Bernie's vanity is costing us money. Literally.

[CrowCityDem]

This discussion thread was locked by EarlG (a host of the 2016 Postmortem forum).

We can argue all we want about the symbolic meaning of Bernie dropping out of the race and endorsing Hillary now, versus when he has no other choice, but there's an aspect of the story that I had forgotten, until I was just reminded of it.

Bernie Sanders is still receiving Secret Service protection. That's right. Bernie, the person who has all but admitted he is refusing to the say the magic words because of a discussion about the platform (which happens regardless) is costing taxpayers money by refusing to concede. Is this just another example of Bernie's ego getting the better of him?

I don't know the answer to that, but I do know that it's disgraceful that someone who knows he has lost is taking time and money away from the Secret Service that could be better spent dealing with actual threats.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Just stop it...

Your side won. GET over it...

Skinner was RIGHT!

[eastwestdem]

35. Would you be upset if O'Malley had a tax-payer funded Secret Service detail, or Fiorina, or Cruz?

I would...it's expensive and doesn't make any sense for Sanders to still be receiving this perk. In an article from February, the cost of this service is $38,000 per day. So far, the tax-payers have paid over 5 million dollars for Sanders to be protected. If nothing else, it's time for him to give this up.

http://www.rollcall.com/news/crowded_presidential_race_could_strain_secret_service_budget-245762-1.html

[Eric J in MN]

37. O'Malley isn't in a position to fight to get liberal policies

...from the HRC campaign and Sanders is.

[eastwestdem]

38. I'm talking about the expense TO THE TAXPAYERS of a non-viable presidential candidate getting

Secret Service protection. The political views of the candidate is not the issue.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

44. oh well

when Hillary is indicted it won't go to waste

[Red Mountain]

52. LOL.......yes, it costs money

Keeping a B-52 in the air for just ONE hour costs a little more than twice that.

[840high]

54. .that^

[Hortensis]

65. I agree, Cooley Hurd. But not all of us

endorse this petty sniping. I was waiting for months of poor-loser acting out to finally end and never expected all these bad winners to join them. Unbelievable.

CrowCityDem, Sanders is a national figure and still a candidate for president. Imo your post is a mirror image of the anti-Hillary trash. Surely you can rise above the bernista behavior? It's such a low bar and it could be argued that they at least have disappointment to use as an excuse (though not by me).

[Android3.14]

3. Just a microscopic fraction of the cost of Clinton's next war

Just like it is a microscopic fraction of her previous war, the cost of our prison system and cost of college.

But you won't consider that.

Let us know when you get your priorities straightened out.

[eastwestdem]

39. And that's how you judge goverment spending? Interesting. nt

[LeFleur1]

83. The Problem

The problem seems to be no matter what the utopia costs, or how long it takes, or if it NEVER happens because we have a Senate, House, Supreme Court and President, Bernie supporters are going with UTOPIA. If unwisely spending taxpayer dollars today means taking food from babies, poor people, stopping the NRA, human rights, so be it. None of it is as important as the elusive utopia that some think they can force on the rest of us. The votes for the Democratic nominee indicate their utopia is not the same as the reality Democrats favor because we believe it is within our grasp if we elect someone who can work within our government, who has foreign policy experience, who can negotiate, who believes in the goals of America. No matter what Bernie tells us, there is no magic wand that makes HIS ideas into workable plans that would pass the Senate and House. There is a way to make changes, but it isn't a revolution let by a conscientious objector with no foreign policy experience, and little negotiating experience.

[Android3.14]

86. The thing about utopia

Reaching for it with great effort has rarely, if ever, destroyed a nation, unlike warfare. It's like striving for peace. A self-actualized person recognizes we will never-ever-ever achieve a good and lasting peace, but striving for that peace is the only way to avoid the ravages of war (extinction level ravages today, unlike in the past).

Utopia is like that.

Sanders never promised utopia. If we lack the will to strive for it, then we must suffer the banal and atavistic disparities we have faced since we invented the tribe. Utopia? Wayon. Peddle that elsewhere.

What he promised was a government based on dignity, and dignity ought to become a part of the strata of the bedrock on which we build our nation.

