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丕賳賯賱丕亘 賲丕: 丌蹖賳丿賴鈥屫й� 讴賴 亘丕蹖丿 亘賴 丌賳 丕毓鬲賯丕丿 丿丕卮鬲
夭賲丕賳蹖 讴賴 亘乇賳蹖 爻賳丿乇夭 讴賲倬蹖賳卮 乇丕 亘乇丕蹖 卮乇讴鬲 丿乇 賲亘丕乇夭丕鬲 丕賳鬲禺丕亘 乇蹖丕爻鬲鈥屫呝囐堌臂� 丕賲乇蹖讴丕 丌睾丕夭 讴乇丿貙 爻丕夭賲丕賳鈥屬囏й� 爻蹖丕爻蹖 賵 乇爻丕賳賴鈥屬囏й� 丕噩鬲賲丕毓蹖 丌賳 乇丕 蹖讴 讴賲倬蹖賳 賳丕賲賵賮賯 賲丨爻賵亘 讴乇丿賳丿 賵 禺蹖賱蹖 噩丿蹖 賳诏乇賮鬲賳丿. 蹖讴 丿賱蹖賱卮 丕蹖賳 亘賵丿 讴賴 爻賳丿乇夭 爻賳丕鬲賵乇 賲爻鬲賯賱蹖 丕夭 蹖讴 丕蹖丕賱鬲 讴賵趩讴 賵 賳丕卮賳丕爻 亘賵丿. 讴賲倬蹖賳卮 夭蹖丕丿 倬賵賱鈥屫ж� 賳亘賵丿貙 爻丕夭賲丕賳鈥屫囒� 爻蹖丕爻蹖 賳丿丕卮鬲 賵 丿乇毓蹖賳鈥屫з� 亘丕蹖丿 亘丕 讴賱 丿爻鬲诏丕賴 丨夭亘 丿賲賵讴乇丕鬲 乇賯丕亘鬲 賲蹖鈥屭┴必�.
倬爻 丕夭 丕賳丿讴蹖貙 賲卮禺氐 卮丿 讴賴 氐丕丨亘鈥屬嗀肛必з� 丕卮鬲亘丕賴 賲蹖鈥屭┴必嗀�. 亘乇賳蹖 蹖讴蹖 丕夭 賲賴賲鈥屫臂屬� 讴賲倬蹖賳鈥屬囏й� 鬲丕乇蹖禺 賲丿乇賳 乇丕 賴丿丕蹖鬲 賲蹖鈥屭┴必�. 丕賵 丿乇 賲乇丨賱賴鈥屬囏й� 賲賯丿賲丕鬲蹖 賵 倬丕乇賱賲丕賳蹖 丿乇 讴賱 讴卮賵乇 亘蹖卮 丕夭 郾鄢 賲蹖賱蹖賵賳 乇兀蹖 讴爻亘 讴乇丿 賵 亘乇賳丿賴 乇兀蹖 亘蹖爻鬲鈥屬堌� 丕蹖丕賱鬲 卮丿 賵 亘蹖卮 丕夭 鄞/郾 賲蹖賱蹖賵賳 賳賮乇 丿乇 賳卮爻鬲鈥屬囏й� 毓賲賵賲蹖鈥屫ж� 卮乇讴鬲 讴乇丿賳丿. 賲賴賲鈥屫臂屬� 賳讴鬲賴 丕蹖賳 亘賵丿 讴賴 丕賵 賳卮丕賳 丿丕丿 讴賴 丕賲乇蹖讴丕蹖蹖鈥屬囏� 丌賲丕丿踿 賲亘丕乇夭賴 亘丕 胤賲毓 賵 亘蹖鈥屬呚池︐堎勠屫� 卮乇讴鬲鈥屬囏й� 亘夭乇诏 孬乇賵鬲賲賳丿 丕賲乇蹖讴丕 賵 丌賳 郾 丿乇氐丿 丕夭 賲乇丿賲 孬乇賵鬲賲賳丿蹖 讴賴 賴賲賵丕乇賴 丿乇 氐丿乇 賯乇丕乇 丿丕乇賳丿 賴爻鬲賳丿.
丿乇 讴鬲丕亘 丕賳賯賱丕亘 賲丕貙 爻賳丿乇夭 鬲噩乇亘蹖丕鬲 卮禺氐蹖 禺賵丿 乇丕 丕夭 賲亘丕乇夭丕鬲 丕賳鬲禺丕亘丕鬲蹖 賵 噩夭卅蹖丕鬲 賲亘丕乇夭丕鬲 賲賯丿賲丕鬲蹖 鬲丕乇蹖禺蹖 賵 賲乇丿賲蹖鈥屫ж� 乇丕 亘乇丕蹖 賴賲诏丕賳 鬲賵氐蹖賮 讴乇丿賴 賵 亘丕 禺賵丕賳賳丿诏丕賳卮 亘賴 丕卮鬲乇丕讴 賲蹖鈥屭柏ж必� 賵 亘乇丕蹖 賲蹖賱蹖賵賳鈥屬囏� 賳賮乇 讴賴 禺賵丕爻鬲丕乇 丕丿丕賲踿 丕賳賯賱丕亘 爻蹖丕爻蹖 賴爻鬲賳丿貙 噩夭卅蹖丕鬲 丿爻鬲賵乇 讴丕乇 賮毓丕賱蹖鬲鈥屬囏й� 丕賯鬲氐丕丿蹖貙 夭蹖爻鬲鈥屬呚屫粉屫� 賳跇丕丿蹖 賵 亘乇丕亘乇蹖 丕噩鬲賲丕毓蹖鈥屫ж� 乇丕 讴賴 爻亘亘 丕蹖噩丕丿 賲卮丕睾賱貙 丕賮夭丕蹖卮 丿爻鬲賲夭丿貙 賲丨丕賮馗鬲 丕夭 賲丨蹖胤鈥屫槽屫池� 賵 丕乇丕卅踿 禺丿賲丕鬲 亘賴丿丕卮鬲蹖 亘乇丕蹖 賴賲诏丕賳 賵 丿乇賳賴丕蹖鬲 丿诏乇诏賵賳蹖 賵 亘賴亘賵丿 卮乇丕蹖胤 讴卮賵乇 丕賲乇蹖讴丕 賵 讴賱 丿賳蹖丕 禺賵丕賴丿 卮丿 丕乇丕卅賴 賲蹖鈥屫囏�. 丕賵 賲毓鬲賯丿 丕爻鬲 讴賴 丕賳賯賱丕亘 爻蹖丕爻蹖 賲丕 鬲丕夭賴 丌睾丕夭 卮丿賴 丕爻鬲. 卮丕蹖丿 讴賲倬蹖賳 丕賳鬲禺丕亘丕鬲蹖鈥屫ж� 倬丕蹖丕賳 蹖丕賮鬲賴 亘丕卮丿貙 丕賲丕 賲亘丕乇夭賴 賴賲趩賳丕賳 丕丿丕賲賴 丿丕乇丿.
倬爻 丕夭 丕賳丿讴蹖貙 賲卮禺氐 卮丿 讴賴 氐丕丨亘鈥屬嗀肛必з� 丕卮鬲亘丕賴 賲蹖鈥屭┴必嗀�. 亘乇賳蹖 蹖讴蹖 丕夭 賲賴賲鈥屫臂屬� 讴賲倬蹖賳鈥屬囏й� 鬲丕乇蹖禺 賲丿乇賳 乇丕 賴丿丕蹖鬲 賲蹖鈥屭┴必�. 丕賵 丿乇 賲乇丨賱賴鈥屬囏й� 賲賯丿賲丕鬲蹖 賵 倬丕乇賱賲丕賳蹖 丿乇 讴賱 讴卮賵乇 亘蹖卮 丕夭 郾鄢 賲蹖賱蹖賵賳 乇兀蹖 讴爻亘 讴乇丿 賵 亘乇賳丿賴 乇兀蹖 亘蹖爻鬲鈥屬堌� 丕蹖丕賱鬲 卮丿 賵 亘蹖卮 丕夭 鄞/郾 賲蹖賱蹖賵賳 賳賮乇 丿乇 賳卮爻鬲鈥屬囏й� 毓賲賵賲蹖鈥屫ж� 卮乇讴鬲 讴乇丿賳丿. 賲賴賲鈥屫臂屬� 賳讴鬲賴 丕蹖賳 亘賵丿 讴賴 丕賵 賳卮丕賳 丿丕丿 讴賴 丕賲乇蹖讴丕蹖蹖鈥屬囏� 丌賲丕丿踿 賲亘丕乇夭賴 亘丕 胤賲毓 賵 亘蹖鈥屬呚池︐堎勠屫� 卮乇讴鬲鈥屬囏й� 亘夭乇诏 孬乇賵鬲賲賳丿 丕賲乇蹖讴丕 賵 丌賳 郾 丿乇氐丿 丕夭 賲乇丿賲 孬乇賵鬲賲賳丿蹖 讴賴 賴賲賵丕乇賴 丿乇 氐丿乇 賯乇丕乇 丿丕乇賳丿 賴爻鬲賳丿.
丿乇 讴鬲丕亘 丕賳賯賱丕亘 賲丕貙 爻賳丿乇夭 鬲噩乇亘蹖丕鬲 卮禺氐蹖 禺賵丿 乇丕 丕夭 賲亘丕乇夭丕鬲 丕賳鬲禺丕亘丕鬲蹖 賵 噩夭卅蹖丕鬲 賲亘丕乇夭丕鬲 賲賯丿賲丕鬲蹖 鬲丕乇蹖禺蹖 賵 賲乇丿賲蹖鈥屫ж� 乇丕 亘乇丕蹖 賴賲诏丕賳 鬲賵氐蹖賮 讴乇丿賴 賵 亘丕 禺賵丕賳賳丿诏丕賳卮 亘賴 丕卮鬲乇丕讴 賲蹖鈥屭柏ж必� 賵 亘乇丕蹖 賲蹖賱蹖賵賳鈥屬囏� 賳賮乇 讴賴 禺賵丕爻鬲丕乇 丕丿丕賲踿 丕賳賯賱丕亘 爻蹖丕爻蹖 賴爻鬲賳丿貙 噩夭卅蹖丕鬲 丿爻鬲賵乇 讴丕乇 賮毓丕賱蹖鬲鈥屬囏й� 丕賯鬲氐丕丿蹖貙 夭蹖爻鬲鈥屬呚屫粉屫� 賳跇丕丿蹖 賵 亘乇丕亘乇蹖 丕噩鬲賲丕毓蹖鈥屫ж� 乇丕 讴賴 爻亘亘 丕蹖噩丕丿 賲卮丕睾賱貙 丕賮夭丕蹖卮 丿爻鬲賲夭丿貙 賲丨丕賮馗鬲 丕夭 賲丨蹖胤鈥屫槽屫池� 賵 丕乇丕卅踿 禺丿賲丕鬲 亘賴丿丕卮鬲蹖 亘乇丕蹖 賴賲诏丕賳 賵 丿乇賳賴丕蹖鬲 丿诏乇诏賵賳蹖 賵 亘賴亘賵丿 卮乇丕蹖胤 讴卮賵乇 丕賲乇蹖讴丕 賵 讴賱 丿賳蹖丕 禺賵丕賴丿 卮丿 丕乇丕卅賴 賲蹖鈥屫囏�. 丕賵 賲毓鬲賯丿 丕爻鬲 讴賴 丕賳賯賱丕亘 爻蹖丕爻蹖 賲丕 鬲丕夭賴 丌睾丕夭 卮丿賴 丕爻鬲. 卮丕蹖丿 讴賲倬蹖賳 丕賳鬲禺丕亘丕鬲蹖鈥屫ж� 倬丕蹖丕賳 蹖丕賮鬲賴 亘丕卮丿貙 丕賲丕 賲亘丕乇夭賴 賴賲趩賳丕賳 丕丿丕賲賴 丿丕乇丿.
461 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2016
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March 29, 2019
鈥滱 great nation is judged not by how many millionaires and billionaires it has, or by the size of its military budget. It is not judged by the greed of its largest corporations. It is judged by how well it treats its weakest and most vulnerable citizens. A truly great nation is one that is filled with compassion and solidarity.鈥�
What I love about this photo is the obvious excitement of the crowd, his saggy, real person pants, and the fact that this man isn鈥檛 made for TV or even radio. His passion is infectious, and he made people believe that real change is possible.
I owe Bernie Sanders an apology.
I didn鈥檛 support him. I had tunnel vision. I didn鈥檛 think America would get behind someone who had declared himself an open socialist. I thought some of his ideas were too far to the left. I was comfortable with Hillary Clinton. I thought she had done what she needed to do to be the next president. I liked the idea of finally having a woman as president, and not just a woman, but a very qualified woman. The stigma of being really the only first world country to never have a woman as the head of the government is reaching the ridiculous stage. Many third world countries have had women heading their governments.
The establishment got out of the way for her. Joe Biden decided not to run. Other nationally known Democrats also decided to wait for the next cycle or the next one after that if she won.
Bernie Sanders got the (fantasy in my own mind) memo from the DNC, but he crumpled it up because, as he hosted events exploring the possibility of running for President, all he heard was鈥�Run, Bernie Run!
I had my first flicker of discontent when the scandal involving the DNC rigging the process for Hillary Clinton came to light. I was still feeling a little irritation that Bernie was winning states and extending the process. When I observed his events, all I saw was a sea of young people crazy about him...what the f**k did they know? How many of them are even registered to vote or will even get out of bed to vote on election day? Young voters are notoriously unreliable. By them supporting him, it made me even more firm in my support of Clinton.
So after gazing upon the smoldering ruins of a presidential election, I decided that the very man whom I had rejected may have actually been the man who could have won this election and started moving the country in the right direction. From looking at the voting data, many of those young people who were fired up about Bernie did not come out and vote for Hillary or voted for an alternative candidate as a form of protest.
We will see how costly those protest votes prove to be.
At the same time, though I despise protest votes, after sifting through the evidence, it does seem clear that there was a conspiracy to keep Bernie from winning the nomination. People had a real reason to be pissed off. To Bernie鈥檚 credit, he does not really talk about this in his book. This book is about issues. His campaign was about issues. He did not parse his words. Hillary Clinton has been through enough campaigns to know how carefully she needs to word every answer she gives. She might avoid controversy with her tap dance answers, but it comes across as canned and, more importantly, lacking sincerity.
