2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumAmerica Is Ready for Socialism! Massive Majorities Back Bernie Sanders on the Issues...
You can get a strong sense of this from the results of the Big Ideas pollcommissioned by the Progressive Change Institute in January, which has thus far gotten far less attention than it deserves. (Full disclosure: Im a former blogmate with Adam Green, co-founder of PCIs affiliate, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.) PCI first solicited ideas online through an open submission process (more than 2,600 specific proposals were submitted) and then let people vote on them (more than a million votes were cast). This bottom-up process was then tested out in a national poll. The following all received 70% support or more:
Allow Government to Negotiate Drug Prices (79%)
Give Students the Same Low Interest Rates as Big Banks (78%)
Universal Pre-Kindergarten (77%)
Fair Trade that Protect Workers, the Environment, and Jobs (75%)
End Tax Loopholes for Corporations that Ship Jobs Overseas (74%)
End Gerrymandering (73%)
Let Homeowners Pay Down Mortgage With 401k (72%)
Debt-Free College at All Public Universities (Message A) (71%)
Infrastructure Jobs Program $400 Billion / Year (71%)
Require NSA to Get Warrants (71%)
Disclose Corporate Spending on Politics/Lobbying (71%)
Medicare Buy-In for All (71%)
Close Offshore Corporate Tax Loopholes (70%)
Green New Deal Millions Of Clean-Energy Jobs (70%)
Full Employment Act (70%)
Expand Social Security Benefits (70%)
All of the above are in line with Bernie Sanders politics and all are extremely popular, with support across the political spectrum. For example, the infrastructure jobs program (a key element of Sanders platform) had 91% support from Democrats, 61% from independents and even 55% support from Republicanscompared to only 28% who were opposed. Donald Trump can only dream of being that popular among Republicans.
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/america-ready-socialism-massive-majorities-back-bernie-sanders-issues-and-disdain?sc=fb
brooklynite
(94,666 posts)Can I buy, sell and own private property?
Can I own a business, hire employees and keep the profits?
Can I borrow and lend money?
I don't dispute that people broadly support a social safety net (however, they ALSO support tax cuts). The problem is when you try to label all that as "socialism", in order to line up with your candidate who has inconveniently self-identified as a socialist.
peacebird
(14,195 posts)Which is true.
I am sure, however, you will find a nit to pick.
brooklynite
(94,666 posts)...however, voters frequently don't vote for the person with whom they most agree on the issues.
Remember last year in Colorado, when voters rejected a personhood amendment...and then kicked out the Democrat who also opposed it in favor of a Republican who supported it?
boston bean
(36,223 posts)as to how to get there.
It's not always as simple as people think. You know, sometimes the way to get to a common goal is fraught with issues that make people not support it.
So, when Bernie begins to tell us all how he plans on making these changes, we'll see how many actually agree.
LWolf
(46,179 posts)that American voters frequently aren't issues voters, and it's the reason our nation has been swirling down the toilet.
If we're going to change that, there's no time like the present.
madokie
(51,076 posts)Hillary was supposed to win that one too but came up way short. As she will once again. This time will be her last so you can expect the long knifes to come out here shortly. She has nothing to loose beings as how she will loose anyway. We'll be rid of the Clintons on the political stage for good then.
Hillary Clinton is not one of us, she is one of the rich and well connected, a corporate stooge.
brooklynite
(94,666 posts)A guy who was better organized and fare better funded that Sanders is?
madokie
(51,076 posts)Just whatever you think bro'.
I'm still voting for Bernie in the primary and the nominee in the general. same as I've been saying since day one.
Do you have the numbers handy on how many votes she got compared to obama?
It's been so long I don't remember.
LWolf
(46,179 posts)as far as I can tell.
brooklynite
(94,666 posts)e.g. Government ownership and control of the means of production.
LWolf
(46,179 posts)brooklynite
(94,666 posts)LWolf
(46,179 posts)The fact that Sanders doesn't back down from the term or hedge his discussions helps.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)Much of this is actually the opposite of socialism and in opposition to Scandinavian style "socialism".
Allow Government to Negotiate Drug Prices (79%)
Give Students the Same Low Interest Rates as Big Banks (78%)
Universal Pre-Kindergarten (77%)
Fair Trade that Protect Workers, the Environment, and Jobs (75%)
End Tax Loopholes for Corporations that Ship Jobs Overseas (74%)
End Gerrymandering (73%)
Let Homeowners Pay Down Mortgage With 401k (72%)
Debt-Free College at All Public Universities (Message A) (71%)
Infrastructure Jobs Program $400 Billion / Year (71%)
Require NSA to Get Warrants (71%)
Disclose Corporate Spending on Politics/Lobbying (71%)
Medicare Buy-In for All (71%)
Close Offshore Corporate Tax Loopholes (70%)
Green New Deal Millions Of Clean-Energy Jobs (70%)
Full Employment Act (70%)
Expand Social Security Benefits (70%)
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)Most of this stuff happens in other countries. It's not that socialist it just normal. Canada isn't particularly socialist and has a single payer health system.
America is extreme and has a high degree of unfairness in its society.
redstateblues
(10,565 posts)To convince themselves that word "Socialist" will be a big plus in the GE if Bernie is nominated. It won't.
raouldukelives
(5,178 posts)When centrist positions are considered far left socialism.
LWolf
(46,179 posts)Scuba
(53,475 posts)CharlotteVale
(2,717 posts)Darb
(2,807 posts)Mmmmmmkay? It is not true socialism anyway. Mmmmmmmkay? "Socialism" comes in many forms and degrees. Mmmmmmkay? Americans would close the post office if you called it "socialized". Mmmmmkay.
Annoyed yet?
J_J_
(1,213 posts)Even Republicans can see we are being looted by insurance companies, corporations and bankers.
LWolf
(46,179 posts)to derail the campaign with the socialism "scare" aren't going to work.
snagglepuss
(12,704 posts)Its either stupidity or arrogance for the Left not to make this distinction at the get go.
Mark my words, Bernie's opponents will start framing the issue to suit themselves either equating Socialism to National Socialism or Communism.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)fredamae
(4,458 posts)Isn't Sure it is "Ready for Socialism"
Check this out:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/17/1403055/-DNC-Accused-of-Rigging-Debate-Schedule-to-Benefit-Hillary-Clinton
I just called them and aired My thoughts on this.....
202-863-8000
I informed them...If any of this comes to fruition...they Cannot "count on me to be a reliable Dem Follower..not This time"....."Do Not Mess With Us"
daleanime
(17,796 posts)barely half of republicans want roads?