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Playinghardball

(11,665 posts)
Mon Jun 29, 2015, 01:01 PM Jun 2015

Who is is this Bernie Sanders?

WHO IS THIS BERNIE SANDERS? An Introduction...

So, WHO IS HE?



Seriously, who is this guy that is starting to crop up in damn near every political discussion on the internet?

Here's a start:


If you're anything like me, the past few years of politics has just kind of passed you by. You've been just overall apathetic, condemning the actions of our politicians, while at the same time feeling like it's pointless to even do anything about it.

For me, though, something changed recently. While there has been a constant circlejerk on Reddit, and some on Imgur, over Bernie Sanders, I mostly avoided it. That is until I saw his AMA, live as it unfolded. The sheer honesty and transparency of this man was energizing and I had to find out more.

So, who is this crazy old man who is seeking the Democratic party nomination for presidency, REFUSING SUPER PAC FUNDING?

Who is this nutjob who wants universal healthcare on a single-payer system?

Who in their right mind would ever dare to not run a negative campaign against their opponents?!

That person is Bernie Sanders, the several year mayor of Burlington Vermont, longest serving Independent in Congress, and Democratic Nominee hopeful.

Lemmie walk you through some of what he's done...


Bernie Leads an Anti-segregation Sit-in, 1962

In 1962, Bernie Sanders was already in the fight for civil rights and was a Congress of Racial Equality officer. In this image, he was leading a multi-week sit-in to oppose segregation in off-campus housing owned by the University of Chicago.

About a year after this photo was taken, he visited Washington D.C. for the first time... to march on Washington with Martin Luther King jr., and got to hear the famous "I Have a Dream" speech in person.

Letter by Bernie Sanders Published in 1972


While running as a candidate for the governor of Vermont back in 1972, Sanders published this letter, calling for, among other things, an abolition of laws banning abortion, adultery, drugs, and homosexuality.

In the same letter, he calls for revising our system where taxation on cigarettes somehow brings in more than corporate income taxes, as well as how the Vietnam war, and our general foreign policies, were not only bankrupting us morally, but financially as well.

EDIT NOTE: I misread the part regarding cigarette taxation vs. corporate income and have corrected it. I previously mistook it for calling for higher taxes on cigarettes, when he was asking for a revision on our system that favors taxing average citizens more than large corporations.

Mayor of Burlington, VT, 1981 – 1989


1981, Bernie Sanders won the mayoral race in Burlington, VT, the states largest city, by just 10 votes, defeating the six-term Democrat incumbent, Gordon Paquette.

Under Sanders, the local government in 1984 established the first municipal housing land trust in the country for affordable housing.

In 1986, the owners of the city's largest affordable-housing complex, Northgate Apartments, were attempting to take advantage of a loophole, in a federal subsidization program, allowing the conversion of the buildings into market rentals or luxury condos.

"Over my dead body are you going to displace 336 working families. You are not going to convert Northgate into luxury housing."

For further reading on his time as Mayor, including the conclusion of what happened with Northgate Apartments, read this finely written article:
http://www.thenation.com/article/208849/bernies-burlington-city-sustainable-future

Defense of Marriage Act, 1996


At the time of making this post, only just yesterday the Defense of Marriage Act, passed in 1996, was effectively obliterated when the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional. On the same day, June 26th, two years ago, Section Three defining marriage as only between a man and a woman was struck down.

Back in 1996, only 67 members of the House of Representatives voted against the Defense of Marriage Act, beaten out by an overwhelming 342. One of those 67 was Bernie Sanders.

On the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act in 1999


The Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act (GLBA) is frequently said to be one of the major causes of our economic collapse. When the House voted to pass it with 362 votes, Bernie Sanders was one of only 57 who opposed it.

The GLBA attempted to modernize financial services, by ending regulations that prevented the merging of banks, and insurance and stock brokerage companies, ultimately allowing the set-up of institutions that are, as the popular phrase goes, "too big to fail", meaning that if there is imminent failure the government has no choice but to prop them up. When institutions so greatly affect the economy by being so large and interconnected, failure can result in an incredible collapse of the economy... which we witnessed.