So I want to publically apologize for not giving Bernie Sanders the credit he deserved for trying to run a progressive campaign about the issues. Part of my penance was to read his book, not that it was drudgery, far from it. I actually laughed out loud at times, and more importantly, he handed me a long list of talking points to discuss with my numerous Republican friends. I鈥檓 not going to get into all of them because the book is a terrific source for addressing every major issue the United States is and will be facing, but he also gives us viable solutions to each and every one of these issues.
As I was reading this, I was reading parts of it out loud to my wife, and she asked me at one point isn鈥檛 it depressing to read about everything that is wrong with the country? I鈥檓 a solution based personality so even though there are a lot of scary things wrong just knowing that there are valid ways to fix those problems was actually inspiring.
As Bernie says...it isn鈥檛 too late.
鈥滺ow does it happen that the wealthiest family in America is also the largest welfare recipient in this country?Wal-Mart makes huge profits by paying their workers wages that are so low that the workers not only qualify for, but need, public assistance just to get by. Many Wal-Mart employees rely on Medicaid for health insurance for themselves and their children---paid for by the taxpayers of this country. To feed their families, many Wal-Mart workers receive food stamps---paid for by the American taxpayers. And to keep a roof over their heads, many Wal-Mart employees live in subsidized housing---paid for by the taxpayers of America.鈥�
How much does the American people pay Wal-Mart in welfare? $6.2 billion.
Wal-Mart made $15 billion in profit in 2014. If they had paid their workers a living wage of $15 an hour it would have cost them $5 billion. Not an insignificant amount, but they would still make a $10 billion profit. How much of that $5 billion investment in their employees would actually be used to buy goods in their stores? Probably a large % of it. I don鈥檛 think the American taxpayer should finance Wal-Mart鈥檚 huge profit margin.
The Walton family makes more money than the bottom 130 million Americans combined.
Bernie addresses our prison system. We have 25% of the entire world鈥檚 prison population. What? Say that again. The United States incarcerates 25% of the prisoners in the entire world.
We鈥檝e all heard the term 鈥渢oo big to fail鈥� in regards to insurance companies and banks. Since I鈥檓 into confessions in this review I too was fooled into thinking that is true. If a company is too big to fail than it is too big. It doesn鈥檛 mean it can be as stupid and reckless as it wants to be and wait for the American taxpayer to bail them out. An Attorney General recently said that bank officials were 鈥渢oo big to jail鈥� because it would destabilize the world economy.
Come on man... that is what we do better than anyone else in the world. I am much more interested in seeing the white collar prick go to jail for ethics violations than the poor black kid for dealing drugs.
He talks about the long working hours of the American worker, longest for a first world country with averages of 47 hours a week. 40% of the country work over 50 hours a week. This is despite all the advances in technology that allow everyone to do more in less time. He talks about the health care problem and the need for everyone to be on a single payer system. He discusses the massive amounts of student debt. He exposes the worst tax avoiders in the United States and the massive amounts of money that is held offshore to avoid US taxes. The rich are getting richer off the backs of the rest of us and we are nearing the breaking point.
It is always so funny when Republicans accuse Democrats of wanting to redistribute wealth or engaging in class warfare, but they are pointing the finger in the wrong direction. It is the top 1% who are engaged in class warfare and who are redistributing all the wealth to themselves. The question I keep asking is when is enough money enough?
So our 鈥渃razy鈥� guy was Sanders and their 鈥渃razy鈥� guy was Trump. Who would have thought that this was the election where people were so desperately wanting change that they were willing to go for the 鈥渃raziest鈥� guy?
Would Bernie have beat Donald?
Broken beer bottles, razor blades, rusty chains, brass knuckles...I鈥檓 taking Bernie.
Keep helping us look for a better America Bernie.
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What I love about this photo is the obvious excitement of the crowd, his saggy, real person pants, and the fact that this man isn鈥檛 made for TV or even radio. His passion is infectious, and he made people believe that real change is possible.
I owe Bernie Sanders an apology.
I didn鈥檛 support him. I had tunnel vision. I didn鈥檛 think America would get behind someone who had declared himself an open socialist. I thought some of his ideas were too far to the left. I was comfortable with Hillary Clinton. I thought she had done what she needed to do to be the next president. I liked the idea of finally having a woman as president, and not just a woman, but a very qualified woman. The stigma of being really the only first world country to never have a woman as the head of the government is reaching the ridiculous stage. Many third world countries have had women heading their governments.
The establishment got out of the way for her. Joe Biden decided not to run. Other nationally known Democrats also decided to wait for the next cycle or the next one after that if she won.
Bernie Sanders got the (fantasy in my own mind) memo from the DNC, but he crumpled it up because, as he hosted events exploring the possibility of running for President, all he heard was鈥�Run, Bernie Run!
I had my first flicker of discontent when the scandal involving the DNC rigging the process for Hillary Clinton came to light. I was still feeling a little irritation that Bernie was winning states and extending the process. When I observed his events, all I saw was a sea of young people crazy about him...what the f**k did they know? How many of them are even registered to vote or will even get out of bed to vote on election day? Young voters are notoriously unreliable. By them supporting him, it made me even more firm in my support of Clinton.
So after gazing upon the smoldering ruins of a presidential election, I decided that the very man whom I had rejected may have actually been the man who could have won this election and started moving the country in the right direction. From looking at the voting data, many of those young people who were fired up about Bernie did not come out and vote for Hillary or voted for an alternative candidate as a form of protest.
We will see how costly those protest votes prove to be.
At the same time, though I despise protest votes, after sifting through the evidence, it does seem clear that there was a conspiracy to keep Bernie from winning the nomination. People had a real reason to be pissed off. To Bernie鈥檚 credit, he does not really talk about this in his book. This book is about issues. His campaign was about issues. He did not parse his words. Hillary Clinton has been through enough campaigns to know how carefully she needs to word every answer she gives. She might avoid controversy with her tap dance answers, but it comes across as canned and, more importantly, lacking sincerity.
So I want to publically apologize for not giving Bernie Sanders the credit he deserved for trying to run a progressive campaign about the issues. Part of my penance was to read his book, not that it was drudgery, far from it. I actually laughed out loud at times, and more importantly, he handed me a long list of talking points to discuss with my numerous Republican friends. I鈥檓 not going to get into all of them because the book is a terrific source for addressing every major issue the United States is and will be facing, but he also gives us viable solutions to each and every one of these issues.
As I was reading this, I was reading parts of it out loud to my wife, and she asked me at one point isn鈥檛 it depressing to read about everything that is wrong with the country? I鈥檓 a solution based personality so even though there are a lot of scary things wrong just knowing that there are valid ways to fix those problems was actually inspiring.
As Bernie says...it isn鈥檛 too late.
鈥滺ow does it happen that the wealthiest family in America is also the largest welfare recipient in this country?Wal-Mart makes huge profits by paying their workers wages that are so low that the workers not only qualify for, but need, public assistance just to get by. Many Wal-Mart employees rely on Medicaid for health insurance for themselves and their children---paid for by the taxpayers of this country. To feed their families, many Wal-Mart workers receive food stamps---paid for by the American taxpayers. And to keep a roof over their heads, many Wal-Mart employees live in subsidized housing---paid for by the taxpayers of America.鈥�
How much does the American people pay Wal-Mart in welfare? $6.2 billion.
Wal-Mart made $15 billion in profit in 2014. If they had paid their workers a living wage of $15 an hour it would have cost them $5 billion. Not an insignificant amount, but they would still make a $10 billion profit. How much of that $5 billion investment in their employees would actually be used to buy goods in their stores? Probably a large % of it. I don鈥檛 think the American taxpayer should finance Wal-Mart鈥檚 huge profit margin.
The Walton family makes more money than the bottom 130 million Americans combined.
Bernie addresses our prison system. We have 25% of the entire world鈥檚 prison population. What? Say that again. The United States incarcerates 25% of the prisoners in the entire world.
We鈥檝e all heard the term 鈥渢oo big to fail鈥� in regards to insurance companies and banks. Since I鈥檓 into confessions in this review I too was fooled into thinking that is true. If a company is too big to fail than it is too big. It doesn鈥檛 mean it can be as stupid and reckless as it wants to be and wait for the American taxpayer to bail them out. An Attorney General recently said that bank officials were 鈥渢oo big to jail鈥� because it would destabilize the world economy.
Come on man... that is what we do better than anyone else in the world. I am much more interested in seeing the white collar prick go to jail for ethics violations than the poor black kid for dealing drugs.
He talks about the long working hours of the American worker, longest for a first world country with averages of 47 hours a week. 40% of the country work over 50 hours a week. This is despite all the advances in technology that allow everyone to do more in less time. He talks about the health care problem and the need for everyone to be on a single payer system. He discusses the massive amounts of student debt. He exposes the worst tax avoiders in the United States and the massive amounts of money that is held offshore to avoid US taxes. The rich are getting richer off the backs of the rest of us and we are nearing the breaking point.
It is always so funny when Republicans accuse Democrats of wanting to redistribute wealth or engaging in class warfare, but they are pointing the finger in the wrong direction. It is the top 1% who are engaged in class warfare and who are redistributing all the wealth to themselves. The question I keep asking is when is enough money enough?
So our 鈥渃razy鈥� guy was Sanders and their 鈥渃razy鈥� guy was Trump. Who would have thought that this was the election where people were so desperately wanting change that they were willing to go for the 鈥渃raziest鈥� guy?
Would Bernie have beat Donald?
Broken beer bottles, razor blades, rusty chains, brass knuckles...I鈥檓 taking Bernie.
Keep helping us look for a better America Bernie.
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November 28, 2016
It's been decades since I've faced racial and ethnic hatred up close, but when these things happen, they scar you. Hence, my fear at the proliferation of swastikas following our election. I don't like feeling this kind of fear, and education helps lower my heart rate as I stay engaged. I read Our Revolution because I needed educating, and if that is your goal, this is the book鈥攚hether you are a Bernie true believer, a Clinton supporter, or a Trump voter whose motivation was to take a sledge hammer to a system that is not working and is ignoring millions of people.
The first section of this book is a methodical educational walk through recent politics鈥攁bsolutely excellent, clear-eyed, and optimistic (particularly the Burlington story which comes near the beginning of the book), no matter who you voted for! If you can ignore your particular biases, you will receive an education in oligarchy, which has been the direction of politics for a long, long time鈥攚hoever has money gets their way.
The second section of this book is a manifesto about what exists now and how to create something else for all of us who want fairness, the ability to make a living, safety, and acknowledgement. There is a lot of detail, heavy facts鈥攕o much knowledge that I wondered how Sanders can contain it without having his head explode as mine kept threatening to do. But education is not easy. And it can be pretty scary to learn the why and how of oligarchy. At times, I felt panicked and overwhelmed. But I would rather feel those things than not know. There are reasons behind Sanders's campaign talking points about the top 2% owning all the wealth being a bad idea, about why raising the minimum wage is a good thing and how it can be done, and the section on reforming Wall Street is an alarming "Paul Revere"-type equal-opportunity indictment of Democrats and Republicans that left me gasping.
I found myself personally stirred up鈥攔emembering times when employers had claimed financial reasons for underpaying me or when people who made three times my income balked at my hourly freelance rate; I recalled a senior colleague, a man with a trust fund, telling me in all seriousness that our pay should be determined by what we need and since he had three homes and two kids, he needed more than I did. When I said I would like to own one home rather than rent and have the option to do things like go to the theater and the doctor, he seemed to think my desire for growth did not equate to his need to support his existing lavish lifestyle鈥攁nd this is the normal mindset in our country! I learned in Our Revolution that the most common human tendency is to not only grab as much of the pie as you can, but actually believe you need it and it's better if you have it. What an illusion!
I finally got educated about trade; I'd just thought I was stupid and uninformed, but I learned that this may be because the news media have a vested interest in not covering trade agreements.
In short, this book is grad school of substance behind Sanders's familiar talking points. Read in-depth, simple-to-understand discourses on topics you want to know about, or skim and skip some sections once you get the gist鈥擨 did this increasingly toward the end of the book, and my one criticism is I wish there were an index and bibliography or endnotes so that I could easily go back to certain topics after writhing on the floor and recovering from the information overload, maybe a year from now.
What makes this book so optimistic is that Sanders has experienced beating the odds. He's seen the people who voted on both sides, and I mean really seen them. They filled his rallies.
We have our job set out for us, but Sanders and others believe that if we stop sitting it out, if we take our politics personally and become involved, accepting that NOBODY on top, no elected official is going to "fix" our life, we can change, but it must come from the ground up.
My opinion: It is critical that we stop blaming and acknowledge that we all want the same things: fairness, a chance to succeed in life, a safe home. Sanders has some very good ideas about how to accomplish those things. Number one: Wake up!
The first section of this book is a methodical educational walk through recent politics鈥攁bsolutely excellent, clear-eyed, and optimistic (particularly the Burlington story which comes near the beginning of the book), no matter who you voted for! If you can ignore your particular biases, you will receive an education in oligarchy, which has been the direction of politics for a long, long time鈥攚hoever has money gets their way.
The political power of the oligarchs goes well beyond their campaign contributions and ability to influence elections. As a result of their ownership of media, think tanks, university chairs, and political front groups, they influence American public opinion and domestic and foreign policy in ways that few realize. (190)
The second section of this book is a manifesto about what exists now and how to create something else for all of us who want fairness, the ability to make a living, safety, and acknowledgement. There is a lot of detail, heavy facts鈥攕o much knowledge that I wondered how Sanders can contain it without having his head explode as mine kept threatening to do. But education is not easy. And it can be pretty scary to learn the why and how of oligarchy. At times, I felt panicked and overwhelmed. But I would rather feel those things than not know. There are reasons behind Sanders's campaign talking points about the top 2% owning all the wealth being a bad idea, about why raising the minimum wage is a good thing and how it can be done, and the section on reforming Wall Street is an alarming "Paul Revere"-type equal-opportunity indictment of Democrats and Republicans that left me gasping.
I found myself personally stirred up鈥攔emembering times when employers had claimed financial reasons for underpaying me or when people who made three times my income balked at my hourly freelance rate; I recalled a senior colleague, a man with a trust fund, telling me in all seriousness that our pay should be determined by what we need and since he had three homes and two kids, he needed more than I did. When I said I would like to own one home rather than rent and have the option to do things like go to the theater and the doctor, he seemed to think my desire for growth did not equate to his need to support his existing lavish lifestyle鈥攁nd this is the normal mindset in our country! I learned in Our Revolution that the most common human tendency is to not only grab as much of the pie as you can, but actually believe you need it and it's better if you have it. What an illusion!
