Socialist U.S. Senator Uses AZ Shooting to Raise Funds for Re-Election
- Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:14pm by
Meredith Jessup
- Print »
- Email »
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., sent out a fundraising email to supporters Tuesday in which he offered his personal analysis of last weekend’s shooting in Arizona, tying the tragedy to “right-wing reactionaries,” despite offering no evidence that the shooter, Jared Loughner, even followed politics or conservative causes.
The Vermont senator, a self-proclaimed socialist who caucuses with the Democratic Party, cited past acts of vandalism at Rep. Gabrielle Giffords‘ district office after last year’s health care overhaul vote, as well as Sarah Palin’s now-infamous “crosshairs” map.
“In light of all of this violence – both actual and threatened – is Arizona a state in which people who are not Republicans are able to participate freely and fully in the democratic process?” asks Sanders. “Have right-wing reactionaries, through threats and acts of violence, intimidated people with different points of view from expressing their political positions?”
Sanders called Saturday’s Tucson shooting a “horrendous act of violence,“ but suggested that ”nobody can honestly express surprise that such a tragedy finally occurred.”
When pressed about why the senator would use the Arizona tragedy to solicit donations from his political supporters, Sanders’ spokesperson defended the message, claiming that Sanders regularly sends out such letters to his supporters. “It would have been absurd not to comment on what happened,” the spokesperson told ABC News.
“This was an e-mail letter that the senator’s campaign sends out, and will continue to send out, to supporters in Vermont and around the country on a regular basis,” the spokesman said. “This quite long newsletter gives the senator’s views on the major issues facing our country. Most of the space in this newsletter dealt with the senator’s views on the economic implications of what will be happening in the new Congress. Given the enormity of the tragedy in Arizona, however, it would have been absurd not to comment on what happened there.”
“The main point that the senator made about Arizona is that given the fact that Rep. Giffords’ office was attacked last year after her vote for health care reform, that a protester had previously brought a gun to an event she held, that Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva had to close his district office when someone shot a bullet through his window, that former Rep. Harry Mitchell had to suspend a town meeting in his district because of threatening phone calls and that Judge John Roll had received numerous threatening calls and death threats, one should not have been completely surprised by the tragedy of last Saturday. There is clearly a pervasive climate of fear and violence in Arizona and the senator very much hopes that the state’s leading public officials will do what they can to create more civility so that people there can express their political views without fear.”
“As he always does, the senator devoted one sentence in a four-page newsletter to thanking his supporters and another sentence indicating that their support in the future would be appreciated.”
———–
Here’s the full text of Sen. Sanders’ message:
Dear Friend,
Given the recent tragedy in Arizona, as well as the start of the new Congress, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a few words with political friends in Vermont and throughout the country. I also want to thank the very many supporters who have begun contributing online to my 2012 reelection campaign at www.bernie.org. There is no question but that the Republican Party, big money corporate interests and right-wing organizations will vigorously oppose me. Your financial support now and in the future is much appreciated. Also, please do not hesitate to convey to me any ideas that you may have with regard to how we can best go forward in terms of public policy, as well as politically. While I cannot respond personally to every comment, I will read them all.
ARIZONA: What occurred this weekend in Tucson was tragic, and I join my congressional colleagues and the entire nation in sending my condolences to the victims of this horrible attack.
In terms of this savage shooting rampage, several points need to be made. First, this horrendous act of violence is not some kind of strange aberration for this area where, it appears, threats and acts of violence are part of the political climate. Nobody can honestly express surprise that such a tragedy finally occurred. After all, last year, after her vote in support of health care reform, Rep. Giffords’ district office was attacked and her front window was shot out. In 2009, at an open constituent town meeting in a shopping center similar to the one in which she was gunned down, a pistol fell to the ground from the pocket of a protester attending the event. During her last campaign her opponent, Tea Party favorite Jesse Kelly, invited his supporters to an event at which they could fire live ammunition from an M-16 rifle as a fundraising device in his effort to help remove Rep. Giffords from office. Congresswoman Giffords publicly expressed concerns when Sarah Palin, on her website, placed her district in the cross-hairs of a rifle – and identified her by name below the image – as an encouragement to Palin supporters to eliminate her from Congress. Interviewed on MSNBC at the time when the cross-hairs were posted on the web, Giffords said; “When people do that, they have to realize that there are consequences to that action.”
