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Bernie Sanders Tells Republicans the American People Don’t Want Your Policies
Bernie Sanders has a message for the Republican Party, ‘the American people do not want a government pushing right-wing extremist policies.’
In a statement, Sen. Sanders discussed last night’s election results,
My sincere hope is that the Republican Party now understands that the American people do not want a government pushing right-wing extremist policies. They want a government that addresses the needs of working families, the elderly, the children and the sick, and not just the wealthiest people in this country.
Poll after poll shows that the American people do not want to see cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. As part of deficit reduction, they want the wealthiest people and largest corporations in this country to start paying their fair share of taxes. They want to end an absurd tax policy that enables the wealthy and large corporations to stash trillions in tax havens in the Cayman Islands and elsewhere, costing the U.S. Treasury more than $100 billion a year.
Poll after poll shows that the American people are increasingly concerned about the growing income and wealth inequality in America. At a time when the top 1 percent owns 42 percent of the wealth of the country, while the bottom sixty percent owns 2.3 percent, the American people want that enormously important issue addressed.
Poll after poll shows that the American people do not believe, as Republican leaders do, that global warming is a ‘hoax.’ On the contrary, they want this country’s energy system to move aggressively toward energy efficiency and sustainable energy.
Poll after poll shows that the American people believe that we must invest in rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure and, by doing that, create millions of good paying jobs.
Poll after poll shows that the American people strongly disagree with those Republicans who want to cut spending on education. Quite the contrary! The American people want to make college more affordable for struggling working families and their kids.
My strong hope is that, on behalf of the American people, President Obama forcefully challenges the right-wing extremist agenda. My hope is that he visits states around the country where House and Senate members are defending the interests of billionaires at the expense of working families, and asks those Americans to demand that their members of Congress represent them – and not powerful special interests.
After last night’s results, it is difficult to disagree with Sen. Sanders. Beyond the presidential race, the one striking take away from the 2012 election is the rejection of right wing extremism. In the House, high profile tea partiers like Joe Walsh and (possibly) Allen West have been shown the door. In the Senate, the Republican extremists lost every single contest.
This election was not only a validation of Obama’s bipartisanship message. It was also rejection of the rightward slide of the legislative branch of the federal government. President Obama has been handing the House Republicans their lunch since they provoked a showdown just before last Christmas and lost.
Obama has embraced the bully pulpit a great deal more over the past year, and he seems much better equipped to handle the Republican obstruction and extremism. The Senate took a step to the left last night, and the resounding rejection of the far right agenda should only serve to embolden Obama as he begins his second term.
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Ally Harris
Nov. 7th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
I agree with Sen. Sanders. Even in my “red state”, a more centrist feel prevailed in many areas. Ohio came out for President Obama; Sen. Brown was re-elected. I think we all saw just how nasty and radical the Tea Party was on a national level, and most people rejected that. Let’s get to work. Now we don’t have to worry about the Republicans in Congress working toward our President being a “one term President”, so let’s try to find some common ground, which we know IS there, and do the people’s work.
sharon williams
Nov. 7th, 2012 at 5:29 pm
I agree…now is the time for both parties to work together…to make the USA strong…it’s like the President said.. a strong middle class is good for the economy….Whether you voted for Obama or Romney…the majority have given our President another four yrs…so let’s put the two parties on the same track…it’s all about “We the people”…stop being ticked off and let’s do what’s right for everyone…
luciboo
Nov. 7th, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Yea Bernie keep fighting for us and American values.
I can’t put into words how much I appreciate what you do
I think the GOP has a difficult
choice. If they stay the course
I believe in 2 years they will be replaced. I don’t think Americans are in the mood for obstruction politics.
Jo Hargis
Nov. 7th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
As usual, good wisdom and insight from Bernie. Now what remains to be seen is…can the GOP get a clue? I see a few republicans, the more moderate of them that are left, who seem to “get this”; the tea party extremists, what we refer to as the “American Taliban” are going to fight them tooth and nail.
