How the Oligarchy is “fixing” the Democratic process to feed their greed.

[99th_Monkey]

As the Primaries heat up, there are a few cracks in the Oligarchs curtain of obscurity & secrecy, where we can see how "the fix is in" to make sure Citizens United delivers up the TPP, the x-on pipeline, arctic drilling, etc. on-schedule, regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican wins in the General Election.

Consider the implications of these 6 recent events:
1) Bill Clinton's friendly 'advice' to Trump, to get into the race as the GOP “populist”.
2) Debbie Wasserman Shultz’s brazenly belated scheduling only 6 Democratic Presidential Debates, thus insuring that the DNC’s “presumptive” candidate continues coasting on name-familiarity alone, such that early-voting “weathervane" states’” only get to see the first 2-3 debates before voting.
3) Joe Biden suddenly “taking a new look” at jumping into the Democratic primary, just when Hillary’s email scandal is starting to grow new legs the size of Godzilla’s.
4) The M$M’s conspicuous 24/7 “coverage” of Donald Trump’s astroturf “populism”, while virtually ignoring ‘Socialist’ Bernie Sanders’ authentic populist tsunami drawing record crowds.
5) Gov. O’Malley publicly calling-out the DNC Chair on national prime-time for refusing to timely schedule an adequate number of debates.
6) Debbie Wasserman-Shultz’s bizzare suggestion that Democrats all need to watch the GOP debates tonight on FOX, insuring Trump & Co.’s maximum exposure, while boosting FOX’s ratings in the process.

Looking at these six recent developments alone, it’s clear that the Oligarchs have learned a thing or two about how to skillfully manipulate elections — democracy be damned — using their tools in the Clown Car, working in concert with the DNC, to insure that no 'political revolution' will be tolerated this time around, and that We the People will again face another sorry-ass choice in the GE between a lesser of two evils.

And yes, I am including Bill & Hillary Clinton as part of the Oligarchy. If Bill Clinton cozying-up alongside George W. Bush on the cover of Time magazine is not enough evidence of this, one needs look no further than the Clinton’s net-worth to prove it. The Clintons are literally a part of The 1%, and not just barely. Bill plays golf with Donald Trump. These things matter, or at least should matter to anyone who gives a rats ass about still salvaging any semblance of Democracy from the grips of our Ruling Cla$$.

Even in the face of all this, I'm still confident that Bernie Sanders will win several of the early primaries, and perhaps the nomination. Even in the face of this, Bernie shows NO signs of giving up, and neither will I.

GO BERNIE!!!

[Zorra]

1. K&R

[GoneFishin]

2. "... early-voting “weather-vein states’” only get to see the first 2-3 debates before voting ...".

Manipulative bastards.


More proof that we need Bernie now.

[jwirr]

10. Iowa only gets to see one.

[haikugal]

3. It's pretty obvious, yes it is! nt

[Faux pas]

4. Kicketty Kickin'

[arcane1]

5. I'm in the middle of reading "Death of the Liberal Class" and this seems like the movie adaptation.

Excellent book, by the way.

One of the many reasons why I support a Sanders candidacy: he represents the REAL liberal class

[appalachiablue]

7. What a great book, it sadly opened my eyes. I read it a couple years ago. Is it the truth!

Bernie is bringing back and igniting that spark and ideology for me, and many others I think. And it's wonderful.

[arcane1]

8. Agreed, and there are forces on both sides that are threatened by that.

May they quake in their boots!

[Doctor_J]

6. I'm not giving up, but it's pretty hopeless. The election

in 2008 and its aftermath pulled back the curtain. Obama pretended to be a liberal, then rolled through a republican agenda, while millions of so called dems cheered. Now Clinton is running openly as a corporate water carrier, and the same phony dems are celebrating.

[Caretha]

33. Ain't it the truth

[arcane1]

51. And they celebrate still today n/t

[Raster]

55. Destined to be The First Female POTUS, doncha know...

...DESTINED!

Let's just cut to the fucking chase: HIL/JEB 2016! DESTINED!

[Stevepol]

9. I sincerely hope Bernie isn't ignoring the voting machines.

It seems patently obvious that for decades now, the far right-owned voting machine makers (ES&S, Dominion, etc.), have been rigging or "skewing" elections. Statistically, the evidence is overwhelming by now. But of course there's no way that you can have any evidence except statistical evidence. In nearly all states, the barriers to "verifying the vote" are so great that it is next to impossible to do that. You just have to trust the results that are churned out by the machines regardless of the pre-election polls or the exit polls or the post-election statistical analyses. The pre-election polling now has even been changed to make sure that the polls match the results that are being skewed by the machines. The polling companies don't want to have polls that are so wrong so consistently. Of course, nobody even suggests that it could be the machines. This is beyond the pale. That would be crazy! Everybody knows we have the greatest democracy in the world and besides there's no "proof" of cheating, i.e., nobody has confessed that "Yes, I did it."