I finally got educated about trade; I'd just thought I was stupid and uninformed, but I learned that this may be because the news media have a vested interest in not covering trade agreements.
In short, this book is grad school of substance behind Sanders's familiar talking points. Read in-depth, simple-to-understand discourses on topics you want to know about, or skim and skip some sections once you get the gist鈥擨 did this increasingly toward the end of the book, and my one criticism is I wish there were an index and bibliography or endnotes so that I could easily go back to certain topics after writhing on the floor and recovering from the information overload, maybe a year from now.
What makes this book so optimistic is that Sanders has experienced beating the odds. He's seen the people who voted on both sides, and I mean really seen them. They filled his rallies.
"At all of these rallies, where we were filling up large arenas, people were not walking out during a long speech, they were not (I think) bored. They were listening. If there is a lesson I learned from this experience, it was that Americans are hungry for an understanding of what is going on in our country and how we can improve it." (147)And his section called "Turning Workers into Owners" (pp. 259-262) was completely new and exciting to me. Why don't we do these things? Lots of other places have and they work!
We have our job set out for us, but Sanders and others believe that if we stop sitting it out, if we take our politics personally and become involved, accepting that NOBODY on top, no elected official is going to "fix" our life, we can change, but it must come from the ground up.
My opinion: It is critical that we stop blaming and acknowledge that we all want the same things: fairness, a chance to succeed in life, a safe home. Sanders has some very good ideas about how to accomplish those things. Number one: Wake up!
June 13, 2017
Bernie Sanders wants to change the world. His book, Our Revolution, is part memoir and part manifesto.
The first section of the book is the story of his campaign for U.S. president in the 2016 election, in which he lost the Democratic nomination to Hillary Clinton. This section went on too long and got bogged down with Bernie constantly repeating everything his campaign was up against, and his thanking every individual who helped him along the way.
The second part is his agenda for how we could transform the country, with detailed statistics and ideas for changes. This is where Bernie's passion and earnestness really shines and you can understand why he gained so much support among those upset with the political establishment.
I listened to this on audio, with Bernie narrating about half of the book and the actor Mark Ruffalo reading the other half. While I agree with much of Bernie's agenda and his perspective on the myriad of the problems we're facing,* it was a struggle to finish this book because Bernie is so strident and relentless that it felt like getting an 18-hour lecture by an angry uncle. I had to take frequent breaks to make it to the end. (My husband listened to part of it with me, and he described it as "a really long op-ed piece.")
* A Short List of Our Problems: Stagnating wages for the middle and lower classes; jobs outsourced to other countries; the rising cost of health care; the rising cost of college; politicians corrupted by lobbyists and big money; corporate tax dodgers; crumbling infrastructure; not enough support for veterans; not enough support for families; not enough support for seniors; institutional racism; the prison industrial complex; a broken immigration system; xenophobia; war; and climate change. Bernie addresses all of these issues in his book.
Even though the audio version became a bit tedious, I would still recommend Bernie's book to those who are interested in reading more about his ideas. His book sounds a lot like his campaign speeches (some clips of his speeches were included in the audiobook), and it has good details for those who are politically minded.
One last thing: Bernie wrote so favorably about his state of Vermont and he made it sound so appealing that now I want to move there.
Meaningful Passage
"We can overcome the insatiable greed that now exists and create an economy that ends poverty and provides a decent standard of living for all. Yes. We can create a vibrant democracy where knowledgeable citizens actively debate the great challenges they face. Yes. We can create a health care system that guarantees health care for every man, woman and child, and that focuses on disease prevention and keeping us healthy, not outrageous profits for insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry. Yes. We can effectively combat climate change and transform our energy system away from fossil fuel and into energy efficiency and sustainable energy ... We will not be able to accomplish those goals if we look at democracy as a spectator sport, assuming others will do it for us. They won't. The future is in your hands. Let's get to work."
Humanity is at a crossroads. We can continue down the current path of greed, consumerism, oligarchy, poverty, war, racism, and environmental degradation. Or we can lead the world in moving in a very different direction.
The first section of the book is the story of his campaign for U.S. president in the 2016 election, in which he lost the Democratic nomination to Hillary Clinton. This section went on too long and got bogged down with Bernie constantly repeating everything his campaign was up against, and his thanking every individual who helped him along the way.
The second part is his agenda for how we could transform the country, with detailed statistics and ideas for changes. This is where Bernie's passion and earnestness really shines and you can understand why he gained so much support among those upset with the political establishment.
I listened to this on audio, with Bernie narrating about half of the book and the actor Mark Ruffalo reading the other half. While I agree with much of Bernie's agenda and his perspective on the myriad of the problems we're facing,* it was a struggle to finish this book because Bernie is so strident and relentless that it felt like getting an 18-hour lecture by an angry uncle. I had to take frequent breaks to make it to the end. (My husband listened to part of it with me, and he described it as "a really long op-ed piece.")
* A Short List of Our Problems: Stagnating wages for the middle and lower classes; jobs outsourced to other countries; the rising cost of health care; the rising cost of college; politicians corrupted by lobbyists and big money; corporate tax dodgers; crumbling infrastructure; not enough support for veterans; not enough support for families; not enough support for seniors; institutional racism; the prison industrial complex; a broken immigration system; xenophobia; war; and climate change. Bernie addresses all of these issues in his book.
Even though the audio version became a bit tedious, I would still recommend Bernie's book to those who are interested in reading more about his ideas. His book sounds a lot like his campaign speeches (some clips of his speeches were included in the audiobook), and it has good details for those who are politically minded.
One last thing: Bernie wrote so favorably about his state of Vermont and he made it sound so appealing that now I want to move there.
Meaningful Passage
"We can overcome the insatiable greed that now exists and create an economy that ends poverty and provides a decent standard of living for all. Yes. We can create a vibrant democracy where knowledgeable citizens actively debate the great challenges they face. Yes. We can create a health care system that guarantees health care for every man, woman and child, and that focuses on disease prevention and keeping us healthy, not outrageous profits for insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry. Yes. We can effectively combat climate change and transform our energy system away from fossil fuel and into energy efficiency and sustainable energy ... We will not be able to accomplish those goals if we look at democracy as a spectator sport, assuming others will do it for us. They won't. The future is in your hands. Let's get to work."
November 17, 2016
Worthy reading for anyone interested in the political climate of 2014-2016 (and beyond), democratic socialism, or that cool cat Bernie Sanders. Written with feeling, humor, and intelligence, the words of a modern politicians I actually respect ring true and strike the heart of any reader hoping for a better tomorrow. No matter your politics, this one is worth checking out.
February 12, 2017
鈥淗umanity is at a crossroads. We can continue down the current path of greed, consumerism, oligarchy, poverty, war, racism, and environmental degradation. Or we can lead the world in moving in a very different direction.鈥�
As Americans, we consider our country to be one of the greatest in the world. Our values move in a generally forward direction, but our priorities for caring for the most vulnerable of our society have somewhat slipped behind the rest of the world. Bernie Sanders鈥� 2016 platform is one of the most progressive in modern history, and he lays out important issues plaguing the current state of America. I was overwhelmed with various emotions reading this book: sadness for the millions being left behind, anger regarding the domination of greed in our government, and fear of the future after what could become decades of neglect. Regardless of your political views, these issues affect all of us and future generations to come.
鈥淭he establishment wants you to believe America is broke, indeed they need you to believe America is broke. But in reality, we are the richest country in the world, and we are richer than at any other time in history.鈥�
As Americans, we consider our country to be one of the greatest in the world. Our values move in a generally forward direction, but our priorities for caring for the most vulnerable of our society have somewhat slipped behind the rest of the world. Bernie Sanders鈥� 2016 platform is one of the most progressive in modern history, and he lays out important issues plaguing the current state of America. I was overwhelmed with various emotions reading this book: sadness for the millions being left behind, anger regarding the domination of greed in our government, and fear of the future after what could become decades of neglect. Regardless of your political views, these issues affect all of us and future generations to come.
鈥淭he establishment wants you to believe America is broke, indeed they need you to believe America is broke. But in reality, we are the richest country in the world, and we are richer than at any other time in history.鈥�
December 7, 2016
I was planning a long review where I explained how wonderful Bernie Sanders is, how he cuts through all the BS and is constantly bringing attention back to the basic issues ("A nation will not survive morally or economically when so few have so much and so many have so little."), how it's frustrating that he has to remind everyone that his ideas are not extreme ones (Is it really so crazy to think that minimum wage workers should make $15/hr, or is it crazier that taxpayers subsidize the profits of the Walton family鈥攚ho own Walmart, who hoard more wealth than the bottom 40% of America, over 127 million people鈥攂y providing welfare assistance for their employees that aren't paid enough to survive on?), how he's one of the only politicians who seems serious about saving the planet from the fossil fuel industry ("If we do not address the global crisis of climate change, transform our energy system away from fossil fuels to sustainable energy, the planet that we're going to be leaving our kids and our grandchildren may well not be inhabitable."), how he's somehow the only prominent politician who admits that our politics are systemically undemocratic ("We are talking about a rapid movement in this country toward a political system in which a handful of very wealthy people and special interests will determine who gets elected or who does not get elected. That is not what this country is supposed to be about. That was not Abraham Lincoln鈥檚 vision of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people."), how he is able to prioritize between destroying other countries and preserving our own ("Millions are unemployed and our roads and bridges are falling apart. It we can spend $6 trillion sending people to war, we can spend $1 trillion to put Americans to work fixing our nation's crumbling infrastructure."), or how maybe all you need to know about him is that he's a decent guy and that's a really remarkable characteristic in the current political climate ("There is too much shouting at each other. There is too much making fun of each other."), but you already have opinions about Bernie Sanders.
Instead, I'll use the rest of my space here to collect a few of my favorite Bernie moments:
^After winning his first mayoral election in Burlington, Bernie celebrated by picking up trash in a public park.
^This goofy smile.
^Of course, we can't forget the time when a bird endorsed Bernie Sanders.
Okay, okay, I guess this is a book review, so I should talk about the book. It's a good book. I mean, if you like Bernie Sanders, you will like this book. If you don't, you won't. The first quarter or so is a quick and dirty memoir of his life, but mostly focussing on his 2016 primary run. The rest of the book is a run-through of his major policy positions. If you get the audiobook, the memoir portion is narrated by Bernie himself. The rest is narrated by Mark Ruffalo, who sucks at it. He basically sounds bored during a lot of it, and he chuckles at strange times. If you're part of the top 1%, you should buy the audiobook to listen to Bernie read his part, then buy the print or e-book and read the rest of it yourself.
Instead, I'll use the rest of my space here to collect a few of my favorite Bernie moments:
^After winning his first mayoral election in Burlington, Bernie celebrated by picking up trash in a public park.
^This goofy smile.
^Of course, we can't forget the time when a bird endorsed Bernie Sanders.
Okay, okay, I guess this is a book review, so I should talk about the book. It's a good book. I mean, if you like Bernie Sanders, you will like this book. If you don't, you won't. The first quarter or so is a quick and dirty memoir of his life, but mostly focussing on his 2016 primary run. The rest of the book is a run-through of his major policy positions. If you get the audiobook, the memoir portion is narrated by Bernie himself. The rest is narrated by Mark Ruffalo, who sucks at it. He basically sounds bored during a lot of it, and he chuckles at strange times. If you're part of the top 1%, you should buy the audiobook to listen to Bernie read his part, then buy the print or e-book and read the rest of it yourself.
October 27, 2024
Feel the Bern, and beyond鈥�
The Good:
--First half is Bernie鈥檚 autobiography and 2016 campaign; Bernie is definitely at his best engaging with everyday Americans and bridging surface divisions to address structural divides (the US politicaltheatre circus serves the ruling class via distractions, blackout censorship, and divide-and-rule). Bernie narrates this part in the audiobook version and even adds a few radical name-drops (Eugene V. Debs, Michael Parenti!).
--Second half goes through Bernie鈥檚 political stances, a Social Democrat (i.e. political democracy while economic capitalism... although there would be more socialism if US establishment wasn't so extremist)/Progressive platform; this is the strongest people鈥檚 platform offered by the 2-party political circus serving Wall Street/the petrodollar/the greatest military in human history (summing up the geopolitical economy that calls itself the "U.S.A.").
...In other words, a comprehensive resistance plan to start from (to provide space for grassroots demands to lead, rather than creating sole dependency on leadership from politicians), and this is all we should expect from politicians who must entangle with such concentrated private powers (finance/military/industry). Actual transformative ideas are sprinkled in here and there (public banking, worker co-ops; see later).
--This harsh reality-check is to prevent illusions that result in unnecessary disappointments (Obama). Compare US presidential talking-points with world public opinion; US politics is framed from the perspective of the 0.1%, and the scraps-from-the-table they are willing to entertain.
The Missing:
--In terms of long-term viability, the Social Democracy train starts to run out of track鈥� Let鈥檚 break down the contradictions of Social Democracy (i.e. political democracy with economic capitalism):
鈥淯SA is the wealthiest country in human history, so why can鈥檛 it pay for [insert social need]鈥�: this may as well be the slogan for US Progressives, and it is repeated for many of Bernie鈥檚 identified issues. This also relates to 鈥渨hy does the US spend trillions on its military (when it is already spending more than the next 8 countries combined) while pretending it cannot spend on social services (which includes veteran needs)鈥�.
If we take geopolitical economy and history seriously, we can actually answer these rhetorical questions. Private wealth is not benign; it transforms power relations and has a social cost. The core contradiction of Social Democracy is that (a) capitalism runs on one-dollar-one-vote, whereas (b) democracy (mostly referring to political elections, but really should extend to workplace democracy, active participation, etc.) requires one-person-one-vote.
Private wealth of such extremes pays for military domination of foreign lands and shirks on domestic social needs because these are the principles for its very existence. This class dimension is not clearly laid out by Social Democrats. Characterizations like 鈥渨asteful spending鈥� and foreign policy "blunders" obscure the strategic act of enforcing the global division of labor, where rich countries write the trade deals to provide their own corporations cheap inputs and secure, profitable outputs (protected markets, high-productivity sectors):
-The Divide: A Brief Guide to Global Inequality and its Solutions
-Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism
-Super Imperialism: The Origin and Fundamentals of U.S. World Dominance
Wars and arms sales are rational for short-term profiteering by the military industrial complex for the 1%, while the 99% pay for it with their taxes/lack of social services/lives: War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier.