[Autumn]

4. I love this OP

It expresses what the democratic party has become, perfectly

[nc4bo]

6. Tells us all ya need to know plus some ya didn't..... but suspected :-) nt

[Autumn]

8. They are so open and honest about it. In a strange way I am very

grateful for it. It's like when a cataract is removed. The clarity is stunning.

[arcane1]

62. Skinner gave them a sense of courage to hang themselves with.

And they're hanging themselves in spectacular fashion

[CrowCityDem]

11. Liberals are supposed to be fine with wasting our resources where they aren't needed?

[Autumn]

14. Why not? Liberals are fine wasting resources on unending wars. Take the complement, it's sincere.

I love your OP. It captures what the democratic party is now is and what DU has become. Everything changes, nothing stands still.

[840high]

55. .+1

[Ken Burch]

22. There are a lot of people who would like to see Bernie and Jane dead.

Their lives are no less valuable than Hillary and Bill's.

[swhisper1]

29. self delete buddy, then seek professional help

[FSogol]

77. No there are not.

[pandr32]

81. Anything Bernie does is a non-issue

...as far as his supporters are concerned, and anything and everything to do with Hillary Clinton somehow is spun to prove that she is a horrible person to lead the Democratic Party and even worse for the country and the world...sigh.

Why even try to talk about the fact that Bernie is wasting taxpayer dollars needlessly, as just one example of a no-no?

Gawd forbid someone should mention any of the other serious problems relating to him.

[eastwestdem]

40. Which is likely why Sanders has not been accepted as a Democrat. nt

[HumanityExperiment]

51. ^^^ THIS ^^^

outstanding reply

[BlueCaliDem]

76. No one is stopping you or any other Disenchanted from supporting a different Party - like the

Socialist Party or Green Party. In fact, they'd be much obliged to have more members - and donations - in order to finally get off the ground.

[Autumn]

79. Of course no one is stopping me from supporting a different party, just like no one is forcing

me to support the democratic party. Don't know what you're getting at and not interested enough in what you say to figure it out. It's still a fucking awesome OP.

[BlueCaliDem]

84. What I'm getting at is, if the Democratic Party is not working out for you or your dreams and goals,

perhaps any of the other Parties vying for power in this country might be more attractive to you and can prove to be a better fit. Why do you want to change the Democratic Party? It's doing just fine.

I like the Democratic Party just the way it is. It's not too left. It's not too right. It's juuuuuust right.

And for the record, just as I disagree with your politics, I disagree with you on how awesome the OP.

[Autumn]

85. I'm well over 60, never missed an election and a registered dem all my life until last year

never voted for a republican in my life and not going to start now. I don't believe anything is juuuuuustright and certainly not political parties. I still think the OP is awesome as I explained in my other posts . YMMV. Bye and have a good day.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. He deserves Secret Service through the Convention.

[riversedge]

30. I recall a story from long ago--

Don't know why it stuck in my mind. But it was the day after Kerry lost the Pres. Election (I know different situation). Anyway, he went back to his Senate office and folks greeted him warmly --and Kerry was talking about how he went home the night before-- (election night). The house was dark, no one around, the Secret Service had left etc etc


The S Service left quickly. Wonder what happens to primary candidates.

[BlueCaliDem]

78. He most definitely does, and no one should question it. eom

[NorthCarolina]

7. The Bernie hate is strong amongst neoliberals, so I know when it comes to populism he's

the real deal. I becoming a bit suspicious of their sudden interest in Elizabeth Warren though.

[mythology]

9. Ugh this is silly.

You do realize the cost of a Secret Service detail is the equivalent of change in the couch cushion to the federal government?

[pangaia]

10. Oh, Jesus on a stick!!

[cali]

12. you are frothing. In post after post after post after post

It is not a pretty sight.

Get over it. Your candidate won. She's the nominee.

Graciousness from winners and the utter lack of it, as you so sadly and repetitively exhibit, are indications of character.

