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Bernie Sanders: To our establishment friends in the Democratic Party
To our establishment friends in the Democratic Party: the status quo is not working and cannot be defended.
We will not shrink from big ideas.
We are prepared to take on the big money interests who dominate society.
And we know the American people are with us in that fight.
84 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
In his eighties, Bernie is still fighting the good fight.
Well, I guess I'm not cut out to be a "team player"
Never have been. I do not do as the MAGAts who go along with whatever their leader decrees.
Never have been. I do not do as the MAGAts who go along with whatever their leader decrees.
I stated in my post that I am a Democrat and I always vote for Democrats. Yet here you are comparing me to a MAGAt voter that just goes along with whatever Dear Leader decrees? What is wrong with you and why the attack on me?
I agree with the liberal points in the post I referenced. I'll support any candidate who fights for that. I want it to be the Democratic party and it should be the Democratic Party, but not all of the candidates with D after their name will stand up for those issues. That's why I called it shameful. An "I" has to stand up for what "D"s should already be doing.
I could never vote for Bernie with an I after his name because I do not live in Vermont and theirfore not my Senator, not my state and I am not eligible to vote there.
When Bernie runs for President HE CHANGES his party affiliation to D. He RUNS as a Democrat.
This from 2024:
Bernie Sanders filed Monday to be a candidate for the Senate in 2024 — as an independent.
But last month, Sanders filed as a Democrat for president.
snip
But with Sanders, it creates the odd situation of having a high-profile presidential candidate file to run for two different offices with different parties, just as the Democratic Party is adopting rules mandating presidential candidates take something of a loyalty pledge.
https://www.npr.org/2019/03/04/700121429/bernie-sanders-files-to-run-as-a-democrat-and-an-independent
But last month, Sanders filed as a Democrat for president.
snip
But with Sanders, it creates the odd situation of having a high-profile presidential candidate file to run for two different offices with different parties, just as the Democratic Party is adopting rules mandating presidential candidates take something of a loyalty pledge.
https://www.npr.org/2019/03/04/700121429/bernie-sanders-files-to-run-as-a-democrat-and-an-independent
Also, I feel like I would be a hypocrite to mock the way rightwingers fall in line to support what they're told, then follow establishment Democratic leadership when it continuously drifts more and more to the right of the liberal policies I believe in.
So what you are saying to us, and accusing me of is walking lockstep with that dreadful word ya all love to toss out "Establishment" Democratic leadership.
I brought up Manchin/Sinema as the perfect example of Democrats who worked to actively undermine the good things Joe Biden tried to accomplish, yet were defended here simply because they had a "D" after their names. At least for a while, anyway. Yet Bernie Sanders is constantly attacked, despite living up to liberal Democratic policy and working toward that goal.
No one here likes Manchin or Sinema and you can now add Fetterman to that list as well. Never trusted him and I do remember many here were all for the man.
..............................
Your last paragraph, the note to jury.... I LOLed that you felt the need for that.🤔 I don't alert, I respond.
At least that's what he said in the most recent of his thrice weekly emails asking me for $27 to pay for his road trip.
Further, as you may know, we’ve just issued a call for progressives throughout the country to run for office -- from school board, to city council, to state legislature, to the U.S. Congress. The response has been extraordinary. Over 5,000 people, from virtually every state in the country, have expressed an interest in getting involved politically. Some are interested in running as progressive Democrats, others as Independents. We’ll be doing a Zoom call with many of them in the very near future in order to begin providing them with the guidance that new candidates often need.
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He's a millionaire politician sitting on a $19,000,000+ campaign war chest nagging working people for their money so he can "run around the country" and recruit and train people to run against Democrats.
https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00411330/
FUCK. THAT. SHIT.
but I don't think anyone really thinks of the Progressive Caucus member as a leader of the Party.
Rep. Ro Khanna defends fundraiser at David Sacks’s home after supporting Silicon Valley Bank bailout
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, the Democratic congressman from Silicon Valley, is defending his plans to hold a fundraiser at the home of venture capitalist David Sacks in the wake of advocating for government intervention in Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse.
snip================
The congressman also said he was unaware that Sacks — who co-founded Craft Ventures and was also an angel investor in companies like Facebook, META, UBER, and Airbnb Inc — cowrote a book with then-fellow Stanford University student Peter Thiel called “The Diversity Myth: Multiculturalism and Political Intolerance on Campus.” Among other things, the 1990s book criticized African American history courses, gender studies, “the extreme focus on racism” and referred to date rape as “belated regret.” Sacks later apologized for what he called his “former views” and said he was embarrassed by them.
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, the Democratic congressman from Silicon Valley, is defending his plans to hold a fundraiser at the home of venture capitalist David Sacks in the wake of advocating for government intervention in Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse.
snip================
The congressman also said he was unaware that Sacks — who co-founded Craft Ventures and was also an angel investor in companies like Facebook, META, UBER, and Airbnb Inc — cowrote a book with then-fellow Stanford University student Peter Thiel called “The Diversity Myth: Multiculturalism and Political Intolerance on Campus.” Among other things, the 1990s book criticized African American history courses, gender studies, “the extreme focus on racism” and referred to date rape as “belated regret.” Sacks later apologized for what he called his “former views” and said he was embarrassed by them.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/rep-ro-khanna-defends-fundraiser-at-david-sacks-home-after-supporting-silicon-valley-bank-bailout-f6b0f0dc
=====================================
does not help in any way. It's that simple.