We will see.
robyn ryan
Nov. 7th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
Let them fight each other – to the death, if it pleases them.
After all, they’re all about Social Darwinism. So, let’s see how they deal with it.
Patrick
Nov. 8th, 2012 at 4:56 am
Republicans need to do just one thing in order for many many more of us to consider voting for them: recognize the separation of church and state. Of course, you can still have the freedom to practice the religion of your choice, just don’t impose it on the general population by allowing it to dictate our laws. Don’t approve of gay marriage? Don’t get gay married! You also aren’t required to perform gay marriages in your place of worship if your particular religion disapproves. And you can still be judgmental/disdainful without denying part of our population full equality through the right to marry. Pro-”life”? Don’t get an abortion! And you can also feel free to call any woman who gets one a “skanky whore” (or worse — you know what I mean) behind her back, anyway. But religious views should not dictate to the whole republican party — and thus to the whole population if we elect you — that abortion must be illegal (i.e., only performed in back alleys). Just this change, and just maybe more of us can work with you in 2016. And the really great thing about this is that you would get with the 21st century — while simultaneously embracing one of this country’s core founding principles. (Okay, many of you need to drop your racism and anti-immigrant bigotry too. But dethumping the bible would help a lot.)
Nance
Nov. 8th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
I am a Democrat and of course I voted for Obama. I believe he is a good and honest man in a sea of corrupt mean spirited people (republicans) who are way out of touch with the face of the nation. Everything Obama has tried to do from the first day of his Presidency was met with opposition and hatred. Obama has been cleaning up the George W. years and it takes more than 4 years to do it. The Obama Administration didn’t create the mess we are in and this Government needs to get back to INVESTING in the American people… not war, military and loop holes for the wealthy. There are still people hurting and struggling and now homeless because of job loss. This government needs to bail out it’s people not Corporations and banks. This government needs to create training programs for Americans wanting desperately to work that has decent and livable wages with good employers. WE WANT JOBS AND WE WANT THEM NOW!
Herb Picotte
Nov. 9th, 2012 at 5:01 am
Well, we elected the President, congratulated ourselves on a job well done and went back to posting kitten pictures on Facebook. Congressional gridlock remains… I have the President’s back, I will be calling, emailing, and basically being a pain in the ass of OUR elected congressional representatives, until these S.O.B.’s DO THEIR JOB!!
These guys work for US, NOT BIG BUSINESS!!! and it’s time we started treating them LIKE THE EMPLOYEES THEY ARE!!
If you see what I see and you feel as I do, then it’s time to get PISSED OFF AMERICAN STYLE on them…
Get your elected officials contact information, and every time you hear of an issue, TELL THEM HOW WE EXPECT THEM TO VOTE!!!
Here is a sample of the email I just sent to the Republican reps for my district and it would be great if you could send them a note, too…
“Dear Sir, In regards to the Fiscal Cliff, I realize the President has nothing to lose, and I expect you to work in good faith with the president to hammer out workable deal on this matter. If we, the working class suffer because of your partisan politics, we will not re-elect you. Thanks for your time…”
clarence swinney
Nov. 9th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
EQUALITY IN AMERICA?
Professor Dan Ariely and associate of Duke University
posed to 5,000 the distribution of wealth in Sweden and America.
Over 90 percent chose Sweden. A socialist nation with great Equality.
The question is—with this overwhelming choice for greater equality how can America continue on the path to more Inequality? We rank 4th on Inequality in oecd nations.
Answer is Plutocracy. The rich rule. Why allow it to continue?
How can we get Congress and the President to change course? Take money out of our elections is one suggestion. Progressive flat tax by group. Outlaw federal employees from taking anything with a financial value. To offer is to jail.
SHRED
Nov. 13th, 2012 at 7:58 am
As long as you have corporate TV and radio keeping the majority in the dark this will be difficult. I salute you Bernie…you are my favorite!