Thus, the realm of global power relations is where Social Democrats unravel. For example, Social Democrats can assume a framework of benevolent, 鈥渇ree鈥� competition between nations to point the finger at poor countries having a competitive edge in attracting corporations due to low regulatory standards (cheap labor, environment, etc.)! Once again, flawed assumptions lead to skewed perceptions of power relations. Global capitalist laws (unequal and destructive trade deals, intellectual property laws, debt and privatization traps) are dictated by rich countries to enable their corporations to continue the over-exploitation of 鈥減ost-colonial鈥� lands. Capitalist intervention smashes alternative recovery/development: Capital and Imperialism: Theory, History, and the Present
Illusions of 鈥淣ew Deal鈥� era policies, the "Golden Age" of Capitalism/Welfare State/Social Democracy, creating a vibrant American 鈥渕iddle class鈥� conveniently bypass the real driver that pulled US out of the Great Depression: vast military industrialization and profiteering during WWII while the rest of the world was decimated, followed by writing the international economic system. Transformative progress requires seeing and addressing America鈥檚 Military Keynesianism, not simply rewriting its surface disguise.
-The Global Minotaur: America, the True Origins of the Financial Crisis and the Future of the World Economy
-And the Weak Suffer What They Must? Europe's Crisis and America's Economic Future
-The Darker Nations: A People's History of the Third World
-The Poorer Nations: A Possible History of the Global South
Update: for Bernie's reflections on his 2nd presidentialloss sabotage, see Bernie's 2023 It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism
The Good:
--First half is Bernie鈥檚 autobiography and 2016 campaign; Bernie is definitely at his best engaging with everyday Americans and bridging surface divisions to address structural divides (the US political
--Second half goes through Bernie鈥檚 political stances, a Social Democrat (i.e. political democracy while economic capitalism... although there would be more socialism if US establishment wasn't so extremist)/Progressive platform; this is the strongest people鈥檚 platform offered by the 2-party political circus serving Wall Street/the petrodollar/the greatest military in human history (summing up the geopolitical economy that calls itself the "U.S.A.").
...In other words, a comprehensive resistance plan to start from (to provide space for grassroots demands to lead, rather than creating sole dependency on leadership from politicians), and this is all we should expect from politicians who must entangle with such concentrated private powers (finance/military/industry). Actual transformative ideas are sprinkled in here and there (public banking, worker co-ops; see later).
--This harsh reality-check is to prevent illusions that result in unnecessary disappointments (Obama). Compare US presidential talking-points with world public opinion; US politics is framed from the perspective of the 0.1%, and the scraps-from-the-table they are willing to entertain.
The Missing:
--In terms of long-term viability, the Social Democracy train starts to run out of track鈥� Let鈥檚 break down the contradictions of Social Democracy (i.e. political democracy with economic capitalism):
鈥淯SA is the wealthiest country in human history, so why can鈥檛 it pay for [insert social need]鈥�: this may as well be the slogan for US Progressives, and it is repeated for many of Bernie鈥檚 identified issues. This also relates to 鈥渨hy does the US spend trillions on its military (when it is already spending more than the next 8 countries combined) while pretending it cannot spend on social services (which includes veteran needs)鈥�.
If we take geopolitical economy and history seriously, we can actually answer these rhetorical questions. Private wealth is not benign; it transforms power relations and has a social cost. The core contradiction of Social Democracy is that (a) capitalism runs on one-dollar-one-vote, whereas (b) democracy (mostly referring to political elections, but really should extend to workplace democracy, active participation, etc.) requires one-person-one-vote.
Private wealth of such extremes pays for military domination of foreign lands and shirks on domestic social needs because these are the principles for its very existence. This class dimension is not clearly laid out by Social Democrats. Characterizations like 鈥渨asteful spending鈥� and foreign policy "blunders" obscure the strategic act of enforcing the global division of labor, where rich countries write the trade deals to provide their own corporations cheap inputs and secure, profitable outputs (protected markets, high-productivity sectors):
-The Divide: A Brief Guide to Global Inequality and its Solutions
-Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism
-Super Imperialism: The Origin and Fundamentals of U.S. World Dominance
Wars and arms sales are rational for short-term profiteering by the military industrial complex for the 1%, while the 99% pay for it with their taxes/lack of social services/lives: War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier.
Thus, the realm of global power relations is where Social Democrats unravel. For example, Social Democrats can assume a framework of benevolent, 鈥渇ree鈥� competition between nations to point the finger at poor countries having a competitive edge in attracting corporations due to low regulatory standards (cheap labor, environment, etc.)! Once again, flawed assumptions lead to skewed perceptions of power relations. Global capitalist laws (unequal and destructive trade deals, intellectual property laws, debt and privatization traps) are dictated by rich countries to enable their corporations to continue the over-exploitation of 鈥減ost-colonial鈥� lands. Capitalist intervention smashes alternative recovery/development: Capital and Imperialism: Theory, History, and the Present
Illusions of 鈥淣ew Deal鈥� era policies, the "Golden Age" of Capitalism/Welfare State/Social Democracy, creating a vibrant American 鈥渕iddle class鈥� conveniently bypass the real driver that pulled US out of the Great Depression: vast military industrialization and profiteering during WWII while the rest of the world was decimated, followed by writing the international economic system. Transformative progress requires seeing and addressing America鈥檚 Military Keynesianism, not simply rewriting its surface disguise.
-The Global Minotaur: America, the True Origins of the Financial Crisis and the Future of the World Economy
-And the Weak Suffer What They Must? Europe's Crisis and America's Economic Future
-The Darker Nations: A People's History of the Third World
-The Poorer Nations: A Possible History of the Global South
Update: for Bernie's reflections on his 2nd presidential
February 10, 2017
But transforming America is more than just elections. It's about changing our culture.
While I would love to give this book a higher rating for the ideas Sanders espouses, this book just doesn't do them justice. The first half of the book is a (too) long recap of the election process. We spoke here, this many people showed up, these campaign people helped...not really much insight here.
The second half is where the meat of his arguments rest, and unfortunately even here, the book could have used some editing. He throws out a lot of facts and figures (all good solid information), but he really only begins to get some solid development of his case near the book's end.
This book would have been so much better, had I read it in reverse. Even worse, I read it amidst the Trump Inauguration hoopla, and just kept thinking to myself, "Oh, what could have been."
February 7, 2017
After a lackluster year of reading, finishing 2016 listening to 'Our Revolution: A Future to Believe in' by Bernie Sanders was pure joy for me. I can't say that I learned anything I hadn't already known as I've been an admirer and follower of Senator Sanders for more than a decade. But he speaks to my heart AND my mind and reminds me of what I believe to be true about the world and my place in it. Plus, Senator Sanders narrates the first half of the book himself鈥�. which made the book that much more enjoyable.
If you are interested in Bernie Sanders' political and social views, I highly recommend that you listen to this audiobook. It's inspiring, hopeful and uplifting.
If you are interested in Bernie Sanders' political and social views, I highly recommend that you listen to this audiobook. It's inspiring, hopeful and uplifting.
January 20, 2022
The story of a political phenomenon--the Bernie Sanders for President campaign by the Senator himself. In the Democratic primaries of 2016, the Senator from Vermont received 13 million votes, won 22 states, and more than 1.4 million people attended his rallies. All the more remarkable as he started with zero money and almost no name recognition, from a small state. But he took on the Democratic Party establishment. Millions will continue his political revolution and take on the greed and irresponsibility of corporate America. More than ever, we have to press our progressive economic, environmental, and social agenda to create jobs, raise wages, combat global climate change and provide health care for all.
Want to read
April 12, 2019So, this is the book that made Bernie a millionaire.
(I didn't buy it).
Let鈥檚 wrench power back from the billionaires
Bernie Sanders
in:
(the title should have been "Let's wrench power back from the billionaires and the millionaires"
(I didn't buy it).
Let鈥檚 wrench power back from the billionaires
Bernie Sanders
in:
(the title should have been "Let's wrench power back from the billionaires and the millionaires"
March 2, 2020
Love this guy. And this book. It was so much more comprehensive than I expected and it addressed all of the issues and plans in such detail.
November 14, 2016
Brilliant Insights; Well-Written; And A Senator "For The People" In Touch With Middle Class American People Is Awesome Wisdom Of "Media" Instincts For "Profit" An Outstanding Chapter! My Goodness A Senator In Congress Finally "Honest About Media" Is One-Of-A-Kind To Stand Up For Truth Of Manipulation! My Own Life On Internet Watching YTUBE Materials; 9/11 Truth Act By Thousands Of Brilliant PH.D Professionals Across Entire Globe; Watching Film "Conspiracy Of Silence" Film Plus Books "Franklin Scandal"; "Franklin Cover-Up" And Recent Best Seller Per Pervert Jeff Epstein "Filth Rich" Obviously Two-Tier Justice Is A Rejoice Bernie Sanders Addressed "Media CONTROLLED By "Other Interest"! Cover-Up Of "Corruption" Not Addressing Is "Genuine Obvious By Media"; And Bernie Sanders Hits "Nail On The Head!"
February 7, 2017
He did and do what's right.
January 15, did finished reading this book again, or should I say for now. But don't want to write a long review, myself don't like reading long long reviews. Condense my book review to four or five sentences in the morning. But any one interested reading this book can ask me any questions they have.
January 15, did finished reading this book again, or should I say for now. But don't want to write a long review, myself don't like reading long long reviews. Condense my book review to four or five sentences in the morning. But any one interested reading this book can ask me any questions they have.
March 31, 2017
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The first third of it is read by Bernie and it's all about his time leading up to deciding to run, and running his presidential campaign. This part was interesting, but it wasn't what I was hoping to hear. The rest of the book is read by actor Mark Ruffalo, and it's all about the issues that Bernie sees effecting 98% of Americans and the solutions that he offers for dealing with them. It's really refreshing to hear a politician actually discuss these issues in a straight-forward fashion, lay out actual solutions that he believes will work, and then further explain how the situation developed in the first place.
One of the best things about listening to the audiobook is to hear the conviction in Mark Ruffalo's voice as he reads. He simply can't help but scoff in disbelief as he explains the current situation, his voice drips contempt when discussing wall street banking practices, tax breaks afforded the ultra wealthy, and our lack of universal health care.
What I really liked about this book is its cohesion. Throughout, Bernie keeps mentioning how the most important lesson he has learned as a politician is that everything is tied to everything else. And unbelievably, Bernie then goes on to discuss all, and I mean ALL, of the pertinent issues of the day and how they are all intermingled in a tangled, immoral, imprudent mess. Climate change, the disastrous Citizens United court decision, lack of universal healthcare, the need to increase the minimum wage, campaign finance reform, public education reform including the need to make college accessible for all, the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act, national security, the fossil fuel industry, institutional and structural racism, our current mental health crisis, criminal justice system reform, the war on drugs, immigration reform, and our large, corporate-owned media outlets that practice their own surreptitious form of censorship every day. Bernie clearly lays out a plan of attack for each of these problems and empowers his listeners to contact their legislators, work with grass-roots organizations for change, and hold their elected officials accountable for their actions, or lack thereof. The scale of change that Bernie discusses truly is a revolution.
P.S. And did I mention Bernie's disdain for our crumbling infrastructure and the burning need to reinforce/modernize our roads/bridges/ /?
One of the best things about listening to the audiobook is to hear the conviction in Mark Ruffalo's voice as he reads. He simply can't help but scoff in disbelief as he explains the current situation, his voice drips contempt when discussing wall street banking practices, tax breaks afforded the ultra wealthy, and our lack of universal health care.
What I really liked about this book is its cohesion. Throughout, Bernie keeps mentioning how the most important lesson he has learned as a politician is that everything is tied to everything else. And unbelievably, Bernie then goes on to discuss all, and I mean ALL, of the pertinent issues of the day and how they are all intermingled in a tangled, immoral, imprudent mess. Climate change, the disastrous Citizens United court decision, lack of universal healthcare, the need to increase the minimum wage, campaign finance reform, public education reform including the need to make college accessible for all, the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act, national security, the fossil fuel industry, institutional and structural racism, our current mental health crisis, criminal justice system reform, the war on drugs, immigration reform, and our large, corporate-owned media outlets that practice their own surreptitious form of censorship every day. Bernie clearly lays out a plan of attack for each of these problems and empowers his listeners to contact their legislators, work with grass-roots organizations for change, and hold their elected officials accountable for their actions, or lack thereof. The scale of change that Bernie discusses truly is a revolution.
P.S. And did I mention Bernie's disdain for our crumbling infrastructure and the burning need to reinforce/modernize our roads/bridges/ /?
April 20, 2017
Bernie supporters are bound to love this book, so I鈥檒l address this review mainly to my conservative friends, though I hope my liberal friends will benefit from it also.
The book is divided into two parts: an autobiographical section and a policy section. Bernie supporters will enjoy the autobiography, which traces his childhood all the way to the presidential campaign, but conservatives may want to skip right to the policy section. It details the same message Senator Sanders always gives over, but with more stats and figures, which the longer form of a book allows for more than stump speeches or TV interviews. The Senator makes a convincing case as to how our system is rigged to benefit the rich, and then shows in plain numbers how our tax system can be changed to fix it. I think every American should read this section, but if you鈥檙e a conservative, and you just don鈥檛 feel like it, then if nothing else, read pages 149 through 152 because those were written just for you. It鈥檚 the text of the speech that Bernie gave at Liberty University, the Christian college founded by Jerry Falwell. If you鈥檙e a Never Trump type of conservative, you may also be interested to know that Bernie and his team worked with Senator McCain and his team on a bill to benefit veterans. And if you鈥檙e a Jewish conservative who suspects that Bernie despises his own Jewish roots, be aware that one of his oldest friends is a Chabadnik who teaches religion at the University of Vermont. (I was so excited to learn that, I wrote the man an email.)
To Bernie supporters, this book is a gem. The autobiographical section gets a little repetitive, but it鈥檚 worth it for the little tidbits you鈥檒l learn about Bernie. The policy section is more important, though.
May G-d bless Bernie Sanders. He kept true to his ideals his entire life, and now he鈥檚 waking them up across the generations.
