Bernie Sanders rips Trump for breaking promises to struggling workers:'I dont think he was sincere'

[DonViejo]

Source: RawStory

SARAH K. BURRIS
14 DEC 2016 AT 06:38 ET

Bernie Sanders is not happy about Donald Trump’s appointments to his cabinet. The president-elect told his voters that he would ensure they had jobs and tax cuts, but many are now speculating it will be business as usual for the GOP. Sanders explained to “Late Night” host Seth Meyers that it’s because Trump is not exactly known for being “scrupulously honest.”

Sanders said Trump made campaign promises that were inconsistent with GOP orthodoxy. “He said, ‘I’m the only Republican out there. I’m not going to cut Social Security. I’m not going to cut Medicare. and I’m not going to cut Medicaid.’ Well, you know, Mr. Trump, we’re going to hold you accountable for those statements.”

Prescription drug prices are soaring, people can’t afford medicine, some people are dying because drugs are too expensive; these are all problems Sanders sees as fixable if the new president-elect chose to.

“He said, ‘I’m going to take on the drug companies,'” Sanders recalled. “Well, Mr. Trump, we’re going to work with you, if you keep your word. But the point is you can’t make statements in a campaign and then the day after the election, forget.”

-snip-

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/2016/12/bernie-sanders-rips-trump-for-breaking-promises-to-struggling-workers-i-dont-think-he-was-sincere/

[Dream Girl]

1. Wow Bernie is everywhere. What is he up to?

Seems like he will be a thorn in Trumps side which is good. He finally has something useful to do.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

2. Bernie leading the way again... was there ever a doubt?!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!

[RKP5637]

52. K&R!!! n/t

[Eric J in MN]

5. Bernie Sanders is chair of Outreach for the Senate Democrats.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/11/16/senate-democrats-tap-bernie-sanders-lead-outreach/93960822/

[George II]

7. He WILL be chair of Outreach for Senate Democrats.

[ZoomBubba]

27. Who is he going to be outreach to?

A bunch of white dudes that don't join the party and stamp off when he doesn't win again? I am uncomfortable with this Bernie Cult making in roads ... it's our version of Trump's cult of personality. He's going to destroy the Republican party, but Bernie is going to destroy us at the same time.

Unless he gets a "D" by his name full time, he doesn't need to be given anything by the Democrats. He doesn't care about Democrats, he only cares about his vision.

[Sunlei]

32. he cares about democracy, bubba

[ZoomBubba]

42. Democracy ...

... as long as he's the one who gets to define it.

Too close to a cult of personality for me.

[ThirdEye]

44. Here we go again...

... people projecting personality traits on to Bernie with nothing to back it up.

He's been pushing the same message for a very long time. Either we agree with it or we don't. What we can't do, with integrity, is purport to know that Bernie is some kind of cult leader with selfish intentions.

Sure, he wants Democracy to flourish as he sees it, but isn't that literally what everyone wants? Or at least, anyone who is engaged in politics? To see their POV become a reality?

[Sunlei]

45. Democracy is defined.

de·moc·ra·cy


/dəˈmäkrəsē/


noun

noun: democracy




a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
"capitalism and democracy are ascendant in the third world"


synonyms: representative government, elective government; More
self-government, government by the people;

republic, commonwealth


"freedom of speech is essential to democracy"



antonyms: dictatorship



•a state governed by a democracy.
plural noun: democracies

"a multiparty democracy"



•control of an organization or group by the majority of its members.
"the intended extension of industrial democracy"

[ZoomBubba]

49. Why?

That served no purpose.

[Sunlei]

53. outreach to you! /hugggg

[ZoomBubba]

57. It's not outreach ...

... unless there's tongue.

[Sunlei]

60. sorry, you'll have to see trump for that type of outreach.

[WhiteTara]

69. You mean you think

that White Men's Agenda isn't the only identity political agenda we should follow?

BTW I agree with you but do be careful, only 5 hidden posts and you're gone. Bernie is considered a Democrat on this board and that is one of the rules...the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

[ZoomBubba]

71. I'll keep that in mind ...

... though I don't understand or agree with it.

[WhiteTara]

74. Ours is not to reason why

ours is just to do or die.

[ZoomBubba]

72. I may be forced to to vote in Republican primaries by 2020 anyway ...

... not because I want to, but simply because Democrats aren't able to find people in the state willing to run with the "D" by their names. That means if I want a say in who takes office, I'll have to vote in the Republican primary, which is becoming the general election for more and more offices. It's a bad situation, but I'm not sure I have many options aside from moving, which I don't really want to do.

