So why can't Bernie get his policies in to law

[upaloopa]

as a Senator?

Rachel quoted a repub the other night who said if Trump won their nomination he was sure Hillary would be president and she would get the Senate back and possibly the House.

So Bernie gets $15 per hr through that new congress, Hillary would not veto it.

If he got single payer passed Hillary would not veto it.

There is as much chance for these things (maybe better) if Bernie were a Senator and Hillary were President.

[merrily]

1. Why couldn't Hillary get her policies into law, when she was in the Senate

Given she tried for a flag desecration bill twice, I am not complaining. However, the only bills or amendments that she wrote that got passed were ceremonial.

Wait: one Republican said she'd get back the House and the Senate--and that means she will?

In particular, the House is not expected to turn Democratic until after 2020, if then.

[MeNMyVolt]

2. Gerrymandering.

It will be the death of us all.

I agree with, and rec, the rest of your post.

[elleng]

3. I don't have a ready answer to that question but

I know that as governor, Martin O'Malley got many, and even controversial policies and plans, into law.

SOME of his accomplishments:

1. Ended death penalty in Maryland
2. Prevented fracking in Maryland and put regulations in the way to prevent next GOP Gov Hogan fom easily allowing fracking.
3. Provided health insurance for 380,000
4. Reduced infant mortality to an all time low.
5. Provided meals to thousands of hungry children and moved toward a goal for eradicating childhood hunger.
6. Enacted a $10.10 living wage and a $11. minimum wage for State workers.
7. Supporter the Dream Act
8. Cut income taxes for 86% of Marylanders (raised taxes on the rich).
9. Reformed Maryland’s tax code to make it more progressive.
10. Enacted some of the nation’s most comprehensive reforms to protect homeowners from foreclosure.

Mother Jones magazine called him the best candidate on environmental issues.
Article here:
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/12/martin-omalley-longshot-presidential-candidate-and-real-climate-hawk

[R B Garr]

6. Martin OM is doing all the right things at his age that

Bernie should have been doing but waited until now. It's hard to take a man his age seriously who has been in government for decades but only now wants an instant revolution. MOM is laying a great groundwork for future recognition.

[Eric J in MN]

10. Bernie Sanders became a US Senator in 2007.

He would have liked to have become one sooner. He first ran for the US Senate in 1972.

[Historic NY]

31. He was a Member of the house of Representatives from 1991 - 2007.

[BlueMTexpat]

16. Absolutely agree! eom

[Tommy2Tone]

4. So Bernie with no significant legislative accomplishments...

is now going to get single payer and a $15 minimum wage pass? These are items that presidents get passed no senators.

[MaggieD]

7. The idea is laughable

As if being president would suddenly make him effective after 25 years of not being effective. LOL!

[Bjorn Against]

5. Can you name a Democrat in the Senate who can get their policies into law right now?

I don't know if you noticed but Republicans control both houses of Congress right now. Republicans will not bring Democratic bills up for a vote. Bernie is not the only one who can't get things passed, no Democrat can at this time.

[MaggieD]

8. So how come he couldn't do it in 2009 / 2010?

He didn't even try to advance single payer during the ACA debate when Dems had the majority in both houses. He simply has ZERO effectiveness or political power.

[Eric J in MN]

11. Since Bernie Sanders became a US Senator in 2007

...he didn't have a high-ranking position in the Senate in 2009-2010.

He did get $11 billion for community health centers in the ACA.

[gordyfl]

12. "Bernie Sanders Pushes for the Public Option"

"The Senate has the 50 votes necessary to pass a public health insurance option using the budget reconciliation process", Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Thursday.

Sanders, a self-described "democratic socialist" who supports the government-run plan, urged President Barack Obama to push for the public option even though the possibility of passing it appeared to die this week.

"I think we do have 50 votes in the Senate for a public option and frankly I don't know why the president has not put it in and I hope that we can inject it," Sanders said on MSNBC. "I think it's a very important part of healthcare reform."


http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/83641-sanders-senate-has-the-votes-to-pass-public-option-via-reconciliation

[MaggieD]

13. Yes, he has failed time and time again

And he talks out of both sides of his mouth:

"Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) reminded the progressive media gathered on Capitol Hill today that single-payer health care reform was dead before it started in the Senate.

"It would have had 8 or 10 votes and that's it," he said, addressing a topic central in the minds of many who the bloggers and left wing talk show hosts gathered for the 4th annual Senate Democratic Progressive Media Summit in Washington reach everyday.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/sanders-single-payer-never-had-a-chance

[gordyfl]

21. (Only) Three Democrats Voted Against It

When Bernie said "8 to 10 votes"....you know what he means? He was referring to the Senate Finance Committee.

"The votes, in the Senate Finance Committee, underscored divisions among Democrats and were a setback for President Obama, who has endorsed the public plan as a way to “keep insurance companies honest.”