The book is divided into two parts: an autobiographical section and a policy section. Bernie supporters will enjoy the autobiography, which traces his childhood all the way to the presidential campaign, but conservatives may want to skip right to the policy section. It details the same message Senator Sanders always gives over, but with more stats and figures, which the longer form of a book allows for more than stump speeches or TV interviews. The Senator makes a convincing case as to how our system is rigged to benefit the rich, and then shows in plain numbers how our tax system can be changed to fix it. I think every American should read this section, but if you鈥檙e a conservative, and you just don鈥檛 feel like it, then if nothing else, read pages 149 through 152 because those were written just for you. It鈥檚 the text of the speech that Bernie gave at Liberty University, the Christian college founded by Jerry Falwell. If you鈥檙e a Never Trump type of conservative, you may also be interested to know that Bernie and his team worked with Senator McCain and his team on a bill to benefit veterans. And if you鈥檙e a Jewish conservative who suspects that Bernie despises his own Jewish roots, be aware that one of his oldest friends is a Chabadnik who teaches religion at the University of Vermont. (I was so excited to learn that, I wrote the man an email.)
To Bernie supporters, this book is a gem. The autobiographical section gets a little repetitive, but it鈥檚 worth it for the little tidbits you鈥檒l learn about Bernie. The policy section is more important, though.
May G-d bless Bernie Sanders. He kept true to his ideals his entire life, and now he鈥檚 waking them up across the generations.
December 9, 2016
The first ten pages should light a fire in discouraged progressives, but I think everyone, no matter who they voted for, could learn something of value and interest from this book. There is common ground for all middle-class and working-class and poor Americans in Sanders鈥� examination of economic issues. He has done his research. I鈥檝e studied in depth a number of the issues he addresses, and as far as I can see, he is accurate in his assessments, especially on health care. The book could have been more tightly edited, but a little repetition when he鈥檚 trying to get a point across is okay with me. There are so many important ideas in this book, instead of a formal review, I鈥檝e posted notes I took while reading. They do not in any way replace reading it yourself, but if you would consider them spoilers, stop after this paragraph. A number of my notes are quotations from the book that I think will make great discussion points when my book club meets after reading this. I hope the notes give you food for thought, a reason to read the whole book, and fuel for becoming an engaged, thoughtful citizen.
鈥� Bernie discovered in college that there were points of view in various publications, learning to read critically. (I think everyone should learn this. Apply critical thinking, not reactive criticism, to news and media.)
鈥� 鈥淗ow do we get white working class Americans to stop voting against their own best interest? 鈥� (Republicans) get one group to fight another group while their wealthy friends and campaign contributors get richer and laugh all the way to the bank.鈥� Need to bring all Americans of any race or ethnicity together around economic issues instead of dividing them.
鈥� 鈥溾€ack of political consciousness is exactly what the ruling class of this country wants. The Koch brothers spend hundreds of millions to elect candidates who represent the interests of the rich and powerful. They understand the importance of politics. Meanwhile, people who work for low wages 鈥� don鈥檛 see a connection between the reality of their lives and what government does or does not do.鈥�
鈥� National Nurses United Union supported him because of Medicare for All, single payer. Because current system makes it hard for them to provide the quality of care they want to give.
鈥� In 2014 63% of Americans didn鈥檛 turn out to vote (midterm elections).
鈥� Agrees with Pope Francis鈥檚 call for a 鈥渕oral economy that addresses 鈥渢he needs of ordinary people and not just capitalist profiteers.鈥�
鈥� 鈥淚s it moral that, when millions of seniors are unable to afford the medicines they need, the top tenth of one percent owns as much wealth as the bottom 90%? Is it moral that, when we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major country in the world, the twenty wealthiest people in the country have more wealth than the bottom half of America鈥�160 million people? Is it moral that, when our citizens are working longer hours for lower wages, 52% of all new income generated today is going to the top 1 percent?鈥�
鈥� Bernie had no superPACs. Wanted to be personally responsible for the message.
鈥� 鈥淎s someone who had never run a negative political ad in his life, my campaign will be driven by issues and serious debates鈥攏ot political gossip, not reckless personal attacks or character assassination. This is what I believe the American people want and deserve. I hope other candidates agree, and I hope the media allows that to happen. Politics in a democratic society should not be treated like a baseball game, a game show, or a soap opera. The times are too serious for that.鈥� From Bernie鈥檚 speech announcing he would run for president. He promised to fight for economic and social justice, environmental sanity and a world of peace. For health care as a right, not a privilege. Access to affordable child care and higher education regardless of income, better health acre for veterans. We can live in a country where 鈥淲here every senior can live in dignity and security鈥� where every person no matter their race, their religion, their disability, or their sexual orientation, realizes the full promise of equality that is our birthright.鈥�
鈥� 鈥淩ural people are not as conservative as the Democratic leadership has long believed, and their votes should not be conceded to right-wing republicans.鈥�
鈥� Clear that Sanders is the one who deserves credit for Clinton鈥檚 change of stance on the Trans Pacific Partnership, though Trump likes to claim it was his influence.
鈥� 鈥溾€� we don鈥檛 have national elections. We have elections that are determined state by state.鈥�
鈥� During a debate, Anderson Cooper asked Sanders about Clinton鈥檚 email problem. Bernie said, 鈥淟et me say something that may not be great politics. But I think the Secretary is right. And that is that the American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails. And let me say something about the media as well. I go around the country, talk to a whole lot of people. The middle class of this country is collapsing. We have twenty-seven million people living in poverty. We have massive wealth and income inequality. Our trade policies have cost us millions of decent jobs. And the American people want to know if we鈥檙e going to have a democracy or an oligarchy as a result of Citizens United. Enough of the emails. Let鈥檚 talk about the real issues facing America.鈥� The audience rose in a standing ovation.
鈥� Polls showed Sanders defeating Trump. I saw those, too. This is not self-serving spin on Bernie's part. I was a poll follower. Most polls showed Bernie stronger against Trump than Clinton would be.
鈥� 鈥淲hen you hear a report from an 鈥榠ndependent non-partisan think tank鈥� telling us that climate change is just an unproven theory, or why we should give tax breaks to the rich, or why we should no join the rest of the industrialized world in in guaranteeing health care for all, are their conclusions influenced by the billionaires and insurance companies who fund those think tanks? Spokesperson form 鈥渃oncerned citizens for this or that鈥� who oppose the EPA, want to cut or privatize Social Security or the VA鈥攃heck who funded these concerned citizens. Billionaires?
鈥� Great proposal for automatic registration to vote on turning eighteen or on moving to new state. Burden on the state, not the individual. Make Election Day national holiday or spread it over a two-day weekend, and make early voting and absentee ballots easy. No special requirements and test for requesting absentee ballots. Restore felons鈥� voting rights when they are released.
鈥� Kochs subsidized networks of seemingly unconnected think tanks, academic programs and advocacy groups. Activism cloaked as philanthropy, but it was a fully integrated network.
鈥� In 1979 the top 1/10 of 1% owned 7% of the country鈥檚 wealth. Today it owns 22% We have had redistribution of wealth for decades. It鈥檚 upward redistribution.
鈥� In the decades following WW II, the economy expanded. 鈥溾€he workers in those factories were often unionized, and had good benefits鈥攈ealth insurance, paid sick leave, and vacation time. They negotiated regular pay raises and had defined benefit pensions.鈥�
鈥� Special interests demanded a bigger slice of the pie. Made it harder for worker to unionize, demanded deregulation of industries, particularly banking. Opposed increases in minimum wage. Political establishment dominated by people for whom 鈥渦nrestrained free market capitalism was virtually a religion.鈥� 鈥淭hey argued that 鈥榝reedom鈥� was no longer the about workers having the right to earn decent incomes and live their lives in dignity and security. No, 鈥榝reedom鈥� was now about employers having the right to pay their employees the lowest wages possible without government interference. 鈥� the right of Wall Street hedge fund managers to make incredible amounts of money, without regard for whether their investments destroyed lives or fouled the environment. Freedom was the ability of billionaires to buy elections and create a government that worked for them, not the middle class or working families.鈥� Median income is falling yet we work longer hours than any other major developed country on earth. Because we have those 鈥渇reedoms.鈥�
鈥� Millions of American workers need food stamps and Medicaid because they are not paid enough. Public assistance given to them is essentially subsidizing the profits of the companies that pay them low wages. Walmart employees using food stamps at Walmart. Living in subsidized housing. Walmart gets the equivalent of $6.2 billion year in welfare. Makes 15 billion in profit. It can afford to get off welfare. Low-wage employees received 153 billion a year is various public assistance programs. People with jobs. Fast food, Walmart etc. We should provide for the poor, but not subsidize the corporation who keep them poor.
鈥� Can create more jobs by investing in energy efficiency upgrades than by putting the same amount into coal.
鈥� Clean Energy Worker Transition Act鈥攍egislation to retrain coal miners, provide benefits as they learn to make solar panels, wind turbines , advanced batteries, etc. and have resources directed to cleaning up environmental damage from coal, and build infrastructure to attract new business. This is better for health and for the overall future of coal country than going backwards into higher levels of dangerous and health-harming coal mining.
鈥� When the super-wealthy get tax breaks, they don鈥檛 spend more, invest more in the economy or create new jobs. Under Bush鈥� tax cuts, no net gain in private sector jobs. Half million jobs lost and the deficit exploded.
鈥� 68% of the tax break on capital gains and stock dividends went to the richest 1 percent of Americans. Lower rate paid on money earned passively from money than on wages and salaries from work. Exclusion of taxes on capital gains for bequests and gifts subsidizes wealthy families passing assets to next generation. Dynastic wealth.
鈥� Investor-state dispute resolution system allows a company to sue a government of another nation if its profits are affected. TransCanada can sue the US for an environmental protection choice to deny the Keystone XL Pipeline, a sound policy decision squarely within U.S. law.
鈥� What about a social tariff? Unfair to have to compete with countries that have abysmal wages, minimal environmental standards and poor records on human rights.
鈥� Should separate everyday banking functions form investment banking and insurance. Prohibit taxpayer-insured banks from holding derivatives contracts on their balance sheets.
鈥� Proposes tax on high speed stock trading. Good explanation of why it would benefit the average person for the country to do this.
鈥� While the rich and powerful are 鈥渢oo big to fail: and get endless cheap credit, the average American must fend for themselves. Socialism for the rich, rugged individualism for everyone else.鈥�
鈥� National health insurance saves time and money. Time and money spent while patients and doctors deal with insurance companies, trying to get things covered, or simply processing claims. Not paying claims is how insurance companies make money. (Administrative costs account for 39% of the difference between American healthcare spending per capita and Canada鈥檚. The rest can be attributed to higher salaries, higher drug prices, and more aggressive and intensive treatments. My added data, not Bernie鈥檚.)
鈥� Insurance CEOs make 10 to 20 million in salaries. 47 million to one pharmaceutical CEO. There is money in our health care system, but it's not going to health care.
鈥� Despite having the most expensive health care system among 11 industrialized countries, the US ranked last in measures of system quality, efficiency, access to care, equity, and healthy lives. Spend $8,508 per person compared to UK, next highest, with $3, 406. And they ranked first overall on the same measures. We heave a lower life expectancy, more chronic disease, and higher infant mortality.
鈥� Improved health starts with a healthy society. Poor people die younger than the rich, are exposed to higher levels of pollution. Stress, depression, substance abuse. Health depends on a good education, clean air and water, access to decent paying jobs. Equality for all regardless of race, sexual orientation or nationality. These are all health issues. 鈥淭he bottom line is that everything is connected to everything.鈥�
鈥� People with no hope of affording college sometimes give up at an early age. Wasted years in high school, see no point. Free college would change that.
鈥� 200 million people could be displaced by climate change by 2050. Bigger refugee crisis than any we鈥檝e yet seen.
鈥� Taxpayers鈥� subsidies to fossil fuel companies. 5 billion in incentives for fuel extraction a year, 49 billion a year in research development, plus direct subsidies and lucrative leases on drilling and mining on public lands and offshore. The End Polluter Welfare Act would save $130 billion over a decade, and could be directed to transitioning to a clean energy economy\.
鈥� Taxing carbon and methane would require companies to internalize costs they currently externalize. If they add to climate change, the costs are now borne by the cities and countries and town that are going underwater to sea level rise, by the famers losing crops to drought, etc. Other plans explained in detail.
鈥� Strong integrated analysis of impact of our high rate of incarceration on the economy, democracy. The rate at which we imprison our citizens is shocking when you see graph comparing us to others. We far exceed the incarceration rate of Russia and China, let alone democracies.
鈥� Line is from MLK, 鈥渟ocialism for the rich, rugged individualism for the poor.鈥� Instead of turning middle class against those in most pain鈥攕capegoating the poor and unemployed鈥攚e need 鈥渢o stand together against wealthy special interests who get richer and richer while most everybody else gets poorer.鈥�
鈥� Payroll taxes are only assessed on first 118,500 of income. So a CEO earning 20 million pays no more in payroll taxes than someone earning 118,500. America doesn鈥檛 have a problem with what one Social Security, adversary called 鈥済reedy geezers鈥� but with the super-rich not paying their share. Income inequality and regressive taxation affect Social Security.
鈥� Reporters ask about the campaign as drama, not issues. The horse race details, not the reasons the candidate is running. About the candidate as a person, not the needs of the American people. Youth unemployment, climate change鈥攔eal issues. 43 million Americans living in poverty. Name calling and personal attacks, the Reality TV approach worked for Trump. 234 network minutes compared to 10 for Sanders during primaries (Tyndall report)
鈥� 鈥淭he great crisis we face as a nation is not just the objective problems we face鈥攁 rigged economy, a corrupt campaign finance system, a broken criminal justice system, and the extraordinary threat of climate change. The more serious threat is the limitation of our imaginations. It is falling victim to an incredibly powerful establishment鈥攅conomic political, and media鈥� that tells us every day, in a million different ways, that real change is impossible and unthinkable 鈥� That there are no alternatives.鈥�
鈥� "Yes. We can overcome the insatiable greed that now exists and create an economy that ends poverty and provides a decent standard of living for all. Yes. We can create a vibrant democracy where knowledgeable citizens actively debate the great challenges they face. Yes. We can create a health care system that guarantees health care for every man, woman and child, and that focuses on disease prevention and keeping us healthy, not on outrageous profits for insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry. Yes. We can effectively combat climate change and transform our energy system away from fossil fuel and into energy efficiency and sustainable energy.
No, we will not be able to accomplish these goals if we look at democracy as a spectator sport, assuming others will do it for us. They won鈥檛. The future is in your hands. Let鈥檚 get to work.鈥�
鈥� Bernie discovered in college that there were points of view in various publications, learning to read critically. (I think everyone should learn this. Apply critical thinking, not reactive criticism, to news and media.)