[WhiteTara]

75. Our state won't run candidates either

the theory is that if you lose, you show weakness, so why bother.

[ZoomBubba]

77. I know a lot of officeholders ...

... who would've been effective Democrats and largely vote as such (which is why our state GOP is at each other's throats). Since they wanted to serve the public, running as a Democrat would've stood in the way of that, so they went for the other option.

It's why the national party really needs to pull together and come up with a 50-state strategy. If they can't within the next election cycle, they might as well withdraw from certain states and allow the Democrats left in them to form a new entity that can compete with the GOP and doesn't have the "D" by their names. Probably won't happen if we lose in 2018 ... but if we lose again in 2020 (not reclaim the house, senate, presidency or majority of state governments), the Democratic Party is done as a national entity.

[WhiteTara]

78. And with blatant gerrymanding of districts

our chances are slim.

[zonkers]

41. You sure are hung up on a label. What about the message?

[ThirdEye]

46. It wasn't until Bernie

That I realized just how many people are attached to the Democratic party label, for the sake of the label itself. Lots of "he needs a D next to his name or he's worth less than dirt!" going around.

[ZoomBubba]

50. That's BS ...

... he damaged the party in the election by not dropping out when the writing was on the wall. In March, he could've said "it's over, let's get behind Hillary." Instead he said "let's keep fighting and make Hillary Clinton bend!"

So he continued his fight, creating a personality cult in the process. His 10 percent of followers that refused to vote Hillary may have played a big role in costing us the election.

Sorry, he's not a team player. It's either his way or the highway. We already got that with Trump now. I don't want it in the Democratic party.

No to personality cults. No to ideologues.

[immoderate]

79. You think people didn't vote for Hillary, because of Bernie!??

--imm

[ZoomBubba]

81. Apparently 10 percent didn't ...

... which might've cost us the election. During the primary, a lot of those pro-Bernie memes were indistinguishable from Trump memes when it came to attacking Clinton. Think what you want, but Sanders' attacks during the primary were one of the big factors why we lost. I remember Bernie-supporters being interviewed outside at protests of the DNC ... more than one essentially said "Trump is even better than Hillary."

The DNC should target Sanders' seat for replacement by a Democrat, not give him a leadership position. To me, Sanders is a poison pill that will lead to the death of the party if we swallow him. If we do things his way, we'll become an ideological party instead of a big-tent party and we will not be able to recognize ourselves.

[immoderate]

83. You blame Bernie for Hillary's vulnerabilities?

You think running some corporate democrat against Bernie would help the country? How so? Frankly, I think the party should change and offer more progressive choices. Now, they seem to want to share in the riches.

What happened to Democrats was not Bernie's fault. He's trying to save them.

--imm

[ZoomBubba]

84. "Corporate Democrat" is a term used by extremists ...

... who are unhappy about the big tent. Private business and corporations are important to our coalition as they are important parts of our economies. Bernie attacked both as if he thought they were demons and Hillary as if she were the devil. That sort of anti-capitalist attitude has no place in the Democratic party and will not win elections.

[immoderate]

86. That is against democracy. Makes my point.

That the Democratic Party is seen as the capitalist party is likely responsible for their loss.

--imm

[ZoomBubba]

89. That's very doubtful ...

... because if that was the case, Greens would be one of the top two parties in the country.

[immoderate]

91. That's tough in a two party system. (That's what we have.)

The Democrats campaign on a green platform. Then, when they take office, the plutocrats tell them what to do. That's capitalism. The advertising doesn't comport with the product.

--imm

[RKP5637]

51. OK, I guess we'll just go with Trump FFS. n/t

[KPN]

58. You are uncomfortable with Bernie making in roads?

He's going to destroy the Democratic Party? Seems to me the Democratic Party has been doing a good job of that for quite a few years all by itself. Even the current establishment leadership has come to that realization.

Bernie's promoting democracy, not "pragmatism" in the face of ruthless and heretofore successful attacks on democracy by the GOP and its oligarchs. He's also inspiring millions of younger citizens with his straight-forward talk about democracy and the issues, not to mention the Independents who view him favorably.

It seems to me that we should all be more uncomfortable with recent party failure/GOP success rather than the flaws Bernie might have. Bernie is expanding the party tent. Why would anyone find that uncomfortable?