What should be understood is that the violence, and threats of violence against Democrats in Arizona, was not limited to Gabrielle Giffords. Raul Grijalva, an old friend of mine and one of the most progressive members in the House, was forced to close his district office this summer when someone shot a bullet through his office window. Another Democratic elected official in Arizona, recently defeated Congressman Harry Mitchell, suspended town meetings in his district because of the threatening phone calls that he received (Mitchell was also in the cross-hairs on the Palin map). And Judge John Roll, who was shot to death at the Giffords event, had received numerous threatening calls and death threats in 2009.
In light of all of this violence – both actual and threatened – is Arizona a state in which people who are not Republicans are able to participate freely and fully in the democratic process? Have right-wing reactionaries, through threats and acts of violence, intimidated people with different points of view from expressing their political positions?
My colleague, Senator John McCain, issued a very strong statement after the shooting in which he condemned the perpetrator of the attack. I commend him for that. But I believe Senator McCain and other Arizona Republicans need to do more. As the elder statesman of Arizona politics McCain needs to stand up and denounce the increasingly violent rhetoric coming from the right-wing and exert his influence to create a civil political environment in his state.
THE NEW CONGRESS: The 112th Congress convened last week. Republicans now control the House of Representatives and have increased their membership in the Senate to 47. The media and pundits will talk about a million things with regard to this new Congress, but let me stress to you what I consider to be the most important.
The right-wing Republicans now leading their party are extremely confident that the political momentum is with them. They not only won decisive victories in the last election but, as a result of the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision, they correctly believe that they will have a huge financial advantage in future elections because billionaires and corporate interests can now contribute as much as they like into the political process without disclosure. At this moment, Karl Rove and other Republican operatives are organizing big money interests to become financially involved in the next election in a way that will completely revolutionize campaign financing. Republicans now believe that no matter what they do or say, they will be able to buy many seats in Congress because of their financial advantage.
Further, and equally important, the right-wing media echo chamber of Fox TV and talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, etc.) are becoming increasingly effective in transmitting a reactionary world view to the tens of millions of Americans who watch or listen to them every day. For many of these Americans, the only news that they receive comes from these extreme right-wing commentators. While the progressive community has made some significant media gains with excellent websites and informative blogs, compelling television news and commentary on MSNBC and some fine and engaging radio talk shows, we would be very naïve not to understand that our progressive analysis of contemporary political issues is being overwhelmed by the right wing. We have some good shows on MSNBC; they have a network. We have over a million radio listeners to Thom Hartmann and Ed Schultz; Rush Limbaugh has 14 to 25 million, and Sean Hannity has 13 million.
All of which brings me to what the Republican agenda, pushed by an extreme right-wing, will likely be in the coming Congress. And here it is. The Republicans in this Congress, in a way unprecedented in modern American history, will begin a political assault on the very foundations of modern American society. Yes, of course they will continue their usual day-to-day efforts to give tax breaks to billionaires and cut back on programs desperately needed by the middle-class, but now they are prepared to go much further. Now, in a very well-orchestrated effort, they are determined to undo virtually all of the major pieces of social legislation passed since the 1930s, and move this country back to a time when workers, the elderly and the poor had virtually no protections against the vicissitudes of life. They want to return this country to a time when large corporations and the rich had all the power – economic and political.
They do not simply want to repeal the Health Care Reform bill passed last year. There are many Republicans in Congress who believe that any federal efforts in health care are unconstitutional. This means, over a period of time, completely eliminating Medicare, Medicaid and other public health programs. In other words, if you’re sick and you don’t have a lot of money, you’re on your own. Good luck.
They do not want to simply cut back on Social Security. They want to privatize it. With the backing of Wall Street billionaire Pete Peterson and others, the Republicans are not just pushing to raise the retirement age for Social Security and cut benefits in the short- term. Their long-term goal is to create a situation in which the retirement accounts for workers will be administered by Wall Street – at great profit for financial investment firms. And when the stock market crashes and you lose your retirement savings, you’re on your own. Good luck.
They do not want to simply deny the extension of unemployment benefits to workers who lost their jobs in this recession – the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression seven decades ago. Some of them want to eliminate the concept of unemployment compensation. Their position is: Lose your job? You’re on your own. Good luck.
And on and on it goes. Whether it is Social Security, health care, environmental protection, education or workers’ rights, the Republican Party is now prepared to dismantle virtually all of the protections that workers and the middle class have successfully fought for over the last 75 years.
