March 11, 2019

Still waiting for him to exude his full TAX RETURNS. Any word on that? What's the delay? If...

Still waiting for him to exude his full TAX RETURNS. Any word on that? What's the delay? If the tax returns were complete enough to submit to the IRS, then they are complete enough to release to the American voters. No "polishing" or "adjusting" or "clarifying" or "fixing-up" or "fine-tuning" is necessary.

Everyone should play by the same rules. No special favors for anyone! No exceptions.

The American people have the right to know whether or not anyone running to be the "Leader of the Free World" has properly paid his taxes. We have the right for an honest, forthcoming, and COMPLETE release of his FULL tax returns for a period of TEN years so that we can confirm where the candidate's money is coming from, and where the candidate is investing or saving (ie: domestic or off-shore) and what the candidate and his/her spouse claims as "deductibles" or other assets.

We need to see EVERY candidate's tax returns BEFORE the primaries... so that we'll know whether or not he or she is honest and has the integrity to be our party's nominee.

It's complete BS for any candidate to think they're entitled to DELAY and not release their tax returns until they win the nomination. All I'm saying is that the American voters deserve better than the peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek delays and excuses.

March 10, 2019

I see absolutely no benefit in giving anyone a platform to smear the Democratic party...

I see absolutely no benefit in giving anyone a platform to smear the Democratic party. What "benefit" is there in making false claims that Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt" or "feeble". What is the "benefit" for anyone to publicly insinuate that Democrats are "corrupt" or to characterize the Democratic party is an "absolute failure".

Honestly, I struggle to see what good there is in cheering anyone who who says false things like the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent" or that Democrats are the "party of the elite". These things are blatantly untrue.

This type of argument that promotes the myth that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans" is harmful. It tarnishes the "brand" of the Democratic party... it creates distrust and divisions... resentments form, old wounds are opened... and that weakens the party. A weakened Democratic party only benefits the GOP, and Trump, and Russia.

All I'm saying here is that this type of negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections. What good purpose does that serve?

I hope that everyone has learned from the mistakes of the past and that anyone who's inclined to do so can resist the urge to indulge themselves in such vanities and lies.

February 23, 2019

Thank goodness I haven't heard any DEMOCRATS saying...

Thank goodness I haven't heard any DEMOCRATS saying demoralizing and false things like... Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt".

I'm very relieved that "other candidates" are not going around saying that Democrats are "feeble" or "corrupt". This is dangerous rhetoric that only divides the party.

I would be extremely disappointed if I heard "other candidates" saying that the Democratic party is an "absolute failure" or that the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent" or "party of the elite". That's the kind of disinformation that tarnishes the appeal of the Democratic party.

All I'm trying to say is that when anyone says things that imply or insinuate that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans"... well, it simply serves no good purpose.

What it does do, however (when people say things like that) is to create disunity and distrust. That kind of "stoking the fires" only makes people resentful and suspicious. Ultimately, that weakens the Democratic party. It dissuades people from supporting Democrats... and in the end that ONLY serves to benefit the GOP, and Trump, and Russia.

February 23, 2019

How do you feel when a candidate trashes the entire Democratic party with lies and smears?

How do you feel when a candidate trashes the entire Democratic party with lies and smears? Should people remain silent for the sake of some sort of fake and forced "unity"... while the DISINFORMATION continues to be spread about the party?

I simply cannot accept and will not stand by, pretending to be "positive", when I hear someone declaring that Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt", or that Democrats are "feeble" and "corrupt".

Do you consider it to be "fighting among ourselves" when loyal party members push-back against the demoralizing lies about how the Democratic party is an "absolute failure"... or that the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent" (or the "party of the elite'')?

I fear you're correct on that point, and that's why I will always speak out against the SMEARS and LIES and DISINFORMATION about Democrats and the Democratic party that is the root cause of much of the division, suspicion and distrust.

All I'm trying to say is this... it's simply NOT TRUE that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans" and we should have to remain silent and be on our best polite behavior whenever this type of divisive disinformation is being spread. What good purpose does it do to smile and stay quiet in the face of such obvious lies and smears?

These lies about Democrats and the Democratic party only serve to demoralize us and divide us. If low-information voters have been convinced that there's "no difference" in the parties, then they end up having no reason to vote for Democrats (or to vote at all!)

Here's the thing... these lies only serve to TARNISH and WEAKEN the Democratic party... and a weakened party only benefits the GOP, and Trump, and Russia! I refuse to remain silent and I will call-out and push-back against the disinformation campaign against the Democratic party.

February 22, 2019

Nobody is smearing him. But I'll tell you what IS a smear...

Nobody is "blasting" him continuously. Valid (though pointed) criticisms are difficult to hear, I agree, but these things must be deeply and thoroughly vetted now. Those things aren't "smears". But I'll tell you what IS a smear... and that's when we hear someone saying things like... Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt" and Democrats are "feeble". Obviously, that's completely untrue.

I strongly believe it's important for anyone who wants to represent the Democratic party to be someone who can unite the party and motivate the party. It simply serves no good purpose for anyone to publicly state that the Democrats are "corrupt" or that the Democratic party is an "absolute failure". Those types of smears do not unite or motivate us.

And lastly, I think it's vital that we stand up to anyone who says that the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent", or that the Democrats are the party is the "party of the elite". Again... totally false!

Again, I totally understand that it can be difficult to listen to valid criticism of one's favorite candidate. But what's worse is when people make excuses for the FALSE rhetoric about the Democratic party that's regularly being bandied about.

