Bernie Sanders: Power of billionaires over American politics is ‘national disgrace’

a reply to: crazyewok

Not to fly way off the topic, but those "surpluses" can be confirmed right?

Like a 20 year ledger for example.

Let's not deflect too far away from Bernie Sanders.

originally posted by: xuenchen
a reply to: crazyewok

Not to fly way off the topic, but those "surpluses" can be confirmed right?

Like a 20 year ledger for example.

Let's not deflect too far away from Bernie Sanders.

data.worldbank.org...

Info there on defecits in 2012.

Here is Norways up till 2014
countryeconomy.com...

a reply to: AlaskanDad

They would provide services, money/gold storage, loans etc... Not fractional reserve loans though, they would probably go bankrupt in a free market.

a reply to: introvert

Monoplies exist because of government regulation/laws protecting the monopolist.

a reply to: openminded2011
Great post, openminded2011! IMHO, I believe you hit the ball outta the park with that one. You deserve APPLAUSE for it!

I think you’re right about not needing radical change. As a matter of fact, radical change could potentially sink the ship. We definately need to start plugging some gaping holes soon, but it would require a thoughtful and deliberate approach, and I’m not sure any of the current candidates are up for the job. As much as I like Sanders, I have a feeling he would face so much resistance as to make change near impossible. He would come up against the brick wall of Congressional psychosis, political and religious fanaticism. Even with all the right people in the right positions, it may take a generation or more to get the country back on course, considering all the damage done over the past 30 years. You identified some of the major areas of focus, though.

I think one of the toughest problems would be getting the money out of politics; to losen the grip that the corporate elite have on our government. Currently much of our Congress has it’s pockets lined by corporate outlaws and Wall Street gunslingers, making regulatory legislation and import tariffs 4-letter words. If we can’t find a solution to this problem, then it’s game over. Our founders warned us about the dangers of corporate power and influence. If somehow we do solve that problem, however, then I think the rest will begin to fall into place.

Getting a college education used to be affordable in this country, and our educational system was ranked amongst the best in the world. It was something our country was proud of. Not anymore. Our roads and transportation infrastructure was considered a model for other countries to follow. Not anymore. We have no compassion for the poor, weak and underprivileged. We poor money by the trillions into foreign wars, but heaven forbid we set a national minimum living wage. Blah, blah, blah...

If we could somehow change the mindset of our “leaders” in government, I think it would translate into an attitude adjustment for the people, as well. If we don’t do this, however, then I don’t see a lot of bright days lying ahead. I don’t think it’s too late yet, but we’re pushing it.

I don’t understand why so many are hungup by the “isms”; socialism, capitalism, etc. I think successful countries use a little bit of everything. Take any one of those “isms” to the extreme, excluding all others, and it’s a recipe for failure. We can see what the excesses of Capitalism has given us - a disappearing middle class and lower standard of living. I think people just hear what they want to hear and reject all the rest without consideration. Too bad.

Anyway, openminded2011, you’re right. What we need are SOLUTIONS, and not 2-bit rhetoric.

a reply to: AlaskanDad

Bernie talks about how our politicians are bought by the rich, yet, he's buying votes through offering gift after gift if elected. He's no better and I hate how he uses the word "FREE" as there is not such thing as free. The rich do not pay taxes. Taxes are passed onto their consumer bases which ironically is you and I.

originally posted by: crazyewokI explained in the last thread.

Norway, sweden, finland, denmark.

All have low (for a country) debt that they are managing.
Most seem to be running a budget surplus which means the debt is getting smaller not bigger.

In fact Norway was running a budget surplus of near 10%

Do we have to go through debt verse deficit again too?

But they're socialists and have high tax rates!

Obviously those taxes are lowering their quality of life, and no one works in favor of living on welfare, and the high taxes only lead to irresponsible spending.

Check this out:

Scandinavian Myths

www.capx.co...

In reality however the economic development that has occurred in Nordic nations is anything but mysterious. The nation’s prosperity developed during periods characterised by free market policies, low or moderate taxes and limited state involvement in the economy. Today, the Nordic countries compensate for their high tax rates and large welfare states by having unusually free-market oriented policies in other areas.

a reply to: Semicollegiate

But dismantling all government (outside of constitutionally enumerated powers) is realism?