Bernie Sanders was one of the few who tried to prevent this.

The Patriot Act, 2001


"All of us want to protect the American people from terrorist attacks, but in a way that does not undermine basic freedoms," -Bernie Sanders

In 2001, the House of Representatives passed the USA PATRIOT Act, 357 to 66, and the Senate went on to pass it with only ONE senator, out of 99, voting against it (Shout out to Russ Feingold for that!).

While being one of the 66 who opposed it, Bernie Sanders also voted against the re-authorization of the act in 2006 and 2011.

Earlier this month, he, along with 32 other senators, voted against the modified version, the USA Freedom Act, saying it did not go far enough to protect the freedoms and privacy of American citizens.

Bernie Sanders Voted Against the Iraq War in 2002.


In 2002, Bernie Sanders spoke out against the Iraq War, urging the House of Representatives to avoid an unnecessary and expensive war.

In his 5 minute speech to the House (
), he questions the reasons of starting a war, citing reports of US intelligence agencies showing Saddam Hussein was unlikely to mount a chemical or biological warfare on us, as well as noting that abruptly invading Iraq would be far more dangerous to our country.

He goes on to list five reasons why invading Iraq is a bad idea. To summarize:

1. No estimates were given on how many young American men and women might die, or how many tens of thousands of women or children in Iraq might be killed.

2. Concerns over the precedent a unilateral invasion could establish in terms of international law and the role of the U.N.

3. Already in a war against international terrorism, in warfare we have never truly experienced before, attacking Iraq would jeopardize the global counterterrorist campaign we have undertaken.

4. With a $6 trillion national debt and a growing deficit, war and long-term occupation of Iraq could be extremely expensive.

5. Once Saddam is removed, there will likely be a civil war, and how will the US handle it? Will governments in the region be overthrown by Islamic extremists? Will the Israel and Palestinian conflict grow worse?

"War must be the last recourse in international relations, not the first."

The House, despite Bernie Sanders' best efforts, voted in favor of the Iraq War, 296 votes to 133.



Bernie Isn't Telling Us He Can Fix It All For Us


He knows there's a process that EVERYONE must participate in for real change to happen. He knows that even if he gets elected, he alone cannot fix everything. We're not to sit tight and wait for things to move our way, we have to make it happen, regardless of who is sitting in the Oval Office.

It just helps to have someone at the highest positions pushing on the other side for us, and we need someone to do just that. Someone who walks the walk, who practices what he preaches. He has followed the same principles he has spoken about his entire career.

So if you like the idea of universal healthcare, free higher education, more money into education, medicine, alternative energy, and many other good things, then give Bernie Sanders some consideration.



Resources:
https://berniesanders.com/about

/r/SandersForPresident:
http://www.reddit.com/r/SandersForPresident/

Bernie AMA:
http://www.reddit.com/r/iama/comments/36j690/i_am_senator_bernie_sanders_democratic_candidate/

OnTheIssues page, summarizing his voting record: http://www.ontheissues.org/Bernie_Sanders.htm

Daily Show on Sanders:
http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/l7uzqg/democalypse-2016---bernie-sanders-kicks-off-his-presidential-campaign

Bernie against Iraq War:


Bernie Sanders interview with Katy Couric:


Bernie vs. Rand Paul on universal healthcare:


On his time as Mayor of Burlington:
http://www.thenation.com/article/208849/bernies-burlington-city-sustainable-future