Today, in the United States, while the middle class collapses and poverty increases, the richest people in our country have never had it so good. In 2007, the top one percent earned 23 percent of all income in our country – more than the bottom 50 percent. The top one percent also owns more wealth than the bottom ninety percent. While in recent years we have seen a huge increase in the number of millionaires and billionaires in this country we continue to have, by far, the highest rate of childhood poverty in the industrialized world.
But, for my Republican colleagues, all of this is not enough. They need to help the rich get more, more and more. That is what their agenda is all about.
Needless to say, as Vermont’s senator, I will do all that I can to defeat this disastrous set of policies. And I will be joined in this effort by other members of the Senate, and by many members of the House. But we can’t do it alone. We’re all in this together.
I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Senator Bernie Sanders
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 585 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 413 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 412 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 374 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 368 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 412 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 413 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 368 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 151 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 303 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 412 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (210)
Ronko
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:55pmMaybe somebody could raise funds for Sanders so that we can put him in a box and ship him to Cuba. Its a shame that Vermont is so liberal if only they new the monster that was in office right now.
Report Post »VermontPatriot
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 6:15amMost of us “small people” do. The problem is with the Flatlander Invasion that has turned VT into a mishmash of good ol’ rural Vermonters and big city ********.
The big city folks have way more influence then us “small people”, and make policies that are good for them at our expense. It reminds me of..oh…the Obama Regime.
Report Post »chicago76
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:54pmIt is too bad there is not a fault line that runs from Maine down through Maryland like the fault line in California. Then we could at least fantasize about the Northeastern U.S. falling into the ocean like we can fantasize about Kalifornia falling into the ocean.
Report Post »Kastrioti
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:53pmRight wing reaction to what??? Winning the election? Idiots. BTW the soviets used to call insurgents or freedom fighters in the soviet block reactionaries. Dirty communist
Report Post »NJartificer
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:51pm“Have right-wing reactionaries, through threats and acts of violence, intimidated people with different points of view from expressing their political positions?”
Report Post »No Bernie these types of behavior are generaly atrbuted to SOCIALISTS by most FREE AMERICANS and your continued efforts to force socialist policies on us could become the biggest reason for a consideable rise in violence. My suggestion Bernie would be for you to STFU before you ruin our country
flagbearer
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:48pmIt amazes me how people believe this garbage from a socialist. The left is so afraid of the conservatives now. They know we have the House, and we need to keep pushing our legislators to preserve our republic. He talks about the rich taking power from the people. No, he’s got the shoe on the wrong foot. The people spoke loud and clear this past November. You folks in D.C. work for us, not the other way around. They still don‘t understand that we DON’T LIKE OR WANT OBAMACARE!
Report Post »Rstryker27
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:46pmCan anyone offer one shred of proof or even one reason to believe that talk radio or Sarah Palin had ANY effect on the actions of the shooter? Why are they even being discussed together? Everything we know about this guy points to him being a nutcase , end of story. I for one have had enough of the liberals trying to tie the actions of a lone madman to the right wing. I am almost shocked at how easy it is to fool their army of drones throughout the country with this idiocy.
Report Post »jb007
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:37pmthis idiot’s views help boost the conservatve ranks. thnx,bernie
Report Post »experiencethetruth
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:35pmSanders is a truly disgusting individual. Absolutely a Political PARASITE. How can this Country and it’s citizens show any support whatsoever of this low breed person and allow him to represent them as a fellow AMERICAN
Report Post »Dchappelear
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:32pmyou make me change my password one more time I am going to policatico!!
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:32pmThis is going to backfire on the LibProgs just like ObamaCare they have overplayed their hand and the people are appalled by it. 2012 is just around the corner and it‘s clear they haven’t learned a thing.
Bachmann-Huntzmann 2012!!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:17pmCBS (hardly right wing) poll 57% of people think that speech had nothing to do with this killing ..PEOPLE KNOW!
Report Post »Cpriestess
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:30pmWhat an offensive and manipulative politician this man is. He does not deserve the office he holds, but obviously he is skillful at the requirements maintaining his position requires. And Vermont is either apathetic or socialist, but it has no shame about how it is viewed as embodied by this Senator.
Report Post »He has no shame,but I guess he knows what to say to bring in the buckos, and it is obvious that that is what matters to him. He is a prostitute, not a statesman.
RogueAmeritarian
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:29pmAnd the progressives just keep helping the conservatives – I say we keep our voice to ourselves until elections 2012, we will win from pure left stupidity!!!
