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Floridatexan wrote:
With all due respect, Linda, Bernie Sanders is not a "socialist" per se. He's an advocate of democratic socialism:
http://www.dsausa.org/what_is_democratic_socialism
Democratic socialists believe that both the economy and society should be run democratically—to meet public needs, not to make profits for a few. To achieve a more just society, many structures of our government and economy must be radically transformed through greater economic and social democracy so that ordinary Americans can participate in the many decisions that affect our lives.
Democracy and socialism go hand in hand. All over the world, wherever the idea of democracy has taken root, the vision of socialism has taken root as well—everywhere but in the United States. Because of this, many false ideas about socialism have developed in the US.
[...]
With all due respect in return, Florida, Bernie should do his own explaining of his own label, but for some reason he really doesn't, not sure why. Maybe it's on his website, but I'm talking about up front and visible delineation of his core philosophy, not just calling for "revolution" (which isn't going to happen, btw, and only just scares most people).
Look, I can foresee a return to the American Dream for everyone by way of certain major changes that don't have to amount to revolution and the death of our capitalist society -- the one that's brought us so very far but has gone astray. Somehow returning substantial manufacturing enterprise back to our own shores (without giving up even more tax revenue) would be a substantial beginning if not an absolute necessity, coupled with campaign finance reform including, somehow, a reversal of the Citizens United decision. That's for starters.
The bottom line is that, as likable as he is (and as enticing his call for substantial societal giveaways -- especially among the young and the disadvantaged), Bernie Sanders would almost assuredly fail in the general election. Even if he should somehow manage to win the White House, we could only look forward to four more years of total and complete gridlock in Congress.
Yes, that could happen with Hillary, too, but at least there'd be a glimmer of hope there. Not so with Bernie. He may as well be black and considered Muslim for all the differently he'd be treated and respected from what Obama has been. The word would go out on day one among Congressional conservatives, if not all Republicans: Make sure he's a one term president, and let him accomplish nothing. Zero, zip, nada. This is not going to bring our nation back together.
