I just don't see what Bernie Sanders accomplishes or how he helps us?

[CK_John]

As a person his heart is in the right place, but as an independent or a voice of one in the Senate he gets nothing done.

In a two party system you have to choose one to be effective. Maybe he is unable to choose one or in Vermont he might not make it as a Dem.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

1. He provides a triangulation point.

I don't know enough about the inside details of American politics to be sure how much use that is, but it wouldn't surprise me if it were quite valuable.

If there weren't people as far left as him in the senate, people less left wing would be "the most leftwing people in the senate", and so on.

[WilliamPitt]

2. Ow.

My brain.

You get the Khan Facepalm:



Congratulations?

No.

[stillwaiting]

3. You are clearly supremely ignorant as to what Bernie Sanders has done for the good...

… of the entire nation.

Well, for the 99% of Americans anyway, and I have zero desire to educate you on the matter.

It's been very well documented on this website over the years.



I just can NOT believe that you would think that a conservative/centrist Democrat would be better for "us" than Bernie Sanders in the Senate.

Blows my mind.

[cali]

5. The OP is just ignorant of Bernie's history in the House and Senate

I'm not sure why he didn't just pose a question if he wondered about Bernie being effective.

[cali]

4. yikes. why not do some research. here's one example- and there are many

The ACA included 11 billion dollars for Community Health Centers which provide primary care- including psychological and dental to people based on ability to pay. It included those funds because of Bernie.

<snip>

A Sanders provision in the Affordable Care Act authorized $11 billion to build, expand, and operate community health centers throughout the United States.

<snip>

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/community-health-centers-expand-11-07-2013

Bernie is very skilled at getting amendments attached to legislation.

I could give you many more examples, but why not do your own research. In addition, in Vermont, Bernie's office is known for being very constituent friendly and responsive.

Oh, and of course Bernie could make it as a dem in Vermont.

Vermont actually has a viable third party to the left of the dems here- and dems are pretty progressive. The Vermont Progressive Party regularly elects folks to both houses of the VT legislature.

[Loudly]

6. I see him as a courageous force pulling the party to the Left.

Struggling against powerful forces constantly pulling the party to the Right.

And, as long as he caucuses with the Democrats, I believe he's acting consistently with our predominantly two-party system.

[OnionPatch]

9. Exactly. He moves the political discussion to the left.

Which is desperately, needed right now.

[Bluenorthwest]

7. The people of Vermont have elected Sanders to every higher offices since 1981

He's not a Democrat. So unless you live in Vermont, your opinion of him is moot, beside a point very strongly made by those who do elect him again and again and again. When he left the House for the Senate, some Republicans also claimed he 'got nothing done' and they were just as wrong as you are.

[Egalitarian Thug]

8. In order to see, one has to look. After 33 years there is a ton to look at. n/t

[TransitJohn]

10. Good fucking grief.

Just who is this 'us' you so cavalierly refer to?