Why I am supporting Bernie and oppose neoliberalism.

[mmonk]

My two sons. Each has some disabilities. We have less money after the deregulation of the financial industry and the entrance of Wall Streeters in positions of power in the Legislative branch, particularly where money and policy is involved. I cannot be changed so no arguments will allow me to vote even a little against their interests. No name calling nor insinuations will work. I am worried a lot about social security disability benefits going forward as well. I have to be sure Democrats have no compromiser in charge in that area going forward. I probably shouldn't be wasting any time in GD: P, but rather working on things such as promoting Sanders or his ideas among the populace and other Democrats in the general public. But thought I would put that out there. Have a great rest of the day.

[HassleCat]

1. Liberaism was OK

We made some real progress with conventional liberalism between FDR and Reagan. Then liberals got scared and started acting like conservatives to get elected. They didn't even dare use the word "liberal" for man years. Even recently, they did things like voting to give GW Bush perhaps our dimmest president, blanket authority to do whatever he wanted to fight the "terrists." Of course, we all knew that meant invading Iraq, but, hey, don't want to look weak on terrorism.

The big problem with neoliberalism is that it's not even getting Democrats elected now. We are the minority party in both houses of congress, and we tell ourselves we would lose even more seats if we actually stood for something. I don't know. I am reminded of that old cliché about, "When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging."

[ibegurpard]

4. we need to stop assuming it's incompetence

And start treating it like they actually support the conservative "free-market is the best solution" policies.

[Vincardog]

14. "free-market is the best solution"= 100% for the rich and the one with the most $$$ is GOD

I believe the Bible said not to worship Mammon

mam·mon/ˈmamən/

noun: Mammon; noun: mammon; plural noun: mammons

wealth regarded as an evil influence or false object of worship and devotion
. It was taken by medieval writers as the name of the devil of covetousness, and revived in this sense by Milton.


Origin

late Middle English: via late Latin from New Testament Greek mamōnas (see Matt. 6:24, Luke 16 –13), from Aramaic māmōn ‘riches.’

Use over time for: mammon

Translations, word origin, and more definitions

Mammon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammon

Wikipedia
Mammon /ˈmæmən/, in the New Testament of the Bible, is greed or material wealth,
and in the Middle Ages was often personified as a deity, and sometimes included in the seven princes of Hell.
‎Etymology - ‎Personifications - ‎In various countries - ‎In popular culture



Mammon | Definition of mammon by Merriam-Webster

[erronis]

13. Great post. Thanks!

[appalachiablue]

2. K & R. Your views about maintaining Social Security, no more compromise Cat Food

Commissions, Chained CPI or cuts to social programs I share. Supporting Bernie's positions like strengthening Social Security and other programs would halt the tide of hurting so many like the disabled, poor, elderly, sick and others in this brutal economy.
Forty years of the globalized neoliberal economics and 'free market' capitalist system, and look at the destruction worldwide to humans, societies, animals and all life on earth. Gotta go!

Lose the WS bankers, and use economist choices like TYT Cenk Uygur notes. And add Thomas Pikkety on a visa.

[navarth]

8. I'm with Cenk!!! nt

[appalachiablue]

10. Cenk's a good guy and commenter. And a talented communicator with his own style.

[hifiguy]

19. Definitely add Piketty.

He is brilliant.

[Robbins]

3. As disabled american myself

I can't recommend this high enough myself.you hit it on the head.

[jwirr]

5. Totally agree. My daughter is disabled. These things are

vital to her and everyone like her. The least of these.

[Maedhros]

6. Hear! Hear!

My daughter is developmentally impaired, and the one thing in this world that terrifies me is what might happen to her after I'm gone if we continue down our current path.

We must take a different path.

[WillyT]

7. HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!!

[Dont call me Shirley]

9. What you said mmonk + a trillion!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. If neoliberalism is synonomous with laissez-faire capitalism...

If neoliberalism is synonymous with laissez-faire capitalism I don't believe there are any neoliberals running in the Democratic primary.

[appalachiablue]

12. For disabled relatives and people I worked with through the United Way I support what

you're saying to be clear. Last year Lord Freud, UK Minister of Welfare was heard talking about reducing wages for the disabled below the current minimum. That was cruel and ominous. The intentions and level of brutality and indifference these conservatives in the UK, US and elsewhere are willing to pursue is astounding. And the American 20+ year extreme right wing movement to hurt and punish the vulnerable into oblivion, almost a eugenics type approach is very disturbing.

[Uncle Joe]

15. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for sharing, mmonk.

[liberal_at_heart]

16. me too mmonk. I am so sick of center right Democrats saying we must

reach a bipartisan budget deal. I have a husband and a son with disabilities and I will not put up with bipartisan budget deals any longer. No more cuts to services. No more.

[brooklynite]

17. Is it in their interest to elect a Republican?

Still not seeing a formula where Sanders wins a national election against a Republican who starts with 45% of the vote and has $1 B to spend.

[brooklynite]

28. Anyone who thinks money won't play any role is naive.

[Garrett78]

30. Money's role is overstated.

While moneyed interests play a huge role in actual governance/policy, money's role in elections is often overstated.

The Dem will win the blue states, lose the red states and attempt to win a handful of swing states (Florida being the most important, Ohio being the next most important). That's pretty much true regardless of who the nominee is. If the Democratic Party nominee (Clinton or Biden) wins Florida's 29 electoral college votes, that's our next POTUS, in all likelihood.