Things like that very dangerous (and demoralizing). WHAT GOOD PURPOSE does it serve for someone to make false statements that infer that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans." Nothing could be further from the truth! It's bullying and it erodes trust in the party and in each other. It's so harmful and I'll never hesitate to speak out against the lies.

All I'm trying to say here is that these types of smears only divide us. They make us suspicious of each other and question motives and agendas. And all of those things only serve to demoralize us and weaken us as a party. It's very destructive, and anything that weakens the Democratic party only serves to benefit the GOP, and Trump, and Russia.

February 22, 2019

I believe that anyone who wants to represent the Democratic party should avoid saying things like...

I believe that anyone who wants to represent the Democratic party should avoid saying things like... Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt" and Democrats are "feeble". Obviously, that's completely untrue

I also believe it's important for anyone who wants to represent the Democratic party to be someone who can unite the party and motivate the party. It simply serves no good purpose for anyone to publicly state that the Democrats are "corrupt" or that the Democratic party is an "absolute failure". Those types of smears do not unite or motivate us.

And lastly, I think it's vital that we stand up to anyone who says that the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent", or that the Democrats are the party is the "party of the elite". Again... totally false!

It's very dangerous (and demoralizing) to someone who's supposed to be our ally making false statements that clearly infer that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans." Nothing could be further from the truth!

All I'm trying to say here is that these types of smears only divide us. They make us suspicious of each other and question motives and agendas. And all of those things only serve to demoralize us and weaken us as a party. It's very destructive, and anything that weakens the Democratic party only serves to benefit the GOP, and Trump, and Russia.

February 21, 2019

Nope. I prefer the genuine article. The conditional phrase "as a" tells me all I need to know.

The same way that buttery-spray toppings are sold "as a" butter substitute... they're not actually butter, are they?

He won't.

There are many answers to that, but I can start by telling you that it's not someone who accuses the Democratic party of being "corrupt" or "ideologically bankrupt" that's for sure. Nor is it someone who suggests that there's no difference between the GOP and the Democratic party with accusations that the Democrats are "the party of the elite" and "the party of the one-percent".

All I'm saying, in answer to your last question, is that an actual Democrat would be doing everything in his or her power to strengthen and promote the party... not to tear it down, denigrate and divide the party. For those who do such things it's completely fair to call them out on it.

I think every reasonable person can agree that a divided Democratic party, one that's suspicious and distrustful, is a weakened party. Sadly, that only serves to benefit the GOP, and Trump, and Russia. I just don't understand why anyone would do or say things that harm our party, and that benefit the GOP.

February 20, 2019

I must agree with you on that. It's very tiresome and demoralizing to hear...

I must agree with you on that. I am too! It's very tiresome and demoralizing to hear someone saying that the Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt" and "corrupt".

I know what you mean. It's very divisive to hear attacks that claim that the Democratic party is "the party of the elite" and that Democrats represent "the one percent"... when nothing could be further from the truth.

Fact of the matter is that NONE of the above are true... but the repeated attacks like that on Democrats and the Democratic party definitely cause division, resentment and suspicion. It certainly isn't the kind of thing to motivate people to support the Democratic party (either with their vote, or their time, or their donations).

All I'm saying is that this just plays into the myth that "both parties are the same"... and that's simply not true. But with enough repetition, people begin to believe it and they have no reason to vote for Democrats at all.

Sadly that weakens the party, and a weakened Democratic party only serves to benefit the GOP, and Trump, and Russia.

February 17, 2019

Allies are supposed to be supportive.

Allies are supposed to be supportive. Can anyone explain how it's supportive for anyone to claim that the Democratic party is the "party of the elite" or that the Democratic party is "an absolute failure". What good purpose does that serve?

All I'm saying is that I have an entirely different interpretation of what "on our side" means... and the constant denigration and attacks and smears of Democrats and the Democratic party isn't the behavior I'd expect from anyone who's actually "on our side".

It certainly doesn't promote unity and healing of past divisions. In fact, it's clear to me that when anyone says these things (or defends these things) it only serves to weaken the party and to cause suspicion and distrust.

And, as always... the only one who benefits from a divided and weakened Democratic party is the GOP, and Trump, and Russia.

February 17, 2019

Nobody is chasing away Bernie supporters.

Nobody is chasing away Bernie supporters.

I think that mature individuals are perfectly capable of not taking things personally, and of understanding that rejection of a politicians divisive rhetoric does not mean that they themselves are not "welcomed".

Well, there's where we part ways. I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to the smears and attacks and lies and divisive rhetoric about Democrats and the Democratic party.

It's simply NOT TRUE that Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt" or that Democrats are "feeble".

There is NOTHING AT ALL that's "left of GOP" for anyone to claim that Democrats are "corrupt" or that the Democratic party is an "absolute failure".

You're right about that. There is much distrust and it certainly doesn't help to heal wounds and unite people when someone tells LIES such as the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent" or that the Democratic party is the "party of the elite".

There's even a DU rule that says it's not permitted to argue that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans." But some politicians are cheered and praised when those false statements are made. Why? What good purpose does it serve?

I can assure you that it does NOTHING to strengthen the party. It does nothing to heal old wounds. It only creates further division and distrust.

All I'm saying is that the smears and lies about Democrats are completely unnecessary and they harm and weaken the party. Anything that weakens the Democratic party only serves to benefit Russia. Therefore, in my opinion, intentionally dividing and tarnishing the Democratic party is MUCH WORSE than any "go away, Bernie" message that may hurt someone's ego.

I think it's perfectly reasonable for me to assert that the appeal and strength of the Democratic party is much more important than the feelings of one man or one woman.