鈥� 鈥淗ow do we get white working class Americans to stop voting against their own best interest? 鈥� (Republicans) get one group to fight another group while their wealthy friends and campaign contributors get richer and laugh all the way to the bank.鈥� Need to bring all Americans of any race or ethnicity together around economic issues instead of dividing them.
鈥� 鈥溾€ack of political consciousness is exactly what the ruling class of this country wants. The Koch brothers spend hundreds of millions to elect candidates who represent the interests of the rich and powerful. They understand the importance of politics. Meanwhile, people who work for low wages 鈥� don鈥檛 see a connection between the reality of their lives and what government does or does not do.鈥�
鈥� National Nurses United Union supported him because of Medicare for All, single payer. Because current system makes it hard for them to provide the quality of care they want to give.
鈥� In 2014 63% of Americans didn鈥檛 turn out to vote (midterm elections).
鈥� Agrees with Pope Francis鈥檚 call for a 鈥渕oral economy that addresses 鈥渢he needs of ordinary people and not just capitalist profiteers.鈥�
鈥� 鈥淚s it moral that, when millions of seniors are unable to afford the medicines they need, the top tenth of one percent owns as much wealth as the bottom 90%? Is it moral that, when we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major country in the world, the twenty wealthiest people in the country have more wealth than the bottom half of America鈥�160 million people? Is it moral that, when our citizens are working longer hours for lower wages, 52% of all new income generated today is going to the top 1 percent?鈥�
鈥� Bernie had no superPACs. Wanted to be personally responsible for the message.
鈥� 鈥淎s someone who had never run a negative political ad in his life, my campaign will be driven by issues and serious debates鈥攏ot political gossip, not reckless personal attacks or character assassination. This is what I believe the American people want and deserve. I hope other candidates agree, and I hope the media allows that to happen. Politics in a democratic society should not be treated like a baseball game, a game show, or a soap opera. The times are too serious for that.鈥� From Bernie鈥檚 speech announcing he would run for president. He promised to fight for economic and social justice, environmental sanity and a world of peace. For health care as a right, not a privilege. Access to affordable child care and higher education regardless of income, better health acre for veterans. We can live in a country where 鈥淲here every senior can live in dignity and security鈥� where every person no matter their race, their religion, their disability, or their sexual orientation, realizes the full promise of equality that is our birthright.鈥�
鈥� 鈥淩ural people are not as conservative as the Democratic leadership has long believed, and their votes should not be conceded to right-wing republicans.鈥�
鈥� Clear that Sanders is the one who deserves credit for Clinton鈥檚 change of stance on the Trans Pacific Partnership, though Trump likes to claim it was his influence.
鈥� 鈥溾€� we don鈥檛 have national elections. We have elections that are determined state by state.鈥�
鈥� During a debate, Anderson Cooper asked Sanders about Clinton鈥檚 email problem. Bernie said, 鈥淟et me say something that may not be great politics. But I think the Secretary is right. And that is that the American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails. And let me say something about the media as well. I go around the country, talk to a whole lot of people. The middle class of this country is collapsing. We have twenty-seven million people living in poverty. We have massive wealth and income inequality. Our trade policies have cost us millions of decent jobs. And the American people want to know if we鈥檙e going to have a democracy or an oligarchy as a result of Citizens United. Enough of the emails. Let鈥檚 talk about the real issues facing America.鈥� The audience rose in a standing ovation.
鈥� Polls showed Sanders defeating Trump. I saw those, too. This is not self-serving spin on Bernie's part. I was a poll follower. Most polls showed Bernie stronger against Trump than Clinton would be.
鈥� 鈥淲hen you hear a report from an 鈥榠ndependent non-partisan think tank鈥� telling us that climate change is just an unproven theory, or why we should give tax breaks to the rich, or why we should no join the rest of the industrialized world in in guaranteeing health care for all, are their conclusions influenced by the billionaires and insurance companies who fund those think tanks? Spokesperson form 鈥渃oncerned citizens for this or that鈥� who oppose the EPA, want to cut or privatize Social Security or the VA鈥攃heck who funded these concerned citizens. Billionaires?
鈥� Great proposal for automatic registration to vote on turning eighteen or on moving to new state. Burden on the state, not the individual. Make Election Day national holiday or spread it over a two-day weekend, and make early voting and absentee ballots easy. No special requirements and test for requesting absentee ballots. Restore felons鈥� voting rights when they are released.
鈥� Kochs subsidized networks of seemingly unconnected think tanks, academic programs and advocacy groups. Activism cloaked as philanthropy, but it was a fully integrated network.
鈥� In 1979 the top 1/10 of 1% owned 7% of the country鈥檚 wealth. Today it owns 22% We have had redistribution of wealth for decades. It鈥檚 upward redistribution.
鈥� In the decades following WW II, the economy expanded. 鈥溾€he workers in those factories were often unionized, and had good benefits鈥攈ealth insurance, paid sick leave, and vacation time. They negotiated regular pay raises and had defined benefit pensions.鈥�
鈥� Special interests demanded a bigger slice of the pie. Made it harder for worker to unionize, demanded deregulation of industries, particularly banking. Opposed increases in minimum wage. Political establishment dominated by people for whom 鈥渦nrestrained free market capitalism was virtually a religion.鈥� 鈥淭hey argued that 鈥榝reedom鈥� was no longer the about workers having the right to earn decent incomes and live their lives in dignity and security. No, 鈥榝reedom鈥� was now about employers having the right to pay their employees the lowest wages possible without government interference. 鈥� the right of Wall Street hedge fund managers to make incredible amounts of money, without regard for whether their investments destroyed lives or fouled the environment. Freedom was the ability of billionaires to buy elections and create a government that worked for them, not the middle class or working families.鈥� Median income is falling yet we work longer hours than any other major developed country on earth. Because we have those 鈥渇reedoms.鈥�
鈥� Millions of American workers need food stamps and Medicaid because they are not paid enough. Public assistance given to them is essentially subsidizing the profits of the companies that pay them low wages. Walmart employees using food stamps at Walmart. Living in subsidized housing. Walmart gets the equivalent of $6.2 billion year in welfare. Makes 15 billion in profit. It can afford to get off welfare. Low-wage employees received 153 billion a year is various public assistance programs. People with jobs. Fast food, Walmart etc. We should provide for the poor, but not subsidize the corporation who keep them poor.
鈥� Can create more jobs by investing in energy efficiency upgrades than by putting the same amount into coal.
鈥� Clean Energy Worker Transition Act鈥攍egislation to retrain coal miners, provide benefits as they learn to make solar panels, wind turbines , advanced batteries, etc. and have resources directed to cleaning up environmental damage from coal, and build infrastructure to attract new business. This is better for health and for the overall future of coal country than going backwards into higher levels of dangerous and health-harming coal mining.
鈥� When the super-wealthy get tax breaks, they don鈥檛 spend more, invest more in the economy or create new jobs. Under Bush鈥� tax cuts, no net gain in private sector jobs. Half million jobs lost and the deficit exploded.
鈥� 68% of the tax break on capital gains and stock dividends went to the richest 1 percent of Americans. Lower rate paid on money earned passively from money than on wages and salaries from work. Exclusion of taxes on capital gains for bequests and gifts subsidizes wealthy families passing assets to next generation. Dynastic wealth.
鈥� Investor-state dispute resolution system allows a company to sue a government of another nation if its profits are affected. TransCanada can sue the US for an environmental protection choice to deny the Keystone XL Pipeline, a sound policy decision squarely within U.S. law.
鈥� What about a social tariff? Unfair to have to compete with countries that have abysmal wages, minimal environmental standards and poor records on human rights.
鈥� Should separate everyday banking functions form investment banking and insurance. Prohibit taxpayer-insured banks from holding derivatives contracts on their balance sheets.
鈥� Proposes tax on high speed stock trading. Good explanation of why it would benefit the average person for the country to do this.
鈥� While the rich and powerful are 鈥渢oo big to fail: and get endless cheap credit, the average American must fend for themselves. Socialism for the rich, rugged individualism for everyone else.鈥�
鈥� National health insurance saves time and money. Time and money spent while patients and doctors deal with insurance companies, trying to get things covered, or simply processing claims. Not paying claims is how insurance companies make money. (Administrative costs account for 39% of the difference between American healthcare spending per capita and Canada鈥檚. The rest can be attributed to higher salaries, higher drug prices, and more aggressive and intensive treatments. My added data, not Bernie鈥檚.)
鈥� Insurance CEOs make 10 to 20 million in salaries. 47 million to one pharmaceutical CEO. There is money in our health care system, but it's not going to health care.
鈥� Despite having the most expensive health care system among 11 industrialized countries, the US ranked last in measures of system quality, efficiency, access to care, equity, and healthy lives. Spend $8,508 per person compared to UK, next highest, with $3, 406. And they ranked first overall on the same measures. We heave a lower life expectancy, more chronic disease, and higher infant mortality.
鈥� Improved health starts with a healthy society. Poor people die younger than the rich, are exposed to higher levels of pollution. Stress, depression, substance abuse. Health depends on a good education, clean air and water, access to decent paying jobs. Equality for all regardless of race, sexual orientation or nationality. These are all health issues. 鈥淭he bottom line is that everything is connected to everything.鈥�
鈥� People with no hope of affording college sometimes give up at an early age. Wasted years in high school, see no point. Free college would change that.
鈥� 200 million people could be displaced by climate change by 2050. Bigger refugee crisis than any we鈥檝e yet seen.
鈥� Taxpayers鈥� subsidies to fossil fuel companies. 5 billion in incentives for fuel extraction a year, 49 billion a year in research development, plus direct subsidies and lucrative leases on drilling and mining on public lands and offshore. The End Polluter Welfare Act would save $130 billion over a decade, and could be directed to transitioning to a clean energy economy\.
鈥� Taxing carbon and methane would require companies to internalize costs they currently externalize. If they add to climate change, the costs are now borne by the cities and countries and town that are going underwater to sea level rise, by the famers losing crops to drought, etc. Other plans explained in detail.
鈥� Strong integrated analysis of impact of our high rate of incarceration on the economy, democracy. The rate at which we imprison our citizens is shocking when you see graph comparing us to others. We far exceed the incarceration rate of Russia and China, let alone democracies.
鈥� Line is from MLK, 鈥渟ocialism for the rich, rugged individualism for the poor.鈥� Instead of turning middle class against those in most pain鈥攕capegoating the poor and unemployed鈥攚e need 鈥渢o stand together against wealthy special interests who get richer and richer while most everybody else gets poorer.鈥�
鈥� Payroll taxes are only assessed on first 118,500 of income. So a CEO earning 20 million pays no more in payroll taxes than someone earning 118,500. America doesn鈥檛 have a problem with what one Social Security, adversary called 鈥済reedy geezers鈥� but with the super-rich not paying their share. Income inequality and regressive taxation affect Social Security.
鈥� Reporters ask about the campaign as drama, not issues. The horse race details, not the reasons the candidate is running. About the candidate as a person, not the needs of the American people. Youth unemployment, climate change鈥攔eal issues. 43 million Americans living in poverty. Name calling and personal attacks, the Reality TV approach worked for Trump. 234 network minutes compared to 10 for Sanders during primaries (Tyndall report)
鈥� 鈥淭he great crisis we face as a nation is not just the objective problems we face鈥攁 rigged economy, a corrupt campaign finance system, a broken criminal justice system, and the extraordinary threat of climate change. The more serious threat is the limitation of our imaginations. It is falling victim to an incredibly powerful establishment鈥攅conomic political, and media鈥� that tells us every day, in a million different ways, that real change is impossible and unthinkable 鈥� That there are no alternatives.鈥�
鈥� "Yes. We can overcome the insatiable greed that now exists and create an economy that ends poverty and provides a decent standard of living for all. Yes. We can create a vibrant democracy where knowledgeable citizens actively debate the great challenges they face. Yes. We can create a health care system that guarantees health care for every man, woman and child, and that focuses on disease prevention and keeping us healthy, not on outrageous profits for insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry. Yes. We can effectively combat climate change and transform our energy system away from fossil fuel and into energy efficiency and sustainable energy.
No, we will not be able to accomplish these goals if we look at democracy as a spectator sport, assuming others will do it for us. They won鈥檛. The future is in your hands. Let鈥檚 get to work.鈥�
November 23, 2016
Why does a progressive revolution need a 450 page book of facts and policies, while the Tea Party starts with an angry rant on cable TV? Because progressives actually need to see what they are buying? Sanders writes that nothing meaningful can fit into a 140 char tweet, and I'd suggest he needs to find ways to do so.
He invests 100 pages in a detailed explanation on how to revive the middle class rural economy, and I have zero doubt he is right. In about 20 pages he sells single payer health care so simply and obviously, that it's crazy we have anything else. I learned most from the chapters on Trade and media consolidation/ownership.
The first quarter is a deep family history, some of which I hadn't known. The second half is a blueprint the the Dem party must adopt (and further develop) with passion for the next two elections.
While Trump and Bernie were both outsiders, Trump loved the entertaining political fighting, while Bernie was just frustrated than no one in the media wanted to talk policy, or about serious implications on society and ethics. Gotta abandon corporate centrism and the greed of Wall Street, and rebuild the middle class. He concludes "Let's get to work."
He invests 100 pages in a detailed explanation on how to revive the middle class rural economy, and I have zero doubt he is right. In about 20 pages he sells single payer health care so simply and obviously, that it's crazy we have anything else. I learned most from the chapters on Trade and media consolidation/ownership.
The first quarter is a deep family history, some of which I hadn't known. The second half is a blueprint the the Dem party must adopt (and further develop) with passion for the next two elections.
While Trump and Bernie were both outsiders, Trump loved the entertaining political fighting, while Bernie was just frustrated than no one in the media wanted to talk policy, or about serious implications on society and ethics. Gotta abandon corporate centrism and the greed of Wall Street, and rebuild the middle class. He concludes "Let's get to work."
February 5, 2017
What could've been
January 28, 2021
I鈥檓 really proud of myself for finishing this because I don鈥檛 often read nonfiction and it鈥檚 an intimidating 450 pages. That being said, it鈥檚 also very accessible. Sanders keeps up a conversational tone that鈥檚 easy to follow, and while his points are well-researched and well-supported by evidence, they鈥檙e never too complicated for the typical reader to grasp. After providing a brief history of his upbringing and his rise in politics, the first section of the book follows the historic campaign for presidency funded entirely by grassroots support. He spent so much time meeting with ordinary people and having meetings in small towns, places most politicians never even glance at. It was unprecedented, and while Sanders ultimately didn鈥檛 win the candidacy, I think we can still consider it an amazing success in getting his agenda out there. Part of the reason we talk about things like a $15 federal minimum wage and universal healthcare like they鈥檙e things that can actually happen in the near future instead of like wild leftist/socialist ideas is because Sanders put those ideas out into the world, one small town at a time, and made them acceptable. I hope more potential politicians look at all the hard work he and his campaign put in and realize it鈥檚 possible to do the same. He already left a blueprint for it.
