Why does it seem to be that all humanists(at least on Facebook) are anti-gun?

RoboGraham comments on Feb 9, 2020:

It's certainly not coming from a standpoint of practicality so it must be a desire for a utopia.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 10, 2020:

@PondartIncbendog I don't think an 18 year old should be able to have an AR. I don't think people should be allowed to buy guns until the frontal cortex is fully formed which happens around age 25.

WHY BERNIE WILL BE A GUARANTEED FAILURE?

AnneWimsey comments on Feb 10, 2020:

You are So full of BS on this. And as for paying for his ideas, why not go to YouTube and see all his concrete proposals on doing it all, mostly from not growing an even bigger military (since we have enough munitions, to name just one aspect) to destroy the world 6 (SIX!) Times over right now........

RoboGraham replies on Feb 10, 2020:

@Trajan61 If you were truly devoted to the republican cause, you would switch to democrat so you could vote for the weakest candidate in their primary and in doing so, helping your man win in November.

WHY BERNIE WILL BE A GUARANTEED FAILURE?

AnneWimsey comments on Feb 10, 2020:

You are So full of BS on this. And as for paying for his ideas, why not go to YouTube and see all his concrete proposals on doing it all, mostly from not growing an even bigger military (since we have enough munitions, to name just one aspect) to destroy the world 6 (SIX!) Times over right now........

RoboGraham replies on Feb 10, 2020:

@Trajan61 I agree, you should vote for Bennie in the primary so that Trump will have an easy victory.

WHY BERNIE WILL BE A GUARANTEED FAILURE?

AnneWimsey comments on Feb 10, 2020:

You are So full of BS on this. And as for paying for his ideas, why not go to YouTube and see all his concrete proposals on doing it all, mostly from not growing an even bigger military (since we have enough munitions, to name just one aspect) to destroy the world 6 (SIX!) Times over right now........

RoboGraham replies on Feb 10, 2020:

@MichaelSpinler Right. The hardest part will be beating the corrupt DNC and overcoming the inertia of all the people who think change is impossible. Bernie, a true populist who has been fighting for the working class all his life, will wipe the floor with Trump.

WHY BERNIE WILL BE A GUARANTEED FAILURE?

aintmisbehaven comments on Feb 10, 2020:

Bernie's mah man! woohoo!

RoboGraham replies on Feb 10, 2020:

@St-Sinner Perhaps you're right. Maybe the democrats should stay completely mainstream and never allow in anyone who would challenge anyone within the party or those mainstream ideologies that the party holds dear. And after the party withers and dies, it will be replaced by something better. Perhaps it could break the two party system. But the Republicans would be doing a lot of winning in the mean time.

WHY BERNIE WILL BE A GUARANTEED FAILURE?

aintmisbehaven comments on Feb 10, 2020:

Bernie's mah man! woohoo!

RoboGraham replies on Feb 10, 2020:

@St-Sinner If the party were to close itself off as you suggest, it would be very show to change and become stagnant, and more importantly, people would leave that closed minded party in droves. You don't win debates about which direction to take the party in by shutting the other side out, you win by haveing better more logical ideas. Clearly the establishment can't win that way so they resort to cheating and talk of kicking their adversaries out of the party

Michael Bloomberg on Marijuana: Legalizing 'Another Addictive Narcotic' Is Perhaps 'Stupidest Thing ...

RoboGraham comments on Feb 10, 2020:

An oligarch attempting to use his enormous wealth and his media corporation to buy the highest office in the land and use it to control your life and no doubt to enrich himself further as Trump is currently doing because that is what billionaires do.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 10, 2020:

@doug6352 It's certainly not the only reason but it's one of them. Trump cut taxes for the wealthiest people. When people in his administration travel, they and their entourages stay in Trump hotels. When foreign dignitaries visit, they and their entourages stay in Trump hotels, spending millions.

The front runners on simple math.

St-Sinner comments on Feb 9, 2020:

How desperate you must be to stretch the truth so thin to suit your likes? The passion, emotions, the blind faith of Bernie supporters is no different than a man who is drunk at 2 am who thinks everybody is beautiful in front of him. When can you see the reality? Is it time to see the facts on...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 9, 2020:

@St-Sinner He definitely lost the popular vote. Seems to me that Bernie won by quite a bit and even after all their cheating, he is still going to win. The point is moot really though because Iowa is meaningless aside from the media bump the winner gets which Pete usurped when he claimed victory very prematurely. So regardless, they stole the prize from Sanders. To beat this rigged system, we have to over-win, we have to win by a lot and after the tricks are played by the DNC, we just squeak by. This is why we are so vocal. Feel free to join the crooked establishment in trying to keep him down. We will beat you anyway. You say we are propping up his candidacy. Well yes, that's how it works, your supporters lift you to positions of power. Who is propping up Pete? Do you think he has anything like the grassroots movement Sanders has? It's the special interests, the media, and the corrupt establishment attempting to lift him to power. And who will he be beholden to if he gets there?

The front runners on simple math.

St-Sinner comments on Feb 9, 2020:

How desperate you must be to stretch the truth so thin to suit your likes? The passion, emotions, the blind faith of Bernie supporters is no different than a man who is drunk at 2 am who thinks everybody is beautiful in front of him. When can you see the reality? Is it time to see the facts on...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 9, 2020:

Yes the intelligent driven 38 year old who yesterday was a nobody and today is a somebody. How does a small time mayor become a presidential contender in so short a time? I suspect that someone like him gets there by being a yes man to the establishment. He is their comfortable choice. Dependable to do their bidding because he was a nobody and they made him a somebody. It has been the corporate media propping him up all along. How can you trust a leader who is so obviously beholden to the powers that be? I'd be willing to accept the Iowa results if not for the following abnormalities- The last poll just before caucus day was canceled. This poll showed Bernie continuing to rise and it was omitted due to complaints by the Buttigeig campaign. [usatoday.com] The app used to report results was riddled with errors and malfunctions. It hadn't been properly tested, it was not secure, and the company that designed it has connections with the Buttigieg campaign as well as Clinton. The announcing of results was delayed but Mayor Pete decided to declare victory despite there being no data yet available. When the partial results were released, precincts which Sanders performed the best in were released last creating the perception that Pete was leading. Just before the final count, the release of the results of the satellite caucuses which Sanders dominated in, Tom Perez decided to stop the count and call for recanvassing. This would have put Sanders in the lead but now the official numbers still have Pete leading by a very narrow margin. There were coin flips that were obviously cheated and precinct captains announcing that the official numbers in their precincts did not match what they had reported. The internal numbers calculated by the Sanders campaign do not match the official numbers. The Sanders people did not rely on a sketchy app and they sent two officials incognito to each precinct to observe and record. Bernie won the popular vote by a hefty margin and yet the media has almost exclusively focused on delegate equivalent count. It is now a week later and still they have not released the final numbers. They acknowledge that their are blatant errors in the counting but refuse to make corrections because they d want to " ensure the integrity of the process,” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/09/us/politics/iowa-caucuses-democrats.html This disaster has undermined faith in the democratic process and trust of the democratic party. Worst of all, it has given Trump and the GOP legitimate talking points about how disorganized and corrupt the democrats are. Well, they have a point, I admit reluctantly. So no, I will not show humility and accept this blatant rigged process as legitimate.