I get a huge kick out of the libertarian reaction to government. Frankly, it's fairly convincing. Right up until you expect 350 million people to effectively govern themselves without it.

a reply to: AlaskanDad

How many people are running now? Cornhole Sanders needs to stop crying about Trump as any smart person knows, he is just another Ross Perot. Trump will not go thru even close to the end. He is just a huge distraction, paid for by Hillary and Obamas buddies.

We all seen how fast he accepted the very fake online birth certificate after he made such a huge deal about Obamas birth right to be President. Everyone called it a fake but him lol.

originally posted by: 0zzymand0s
a reply to: Semicollegiate

But dismantling all government (outside of constitutionally enumerated powers) is realism?

I get a huge kick out of the libertarian reaction to government. Frankly, it's fairly convincing. Right up until you expect 350 million people to effectively govern themselves without it.

Man can't be trusted to govern himself...But can be trusted to govern over others?

It is rather comical as not one, but two (Greece, Venezuela) socialist countries implode, while at the same time cheering on Sanders. Sanders reminds me of Leon Trotsky now. A civil-rights activist who black people turned on because he's not one of them, as the Russians turned on Trotsky.
a reply to: LunaticPandora

I think the illusion is that billionaires somehow run things.

Not that they do not have any influence on the world..

I think the TPTB is above wealth and money. I would not be surprised if their account balances are kept low and replenished regularly to keep a low profile.

Their names are also removed from any 'wealthiest people of the world' lists like on Forbes.

a reply to: Metallicus

Obama talked a good game too. I am not buying anything these guys on either side of the fence are selling. Why are you?

Although I would normally be in full agreement with the above statement...in this case I think you need to educate yourself as to the quality of the man we are talking about. For the last 30 + years Bernie has been a champion of the poor and the middle class...his voting record is above reproach in every way. He is a man of honesty and integrity....a rare thing indeed in the Congress or the Senate.

Were you aware that Bernie is not taking a single cent of Corporate or Banking money to fund his campaign? All of it is coming from small donors...no super pacs for this man.

Bernie Sanders Won't Accept Money From Billionaires. Donald Trump Donated $100,000 to Hillary Clinton.

HERE

Bernie Sanders doesn't follow the money

HERE

Bernie Sanders: I Won't Accept Super PAC Funds

Read Latest Breaking News from Newsmax.com www.newsmax.com...


I could go on, but with a little effort put into research, I think you'll find that Bernie is a man of conviction and quality....just the type of man the US needs as POTUS.

originally posted by: 0zzymand0s
a reply to: Semicollegiate

But dismantling all government (outside of constitutionally enumerated powers) is realism?

I get a huge kick out of the libertarian reaction to government. Frankly, it's fairly convincing. Right up until you expect 350 million people to effectively govern themselves without it.

Dismantling is like a time lapse movie of what could happen. The real process would will be slower.

Our current paradigm of rulership developed over hundreds of elections, and a real free market will require at least as long for everyone have the same world view and always vote for the free market path.

These scandinavian countries also are/were super singular in culture, were part of the western european culture, one of the most productive and ethical cultures of all time.
They may not have the freest markets but they do have the highest private property rights in the world which is the most important aspect of capitalism. Private property rights are the opposite of socialism, the antithesis.

The USA ranks 17th in international private property rights now.

top 10. 1. Finland, 2. New Zealand 3. Norway 4. Sweden 5. Singapore 6. Switzerland 7. Luxemburg 8. Netherlands 9. Canada 10. Denmark.

These countries do not have large groups of underclass who separate themselves from society and perpepuate themselves from not graduating high school, having teen pregnancy and a failure of nuclear family development. Well actually they kind of have issues now with the underclass of muslims but another issue.

These scandinavian countries also are/were super singular in culture, were part of the western european culture, one of the most productive and ethical cultures of all time.
They may not have the freest markets but they do have the highest private property rights in the world which is the most important aspect of capitalism. Private property rights are the opposite of socialism, the antithesis.

The USA ranks 17th in international private property rights now.

top 10. 1. Finland, 2. New Zealand 3. Norway 4. Sweden 5. Singapore 6. Switzerland 7. Luxemburg 8. Netherlands 9. Canada 10. Denmark.

These countries do not have large groups of underclass who separate themselves from society and perpepuate themselves from not graduating high school, having teen pregnancy and a failure of nuclear family development. Well actually they kind of have issues now with the underclass of muslims but another issue.