"In 180 Seconds You Will Be Voting for Bernie Sanders" (Video):


http://imgur.com/gallery/YcvCp

40 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Who is is this Bernie Sanders? (Original Post) Playinghardball Jun 2015 OP
Hope the hosts consider pinning this. eom Cleita Jun 2015 #1
What does pinning mean ??? SamKnause Jun 2015 #2
At the top of each forum are posts that are deemed informative so Cleita Jun 2015 #4
Thank you. SamKnause Jun 2015 #6
. Snotcicles Jun 2015 #7
Thanks SamKnause Jun 2015 #8
K&R SamKnause Jun 2015 #3
Omigosh, what an outstanding post! Thank you so much. merrily Jun 2015 #5
One thing I really love about him passiveporcupine Jun 2015 #9
You've been pinned hootinholler Jun 2015 #10
Awesome! Playinghardball Jun 2015 #11
WHO IS THIS BERNIE SANDERS? Kalidurga Jun 2015 #12
I would love to show this to our community at our local library! Rosa Luxemburg Jun 2015 #13
Wow! Kicked and recommended a whole bunch! Enthusiast Jun 2015 #14
Wow DeeDeeNY Jun 2015 #15
Sanders, eh? Blue Owl Jun 2015 #16
Kickety rec!! hifiguy Jun 2015 #17
I made this. RadicalElation Jul 2015 #18
This is a political discussion board Rhiannon12866 Jul 2015 #19
Welcome to DU! Check us out and excuse the mess... ms liberty Jul 2015 #26
A truly magnificent post! Thank you so much! eom Stardust Jul 2015 #20
Who's Sanders? OnlyBernieBurnsBush Jul 2015 #21
That's my kind of Bipartisanship! OnlyBernieBurnsBush Jul 2015 #22
Beautiful work Hardball! I will be forwarding this to undecided friends. Indepatriot Jul 2015 #23
Who Bernie Sanders is. ptw632 Jul 2015 #24
This is an amazing post! Avalux Jul 2015 #25
Bernie Campaign Speech 7/17 CarolinaDad Jul 2015 #27
I'll tell you who he is Aerows Jul 2015 #28
Bernie Sanders CAN WIN, if he would get more media coverage SpaceTimeTraveler Aug 2015 #29
One Question: knixphan Aug 2015 #30
Question theldsthinker Aug 2015 #31
How do you want to respond? GP6971 Aug 2015 #32
Video I made about Bernie just before he announced omegapoint24 Aug 2015 #33
This is a really good watch.... KoKo Sep 2015 #39
This is an incredible post! sabrina 1 Aug 2015 #34
I'm going to put this right here, because this is Bernie Sanders. Today. Autumn Sep 2015 #35
Who is Bernie Sanders? macredsmile Sep 2015 #36
Why I am voting for Bernie Sanders. macredsmile Sep 2015 #37
Great Post on Bernie! And, Resource Reference! KoKo Sep 2015 #38
Bernie's an American original. MainSt99 Oct 2015 #40

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
4. At the top of each forum are posts that are deemed informative so
Mon Jun 29, 2015, 01:20 PM
Jun 2015

they are "pinned" with a little red pin head on them so they don't sink and a readily available.

SamKnause

(13,043 posts)
6. Thank you.
Mon Jun 29, 2015, 01:28 PM
Jun 2015

What does the folder and pencil mean ?

What does the folder and pencil with flames mean ?

What does the folder and pencil with an x mean.

P.S. I am not sure if it is a folder and pencil, but that is

what it looks like to me.

 

Snotcicles

(9,089 posts)
7. .
Mon Jun 29, 2015, 01:59 PM
Jun 2015

What does the folder and pencil mean ? .....It means that it's a discussion.

What does the folder and pencil with flames mean ?......It's a hot discussion I think 50 or more replys.

What does the folder and pencil with an x mean...... It's been delete.

P.S. I am not sure if it is a folder and pencil, but that is..... I think it's a note pad and pencil.

I'm just guessing on all this though.

passiveporcupine

(8,175 posts)
9. One thing I really love about him
Mon Jun 29, 2015, 03:44 PM
Jun 2015

Is he is going to prove you don't need to go negative to win. He is a truly moral person. That is the best word to describe him.

Rosa Luxemburg

(28,627 posts)
13. I would love to show this to our community at our local library!
Mon Jun 29, 2015, 08:31 PM
Jun 2015

We should do some 'learnie Bernie' town halls in every community!

