Hillary Clinton
In reply to the discussion: The Biggest reason I just can't #FeelTheBern (The Fetishization of Not Knowing) [View all]Lucinda
(31,170 posts)I did a little research on Sanders congressional work for the past few years...
Yes, he has joined the bi-partisan efforts of others, but in 2015, in the 20+ pieces he introduced in the Senate, not a single one had a Republican co-sponsor. In the prior two years, the number was less than 10%. So I see absolutely no evidence he has had the interest, or the skillset, to work across the aisle on HIS ideas, since he hasn't bothered to cultivate that support to date.
Like you, I wouldn't support a Republican. It is just unthinkable.
Regardless what grand notion of government he might like to create, and I think most progressives can definitely agree in part with him on many things, we LIVE in a representative government with three distinct branches. I think all in all, it is a pretty wise structure, intended to insure a balance of influence, and I have no issues with it in principle. Yes, it can and should be sorted out. We've lost our way a bit, and there is too much outside interference beyond the voters. I have hope that we can and will resolve those problems, and with work, move the country leftward. The fact that Trump has gained traction this year shows me that the Republican base may be waking up. That is a good first step in reaching out to those voters, who have had at least two decades of hateful misinformation spewed in their general direction. If we reach out to the middle right and move them leftward, we'd have a clear majority and could move forward without the constant threat of one election wiping out years of progress.