The Iowa debacle.

mcgeo52 comments on Feb 9, 2020:

"This disaster has undermined faith in the democratic process and trust of the democratic party." I have had exactly zero trust of the DNC since the shit they pulled in 2016.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 9, 2020:

Good. But millions still do. These antics are eroding that trust and giving political ammunition to the rightwingers.

The Iowa debacle.

DharmaBum50 comments on Feb 8, 2020:

I have to agree with your conclusion, and it's one of the reasons I'll eventually leave the Democratic Party and re-register as an independent (not until after this election, however, so I can vote for Bernie in the primaries). As usual, the DNC doing its corporate-shilling best to ensure no ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 8, 2020:

@TheGreatShadow I thought he was independent until much more recently than 78. Which comment were you attempting to reply to?

The Iowa debacle.

dan325 comments on Feb 8, 2020:

I'm fortunate to be living in a state (CA) that has a mechanism for allowing Independents to vote in the Democratic presidential primaries. I'm able to register as an Independent only because of this progressive policy. If that were not the case, I'd feel obligated to register as a Democrat, even...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 8, 2020:

If my state allowed me to do that, I would. I think if the number of registered democrats started dropping dramatically, it might actually spur them to make reforms. I'll stay with the dems to vote for Bernie. If he wins and is able to make changes, I'll stick with them, if not, I'm out.

The Iowa debacle.

AnonySchmoose comments on Feb 8, 2020:

Good description of the dilapidated process. Probably caused much disillusionment among the left.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 8, 2020:

For sure. I'm ready to abandon the Democratic party. I'm only staying with them to vote for Bennie.

The Iowa debacle.

DharmaBum50 comments on Feb 8, 2020:

I have to agree with your conclusion, and it's one of the reasons I'll eventually leave the Democratic Party and re-register as an independent (not until after this election, however, so I can vote for Bernie in the primaries). As usual, the DNC doing its corporate-shilling best to ensure no ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 8, 2020:

I'm with you. If Bernie loses, I'm out.

Acronym group that sabotaged Iowa caucus birthed by billionaire who funded Alabama disinformation ...

rogerbenham comments on Feb 6, 2020:

Can we assume that Bernie probably ran away with Iowa but that result can never be shown?

RoboGraham replies on Feb 8, 2020:

@rogerbenham Yes delegates decide but election numbers decide the delegates. It's a messy archaic system that is vulnerable to corruption. It ought to be replaced with direct democracy and elections done with ranked choice voting.

[yahoo.

BitFlipper comments on Feb 7, 2020:

The Iowa caucus was not run by the Democratic National Committee. A lot of people want you to think it was. Particularly, Trump supporters.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 7, 2020:

@BitFlipper Same here

[yahoo.

BitFlipper comments on Feb 7, 2020:

The Iowa caucus was not run by the Democratic National Committee. A lot of people want you to think it was. Particularly, Trump supporters.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 7, 2020:

But they took over pretty early on. And it was Tom Perez who decided to stop counting and do a recanvass just as Bernie was about to take the lead.

[yahoo.

RoboGraham comments on Feb 7, 2020:

He is corrupt. He should be dismissed.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 7, 2020:

@sassygirl3869 He certainly is inept. I think some of that ineptitude is intentional and that makes it corruption. Ryan Grim can explain this better than I can. Hear him out if you feel inclined. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ2mtzzVxHE

I woke up to news that Agent Shithole 45/3 is saying Pelosi broke the law in tearing up his speech.

RoboGraham comments on Feb 7, 2020:

Pete hasn't got a chance. Bloomberg is a former republican oligarch who instituted a racist policy which allowed people to be detained for no reason. He is the opposite of Sanders in that he has no grassroots support. He had to bribe the DNC to get them to change the rules so he could make it ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 7, 2020:

@rainmanjr Bernie's funding is limitless. He has shattered records of number individual donors. All are small dollar donors and the vast majority haven't come close to their 2,800 limit. He has millions of dedicated donors who will continue to donate over time and most will not reach the limit. He will never run out of money. His message, his integrity, his consistency, and his policy positions will be worth more than any amount of money anyway.

Acronym group that sabotaged Iowa caucus birthed by billionaire who funded Alabama disinformation ...

rogerbenham comments on Feb 6, 2020:

Can we assume that Bernie probably ran away with Iowa but that result can never be shown?

RoboGraham replies on Feb 7, 2020:

@rogerbenham The delegates are people who decide to get involved with the party. I don't know too much about the process but @Aurora62 can fill you in. I think most of them do represent the people. It's the elites who are running the party who use some sketchy methods to favor some candidates over others and assert their will rather than represent the electorate.

Acronym group that sabotaged Iowa caucus birthed by billionaire who funded Alabama disinformation ...

rogerbenham comments on Feb 6, 2020:

Can we assume that Bernie probably ran away with Iowa but that result can never be shown?

RoboGraham replies on Feb 6, 2020:

It can be shown by Bernie's own numbers. His campaign, unlike the Iowa democratic party, counted diligently.

Bear in mind "the average Chinese person discards one-fourth to one-half of the plastic waste ...

DavidDuhon comments on Feb 6, 2020:

I was thinking about how we classify periods of history by what artifacts survive--iron age, stone age, bronze age. In the future we will be called the plastic age.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 6, 2020:

@DavidDuhon Yes but the consequences of having burned all the oil will be very abundant.

Bear in mind "the average Chinese person discards one-fourth to one-half of the plastic waste ...

DavidDuhon comments on Feb 6, 2020:

I was thinking about how we classify periods of history by what artifacts survive--iron age, stone age, bronze age. In the future we will be called the plastic age.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 6, 2020:

I'm thinking oil age.

What do you make of the Iowa caucus clusterfvck?

Imatheistically comments on Feb 6, 2020:

With any degree of logic this meltdown will kill ofg this 19th century-like "get together" format. Ipea needs to get into the 21st Century. Adopting "Ranked Choice Voting" would be a good alternative for people who insist on having multiple candidate choices!

RoboGraham replies on Feb 6, 2020:

Yes ranked choice is a very good option. We should use it for the general too..

"Bernie Sanders is as Honest as Every Other Politician" by Daniel Greenfield ...

RoboGraham comments on Feb 3, 2020:

Every other politician is as honest as this post.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 5, 2020:

@doug6352 If it is appropriate. Do you not think that truth is freedom of the mind?

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 30, 2020:

Dancing in esctasy for lousy heroes is a huge problem of our society. Trump, Dukakis, Hillary, Bernie, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Kobe Bryant..... when are we going to choose the right heroes?

RoboGraham replies on Feb 4, 2020:

@St-Sinner SO just some vague notion of a person who is a winner and has correct ideas. No specific people in mind?

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 30, 2020:

Dancing in esctasy for lousy heroes is a huge problem of our society. Trump, Dukakis, Hillary, Bernie, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Kobe Bryant..... when are we going to choose the right heroes?

RoboGraham replies on Feb 3, 2020:

Which is the right hero?

