Bernie Sanders 2016!

[Prussia-Steinbach]

And you assume I supported the disastrous Iraq War and Reagan's defense buildup why?

I didn't. I provided an example of something vastly more expensive that we were able to afford.

You imply I am racist and feel nothing for charity work because?

I didn't. Quit making shit up.

I support social safety nets in the form of vouchers/charity associations, and cuts to our military budget. This is nothing but a strawman argument.

It's called drawing a fucking comparison.

Look: it's not as simple as, "we can afford it."

Actually, it kind of is.

This issue requires us to talk about increasing taxes, borrowing more money, and so on.

Or, we could do things like forcing corporations to actually pay their taxes by closing the myriad of loopholes they use to get out of it. That alone would probably give us billions.

Even if we were to significantly roll back defense spending, it wouldn't nearly be enough to balance the budget without raising taxes or reforming entitlements.

I'm not sure about that; even so, it would be worth it.

Let's not assume that rethinking single-payer as our alternative to Obamacare is a bad thing. Especially when these policy proposals don't have to be the answer to the problem. Subsidies for deregulated health plans, school vouchers (which I would make available for an undergraduate degree), and creating jobs by growing the economy are all solid positions that are far more feasible than the Sanders agenda.

The "Sanders agenda"? You mean having the ultra-rich and huge corporations actually pay their dues, and provide for the basic necessities of the poor?

What a costly and unachievable goal.

[Genivaria]

And you assume I supported the disastrous Iraq War and Reagan's defense buildup why?

I didn't. I provided an example of something vastly more expensive that we were able to afford.

You imply I am racist and feel nothing for charity work because?

I didn't. Quit making shit up.

I support social safety nets in the form of vouchers/charity associations, and cuts to our military budget. This is nothing but a strawman argument.

It's called drawing a fucking comparison.

Look: it's not as simple as, "we can afford it."

Actually, it kind of is.

This issue requires us to talk about increasing taxes, borrowing more money, and so on.

Or, we could do things like forcing corporations to actually pay their taxes by closing the myriad of loopholes they use to get out of it. That alone would probably give us billions.

Even if we were to significantly roll back defense spending, it wouldn't nearly be enough to balance the budget without raising taxes or reforming entitlements.

I'm not sure about that; even so, it would be worth it.

Let's not assume that rethinking single-payer as our alternative to Obamacare is a bad thing. Especially when these policy proposals don't have to be the answer to the problem. Subsidies for deregulated health plans, school vouchers (which I would make available for an undergraduate degree), and creating jobs by growing the economy are all solid positions that are far more feasible than the Sanders agenda.

The "Sanders agenda"? You mean having the ultra-rich and huge corporations actually pay their dues, and provide for the basic necessities of the poor?

What a costly and unachievable goal.

My god how horrifying.

[The Great Warrior Rivers]

My god how horrifying.

Feedin' the poor is a Commie agenda. It's that and then, BAM, we're renaming New York, "New Leningrad".

[Obexer]

I think he seems vaguely alright, but I think he doesn't have a chance at winning. I kind of hate all the candidates, and if I ever get the chance I think I might become a politician.

[Councilmembers]

Bernie Sanders is an idealist, first and foremost. He buzzes around about "political revolution," and calls on America to fundamentally transform itself. It feels good to listen to when you aren't analyzing how we are going to pay for a one trillion dollar stimulus on top of everything else he is proposing. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton is largely advocating similar policies. The only difference is that her agenda is more realistic and pragmatic. To be clear, both candidates support:

1) Paid sick leave, maternity leave, and annual vacation time.
2) Increased minimum wages.
3) Overturning Citizens United via appointing liberal SCOTUS justices and pushing for a constitutional amendment.
4) Social justice in the field of women's rights and gay rights.
5) Universal child care and preschool.

The list goes on and on. Aside from the "sick and tired of politicians" mentality, the same kind of which is fueling the Trump-Carson-Fiorina surge in the GOP, I can't understand why progressives hate Clinton so much. Not respectful disagreement, but downright hostility.

[Rio Cana]

My god how horrifying.

Feedin' the poor is a Commie agenda. It's that and then, BAM, we're renaming New York, "New Leningrad".

You could pick something more modern like Castroville. By the way, there already is a Castroville in Texas and California.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Feedin' the poor is a Commie agenda. It's that and then, BAM, we're renaming New York, "New Leningrad".

You could pick something more modern like Castroville. By the way, there already is a Castroville in Texas and California.

Corbynburg!

[Rio Cana]

Seriously, US General elections have become a joke. Most of the candidates seem more like used auto sale people, if not people in those reality shows, then anything else. Many it seems are being propped up by special interests. In this kind of environment the honest politicians/persons have no chance.

Has US politics become this

Video 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b5CKSqlz60

Video 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19X7auAQW_0

Video 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVcO8fatWs4

[Genivaria]

So with the recent Republicans for Bernie photobomb with Jeb Bush I'm curious how many Bernie supporters here on NS are Republicans.
I'd ask if we could get a poll but the OP no longer seems to be with us.