The rest of the book covers Sanders鈥� platform in detail, and it鈥檚 one of the things I really admire about him. I liked Sanders before, but I like him even more now. There鈥檚 no smoke and mirrors with him. He鈥檚 not a millionaire or funded by millionaires. He鈥檚 just a Jewish guy from Brooklyn who spends more time talking about the issues than trying to get funding or blindsiding his followers with fancy rhetoric鈥搒omething I wish more politicians would focus on. I don鈥檛 care about Hillary Clinton鈥檚 e-mail scandal or where Donald Trump is having his New Year鈥檚 Eve party. I want to hear what politicians stand for and what they鈥檙e going to fight for, and Sanders is all about that. He cares about poor people, rural people, working class people, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, veterans, sick people, people with disabilities or mental illness, the elderly. All those populations that get ignored and overlooked, Sanders has legislation to protect them. Further, he shows that progressive politics are good for everyone, urban and rural alike, which is something Democrats have largely failed to bring together. It was overwhelming, at times, to read about a politician who cares so much about people and isn鈥檛 separated from them by money and media, and I鈥檓 glad I read it at the end of The Orange Menace鈥檚 reign of terror, when hope actually feels possible again.
There鈥檚 a big, 100-page section in the middle of the book about economic reform. While it鈥檚 the hardest part of the book to get through, it鈥檚 also the most necessary, since pretty much all of Sanders鈥� ideas circle back to this main issue. It鈥檚 totally bonkers for the super rich to own so much of the country鈥檚 wealth while huge numbers of families in America don鈥檛 know where their next meal is coming from. Sanders can fund pretty much every welfare program in the book, combat climate change, and have enough money left over to make college tuition free, all without raising taxes on middle and working class people. Holding the super wealthy and major corporations accountable would fund all of it. One of the best parts of Sanders鈥� rhetoric is that it鈥檚 all backed by actual science and research, which feels like a small miracle in this era of spin and misinformation. Parts of the book made me so angry I wanted to throw it against the wall, not because of Sanders鈥� agenda, but because of the terrible things our country has done (and continues to do) to its most vulnerable populations. I learned a lot, and I would encourage both readers interested in grassroots politics and ones who feel totally disenchanted by the current political system to pick this up. It鈥檚 well worth reading.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
The rest of the book covers Sanders鈥� platform in detail, and it鈥檚 one of the things I really admire about him. I liked Sanders before, but I like him even more now. There鈥檚 no smoke and mirrors with him. He鈥檚 not a millionaire or funded by millionaires. He鈥檚 just a Jewish guy from Brooklyn who spends more time talking about the issues than trying to get funding or blindsiding his followers with fancy rhetoric鈥搒omething I wish more politicians would focus on. I don鈥檛 care about Hillary Clinton鈥檚 e-mail scandal or where Donald Trump is having his New Year鈥檚 Eve party. I want to hear what politicians stand for and what they鈥檙e going to fight for, and Sanders is all about that. He cares about poor people, rural people, working class people, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, veterans, sick people, people with disabilities or mental illness, the elderly. All those populations that get ignored and overlooked, Sanders has legislation to protect them. Further, he shows that progressive politics are good for everyone, urban and rural alike, which is something Democrats have largely failed to bring together. It was overwhelming, at times, to read about a politician who cares so much about people and isn鈥檛 separated from them by money and media, and I鈥檓 glad I read it at the end of The Orange Menace鈥檚 reign of terror, when hope actually feels possible again.
There鈥檚 a big, 100-page section in the middle of the book about economic reform. While it鈥檚 the hardest part of the book to get through, it鈥檚 also the most necessary, since pretty much all of Sanders鈥� ideas circle back to this main issue. It鈥檚 totally bonkers for the super rich to own so much of the country鈥檚 wealth while huge numbers of families in America don鈥檛 know where their next meal is coming from. Sanders can fund pretty much every welfare program in the book, combat climate change, and have enough money left over to make college tuition free, all without raising taxes on middle and working class people. Holding the super wealthy and major corporations accountable would fund all of it. One of the best parts of Sanders鈥� rhetoric is that it鈥檚 all backed by actual science and research, which feels like a small miracle in this era of spin and misinformation. Parts of the book made me so angry I wanted to throw it against the wall, not because of Sanders鈥� agenda, but because of the terrible things our country has done (and continues to do) to its most vulnerable populations. I learned a lot, and I would encourage both readers interested in grassroots politics and ones who feel totally disenchanted by the current political system to pick this up. It鈥檚 well worth reading.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
January 18, 2024
Still feeling the Bern, albeit less these days.
Brief personal history and detailed policy platform of the leader a corrupt, divided, and failing America needed, but did not deserve.
Bernie reminds us that MLK Jr was assassinated when he was organizing a Poor People's march and fighting for decent wages and working conditions for garbage collectors in Memphis. All his civil rights work enflamed the right, but it was his shift in attention towards working class civil rights that finally provoked elements in the US Federal govt to order the hit. What does this tell us about the nature of our opposition? They are happy to use frankly meaningless differences such as skin color and sexual orientation to divide us, as it keeps our attention away from the real issue: the theft of the natural resources of the earth and of our labor and ingenuity.
Some highlights in the book:
pp. 51: breakdown in policy differences with sociopath kleptocrats, the Clintons
pp. 179: the AP wades in to thwart democracy at the bidding of their paymasters
pp. 200: the Koch family agenda
pp. 223: the US working class gives the Walton family over $6.2bn and all low-wage employers over $150bn annually (2015) out of their taxed wages
pp. 281: Jack Welch's (and any random neolib capitalist) wet dream of "every plant on a barge to move with currencies and changes in the economy."
Free trade a race to the bottom. (The idea of free trade is horrifying to self-described free market capitalists), but hasn't stopped them from wiping out working classes throughout the developed world. Rather, we need 'fair' trade, says Bernie. I say, 'hmmmm'.
pp. 287: NAFTA moved over 1m jobs out of the US
pp. 292: Obama's flip to the right - understated.
pp. 415: Bernie's Better Day - doable.
In truth, I can't see America going much longer with its fa莽ade of democracy intact. No one has shown more clearly than Bernie that electoral politics are hopelessly broken. Elections will never result in the change America needs to restore a simulacra of a modicum of democracy, let alone actual rule by the people, for the people (which only existed amongst the native people well before Columbus benighted their shores anyway). Only those who vote with their bank accounts matter in America's policies, and that will never change as long as that tiny minority have anything to say about it.
Bernie is mortal and was wrong initially on Israel and other matters. Still, he remains arguably the least self-absorbed, power-hungry dirt bag sell-out in the current U.S. Congress, presidency, and supreme court.
If you're American and still want to vote, then vote for the worst possible candidate. Looks like it will need to finish burning out before we can think about rebuilding, so let's go Inmate #67211846587532 for President 2024! Four more years of that shit should finish it off.
Brief personal history and detailed policy platform of the leader a corrupt, divided, and failing America needed, but did not deserve.
Bernie reminds us that MLK Jr was assassinated when he was organizing a Poor People's march and fighting for decent wages and working conditions for garbage collectors in Memphis. All his civil rights work enflamed the right, but it was his shift in attention towards working class civil rights that finally provoked elements in the US Federal govt to order the hit. What does this tell us about the nature of our opposition? They are happy to use frankly meaningless differences such as skin color and sexual orientation to divide us, as it keeps our attention away from the real issue: the theft of the natural resources of the earth and of our labor and ingenuity.
Some highlights in the book:
pp. 51: breakdown in policy differences with sociopath kleptocrats, the Clintons
pp. 179: the AP wades in to thwart democracy at the bidding of their paymasters
pp. 200: the Koch family agenda
pp. 223: the US working class gives the Walton family over $6.2bn and all low-wage employers over $150bn annually (2015) out of their taxed wages
pp. 281: Jack Welch's (and any random neolib capitalist) wet dream of "every plant on a barge to move with currencies and changes in the economy."
Free trade a race to the bottom. (The idea of free trade is horrifying to self-described free market capitalists), but hasn't stopped them from wiping out working classes throughout the developed world. Rather, we need 'fair' trade, says Bernie. I say, 'hmmmm'.
pp. 287: NAFTA moved over 1m jobs out of the US
pp. 292: Obama's flip to the right - understated.
pp. 415: Bernie's Better Day - doable.
In truth, I can't see America going much longer with its fa莽ade of democracy intact. No one has shown more clearly than Bernie that electoral politics are hopelessly broken. Elections will never result in the change America needs to restore a simulacra of a modicum of democracy, let alone actual rule by the people, for the people (which only existed amongst the native people well before Columbus benighted their shores anyway). Only those who vote with their bank accounts matter in America's policies, and that will never change as long as that tiny minority have anything to say about it.
Bernie is mortal and was wrong initially on Israel and other matters. Still, he remains arguably the least self-absorbed, power-hungry dirt bag sell-out in the current U.S. Congress, presidency, and supreme court.
If you're American and still want to vote, then vote for the worst possible candidate. Looks like it will need to finish burning out before we can think about rebuilding, so let's go Inmate #67211846587532 for President 2024! Four more years of that shit should finish it off.
December 9, 2016
Excellent read. I think about 90% of the country would support this amazing man if they would read this book. In his words, instead of what many have passively taken in and believed without question. Not only does he detail the main issues that challenge our country, he offers common sense solutions. And, more importantly, HE DETAILS HOW TO PAY FOR THEM.
Bernie offered such a simple solution to pay for free public college and universities for all. Worth reading just for that. He reminds us that not only did we bail out Wall Street, but we gave them big tax refunds shortly after and didn't ask them to pay back what we gifted them. He reminds us that health care should be a right for all. Amen. He fairly attacks the SIX, yes SIX, major companies that control 90% of our media. This is why I don't watch or listen to much, if any, news.
This man has spent his entire life working for us. For the poor and least of us. And people get stuck on two words: democratic socialist. They believe the media (controlled by 6 companies) that democratic socialism is bad, when in reality, they participate in it daily.
THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR CURRENT DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST PROGRAMS IN OUR COUNTRY:
I don't know anyone who doesn't benefit from most of these. And they probably are related to or friends with someone who benefits from the rest.
Social security
THE MILITARY
libraries
POLICE
roads
farm subsidies
garbage collection and public landfills
Postal service
Fire and rescue
Student loans
War (ew)
CIA, FBI
The polio vaccine
EPA
Schools
Museums
Public jails and prisons
Business subsidies
Food stamps
VA
All elected officials
The sewer system (see immediately above)
Medicare
GI bill
Parks
Free school lunch and breakfast
Medicaid
The Pentagon
FDA
Flu vaccines and other vaccines
SSDI
Unemployment insurance
Public transport
WIC
Public snow removal
PBS
CDC
Private business subsides and welfare (I put these two together for perspective)
Public Street Lighting
FEMA
Public defenders
Amtrak
NPR
Dept of Homeland Security
OSHA
State and national monuments
USDA
Gov scholarships
Department of Human Services
Census
Border security
Department of Education
Department of Justice
National Weather Service
Government
Law
Civilization
Book also briefly details his life and the election. Fascinating. He really has a well spent life working for all.
Bernie offered such a simple solution to pay for free public college and universities for all. Worth reading just for that. He reminds us that not only did we bail out Wall Street, but we gave them big tax refunds shortly after and didn't ask them to pay back what we gifted them. He reminds us that health care should be a right for all. Amen. He fairly attacks the SIX, yes SIX, major companies that control 90% of our media. This is why I don't watch or listen to much, if any, news.
This man has spent his entire life working for us. For the poor and least of us. And people get stuck on two words: democratic socialist. They believe the media (controlled by 6 companies) that democratic socialism is bad, when in reality, they participate in it daily.
THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR CURRENT DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST PROGRAMS IN OUR COUNTRY:
I don't know anyone who doesn't benefit from most of these. And they probably are related to or friends with someone who benefits from the rest.
Social security
THE MILITARY
libraries
POLICE
roads
farm subsidies
garbage collection and public landfills
Postal service
Fire and rescue
Student loans
War (ew)
CIA, FBI
The polio vaccine
EPA
Schools
Museums
Public jails and prisons
Business subsidies
Food stamps
VA
All elected officials
The sewer system (see immediately above)
Medicare
GI bill
Parks
Free school lunch and breakfast
Medicaid
The Pentagon
FDA
Flu vaccines and other vaccines
SSDI
Unemployment insurance
Public transport
WIC
Public snow removal
PBS
CDC
Private business subsides and welfare (I put these two together for perspective)
Public Street Lighting
FEMA
Public defenders
Amtrak
NPR
Dept of Homeland Security
OSHA
State and national monuments
USDA
Gov scholarships
Department of Human Services
Census
Border security
Department of Education
Department of Justice
National Weather Service
Government
Law
Civilization
Book also briefly details his life and the election. Fascinating. He really has a well spent life working for all.
March 28, 2019
The flaw of "campaign" books is that they are generally preaching to the converted, and just as likely,despite how bright the star (Sarah Palin, Ron Paul, Ralph Nader), they aren't worth anything four years later since the environs are so different.
I don't really have a problem with that. I suspect every politician, from the ones that I mentioned to the blander pols like Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty probably have put together books that make the reader feel good.
So Sanders book follows, though one suspects he figured that Hillary would be in the White House at this point. In a weird way, the ideas in his book will likely set the stage for whoever takes the Democratic nomination in 2020. Sanders did indeed move his party in unexpected ways.
Sanders book serves as two halves- one is a memoir of the campaign, the second a manifesto.
Both serve their topics well, though if you are not a Sanders fan, the returns may be limited.
Hearing the Sanders platform, it seems like it would be one that would capture the nation. Removed from the real world, it seems a logical path for which to campaign to the White House. That Bernie is a 70+ year old Jew from Vermont who has spent decades proudly proclaiming himself a 鈥榮ocialist鈥� may have been more than he could make up for.
True enough though, whoever picks up the torch (if not him), whether Biden, Booker or Warren or someone else, will probably be even further to the left than the views in this book.