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 31, 2020:

Can a Bernie follower explain this to me? 1. With all these years in Washington does Bernie not know that to get anything done, you must have the numbers, the math on your side. Else you cannot pass anything? How does Bernie explain that his pie in the sky can pass in both houses? 2. How does ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 3, 2020:

What you have described is the inertia of government. All 6 of your points would apply to any democrat who were to win the election. At least with Bernie, he has a populist movement behind him that has been picking up momentum and will continue to do so. His message motivates people and energizes the youth. He is the most likely candidate to beat Trump and the high turn out that having him on the ticket would provide is the best chance we have of winning in as many down ballot races as possible. In short, Bernie has the best chance of winning and then surmounting some of those obstacles that you mentioned. All the other candidates would most likely lose and or win but then face government paralysis because of those 6 problems that you brought up. Wouldn't you rather go with the candidate who has some chance of accomplishing some good?

"Bernie Sanders is as Honest as Every Other Politician" by Daniel Greenfield ...

RoboGraham comments on Feb 3, 2020:

Every other politician is as honest as this post.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 3, 2020:

@doug6352 It will set you free.

Who are you voting for?

Seeker3CO comments on Feb 2, 2020:

I will be voting for whomever has the best chance to defeat tRump.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 3, 2020:

@Seeker3CO Same here. But I think, most of those people, will be voting republican anyway.

Who are you voting for?

Seeker3CO comments on Feb 2, 2020:

I will be voting for whomever has the best chance to defeat tRump.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 3, 2020:

@Seeker3CO I hear ya. I was being a goofy idiot. But on a serious note, the reason I think he is best able to best Trump is because, like Trump, he is a populist who speaks to the working class. The difference of course is that he is authentic while Trump is a faux populist. He has been incredibly consistent in his advocacy for policies that will help the little guy. I think that in addition to getting the vote blue no matter who folks, those who mainly just want to vote against Trump, he will bring in a large energized youth vote as well as many people who have been disenchanted by the system but are motivated by his message. The largest voting block is those who don't vote, Sanders is giving those folks a reason to get involved, something other than status quo business as usual. And most important of all, he is the only candidate fully funded by we the people so we can trust that he will represent us rather than the special interests.

Who are you voting for?

Seeker3CO comments on Feb 2, 2020:

I will be voting for whomever has the best chance to defeat tRump.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 3, 2020:

@Seeker3CO Well that's true. It has already become apparent for me.

Who are you voting for?

Seeker3CO comments on Feb 2, 2020:

I will be voting for whomever has the best chance to defeat tRump.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 3, 2020:

@Seeker3CO This is something that is known now. How are you going to make your selection of who to vote for based on who is most likely to beat Trump if you are going to wait until after someone gets the nomination?

Who are you voting for?

Seeker3CO comments on Feb 2, 2020:

I will be voting for whomever has the best chance to defeat tRump.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 3, 2020:

@Seeker3CO Well you said the person who has the best chance to beat Trump. That would be Sanders.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

skado comments on Jan 30, 2020:

I don’t think Bernie and Warren are alike at all. She’s Republican-lite. He’s Never-republican.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 3, 2020:

@St-Sinner it's not a power, it's a skill.

Who are you voting for?

dan325 comments on Feb 2, 2020:

I've recently changed from supporting Elisabeth Warren to supporting Bernie, due to the opportunistic and hypocritical "me too" behavior she exhibited toward Bernie. I agree that the status quo is unacceptable.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 3, 2020:

That's wonderful. There are many Warren supporters who dug in their heels and didn't want to accept that what she did was mean spirited and wrong. Thanks for keeping an open mind.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Unfortunately, my money would be on fascist dictatorship, which is what we are already close to with Trump. Bernie would mean going the other way, at least for a while. The problem with electing another centrist, corporatist defender of the status quo like Obama, Hillary, Biden, Warren, etc., is ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 3, 2020:

@Ms_McSteven I hear ya, I'd be on edge about it too. Hopefully Sanders will win the nomination so that people in your state aren't put in that difficult position again.

Trump May Not Be Removed By The Senate

Drew69 comments on Feb 2, 2020:

Speaking of super wealthy because of capitalism Bernie Sanders is super wealthy because of capitalism but that's okay right that's okay if you're Bernie Sanders is wealthy because he doesn't mind being wealthy because of capitalism as long as he can push his agenda

RoboGraham replies on Feb 3, 2020:

Social democrats, including Bernie Sanders, have no problem with people becoming wealthy.

I'm curious, why should the Iowa Caucuses garner or lead national news coverage?

Sticks48 comments on Feb 2, 2020:

Because Iowa (90% white) is the first one. It should be a state like Texas or California, some place with a more diverse and larger population. I have never understood the logic in this. The second primary in New Hampshire (94% white) makes no sense either.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@Sticks48 That makes sense. I think a better way would be to have it all done on the same day but vote by ranked choice. Do it later in the year to give all the candidates time to visit all the states.

I'm curious, why should the Iowa Caucuses garner or lead national news coverage?

Sticks48 comments on Feb 2, 2020:

Because Iowa (90% white) is the first one. It should be a state like Texas or California, some place with a more diverse and larger population. I have never understood the logic in this. The second primary in New Hampshire (94% white) makes no sense either.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 2, 2020:

I don't see why we don't just have all the states do their primary/caucus on the same day.

Who are you voting for?

Seeker3CO comments on Feb 2, 2020:

I will be voting for whomever has the best chance to defeat tRump.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 2, 2020:

Awesome, I'm voting for Bernie too.

I challanged my local mayor and I've won a small battle.

PondartIncbendog comments on Jan 31, 2020:

How does one become "ordained"?

RoboGraham replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@PondartIncbendog And we can all have tax exempt status.

I can't stand Buttigieg, he's the Ultimate Mike Dukakis..and just as weasally looking..ugg.

RoboGraham comments on Jan 16, 2020:

He is just another corporate democrat. He takes bribes from wealthy elites and corporations and he thinks he is better than all of us regular people. He is a snob. He couldn't care less about the people. He is only running to satisfy his own ambition. He thinks that his homosexuality will get him ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@Drew69 That's correct. All the democrats do it especially the Clintons. The only exception is Bernie Sanders. he is the only person in either party who is completely funded by we the people.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Unfortunately, my money would be on fascist dictatorship, which is what we are already close to with Trump. Bernie would mean going the other way, at least for a while. The problem with electing another centrist, corporatist defender of the status quo like Obama, Hillary, Biden, Warren, etc., is ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@Ms_McSteven I live in Maryland. My state will go blue no matter what I do. This gives me the freedom to vote on principal, for who I actually want to vote for rather than selecting the lesser of two evils. It also allows me to show the establishment that my vote must be earned and I won't give it freely to a neoliberal corporatists just because people like you attempt to shame into doing it.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

skado comments on Jan 30, 2020:

I don’t think Bernie and Warren are alike at all. She’s Republican-lite. He’s Never-republican.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@St-Sinner What you are describing is called critical thinking. It's not a sixth sense and it's not a gut feeling. People who think they can use it to predict the future are not thinking critically.