Because you can't get into the machines to count the paper and compare it with the alleged results, the only thing you can do is use the faulty polls and statistics. FL even has a "LAW" making it a crime to count the votes by hand once they have been counted by a machine. The only way to audit or recount the election results is to run the paper through the machine again, the same machine that perhaps miscounted in the first place.

The situation of the US vis-a-vis the electronic voting machines is about what you expect in an insane asylum. You have to pinch yourself to realize this is not another dimension.

Please, Bernie, put somebody in charge of this, maybe Jesse Ventura?

[appalachiablue]

13. Agree, this is a very serious issue, it could keep me up at night, esp. with a candidate

like Bernie. We remember 2000, and 2004 and since then in 12 years! the right has taken more measures to restrict voting and work with the 'machines'. I know he has excellent people on his staff that must be aware of this deal breaker. Although what can be done about it preventatively I don't know, enough.

[spinbaby]

68. You know what keeps me up at night?

Wellstone's "accident." I fear for Bernie.

[appalachiablue]

70. That too, so awful and mostly unmentionable but we know it.

[questionseverything]

24. we have more than statistical evidence

http://www.sweetremedy.tv/fatallyflawed/media/RTA_Fraud_Flyer_3_7_12.pdf

The Forbidden “Access” Manual
A Microsoft Access manual was photographed in
the vote tabulation room on RTA election night as it
was being used by a Pima County Elections’ compu-
ter operator. Because GEMS Software is built on a
Microsoft Access base, use of Microsoft Access on an
election computer was and is illegal because it enables
“back door” manipulation of data — something the
computer technician had been trained in since 1996.
Illegally Printing Early Vote Totals
To prevent unfair advantage from knowledge of early
ballot vote totals, it is a felony to print a “Summary
Report” of actual vote totals until one hour after the
polls close on election day. Pima County Elections’
computer technician was seen regularly printing and
sharing unlawful Summary Reports, including during
the RTA election. An “unofficial/unaudited” rubber
stamp was even purchased and used to distinguish
these illegally printed reports.
Broken Chain Of Custody
After lengthy litigation and finally being awarded
access to the RTA election database, the plaintiff
was told by the court clerk that the two hard drives
were already picked up. Turned out they were in the
unlocked file cabinet of one of the “suspects.”
Suspects Run The Investigation
Attorney General Terry Goddard teamed up with the
“suspects” for a limited study of part of their database.
“Tests” were suggested by Pima County Elections —
obviously “tests” the suspects knew they could pass.
Other logical and useful tests were not run. The report
was then intentionally kept away from everyone but
the suspects until Attorney General Goddard released
it at his press conference.
Attorney General Grabs Ballots
Just as the plaintiff was about to be awarded release
of the official poll tapes from the ballot boxes,
Attorney General Goddard suddenly secured a secret
court order to transport the RTA paper ballots to
Maricopa County. His hand count audit was a dog-
and-pony show orchestrated to produce the desired
result. Ballots were not counted by precinct or
checked against the poll tapes. Nor was there a
forensic examination of the paper and ink to
determine if the ballot boxes were later stuffed with
“print-on-demand” ballot

/////////////////////////////////////

http://fatallyflawedelections.blogspot.com/2014/07/elections-remain-compromised.html

On that election day, May 16th, 2006, notable political party observers discovered suspicious activity in the tabulation room involving the manipulation of election database files. A lengthy records law suit confirmed that databases for that specific election were overwritten during the tabulation process. Subsequent illegal summary reports were printed immediately following the overwrites and the computer operator was known to remove election data from the tabulation center and take it home with him on a daily basis. Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, the person ultimately accountable for the elections division, is consistent in erroneously stating or implying that elections data was never taken home. Court testimony, however, identified computer operator Bryan Crane as the individual who took home elections data and identified the type of medium taken as attributed only to elections data. That same computer operator later made a barroom confession to a former Pima County employee who signed an affidavit with other witnesses. The operator stated that he rigged the election on the instruction of his bosses. Videotaped surveillance footage of the tabulation room during the key times in question were requested in litigation, stalled for an inordinate amount of time, then erased under the pretense that the requested footage was still in rotation and subject to normal recycling.