[QC]

13. This sounds like something a freeper would say. n/t

[Autumn]

15. I would ask what the cost of the FBI investigation and the man hours put in sorting

out which of her e mails belong to State and the people and which are personal and belong to her but I'm not a freeper and I'm smart enough to understand that there are costs to all aspects of our democracy and our government. Elections and running for office are not "free stuff".

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. +1 Best answer.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. I'm glad to hear that Humble Hillary refuses SS protection to save money.

[CrowCityDem]

18. 1. She's the candidate. 2. She's a former first lady. 3. Bernie is just a Senator at this point.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

19. And, we're payin' for it. Like it or not.

[Autumn]

21. Funny how paying for Trumps and Hills SS gets no complaints at all.

Things that make you go hummm.

[QC]

26. The superfanz here hate Bernie way, way more than Trump.

Funny how that works, isn't it?

[okasha]

42. The only reason I'm ok

with Secret Service protection for the Yam is that theit presence keeps his private thugs from attacking any non-Trumpets at his rallies.

[CrowCityDem]

24. Yes. Actual candidates require and deserve the protection. Not people strining it out like Bernie.

[Armstead]

48. If it's such a concern, I'm sure you agree the Clintons could have saved the US a lot of money by...

Hiring a security firm out of the $200 Million net worth when both were not running for office or holding office.

[eastwestdem]

92. Again, the United States goverment deems the protection of past presidents and their families to be

a national security issue. Even when they are out of office, they still have information that could be of value to foreign governments or terrorist organizations. It makes sense to use tax payer money to protect them. It doesn't make sense to provide expensive protection for people who don't want to concede and have no hope of advancing their campaign.

[Ken Burch]

20. It's enough that he get out at the convention and doesn't attack HRC between now and then.

Sanders supporters can only influence the platform if Bernie doesn't drop out. If he gets out now, it will be 100% HRC stuff and the status quo inside the party organization will be locked in place for the next four years.

And why should he give up Secret Service protection, when there are plenty of whackos out there who would like to harm or even kill Bernie and Jane. You don't think the nation's antisemites and right-wing maniacs have them in their sites?

You are being petty in dwelling on this Secret Service issue.

[CrowCityDem]

23. What?

"Sanders supporters can only influence the platform is Bernie doesn't drop out."

His delegates will be there whether he suspends or not, unless they're too disenchanted to show up. The discussions on the floor don't change.

[Ken Burch]

25. HRC will simply control everything if Bernie withdraws before the convention.

It makes no difference to HRC's fall chances whether Bernie drops out now or at Philly.

Only the right wing of the party would benefit from Bernie getting out immediately.

It's enough that he's not going negative on her anymore.

[CrowCityDem]

28. She controls everything anyway, since she has more delegates.

[blackspade]

95. It doesn't work like that.

It's called coalition building.
Something that most DUers are trying to do, you being one of the exceptions.

[liberal from boston]

45. Senator Sanders

Exactly. I remember when shots were fired at Bernie's Nevada Campaign office (Bernie was present) & his campaign workers living quarters ransacked. Secret Service initially thought it was an attempted assassination.

[JHB]

27. Seriously?

Since when has snapping you fingers in someone's face been a sign of unity?

[Vinca]

31. He's a U.S. Senator. He has SS protection anyway if need be.

Think back to 2008 and how Hillary cost us money. And by us I mean Obama supporters. She wouldn't go away until she got cash on the barrel head to pay her campaign debt.

[Lord Magus]

71. No, senators don't normally have SS protection.

That's not part of the Secret Service's mission unless the senator in question is a former president (it's happened, once), the spouse of a former president or a current candidate for president or VP.

[Vinca]

74. I was wrong and you're correct. They're protected by the Capitol Police.

Now . . . who wants to start a thread about how Bernie is wasting the government money because a Capitol Police officer might protect him? I know somewhere on this forum there is a divisive person who opts to trash Bernie rather boost Hillary who will be more than willing to start a discussion.

[Miles Archer]

32. Let's get one thing straight...he ALWAYS has "a choice."

"We can argue all we want about the symbolic meaning of Bernie dropping out of the race and endorsing Hillary now, versus when he has no other choice, but ..."