Report Post »republitarian
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:17pmYep. Their only chance was to retreat and recollect. If they keep this up, and I think they will, they’re done in 2012.
Report Post »MJ1025
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:27pmThis is Orwellian. Dann. He might as well say 2 plus 2 equals six and tell us we are stupid for thinking different.
Report Post »GdavidH
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:54pmAhhh, Lib-Math.
Report Post »Pelosi told you unemployment was stimulus.
Food stamps are stimulus.
Cash for “crap cars someone might resell someday to someone in need of a cheap car” was stimulus.
Bailout for GM so they could make a car only rich folks and a subsidy (VOLT) could buy was stimulus.
Shovel ready, err, uhhh, umm…never mind
JohnAdams
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:27pmI predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson
Report Post »Rickfromillinois
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:27pmGo for Bernie! Don’t let that crisis go to waste!
And just last month he was the darling of the Liberals for his filibuster of the tax exemption vote.
I always thought that Bernie Sanders was a low life scumbag but now I gave him way too much credit.
Report Post »Steverino
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:26pm“Have” our eyes open. Sorry.
Report Post »VermontPatriot
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:26pmYou are so fired, Bernie. I will work tirelessly to see you and your buddy Shumlin voted Outta Here!
Just a note. Pete Shumlin has been in office less than a week and is already asking for $6.8 million in mid-year spending increases. We can’t afford it, Pete!
I’m guessing VT will be right in line behind CA, IL, and NY for bailouts.
Report Post »ltb
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:25pmWow, these Liberals really don’t know any shame.
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:43pmDoes that stand for Learning to Blog?
Report Post »beekeeper
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:24pmNever let the facts get in the way of a fund-raising campaign!
Report Post »JohnQTaxpayer
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:24pmWhat a creep
Report Post »Alexandra1214
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:23pmI’m spechless …. what in God’s name is wrong with this man??
Report Post »JCoolman
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:51pmNever let a crisis go to waste. These people are shameless. They have always done this, but now we are awake and can see the depths at which they will go.
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:04pmGod’s name would never be uttered by this maexist/atheist jackass.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:08pmLIttle wonder gun sales are up!
Report Post »Sergio Q
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 3:17am“ALEXANDRIA1214” …one word answer to your question/post ;
Report Post »~ALOT!~
kentuckypatriot
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:23pmAre you kidding me?? WAKE UP VERMONT!! Who the hell would vote this idiot in? Oh yea, Vermont is a ******* state.
Report Post »101
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:37pmDear Patriot,
After their election day “shellacking,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his fellow statists are seeking to rip apart Senate rules so they can ram through more Big Government power grabs.
And, most worrisome, Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans may be negotiating to give Reid some or all of what he wants.
This is an emergency, and I am asking for your help.
It’s true that Senate rules are complicated and seem sometimes silly.
But behind them is a critical intention straight from the Founding Fathers – to make the Senate a bulwark against tyranny by a narrow majority and a defense against a rush of “popular” opinion generated by some sudden event.
With pressure from C4L and other groups having thwarted many of their plans last Congress, Harry Reid and his cohorts are working behind closed doors to weaken the filibuster significantly, in addition to making other rule changes.
If a majority can’t cut a deal, they will try to shove their ideas down our throats.
Click here to get your senators’ contact information. Urge them to oppose the leadership’s rule changes.
Without getting “lost in the weeds” detailing each proposal, allow me to explain why I need you to take action.
What the Democrats are considering a “filibuster” is the initial “motion to proceed” cloture vote. This requires 60 votes for a bill to make it to the floor. Depending on the makeup of the Senate, this generally ensures there is at least some degree of support from the minority party.
Despite the statists’ best efforts, cloture was where we held the line against several of their plans in the last Congress.
Let me be clear.
Without the protection offered by cloture, DISCLOSE, Police/Firefighter Forced Unionism, Cap and Tax, an even worse national health care bill, and many, many more schemes would now be the law of the land.
Even though the American people have made it clear they’re tired of out of control government, Senator Tom Udall’s proposed filibuster changes will allow more of the establishment’s rejected agenda to slip through the Senate.
Under current Senate rules adopted in 1959, the Senate is a “continuing body,” meaning the rules stay the same from one Congress to the next unless two thirds of the senators vote to change them.
Getting 13 Republicans to cross party lines and vote for these rule changes is highly unlikely.
So, Reid may try to dodge the two-thirds majority rule by appealing to the Vice President to authorize a rule change with a simple 51 vote majority.