[brooklynite]

32. Barack Obama spent $700 M to win in 2012 the States he won in 2008

[Garrett78]

33. And how much did the Romney campaign spend in those states? What were the results of each state?

Just saying Obama spent such-and-such doesn't tell us anything. You have to compare the amount spent by each candidate and the result for each of those states...and then make the case that the difference in the amount spent influenced the result. Furthermore, 2012 and 2016 differ in a significant way: there's no incumbent in 2016.

Overstated is not the same as meaningless.

You can click on the link I posted previously or find any number of other articles that provide evidence that money's role in elections is overstated. It's role in governance, however, is hugely significant.

Here's another article on money's overstated role in elections: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2013/11/14/is_the_value_of_campaign_spending_overstated_120667.html

And here's a Bill Moyers interview about how much moneyed interests influence policy/governance: http://billmoyers.com/episode/bare-knuckle-fight-money-politics/

[rhett o rick]

34. So you are willing to sell your soul to "win". nm

[brooklynite]

38. I'm willing to accept less as the alternative to nothing.

Demanding more is pointless if you don't have a chance of getting it.

[rhett o rick]

39. The willingness to accept less has gotten us where we are today. But when the more is "freedom and

liberty" I think it's worth the fight. It's really a morality issue. There are 22% of American children living in poverty and I think that using pragmatism to accept that is immoral.

Are you afraid that if you fight the Oligarchy you might lose what you have?

[Juicy_Bellows]

29. People with a lot of money always think money is very important.

Your question is the right one.

Cheers!

[rhett o rick]

35. And I am guessing you'd chosen to side with the Loyalists against our Founders

because you couldn't see a formula where the misfit Yankee rebels could defeat the most powerful nation on earth.

Those that are willing to settle for the status quo must have a comfortable life. Ask the 22% of American children living in poverty if they want the status quo. It's immoral to settle for the status quo.

[LWolf]

18. I support Bernie because I oppose neoliberalism. nt

[NuclearDem]

20. I support the Democratic nominee for president in 2016 because I oppose fascism.

Which is what you'll get with a Republican.

[liberal_at_heart]

23. ah, there's the lovely if you don't vote for the nominee you get a Republican arm twisting.

Sorry, doesn't work on me.

[NuclearDem]

24. I don't particularly care.

I have no interest in trying to get converts out of people who are willing to risk war with Iran, a privatized VA, no chance for a Voting Rights Act, further discrimination against trans* people, and the guaranteed destruction of the ACA simply because they didn't get what they want in the primary.

Spare me.

[liberal_at_heart]

25. Again, that bullying crap doesn't work on me. Buh-bye. You are going on ignore.

[hifiguy]

21. "Neoliberalism" combined with the "security state"

adds up to fascism. It's that simple.

[Agony]

26. the rent seekers have taken over and we can't afford any more corruption.

We need to pull together so Sanders can get it done.

[onecaliberal]

27. Republicans are not the only ones who've been voting against themselves.

No more supposed dems who are corporate owned. We simply can't afford another in any case.

[sabrina 1]

31. I couldn't agree more. Neoliberalism has been a disaster for just about everyone, not just here in

the US but everywhere they managed to insert themselves. There is a global revolt against it happening now and it's gaining momentum as the people decide to take matters into their own hands in various countries, denouncing and rejecting the power hungry and the greedy.

Hopefully we will join those countries and begin the process of ending those horrible policies here and supporting those who are doing it elsewhere.

I'll be spending more time in RL also, as volunteering for Bernie is so FUN and so EASY once people learn a little about him.

[Garrett78]

36. Paul Verhaeghe makes the case that...

neoliberalism has altered our ethics and our personalities. So, in that sense, neoliberalism becomes self-fulfilling.

And for anyone who is unclear what neoliberalism is, I recommend this primer: http://www.globalissues.org/article/39/a-primer-on-neoliberalism

On a somewhat related note, it's also worth knowing about The Powell Memo.

It's quite evident that most don't follow politics very closely, and even those who do often don't know about these sorts of things. And that's not good, because they've been driving the bus, so to speak, for several decades now. Bill Clinton fell right in line with his "The era of big government is over" philosophy.

[sabrina 1]

37. A great way of putting it: 'neoliberalism has altered our ethics and our personalities'! Sadly that

is true, even those who try to fight it are changed by it imo.

Thanks for the links, I will definitely read them. And yes, the Clinton administration embraced neo-liberalism and changed our party into what it is today.

[rhett o rick]

40. Those that are in denial re. conspiracy theories have a tough time explaining the Powell Memo.

Why would Democrats vote for the Oligarchy's choice candidate?

1. They are in total denial that we've slid into an Oligarchy with some pretenses of democracy.

2. They are afraid if they fight the Oligarchy they will be punished and lose what they have with total disregard to those that are already suffering.

3. They are authoritarians and are willing to sell their souls to follow a tough authoritarian leader. Eric Fromm's "The Authoritarian Personality" is a must read.

Different subject:

First they came for those using drugs but I didn't use drugs so I didn't care.

Next they came for the unions, but I didn't belong so I didn't care.

Then they came for the retirement plans, but I didn't have one so again, I didn't care.

Then they came for those speaking out against wealth inequality like Occupy. I didn't belong so I didn't care.

Then they came for our jobs, but not my job, so I didn't care.

Then they destroyed our environment with fracking, and oil spills. Are you starting to get the picture.

When I am asked why I won't fight back, my answer is that I am being pragmatic (read "a coward&quot .

Our children, vets, and seniors are suffering today, but some still are willing to turn their backs and support the status quo of the Oligarchy. I say it's immoral.