Not a Revolution, but a tantrum.

[Loki]

http://www.thepeoplesview.net/main/2016/3/24/wrong-place-wrong-time-why-bernie-sanders-political-revolution-has-never-been-realistic

It's good to set ambitious goals but it's even better to set realistic ones.

Throughout world history, revolutionary figures that were successfully able to create genuine movements did so in a way built upon the power of the people. Folks like Gandhi, Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez were all able to harness the power of the oppressed and translate that power into widespread movement. For Gandhi, his strength lied in his peaceful non-violent approach that won his movement international praise. For Nelson Mandela, he built such a strong following that even while imprisoned he was still the most powerful man in his country. For Martin Luther King, Jr. he was able to harness the strength in numbers and his historic march on Washington showcased the extent of his power to unite those behind him. For Cesar Chavez, his strength lied in his ability to work across various oppressed groups and to convince them to unite behind a common cause.


Good read.

[72DejaVu]

1. A revolution of the privileged.

[SunSeeker]

9. Exactly. As perfectly stated in the article:

Sanders believed that young, millennial voters would take the lead on this and made college towns central locations for his rallies. With packed houses surrounded by affluent, White voters Sanders couldn't help but believe that his long sought after revolution was finally materializing and that he was about to become a legendary revolutionary figure. 

Then reality hit in.   

And the reality of the situation is that Americans in 2016 aren't hungry for a political revolution. In fact, it can be argued that Barack Obama already achieved a revolution in 2008. The people most hungry for change are millennials who are receiving the brunt of thirty years of destructive Republican policies. 
...
But hardly anybody else was. Sanders has failed to connect with African-American and Latino voters who care about more than simple income inequality. He has failed to connect with registered Democratic voters due in large part to the fact that he admitted to using the party for media exposure and financial gain. He has failed to connect with older voters, many of whom see him as a George McGovern candidate, well-intentioned but simply unelectable in a general election. And he has failed to connect with women, especially women of color. With this many segments of the population in disagreement with Sanders' platform it would appear unlikely for there to be an overwhelming enthusiasm for his candidacy at the polls. 

This year's turnout unquestionably backs up this assertion. Turnout for this year has been breaking 2008 records, but only on the Republican side. 

[bravenak]

2. Absolutely

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

3. Article pulls no punches

[SunSeeker]

7. No kidding. This passage succinctly summarizes Sanders’ career:

The lack of Democratic challenger combined with the NRA's endorsement gave Sanders his first victory in seven attempts and made him the first socialist in congress since the 1950s. 

So Sanders finally had his platform to enact his "political revolution" in the hallowed halls of congress. He had the ability to create and enact legislation. He had the ability to make speeches on the House floor. He had media access on both radio and the Sunday shows. He had the ability to be a voice for all those he saw as oppressed, victims of a capitalist system that forced people into a life of low wages and no access to healthcare or education. He had his metaphorical microphone where he could be the leader of a movement of all the oppressed Americans. He could be their savior. He could be the person to add his name to the history books and become a famous revolutionary following in the footsteps of Gandhi, Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Cesar Chavez. It was all there for the taking and Sanders had every opportunity to become legendary.

And for twenty-five years he did nothing.  

Sanders has authored a total of three bills during his tenure in both the House and Senate, two of which renamed Post Offices. He would often provide fiery speeches on the House and Senate floor but that seemed to accomplish little. In 2015 he was ranked as the most partisan senator, edging out Ted Cruz of all people. 

[DemonGoddess]

4. Excellent article! K&R!

[SunSeeker]

5. K & R

[man of few w]

6. Oh HELL Yeah!

[SidDithers]

8. DU rec...nt

Sid

[sister_rosa_refried]

12. I hope so, dear.

Sister is getting sick of his malarkey along with his glassy eye'd fans.

[CajunBlazer]

10. K&R

[Setsuna1972]

11. the way I see it

Bernie wants to start a Cultural Revolution here in the US, just like how they did in China.But that didn' tturn out so well...

[SharonClark]

13. K&R