Attorney General Terry Goddard conducted an initial investigation using a subcontractor IBeta to examine the RTA database files. Pima County employee John Moffatt became involved with guiding the IBeta company through the investigation despite the fact that Pima County was formally named as the suspect. Goddard was aware of this arrangement and didn't seem to mind how various inquiries suggested by Moffatt were either diversionary or irrelevant to discovering election fraud. Goddard also chose to ignore suggestions by those who filed the initial complaint, despite their high levels of expertise drawn from University of Arizona professors, an expert from blackboxvoting.org and a former NSA employee.

IBeta concluded in its report that the Diebold computer software used by Pima County (GEMS) "exhibits fundamental security flaws that make definitive valuation of data impossible." The suspect's influence on the outcome became evident in IBeta's second key observation that the data was tampered with, but the lack of effort in covering their tracks suggests such tampering was a mistake.

John Moffatt was later caught absconding with key evidence from the county vault. He had somehow managed to obtain database records from that same 2006 RTA election in violation of a court order. Electronic data was not the only evidence potentially compromised. Attorney Bill Risner discovered through depositions that nobody was preventing access to the RTA paper election ballots, which were being held in storage during years of litigation. Any Pima County employee could have accessed those paper ballots or other paper records associated with that election.

//////////////////////////////////////

if paper ballots are not counted in the open, with a tight chain of custody it is all really just theater

[dreamnightwind]

44. Thanks for this post - eom

[99th_Monkey]

49. Yes, I'm painfully aware of how hackable our elections have become

and how Democrats have been oddly silent about it, when we
could have been doing something about it, i.e. the past 7 years.

[snot]

71. Thank you for raising this issue.

It's a critical part of the "rig."

[colsohlibgal]

11. Without A Doubt

Neo democrats are running the show and they want to keep Wall Sreet and the security state ,including the military industrial complex, happy with their wallets fat.

That means Hillary. So if she is elected we will have had Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton. Whew thank goodness we broke off from Great Britain and monarchies.

[MoveIt]

36. Everything Neo is new and better right?

Also as everyone should know, Reagan was really just a puppet for Bush/Cheney so add 8 more years to the front of that Bush(Reagan).

[1StrongBlackMan]

12. But you've missed the, all important, ...

7th (signifying: completeness) event, that will give relevance to the other 6 events ... They will acknowledge that the wreakage found on REUNION ISLAND (that's important) is, in fact, that of Flight MH370!!!!

If that's not proof positive of the Oligarchy's evil, evil plan, I don't not know what could be!

[99th_Monkey]

14. Kind of like when a butterfly beats it's wings in China

Totally Dude. It's all connected.

[uhnope]

76. Why hasn't Sanders exposed this plan to rig the presidential race he's participating in???

you never explained how this Oligarchy micromanages US elections. This is the most you have said:

Looking at these six recent developments alone, it’s clear that the Oligarchs have learned a thing or two about how to skillfully manipulate elections — democracy be damned — using their tools in the Clown Car, working in concert with the DNC, to insure that no 'political revolution' will be tolerated this time around, and that We the People will again face another sorry-ass choice in the GE between a lesser of two evils.

And yes, I am including Bill & Hillary Clinton as part of the Oligarchy. If Bill Clinton cozying-up alongside George W. Bush on the cover of Time magazine is not enough evidence of this one needs look no further than the Clinton’s net-worth to prove it.

It's "clear" to you, but not to the reader. The fact that the Clintons are rich is "evidence" to you. Doesn't that mean anyone who's rich is in on the plan?

You say that all the GOP candidates are in on it. Do you mean they are given instructions in what their role is? How does this scheme work? Who exactly is devising the plan and issuing the orders? How can it be so all-encompassing but Sanders is not in on it, and he apparently doesn't even know about it? (Since he's very frank and I think he would be talking about a plan to micromanage the election he hopes to win.)

[99th_Monkey]

79. I said there were only "a few cracks in the curtain of obscurity", which I noted 1-6

If you don't find those glimpses a bit troubling, or at least interesting, then
so be it.

I understand my OP may not reflect well on your preferred candidate, and you
feel compelled to try to discredit it, somehow, whatever it takes: that's just
politics, sometimes depending on who your candidate is.

If I do end up writing a book on this subject, I might need to devote a chapter on
why what I'm saying is "not a CT", and, of course, do all the necessary inquiry &
research at that time to back-up any unequivocal claims I may make; but I'm
not writing a book on the subject just now, I'm posting one OP on an anonymous blog.