Trump May Not Be Removed By The Senate

RoboGraham comments on Jan 19, 2020:

There is no chance that he will be re moved.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@Drew69 I said he won't be removed. You agreed with that. So if I don't know what I'm talking about, neither do you nitwit.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Unfortunately, my money would be on fascist dictatorship, which is what we are already close to with Trump. Bernie would mean going the other way, at least for a while. The problem with electing another centrist, corporatist defender of the status quo like Obama, Hillary, Biden, Warren, etc., is ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin I'll vote for Sanders.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Unfortunately, my money would be on fascist dictatorship, which is what we are already close to with Trump. Bernie would mean going the other way, at least for a while. The problem with electing another centrist, corporatist defender of the status quo like Obama, Hillary, Biden, Warren, etc., is ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin I know, I intend to vote for Bernie in the general. No matter what.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Unfortunately, my money would be on fascist dictatorship, which is what we are already close to with Trump. Bernie would mean going the other way, at least for a while. The problem with electing another centrist, corporatist defender of the status quo like Obama, Hillary, Biden, Warren, etc., is ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin I will vote blue in that, I will be voting for Bernie regardless. Bernie is blue, so I'm voting blue.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Update: After years of trying from time to time to get on air as a caller to C-Span's Washington Journal, today I manged to get on air as a caller to C-Span during a program on the Iowa Caucuses. I got to speak uninterrupted for about two minutes and made most of the comments I have made on this ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 2, 2020:

Wow, that is some shady shit. The cancelling of the poll that is.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Unfortunately, my money would be on fascist dictatorship, which is what we are already close to with Trump. Bernie would mean going the other way, at least for a while. The problem with electing another centrist, corporatist defender of the status quo like Obama, Hillary, Biden, Warren, etc., is ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@Ms_McSteven Agreed, I will be voting blue.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Update: After years of trying from time to time to get on air as a caller to C-Span's Washington Journal, today I manged to get on air as a caller to C-Span during a program on the Iowa Caucuses. I got to speak uninterrupted for about two minutes and made most of the comments I have made on this ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin I have been blocked by many a Lizzie Chick who equate my criticisms of their candidate with sexism.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Update: After years of trying from time to time to get on air as a caller to C-Span's Washington Journal, today I manged to get on air as a caller to C-Span during a program on the Iowa Caucuses. I got to speak uninterrupted for about two minutes and made most of the comments I have made on this ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin They know that at least Trump will keep the corruption wheel spinning while Bernie will try to break it.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Update: After years of trying from time to time to get on air as a caller to C-Span's Washington Journal, today I manged to get on air as a caller to C-Span during a program on the Iowa Caucuses. I got to speak uninterrupted for about two minutes and made most of the comments I have made on this ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin I was born that year. I put up a video about that today. If he wins the nomination, heaven forbid, Trump will beat him over the head with that stuff and it will be a colossal defeat.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Update: After years of trying from time to time to get on air as a caller to C-Span's Washington Journal, today I manged to get on air as a caller to C-Span during a program on the Iowa Caucuses. I got to speak uninterrupted for about two minutes and made most of the comments I have made on this ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin Yeah that's true. But still, I'd like to see him call Joe out more onf his shitty record and corruption.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Update: After years of trying from time to time to get on air as a caller to C-Span's Washington Journal, today I manged to get on air as a caller to C-Span during a program on the Iowa Caucuses. I got to speak uninterrupted for about two minutes and made most of the comments I have made on this ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin Oh yeah I'm sure he will let Trump have it. I wish he would do the same to some extent with Biden. If he did, the race wouldn't be as tight as it is.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Update: After years of trying from time to time to get on air as a caller to C-Span's Washington Journal, today I manged to get on air as a caller to C-Span during a program on the Iowa Caucuses. I got to speak uninterrupted for about two minutes and made most of the comments I have made on this ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin I think he avoids going negative a little too much.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Update: After years of trying from time to time to get on air as a caller to C-Span's Washington Journal, today I manged to get on air as a caller to C-Span during a program on the Iowa Caucuses. I got to speak uninterrupted for about two minutes and made most of the comments I have made on this ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin Uninformed people voting is a big problem but I don't believe that barring them from voting is a good solution. High voter turn out is how we win, voter repression is a republican strategy. I want to increase the right to vote as much as possible. I want prisoners to have the right to vote. I think there would be some major problems with restricting the voting rights of uninformed people. Who decides who is informed enough? Who writes the test? Who does the evaluation? Who is going to make sure that the people doing those things don't manipulate it to their advantage to keep out people who are likely to vote for the other side? I think what counts as informed will become very subjective and very partisan and it will be similar to a poll tax. I also don't believe that uninformed people are a lost cause. Everyone was uninformed before they became informed. Even if you can't educate everyone, you put your message in simpler terms and make it relevant to their needs and understanding and they will get it. They are a massive portion of the populace and they shouldn't be shut out or ignored. Their wants and needs are just as valid as anyone else's.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

RoboGraham comments on Feb 1, 2020:

These are some very tough questions. I think the only way we can truly break the stranglehold of the corporate oligarchs is through a mass movement of nonviolent civil disobedience. Our workforce will have to do what the French are doing currently to make any significant improvements. But look on ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin Yeah those two are the real deal, everyone else, eh. But new heroes appear on the scene on occasion. And they appear more frequently in times of strife, which is where we are headed.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Unfortunately, my money would be on fascist dictatorship, which is what we are already close to with Trump. Bernie would mean going the other way, at least for a while. The problem with electing another centrist, corporatist defender of the status quo like Obama, Hillary, Biden, Warren, etc., is ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin Things are looking up. I'm running into a lot of support for the cause and there are a lot of very promising signs. It took him a lifetime but he finally got enough people to listen and understand what needs to be done.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Update: After years of trying from time to time to get on air as a caller to C-Span's Washington Journal, today I manged to get on air as a caller to C-Span during a program on the Iowa Caucuses. I got to speak uninterrupted for about two minutes and made most of the comments I have made on this ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin You are out of their league. Most people don't understand the lingo you were using because they aren't informed. I'm sure there were some listeners who got your meaning and gave your comments some thought.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Update: After years of trying from time to time to get on air as a caller to C-Span's Washington Journal, today I manged to get on air as a caller to C-Span during a program on the Iowa Caucuses. I got to speak uninterrupted for about two minutes and made most of the comments I have made on this ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

Congrats. I hope you were well received.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

whiskywoman comments on Feb 1, 2020:

democratic socialism is what we already have and if we don't get rid of trump we will be a dictatorship and our country will be doomed we will be argentina

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

I don't think it's fair to describe a nation lacking in universal healthcare and housing democratic socialist.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

RoboGraham comments on Feb 1, 2020:

These are some very tough questions. I think the only way we can truly break the stranglehold of the corporate oligarchs is through a mass movement of nonviolent civil disobedience. Our workforce will have to do what the French are doing currently to make any significant improvements. But look on ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin Yeah, you'd have to be one courageous Mofo to challenge the establishment. There were brave badasses willing to take the risk then and someone will step now. Every era needs heroes. Martyrdom is appealing to some.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Unfortunately, my money would be on fascist dictatorship, which is what we are already close to with Trump. Bernie would mean going the other way, at least for a while. The problem with electing another centrist, corporatist defender of the status quo like Obama, Hillary, Biden, Warren, etc., is ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin That is correct. Bernie also happens to be the only candidate who is fully funded by we the people and has a long and unheard of consistency of advocating for the working class. He has a level of authenticity that is unmatched which sets him apart from corrupt neoliberals like Biden and Trump.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

Seeker3CO comments on Feb 1, 2020:

We are most definitely leaning fascist in this country. They have the upper hand and solidified it this past week. We will have unrest. Will it amount to civil war? I hope not, but we are a nation of extremely polarized and emotionally defined opposites. Those who believe in people and the future VS...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

Those divides you listed have always been there. There is nothing new there. It has only come to war once and that was over an issue much more momentous than anything we are facing currently. We have more in common than that which divides us. I think the pendulum will swing back in the other direction.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

TomMcGiverin comments on Feb 1, 2020:

Unfortunately, my money would be on fascist dictatorship, which is what we are already close to with Trump. Bernie would mean going the other way, at least for a while. The problem with electing another centrist, corporatist defender of the status quo like Obama, Hillary, Biden, Warren, etc., is ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@Ms_McSteven The best way to get all the votes for someone other than Trump is to nominate the candidate who appeals to the most people. Someone who can energize the youth vote, encourage disaffected potential voters to get involved by offering them something that will actually have a positive benefit on their lives rather than just more status quo and can get the vote blue no matter who votes in addition.