RadicalElation

(2 posts)
18. I made this.
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:17 PM
Jul 2015

Hey there,

Can anyone tell me what this site is and for what reason this was posted here? I'm the creator of that Imgur album and am just curious where my post is reaching so I have a better idea on how to expand and reiterate.

Thanks!

Rhiannon12866

(203,041 posts)
19. This is a political discussion board
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:31 PM
Jul 2015

We post information about Democratic candidates and this group supports Bernie Sanders. Welcome and feel free to look around.

ms liberty

(8,480 posts)
26. Welcome to DU! Check us out and excuse the mess...
Fri Jul 17, 2015, 02:11 PM
Jul 2015

Right now we're conducting our primary wars, and our housekeeping tends to take a backseat, while everyone's busy arguing.

 
21. Who's Sanders?
Sun Jul 5, 2015, 09:18 PM
Jul 2015

He's the candidate who believes that we can't defeat Islamic terrorism by bringing down secular regimes in the Middle East and Northern Africa.

 
22. That's my kind of Bipartisanship!
Sun Jul 5, 2015, 09:21 PM
Jul 2015

Working with moderate Republicans on pro-working family initiatives opposed by the local Democratic Political Bosses. Laguardia would be proud.

ptw632

(3 posts)
24. Who Bernie Sanders is.
Wed Jul 8, 2015, 01:52 PM
Jul 2015

He is a Social Democrat, different from a Socialist in the way that Social Democrats are for a mellow form of Socialism inside a
capitalism model.

He is FOR a raise in minimum wage ($15/hr)

For Government funded college

Neutral on gun control

He wants to break apart the Wall Street banks because " If they're too big to fail, they're too big to exist".

Avalux

(35,015 posts)
25. This is an amazing post!
Fri Jul 17, 2015, 01:22 PM
Jul 2015

I've forwarded it to my friends and family; they already like Sanders but this is a must read for everyone! Thanks for putting it together.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
28. I'll tell you who he is
Thu Jul 30, 2015, 10:34 PM
Jul 2015

He's going to be the 45th President of the United States of America if I and over 100,000 people alone that showed up to listen to him in homes across our land.

Does Hillary have people turning out in droves to hear her speeches, hosted by people that spend their own money for the spread?

29. Bernie Sanders CAN WIN, if he would get more media coverage
Tue Aug 4, 2015, 06:10 PM
Aug 2015

Bernie Sanders needs to stand firm on his socialist ideology and not let the right-wing media turn him from a Progressive into a Liberal or Moderate.

He needs to double down on taxing the rich, raising the minimum wage to $20/hour and climate change.
That's how he can win this election, by reaffirming that socialism and communism is not a big bad thing.

theldsthinker

(1 post)
31. Question
Wed Aug 12, 2015, 08:14 PM
Aug 2015

A guy told me

"Heavy regulations = against capitalism. Big business can only persist in any evil when enabled by ignorance and/or government. When when business is "Big" we do not have "capitalism". In true capitalism business can always be taken elsewhere. Big businesses can handle big regulation and often write them. Heavy regulation favors big business and locks out smaller competitors from even starting in many cases. Bernie's brand of Big G control will only add to the problem."

How can I respond?

omegapoint24

(1 post)
33. Video I made about Bernie just before he announced
Thu Aug 13, 2015, 11:17 AM
Aug 2015

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="

" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

macredsmile

(3 posts)
36. Who is Bernie Sanders?
Mon Sep 14, 2015, 11:20 PM
Sep 2015

This poster was made by a women from Central Ohio Grassroots for Bernie Sanders. Feel free to share. Go Bernie ! http://imgur.com/gallery/ZWYVwsT/new

macredsmile

(3 posts)
37. Why I am voting for Bernie Sanders.
Mon Sep 14, 2015, 11:26 PM
Sep 2015

He want to reinstate the Glass-Steagall act and is against the TPP trade deal.

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