[uhnope]

80. actually Sanders is my preferred candidate.

that shows how much your suppositions are worth.

So you have a short list (1-6!) of incidents that connect to form a detailed conspiracy. But only you can see those connections.

You can't even answer why you know more about this evil plot than Sanders does. I guess you are smarter than Sanders? And smarter than everyone else who just can't see the truth through the "few cracks"?

It's kind of like the story of the blind man and the elephant but in reverse. The blind man touches a rope and decides it must be the tail of an elephant. And he wants us all to believe there's an a elephant, even though all we see is rope.

[99th_Monkey]

82. Ah I see. A self-appointed CT-ThoughtPolice force of one.

These (1-6) are all documentable events. Which of these are you disputing again?
1) Clinton consulted in the affirmative with Trump about his POTUS candidacy? or that..

2) Debbie Wasserman Shultz’s belatedly scheduled only 6 Democratic Presidential Debates? or maybe ...

3) Joe Biden suddenly “taking a new look” at jumping into the Democratic primary? no? well how about ...

4) The M$M’s conspicuous 24/7 “coverage” of Donald Trump’s astroturf “populism”, while virtually ignoring ‘Socialist’ Bernie Sanders’ authentic populist tsunami drawing record crowds? <--surely you'll want to dispute this one .. or not.

5) Gov. O’Malley publicly calling-out the DNC Chair on national prime-time for refusing to timely schedule an adequate number of debates? or maybe ..

6) Debbie Wasserman-Shultz’s bizarrely suggesting that Democrats all need to watch the GOP debates tonight on FOX?


Or maybe you don't think America has become an Oligarchy? Is that it? Well, these people flatly disagree with you:
1) President Jimmy Carter:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/31/1407690/--Jimmy-Carter-Uses-The-Oligarchy-Word-Blasts-U-S-Political-Bribery

2) Princeton University researcher, Martin Gilens and Northwestern University's Benjamin Page:
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2014/04/oligarchy.html

3) Investigative Historian, Eric Zuesse:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-zuesse/jimmy-carter-is-correct-t_b_7922788.html

4) Oh, and let's not forget "YOUR CANDIDATE" Bernie Sanders:

.. and I happen to agree with these sources, not you.

Oh, and I notice in your journal you are quite fond blowing your "Conspiracy Theory!!" Whistle on OP's you find somehow objectionable.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1017&pid=283956
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=112762

Why on earth do you "support Bernie Sanders" if you don't think his frequent statements calling out America's Oligarchy & Wall St. crooks are "conspiracy theories"?

[uhnope]

84. you can't answer my questions and your "proof" is comical

6) Debbie Wasserman-Shultz’s bizarrely suggesting that Democrats all need to watch the GOP debates tonight on FOX?

Recommending we watch the GOP debate is evidence of the Oligarchy conspiring to micromanage and rig the election? Whaaaat?

I also recommend we watch the GOP debates. We should watch and learn about these candidates. One will be the final candidate and could be president. Does that make me part of the conspiracy?

Yes, I am against CT and the deranged thought processes that go along with it. If you show some good evidence, that's something else. But when you cite this as evidence:

Joe Biden suddenly “taking a new look” at jumping into the Democratic primary? no? well how about ...

...it's getting delusional. I mean, what? Biden is doing this on instructions of the Oligarchs to rig the elections? I don't even know what the implication is supposed to be. Can you explain how Biden possibly entertaining the idea of running is a part of the conspiracy? Please. Or realize that your proposition is as cracked as saying the moon landings were faked, no matter how many "recs" you get on a "greatest thread" from Internet denizens similarly lacking in critical thinking skills.

I find CT to be increasing in society and so, yes, I do call BS on it whenever I see it.

[99th_Monkey]

86. You never answered my question: You SAY you support Bernie Sanders

But Bernie -- bless his heart -- is the loudest voice in the room calling attention to the US having become an Oligarchy, along with Princeton Univ., Northwestern Univ., President Jimmy Carter and several investigating historians -- all of which I cited with links above.

Yet, you completely ignore my question as to WHY in the world you support Bernie when he's the one shouting loudest about the same "CT" that you find so objectionable. ??????????????????????????

[uhnope]

87. that's a smear on Sanders. He doesn't say an Oligarchic Star Chamber is rigging the elections

the way you say. Please don't start smearing Sanders as a conspiracy theorist.

The burden of proof is on you: You have alleged a serious conspiracy. You are the one who has to answer questions. You can't and your proof (they're trying to make us watch the GOP debates! Oh my!) is ridiculously bogus.