[Conserative Morality]

The list goes on and on. Aside from the "sick and tired of politicians" mentality, the same kind of which is fueling the Trump-Carson-Fiorina surge in the GOP, I can't understand why progressives hate Clinton so much. Not respectful disagreement, but downright hostility.

Because, as the saying goes, the only thing worse than a nonbeliever is a heretic. For what it's worth, personally, I've no real problem with Clinton, but Sanders awakens something within me, the old firebrand.

Bernie Sanders is an idealist, first and foremost. He buzzes around about "political revolution," and calls on America to fundamentally transform itself. It feels good to listen to when you aren't analyzing how we are going to pay for a one trillion dollar stimulus on top of everything else he is proposing.

Also, because Hillary supporters spout PIDOOMA claims like this.

[Great United Kingdom of Wiland]

I'm a Republican and I hope that Bernie Sanders is the democratic nominee.

The only way we lose to Bernie in a General election is if Trump or Huckabee is our nominee.

Both parties though are in shambles right now considering that Trump is our leader in the polls and Bernie is so close to overtaking Hillary.

Really gonna be interesting to see who wins these primaries.

[Conserative Morality]

Both parties though are in shambles right now considering that Trump is our leader in the polls and Bernie is so close to overtaking Hillary.

Shambles? For having two (real) candidates in the primaries, both of whom have refrained from getting nasty towards one another?

Nah. Hell, that's way better than '08 even. This is just normal primary stuff. I wouldn't say the GOP field is bad either (for the GOP), except for, well, Trump.

[Councilmembers]

Bernie Sanders is an idealist, first and foremost. He buzzes around about "political revolution," and calls on America to fundamentally transform itself. It feels good to listen to when you aren't analyzing how we are going to pay for a one trillion dollar stimulus on top of everything else he is proposing.

Also, because Hillary supporters spout PIDOOMA claims like this.

And how exactly are my claims unjustified?

How will Bernie Sanders fund a one trillion dollar stimulus on top of a federal university program, free child care, expanded Social Security, etc? Simply taxing the rich (though we undoubtedly need to raise rates) won't be the solution.

Look at Hillary Clinton. She proposes a basic New College Compact, expanded access to child care, improvements to Obamacare, and so on. Much more pragmatic than America's most renowned self-described socialist. She essentially takes the goals of Sanders' plan and makes them palatable from a policy standpoint.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Also, because Hillary supporters spout PIDOOMA claims like this.

And how exactly are my claims unjustified?

How will Bernie Sanders fund a one trillion dollar stimulus on top of a federal university program, free child care, expanded Social Security, etc? Simply taxing the rich (though we undoubtedly need to raise rates) won't be the solution.

Look at Hillary Clinton. She proposes a basic New College Compact, expanded access to child care, improvements to Obamacare, and so on. Much more pragmatic than America's most renowned self-described socialist. She essentially takes the goals of Sanders' plan and makes them palatable from a policy standpoint.

Education.

There are various measures that have been proposed to cover these changes. In the College for All Act, which Bernie sponsored, a “Robin Hood” tax on Wall Street would be implemented – a 0.5 percent speculation fee on investment houses, hedge funds, and other stock trades, as well as a 0.1 percent fee on bonds and a 0.005 percent fee charged on derivatives. These very small taxes on the financial sector would completely cover the cost of providing free higher education to all students who are willing and able to attend college or university.

Moreover, the cost of not providing higher education must also be factored into consideration. A more educated workforce is likely to lead to higher incomes and a higher GDP for the nation, which will lead to increased prosperity, wealth, and consumer spending in its own right. In addition, families and individuals will spend their income freely instead of saving it for college tuition or using it to pay back student loans. This rise in consumer spending will also likely have a positive effect on the nation’s GDP.

Infrastructure.

How can we afford investing $1 trillion in infrastructure?
We can’t afford not to! According to a report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), federal spending on transportation and water infrastructure since 2003 has decreased by 19 percent (23 percent with respect to new infrastructure) while only a 6 percent increase in spending on operations and maintenance has developed in its place. According to the aforementioned ACSE report:

24.9 percent of bridges are functionally obsolete or structurally deficient, over which more than 200 million trips are taken daily
42 percent of major urban highways are congested, costing us $101 billion annually and increasing carbon emissions
32 percent of roads are in poor or mediocre condition, which adds up to a cost of $324 per motorist every year
As Bernie has noted, the cost of the Iraq war — which included rebuilding much of the infrastructure that was destroyed — is now hovering at $1.7 trillion dollars. Furthermore, Bernie has introduced a number of bills to curb corporate tax dodging, which would account for over half of the required revenue in addition to the previously mentioned savings. Investing in infrastructure boosts our economy now and saves money long-term.

So the first doesn't involve a tax hike. The second likely will, but it will also save us money in the long run.