Miscellaneous And Off Topic Subjects

[Jeff Buchanan]

My read is that the article is more narrowly focused. The conclusion in the article suggests the author believes that the Democratic Party is, fundamentally a party concerned with economic issues not abortion rights. Candidates that run as Democrats need to understand this.

The stuff in that article about Sanders, the way the author sees him anyway, is that he is a democratic socialist campaigning as an Independent for candidates espousing progressive ideas.

Even though Sanders is often seen as a liberal and a progressive (whatever that might mean) and liberal, as well as progressive views, are often attached to the Democratic party, it's wrong to identify him with any of the Democratic party platform. He is much farther to the left than any official Democratic Party platform as I see it. I'd go as far as to see he is much more progressive than any Democrats that I can think of. Has he influenced the Democratic Party in a way that might change what that party offers as their platform? Probably.

Having said that and to answer your question, then, it's the wrong one.

The Democratic party has always been and will probably continue to be a party concerned with economic fairness and social justice (their definitions of these). The question is will they become more progressive in the way Bernie Sanders defines it as challenging big money and it's untoward influence on governance? Personally, I don't think so.

[hack]

I don't think so either. When you discard the labels and look at what Bernie's proposing, it's quite clearly not socialism. In fact it is a return to the late 80s, roughly, in terms of restoring measures lost since then. Bernie is correct in what he believes. Removing Wall Streets parasitic abilities, and restoring an environment in which bankers have to take risks if they want to make money, will benefit everyone but bankers.

But I have a feeling the Ds are going to just ride with Trump's awfulness and the social-justice stuff. Not sustainable, but is a short and less risky path to power than doing the real hard work of examining why their form of liberalism has failed, and acting accordingly.

[Whitley]

I don't think so either. When you discard the labels and look at what Bernie's proposing, it's quite clearly not socialism. In fact it is a return to the late 80s, roughly, in terms of restoring measures lost since then. Bernie is correct in what he believes. Removing Wall Streets parasitic abilities, and restoring an environment in which bankers have to take risks if they want to make money, will benefit everyone but bankers.

But I have a feeling the Ds are going to just ride with Trump's awfulness and the social-justice stuff. Not sustainable, but is a short and less risky path to power than doing the real hard work of examining why their form of liberalism has failed, and acting accordingly.

There is a war within the Democratic party between Establishment/Corporate Dems and the progressive wing (Sen. Sanders, Sen. Warren etc.). An overwhelming amount of the grassroots are progressive and that is where the energy is.

[iam416]

If Sanders were only running on Wall Street reform he'd then he'd be very much a D or populist. As it is, he also supports gads of "free" stuff that he can't possibly pay for that very much makes him much more of a socialist than a traditional D.

[Whitley]

If Sanders were only running on Wall Street reform he'd then he'd be very much a D or populist. As it is, he also supports gads of "free" stuff that he can't possibly pay for that very much makes him much more of a socialist than a traditional D.

All politicians support gads of "free" stuff. Difference between Sanders and others is that he would actually like to give it to those that are not the 1%.

[Dr. Strangelove]

British retail sales had their worst quarter since 2010.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/british-retail-sales-plummet-as-eurozone-growth-picks-up-pace-448414.html

This as there are signals from Trump that he now values getting a trade deal with the EU as more important and more urgent than Britain

http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/22/claim-trump-planning-resurrect-ttip-put-eu-before-britain-trade-deal/

Theresa May critics may be right...she wants an Election before the long-term negative consequences of Brexit really start to sink in.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Last year Trump released a "Contract With the American Voter" with was a list of legislation/achevements he would have after 100 days in office. He's accomplished none of them

[Dr. Strangelove]

Tourism industry (which is far larger than coal, let's point out) nervous that Trump's Presidency means a slump in international visitors.

http://www.economist.com/news/business/21721234-industrys-lobby-wants-him-reassure-foreign-visitors-how-donald-trump-affects-americas

[iam416]

All politicians support gads of "free" stuff. Difference between Sanders and others is that he would actually like to give it to those that are not the 1%.

No, the difference is Sanders wants an order of magnitude more free stuff. It's not even remotely close. Stop pretending and really stop with the vacuous false equivalency.

He is what he is. According to the folks who assess such plans, his plan would have added $19 TRILLION to the debt. That's what he wants. If you support him, then fucking support him and embrace what he is.

[iam416]

Trump has also got illegal immigration down to an 18-year low. Without building a wall. Well done. Amazing what the threat of enforcing the actual law instead of ignoring it will do.

[SeattleLionsFan]

Sanders is a pie in the sky looney toon. Not as bad as Trump, but close. Every single one of his "proposals" was dead on arrival.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Trump has also got illegal immigration down to an 18-year low. Without building a wall. Well done. Amazing what the threat of enforcing the actual law instead of ignoring it will do.

This report says that illegal immigration peaked in 2008 and has been declining ever since. On Trump's inauguration day the number of illegals in the us was believed to be the lowest since 2003.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/illegal-immigration-is-down-in-the-u-s

Another link

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/why-is-the-undocumented-immigrant-population-dropping/426612/

[froot loops]

Obama was amazing, he kept it down without even enforcing laws. During his term, they didn't even have ICE or CBP.

[iam416]

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/446938/donald-trump-immigration-border-security-victory

17-year low. Fantastic work from Trump. Of course, others favor "don't enforce" and "lead from behind" bullshit.

[iam416]

Sanders is a pie in the sky looney toon. Not as bad as Trump, but close. Every single one of his "proposals" was dead on arrival.

I wouldn't call him looney. I would call him very much on the socialist end of the spectrum.