Posted on 11/10/2006 3:53:03 PM PST by oblomov
Today, history was made when Vermont Congressman Bernie Sanders became the first self-identified socialist elected to the United States Senate. His election is a tribute to his long-standing determination to serve the citizens of Vermont—a service he has performed admirably for more than 20 years—without sacrificing his political and socialist principles. Bernie Sanders’ political career and campaign are models for progressive electoral work and effective coalition building.
Much will be made, no doubt, of the “novelty” of Senator-elect Sanders’ faith in socialist values and the progressive economic and social policies he espouses. We believe that it is precisely those values that enabled him to be so successful. Seeing those values working in tandem with a capacity for leadership and public service is why we supported him in this campaign.
DSA members throughout the nation are proud of the support they organized for the Sanders election. The grassroots fundraising efforts that our political action committee spearheaded forwarded some $56,000 in contributions, most of them $100 or less, to the Sanders’ Senatorial race.
Added to our satisfaction with Bernie’s victory is seeing the Congressional defeat the American people inflicted on the Bush Administration and the Republican Party. That political defeat, administered to the most reactionary U.S. administration in more than a century at the hands of the American electorate, sends a clear and needed message. Voters want:
* a new, sane policy leading to a prompt exit from Iraq;
* an end to economic policies that favor the rich and large corporations at the expense of the poor, working families and the middle class;
* an end to the legal graft that allows lobbyists, politicians and their relatives, and corporate interests to line their pockets at the public’s expense.
The incoming Congress and the lame-duck president must not ignore this message.
We in DSA look forward to organizing grassroots support for the political program to which Senator-elect Sanders and other progressives will soon rally the country. Elements of the program include: raising the minimum wage, ending unfair tax breaks for the corporations and the richest one percent of Americans, restoring workers’ rights to join unions, moving toward sustainable development and energy independence, enacting immigration reform, and, of course, bringing the troops home now.
His honesty about who he is!
He is the only honest one!
LLS
Self-awareness and honesty?
Vermont is so far left it should secede from America and join Canada or the EU
If a historical relic like the Socialist Party can still function, why don't we resurrect the Whigs?
Five. The # of alphabet characters from (D) to (I). Welcome comrade Bernie.
Sanders first bill will be a call to nationalize the economy.
Not so. In this election, San Francisco Values became American Values. Vermont is now mainstream America.
Calling Senator McCarthy
Sanders (along with Pat "The Leaker" Leahy; "Jumpin" Jim Jeffords; and don't want to forget Howie "The Clown" Dean) are just a few of the reasons I moved from Vermont last year to Virginia.
Kind of disappointed with the results of Nov 7th, but would never think of going back, although I'm 63 and enjoyed growing up there in 50's when it was a nice Conservative State.
Then, Bernie, along with his Band of Merry Socialist, moved to VT from NYC, got involved with politics (somehow bamboozled the legislature into allowing college students from out-of-state the right to vote in Vermont elections) and as the old saying goes, it was all down hill from there.
Now, VT is probably one of the top 10 most liberal States in the Country.
Sigh, it's probably time to invade Vermont and set up a new government. At least Castro remains 90 miles off shore.
Right On. From an authority, see my post #11.
Hate to admit, both my Mom & Dad were from Canada.
Used to be proud of my French (Canadian) heritage. Now, I don't ever mention it and refuse to set foot in that Leftist/Socialist Country--though I still have many relatives there.
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