Since every returning member of the Democrat caucus signed a letter in support of modifying the rules (which puts them at 53 votes), the “nuclear option” mentioned above represents a serious threat, not just for the current Republican minority, but for all future minorities under the proposed rules.
This is a direct attack on our country’s long tradition of defending the minority against the tyranny of majority “factions,” as Madison would have called them.
Guaranteeing the minority an opportunity to delay, modify, or completely reject the majority’s legislative agenda is a cherished part of our Republic that we must defend.
Please, contact your senators right away and tell them to take a stand against allowing any majority party to ram its ideas through the Senate.
Also, please contact Mitch McConnell by phone at (202) 224-2541 and by email here. Urge him to reject making any deals with Harry Reid when the Senate returns.
In Liberty,
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:18pm@101…what a great e2 post!
You have my support…I’m copying your terrific explanation and posting it to all the Tea Party/Patriot Groups where I am a member…come everyone, do your part…
This piece is very well written and EVEN I could understand it! Thanks Again! God Bless!
Report Post »ADMIRAL747
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:22pmAnd this is how the slowly kill free speech. With the tragedy pimp please understand that America is rejecting socialism and just retire?
Report Post »marhee9
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:26pmLeave it to the socialists to profit off this horrible tragedy. How do guys like Sanders keep getting elected? Who looks at this guy and says….oh yea, this is the guy I want representing me? What is this country coming to?
http://www.donsmithshow.com
Report Post »beckisnuts.
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:32pmIt’s me again everybody!! Haven’t had a delusional attack as of late but I do feel another one coming on. Please ignore any foolish comment I may leave on here that appears to be an attack on the moral right. God Bless America!
I really do love to watch G.B.
BeckisNuts
Report Post »Yes, I am NUTS! (not G.B.)
Steverino
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:33pmHere we go again – the progressives have to accelerate their program of class warfare and separation of all Americans, because they have been cast into the harsh light of reality.
Report Post »They are simply following the playbook.
We are too smart and too informed for them. Kinda sad, in a way.
Well, really, not too sad.
Steve
http://stephencharles-poppin-off.blogspot.com/2011/01/utter-hypocrisy-of-left-this-post-may.html
Ellie
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:36pmAbsolutely! America overwhelmingly rejected Socialism when we sent our soldiers and spies to fight and die in Germany, France, England, Russia, Vietnam, Korea, etc.
All the collectivist philosophies that have been attempted have failed the primary test for a society which is to protect civilian lives from each other and the murderous, tyrannical, sociopaths in their governments.
Civilian Death Tolls by ISM:
Chinese Communism (Mao): 60 Million total, 2.3 Million Deaths/yr
Soviet Communism (Stalin): 20 Million total, 689 Thousand Deaths/yr
National Socialism (Hitler): 15 Million total, 1.25 Million Deaths/yr
Capitalism (America): 1.5 Million total, 6 Thousand Deaths/yr
*Includes all U.S. Military Servicemen Deaths from all Wars 1776-2011*
Check out this new design by clicking on my name.
Report Post »Cliff
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:40pmTimes are changing… be prepared!!
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:50pmSpeaking of re-elections…I want you to go to:
https://www.mediafly.com/player/Show/e9ab2619e47c4a3d92ecf20533293b3d/Episode/The_Michael_Savage_Show_01102011_FULL
Dr Savage does an interview (about 18 minutes into the program), with Donald Trump…I for one have never been very found of Mr. Trump, but I have now changed my mind…He is speaking the TRUTH about where he sees us heading and it is frightening…Please take the time to listen to this and pass it along…They discuss:
1. What China is doing to us by manipulating our currency and taking our jobs.
2. GE has been forced to give up their trade secrets, etc., in order to be able to do business in China. (not that I give a s*it about GE) however, it is the arm twisting that is going on that should AWAKEN us!
3. OPEC now at 90 a barrel instead of where it should be at $30.
4. Health Care is destroying businesses and forcing them to close down and shut their doors.
5. The START Treaty that was just signed by the usual suspects including “9” Republicans…Russia NOW controls what, when and where we can build our missiles.
I know and have kept up with what I have listed above…and I am certain that you have as well, however, Trump being a businessman helps to put it into terms that we should all hear and understand. He and Dr. Savage are both true patriots and love this country…of that there can be no doubt…
AND…don’t misunderstand me, I am not posting this info in competition with Glenn…on the contrary…I am posting it because there is no way in h*ll that he can cover all of this and cover everything that is going on…PLEASE take the time to be educated…our Country is in deep trouble and you all know it…Let’s quit being stupid about things and take action or we are going to lose!
