Persuade me why Bernie should the democratic candidate without

[uppityperson]

posting negatives about anyone else. I would like to know why I should support him, without using drawbacks or flaws of any other candidate.

Why should I support him?

This request was inspired by another thread. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026743902

Thank you in advance.

[charlyvi]

1. Same remark as when you said the same about Hillary.

Why should anyone have to persuade you? What game are you playing?

[uppityperson]

3. And as there...

DU has lots of people doing lots of research and people like to share what they know and have found. If you don't have anything to share, feel free to ignore this thread. Thanks for the kick though.

[kenfrequed]

7. *sigh*

Thanks for polluting the first post of what could have been a good positive thread with your negative crap.

Maybe you could do us a favor and self delete it?

[davidpdx]

13. Unfortunately there are very few threats that aren't polluted on DU

Welcome to silly season!

[eloydude]

2. Here's my opinion

And I can do it without attacking Clinton.

*ahem*

(is this thing on?)

Bernie has always been consistent with his policies since he started being active in 1954. Bernie has a very humble history, with his father being a Holocaust survivor, and losing his mother in a early age, living in a small apartment in Brooklyn. Bernie had led a simple life, eschewing riches because he wanted to honor his family, and stayed true to his roots, forming consistent policies that has never changed. Bernie opposed the Iraq War Resolution, opposed the trade agreements that eventually damaged America's economy, for the middle class and the poor, for the people of color, for equality in economics and social policies, sane foreign policies, sane economic justice and social justice. Bernie has never shied away from talking to ANYONE, even those that do not agree with him, and he'll give you his opinion and it's always the real thing.

That's what I love about Bernie.

There! I did it!

[uppityperson]

5. Thank you for that. I didn't know all that about him, appreciate your time.

Thanks for helping. I am still uncommitted and appreciate the input.

[JeffHead]

4. Just listen to him. The guy is telling the unfiltered truth.

And he has been his entire political career.

[davidpdx]

14. That is a great video

At this point in 2007, I had already decided who I was going to support. I am undecided, but leaning toward Sanders. Whomever put the video together did a great job.

[kenfrequed]

6. Short version

I support Bernie Sanders because of his fearlessness in standing up to corporations and the powerful.

As a president he stands up for working people everywhere. He has had an amazing record of standing up for civil rights and equality for all. He votes his conscience and will answer questions posed to him directly. He voted against the patriot act, against the war in Iraq, and against DOMA. I support him because he gets it right the first time and I rarely have to hear an "if I knew then..." when there was plenty of reason on a large number of issues to go the right way.

He is for single payer universal healthcare, for free education, against corporate personhood, and against trade treaties designed explicitly to protect the profits of multinational corporations.

[TheNutcracker]

8. I know when Bernie's lips are moving, he's telling me the truth. He makes me *want* to vote!

[cui bono]

9. He's the real deal. Authentic. He is fighting for EVERYONE, for their equal rights and their pocket

books.

Here's him railing about women's rights on the senate floor:

He's been fighting for civil rights since the 60's, having marched back then.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026614874


He is not afraid to stand up to banksters. He's ready to break them up.

The environment:

[JDPriestly]

10. A few of thB reasons.

1) He doesn't take corporate money. We need a candidate who can show all of us that it is not necessary to take a lot of corporate money in order to win the presidency. Bernie may be able to do that. That would be great for America and save our democracy.

2) Bernie will work to break up the too-big-to fail banks.

3) Bernie strongly supports civil rights for all and has supported them throughout his adult life.

4) Bernie supports equal pay for equal work.

5) Bernie opposes the TPP and similar trade agreements.

7) Bernie proposes to fund affordable college education by imposing a tax on Wall Street (trades I think).

8) Bernie shows up and stands for unions even when it is tough to do so.

9) Bernie supports health care for all -- single payer.

10) Bernie wants to seek new ways to deal with addiction and drugs.

11) Bernie spoke out against the police brutality in Ferguson very soon after it happened, not when it became popular to speak out.

12) Bernie is loved by his constituents and is re-elected by large majorities. He works for his constituents. They know they can rely on him.

13) Bernie is accessible. He speaks freely and honestly with the press and with voters.

14) Bernie is the real deal. He is who he is. He doesn't need 200 aides to tell him what voters want. He just is himself.

Those are a few of the reasons I support Bernie.

[RufusTFirefly]

11. Eight key issues that Bernie is focused on

Eight key issues that Bernie is focused on

Income and wealth inequality: In the United States today we have the most unequal wealth and income distribution of any major country on earth -- worse than at any time since the 1920s. This is an economy that must be changed in fundamental ways.