Sanders covers a lot of issues, and even for the issues where I hear him hardest criticized, he has provided good answers. That said, a book does not really allow for a debate.
This will likely be a good enough book for supporters. If you fall short of diehard status, it is s pretty dense 400+ page book which betrays the notion that these books should be short and breezy.
Reading the book renewed the things I liked about Bernie, but the ideas never are able to remove themselves from the man. It is the rare book that will last past his sell by date, and will likely be the New Democratic playbook.
Politics aside, it is a bit dense for the reader. Sanders gets a bit too much in the weeds at times. In the days where everyone communicates in messages of 140 characters, it鈥檚 good that he does explain his views and plans, but for a casual reader, the book is a slog at times.
I don't really have a problem with that. I suspect every politician, from the ones that I mentioned to the blander pols like Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty probably have put together books that make the reader feel good.
So Sanders book follows, though one suspects he figured that Hillary would be in the White House at this point. In a weird way, the ideas in his book will likely set the stage for whoever takes the Democratic nomination in 2020. Sanders did indeed move his party in unexpected ways.
Sanders book serves as two halves- one is a memoir of the campaign, the second a manifesto.
Both serve their topics well, though if you are not a Sanders fan, the returns may be limited.
Hearing the Sanders platform, it seems like it would be one that would capture the nation. Removed from the real world, it seems a logical path for which to campaign to the White House. That Bernie is a 70+ year old Jew from Vermont who has spent decades proudly proclaiming himself a 鈥榮ocialist鈥� may have been more than he could make up for.
True enough though, whoever picks up the torch (if not him), whether Biden, Booker or Warren or someone else, will probably be even further to the left than the views in this book.
Sanders covers a lot of issues, and even for the issues where I hear him hardest criticized, he has provided good answers. That said, a book does not really allow for a debate.
This will likely be a good enough book for supporters. If you fall short of diehard status, it is s pretty dense 400+ page book which betrays the notion that these books should be short and breezy.
Reading the book renewed the things I liked about Bernie, but the ideas never are able to remove themselves from the man. It is the rare book that will last past his sell by date, and will likely be the New Democratic playbook.
Politics aside, it is a bit dense for the reader. Sanders gets a bit too much in the weeds at times. In the days where everyone communicates in messages of 140 characters, it鈥檚 good that he does explain his views and plans, but for a casual reader, the book is a slog at times.
February 3, 2017
This is an amazing book. I started off reading it on my kindle then the audiobook became available. I switched to that version and it was the best choice I made. I recommend audio for this book. It's powerful. In the audio experience Bernie is the narrator for this one. For the other half of the book it's read by actor Mark Ruffalo. He does a great job in the narration but it's Bernie that has the most power in this on. Bernie uses clips from his speeches and it's incredibly intense to listen to. The passion in his voice and the crowd cheering in the background. This adds so much more than when I was reading it on my kindle. Again, I highly recommend the audio for this book.
There is a lot of information in this book. It's about the focus and platform Bernie focuses on and it's all very relevant to our lives in this day and age. The book is broke into those topics. The first part is Running for President. In this part there are six different chapters and it's surprising to hear some of the things that Bernie and Team Bernie when through. It's amazing to hear about how in this election something shifted in the way politics were happening and how Bernie earned the money from simple small donations from $5-$20 donations from everyday people.
Part Two: An Agenda for a New America: How we transform our country, is the largest chunk of the book. It has ten chapters in it and it overs a lot. In this section there is a lot of information and this is where Bernie gets into his platform. In this section Mark Ruffalo narrates most of it.
This is a powerful book. If you have time pick it up or grab the audio version because it will open your eyes!
There is a lot of information in this book. It's about the focus and platform Bernie focuses on and it's all very relevant to our lives in this day and age. The book is broke into those topics. The first part is Running for President. In this part there are six different chapters and it's surprising to hear some of the things that Bernie and Team Bernie when through. It's amazing to hear about how in this election something shifted in the way politics were happening and how Bernie earned the money from simple small donations from $5-$20 donations from everyday people.
Part Two: An Agenda for a New America: How we transform our country, is the largest chunk of the book. It has ten chapters in it and it overs a lot. In this section there is a lot of information and this is where Bernie gets into his platform. In this section Mark Ruffalo narrates most of it.
This is a powerful book. If you have time pick it up or grab the audio version because it will open your eyes!
November 28, 2016
OUR REVOLUTION: A FUTURE TO BELIEVE IN
The best audiobooks are often read by the author themselves. They of course know the nuances and tone of what they wrote.
I listened to the audiobook version of OUR REVOLUTION: A FUTURE TO BELIEVE IN, written by 2016 presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Published in November 2016 by MacMillan Audio, it covers Sanders' political involvement up to his losing the Democratic nomination (in my opinion organized by the Democratic National Committee Itself).
Senator Sanders remains gracious towards those who would tear him down, which shows what a great negotiator he would have made as President. Yet he is also unwavering in his beliefs that all citizens of the United States deserve a fair chance.
Hearing Sanders read his own words is nice, although at times he seems tired. Inexplicably, the second half of the audiobook is read by Mark Ruffalo, whose snide chuckles sound forced and are a distraction I could not overcome. Sanders thankfully comes back for the last chapter and the conclusion, but by then it was too late. I had skipped most of Ruffalo's reading and wondered if I'd missed anything critical.
Sanders' message is one of thankfulness for his millions of supporters and of urgency that the revolution MUST continue AGAINST corporate criminals and unfair political processes, and FOR all citizens to have access to education and livable wages.
I recommend the printed or eBook version of this book. Skip the audio.
The best audiobooks are often read by the author themselves. They of course know the nuances and tone of what they wrote.
I listened to the audiobook version of OUR REVOLUTION: A FUTURE TO BELIEVE IN, written by 2016 presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Published in November 2016 by MacMillan Audio, it covers Sanders' political involvement up to his losing the Democratic nomination (in my opinion organized by the Democratic National Committee Itself).
Senator Sanders remains gracious towards those who would tear him down, which shows what a great negotiator he would have made as President. Yet he is also unwavering in his beliefs that all citizens of the United States deserve a fair chance.
Hearing Sanders read his own words is nice, although at times he seems tired. Inexplicably, the second half of the audiobook is read by Mark Ruffalo, whose snide chuckles sound forced and are a distraction I could not overcome. Sanders thankfully comes back for the last chapter and the conclusion, but by then it was too late. I had skipped most of Ruffalo's reading and wondered if I'd missed anything critical.
Sanders' message is one of thankfulness for his millions of supporters and of urgency that the revolution MUST continue AGAINST corporate criminals and unfair political processes, and FOR all citizens to have access to education and livable wages.
I recommend the printed or eBook version of this book. Skip the audio.
December 22, 2016
I read it to affirm what I already knew about this charlatan.
February 14, 2017
I wish Sen. Sanders had written this book before the election. Reading it now is depressing for two reasons. One, we may not see any of these sensible changes he is proposing in the next few years. Two, some people who agreed with his message but weren't sure "how he was going to pay for his proposals" might have found his arguments convincing and voted for him.
Those who read "Outsider in the White House" might find some of Part One of "Our Revolution" repetitive. Part Two is worth reading because it details how we can go about strengthening our social and economic fabric. He writes exactly the way he speaks 鈥� simply, directly and effectively!
Even though the book is depressing for the aforementioned reasons, the overwhelming feeling he leaves us with is the need to be proactive and make the change we want to see in our world. And he tells us exactly how to go about it. Also, when he speaks of Americans, you know he is addressing everyone from Native Americans to Immigrants. As the longest serving Independent in congressional history, the only divide he cares about is that between the rich and the poor, not red and blue, not democratic and republican, just those in power and those marginalized. And his goal is to bridge that gap. What's not to agree about that?
(The one major topic Sen. Sanders curiously omits in this book is International Affairs, that is, foreign policy, national security, the global conflicts that the US is directly or indirectly a part of. Even though Sen. Sanders has been more consistent in his position on various International issues than most politicians, he has often been accused of having lesser experience in this area than Hillary Clinton. This has been his Achilles heel. I would have therefore thought, he would dedicate a chapter to clarify his views and his commitment to building peace. In today's globalized world, can "Our Revolution" take place if we live in a bubble? To learn his political positions on Foreign policy, read )
Those who read "Outsider in the White House" might find some of Part One of "Our Revolution" repetitive. Part Two is worth reading because it details how we can go about strengthening our social and economic fabric. He writes exactly the way he speaks 鈥� simply, directly and effectively!
Even though the book is depressing for the aforementioned reasons, the overwhelming feeling he leaves us with is the need to be proactive and make the change we want to see in our world. And he tells us exactly how to go about it. Also, when he speaks of Americans, you know he is addressing everyone from Native Americans to Immigrants. As the longest serving Independent in congressional history, the only divide he cares about is that between the rich and the poor, not red and blue, not democratic and republican, just those in power and those marginalized. And his goal is to bridge that gap. What's not to agree about that?
(The one major topic Sen. Sanders curiously omits in this book is International Affairs, that is, foreign policy, national security, the global conflicts that the US is directly or indirectly a part of. Even though Sen. Sanders has been more consistent in his position on various International issues than most politicians, he has often been accused of having lesser experience in this area than Hillary Clinton. This has been his Achilles heel. I would have therefore thought, he would dedicate a chapter to clarify his views and his commitment to building peace. In today's globalized world, can "Our Revolution" take place if we live in a bubble? To learn his political positions on Foreign policy, read )
November 2, 2017
This was a lot better than I expected! I am no fan of political autobiographies so I picked this up with trepidation. However, I have a great fondness for Bernie so I was willing to give it a chance.
Even Bernie seemed to be in a rush to get through the autobiographical details, keeping the story of his life to a brief 40 pages or so. The next section, the campaign diary, was the hardest to get through. It was mostly the standard campaign story with liberal doses of thank yous and "I'll never forget so and so."
Finally, about 150 pages in, we get to the good stuff. As a reader who is well-versed in inequality literature this work stands out. Bernie has a special talent for explaining complex trends and the forces that drive economic and political inequality. He is an authoritative source who has personal experience with how political inequality operates. Even better, he has specific legislative proposals to address these issues and begin winding them back. This volume would be a great place for anyone curious about inequality to begin; but it also has unique insight and perceptions for readers who already have a firm grasp on the material.
Asking "why" is the most important question when it comes to solving problems. Once you begin grappling with "why" we have such serious economic inequality in this country it becomes possible to start thinking about "how" to address the issues it creates and solving this crisis. Bernie Sanders understands this, giving us the why and the how.
Even Bernie seemed to be in a rush to get through the autobiographical details, keeping the story of his life to a brief 40 pages or so. The next section, the campaign diary, was the hardest to get through. It was mostly the standard campaign story with liberal doses of thank yous and "I'll never forget so and so."
Finally, about 150 pages in, we get to the good stuff. As a reader who is well-versed in inequality literature this work stands out. Bernie has a special talent for explaining complex trends and the forces that drive economic and political inequality. He is an authoritative source who has personal experience with how political inequality operates. Even better, he has specific legislative proposals to address these issues and begin winding them back. This volume would be a great place for anyone curious about inequality to begin; but it also has unique insight and perceptions for readers who already have a firm grasp on the material.
Asking "why" is the most important question when it comes to solving problems. Once you begin grappling with "why" we have such serious economic inequality in this country it becomes possible to start thinking about "how" to address the issues it creates and solving this crisis. Bernie Sanders understands this, giving us the why and the how.
June 27, 2019
Das politische Treiben in den vereinigten Staaten von Amerika ist f眉r mich immer wieder schwierig zu verstehen. Wie kann ein solches Land nur solche Entscheidungen treffen, wie kann man sich mit einem unm枚glichen Zwei-Parteien-System so fest eingraben? Bernie Sanders, Pr盲sidentschaftskandidat 2016, denkt genauso und m枚chte die Bev枚lkerung in seinem Land wach r眉tteln. Mit seinem Buch, oder besser gesagt, seiner Anleitung "Unsere Revolution" hat er seinen Plan, seinen Gesellschaftsentwurf in Worte gefasst.
Im kurzen ersten Teil wird sein Werdegang und die Entschlussfindung zur Kandidatur thematisiert, der gr枚sste Anteil dieses Sachbuches wird aber den politischen Aspekten gewidmet, welche Sanders ver盲ndern m枚chte. Sozialstaat, Wirtschaft, Aussenpolitik, in einfachen Beispielen und klaren Worten wird jeder Bereich erkl盲rt und mit Zahlen und Fakten unterlegt. Das ist f眉r Personen, welche sich selten mit dem politischen Geschehen und ihrer Umwelt besch盲ftigen bestimmt aufschlussreich und voller neuer Einf盲lle. Wer hingegen seit Jahren interessiert an den Mechanismen der Welt ist, der erf盲hrt wenig Neues. Viele Ideen werden in der Schweiz bereits angewandt oder intensiv diskutiert.
F眉r Einsteiger und den normalen B眉rger der USA eine neue Perspektive, f眉r alle anderen eher ein Wiederk盲uen bekannter Elemente.
Im kurzen ersten Teil wird sein Werdegang und die Entschlussfindung zur Kandidatur thematisiert, der gr枚sste Anteil dieses Sachbuches wird aber den politischen Aspekten gewidmet, welche Sanders ver盲ndern m枚chte. Sozialstaat, Wirtschaft, Aussenpolitik, in einfachen Beispielen und klaren Worten wird jeder Bereich erkl盲rt und mit Zahlen und Fakten unterlegt. Das ist f眉r Personen, welche sich selten mit dem politischen Geschehen und ihrer Umwelt besch盲ftigen bestimmt aufschlussreich und voller neuer Einf盲lle. Wer hingegen seit Jahren interessiert an den Mechanismen der Welt ist, der erf盲hrt wenig Neues. Viele Ideen werden in der Schweiz bereits angewandt oder intensiv diskutiert.
F眉r Einsteiger und den normalen B眉rger der USA eine neue Perspektive, f眉r alle anderen eher ein Wiederk盲uen bekannter Elemente.
February 27, 2017
I'm so convinced. And also so convinced that none of the policies Bernie wants to enact will happen because of all the money fueling politicians. The main theme of this book is how corporate greed is ruining America. Even if you don't agree with Bernie's politics, the sad facts about corporate favoritism over the quality of life for average Americans is worth hearing. If you're not part of the greedy 1% of America's millionaires you should be in Bernie's camp. And definitely read this book.
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