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Today I was captivated for 8.5 hours as Vermont’s Senator Bernie Sanders spoke about the tax bill. But it wasn’t just the tax bill that he was talking about. The speech was actually a progressive manifesto about the way that ordinary middle class and poor Americans are being plundered by the richest 1%.
And it was the most important political speech– by far– of the past two years. Seldom, if ever, has anyone seized the spotlight to discuss and examine so thoroughly the the plundering of the nation by its wealthiest citizens. And to demand so clearly that the government provide genuine relief for the millions of Americans who are now suffering the consequences of the plunder.
The top 1% need further tax relief like a fish needs a bicycle. And if it took most of today to get that point across, it was worth it.
In reaction, Bill Clinton today explained at Obama’s press briefing how this tax deal was such a great thing for the country. And the theme tonight on MSNBC seems to be that dems should hold their noses and vote for the bill. All of that stands in sharp contrast to Bernie’s speech today. It was intelligent. And heartfelt. And passionate. And it expressed a deep and abiding concern for the oppressed and the downtrodden.
When I voted for Obama, I hoped that his policies and leadership would give voice to those concerns. But alas, in December, 2010, it has fallen to Senator Sanders to express these bedrock, liberal, progressive concerns. I am delighted that he did so. And I am chagrined that he received so little support in the chamber from his colleagues.
The Senate is still an old boys’ club. That Senator Sanders stood alone for so long today, and that so few took the floor with him, is the epitome of what is wrong in America. Governmental compassion and understanding, relief for the most needy, is unfathomable. The Senate has been bought and sold.
For Bernie’s views about all of this, see this Washington Post article.
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simulposted at dailyKos
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what needed to be said.
Where are the more and better democrats?
Thanks for reading.
A very good summation of the events!
Sen. Sanders has much credibility, because of great visibility over the years, which I’ve enjoyed (usually, via Progressive Radio (Thom Hartmann, Ed Schultz, etc.) And, I can tell you, he has NEVER waivered from his views! He is steadfast!
This latest bill of Obama’s is what drove him over the “border,” so to speak! He sees this “bill” as nearly a final seal by the Republicans to take us back to the 1920’s (I view it more stringently, because of ALL the world suffering, largely caused by OUR policies).
I was curious and did a “google!” Sen. Sanders is NOT exactly being ignored!*
I plan to send him an e-mail TONIGHT and CALL him tomorrow and express my gratitude for standing up for Americans!
I think the fact that he is Independent allows him “much more room” for his views to be expounded, don’t you think? What Democrat could have DONE SO WELL? Just thinking!
*(Remember Sen. Feingold when he stood all alone in contradiction to the Patriot Act?)
I’m serious.
it has fallen to Senator Sanders to express these bedrock, liberal, progressive concerns
It wasn’t a liberal Senator expressing these concerns, it wasn’t a progressive senator expressing these concerns. It was a socialist senator expressing these socialist concerns. Much as many would like to think otherwise, these categories still matter, still have their own imperatives.
think it strange Obama ditched the press conference, left it to Clinton?
http://www.realclearpolitics.c…
impervious to the REAL sentiments toward his bill!
Keith Olbermann REALLY covered Sanders! WooHoo!!!!!!
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
No Tax Deal!
Here is the site, itself, which is working! EMERGENCY PETITION!
(click on logo)
C-SPAN!
An Alert says: The Senate agrees to move forward on tax cut deal.
The vote is being held open for Senators who have not yet returned to D.C., because of inclimate weather conditions.
My Senator Durbin is going to say “yes” to the bill because of the compromise, i.e, child-care tax credit, $250 for Seniors and Disabled, earned income credit — unbelievable! I called his office several times with a “why can’t you go back to the board? Why does this deal have to be accepted? Believe me, I said a whole lot more, too much to go into, but I was livid! Actually, I just felt sick, because of my concern that Sen. Durbin may be an indication . . . . ! We’re giving $700 billion to the wealthy, while there are some 50 million Americans who are not getting enough to eat. The staffer responds: Yes, that’s why we’re doing this. You mean we couldn’t simply extend the benefits — I read the rules on it, it says, in bad economic times, the benefits would be extended . . . . .! This is no deal — we’re just being hurt more by this deal. I did say that we are heading toward a 3rd world status — Americans have just about nothing left. Why is everything so perverse? We should be taxing the wealthy individuals and corporations (some who pay no taxes whatsoever) MORE. We should end these obscene, illegal wars of aggression. Why have we so constantly bent over to the Republicans, every time they scream? Sen. Durbin has lost my vote and so has President Obama, who’s demonstrated that he has a very good pair of knees.