. c. 1912. He was an MD and a fairly progressive governor who put down at least one strike peacefully, sponsored progressive legislation to establish public health services and had a well known labor activist released from jail on a nuisance charge. When rip-off 'medicine' peddlers were selling tonics to the poor miners in camps he intervened to put an end to it.

Labor and progressive era history were hardly taught when I was in school post McCarthy which is a real shame. But I've learned later on my own. That the revival now of advocacy for workers and labor and to regulate financial elites and income inequality is the result of the same economic policies that existed in the US over a century ago is astonishing. It's hard to believe we have regressed to the status of my great grandfathers in 30 years since Reagan and free market ideology.

To fight the same economic and social issues indicates much about the capitalist system, human nature and makes me realize as Chris Hedges says, progress throughout history is not always linear. At this pivotal time Sanders call for mass mobilization by the people to enact major change is the most serious political effort I've seen in my life and I hope for this country's sake it is successful.

[99Forever]

2. Well written, JD.

This movement isn't just wanted, it's needed to set this nation back on a survivable course. We must do this.

[socialist_n_TN]

3. That's because Bernie is NOT running on a socialist platform.......

He's running as an FDR Democrat.

[snagglepuss]

6. Or as I like to say Bernie is a sociable democrat - he puts people first.

[marym625]

4. K&R

Great post!

[Enthusiast]

10. Kicked and recommended to the Max!