[99th_Monkey]

89. I didn't expect you to say why you supposedly "support" Sanders, because you can't

I suspect because you don't ..

I think we've both said everything we have to say, at least I have. And all you have to say
is "CT!!!, CT!!!, CT!!!" .. You can relax now, my OP has already graduated off the Greatest Page.

Happy Trails!

[KoKo]

85. I was in my garden tonight and I saw a lone Monarch Butterfly, juvenile,..I was happy

because we've tried to do an Audubon Friendly Yard for earth creatures. Haven't seen a Monarch for years...so this one young one was a good sign that maybe more will visit seeing our yard as "friendly."

But, I do not believe that Sanders is your "Preferred Candidate." It was interesting to read you say that here, though. Remember the watchers are always watching the other watchers. That's why I love seeing what visits my Garden in all seasons of the year.

[uhnope]

88. woooo spooky! Watchers! But I don't believe Sanders is your candidate.

Koko I don't think you even care for democracy. Do I need to go back and so all the OPs of your that promote anti-democratic forces in the world?

Get off it "Koko"

[uhnope]

29. The 8th Event: the Oligarchy set those fires in California

both to distract us...and inflame us

[1StrongBlackMan]

30. ...

The 8th Event: the Oligarchy set those fires in California, while simultaneously, flooding Birmingham!

Those crafty, omnipotent devils!

[zeemike]

32. Yep those straw men are flammable.

To discredit valid points think of the most outrageous thing you can and associate them, thus making it all sound like crapola.

But hey, if someone notices you can always say it is

[Enthusiast]

15. Kicked and recommended!

Thank you, 99th_Monkey.

[ion_theory]

16. K&R...

"We must not tolerate oppressive governments or industrial oligarchs in the form of monopolies and cartels." - Henry A. Wallace

[WillyT]

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

[Gamecock Lefty]

18. Oh I See!

Bill playing golf with Trump is evil and oligarchy. Bill cozying up with Bush (on the cover of Time no less) is evil and oligarchy. And in turn, Bill = Hillary, too.

Yet Bernie cozying up to Liberty University is courting voters? All hail, King Bernie!

Can you say "double standard?"

[RichVRichV]

21. Because courting the power structure and courting the plebes is exactly the same thing.

[artislife]

38. Gentle...they will get the hang of this

eventually.

[99th_Monkey]

23. Hint: Liberty University is NOT Wall St./MIC/1% -nt-

[Agschmid]

28. So what is liberty university...

[99th_Monkey]

34. Google is you friend, but this one is on me.

http://www.liberty.edu/aboutliberty/?PID=6925

[Agschmid]

35. I already know what it is, I was making a point.

I guess it got lost.

[99th_Monkey]

45. Next time you try to "make a point"

You may want to expand your repertoire beyond
asking a snarky cryptic question.

[Agschmid]

48. Remember I voted to leave... we are on the same side.

But you need to be able to see both sides that's the important point.

[99th_Monkey]

63. Sorry if I misconstrued your post

[uhnope]

74. Speaking of making a point....

Could you explain in detail this CT about the Oligarchs that micromanage elections? A list of incidents is not good enough. I mean really

[frylock]

42. can you say "hunh?"

cozying up?

[MoveIt]

60. Disingenuous in the extreme

But you knew that and still posted it. Maybe you think the readers here are stupid.

[blavine2]

19. next Sunday Portland, OR Bernie appearance moved to larger venue

Was set for Memorial Coliseum (capacity 12,000) - now happening at the Moda Center (home of the Blazers - capacity 19,000+).

We Portlanders hope to have some nice photos for y'all next week!

[99th_Monkey]

22. Yep I live in Portland, I'll be there with bells on my toes.

Here's what that 20,000 capacity Moda Center looks like.

[Juicy_Bellows]

25. I think you meant Rose Garden.

Cheers!

Edit - just giving a bit of a hard time, it bummed me out they changed the name but that's the way things go.

[me b zola]

46. I know, right?

I 'm always kind of shocked at how easily iconic local landmarks and sporting arenas get slapped with some corporate name and the locals go along with it. It will always be the Rose Garden for me.

[99th_Monkey]

47. LOL - a Rose by any other name? -nt-

[artislife]

39. Yea! Portland

Making Seattle look a little weak. But I hear we had no where else to move it to.

[cascadiance]

37. I'm hoping to get some t-shirts to have available on Sunday (and maybe to order if I run out)

... since I don't have a lot of cash to buy too much stock of them on my own.