This is not Independent Underground, so I will repeat
FUCK. THAT. SHIT.
I wouldn't. I would still vote for/support Democrat Ro Khanna.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/rep-ro-khanna-defends-fundraiser-at-david-sacks-home-after-supporting-silicon-valley-bank-bailout-f6b0f0dc
-----------------------------------------------
Rep. Ro Khanna defends fundraiser at David Sacks’s home after supporting Silicon Valley Bank bailout
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, the Democratic congressman from Silicon Valley, is defending his plans to hold a fundraiser at the home of venture capitalist David Sacks in the wake of advocating for government intervention in Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse.
snip================
The congressman also said he was unaware that Sacks — who co-founded Craft Ventures and was also an angel investor in companies like Facebook, META, UBER, and Airbnb Inc — cowrote a book with then-fellow Stanford University student Peter Thiel called “The Diversity Myth: Multiculturalism and Political Intolerance on Campus.” Among other things, the 1990s book criticized African American history courses, gender studies, “the extreme focus on racism” and referred to date rape as “belated regret.” Sacks later apologized for what he called his “former views” and said he was embarrassed by them.
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, the Democratic congressman from Silicon Valley, is defending his plans to hold a fundraiser at the home of venture capitalist David Sacks in the wake of advocating for government intervention in Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse.
snip================
The congressman also said he was unaware that Sacks — who co-founded Craft Ventures and was also an angel investor in companies like Facebook, META, UBER, and Airbnb Inc — cowrote a book with then-fellow Stanford University student Peter Thiel called “The Diversity Myth: Multiculturalism and Political Intolerance on Campus.” Among other things, the 1990s book criticized African American history courses, gender studies, “the extreme focus on racism” and referred to date rape as “belated regret.” Sacks later apologized for what he called his “former views” and said he was embarrassed by them.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/rep-ro-khanna-defends-fundraiser-at-david-sacks-home-after-supporting-silicon-valley-bank-bailout-f6b0f0dc
-----------------------------------------------
take out
(1): eliminate
(2): kill, destroy
(3): knock out
(1): eliminate
(2): kill, destroy
(3): knock out
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/takeout
Democratic Establishment. So it's not true they control the party by bribing them with campaign contributions and Democrats have to do everything they say and be like Republicans, ignore the working/middle classes and be corrupt, have no policies like the ACA, Build Back Better, gun control, help with student loans, lower Pharma prices, etc.
Finally! The truth is out. Don't believe the propaganda against Democrats.
LOL at "Daddy broke a promise thanks, Obama" 
Last edited Wed Apr 30, 2025, 07:21 AM - Edit history (1)
Earlier you were inveighing against "Democrats who suck up to and give in to corporate and billionaire money", and now the problem is "ineffective establishment types".
The majority party controls the Congressional calendar, activity on the floor, the subpoena power of committees , the budget , and the appointment of judges.
We need to elect Democrats.
As for recruiting and training Independents to run against Democrats, the result will be to split the vote and help elect Republicans in tight races and purple districts.
That's about as ineffective as it comes.
Independent Members of Congress can choose not to caucus with either Party.
Bernie Sanders Has an Idea for the Left: Don’t Run as Democrats
The Vermont senator, who has long had a tense relationship with the Democratic Party, suggested in an interview that more progressives should join him in running as independents.
“One of the aspects of this tour is to try to rally people to get engaged in the political process and run as independents outside of the Democratic Party,” Mr. Sanders said in the interview on Wednesday.
The Vermont senator, who has long had a tense relationship with the Democratic Party, suggested in an interview that more progressives should join him in running as independents.
“One of the aspects of this tour is to try to rally people to get engaged in the political process and run as independents outside of the Democratic Party,” Mr. Sanders said in the interview on Wednesday.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/us/politics/bernie-sanders-democrats-independents.html
===========================
As for money, Sanders is a millionaire politician with a $19,000.000+ war chest who nags people on his email list three times a week to send him $27 to help pay for his road trip.. If he wants to "run around the country" to rally people to “run as Independents outside of the Democratic Party", let him do it on his own dime.
Thank you, Donkees, for posting this inspiring video.
1000% 
It hits the key points that affect everybody.
I recall that Kamala made the same points, but wasn't as laser-focused, and as Bernie says, the party won't attack THEIR oligarchs who fund them.
Back in the late 60's someone wrote on the classroom chalkboard "Stop ABM"
Showing my anti establishment colors, I changed it to IBM.
I met that prof again on the opposite coast, where we both migrated. Pretty cool, amazing dude!!
THE PROF, TOO!!! 
