Sanders and Clinton, Strange Bedfellows, Indeed.
[My comments in red]
This is my commentary on an editorial which appeared in the LA Times recently wherein Senator Sanders fills in and allows the editorial board to take a break from playing their own Clinton tunes.
The conventions are over and the general election has officially begun. In the primaries, I received 1,846 pledged delegates, 46% of the total. Hillary Clinton received 2,205 pledged delegates, 54%. She received 602 superdelegates. I received 48 superdelegates. Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee and I will vigorously support her. Ipso facto, Mr. Sanders also supports a corrupt nominating process.
Donald Trump would be a disaster and an embarrassment for our country if he were elected president. The "disaster" and "embarrassment" would be the failure of the Government's balance of power--I say let's test it. His campaign is not based on anything of substance — improving the economy, our education system, healthcare or the environment. What has substance gotten the people in the past? The much ballyhooed ACA failed the people by insisting that we pay for insurers' profits. It is based on bigotry. He is attempting to win this election by fomenting hatred against Mexicans and Muslims. I can see where the border states may vote for him on that basis but most of the country appreciates the lower prices they pay for restaurant meals, landscaping, and home repairs. As for Muslims, Mr. Trump strikes a chord with me--not because of 911 but for the jihadism and mistrust of Christians that is in their scriptures. He has crudely insulted women. People know enough not to vote for candidates who have insulted them--if the insult really hurt. And as a leader of the “birther movement,” he tried to undermine the legitimacy of our first African American president. That is not just my point of view. That’s the perspective of a number of conservative Republicans. I voted for Obama and was never persuaded that he was not a natural citizen but kudos to anyone who brings up the issue of non-constitutionality "smoke."
In these difficult times, we need a president who will bring our nation together, not someone who will divide us by race or religion, not someone who lacks an understanding of what our Constitution is about. Does the term "predator" conjure anything in Mr. Sanders' mind? Will Hillary's dalliance with Wall St unite the classes? Our Constitution is trampled with every SCOTUS decision and Executive Order that comes down the pike. Let's find out where our soul truly resides. Let's do it with a little hormesis from Mr. Trump rather than the "take some of this and call me in the morning" of some player like Mrs. Clinton.
On virtually every major issue facing this country and the needs of working families, Clinton’s positions are far superior to Trump’s. Our campaigns worked together to produce the most progressive platform in the history of American politics. Trump’s campaign wrote one of the most reactionary documents. See previous comment
Clinton understands that Citizens United has undermined our democracy. She will nominate justices who are prepared to overturn that Supreme Court decision, which made it possible for billionaires to buy elections. Her court appointees also would protect a woman’s right to choose, workers’ rights, the rights of the LGBT community, the needs of minorities and immigrants and the government’s ability to protect the environment. She saw you with nearly 50% of the vote, and reacted accordingly--her history, though, paints a very different picture of empathy.
Trump, on the other hand, has made it clear that his Supreme Court appointees would preserve the court’s right-wing majority. Big deal, didn't Chief Justice Roberts go Democrat with the ACA [probably heavy in healthcare stocks, if you ask me]?
Clinton understands that in a competitive global economy we need the best-educated workforce in the world. She and I worked together on a proposal that will revolutionize higher education in America. It will guarantee that the children of any family in this country with an annual income of $125,000 a year or less – 83% of our population – will be able to go to a public college or university tuition free. This proposal also substantially reduces student debt. She'll give the corporations all the work visas they require. Was the Robin Hood tax even proposed to pay for the free education? If not, the poor--especially those whom Madison referred to as "humble sons of unpropitious fortune--" will end up paying while their kids will not see a college acceptance for reasons that are obvious.
Clinton understands that at a time of massive income and wealth inequality, it is absurd to provide huge tax breaks to the very rich. Release the transcripts and we'll know what to believe.
Trump, on the other hand, wants billionaire families like his to enjoy hundreds of billions of dollars in new tax breaks. No Democrat would forgo this largesse so who are you kidding?
Clinton understands that climate change is real, is caused by human activity and is one of the great environmental crises facing our planet. She knows that we must transform our energy system away from fossil fuels and move aggressively to energy efficiency and sustainable energy.
Trump, on the other hand, like most Republicans, rejects science and the conclusions of almost all major researchers in the field. He believes that climate change is a “hoax,” and that there’s no need to address it. Why did we have to fight the WH when it came to drilling, fracking, and pipelines? Are you delusional about the Democrats?
Clinton understands that this country must move toward universal healthcare. She wants to see that all Americans have the right to choose a public option in their healthcare exchange, that anyone 55 or older should be able to opt in to Medicare, and that we must greatly improve primary healthcare through a major expansion of community health centers. She also wants to lower the outrageously high cost of prescription drugs. She wants, she wants, she wants; but let corporate America express a different desire and see your lady friend brought to heel.
And what is Donald Trump’s position on healthcare? He wants to abolish the Affordable Care Act, throw 20 million people off the health insurance they currently have and cut Medicaid for lower-income Americans. It's crap like this that has led me to say Mr. Trump is a Hillary plant for what moron would think he could get elected by the 1%? Who wouldn't be aware of the Romney debacle? Come the debates, we'll know if Mr. Trump is serious about winning. As for the ACA, it should be dismantled to eliminate the profit motive that corrupts all our healthcare.
During the primaries, my supporters and I began a political revolution to transform America. That revolution continues as Hillary Clinton seeks the White House. It will continue after the election. It will continue until we create a government which represents all of us and not just the 1 percent – a government based on the principle of economic, social, racial and environmental justice.
I understand that many of my supporters are disappointed by the final results of the nominating process, but being despondent and inactive is not going to improve anything. Going forward and continuing the struggle is what matters. And, in that struggle, the most immediate task we face is to defeat Donald Trump. I'm over being despondent and it's thanks to your overt and vocal acquiescence. She was, after all, your nemesis and represented your damn antithesis. BTW, Mr. Sanders, when you heard about the FBI pronouncement, did you drink champagne or whiskey?
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