Someone online did a nice design here of how the Bern will be blazin' on Sunday (perhaps to an attendance record even over regular Blazer games?). Thinking of adding a black and white photo of Bernie to the black portion at the top of this image to make sure people on the street know what "Bern" is referring to when wearing this in public. If I get profit over reseller's rates that a store is offering me to print them, I'll donate it to our local Bernie group or to Bernie's campaign too.



Hoping that if I can sell enough, we might see some people wear them later to Blazer games that might get on TV at the Moda Center then too in the coming weeks.

[artislife]

40. So cool

You should copywrite this and then think of sending it to Bernie's team. They could sell them like concert t-shirts , maybe design some with more cities on them...

I like people to make money from their art.

[cascadiance]

43. Another DUer has the copyright of this image. I'm using it and will send her a shirt...

And I think I might use the "fringe" image on the top that I think one other DUer developed? I'm going to send him/her a note on that image to see if we can work these together. I've already been in contact with some of the Bernie people who met with us earlier this week who said he's interested, but couldn't themselves get the time/resources to print them on their own.

If I get any extra money over the reseller's rates that I'm being charged, they will go back to the campaign somehow. I think the original artist of this expressed interest in that happening.

Like perhaps if in Washington they were ever able to get the Supersonic's venue they could have something like "We're Bernin' a sonic blast in Seattle" or something like that!

This would be my and her way of donating to his campaign, even if we don't have the big cash that others might. I'll probably go to Jeff Merkley's BBQ a week later, and I'll try to make a point of getting him a shirt too. I'm sure he'd like to share that with Bernie sometime too. Maybe I can help push him in to an endorsement for Bernie too through that!

[artislife]

52. Our Space needle is pretty iconic

The Sonics are sorely missed by a lot of this city. But no copywrite infringements, which the other teams may have issues...you know how the NFL and such are...

University of Washington we nickname the Huskies The Dawgs

This is the bumper sticker they are selling on Saturday at the events

[cascadiance]

53. Here's a newer version I'm hoping to use...

With the Moda Center silhouette and Bernie's hair..



If anyone out there's interested in a t-shirt from this design, let me know. I'm going to probably make an order tomorrow morning to have at the show.

[artislife]

65. Perfect! nt

[cascadiance]

69. I think this update from the other DU artist here will be the version I print...

It simplifies it down so that I think it is clean and works best to put on white t shirts too...



Any DUers who want this and want to pick any of these shirts up on Sunday before the event, let me know here by noon PST here and I'll make sure I have some made for you for you at the Moda Center then.

[Juicy_Bellows]

20. KICK!

This song popped in my head while reading your post - as relevant now as it was then:

[uhnope]

26. STAR CHAMBER? Pls explain? this Conspiracy Theory? and how it works?

Last edited Thu Aug 6, 2015, 07:10 PM - Edit history (1)

How all sides are secretly manipulated down to the minor details by shadowy "Oligarchy" forces. It sound uncomfortably like RW CTs of "The Commies run the gov't" or "the Jews control everything". I'm sure that's not what you mean, right? So how does it work?

Or is it just BS?

[Agschmid]

27. 1-6 Leave... But you know that already.

[restorefreedom]

31. excellent post

nailed it!

[StarzGuy]

41. I don't agree with the issue of when the democratic debates...

...happen. I think that the first debates give the candidates time to test their message and how it plays with the primary voters in those states. I'm glad to see that the first debate is out here in the west (I'm in Arizona). I actually would've liked to see more debates here in the west. I like to see how the candidates modify their message as time goes on in different settings. Why should the early primary states have all the say on the paths candidates take?

I perhaps didn't clearly type what's in my mind other than to say that lets wait and see how things go before criticizing the process.

[99th_Monkey]

50. "Let's wait and see how things go.."?

Last edited Fri Aug 7, 2015, 11:02 AM - Edit history (1)

How much longer should we all wait again, before criticizing?

I've been waiting for Obama to deal with Wall St. for 7 years, and I've been
waiting for the Democratic party to stand up to Wall St since Jimmy Carter.

I've been waiting for the DNC to stop it's 3rd-Way nonsense for decades.

Just how much more "waiting to see" do you recommend?

[winter is coming]

81. While the DNC is playing wait and see, why not let *other* people host some debates? n/t

[SusanaMontana41]

54. I love where you took us, but you had me at "How." n/t

[Amimnoch]

56. Of course, it MUST be fixed..

It couldn't possibly be that the Ron Paul of the Left just doesn't have the support his rabid pack of cultists thinks he deserves. The world deserves the man who can give it unicorns dammit..

/sarcasm.