Further, as you may know, we’ve just issued a call for progressives throughout the country to run for office -- from school board, to city council, to state legislature, to the U.S. Congress. The response has been extraordinary. Over 5,000 people, from virtually every state in the country, have expressed an interest in getting involved politically. Some are interested in running as progressive Democrats, others as Independents. We’ll be doing a Zoom call with many of them in the very near future in order to begin providing them with the guidance that new candidates often need.
Bernie Sanders Has an Idea for the Left: Don’t Run as Democrats
The Vermont senator, who has long had a tense relationship with the Democratic Party, suggested in an interview that more progressives should join him in running as independents.
“One of the aspects of this tour is to try to rally people to get engaged in the political process and run as independents outside of the Democratic Party,” Mr. Sanders said in the interview on Wednesday.
The Vermont senator, who has long had a tense relationship with the Democratic Party, suggested in an interview that more progressives should join him in running as independents.
“One of the aspects of this tour is to try to rally people to get engaged in the political process and run as independents outside of the Democratic Party,” Mr. Sanders said in the interview on Wednesday.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/us/politics/bernie-sanders-democrats-independents.html
FUCK. THAT. SHIT.
College tuition is free in NYS, health care is a guaranteed human right, Medicaid and Medicare were expanded in 2023, and the minimum wage is $15+ an hour.
We elect Democrats.
Bob Zimmerman's campaign released their oppo report to the press raising concerns about George Santos's resume the day after the primary. The questions were raised time and time again. The press was so focused on Lee Zeldin's run for governor that the story never broke through.
A small North Shore Republican newspaper reported the story at length and actually endorsed the Democratic candidate in the race, but larger newspapers never picked up their story until after Santos was elected.
Small, local paper uncovered and reported George Santos scandal before November election
A watchdog group filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission accusing newly sworn-in Rep. George Santos of illegally using campaign funds and masking the source of those funds. The North Shore Leader, a small paper on Long Island, broke the scandal before the November election. By the time other outlets picked it up, Santos had been elected. Grant Lally joined Geoff Bennett to discuss.
A watchdog group filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission accusing newly sworn-in Rep. George Santos of illegally using campaign funds and masking the source of those funds. The North Shore Leader, a small paper on Long Island, broke the scandal before the November election. By the time other outlets picked it up, Santos had been elected. Grant Lally joined Geoff Bennett to discuss.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/small-local-paper-uncovered-and-reported-george-santos-scandal-before-november-election
----------------------------------------
A tiny paper broke the George Santos scandal but no one paid attention
Months before the New York Times published a December article suggesting Rep.-elect George Santos (R-N.Y.) had fabricated much of his résumé and biography, a tiny publication on Long Island was ringing alarm bells about its local candidate.
The North Shore Leader wrote in September, when few others were covering Santos, about his “inexplicable rise” in reported net worth, from essentially nothing in 2020 to as much as $11 million two years later. The story noted other oddities about the self-described gay Trump supporter with Jewish heritage, who would go on to flip New York’s 3rd Congressional District from blue to red, and is now under investigation by authorities for misrepresenting his background to voters.
It was the stuff national headlines are supposed to be built on: A hyperlocal outlet like the Leader does the legwork, regional papers verify and amplify the story, and before long an emerging political scandal is being broadcast coast to coast. But that system, which has atrophied for decades amid the destruction of news economies, appears to have failed completely this time.
Despite a well-heeled and well-connected readership — the Leader’s publisher says it counts among its subscribers Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Jesse Watters and several senior people at Newsday, a once-mighty Long Island-based tabloid that has won 19 Pulitzers — no one followed its story before Election Day.
Months before the New York Times published a December article suggesting Rep.-elect George Santos (R-N.Y.) had fabricated much of his résumé and biography, a tiny publication on Long Island was ringing alarm bells about its local candidate.
The North Shore Leader wrote in September, when few others were covering Santos, about his “inexplicable rise” in reported net worth, from essentially nothing in 2020 to as much as $11 million two years later. The story noted other oddities about the self-described gay Trump supporter with Jewish heritage, who would go on to flip New York’s 3rd Congressional District from blue to red, and is now under investigation by authorities for misrepresenting his background to voters.
It was the stuff national headlines are supposed to be built on: A hyperlocal outlet like the Leader does the legwork, regional papers verify and amplify the story, and before long an emerging political scandal is being broadcast coast to coast. But that system, which has atrophied for decades amid the destruction of news economies, appears to have failed completely this time.
Despite a well-heeled and well-connected readership — the Leader’s publisher says it counts among its subscribers Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Jesse Watters and several senior people at Newsday, a once-mighty Long Island-based tabloid that has won 19 Pulitzers — no one followed its story before Election Day.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/12/29/north-shore-leader-santos-scoop/
===================================
I worked that race. I was there.
The media had the oppo, concerns were raised time and time again by both the Zimmerman campaign and a local Republican newspaper (which even wound up endorsing the Democrat) but the regional (Newsday and local TV news outlets) and the national press couldn't be bothered.
When the NYT finally started reporting the story after the election, they wanted kudos, as if they had broken the story. The time to report it was before the election. Sound familiar?
I know what happened. I was on the ground for that election. Were you?
And if you have any further questions along that particular line, you are welcome to sea below.
ALWAYS has been THE MAN 
