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5/26/2015 3:03 pm  #1


Bernie Sanders Asks if American Economy is 'Moral'

Bernie Sanders Asks if American Economy is 'Moral'
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/bernie-sanders-asks-if-american-economy-moral-n364541

Every candidate in the 2016 presidential race talks about responding to income inequality and stagnant middle class wages. No one else talks about it like Bernie Sanders.

The self-described socialist senator from Vermont wants to reverse the "massive transfer of wealth from the middle class to the top one-tenth of 1 percent." The 90 percent top income tax rates America had during the 1950s might not be too high, he said. He wants big Wall Street banks broken up. He's willing to accept slower economic growth in return for what he'd consider a more equitable distribution of income."The issue we're dealing with is actually the struggle to rebuild American democracy,"

Sanders said in an interview at a Capitol Hill bistro. "Economically, over the last 40 years, we've seen a middle class in this country disappearing.

Last edited by Common Sense (5/26/2015 3:04 pm)


 “We hold these truths to be self-evident,”  former vice president Biden said during a campaign event in Texas on Monday. "All men and women created by — you know, you know, the thing.”

 
 

5/26/2015 3:12 pm  #2


Re: Bernie Sanders Asks if American Economy is 'Moral'

It is good that Bernie is in this race.
These issues should be aired.


We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists. 
 

5/26/2015 3:44 pm  #3


Re: Bernie Sanders Asks if American Economy is 'Moral'

You go, Bernie!  Tell it like it is, even if it makes some feel uncomfortable and forces people to actually talk about issues and policy.  Can't wait to see and listen to him in future debates.

 

5/26/2015 5:01 pm  #4


Re: Bernie Sanders Asks if American Economy is 'Moral'

The tax system certainly could use major reform, but IMHO changes here will not really do what is needed to hit the "income inequality" problem here. 

Personally I have not seen ANYONE that seems to have a good idea on this. 

Yes, we can do much to lift people out of poverty, but what powered the middle class in general in the past has changed dramatically and none of the things proposed seem to dramatically tackle that issue. 


 


"Do not confuse motion and progress, A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress"
 
 

5/26/2015 5:48 pm  #5


Re: Bernie Sanders Asks if American Economy is 'Moral'

I understand, Tennyson.  You need more information because there is not a one item silver bullet to right the ship.  Here's an email I got from Bernie Sanders.  I hope you consider joining the fight:

Fred,

I'm about an hour from stepping out onto a stage in front of thousands of people who came out to Waterfront Park in Burlington, Vermont to kick off my campaign for president.Today, as I've walked around my hometown, I've seen families with young children as well as many seniors; folks who drove three or four hours and more to get here. They have come together united around a single purpose: starting a political revolution to take back our country from powerful special interests.

I will tell them shortly what I'll tell you now: This is our country, and it's time we took it back from the billionaire class. Today, we come together to say, "Enough is enough."I'm asking you to add your $5 contribution to our campaign now to help us start this political revolution. Click here to make your contribution.

The Agenda for America I'm laying out this afternoon is a bold plan that can and will rebuild our country. Here are some of the components of that agenda:


  • Address income and wealth inequality by demanding that the wealthy and large corporations start paying their fair share of taxes
  • Make quality health care a right for all Americans
  • Raise the minimum wage to a living wage and make sure women are paid as much as men
  • Make higher education affordable by ending tuition at all public colleges and universities and by substantially lowering interest rates on student debt
  • Expand and protect Social Security and Medicare
  • Have America lead the world in addressing the planetary crisis of climate change
  • Take on Wall Street to restore sanity to our economy

There's much more, of course, and you'll be hearing more detail about each of these issues in the weeks ahead.

But let's be clear about one thing. While you and I and most people in America see these proposals as common sense, they represent a very real threat to the political and financial establishments. We are challenging powerful special interests, which is exactly what we have to do if we are to transform our society.For years, the very rich have gotten richer while the rest of us have gotten poorer. Powerful corporations make billions emitting carbon into the atmosphere as they accelerate climate change and help destroy the planet. Private insurance companies and drug companies make huge profits while 35 million Americans have no health insurance.

