Bernie Sanders
Related: About this forumBernie Sanders exclusive: “I never wanted to be a part of such a soulless politics”
Democracy is been rendered dysfunctional, Sanders writes, when billionaires buy elections and voting is restricted
BERNIE SANDERS
Excerpted from "Outsider in the House"
When people say I am too serious, I take it as a compliment. I have always understood politics as a serious endeavor, involving the fates of nations, ideals and human beings who cannot afford to be pawns in a game. I suppose this understanding makes me an outsider in contemporary American politics. But if I am more serious about politics than those candidates who jet from one high-donor fundraiser to the next, or from a Koch Brotherssponsored summit to the Sheldon Adelson primary, I do not think I am more serious than the American people.
The American people want political campaigns to be about candidates stands on the issues, not about fundraising, polls, or the negative ads that overwhelm honest debate. Elections should be influenced by grassroots movements and unexpected coalitions, not by the cult of personality or a billionaires checkbook.
From the time I began to get involved in politics, as a student organizing for civil rights on the University of Chicago campus, as a peace activist in the Vietnam War era, as a supporter of labor unions and peoples struggles, what offended me most about electoral politics was the pettiness. It seemed that the media and political parties were encouraging voters to make decisions of enormous consequence on the basis of whether a candidate had a bright smile or delivered a zinger belittling another candidatenot on the basis of ideas or philosophy, let alone idealism. I never wanted to be a part of such a soulless politics. And across my years of campaigning for causes and for elective office, I think I have done a pretty good job of avoiding it.
The first edition of this book, originally titled Outsider in the House, was written two decades ago, after I had been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Vermont but long before I ever imagined I would campaign for the presidency. It tells the story of how we built an independent progressive politics in one city and then in one state. It is the story of an insurgency that won first the mayoralty of Burlington, Vermonts largest city, and then a statewide congressional seat. More importantly, it is the story of how we used the authority that extended from those victories to make changes for the better in the lives of people who dont have many allies in positions of power.
more
http://www.salon.com/2015/10/11/bernie_sanders_exclusive_i_never_wanted_to_be_a_part_of_such_a_soulless_politics/
cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
WHEN CRABS ROAR
(3,813 posts)Now is the time for a real progressive populist movement, but the message needs to be clear and not overly complex and it needs to be repeated over and over to drive it home into the minds of the people.
Then Bernie will win.
V0ltairesGh0st
(306 posts)but do you always post this same line....
eom"
In response to everything... ?
polemic_realism
(66 posts)While I also agree with the sentiment, I wondering if cantbeserious has a script that auto-shoves that into any and every post concerning Bernie, I am frankly getting quite tired of reading it over and over when scanning for news about a candidate I am highly motivated towards.
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)It will be in addition to my The Essential Bernie.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)CentralMass
(15,265 posts)Last edited Sun Oct 11, 2015, 08:46 PM - Edit history (1)
99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)azmom
(5,208 posts)The part where he states that he doesn't feel lonely anymore touched my heart. What a wonderful read. I feel inspired and fired up to get this wonderful man into the White House.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)mhatrw
(10,786 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)How lucky we are that Bernie decided to run for our president.
I really think he could bring the change we thought we were voting for in 2008.
Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)merrily
(45,251 posts)I kept excusing things as just something Obama had to say or do to get elected or, "oh, everyone in his position does things like that." Still, I was thrilled
roguevalley
(40,656 posts)Given the shit you eat running for office these days and we have seen it here on this forum and around, it is a great deal for me to vote FOR someone who I can RESPECT FULLY. Go, Bernie and thank you for your courage, morality, dignity and focus. You are the most joyful vote I shall ever make in a long life.
RV, with gratitude. This is what a dem is supposed to be.
INdemo
(6,994 posts)There are several blog articles and generic news articles being posted here to try and discredit Bernie Sanders. If that is all the Sanders critics have then I say bring it on because this proves that the Sanders Campaign is having a definite impact and certainly a campaign that has other candidates nervous.
GO BERNIE !!!
Ino
(3,366 posts)could be his opening or closing statement at the debate.
Bernie has soul.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)Thanks for posting.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)Outsider in the White House.
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)Thanks!
stage left
(2,967 posts)I love his seriousness. I'm thrilled to be able to vote for him.
tblue37
(65,597 posts)Autumn
(45,120 posts)We may be outsiders but thanks to you we have a new movement, we are a new Army. I will never go back to being alone in the democratic party.
smokey nj
(43,853 posts)We're all in this together!
Autumn
(45,120 posts)There's nothing in that place or that party for me anymore.
smokey nj
(43,853 posts)DiehardLiberal
(580 posts)PatrickforO
(14,618 posts)ALBliberal
(2,381 posts)Bernie has the moral authority unlike no other in my lifetime. Young Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter and maybe Ted Kennedy are also strong in my book. I don't know much about Elizabeth Warren but from what I do know she has high integrity. Bernie continues to overwhelm. May he continue on this strong judicious path he dedicates his life to. I am so thankful that this presidential election has shone a light on this righteous courageous man.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)ozone_man
(4,825 posts)The others are only politicians, under influence of monied interests.
Uncle Joe
(58,674 posts)I posted the same thing in GDP
Thanks for the thread, n2doc.
n2doc
(47,953 posts)MasonDreams
(756 posts)democrank
(11,117 posts)a truth-telling politician with a conscience, who will never have to apologize for his Iraq War.
raouldukelives
(5,178 posts)The more powerful Wall St becomes, the less the voices of dissent can be heard.
The ever sad reality is that while our democracy is thwarted by a "handful of billionaires, their super PACs, and their lobbyists." They don't become that powerful by accident. They do it with the willful assistance of millions who day in and day out invest in and carry water for Wall St.
The modern Wall St supporter bears much in common with our past slave owners. They both profit from the assured suffering and subjugation of others and they both expand and normalize the institution and its practices by taking part themselves.
It will also only end in the same way. When people of conscience decide they would rather not heap suffering, and most assuredly future suffering, upon the most vulnerable in order to live more comfortably themselves in the short term.
We must break the corporate chains that bind us. The last way to accomplish that is by adding more links.
avaistheone1
(14,626 posts)WillyT
(72,631 posts)Pastiche423
(15,406 posts)I am so thankful that I was able to listen to Bernie's words from only forty feet away.
Go Bernie Go!
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