Bernie Sanders: The American People Have Spoken: No More War Abroad, More Jobs at Home

[marmar]

via truthdig:


The American People Have Spoken: No More War Abroad, More Jobs at Home
Posted on Sep 13, 2013

By Sen. Bernie Sanders

This piece originated from the office of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

At a time of great political division in our country President Obama has found a remarkable way to unite Americans of all political persuasions—conservatives, progressives and moderates. With a loud and clear voice the overwhelming majority of the American people, across the political spectrum, are saying NO to another war in the Middle East—Syria’s bloody and complicated civil war.

There are two major reasons why the people in this country are adamantly opposed to the U.S.’s military intervention in Syria.

First, of course, is the much discussed “war weariness.” The United States has been at war in Afghanistan for 12 years, and the war in Iraq dragged on for nearly nine years. The cost of these wars has been horrendous: more than 6,700 American deaths; hundreds of thousands suffering from traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder; and a financial cost of between $4 trillion to $6 trillion by the time the last war veteran receives needed care. Further, as a result of the ineptitude and dishonesty of foreign policy decisions made in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, the American people worry deeply about the unintended consequences of another military venture.

But there’s another reason why Americans are reluctant to get involved in a third Middle East war in 12 years. And that relates to the fact that Congress today has a 14 percent favorability rating and millions of Americans have absolutely no confidence that the U.S. House or Senate is even remotely concerned about their needs or views.

Here’s the truth. The middle class in this country is collapsing. The number of Americans living in poverty is nearly the highest on record and the gap between the very rich and everyone else is growing wider and wider. And very few people in Washington give a damn. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_american_people_have_spoken_no_more_war_abroad_more_jobs_at_20130913/

[xchrom]

1. du rec.

[KG]

2. if only the prez pushed as hard for jobs as he does for war...

[leftstreet]

3. DURec

[99Forever]

4. If only Senator Sanders was President Sanders...

... and Barack Obama was still Senator Obama...

The world and our nation would be a far better place.

[LuvNewcastle]

5. Agreed.

Right now things are upside down and inside out in our politics.

[avaistheone1]

18. Senator Sanders would be a great president.

I am a big fan.

[Coyotl]

6. K&R

[kentuck]

7. The people were saying this 5 years ago...

It's a little late to say that people "are weary of war"...

[classof56]

8. Can somebody please tell the republicans?

Oh, yeah--that's been tried over and over but the message always falls on deaf ears. Now they want to shut down the government? That'll fix the jobs problem, right? Bernie speaks truth to power, but for me he's like a broken record, saying the same things over and over to no avail. The President has tried to create jobs--remember the Jobs for Vets proposal shot down by Congress awhile back? That would be the republican-controlled Congress.

Keep up the good work, Bernie. You are appreciated, and when all's said and done, you can at least say you tried.

Tired Old Cynic

[Enthusiast]

13. The President is the main one pushing for war.

Or haven't you heard?

[classof56]

14. Not any more.

Check out the morning's news. Avoid Fox and CNN, though, so you'll have a shot at the truth.

Blessings.

[yuiyoshida]

9. Its also been a bit difficult because

of the party of "no" blocking nearly every bit of legislation that comes up for vote. Republican obstructionists who block it, simply because they can't stand the President.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

10. This was said clearly in 2008 before Obama declared himself to be a "Centrist" and began adopting

Republicans for high-level positions and adopting Republican policies of having endless wars in the Middle-East.

This was also clearly said in 2010 when some voters stayed home when they did not want Democrats, even at the highest level, to adopt Republican policies.

In 2010, we heard Obama say "I get it."

But does he? How many times do we have to send the message?

[Rebellious Republican]

11. K&R

[Douglas Carpenter]

12. knr

[indepat]

15. Tis a puzzlement indeed that the electorate keep returning to the Congress the same

unpatriotic SOBs who foster welfare for large corporations and the uber-wealthy, try to destroy the social safety net, and relish waging permanent war to gourge the MIC, thereby garnering a 14% favorability rating. A mystery in a puzzle wrapped in an enigma. :patriot

[grahamhgreen]

16. Kick

[nashville_brook]

17. k and r

[bluedeathray]

19. Make Warren/Sanders the "Write In" campaign

From HELL!

God Damnit we can do this. Start NOW!

[livingwagenow]

20. Recced. Love Bernie. Favorite pol. nt