Now, a handful of billionaires are flooding our political system with huge amounts of money, drowning out the voices of the rest of America. They own much of the economy. Now they want to own our government.But we're not going to allow that to happen. The forces of greed are enormously powerful but, when we stand together, we can beat them. And we're going to beat them not just for ourselves, but for future generations and for the survival of our planet.

Let's be clear about something in this campaign: we will be vastly outspent, not just by other candidates, but also by Super PACs and shadowy groups funded by some of the wealthiest people in this country.

I can promise you this, however. Every penny contributed to our campaign will go to building the platform on which we can launch our political revolution.

Already, more than 120,000 people have contributed over $5 million dollars to our campaign, with an average contribution of about $40 dollars. In other words, our campaign is not being funded by million dollar checks coming from the rich and the powerful.Instead, we are powered by ten dollars from a park ranger in Florida; twenty dollars from a woman who cleans school buses in Colorado; thirty-five dollars from a union worker in Minnesota. Incredibly, we are receiving five dollar contributions from low-income folks who are retired, on disability, or who are struggling to get a job in this economy.

And if you can't donate right now, I understand that. Times are tough for too many people, and there are other ways that you can help. But if you're fortunate enough to be able to make a contribution to our campaign, it would be great if you could make a contribution right now.

.It's almost time to go out and meet the thousands of Vermonters who are in Burlington today to join our campaign kickoff. As we hit the campaign trail, you'll hear more from us in the days ahead as we take our grassroots movement to New Hampshire, Iowa and elsewhere.I cannot thank you enough for all you've done so far for our campaign, and all you'll continue to do.Thank you from the bottom of my heart.- Bernie

Last edited by Just Fred (5/26/2015 5:52 pm)

 

5/26/2015 6:06 pm  #6


Re: Bernie Sanders Asks if American Economy is 'Moral'

Just Fred wrote:

I understand, Tennyson.  You need more information because there is not a one item silver bullet to right the ship.  Here's an email I got from Bernie Sanders.  I hope you consider joining the fight:

Fred,

I'm about an hour from stepping out onto a stage in front of thousands of people who came out to Waterfront Park in Burlington, Vermont to kick off my campaign for president.Today, as I've walked around my hometown, I've seen families with young children as well as many seniors; folks who drove three or four hours and more to get here. They have come together united around a single purpose: starting a political revolution to take back our country from powerful special interests.

I will tell them shortly what I'll tell you now: This is our country, and it's time we took it back from the billionaire class. Today, we come together to say, "Enough is enough."I'm asking you to add your $5 contribution to our campaign now to help us start this political revolution. Click here to make your contribution.

The Agenda for America I'm laying out this afternoon is a bold plan that can and will rebuild our country. Here are some of the components of that agenda:


  • Address income and wealth inequality by demanding that the wealthy and large corporations start paying their fair share of taxes
  • Make quality health care a right for all Americans
  • Raise the minimum wage to a living wage and make sure women are paid as much as men
  • Make higher education affordable by ending tuition at all public colleges and universities and by substantially lowering interest rates on student debt
  • Expand and protect Social Security and Medicare
  • Have America lead the world in addressing the planetary crisis of climate change
  • Take on Wall Street to restore sanity to our economy

There's much more, of course, and you'll be hearing more detail about each of these issues in the weeks ahead.

But let's be clear about one thing. While you and I and most people in America see these proposals as common sense, they represent a very real threat to the political and financial establishments. We are challenging powerful special interests, which is exactly what we have to do if we are to transform our society.For years, the very rich have gotten richer while the rest of us have gotten poorer. Powerful corporations make billions emitting carbon into the atmosphere as they accelerate climate change and help destroy the planet. Private insurance companies and drug companies make huge profits while 35 million Americans have no health insurance.