Report Post »Republic
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:55pmVermont ought to be proud of this turd!
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:58pmWhat a sick ba$tard. Move to Cuba you sorry piece of crap!!
Report Post »click4cheapandeasyweb
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:03pmBernie is one sick mother-_____!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:07pmDISGUSTING …. P.O.S. (socialist or course … wink)
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:13pmIf Bernie is such a socialist, why does he need money from the common folk, does he live above a $40K a year lifestyle? Does he say the oath to uphold and defend the constitution, if so, how can he support it when his veiw points are contridictory? Sanders needs to go to the floor, renounce the constitution and declare his beliefs that we need to abolish the entire bill of rights. Then he can be true to his beliefs, otherwise he is just another hippocratic Democrat A$$. Right now he is nothing but a graverobber picking over the bones (not even cold) or the dead in Arizona. If he brings up any issue, he should declare what he is doing “Illeagal” and issue a bill outlawing the profit or any party on such a tragedy. Now, who wants pie?
Report Post »beekeeper
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:15pmQuick, let’s play “count the lies” in Sen Bernie’s letter… How many can you come up with?
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:31pmBy the way, Beckisnuts, is Bernie Sanders. Busted Bernie, now stop trolling.
Report Post »PatriotDaze
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:33pmMarhee,
the answer to your question is apparently ‘We the People’ in VT.
Report Post »PatriotDaze
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:41pmMarhee,
in answer to your question about how he is continually reelected, apparently ‘We The People’ of VT continue to speak with some consistency. You might not understand it….but then again…most people don’t understand Texas either. To conclusive statements: 1) Go Figure, and 2) ain’t America Grand!!
Report Post »click4cheapandeasyweb
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 12:24amEllie, excellent post!
Report Post »A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 12:36amSocialists can’t take the oath of office – there’s a conflict of interest. Socialism is anti-Constitutional because it’s anti-individual liberty. Sheesh, wake up. You people in Vermont need to have Bernie Sanders arrested for taking a pseudo-oath to the Constitution.
“Have right-wing reactionaries, through threats and acts of violence, intimidated people with different points of view from expressing their political positions?”
Those who mean to enslave America through Socialism deserve to be threatened. All men are created equal, and are endowed with certain unaleinable rights; so, when someone seeks to take those rights, it’s an act of treason, and they need to be threatened.
Honest dialog among the citizens, however, is absolutely welcome. Please let’s discuss Central Planning ideals, openly – it’s a worthy discussion to have, because it’s so dangerous to implement, and it would be good for our young ones to learn that early.
“They want to return this country to a time when large corporations and the rich had all the power – economic and political.”
First of all, “rich” and “economically powerful” mean the same thing, so I don‘t know what he’s trying to say, here.
Second, I don’t see him decrying those who are legislatively powerful; hmmm.
Third, if government stayed out of commerce, like they’re supposed to (except for Copyrights for a short time – though, I don‘t think they’re a good idea), then we wouldn’t have corporations, would we? We would have big businesses, but someone else‘s prosperity doesn’t affect our prosperity.
“There are many Republicans in Congress who believe that any federal efforts in health care are unconstitutional.”
Health care is a service for sale – or at least its a service which incurs costs to the doctors; So, health care is very much a commercial industry, and none of the government’s business. Leave us alone.
“This means, over a period of time, completely eliminating Medicare, Medicaid and other public health programs. In other words, if you’re sick and you don’t have a lot of money, you’re on your own. Good luck.”
You mean, if you’re sick, and you don’t have a lot of money, we should be able to get something from someone for free? Oh, you mean since the money that we earn isn’t ours, we should have to pay for someone elses bills? No, wait, you mean that because health care is a right, then we get to make slaves out of doctors by forcing them to treat everyone, when it is the doctor who has been, and is currently, incurring the costs of business?
“Their long-term goal is to create a situation in which the retirement accounts for workers will be administered by Wall Street – at great profit for financial investment firms.”
The only way to make money off of raw wealth is to invest it, and that takes risk. As long as I can make money according to the agreement I have with the investment firm, or at least get my money back, I don’t really care how much more money they make than me. If I want to make that kind of money, then I need to do what they do, but better.
“And when the stock market crashes and you lose your retirement savings, you’re on your own.”