How much longer will we have to endure minority rule in this country?

Sticks48 comments on Feb 1, 2020:

We are definitely at a crossroads. There has not been a more important election in my lifetime.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

We had better choose wisely in the next few months.

Bernie is the opponent Trump wants.

Paul4747 comments on Jan 29, 2020:

It doesn't really matter to me who Trump wants. The point is, *I*'m against a lot of Sanders' (and Warren's) proposals. Let's take "Medicare For All". How do you pay for it? What will it cover? Why *must* I give up my employer-paid health care, if the government plan isn't better? My union went ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@Varn Thanks for hearing me out. I hope that, if it doesn't work, we can work on expanding the ACA as you described.

Bernie is the opponent Trump wants.

Paul4747 comments on Jan 29, 2020:

It doesn't really matter to me who Trump wants. The point is, *I*'m against a lot of Sanders' (and Warren's) proposals. Let's take "Medicare For All". How do you pay for it? What will it cover? Why *must* I give up my employer-paid health care, if the government plan isn't better? My union went ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@Varn Agreed. This is not productive, we are not hearing each other and we should move on. I will say one other thing. No one is expecting Med4All to get enacted in the current political landscape. The idea is that a true populist running on very popular policies will destroy the faux-populist who has been failing to deliver for the last four years. The plan is to use the ever increasing momentum of this movement into a full on political revolution consisting of a diverse coalition of fed up unsatisfied people who believe that the wealthiest country on earth actually can provide living standards on par with the rest of the 1st world for it's people. The strategy is to aim for extremely high turnout which will help down ballot races be won by democrats. If it works, Congress will be much bluer and many of the newly elected representatives will have the president to thank for their victories and will therefor be willing to cooperate with him on policy. There is still the problem of the conservative supreme court. I suspect that if the people get a taste of single payer healthcare and then it is taken away by the court, the backlash will be so great that it will get through one way or another. You seem to be on board with us on policy. If we win, I hope you can put aside your reservations and join the movement.

Bernie is the opponent Trump wants.

Paul4747 comments on Jan 29, 2020:

It doesn't really matter to me who Trump wants. The point is, *I*'m against a lot of Sanders' (and Warren's) proposals. Let's take "Medicare For All". How do you pay for it? What will it cover? Why *must* I give up my employer-paid health care, if the government plan isn't better? My union went ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@Paul4747 I don't think we are done, it sounds like there is more to discuss. Of course Trump won people, he won 63 million people. 13% of those 63 million had voted for Obama the last time. Obama ran as a progressive, remember Hope and Change? That message earned him the largest popular vote win in history, nearly 70 million. He did not bring us hope and change but it was a very successful campaign which bodes well for Bernie who is not just running on hope and change but a working class populist political revolution. Trump is an incumbent now so he will be even more difficult to beat. Another centrist will fail. There is actually audio of Trump himself boasting and laughing about how easy it would be to beat Biden and expressing apprehension about going up against Sanders because he understands that Bernie is a true populist who the working class and the youth and the minorities will flock to. The democratic party failed working people by supporting NAFTA and TPP. By not standing up for unions. By taking the same corporate money and big money donations that the republicans are. By enacting the crime bill which created mass incarceration affecting minority families disproportionately. By failing to deliver on a rational healthcare system, minimum wage increase, and debt relief. By standing shoulder to shoulder with war mongering republicans as they sent our military into unnecessary foreign wars. By supporting special interests and the military industrial complex rather than their own constituents. By failing to protect the environment as the climate crisis looms. By being just as dedicated to the disastrous war on drugs as the republicans have been. By putting on an impeachment charade to make it seem as though they are resisting Trump fiercely while behind the scenes, giving him his expanded military budget, his space force and renewing the patriot act for him. I find it pretty irrational of them to impeach a president for abusing his powers while simultaneously awarding him more power in the form of an expanded military and a renewed patriot act. It's almost like they are two sides of the same coin. It's really no wonder why people refuse to vote for establishment democrats. They aren't much different from republicans. Obama led us out of the recession but how did he do it? He gave the bankers who's reckless economic actions caused the recession a massive bailout of tax payer money and the people who got screwed got nothing. None of them received any significant punishment and very little regulation was put in place to prevent them from doing it again. Obama was in the pocket of wall street and the big banks. And when there was a left wing backlash in the form of occupy wall street, what did Obama do? He broke it up rather than support the ...

Bernie is the opponent Trump wants.

Paul4747 comments on Jan 29, 2020:

It doesn't really matter to me who Trump wants. The point is, *I*'m against a lot of Sanders' (and Warren's) proposals. Let's take "Medicare For All". How do you pay for it? What will it cover? Why *must* I give up my employer-paid health care, if the government plan isn't better? My union went ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@Paul4747 I think that some of those centrist outsiders will actually be happy that Sanders is out of the mainstream. The independents Aren't in the democratic party because they don't like the democratic party so an outsider, former independent such as Sanders will be appealing to at least some of them. Last time we ran a centrist to appeal to centrists and it didn't work. Those centrists in the republican party are probably TFG and I think going after them rather than embracing populist policies that actually excite people will be a mistake. Last time, Trump was the outsider, opposed to the establishment and he won because people are fed up with the status quo. This time it will be Sanders. Trump is going to hammer his opponent who ever that opponent is. If it's Sanders, he will paint him as a far left socialist. Socialism isn't as scary as it used to be and in these economic times, when people are swimming in debt, can't afford healthcare, wages are way too low while rents are way too high, the quality of life and life expectancy are declining, and half a million people are homeless while the ultra wealthy continue to get even more obscenely rich and wealth inequality is ballooning, socialism may actually be more appealing than it is scary. Trump will also go after Biden on whatever he can and there is much more to go on with him. Trump can point out his corruption, his history of lying and plagiarism, his cognitive decline, his support for the Iraq war, his support for trade deals that sent jobs over seas, his support of credit card companies over consumers, his support for making it impossible to file for bankruptcy with student debt, and the list goes on. At least with Bernie, the only criticism that can be leveled is related to his democratic socialist policies which are actually quite popular. And again, this time Bernie will be the outsider fighting for the working class While Trump will be the guy who didn't keep his promises and got impeached. Hillary lost because she lost the rust belt. Bernie's support is the highest in the rust belt. He is literally the best candidate that the democrats have to win back that critical part of the country that lost us the last election. There were loads of people in those states who voted for Obama then switched to Trump or didn't vote. Why? Because their economic prospects had been ruined and Trump promised to bring the jobs back. They are hurting and will vote for the candidate who will put forward policies that will help them. They can see that Trump is failing. They will switch to Sanders. They most definitely will not switch to the guy who was in favor of NAFTA and the TPP. If it's Biden Against Trump, they will stick it out with Trump because Biden is no different from the rest of the ...