[99th_Monkey]

66. Bernie's "rabid pack of cultists" must be doing something right

We're filling up this place in Portland OR in a couple of days ..
look for it .. capacity is 20,000 ... it will be his biggest crowd yet,
by far. My my, so many 'cultists' in one place might be dangerous
if it weren't for the fact that it's actually We the People taking
back American democracy with a peaceful political revolution.

[Amimnoch]

78. And it's so cute too.

[raouldukelives]

57. K&R It is a battle for the idea and ideals of democracy.

There are those who increase the wealth of multinational corporations and the enemies of representative democracy in return for personal comforts and there are those who try to retain, to salvage a small slice of what so many have fought, suffered and died for.

Some take democracy seriously, others find it amusing to conjecture about while they fulfill the orders of Wall St.

[RoccoR5955]

58. Bernie SHALL win!

If people are concerned about their country Bernie shall win. Win the nomination, and the general election.
If people are serious, and don't elect one of the clowns. It was a circus act last night, not a debate.
If they vote for one of the clowns, we are all doomed.


FEEL THE BERN!

[daybranch]

59. the oligarchs depend on racism, sexism, and religious hatred to win

Money can help spread attitudes but the money can be short circuited if we recognize what the money is to do, who is supplying the money and why. With this knowledge the individual is immune to the effects of the money. No, that is incorrect, he or she is repelled by the money, solidifies his or her disgust against those who furnish that money,those politicians who take that money, and the undemocratic institutions and groups who work to institute racism, sexism, and ethnic and/or religious hate necessary to further the control of our government by the very rich.
If we recognize the class war that has been going on since before we separated from England, (as revealed in Howard Zinn's "The Peoples History of the United States" and "Black Reconstruction" by W.E.B. DuBois, and Martin Luther King Junior's last speeches) and understand the mechanism by which the rich class, the oligarchy, controls the electoral process and the ballot, we can make these mechanisms and their users impotent.
First among these ways to neuter this bull coming to us over main stream media is to recognize false history is written to protect and perpetuate the Oligarchs. We must understand that we are all victims, no matter our color, our gender, our sexual identity, our and with that knowledge unite to fight those who depend on the racism, sexism,and religious hatred to keep control of our democracy.
To do this, we must ensure valid complaints of aggrieved groups, such as Black Lives Matter, do not divide us along racial lines, and are not used to further negative stereotypes of African Americans. While the rich controlled main stream media will focus on the riots, the shouting down of candidates at Netroots Nation, we must buy into the rightful frustration of African Americans who increasingly are targeted for police violence. We must portray the violence against them as the systemic racism creates to keep poor of both races from uniting to fight the oligarchy. We must not let this turn into an us versus them shouting match to be replayed constantly to convince ignorant whites already predisposed to do it by many,many decades of false history that negative stereotypes of African Americans are valid creating the racism which in turn creates the votes so badly needed by the oligarchy. But what can we white people do to help ensure that this does not happen. We can march with Black Lives Matter, we could take it as a matter of pride that we as white people have the will to support their cause as our cause too. We people who recognize the necessity of winning the class struggle against the oligarchs and the mechanisms they employ already see the just cause Black Lives Matter supports and we in turn must make it our cause. I go to and support every African American led event I can and I invite any white person to attend. It is only by our standing together and being recognized as standing together that we can blunt much of the racism. In the coal mine areas of Kentucky, when African Americans and whites worked together, whites and African Americans agreed that in the cold, dark, unsafe depths of that mine, "we are all black." Yet false histories and Fox News continue to alienate poor whites and poor blacks.
It is this effort to unite people for economic justice that the oligarchy fears. They see it correctly as a direct assault on their castle walls and know that they cannot maintain their dominance over us if we achieve economic justice. And what is economic justice? Does it stop with providing a more even distribution of wealth and opportunity among the the 98 percent? While that is a step in the right direction, and would eliminate much of the racism, sexism etc, it still leaves the rich in the position they have been in, constantly attacking working families to further enrich them selves. Is it economic justice that families who lose their sons and daughters in wars receive a little life insurance, while the rich avoid risk in so many ways. Is it economic justice that the children of the rich start with millions and African Americans in ghettos across the country along with the whites of Owsley County, Kentucky often go to bed hungry. Leveling the playing field among the working families needs to be done but it is not in itself sufficient for equal opportunity and economic fairness. Economic fairness would require a much greater Robin Hood type effort. To achieve any real economic justice, we must take some wealth away fro the oligarchs and distribute it to the rest of society.
Martin Luther King Junior's last rallies and last efforts were to bring poor whites and poor blacks together for economic justice. Bobby Kennedy supported efforts to Unionize farm Workers and similar efforts which disrupted the attempts of the greedy class to keep all of the profits. I believe it was their direct attack on the economic system which enables the oligarchs to rob the rest of society that got both these men killed.
We progressives fight the oligarchy. No one who does not can rightfully call themselves a progressive. In we progressives championed Obama over Clinton as he was more progressive than Clinton. He was the best available and would at least hold back some of the worst abuses of the oligarchy even if he did not seriously threaten their control.
Today we progressives see we can do something great, to start to take back our country from the rich greedy class, the oligarchy, and return it to the rest of us, the increasingly needy class. The first step in this process is to elect a candidate more willing to stand on our side in this class struggle than any other in most of our lifetimes. Bernie sanders is our first step as we march restore the peoples control our government. join us and do something great.