The first proposal, by Senator John D. Rockefeller IV of West Virginia, was rejected 15 to 8, as five Democrats joined all Republicans on the panel in voting no. The second proposal, by Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, was defeated 13 to 10, with three Democrats voting no.


Here's the more detailed link...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/health/policy/30health.html

[MaggieD]

22. So he failed with a Dem majority - right?

Couldn't even get it out of committee - like almost all his bills. Right?

[NurseJackie]

59. Wow! I did not know that.

[Broward]

18. Tough get anything progressive passed with so many corporate Dems (like Hillary)

and Repubs in Congress.

[upaloopa]

15. I am saying in the future

But I would like to know if voting for Bernie and his policies is with the understanding that they wouldn't get through Congress?

[Bjorn Against]

24. Voting for any Democrat right now is with the understanding that they won't get anything passed

With Republicans in charge no Democratic bills are going anywhere, but I would rather have a leader who tries and fails than a leader who doesn't even try.

[Tommy2Tone]

29. Hasn't stopped the left from blaming Obama.

[Bjorn Against]

33. I am on the left and I did not blame Obama, now can you answer the question?

Can you name another Democrat in the Senate that is able to get bills passed right now?

[Tommy2Tone]

43. I can't name a Democrat president who can get anything done now..

How's that. It's why we need to take back the house and senate.

[Bleacher Creature]

42. He's in prime position when the Independents take the Senate!

[gordyfl]

9. Bernie Will Have Plenty of Help

[MaggieD]

14. LOL - uh huh

[leftofcool]

32. All those millions of millennials (that never vote)

All those millions of millennials will drape themselves across the Capitol steps and magically, there will be single payer, $15.00 per hour minimum wage, free college for all, billions of dollars in student debt will suddenly disappear in the the otherworld, pot will be legal in all 50 States and the rich 1% will be happy to pay 90% in taxes. Did I miss anything?

[white_wolf]

54. The Millennials never vote meme is getting tiresome.

Part of Obama's success in 08 was his ability to mobilize the youth vote and I think Sanders is doing the same thing.

[leftofcool]

58. Uh, no. They were by far the smallest voting bloc

[gordyfl]

17. Sanders Urges Bill Clinton to Stand Firm.

"but there is enormous pressure being placed on the president by the insurance companies..."

[jeff47]

19. Because he's one Senator.

And the person in the White House will be undermining his push for $15 by saying "$12 is enough".

Also, "possibly the House"

[MaggieD]

23. So he can't persuade even Dems in congress - right?

That's a fact, right?

[jeff47]

34. No, in the OP's scenario, he's having to fight the president.

Something the OP (and you) gloss over when you pretend that our government is three completely isolated universes.

[MaggieD]

35. He's not fighting a president

He's just completely ineffective at leadership even within the Dem caucus. That's perfectly obvious. Not sure how you can deny it.

[MaggieD]

25. Bernie was in congress last time the min wage was raised

How come he couldn't get it raised higher?

[gordyfl]

30. Ted Kennedy Fought to Raise the Minimum Raise, too.

[MaggieD]

36. Ted was effective in congress

Bernie is completely ineffective and has been for 25 years. That seems perfectly obvious given his lack of significant achievement. He's just not a leader. Ted was a leader.

[gordyfl]

45. Here's an Interesting Fact

"Only one senator has voted entirely in sync with Bernie Sanders: Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts."





http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/04/24/only_17_plenty_of_senators_as_far_left_as_bernie_sanders_96158.html#ixzz3tJFMQAoA

[MaggieD]

46. But Bernie is ineffective

And Ted did not sign on to Bernie's pie in the sky stuff. If Bernie had been able to get him to do that then he might have gotten some traction. But he couldn't.

[gordyfl]

50. Funny

"Bernie is completely ineffective". LOL Funny.

Try to tell that to the people in Vermont.

Time and again he beats both Democrat and Republican candidates who run against him.

In a recent election Bernie received 71% of the vote, leaving a mere 29% for the two major party candidates to fight over.

He's obviously well respected in Vermont. Compare that to Vice President Al Gore who couldn't even carry his home state against George Bush.

[MaggieD]

51. I don't live in Vermont

And don't really care if they thinks it's a good idea to elect a guy that hasn't done much of anything in 25 years in congress. But I sure as hell ain't voting for him for president.

[Warren DeMontague]

20. I keep hearing all this stuff about "the stages of grief" posted here.

So let me ask.. is this the 'bargaining' stage?

[mindwalker_i]

26. Because his policies don't guzzle enough corporate jizz

... to get republicans and half of democrats on board. His policies would help actual people. Can't have none of that!

[2pooped2pop]

27. nice try n/t

[Agnosticsherbet]

28. Single payer and $15 dollar minimum wage only have a chance if Democrats take the House and Senate

Last edited Fri Dec 4, 2015, 01:45 PM - Edit history (1)

Of those two, I think $15 minimum wage would be a slam dunk, but Single Payer would be a stretch even with Democrats controlling Congress.
I think a Democratic Congress would move to make the ACA better, perhaps by creating a public option to provide a low cost provider.