Jobs and income: In my view, we need a massive federal jobs program which puts millions of our people back to work. We must end our disastrous trade policies. We need to raise the minimum wage to a living wage. And we have to fight for pay equity for women.

Campaign finance reform: As a result of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, American democracy is being undermined by the ability of the Koch brothers and other billionaire families. These wealthy contributors can literally buy politicians and elections by spending hundreds of millions of dollars in support of the candidates of their choice. We need to overturn Citizens United and move toward public funding of elections so that all candidates can run for office without being beholden to the wealthy and powerful.

Climate change: Climate change is real, caused by human activity and already devastating our nation and planet. The United States must lead the world in combating climate change and transforming our energy system away from fossil fuels and toward energy efficiency and sustainability.

College affordability: Every person in this country who has the desire and ability should be able to get all the education they need regardless of the income of their family. This is not a radical idea. In Germany, Scandinavia and many other countries, higher education is either free or very inexpensive. We must do the same.

Health care: Shamefully, the United States remains the only major country on earth that does not guarantee health care to all people. The United States must move toward a Medicare-for-all single-payer system. Health care is a right, not a privilege.

Poverty: The United States has more people living in poverty than at almost any time in the modern history of our country. I believe that in a democratic, civilized society none of our people should be hungry or living in desperation. We need to expand Social Security, not cut it. We need to increase funding for nutrition programs, not cut them.

Tax reform: We need real tax reform which makes the rich and profitable corporations begin to pay their fair share of taxes. We need a tax system which is fair and progressive. Children should not go hungry in this country while profitable corporations and the wealthy avoid their tax responsibilities by stashing their money in the Cayman Islands.

[LWolf]

12. He has the best record on social and economic justice. nt

[gollygee]

15. I don't have any negativity toward Hillary Clinton

I am voting for Sanders because he's further to the left than any president we've had at least in a long, long time. If he were elected, it would be revolutionary. I think it would change up the whole political process. It would show that the US is much more liberal than the press, the government, and a great number of people give us credit for.

I do not support the TPP. I'm the daughter of union members. Yes I am very concerned about social justice, but I am also very concerend about economic justice. I think his views on economic issues align much more closely to mine.

I do hope his campaign does more to appeal to people of color and women, but it seems clear that his heart is in the right place as far as social justice issues go. He lives in a very white state and maybe he just wasn't aware when he gave this last speech that many people concerned about social justice are listening to him, waiting for him to talk about those issues most important to them. I feel confident he'll correct that.

He has a "give 'em hell" attitude that appeals to me. Though Clinton has some of that too. I like that about both of them.

I realize he is not the front-runner, and if Clinton gets the nomination I will absolutely vote for her, but I do think Sanders is more in line with where I am and he will be getting my vote.

[RiverLover]

16. He's a top-ranked, proven leader on Climate Change.

...Sanders has one of the strongest climate change records in the Senate. In fact, according to rankings released by Climate Hawks Vote, a new super PAC, Sanders was the No. 1 climate leader in the Senate for the 113th Congress that ended in January.

Climate Hawks Vote measures leadership, not just voting records, tabulating actions like bills introduced, speeches given, and so forth. In the 112th Congress, Sanders ranked third behind Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). In the last Congress, he edged out Whitehouse by one point.

"Sanders is very much among the top leaders," says R.L. Miller, founder of Climate Hawks Vote. "He has a record of really strong advocacy for solar in particular." Miller notes that distributed solar, which enables everyone with a solar panel to create their own energy instead of relying on a monopolistic utility company, fits especially well with Sanders' democratic socialist philosophy. It's bad for corporations and good for regular folks who get to own the means of production....

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/05/bernie-sanders-greenest-presidential-candidate

Our chances of slowing down the man-made assault on sustainable life on earth will improve exponentially with Bernie at the helm.

[gollygee]

17. Climate change is closely linked to economic justice

Everyone would be on board with environmental issues if saving the environment didn't cost rich people money. The only real reason people are opposed to dealing with climate change is because they don't want corporations to suffer.

So yeah, and I think it makes logical sense why he's so concerned about climate change.

[Spazito]

18. Good thread!

Thanks for posting this.

[Autumn]

19. You got some great answers about Bernie here. Please do one for Hillary

and Martin. I would love to see the answers you get on our other candidates. This is a nice thread, thank you.

[uppityperson]

21. Indeed, thanks to everyone for their thoughtful answers. Here is the one I did on Hillary

Have not done one on Martin yet but will do so.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026744305

Martin
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026746386

[grahamhgreen]

20. He supports a sales tax on stock purchases to pay for public higher education for all