[99th_Monkey]

64. Awesome post daybranch. It deserves to be its own OP.

You make a number of important points, esp regarding the attempt to
use the race issue to divide & confuse & obfuscate & distract us from
the truth of what's going on and what's at stake in this election.

The Oligarchs want us to conveniently forget what MLK jr.s Poor Peoples
March on Washington DC was all about, and we can't let that happen.

Thanks so much for a very thoughtful and informative post.

Go Bernie!!!!!!!!!!!!

[questionseverything]

73. so much truth in your post

especially this...


First among these ways to neuter this bull coming to us over main stream media is to recognize false history is written to protect and perpetuate the Oligarchs. We must understand that we are all victims, no matter our color, our gender, our sexual identity, our and with that knowledge unite to fight those who depend on the racism, sexism,and religious hatred to keep control of our democracy.

[daybranch]

61. Great post. Keep them coming.

I also invite others to support Bernie and do something Great!, take the country back from the rich greedy ruling class and return it to the people.
By the way have you been banned from posting on the Hillary group? I have and I am very, very proud to have been. Must have stirred up the avoid issues, she is inevitable sheeples.
I say down with the oligarchy and no one who supports this can support Hillary's positions. Do you like myself see the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) as an attack on our national sovereignty and those of other nations involved? This is a frontal assault on our limited democracy by the oligarchs. It certainly would justify the investment the oligarchs made in Obama and the one they are making now in Hillary.
PS: I worked hard for Obama's election as the lessor evil. He has turned out to be the lessor evil but we must fight him on the TPP.

[99th_Monkey]

62. Thank you. I do agree the TPP seriously undermines US sovereignty

I worked for Obama too, doing voter reg. in Portland OR, where btw Bernie
is coming on Sunday ... look for it.. he's quickly filling up this place:
Capacity is 20,000

[mother earth]

67. I'm with Bernie & you, 99th, all the way. We shall prevail!

The Sanderstorm is going to be so big it won't be denied because it can't be!

[Deadshot]

72. I streamed the debates online last night.

I didn't give Fox any ratings.

[uhnope]

75. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin's reaction to an obnoxious conspiracy theorist:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

77. Paying one of their own to run for president is "smart politics".

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-07-16/on-the-clinton-wealth-scale-bernie-sanders-and-martin-o-malley-don-t-even-register

Sanders, the Vermont socialist, has a maximum net worth of $737,000, all reported in accounts held by his wife, Jane. This top-end figure may be a bit understated. As a member of Congress since 1991, Sanders has been able to invest in the Thrift Savings Plan, the 401(k)-style plan for federal workers. His balance in that account doesn't have to be reported on the public forms.

O'Malley, the former Maryland governor, has a maximum net worth of about $256,000. That's after subtracting the $339,000 in student loans that he owes for his daughters' college educations, at interest rates between 7.65 and 8.5 percent. He earned (not-Clinton-level) money giving speeches to JetBlue ($5,000), American University ($7,400) and Boston Consulting Group ($25,000), plus a series of speeches to Environmental Systems Research Institute, a mapping-software company, that netted him $147,812. O'Malley's best asset going forward is his pair of public pensions, one from his time as a city council member and mayor in Baltimore and then another one from his two terms as governor. The Baltimore city pension paid O'Malley $65,346 in 2014.

So, combined, O'Malley and Sanders are worth, at best, about $1 million, according to their public forms.

Hillary and Bill Clinton's minimum net worth: $11.3 million.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

83. If he pulls off the first few primaries/caucuses lots of people are going to say "who"?

That could generate interest from people that assumed he didn't have a chance, and people that didn't know much about him might try to find out. All good for the Bern!