Manny Goldstein: "The most Conservative guy I know wants to vote for Bernie."

[LiberalArkie]

Last edited Fri Dec 25, 2015, 06:21 PM - Edit history (1)

Last night we had Christmas Eve dinner with friends, an annual tradition. Delicious dinner!

One of our friends is a Righty; he spent much of his adult life living in red states, I think it rubbed off on him. But he's not a nut - he understands that there are serious problems with so-called Conservative philosophies. Because I'm me, , I wore my Bernie t-shirt last night to have a little fun with him. I was shocked by his response; instead of an eyeroll or a "You just had to do that, didn't you!", here's what he said:

"Hey, I need to look into that guy! The biggest Conservative I know - lives out west, hates the government - says he wants to vote for Bernie! I can't believe it, I need to figure out what's up with that."

Shocking, but not surprising: In the end, philosophies set aside, I believe that the Left and the Right want the same things when it comes down to the nuts and bolts of it. Most "Conservatives" support Social Security, Medicare, and other "Socialist" programs. We want the same rules to apply to the 99% and the 1%.

Snip

http://jackpineradicals.org/showthread.php?1172-quot-The-most-Conservative-guy-I-know-wants-to-vote-for-Bernie-quot&p=5694#post5694

[Scootaloo]

1. sadly doesn't mean much if he's not registered as democrat

Gotta hit the primaries first, after all

[Cassiopeia]

3. Depending on the state.

More states have open primaries than closed, and some of the closed primary states allow you to change your registration at the poling place.

[RoccoR5955]

29. There are 19, count 'em, nineteen states that have open primaries

so registering as a Democrat is not an issue there.
Here's the list if you are too lazy to google it yourself: https://grassrootsidgop.wordpress.com/list-of-states-with-open-and-closed-primaries/

[Bluenorthwest]

37. 'Out West' there are 3, WA, Idaho and Montana, 4 if we count Hawaii but when

people say 'lives out west, hates the government' I don't usually think of Hawaii....

[sabrina 1]

30. People like himm ARE registering as Dems in states where it is required, I just helped a few do

that in NY eg. We KNOW which states require registeration. They won't be registering until they have to, which is why the national polls are not gauging Bernie's support accurately. WE had to get people registered in NY by Oct because for some insane reason they made it necessary to do so here. But that is not the case anywhere else.

And then there are all those open Primary states where Bernie's supporters who are not Dems don't have to register.

In NY however, people who are not registered at all, can register later. THAT is who we are working to get registered now.

[arcane1]

2. I believe there is a large number of people who've been tricked into thinking they are conservative.

But once you get past the buzz-words and slogans, their actual views and opinions turn out to be progressive.

The media has been hugely successful in that regard.

[Scootaloo]

4. Also the opposite

I've seen a lot of people with total Bagger attitudes calling themselves "liberal" because they didn't like bush.

[ablamj]

9. Funny that...

I've seen a lot of HRC supporters claim to be liberal too...

[Rod Beauvex]

25. Savage.

[Betty Karlson]

34. Conservative and reactionary used to be antithetical.

Lots of those who call themslves conservatives are actually reactionaries, and real conservatives are fed up with that. Hence Sanders' cross-over appeal.

[raouldukelives]

38. Indeed. They are Republicans because Dadddy was one.

And that, is the beginning and the end of any sort of feeling of responsibility to the future of our country, of others and even to themselves.

They don't know that they don't know and really don't want to know.

They affix corporate blinders to themselves and busy themselves shopping and absorbing whatever the boob tubes tells them is reality. A reality they themselves empower and expand by being themselves partial owners of said corporations expanding and expounding the realities they wish to see and for others to exist in, or at least, try to.

You either get with the robbers or you stand with the robbed. Throughout history, a very simple choice for those only concerned for themselves.

[99th_Monkey]

5. "Bernie Sanders wants what Americans want, and has a long history of wanting it."

Kinda says it all. As that recent poll showed, Bernie would absolutely trounce Trump in the GE.
The polls now say "by 13%", but ... as this illustrates clearly, MANY on the conservative side are undecided,
flummoxed & disgusted by what they are seeing come out of the Clown Car.

Thanks for posting this LiberalArkie

[malokvale77]

10. "Bernie would absolutely trounce Trump in the GE."

Which is why I abhor the meme that not voting for HRH means, welcome President Trump, or Cruz, or whomever is the current boogie man.

I look at those repeating that meme in 3 ways.

1) You're scared.
2) You're ill informed.
3) You benefit from the status quo.

The first two I will engage with. The third deserves nothing but contempt.

[99th_Monkey]

12. Yes, that meme is very worse-for-the-wear, as in now patently false on it's face. nt

[roguevalley]

14. I think they're looking in the mirror when they drag out the pres. trump and the list thing

[99th_Monkey]

15. Your reminding me of this, from 2008 Primaries.

[Divernan]

35. As in Miss Marple's "The Mirror Cracked From Side to Side"

[Locrian]

19. truth

It's totally insane...

The conservatives in the GOP are waking up and realizing their party has gone over the edge on the bat shit crazy train. And they see Bernie as someone making sense. I suspect they've realized that the lies (and policy/laws) the GOP has been telling them have hurt them - that the GOP is in essence just whores for big money corporations / wall street.

Telling that the democratic party "anointed one" is not who they are gravitating to. Likely because HRC is (with some social exceptions) is also the party of big money corporations / wall street.

Bernie is appealing to the PEOPLE as their representative against the powers in charge.