[George II]

6. He seems to be everywhere except in Washington doing his job.

[Zambero]

10. You must be thinking of a guy named Marco Rubio

Of course, looking over the course of the past few years, the Senate is rarely in session anyway. Bernie for one shows up for key votes. And Marco? He's plain bored to tears with the job, but what the heck it's still a way to fill in time until something bigger and better come along.

[George II]

11. No, I'm thinking of the person I referred to. The Senate is currently in session. And...

...there is more to being a Senator than showing up for key votes.

Senators write legislation, lobby other Senators, attend and participate in Committee meetings, and even vote for less than "key votes".

[LiberalLovinLug]

21. Let it go...let it go-o

I've never seen so much butt-hurt from winners of a primary to the loser of a primary. The primaries are over, you WON, get over it.

You want Sanders to slink away and disappear into the Washington establishment and stop being...Bernie. Sorry, but that's not going to happen. He has too much passion for the well being of the country and its citizens. Too bad so sad.

[George II]

23. I just expect legislators to do their jobs, not running around the country hawking their books....

....(which is basically what Sanders is doing!)

http://us.macmillan.com/static/smp/our-revolution/

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/our-revolution-an-evening-with-bernie-sanders-on-book-tour-tickets-28397960063#

http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/bernie-sanders-visits-seattle-wednesday-on-book-tour/

[LiberalLovinLug]

25. So....you think Bernie is all about cashing in...making money?

Is he in the mold of say Trump?...
Were you as cynical about Hillary promoting her book before the primaries as well?

Hypothetically, try and imagine for a second, That Bernie actually does care about the country and its citizens, and the direction the country is going, and thinks he has a better plan, and as a leader figure in the country, wants to promote those positive ideas, writes a book detailing those ideas, as a physical supplement as opposed to just old YouTube videos of his rallies....

will he make some money from this book? I'm sure, as Hillary did, he hopes so. But if you are so cynical about everyone that writes a book must be a greedy narcissist that is only in it for the money, then I guess this is a wasted argument. Selling more books also means more people have read it and been made more aware of the possibilities as well, like this woman in the video.

You really want to criticize someone for writing a book about something he is passionate about..with ideas that he honestly thinks will help his fellow countryperson? And daring to promote and sell it? Really? Should Nelson Mandela have not written or made money off of "The Struggle is my Life"? in 1978 or Gandhi with "The Story of My Experiments with Truth" in 1925? No I'm not comparing Sanders to those figures in case you were primed to use that red herring. I am making a point. If you have some ideas that you feel will help society..what could you possible have to criticize about someone deciding to put it into writing and then promoting it? As long as they donate it all to charity? What are your preconditions?

[metroins]

26. He should be in the Senate

Please take off your blinders.

We are paying his salary, the Senate is in session, he should be there doing legislative work.

I don't see how you couldn't agree with that.

I don't mind/care about him writing a book but he should be pushing it from DC or in off times.

Remove your bias and look at him as a Senator that you're paying. They should all be there, you know, working.

[LiberalLovinLug]

28. And what is so pressing right now going on in the Senate at this time of transistion?

that would 'trump' informing and educating citizens about the direction of the country and where we are going and where we could be going? Sorry, Bernie doesn't just shut up like the loser you want him to be and disappear. His political revolution, that transcends election dates, fortunately, is too important to be derailed by cynics and whiners and butt-hurt sore winners. I realize its shocking to some to see someone whose beliefs were not just campaign rhetoric and he actually is actively passionate about promoting whether he won or lost.

This is exactly what Americans need now to counter at least in part the travelling Donald self aggrandizing road show. So sorry he is not doing the 'proper' establishment predictable thing by shrinking back to his Washington office. That is precisely why he is so popular. He's been working for 40 years in the muck and grime of Washington procedure. You can't let him out for a few weeks to help counter the destructive coming administration by reminding folks that there is a better way...now when its the most relevant time to do so?

[metroins]

29. Please take off your blinders

Who said they wanted Sanders to be a loser?

Check yourself and drop the attacks.

You are paying him to LEGISLATE. In DC. That's his job...to be in DC...legislating.

If you want to pay him for his book, buy it, but ALL legislators should be in DC working. If nothing is getting done (which the cancer bill was just passed), then he can write legislation or research legislation or just do his job.

I don't care who it is, our tax dollars pay them to do their job.