“The time is now to fight for genuine socialism and an end to capitalist exploitation” SEP ...

RoboGraham comments on Feb 1, 2020:

I think the answer to you question of why did Sanders support the democrats after the rigging of the 2016 election is that he knew a democratic win would be better than a Trump victory and he realizes that he needs the democratic party if he is to have any chance at success in his run for ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@William_Mary I don't doubt that there will be disappointment in the future and thanks, I guess, for your kind gesture. What's your strategy? Who are you supporting?

“The time is now to fight for genuine socialism and an end to capitalist exploitation” SEP ...

RoboGraham comments on Feb 1, 2020:

I think the answer to you question of why did Sanders support the democrats after the rigging of the 2016 election is that he knew a democratic win would be better than a Trump victory and he realizes that he needs the democratic party if he is to have any chance at success in his run for ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@William_Mary If he had run as an independent or in the Green party, he would have split the left and Trump would have been guaranteed to win. He is playing the long game and now is the time for it to pay off. I have no reason to doubt his sincerity because he has been insanely consistent throughout his life. I am completely confident that he will fight as hard as he can to implement the policies that he is running on.

Bernie is the opponent Trump wants.

Paul4747 comments on Jan 29, 2020:

It doesn't really matter to me who Trump wants. The point is, *I*'m against a lot of Sanders' (and Warren's) proposals. Let's take "Medicare For All". How do you pay for it? What will it cover? Why *must* I give up my employer-paid health care, if the government plan isn't better? My union went ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@Paul4747 Your point that centrists will vote blue no matter who even if Bernie wins the nomination is all the more reason to vote for him in the primary. He will get those moderates who just want to vote against Trump regardless of who it is and he will get all the progressives, a strong youth turnout, as well as many people who usually don't vote but this time there is something to actually motivate them to get involved. I doubt that progressives will vote for Biden, many of them anyway. I voted for Hillary last time but it is very difficult to vote for someone who you see as corrupt and not actually representing you and your people. This is why I would love to see us implement ranked choice so that people can vote their conscience without fear that their vote is a throw away. Biden is a liar, a plagiarizer, and is so centrist that he is pretty much republican lite. I will find it very difficult to award him my vote. Votes must be earned and the democratic party establishment ought to have learned that after 2016. If the party doesn't change, it will continue to fail. The establishment has gone way too far right, it has abandoned the working class and has little to offer other than being slightly better than the republicans. That does not inspire people to get off their asses and vote. You are right. Baby steps are better than nothing. Which is why we should shoot for what is best and settle for what is good if we can't get what is best. Let's start from a strong negotiating position.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

skado comments on Jan 30, 2020:

I don’t think Bernie and Warren are alike at all. She’s Republican-lite. He’s Never-republican.

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@St-Sinner The part I don't understand is how you can see the future because that isn't possible.

Bernie is the opponent Trump wants.

Paul4747 comments on Jan 29, 2020:

It doesn't really matter to me who Trump wants. The point is, *I*'m against a lot of Sanders' (and Warren's) proposals. Let's take "Medicare For All". How do you pay for it? What will it cover? Why *must* I give up my employer-paid health care, if the government plan isn't better? My union went ...

RoboGraham replies on Feb 1, 2020:

@Varn I understand that you are for single payer, eventually. What we are discussing here is how we get there. Yes we did win on the ACA but it was a pyrrhic victory. Democrats had a super majority in the Senate, control over the House, and Obama in the White House and the best they were able to do was Mitt Romney's plan. A system that forced people to buy insurance from for profit companies. There was some good stuff in the ACA but it was a small win, the war is still on. Bernie's Med4All plan has been legitimately criticized for lacking details. Well, this expansion of the ACA into single payer is lacking details as well. How will it work? I've never had anyone tell me how the transformation will take place. I've hardly even heard that single payer is the ultimate goal of the expansion. The way I see it is that the ACA is very favorable to the for profit health insurance middle men so expanding it will probably be even better for them unless it truly can be expanded to the point that it is single payer, which I don't understand how that will come to be. On the other hand, we already have a very popular and effective not for profit healthcare system in the form of Medicare. Why is expanding Med4All seen as more difficult or unobtainable while the idea of expanding the ACA is seen as the practical solution? Even conservatives like their Medicare, there is a strong case to be made in favor of Med4All and it is a very popular plan. " But unlike our previous and most popular presidential candidate, Bernie’s at it again, like a one-trick pony.. " I'm unsure what you mean by that, what is he at again? "The only way to assure a ‘public option’ is to bring on board enough of Congress and a Supreme Court to allow our current ACA plan to be repaired and bolstered" Not true. We already have a Medicare system and if we have Congress and the Supreme court enough on our side to allow the expansion of the ACA, the same can be true of expanding Medicare. Your solution is not the only solution. It's not even necessarily the best solution. Bill Clinton did loads for Blacks? Bill Clinton signed the Crime Bill which caused mass incarceration, disproportionately effecting black people. Thousands of black families were torn apart because of his policy. What was it that he did which was good for black folks? So we shouldn't go after Hispanic votes? They make up 12% of eligible voters. That's a significant chunk of the electorate and if bringing them into the fold causes people to jump ship, well those aren't exactly the sort of people we want and I would bet that there are far fewer of them than there are actual Hispanic voters. "That ‘Centerest’ who supposedly lost in 16 garnered more votes than any presidential candidate." Not true, she got ...

I challanged my local mayor and I've won a small battle.

PondartIncbendog comments on Jan 31, 2020:

How does one become "ordained"?

RoboGraham replies on Jan 31, 2020:

Pay a small bribe to an internet church. That's how I did it.

Must see Bernie campaign video.

Robecology comments on Jan 31, 2020:

Let me add a bunch of my Bernie Memes. Please; share them on facebook...and in other groups. We need to have a big win on November.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 31, 2020:

@glennlab That's an admirable approach but if we don't point out the flaws in the candidates, how will we know which is best. Trump certainly will pounce all over those flaws so I think it best to get it all out there now.

Bernie is the opponent Trump wants.

Paul4747 comments on Jan 29, 2020:

It doesn't really matter to me who Trump wants. The point is, *I*'m against a lot of Sanders' (and Warren's) proposals. Let's take "Medicare For All". How do you pay for it? What will it cover? Why *must* I give up my employer-paid health care, if the government plan isn't better? My union went ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 31, 2020:

@Paul4747 The rich should certainly pay their fair share. As far as how we adjust taxation to pull this off, that is way above my pay grade. Your suggestion of expanding the cap on payroll tax sounds good to me. I'd also like to see the threshold for the estate tax lowered so that very wealthy people aren't passing on enormous fortunes to their heirs. I think that if we don't start from a very strong negotiating position, we will not succeed in getting a healthcare system that is much better than what we have now. And I think Medicare for All may actually be more popular than you are thinking.- https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/28/most-americans-now-support-medicare-for-all-and-free-college-tuition.html I think last time around, we clearly were the moderates. Hillary Clinton cannot be accused of being anything like progressive. And it was a colossal failure. Perhaps we need a bolder approach to energize people. If we offer potential voters something that will be a big positive change for their everyday lives, they will be more motivated to vote. This is why Sanders has so much momentum currently. People are fed up with the establishment and want an outsider who is promising to make substantial reforms. Trump won by being a populist who challenged the republican establishment. We need a candidate who is clearly opposed to the status quo.