Clinton would not veto a bill passed by Democrats.

[gordyfl]

37. Bernie Would Push for a Public Option / Medicare Buy-In

I'm almost sure Hillary would not support a Public Option / Medicare Buy-in. No way. Never happen.

Bernie would push for it. If it passed Congress, Bernie would sign it in a New York Minute.

[Agnosticsherbet]

60. Only Democrats would pass such a bill, and a President Clinton would sign it.

I have my doubts we will see a Democratic Congress before 2021. Hope I am surprised.

[MaggieD]

38. So then why didn't Bernie get it passed in 2009?

We had a Dem majority in both the house and senate.

[gordyfl]

39. Dems Needed 60 Votes

Simple. The Dems had merely 50 votes. They couldn't get the Blue Dog Democrats on board. They owned the tie-breaker - 50 plus VP Biden. Bernie and others wanted to push it through with a simple majority. I think they called it the Nuclear Option. Obama stated he did not want it passed that way. Obama insisted on 60 votes. So, the Public Option was dead. Behind the scenes, I'd say it was the insurance companies who killed it.

[MaggieD]

40. We passed the ACA - needed the same number of votes

So I ask again, why couldn't he get it passed?

[gordyfl]

48. ACA vs Public Option

A Public Option or a Medicare Buy-In is A LOT more difficult to pass.

In case you haven't been following, the private insurance companies have benefited nicely with the ACA. Everyone must buy their product or pay a fine. If you don't earn enough, the government will help with subsidies. This all spells profits for the insurance companies.

I remember following the stock prices of the health insurance companies. When the Public Option was gaining traction, their stock prices started sinking. All of them. Simultaneously. When it looked like the Public Option was not going to make it, their stock prices began to rise again. There were fears about buying health insurance stocks at that time because of the debate going on in Washington.

A Public Option, or worse yet, Medicare-for-All would hurt the insurance companies profits immensely. We need politicians who are not influenced by the BIG money. That's why we need Bernie Sanders - now more than ever.

[MaggieD]

49. You missed my point

It seems silly to pretend Bernie will pass ANY of his proposals when he couldn't even with a Dem minority.

This place has turned into a complete fantasy land, IMO.

[gordyfl]

53. I think you mean "majority".

[Agnosticsherbet]

61. There was no attempt at a medicare buy it, and a public option never made it out of committee.

Of the two, a public option would be the easier to pass. It would still be very difficult.

[Bleacher Creature]

41. Politics in this country is about coalition building and political parties.

Those are the exact things Bernie has been eschewing his entire career. He's a wonderful voice of reason and conscience, but he's not effective at accomplishing much legislatively. His "go it alone" style also has resulted in him not having many allies, which certainly won't help much as President.

[WillyT]

44. Politics In This Country Is About "Donors" Buying Politicians... On BOTH Sides...

Get money out of politics, and we might just get our country back.

[gordyfl]

52. You Got That Right

Like I've said before, I "used to like Hillary" back in the 90's. Since she ran for Senator of New York, she became a "bought and paid for" politician like so many in Congress. And then she moved on to become a member of the 1%. Hillary's done quite well, but we don't need her in Washington.

Elizabeth Warren knows what I'm talking about...

[MaggieD]

47. Exactly

Well said.

[Gothmog]

55. Sanders has a very weak record of getting bills passed

[gordyfl]

56. Opinion or Fact?

[Live and Learn]

57. Bernie has a fine record.

Bernie Gets It Done: Sanders' Record of Pushing Through Major Reforms Will Surprise You
What kind of experience does Bernie Sanders have? Let's take a look.

“I'm a progressive, but I'm a progressive who likes to get things done,” Hillary Clinton said at the first Democratic debate, in response to a question from moderator Anderson Cooper about whether she defines herself as a moderate or a progressive.

The implication was that progressive Bernie Sanders is too far to the left to accomplish anything—all of his ideas are pie-in-the-sky. You have to be able to find the bipartisan, “warm, purple space” as Clinton said earlier this year, to get anything done. Slate's Jamelle Bouie was super-impressed by this rationale, saying Clinton has “skilled use of bureaucratic power.”

The problem with this narrative is that it is completely false. Not only has Sanders gotten a lot more things done than Clinton did in her own short legislative career, he's actually one of the most effective members of Congress, passing bills, both big and small, that have reshaped American policy on key issues like poverty, the environment and health care.

snip>

Sanders did something particularly original, which was that he passed amendments that were exclusively progressive, advancing goals such as reducing poverty and helping the environment, and he was able to get bipartisan coalitions of Republicans who wanted to shrink government or hold it accountable and progressives who wanted to use it to empower Americans.

Learn something and dare to see some of the wonderful legislation Bernie has accomplished: http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/bernie-gets-it-done-sanders-record-pushing-through-major-reforms-will-surprise-you