The Bernie Sanders Accomplishment Challenge

[merrily]

24. Thanks. He not only founded the CPC, but was elected its chair for its first 8 years.

Last edited Sat Sep 19, 2015, 07:42 AM - Edit history (3)

That says a lot about his popularity among his colleagues, including colleagues of color, many of whom were in that caucus.

It was called the House Progressive Caucus then. The new name reflects the fact that Sanders remained in the Caucus after he was elected Senator (and, to this day, is the only Senator ever to have been a member of the HPC or CPC).

The Senate has no progressive or liberal caucus. It did have a New Democrat Caucus, to which Democratic Senators such as Kerry and Clinton belonged, but nothing leftist.

More about the caucuses at http://www.democraticunderground.com/12778196


His negotiation of a veteran's bill with Senator McCain was so successful that it became a case study at the Brookings Institute about how to work across the aisle.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/128027637


He did get quite a few bills and amendments that he wrote passed, despite (partly because of?) his Indie status while in Congress.


Lifelong proponent and worker for equal rights, including, of course, while in Congress http://www.democraticunderground.com/12809672 (race); http://www.democraticunderground.com/128033139 (LGBT)

Many videos have been posted of his speeches in the House and Senate about equal rights.


His overall record in Congress on all issues is partly reflected in his ratings. All the organizations that Democrats probably favor rate him over 90%, some 100%, and the NRA has given him D_ to F ratings, despite all the bloviating seeking to portray him as the CEO of the NRA.


Mayoralty:
He totally transformed Burlington, physically, culturally, politically, financially. And made it a sanctuary city. Among many other things, the waterfront park where he made his formal announcement that he was running for the Presidency was his doing.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026768671 (over all)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/128049118 (Burlington prospered)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026772510 (housing development, now resident owned)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/128032022 (international politics)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026708500 (environmental)

He even brought in speakers, like Noam Chomsky. http://www.democraticunderground.com/128047498

And on and on. A good one to tell us more about his time as Mayor might be karynnj. Although she moved to Vermont well after Sanders went to D.C., she seems to know about his stint as Mayor.


Last, but far from least, he is the only politician talking about wealth inequality and politicians talking about income inequality are pretty much following in his footsteps (sorry, beloved fellow Warren fans). So, to a great degree, was Occupy Wall Street, which began to change the national conversation about this issue. And, as a Presidential candidate, he's been cutting through all the bs memes with which Americans have been inculcated for forever and getting Americans excited, engaged and inspired again.



Of course, there are many more specific accomplishments. The above is just off the top of my head before my very necessary second cup of coffee. I've been meaning to attempt a comprehensive list myself, but haven't gotten there yet. I'll bookmark this thread to use as initial research for when I get ambitious enough, though.

This post by Playinghardball, which is pinned in the Bernie Sanders Group, lists many good things. http://www.democraticunderground.com/128017789

Frankly, anyone actually interested can search DU, esp. the Bernie Group -- so many threads on his positive accomplishments as Mayor, Representative and Senator--and maybe take a look at the history given at berniesanders. com (His campaign website contains a much more humble and terse list than some of the articles posted at DU).

Thanks again for asking and for your OP.