[LiberalLovinLug]

35. I could tell you also to take off the blinders

ie.the tunnelvision. Starting the fight against Trumpism now, before he even enters office is paramount. Starting today the new revolution, the resistance, is imperative. Letting those that voted Trump know what they voted for. You don't want to be a part of that fine, move out of the way.

The time is ripe NOW for Bernie to ride the momentum. To take advantage of his prominence in the public eye. Its wonderful that he also now has a book to promote the revolution as well. Yes there is other important work in the Senate. He's been working at that for decades now. And he will be soon back at it. Give the guy a break! Right now...its more important to let folks know that he is not abandoning those progressives concerned about the coming catastrophe, and that there is hope for the future despite the 4 years of misery ahead.

[metroins]

37. I want people to do their jobs.

You're trying to turn this into a Bernie bash, but it isn't.

The dude is getting paid to legislate. He should be in DC legislating.

You can talk revolution all you want, that isn't what federal tax dollars are paying him for. Do your job in DC. I don't care of you're D, R or I; do your job that you are getting paid triple the average household income to do.

I don't see how there is even a discussion about this.

[Arazi]

40. Can you tell me what votes Bernie has missed?

What tasks he isn't doing?

Where he's failing to do his job?

Your making a lot of assumptions (hint: he hasn't missed any votes, including HR 34)

[LiberalLovinLug]

85. Extraordinary times calls for extraordinary methods is all

Its a different avenue towards the same goal. He IS working, but tackling it from another direction. Why not milk his populism now while its still warm? We should be tackling this lurking fascism any way that opens up to us.

[George II]

31. After Friday, or maybe even Thursday, he'll be off for about a month. Why now?

[George II]

30. Clinton was a PRIVATE citizen when she went on her book tour, why are you comparing her to him?

[sfwriter]

34. You shouldn't vote for him then.

He is your senator right?

[ThirdEye]

47. BOOM

Exactly. So many people are going to be stunned how thoroughly he wins reelection when the time comes, justifying his every action. At least in the eyes of Vermont voters.

[phleshdef]

39. He is doing the exact job the Democratic leadership in the Senate has asked him to do.

Schumer called on Bernie to do exactly what he is doing. I know that position hasn't officially started yet, but that isn't necessary for Bernie to get out there and starting doing it now.

[George II]

43. Have you seen any of the ads run about these appearances? Here's an example:

Our Revolution: An Evening with Bernie Sanders on Book Tour

ADMISSION PACKAGES: There are two available options

The first 250 admission packages will include one presigned copy of Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In. The remaining admission packages will include one unsigned copy.

$34: 1 seat / 1 book. Admission for one to the event, one copy of Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In

$40: 2 seats / 1 book. Admission for two to the event, one copy of Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/our-revolution-an-evening-with-bernie-sanders-on-book-tour-tickets-28397960063#

[phleshdef]

88. Ask me if I give a shit?

You failed to make any meaningful point whatsoever and you did nothing to rebuttal my point

[George II]

90. Your point was this:

"He is doing the exact job the Democratic leadership in the Senate has asked him to do."

The Democratic leadership in the Senate didn't ask him to go on a book tour.

Please don't respond if you can't do so civilly. Thanks.

[phleshdef]

92. Request denied.

I'll respond any way I fucking feel like.

[Sunlei]

3. Republicans always lie to get elected & do what they want when elected. They always ignore Sanders.

[turbinetree]

4. Lets take it one step further Mr. Sanders

he was and is full of S**t, that's what I would have said. And yes Mr. Sanders, he the authoritarian serial predator has no scruples, he is a megalomaniac, narcissistic, psychopath, racist hypocrite, that does not know the difference between right and wrong

He is a Serial Predator, and people should be reminded of this fact, and he should be reminded of that fact, and he still is full of S**t, and he will be blackmailed, some how and some way, look no further that what Turkey is trying to do, to get there hands on the individual in PA

[Thav]

8. It's time to stop using "i think".

It shouldn't be "I don't think he was sincere." It should be "He wasn't sincere." It's now quite easy to tell what Trump is going to or not going to do.

[leftyladyfrommo]

9. Trump isn't capable of being sincere.

He is not capable of even knowing what the truth is.

So, duh? Why would you ever even consider working with him on anything.

[lagomorph777]

14. No, need to get real: "Trump lied his ass off."

Mealy-mouthed politeness is surrender. This is war.