Now, a handful of billionaires are flooding our political system with huge amounts of money, drowning out the voices of the rest of America. They own much of the economy. Now they want to own our government.But we're not going to allow that to happen. The forces of greed are enormously powerful but, when we stand together, we can beat them. And we're going to beat them not just for ourselves, but for future generations and for the survival of our planet.

Let's be clear about something in this campaign: we will be vastly outspent, not just by other candidates, but also by Super PACs and shadowy groups funded by some of the wealthiest people in this country.

I can promise you this, however. Every penny contributed to our campaign will go to building the platform on which we can launch our political revolution.

Already, more than 120,000 people have contributed over $5 million dollars to our campaign, with an average contribution of about $40 dollars. In other words, our campaign is not being funded by million dollar checks coming from the rich and the powerful.Instead, we are powered by ten dollars from a park ranger in Florida; twenty dollars from a woman who cleans school buses in Colorado; thirty-five dollars from a union worker in Minnesota. Incredibly, we are receiving five dollar contributions from low-income folks who are retired, on disability, or who are struggling to get a job in this economy.

And if you can't donate right now, I understand that. Times are tough for too many people, and there are other ways that you can help. But if you're fortunate enough to be able to make a contribution to our campaign, it would be great if you could make a contribution right now.

.It's almost time to go out and meet the thousands of Vermonters who are in Burlington today to join our campaign kickoff. As we hit the campaign trail, you'll hear more from us in the days ahead as we take our grassroots movement to New Hampshire, Iowa and elsewhere.I cannot thank you enough for all you've done so far for our campaign, and all you'll continue to do.Thank you from the bottom of my heart.- Bernie

I have studied all the materials that you have presented along with all the materials on his website in regards to his positions. I agree with most of what he is striving to do, but that said, I still feel that neither he (nor ANY candidate) has the solution for what ails the middle class at least as I see it. 



 


"Do not confuse motion and progress, A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress"
 
 

5/26/2015 7:08 pm  #7


Re: Bernie Sanders Asks if American Economy is 'Moral'

tennyson wrote:

The tax system certainly could use major reform, but IMHO changes here will not really do what is needed to hit the "income inequality" problem here. 

 

The tax system can certainly be "reformed", I just don't think the reform is to increase the top tax rate to over 90% or say the rich don't pay their fair share.  From my re-collection approximately 50% don't pay federal taxes now.  I know someone (saw the tax return) that ss a family four, made slightly over $30,000 last year, paid $1000 in taxes and received a $5000 refund.

I agree with Bernie on breaking up the big banks, but I disgaree with his solutions and goals on everything else.  It would require a massive tax increase on the majority of Americans to accomplish his goals.  I just don't believe the federal government should do everything Bernie wants them to do.

 

5/26/2015 7:51 pm  #8


Re: Bernie Sanders Asks if American Economy is 'Moral'

The problem of income inequality is much larger than left/ right politics in the USA.

It is the product of Fed / BoJ policy of zero interest rates and QE and now it has begun in the Eurozone.  ZIRP and now NIRP has stolen wealth from the saving class, forced them into the rigged game of the markets and enriched the manipulators in the markets to obscene levels.

It won't be a problem much longer; the Great Keynesian Experiment is coming to an end soon.  China will force the reset through trade; they have been creating a new settlement system that will be based on gold.  The "reserve currency" dollar will be cast aside to where it belongs, in the trash heap.

Now is the time to aquire real money with FRN's.
 

 

5/26/2015 9:43 pm  #9


Re: Bernie Sanders Asks if American Economy is 'Moral'

I just don't believe the federal government should do everything Bernie wants them to do.  -  Brady

Like what?

 

5/27/2015 4:49 am  #10


Re: Bernie Sanders Asks if American Economy is 'Moral'

He's got to flesh some of this out.
I mean, outside a few candidates on the far right, who doesn't pledge to "strengthen social security"?
The devil is in the details.

And, I don't think that a 90% tax bracket is in any way fair. At least on earned income.

It's great though. By talking about issues rather than offering one line zingers about other candidates, Bernie has elevated the campaign.


We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists. 
 

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