Discussion»Statements» Bernie Sanders flawless reputation for decades. Donald Trump, graft, corruption, lies and theft for decades. And we have a problem picking
It's just reality. No more, no less. As I said on another post, there's a great deal of hand-wringing and sturm und drang on this site about a relatively simple process that will play itself out over the next year as it does every four years. No matter what the outcome, our day-to-day lives will go on.
And? What else is new? Congratulations, you've just described most politicians of all ideological stripes. They're all mostly concerned with self-interest, raising money, and getting themselves re-elected. It's always been so and always will. As I said, life will go on regardless of the outcome of the process. You say no more millionaires, but are you so naive that you don't know that anyone who can afford to run is wealthy? Bush, Clinton (Bill and Hillary), Romney, Obama, Sanders, Warren, Biden, Trump, etc. Take your pick.
No one on the liberal left is perfect, right? Not one person in your camp has ever done anything negative at any time in his or her life, correct? There has never been absolutely one act of hypocrisy nor criminality committed by anyone other than those you oppose, or by those with whom you disagree, is that your claim?
I don't think anyone is silly enough to claim that.
But sometimes a difference of degree becomes a difference of kind
For example, prior to 2006, the number of filibusters in the US Senate had held fairly steady year to year for several decades. Then, starting in 2007 (as the Democratic Party took over the majority), the number of filibusters skyrocketed to several times the old number, and nearly all of those were called by the GOP minority.
Thus, a tool that was implemented to prevent Tyranny of the Majority had become a major tool of Tyranny of the Minority, because essentially NO Senate business could be conducted unless it could garner 60 votes. Moreover, the 40 vote minority that could permanently gum up the Senate could potentially come from states which constituted only 11% of the US population.
So, yes, Democrats do filibusters, too. But the way Democrats and Republicans use the filibuster has evolved to be very different. A difference of degree has become a significant difference in kind.
Similar logic applies to situations where the GOP (especially under the Trump administration) has played hardball with every lever of power they can manipulate. Yes, you can argue "both sides do it." But one side does it a significantly greater degree to render the "both sides" argument meaningless.
Bernie's problem is his age. Unlike Trump, Sanders would take the job of being President seriously and the stress of it may well kill him. Remember how haggard Jimmy Carter looked after only ONE term? Jimmy was about half Bernie's age. Bernie should throw his political clout and considerable nous behind one of his protégés. A younger one.
Stu Spelling Bee 