There is a risk in investing. As long as I am forewarned about those risks, then I’m accepting those risks. Funny how Progressives are willing to risk the economy by giving other people’s money away.
“They do not want to simply deny the extension of unemployment benefits to workers who lost their jobs in this recession – the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression seven decades ago. Some of them want to eliminate the concept of unemployment compensation. Their position is: Lose your job? You’re on your own. Good luck.”
Progressives want businesses to be burdened with regulations, rather than having to take the trouble to take someone to court and argue for someone’s guilt. The Progressive position is: Lose your job? Like hell you’re going to make money unless we say you can make money – of course, you can always join the economy-destroying, crony, Marxist-run Unions which keep Progressives in power by foregoing secret ballots so they can “encourage” members to vote a certain way with the promise of continued employment.
“And on and on it goes. Whether it is Social Security, health care, environmental protection, education or workers’ rights, the Republican Party is now prepared to dismantle virtually all of the protections that workers and the middle class have successfully fought for over the last 75 years.”
All of these things cost money which belong to someone else. Since they aren’t benefiting directly from their taxpayer dollars, government is simply stealing money and giving it to those who didn’t create it.
“In 2007, the top one percent earned 23 percent of all income in our country – more than the bottom 50 percent. The top one percent also owns more wealth than the bottom ninety percent.”
Someone else’s prosperity is not my concern. Good for the rich, that they’re so rich. Government regulations aren’t helping the rest of us get rich. Get out of our way.
“While in recent years we have seen a huge increase in the number of millionaires and billionaires in this country we continue to have, by far, the highest rate of childhood poverty in the industrialized world.”
Again, it’s kind of hard to make a living with all the government regulations, and with all the Unions increasing the cost of goods and services. Stop burdening businesses with Progressivism, and maybe we wouldn’t have such a high rate of childhood poverty in the industrialized world.
“They need to help the rich get more, more and more. That is what their agenda is all about.”
He’s talking about the tax breaks for the wealthy. Hey, a flat tax will tax everyone at the same rate. Oh but Progressives want tax brackets, huh? I guess that means that people are treated differently for tax purposes based on an arbitrary number, rather than directly on the amount of wealth they create. Looks like Progressives are responsible for class-warfare. Thanks a lot.
Report Post »A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 12:40am@beckisnuts. is a @BeckIsNuts impersonator. Notice the period (”.”) at the end.
Report Post »Oldphoto678
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 3:11pmSo I haven’t heard much from you becksters about the tea party express doing the same thing. Well, in truth it wasn’t the same. What the TPE did was much worse. Guess you won’t have much to say on that.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:22pmDispicable.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:58pmcorrection. after using dictionary.com despicable.
Report Post »PatriotDaze
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:27pmTruthtalker,
If truth be told, this is no different than conservatives raising funds off of Obamacare…or repeal of DADT. It is politics as usual, practiced with equal proclivity by members on both sides of the aisle.
TruthTalker
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:29pmPartriot, truth be told, I give none of them a free pass. Glad to see you don’t either.
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:29pmBernie Sanders would use the corpse of his dead mother to make money…………………..
Report Post »GEW
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:53pmIsn’t the call of the socialist is that all for one and one for all, share and share alike, your pain is my pain, well…we must all share in the pain and the guilt for having helped this young killer kill these people. Sanders along with others have made this killer a victim. Shame you, shame on you.
Report Post »Curator_JDR
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 11:53pmNever miss an opportunity to lie and raise money at the same time. I notice how these “people of peace” always attack conservatives when its their policies that do damage to the American psyche and family. they’re always denigrating Americans.
Watch this video of how a real artist makes a free speech protest of Obama….with his Obama presidential portrait. Its like an episode of the Twilight Zone and is called “Catharsis”. Many viewers have also found it cathartic.
http://www.marcrubin.com/obama.ivnu
Report Post »BMartin1776
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 12:03amBe nice if TheBlaze would address all in democratic party as socialists… its something I have been doing since 3/21/10. I nolonger refer to any of them with the D word they are all socialists IMO.
Where are the conservative blue dogs, like Giffords, to denounce this?
These people have no shame, are corrupt to the core and deserve criminal investigations at this point. Rep Issa ARE YOU LISTENING??
Time for the gloves to come off and take this country back through http://www.savingtherepublic.com
Report Post »LETSBEFAIR
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 12:12am@PATRIOTDAZE
“If truth be told, this is no different than conservatives raising funds off of Obamacare…or repeal of DADT. It is politics as usual, practiced with equal proclivity by members on both sides of the aisle.”