[orpupilofnature57]

6. I have a G.E.D and I can comprehend the reasons and evidence why Bernie is the only candidate using

facts in discussing issues and not demagoguery like both Hillary and Trump .

[randr]

7. The 60% or more of Republicans that will not vote for Trump

will also not vote for Hillary.
I have spoken lately with a number of conservative dyed in the wool Republicans who have admitted that Bernie would be acceptable to them if Trump steals their party.
I do believe Bernie can make a case for rationally thinking conservatives to join him.

[peacebird]

11. Our conservative friend told us that they also liked Bernie.

[skepticscott]

18. No self-identified Republicans can call consider themselves

rationally thinking people any more.

Fuck them.

[zeemike]

8. Well I think there is common ground.

Most Republicans are working people just as most Dems are, and they just want a good life and a future for their kids.

But on both sides are the radicals...the wild eyed free market Ayn Rand cult on the right and the politically correct authoritarian enforcers on the left and both make their side look bad with good reason.

Both left and right need to come together and make peace. And I think a Sanders president can do it.
Drop the rhetoric on both sides and get down to making this country work

[99th_Monkey]

13. +10 ... Very nicely said. nt

[ValasHune]

16. love my Bernie shirt

Ive gotten nothing but positive comments from people about it and Bernie.

[skepticscott]

17. That's the blind spot of Sanders supporters

They judge the whole world by their own experience. "The most conservative guy I know... wants to vote for Sanders". And at some point they may also be saying "But...but...everyone I know voted for Sanders!"

[libdem4life]

22. So who's judging here? Who's calling out "blind spots"? Remember the rule about the pointed finger

[sabrina 1]

31. Where did you see anyone say the whole world agrees with them? I read someone recounting a personal

story from a Christmas dinner. Something people here have done since the site started. He was surprised that someone who was unlikely to support Bernie, wasn't outright opposed to him. I will add MY own personal experience to that. While Conservatives generally won't even consider a Democrat, Bernie seems to be okay with many of them from what I have seen.

They are not happy with their own party or the candidates, many have left the party with the Repubs now at only 29% of registered voters. So we can expect those who left, now registered Indies, are not going to vote for ANY of the candidates, but some are considering Bernie. See the Repubs for Bernie groups that are springing up.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

20. Why would anyone trust what a conservative tells you?

These are not rational people. They are usually either lying or being completely ignorant.

[Hiraeth]

21. Pretty broad brush you have there. Could you, at least, narrow it down to the Teapartiers.

[libdem4life]

23. It's getting thick in here...speak and think for yourself.

[JonLeibowitz]

27. You're confusing certain conservative voters with conservative politicians.

Someone can be conservative and a non-liar informed person.

Painting with broad brushes is harmful and demonizing never helped convince others to our side.

[paleotn]

24. What unites many of us....

...both left and right is the basic concept of fairness. It's a concept woven heavily through American history and the American psyche. The bulk of us in "fly over country" still actually believe that we're a nation of laws and everyone, both rich and poor, immigrant or native, should be treated equally and fairly. Bernie Sanders embodies that concept more than any other candidate on either side.

[Kalidurga]

26. It is time to have the talk

that awkward moment when you realize the other side has been just as blinded by party propaganda as yours. On our side we have people telling us we are making progress, perhaps on some social issues. But, on economic issues we are going so far back that some parts of the country are no better than 3rd world nations (wtftm, whatever the f that means). On their side they have dozens of out groups they are told are the reason for the f'd up economy. I think both sides realize we are being f'd over. It's just both are told it's by different groups. The reality is we are all victims of a system that props up the oligarchy.

[razorman]

28. I have several conservative acquaintances (mostly clients) who

despise Hillary, and would never vote for Bernie because they disagree with him. But, some of them have told me that, even so, they admire him; because they see him as a straight-shooter who says what he believes.

[Divernan]

36. Folks like your conservative clients will flood the polls to vote against Hillary.

If the choice is between Hillary and Trump (or another of the GOP crazies) they'll turn out to vote against her, and along the way their straight ticket will destroy the down ticket Dem candidates unto the 10th generation, i.e., local school board, dogcatcher posts, etc. However, if it's Bernie vs. Trump or another of the GOP crazies, I suggest they are likely to either stay home or just not vote for the office of president on their ballots.

[razorman]

41. I think they will also go to vote against Bernie, but not with as much enthusiasm.

Most of the Republicans I have spoken to are not much excited by any of their prospects. But, they hate Obama and Hillary Clinton, and want a change. However, many of them also seem to hate Christie and Jeb Bush almost as much. Don't even know why they are even still in the race. You may be right, though. Many of them may stay home in disgust. We just have to make sure we don't do the same.

[MrMickeysMom]

32. Believe me... people have plenty of time to change their party for this primary...

... due to the half-wits that are offered, or the fascists who aren't afraid to boast their dangerous ideas...

When it comes to who will make the difference, people will change their party just to support this guy.

[senz]

33. They need to understand how necessary it is that they do it.

They need to know how wealthy and well-established the Clintons are among Democrats and what an uphill battle this primary is for Bernie. Some of them might find it difficult to switch parties.

[MrMickeysMom]

40. Yes... I believe the ones who would have no problem changing...

... are the independents (my brother, for example). He had NO problem with that ... especially after seeing the 5 part series interview between Bernie and Killer Mike at the barber shop.

[Babel_17]

39. Eisenhower "Socialists" nt

[valerief]

42. Of course, because we don't have a conservative/liberal war. We have a class war, flat out.

And the Not Obscenely Rich are on the losing end of this class war.