Bernie is the opponent Trump wants.

Paul4747 comments on Jan 29, 2020:

It doesn't really matter to me who Trump wants. The point is, *I*'m against a lot of Sanders' (and Warren's) proposals. Let's take "Medicare For All". How do you pay for it? What will it cover? Why *must* I give up my employer-paid health care, if the government plan isn't better? My union went ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 31, 2020:

@Paul4747 I wasn't able to view the video you sent me. It requires that i subscribe. I'm not going to pay money to read a paper owned by Bezos. I don't see how Med4All wouldn't be more efficient and cost effective. It will cut out the for profit middle men allowing more of the funds to be used for actual healthcare. It will eliminate a ton of bureaucracy because there will be a single payer and everyone will be in the same plan. An enormous chunk of the costs administrative and is eaten up by payment specialists that healthcare providers must employ to argue with the insurance companies because their main concern is profit and they will try to get out of paying by any means necessary. It will reduce the actual amount of healthcare needed because, with everyone being fully insured, more people will actually get their proper check ups rather than waiting until an issue becomes a major problem to go to a doctor because it's just so damn expensive. In the same vein, the country will be healthier and therefor more productive. The benefits of a single payer universal system are massive. If a single payer system would actually increase costs, why are all the other countries who have implemented a single payer system paying less than us per capita?

Bernie is the opponent Trump wants.

Paul4747 comments on Jan 29, 2020:

It doesn't really matter to me who Trump wants. The point is, *I*'m against a lot of Sanders' (and Warren's) proposals. Let's take "Medicare For All". How do you pay for it? What will it cover? Why *must* I give up my employer-paid health care, if the government plan isn't better? My union went ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 31, 2020:

@Paul4747 As far as the ACA being expanded and eventually becoming single payer, how would that work? I've never really considered it because it wasn't said to be the plan so I'm in the dark about how the transformation would occur and how long it would take. As a side not- it's not just republicans who are pushing to do away with social security, Joe Biden is in that camp as well. Yes there is some really desirable stuff in Obamacare which even conservatives can get behind. Republicans did a great job of demonizing it and calling it Obamacare was part of that. Which is why I think Medicare for All is a great name. People love their Medicare so I don't think it's too far of a jump to say- hey, we already have Medicare, it works well, lets extend it for everyone. Branding is important. No matter what we do, the conservatives will straw man the idea. They have no integrity, they will play dirty as always. The way to combat that straw manning is to point out that socialized healthcare already exists. All we are talking about is expanding upon it. It is a very unpopular stance to argue against socialized medicine (Medicare) because people love their Medicare. It is very painfully true that many Americans fear socialism in any form. For decades, we have been led to believe that socialism is the system of the enemy and it inevitably leads to tyranny and a loss of freedom. It has been demonized so much for so long that people assume socialism and communism are two interchangeable words for the same concept. I think the best way to challenge this erroneous idea and set people straight is to show them that socialism improves their lives. We can break the spell putting a democratic socialist in charge and enacting policies that improve lives. We should challenge this idea that socialism is inherently bad by showing people first hand what it really is. And I think we are already part of the way there, especially with the younger generations. I hope that a public option can compete and win against the private insurers. I think there are problems with that as I have already gone over. I hope you are right about it. I don't think I again asked you about giving up your employer provided insurance. I too would like to see more details. I think he is being vague about it to give himself room to compromise later. And because that's what politicians do. He is saying that it will cover everything, including dental, vision, and hearing aids, for everyone. That would be ideal but we don't live in an ideal world so we will have to wait and see. I think your argument about choice is a good one. People are certainly more likely to get onboard with things if they can freely choose to do so. certainly am like that. As I said before, Med4All actually gives you more ...

Bernie is the opponent Trump wants.

Paul4747 comments on Jan 29, 2020:

It doesn't really matter to me who Trump wants. The point is, *I*'m against a lot of Sanders' (and Warren's) proposals. Let's take "Medicare For All". How do you pay for it? What will it cover? Why *must* I give up my employer-paid health care, if the government plan isn't better? My union went ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 31, 2020:

@Varn I think that everything you have said is sensible.I disagree, I think we can do better but I understand you line of reasoning. Except for the art about Bernie Fucking us. The way I see it, there is over representation of centrists and only a hand full of true progressives. I'd like to lay out another argument in favor of Med4All for your consideration. Lets say that you are correct, that the best we can do is a public option or slow incremental improvements of the ACA. Assuming a democrat wins in November, we will have a very hard fight to improve the healthcare system regardless of which one we choose to go for. If we go for Med4All, we will have quite a lot of room to compromise and still end with something decent. We can give ground and perhaps get a public option when it's all said and done. If we start from a weaker negotiating position, when we inevitably are forced to make concessions, the end result will be less desirable than what we could have achieved. One more thing, you are totally correct that we need the black vote to be strong. Sanders has a very diverse coalition. The more time goes by, the more of the black vote he gets. He also is strong with Hispanics and he has the youth vote on lock down. The vote blue no matter who folks will turn out for him because their main concern is voting against Trump so he will have them in addition to an energized youth vote as well as many traditionally non-voters who had been disenchanted with the two party status quo but have been motivated by Bernie's message. He is much more electable than people think. A centrist lost last time and I believe we need a new approach rather than repeating the failed strategy of 2016.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 30, 2020:

Except for the six big differences that matter: 1. Warren is a true Democrat, a loyal party member 2. Warren never said she is a socialist and has never done a damage to the Democratic Party brand 3. Warren never tried to hijack a platform where she does not belong 4. Warren stands straight, ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 31, 2020:

@St-Sinner Right, it takes decades for a big momentous change to occur. the healthcare debate has been going on since the early 20th century. People have been fighting for a single payer system since before FDR. It is time for that long fight to finally be won. You are concentrating on superficial attributes and playing identity politics. The election of Trump should indicate to you that things have changed. Only people on the far right who would never vote for him anyway cares that he is jewish. People care about issues and character. They want the leader who is most likely to improve their lives and Bernie is it. Bernie is the most likely candidate to beat Trump. All the vote blue no matter who democrats who just want to vote against Trump will turn out for Sanders. He will turn out the enthusiastic youth vote who recognize that Bernie is the best chance they have for a prosperous life and he is motivating many people who have become disenchanted with the status quo. He gets the votes that a centrist would get plus a high turnout of youth and typical non-voters. Having him on the ballot is the best way for democrats to do well in the down ballot races too. He is the man to lead the democrats to victory and reform the system for the better.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

skado comments on Jan 30, 2020:

I don’t think Bernie and Warren are alike at all. She’s Republican-lite. He’s Never-republican.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 31, 2020:

@St-Sinner You continuously make the claim that Bernie cannot win without any attempt to back it up with information or a logical argument. You are arguing from a stance of pure emotion. It is not persuasive and you have provided nothing to convince anyone to believe what you believe.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 30, 2020:

Bernie will not be president. If at all he is nominated, he will have another heart attack after Trump trashes him in the first debate. There will not be one term for Bernie, and there will not be two terms of Bernie. So rest well. Don't worry. Don't let the impossibilities bother you.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 31, 2020:

@Barnie2years True, but a candidate cannot win the democratic nomination with 0% of the black and vote and no enthusiasm from the youth.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 30, 2020:

Bernie will not be president. If at all he is nominated, he will have another heart attack after Trump trashes him in the first debate. There will not be one term for Bernie, and there will not be two terms of Bernie. So rest well. Don't worry. Don't let the impossibilities bother you.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

@Barnie2years I think he is bought by the special interests and the people will reject him.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

skado comments on Jan 30, 2020:

I don’t think Bernie and Warren are alike at all. She’s Republican-lite. He’s Never-republican.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

@St-Sinner If anyone is in La La Land, it's the guy claiming that he can "tell the future in advance."

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 30, 2020:

Except for the six big differences that matter: 1. Warren is a true Democrat, a loyal party member 2. Warren never said she is a socialist and has never done a damage to the Democratic Party brand 3. Warren never tried to hijack a platform where she does not belong 4. Warren stands straight, ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

@St-Sinner You are a fortune teller?

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 30, 2020:

Except for the six big differences that matter: 1. Warren is a true Democrat, a loyal party member 2. Warren never said she is a socialist and has never done a damage to the Democratic Party brand 3. Warren never tried to hijack a platform where she does not belong 4. Warren stands straight, ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

@St-Sinner Do you believe that saying he won't be the president over and over will make it so?

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 30, 2020:

Except for the six big differences that matter: 1. Warren is a true Democrat, a loyal party member 2. Warren never said she is a socialist and has never done a damage to the Democratic Party brand 3. Warren never tried to hijack a platform where she does not belong 4. Warren stands straight, ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

@St-Sinner It's not up to the voters to make those decisions, it's up to the leaders. The leaders, put in place by voters, decide what to do with America's great strength and wealth. We elected Kennedy and he made the momentous decision to go to the moon. Now we have the opportunity to elected a president who will create a rational healthcare system.

Bernie is the opponent Trump wants.

Paul4747 comments on Jan 29, 2020:

It doesn't really matter to me who Trump wants. The point is, *I*'m against a lot of Sanders' (and Warren's) proposals. Let's take "Medicare For All". How do you pay for it? What will it cover? Why *must* I give up my employer-paid health care, if the government plan isn't better? My union went ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

@Varn I've never heard of this idea that the ACA is meant to be a path to single payer. My understanding of it was that it was a mediocre half measure. It not only preserved the for profit insurance system, it forced people to buy the for profit insurance. Obama lost Congress because the ACA forced them to buy insurance or pay a fine and it didn't do much to actually make healthcare more affordable. Don't get me wrong, the ACA was a very good thing but it was very flawed so it left the democrats open to republican attacks. How do propose we build on the victory? If improving the ACA is the best we can do, I'm all for it but I see Med4All as the better solution.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 30, 2020:

Except for the six big differences that matter: 1. Warren is a true Democrat, a loyal party member 2. Warren never said she is a socialist and has never done a damage to the Democratic Party brand 3. Warren never tried to hijack a platform where she does not belong 4. Warren stands straight, ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

@Aurora62 Lol, good point. Yeah we landed people on the moon before anyone else had ever done it. Single payer healthcare is absolutely common in the first world but for some strange reason these cynics believe that it is unobtainable. They want to just give up on the idea of American exceptionalism.

Bernie is the opponent Trump wants.

Paul4747 comments on Jan 29, 2020:

It doesn't really matter to me who Trump wants. The point is, *I*'m against a lot of Sanders' (and Warren's) proposals. Let's take "Medicare For All". How do you pay for it? What will it cover? Why *must* I give up my employer-paid health care, if the government plan isn't better? My union went ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

@Varn What convinces me is the idea that, once people experience democratic socialism for a few years and they see how it benefits them, their families, and their neighbors, they will continue to vote for candidates who support it. FDR was the most popular president since Washington. He was the only person to be elected 4 times thanks to his popular socialistic policies. He fell short on healthcare but now single payer is more popular than ever. This is the opportunity to finally get it done and settled. Of course there will be a backlash. We will have to weather that storm and trust that people, once having a good thing, won't want that good thing taken away. Just as the republicans have failed to repeal Obamacare fully because people understand that it is positive for them, they will defend a single payer system which improves their lives.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 30, 2020:

Except for the six big differences that matter: 1. Warren is a true Democrat, a loyal party member 2. Warren never said she is a socialist and has never done a damage to the Democratic Party brand 3. Warren never tried to hijack a platform where she does not belong 4. Warren stands straight, ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

@Aurora62 Sanders is up in Iowa and New Hampshire, leading in California and now closing the gap in Texas. He has the most donors and the most momentum by far. And yet, somehow @St-Sinner believes that we are living in lala land.

Bernie is the opponent Trump wants.

Paul4747 comments on Jan 29, 2020:

It doesn't really matter to me who Trump wants. The point is, *I*'m against a lot of Sanders' (and Warren's) proposals. Let's take "Medicare For All". How do you pay for it? What will it cover? Why *must* I give up my employer-paid health care, if the government plan isn't better? My union went ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

@Varn I don't believe that. This is America, the wealthiest country on earth. If other nations can do it, we can too.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 30, 2020:

Bernie will not be president. If at all he is nominated, he will have another heart attack after Trump trashes him in the first debate. There will not be one term for Bernie, and there will not be two terms of Bernie. So rest well. Don't worry. Don't let the impossibilities bother you.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

@St-Sinner Your not going to let it happen? What are you going to do to stop him? What can you do, if you are planning to use your debate skills, you may as well pack it up now.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

PondartIncbendog comments on Jan 30, 2020:

I sent Bernie five donations so you're wrong. Hehe.........Really, good choice. Except Bernie is ten years older than myself and he's a lot healthier. What's important to Bernie is the strength of his Vice pick.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

I'd like to see him pick Gabbard for VP.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

MarkiusMahamius comments on Jan 30, 2020:

Shes still pretty close to Bernies age. Of the remaining candidates wgo are still considered "viable" per DNC standards, Klobuchar and Steyer are the only ones under 70 ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

@Lorajay At this point, we are voting for more than just a man, we are voting for a movement. If Sanders isn't able to follow through on a second term or even if he isn't able to complete his first, his win will be a mandate for change and whoever follows him will have to continue with his vision.

Bernie and Warren are very much alike.

RoboGraham comments on Jan 30, 2020:

Sanders and Warren seem similar because Warren co-opted Sanders' agenda. But they aren't actually all that similar. Sanders has absolutely refused to accept corporate or big donor contributions while Warren has made it clear that she intends to fund her campaign by any means necessary in the ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 30, 2020:

@St-Sinner Hillary wasn't a walk over woman. She will have to do better than just not getting walked over on the debate stage to beat Trump. She doesn't have what it takes but the point is moot anyway. She will not win the nomination.