Firstly, I won‘t argue that both sides aren’t equally guilty, but equating fundraising off of Obamacare, etc. with fundraising off of this tragedy is ridiculous. Come on now. Regardless of what the facts are in this case, to say that raising money off of a deadly tragedy which should have no political implications can be equated to fundraising off of repealing Obamacare, which is most likely for promoting a cause, ie. repealing Obamacare because they think it will be harmful to the country’s economy and citizenry health, is ridiculous.
Fundraising off of a deadly tragedy does not equal fundraising off of some legislative push that the candidate is supporting, which is part of his/her job.
Report Post »click4cheapandeasyweb
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 12:26amPatriotDaze, I normally agree with you, but on this one I gotta go with my gut. This is very different.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 12:40amDu;de now I have seen you remove the Hillary new from the blazers, I no longer trust you. I saw it.
Report Post »Lunar
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 12:47amIf both sides are this bad the commies(dems) and the repubs. Why are only the dem’s using this to their advantage ? OH RIGHT its’s cause the left being innocent is a huge fat Michael Moore sized LIE. You don’t get it both ways you communist freaks.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 1:55amWho else is “cashing in” on the tragedy? The Tea Party Express http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/tea-party-express-fundraises-off-giffords-shooting-tea-party-wont-be-silenced.php Despicable much?
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 2:35amFunny, considering the only way socialists message anything is through divisive propaganda and demonizing the enemy du jour. This whole situation is so wrong in so many ways.
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 4:39amAny way to make a buck….some people….despicable is right on.
Report Post »skalican
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 5:16amno one should politicize death. Pray for the fallen. then try to prevent the further loss of life by discussing ideas without violence.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:23amIt’s time to purge all the self-serving traitors from our government, no matter what party they affiliate themselves with.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:41amTo say this man is a SCUMBAG would be way too nice. Voters of Vermont, RUN.
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:25amEven while the socialist states in European collapse, and the evidence is right in front of them, some people still don’t get it. That’s ignorance in its truest form. Socialism doesn’t work forever!
Report Post »easyed598
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:15amLet`s hope Vermont voters remember this despicable man actions next time he up for reelection
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 12:25pmunfortunately, the blaze got one fact in this story wrong……The Vermont senator, a self-proclaimed socialist who caucuses with the Democratic Party……..actually he is the only truthful one of the bunch. The lead in should read. Bernie Sanders, an “out-of-the-closet” socialist, allows the wanna-b’s in the democratic party to caucus with him under the disguise of the democratic party!!!!!
Report Post »urrybr
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 12:59pmWhy do these idiots even open their cake-holes. Everytime they do, they condemn themselves as illiterate, clueless slobs. If this guy is a Communist, let’s buy him a one-way ticket to No. Korea. Then when he makes his outrageous statements, Kim will have him executed.
Report Post »exdem
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 4:02pmSince VT is so worldly and progressive , why dont we demand all commie/socialist/marxist live in Vermont!!! The overflow could go to California and New York and the rest of us could enjoy freedom and liberty in the remaining states.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 5:15pmAll socialist Senators are Manchurian Moonbats!
Report Post »DisillusionedDaily
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:43pmI am a Floridian but I would donate $50 to any conservative who runs against this schmuck in 2012.
By the way, Bernie’s name is the first name of the list of Senate and House members who are members of the Democratic Socialists of America caucas. He is even ahead of Maxine Waters, Barney Franks and “I Ain’t Done Nuttin Wrong” Rangel. Just sayin!
Report Post »BoiseBaked
Posted on January 13, 2011 at 12:44amWhat the hell happened to the northeast. The are all truly red states.
Report Post »ricklap
Posted on January 13, 2011 at 4:59amGee maybe this guy would like a shooting every week to help fill his coffers. His concern and compassion is just over whelming.
Report Post »DMD
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:20pmclassy
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 10:44pmWow, such nice words – your use of the English language never ceases to amaze me!! If you had to use your entire real name when posting would you post such a nice message – yes, probably so!!
Report Post »http://wp.me/pYLB7-v9
VermontPatriot
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 6:18amHey! We ain’t all bad up here. We’re just outnumbered!
Report Post »Sgt.Crust
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 1:09pmya, don’t call all Vermonters communists, they are outnumbered by them, we just HAVE to educate those that have no clue about true freedom!
Report Post »