Maybe a better option for you would be to focus exclusively on getting the candidate of your choice elected, rather than focusing on Sanders.

He'll drop out of the race when he feels that the time has come, and an "endorsement" is not automatically wrapped around that.

And an "endorsement" may never come. That's his right. To say that he will have "no other choice" is completely false.

[AgingAmerican]

33. Ah, you poor thing....

Did it take you all morning to dream this nonsense up?

[beachbum bob]

34. still wondering whats in sander's tax returns that so important not show the american people...

sanders joins trump as the only major candidness refusing to release last 10 years or more of tax returns....the fact the bernie says one thing and acts another is bothersome for a guy running on some type of "moral high ground"...luckily he is not our nomineee....he would never survive the vetting in front of the american people

[Motown_Johnny]

36. An excellent example of how dishonest Clinton supporters can be.

You don't give a damn about the Secret Service protection and we all know it.


You will use anything, no matter how dishonest, to attack anything that is even slightly inconvenient for Hillary.


Sad.

[dchill]

63. +1

[arcane1]

64. Remember: the marching orders weren't to defeat Sanders, but to "disqualify" him.

I'm surprised the OP was clever enough to notice the difference.

[JI7]

41. this sounds like the right wing racists resentful things are being taken

from them .

[aikoaiko]

43. I'm good with it.

[Armstead]

46. The lamest post in a long time

[pdsimdars]

47. Hillary's vanity will cost us the presidency. . . . . really, under criminal investigation

and she still has the nerve to push forward.

[Live and Learn]

49. Still complaining about your taxes, I see. nt

[QC]

50. Looks like Brock sent the memo to Slate.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/06/19/sanders_refusal_to_end_campaign_costs_taxpayers_38_000_a_day.html

[Autumn]

58. That ass Brock knows a thing or two about wasting taxpayer money from when he

went after Bill for years . Investigation after investigation that he had a hand in.

[notadmblnd]

53. Wow! That .01% of one cent must really be causing a hardship on you and yours.

[George Eliot]

56. Enough about Bernie. Small part of Clinton's military budget. You'll get used to it.

Spending money I mean.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

59. When Bernie becomes president - money well spent

[Live and Learn]

57. Are you worried about the 40 Billion we are giving to Israel for 'free'stuff'?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512205089

[MelissaB]

67. +1000

[Perogie]

60. you're not too bright

It's not like they would fire these guys if they stopped protecting Bernie, so it really isn't costing anything extra. We still have to pay them even if they were sitting at the Secret Service HQ waiting for an assignment.

Hilliary won, get over Bernie.

[arcane1]

61. Counting down to next week, when stupid shit like this is forbidden.

Maybe you'll grow up, too. Doubt it.

[azurnoir]

66. It's nice to see that priorities are being set

[NorthCarolina]

68. If Hillary is already the nominee, then why don't they just remove Bernie's SSP? -nt-

[riversedge]

70. Because she is the presumptive nominee.

[NorthCarolina]

72. To hear her supporters tell it, sounds like a pretty done deal to me. Now what's that you say about

"presumptive"?

[Cali_Democrat]

96. How many superdelegates has Bernie flipped since the Washington DC primary? nt

[Gothmog]

69. Agreed

[Orsino]

73. The policies Sanders campaigns to end are costing us far more.

Try again.

[Betty Karlson]

75. Stunning reach-out effort from the presumptive nominee's side.

What shall we name the river you are about to cry?

[Exilednight]

80. Denial?

[AntiBank]

82. piss in the ocean compared to the 40 billion we are tossing to Israel

[jillan]

87. This is up to Homeland Security not Bernie. STOP IT!

[Greywing]

88. Regardless of where they are assigned they are still on the Secret Service payroll

It is NOT costing the American taxpayer more money

[LoverOfLiberty]

89. For the love of god

and in the spirit of the new TOS, please let this thread die.

We've moved on.

[bonemachine]

90. you can't kill a thread

By responding to it.

[Vote2016]

93. And "costing us money" means more than any value dear to us capitalists!

[blackspade]

94. For fuck sake, Really?

Please self delete this obvious smear.