Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Could A Socialist Senator Become A National Brand?
NPR ^ | 10 July 2014 | Ailsa Chang

Posted on 07/10/2014 8:16:19 AM PDT by Theoria

As members of Congress continue hammering out a bill to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs' beleaguered health care system, attention has focused on one man leading the charge: Bernie Sanders, Independent senator from Vermont and a self-described socialist.

Sanders barely got 2 percent of the vote when he first tried breaking into Vermont politics in the 1970s, but now there's buzz that the man known simply as "Bernie" may be a presidential candidate in 2016.

"The cost of war is huge," the 72-year-old said recently during lunch at Henry's Diner in Burlington, Vt., where he rose to become an immensely popular mayor in the 1980s. "It's not just tanks and guns and planes. It's what happens to people's lives."

Sanders' frizzy hair may have gotten whiter since his mayoral days, but it could still use a comb. And when he opens his mouth, you don't hear New England — you hear Brooklyn.

He's also not one for idle chitchat. Even the most casual conversation relentlessly returns to the central idea that animates him: the wide gulf between rich and poor in this country.

"What is part of my DNA — something I never will forget — is just the stress in the family over money. Of my mother, you know, feeling that we just never had enough money to do what she wanted to do," Sanders said, referring to his childhood years in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

During his time as mayor, he created more affordable housing in Burlington, and stopped development on the waterfront to make it more accessible.

"That's what Democratic socialism is. It is essentially — bottom line — making government work for all of the people," he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at npr.org ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections; US: Vermont
KEYWORDS: 2016; berniesanders; nazi; socialist; sovietunion; vermont
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-25 next last

1 posted on 07/10/2014 8:16:19 AM PDT by Theoria
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Theoria
"That's what Democratic socialism is. It is essentially — bottom line — making government work for all of the people," he said.

He's right. That is exactly what the National Socialists (AKA Nazis) said they stood for.

2 posted on 07/10/2014 8:18:46 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum ("The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government." --Tacitus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

If the Koch brothers etc. were smart, they’d bankroll his campaign and split the left-wing vote, the way leftists bankroll Libertarian candidates to split the right-wing vote.


3 posted on 07/10/2014 8:21:27 AM PDT by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

We still have family in The People’s Republic of Vermont. The state is a mess. Although I would welcome Bernie into the race to peel off progressive votes.


4 posted on 07/10/2014 8:21:33 AM PDT by longfellowsmuse (last of the living nomads)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Theoria; cripplecreek; GraceG
The only question I would ask is whether they are National Socialists or International Socialists.
5 posted on 07/10/2014 8:22:42 AM PDT by KC_Lion (Build the America you want to live in at your address, and keep looking up.- Sarah Palin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Theoria

Hillary needs Sanders to run as a socialist, if the Clinton triangulation strategery is to work. Bernie on the left ranting about Communism, some hapless Republican on the right tagged as a Tea Party Extremist, and Hillary, calm and rational in the middle.


6 posted on 07/10/2014 8:23:41 AM PDT by DBrow
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Theoria

“The cost of war is huge.”
Ever try to figure out the cost of subjugation,Bernie.


7 posted on 07/10/2014 8:27:34 AM PDT by Farmer Dean (stop worrying about what they want to do to you,start thinking about what you want to do to them)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

The Jewish population may disagree with the assertion that the National Socialists’ form of government worked for all of the people”. With that said, they’ll still vote for the Demonic Party (aka Socialists).


8 posted on 07/10/2014 8:29:40 AM PDT by Common Sense 101 (Hey libs... If your theories fly in the face of reality, it's not reality that's wrong.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Theoria

As you read this leftist drivel, consider the source.


9 posted on 07/10/2014 8:30:34 AM PDT by upchuck (The country is being billed for its own execution. ~ h/t: SpaceBar)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: upchuck

Sure, I listen to leftist radio for fun and glee. They hate Hillary and would support Bernie over her.


10 posted on 07/10/2014 8:36:30 AM PDT by Theoria (I should never have surrendered. I should have fought until I was the last man alive)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Theoria

Run Bernie run for POTUS.


11 posted on 07/10/2014 8:39:17 AM PDT by shove_it (My real nickname is Otter)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: longfellowsmuse

Say this for Bernie...he’s the only one of these people who is honest enough to come out and label himself a Socialist.


12 posted on 07/10/2014 8:40:04 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

It already is a national brand....the democratic party.


13 posted on 07/10/2014 8:40:04 AM PDT by ealgeone (obama, borderof)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: All

At least this guy says straight out that he’s socialist, the rest of the Dems deny it, yet it’s true none the less.


14 posted on 07/10/2014 8:41:34 AM PDT by Gunpowder green
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Theoria

In other times and with a better educated population, Sanders would be ignored as a nut. However, the left is convinced they now control the nation. They control the education system, national gov’t, and the large media organizations. It is a clear road ahead with no opposition or problems (except themselves which is a BIG problem). Therefore, an extremist like Sanders or Hillary sees big opportunity ahead.

Sanders wants to go from state to national politics. He wants to become a national socialist. He touts democracy so that makes his banner the national democratic socialist. He claims democracy works for all the people, making his cause the national democratic socialist workers cause. In NYS, there is the Working Families Party, which would line up for Sanders. It is all coming together. Let’s see, all he needs is a name for his new, national ambitions—a new party name. Hmmmm, what might be a good name? National Socialist Democratic Workers something?


15 posted on 07/10/2014 8:42:18 AM PDT by iacovatx (Conservatism is the political center--it is not "right" of center)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Buckeye McFrog

True..He has the ability to be honest about his politics because the people in Chittenden county that elect him are also unabashedly socialists.

To me though, it is akin to declaring yourself a proud idiot...because the political solutions he promotes always lead to failure. This does not garner my admiration.


16 posted on 07/10/2014 8:44:05 AM PDT by longfellowsmuse (last of the living nomads)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Theoria
We have a pResident that has branded this country as unstable and broke.
17 posted on 07/10/2014 8:47:28 AM PDT by mountainlion (Live well for those that did not make it back.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mountainlion

Well, we are broke.


18 posted on 07/10/2014 8:49:32 AM PDT by Theoria (I should never have surrendered. I should have fought until I was the last man alive)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Theoria

You have a point. The Dems were a juggernaut in 1968, but they launched into civil war. The Republicans had humiliated Goldwater and stood for insipid mush.

The Dems were so powerful the far left rebelled. A similar civil war featuring today’s rulers, the extreme left versus the nutbag, commie psycho left might be fun to watch.


19 posted on 07/10/2014 8:49:48 AM PDT by Luke21
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Theoria

Socialist my a$$, that man’s a bonafide communist.


20 posted on 07/10/2014 8:54:11 AM PDT by traderrob6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-25 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson