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I've written on occasion regarding third and alternative parties that voting for "third" party candidates simply isn't enough to bring about reforms be they on the left or on the right. What is needed is a strong political movement that supports such efforts on a grass roots level. Because that is my believe I have little faith in Democrats to build such a movement by 2016 that would be capable of ushering in Sanders proposals. I saw this same failure in 2008 when Democrats elected Barak Obama, sat back and laughed along with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert satisfied that their job was done, while the Right in the form of the Tea Party went about building a political movement to advance their agenda. So, I'm dying to know where the political movement equivalent to the Tea Party exists on the left, without it Sander's election will realize none of the loftier goals of his campaign.
Feel free to convince me that I am wrong, but not on maybes, perhaps, and could be's.
The Tea Party and Occupy overlapped in their main goals before the Tea Party was corrupted by the Palin's and Bachmann's.
When Bernie starts presenting ideas that both sides wanted (like taking the big banks down a notch (or 3-4)) they will support him.
What are you smoking!! The goal of the Tea Party was less Government and more free market. Occupy was all about MORE government control over business and more redistribution of wealth!
Other than mutual hatred for the Fed and Wall Street, there is nothing remotely similar between the Tea Party and Occupy.
What are you smoking!! The goal of the Tea Party was less Government and more free market. Occupy was all about MORE government control over business and more redistribution of wealth!
Other than mutual hatred for the Fed and Wall Street, there is nothing remotely similar between the Tea Party and Occupy.
Actually they are much more similar than you think they are. If you look at polling, you also see the same thing.
What are you smoking!! The goal of the Tea Party was less Government and more free market. Occupy was all about MORE government control over business and more redistribution of wealth!
Other than mutual hatred for the Fed and Wall Street, there is nothing remotely similar between the Tea Party and Occupy.
I can't intellectualize the situation as well as you and others on this forum but I've always been curious why countries with social democracies are so successful. They not only tend to have the highest standard of living but also have the happiest citizens. Of course, we're talking about the Scandinavian countries (Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland) and also those that have characteristics of socialism and remaining free market like the Netherlands, New Zealand, Belgium, etc.
Although it may not be the time for democratic socialism in this country, Sanders at least is calling attention to it. Can he integrate it into the Democratic party here in the U.S.? Probably not. But I don't think he'd have a chance or get the attention if he chose to run as an actual third-party candidate.
With Sander's getting the support of so many young people, perhaps in the future, somebody like him will convince America that democratic socialism can work here.
Since the one of the underlying principles of social democracy is equality, this eludes most that consider themselves as traditional Democrats or Republicans. Wall Street and billionaires have so much influence in this country now that it will take much longer to convince the majority of what Sanders is proposing Sadly, neither I nor Sanders will see it in our lifetime but I an grateful for Sanders in bring this concept to the forefront at this time.
For these reasons, I would much rather see Sanders as president than Trump. I know most will not agree but I still feel someday with the right tuning, social democracy could work here. Happy citizens and more equality is what I think will make America greater. I believe it's already great so I don't necessarily think it has to be made great again.
What are you smoking!! The goal of the Tea Party was less Government and more free market. Occupy was all about MORE government control over business and more redistribution of wealth!
The initial push was to stop TARP. They did it initially only to have Wall Street throw a tantrum with both Obama and McCain rushing back to revive it.
Occupy was against TARP.
Quote:
Other than mutual hatred for the Fed and Wall Street, there is nothing remotely similar between the Tea Party and Occupy.
Right, other than the two big ones, they don't always agree. Lol. Bernie is going after the two big ones. Once done the country will be better off and we can debate the smaller things.
This government is out of control in its foreign and domestic policies, especially--but not exclusively--in its willingness to spend, spend, spend
A REAL candidate will address the issue of government over spending, simply finding a scapegoat is no longer the answer.
Yes Currently, there's not much (if any) chance for a Libertarian candidate to win an election, but don't think that the ruling parties won't notice and begin to make accommodations if they see an increase in Libertarian support.
(Rand Paul has tried to be a Libertarian leaning Republican, I don't think he failed, I think he has been quite successful. He sure made some noises, and this is the beginning, not the end. You can argue all day long that Rand is not a real libertarian, but in order to introduce Libertarian principles to the general public, he had to do what he had to do.)
Growing pain comes with real changes. Months ago, I'd say I would never vote for Bernie because he seems to believe government is the solution, not the problem. But now, I see things differently.
Even if all of his solutions aren't perfect, he has identified all the correct issues, and is closer to libertarianism than anyone else running in the GOP or democratic parties. Label is not important.
This government is out of control in its foreign and domestic policies, especially--but not exclusively--in its willingness to spend, spend, spend
A REAL candidate will address the issue of government over spending, simply finding a scapegoat is no longer the answer.
Yes Currently, there's not much (if any) chance for a Libertarian candidate to win an election, but don't think that the ruling parties won't notice and begin to make accommodations if they see an increase in Libertarian support.
(Rand Paul has tried to be a Libertarian leaning Republican, I don't think he failed, I think he has been quite successful. He sure made some noises, and this is the beginning, not the end. You can argue all day long that Rand is not a real libertarian, but in order to introduce Libertarian principles to the general public, he had to do what he had to do.)
Growing pain comes with real changes. Months ago, I'd say I would never vote for Bernie because he seems to believe government is the solution, not the problem. But now, I see things differently.
Even if all of his solutions aren't perfect, he has identified all the correct issues, and is closer to libertarianism than anyone else running in the GOP or democratic parties. Label is not important.
This is true. While a Libertarian may not go for all the policies Sanders does they also believe things should be paid for. Bernie is the only one being truthful concerning how we will pay for things and getting us out of wasteful things we currently aren't paying for.
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