Iowa's Nick Johnson: Why I'm Supporting Bernie Sanders For President

[mhatrw]

http://www.thegazette.com/subject/opinion/guest-columnists/why-im-supporting-bernie-sanders-for-president-20160126

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The ultimate solution was found in a question I have put to presidential candidates then, and throughout the years since, often in Iowa living rooms. “Senator, let’s make two assumptions. One, those of us here think you are ‘right on the issues.’ And two, you are elected president. Now tell us, why will coal mine owners have less ability to maintain coal miners’ unsafe working conditions than they do now?” (One could substitute the military-industrial complex’s control of defense budgets, or oil company subsidies.) Some candidates would stare blankly. Some would become angry. Apparently, few if any had ever thought about the problem, and none offered a solution.

When I put the question to Senator Barack Obama in 2007, he replied, “Well, Nick, I’ve been a community organizer.” I’d visited with Saul Alinsky and read his books. Both Obama and I were familiar with Heather Booth’s Midwest Academy in Chicago, where I’d learned community organizing. I too quickly leapt to the conclusion that Obama got it. He would become our national community organizer-in-chief! I was mistaken.

Senator Sanders not only gets it, he makes it explicit. He rejects chants of “Bernie, Bernie” by saying, “this is not about ‘me,’ it’s about ‘we.’” “This campaign is about creating a movement of millions of Americans fighting to transform our country with demands that government represent all of us,” he’s said.

Of course, like most Americans, I like his specific proposals — increased minimum wage, health care for all, higher taxes on the wealthy, avoiding unnecessary wars, tuition-free college, jobs improving infrastructure, and many more. But far more important than the specifics is his belief that government should serve all the people, the socio-economic bottom as well as the top 1 percent. That a government of the major donors, by the lobbyists, for the wealthy is not what the founders had in mind. That when candidates of either the Democratic or Republican parties’ establishments talk of proposals, the results look a lot more like capitulation in the cause of campaign contributions than compromise on behalf of the American people.

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[studyshare]

1. K&R

[RiverLover]

2. Most of us who worked (passionately) to elect Obama were mistaken.

Lets hope for change that we can right the wrong with Bernie 2016.

[AtomicKitten]

3. What's remarkable is the resuscitation of hopes dashed

It required constancy and Bernie delivers.

[Mbrow]

4. Good point, I'm hoping

this time it will be better. I met the man a long time ago in a small setting for a couple of hours. we had about 10 people there and had plenty of time to chat. Let me tell you based on his speeches he has not changed a bit. His compassion and commitment is the same. But even if he turns out to be not as good as we hope he is, he is still light years ahead of the others.

[RiverLover]

6. You're so lucky to have met him!

Thanks for sharing your personal insight. Very cool! And yes, he's light years ahead of anyone else. His actions back up his rhetoric, so I think this time we've got it right.

[Mbrow]

7. Thanks, it was

oh about 25-30 years ago in San diego, my wife was DSA and he came to talk to the local group. Nice people, but they were all college professors and that type. Again nice people and their hearts were in the right place but they never had to go hungry. So I was the only person there who was hard core blue collar, I turn a wrench for a living. When you talked to Bernie you KNEW he got it and had been there.

[raouldukelives]

5. I take umbrage at this idea that it is just the 1% causing issues.

It takes many minor donors to make a major one.

It basically boils down to Wall St and corporations. There are many hands on deck for them, willing to put in long hours, willing to invest in the cause, willing to remain silent when liberal ideals are bashed in front of their faces by bosses and fellow employees. Even with the knowledge they are laboring for, providing comfort to, and eventually becoming owners themselves of the very corporations who make life harder, if not downright impossible, for so many. With a liberal conscience like that, who needs a conservative one?

We live under the most honest representation, the most progressive change, they will allow. They have chose the side of Wall St, and that is fine, it is a free country, all I ask is they at least be honest with others and oneself when it comes to self-affixed labels. One cannot simultaneously fund the war against democracy and at the same time be counted as an opponent to that war. No more than one could frack the earth and be known as an environmentalist, own slaves and be counted as an abolitionist or run dog fights and be member of PETA.

[Mbrow]

8. A Good point as well, Thanks

[rurallib]

9. damn, I only get one rec.

wish I had more.