[Generator]

15. Duh.

Trump SMASHED all norms with racism, sexism and name calling. The least anyone that is true opposition can say is Trump lies and betrays and we must fight him at every turn. Power and not backing down is all dictators and bullies respect. Instead everyone is pretending it's normal. It's not normal. If we don't fight now there is no chance.

[mwooldri]

18. "I think"... "allegedly"... words used as libel defence.

Bernie is being polite in this case. But using that language can prevent libel lawsuits, especially if Don the Con works libel law reform into law.

[Orsino]

82. Acting surprised is a common rhetorical technique.

Makes it harder to dismiss the speaker as a mere hater.

And I too have wondered whether there might be some minor altruism lurking deep in Trump's makeup. If flattered sufficiently, is he capable of performing a good act. I doubt it, but what other hope are we left with?

[rusty fender]

12. "I don't think he was sincere."

Ya think!!!

[bdamomma]

17. no foolin

didn't Sanders say tRump was a pathological liar??? of course.

[blue neen]

13. I hope Bernie starts ripping Benedict Donald for committing treason.

Collusion with the Russian government.

[WhiteTara]

16. Too bad he wasn't so vocal during the elections.

[Dustlawyer]

19. Are you serious?

[ThirdEye]

48. I am very glad to hear, however implicitly

that you have awoken from your coma in good health.

I have great news, though it doesn't change the outcome of the election: he was vocal! Perhaps more vocal than almost anyone else. Obama, Michelle and Elizabeth Warren too. They were all out there being vocal against Trump and for Hillary!

I hope this news brightens your day.

edit: spelling - doh!

[RKP5637]

55. He was held back by the DNC and DWS! n/t

[WhiteTara]

61. What? DWS was GONE after the primaries

and he did very little to advance the Party's nominee, since it wasn't him. I NEVER heard a full throated endorsement ... little weak, we must beat Trump, but NOT we must elect Hillary Clinton. But don't worry this is his party now. Be happy.

[RKP5637]

63. I was thinking along the lines of when the primaries began, but that is gone now. And I was a fan

of Hillary. I wanted a democrat in the WH, Bernie or Hillary, I liked both. Question is, what do we do now.

[WhiteTara]

64. I think a good shower to put the flames out

on our heads and then ????
Fight like hell?
Leave the country?
Play dead and hope for the best?

I don't know. We may be on our own here.

[RKP5637]

65. We all have to stick together, WhiteTara.

I just have no idea where we're headed, other than I think it's going to likely be dreadful.

[WhiteTara]

66. I think the idea is that we stick together because

it takes fewer bullets to kill more of us. No, just kidding.

[RKP5637]

67. ...

[WhiteTara]

68. Ah

we laugh through our tears.

[RKP5637]

70. That's what we have left. A bit of sanity.

I'm frightened, wait 'till he gets a taste of absolute global power.

[WhiteTara]

73. I'm frightened too

I had so many people that I know wax eloquently about the coming revolution and I kept telling them I wanted live in the status quo. I was of course laughed at and called a bot and a fool.

I've been thinking about karma a lot lately and wondering if this coming nightmare is our karmic "comeuppance?" The law of cause and effect of how we treated Native Americans and the installation of despots in other countries. If so, it's going to be a duzy.

[RKP5637]

80. Could be ... as is often said, what goes around, comes around. It could be payback. The US

has done some horrific things. ... but we did not, but yet we might have to pay for it. It will be so unfair. What is striking is somehow those rationalizing that oh, he's really a good guy, and that is truly frighting, and now those cozying up to Putin. I feel like we're in a Stephen King novel.

[agalisgv]

20. Thank you, Bernie Sanders, for speaking out. nt

[RKP5637]

56. He's about the only one speaking out strongly. Good for Bernie! n/t

[romanic]

22. Go git em Bernie!

I don't care how many people here shit on you, you would've been president instead of Trump with both the popular and electorial votes.

[ucrdem]

38. He's catching on.

[BeyondGeography]

54. Duh

He's coming around:

[Sunlei]

59. republican in charge (pence) handed a Corp 7 million of state money to GET RID of 1,400 jobs.

many Union jobs lost, now America will have a thousand plus families on unemployment because the old state Governor and his president to be- think they add jobs.

[ananda]

62. The incredibly soft understatement astounds me.

The truth is actually harsh and biting.

[WhiteTara]

76. Duh, Bernie

Tell us something we didn't know.

[6000eliot]

87. Ya think?

By the way, I must have missed your condemnation of Russia stealing the election.