Sanity in Vermont-- Bernie Sanders Townhall on healthcare

[Eugene V. Debs]

The following article is from a libertarian socialist-leaning website, by a noted union activist whom I've had the pleasure to meet once:

A Postcard From Vermont:

Sanders Shows Congress How To Avoid Tar & Feathering At August Tea Parties

http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/commentaries/3956

There are a few interesting things about this article which illustrate broader points. First of all, that Vermont is the only state with an avowed socialist as Senator (and who before that was a Rep for many years), and yet has some of the most permissive gun laws in the nation (and permissive laws period) shows that socialist and libertarian politics are not always as incompatible as the Manicheans on both right and left would have us believe.

Secondly, it shows the difference in analysis between libertarian socialists and the liberal left or authoritarian left. While the former groups condescend to the anti-"Obamacare" protesters, or, worse, peddle the lie that they are all agents of the insurance companies or the GOP, you'll notice that the above article does neither and tacitly acknowledges that the protesters are part of a true grassroots movement, and that they are not without valid concerns.

Although I'm certain there are many here who will still paint all on "the left" with the same broad brush borne of dichotomous thinking, I thought an article from a segment of "the left" that gets very little coverage in the MSM would be of interest.

[pyld]

I'd rep you for this, but (in the irony department), the socialist rep system won't let me do it.

Not because I agree with Sanders on most things (I don't) but because the article and the fact that the folks in New England actually know how to do political discourse.

[fingers80002]

The following article is from a libertarian socialist-leaning website, by a noted union activist whom I've had the pleasure to meet once:

A Postcard From Vermont:

Sanders Shows Congress How To Avoid Tar & Feathering At August Tea Parties

http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/commentaries/3956

There are a few interesting things about this article which illustrate broader points. First of all, that Vermont is the only state with an avowed socialist as Senator (and who before that was a Rep for many years), and yet has some of the most permissive gun laws in the nation (and permissive laws period) shows that socialist and libertarian politics are not always as incompatible as the Manicheans on both right and left would have us believe.

Secondly, it shows the difference in analysis between libertarian socialists and the liberal left or authoritarian left. While the former groups condescend to the anti-"Obamacare" protesters, or, worse, peddle the lie that they are all agents of the insurance companies or the GOP, you'll notice that the above article does neither and tacitly acknowledges that the protesters are part of a true grassroots movement, and that they are not without valid concerns.

Although I'm certain there are many here who will still paint all on "the left" with the same broad brush borne of dichotomous thinking, I thought an article from a segment of "the left" that gets very little coverage in the MSM would be of interest.

Isn't that an oxymoron?
The bolded.

[dc dalton]

I have seen the video of Barney twice today and it cracked me up. While I am no fan of Barney I have to say WELL DONE!

It's about time someone in the democratic party grew a set of balls and called an idiot and IDIOT!

And everyone that wants to beat me up? Well KMA .. because comparing Obama to Hitler is about as fucked up as wanting to have sex with you sister ... it is as 'far off the chart' as it gets! When Obama starts defiling a race and marching them off to death camps then maybe, just MAYBE you can compare A to B but doing that now makes you look like an IDIOT! (or one HELL of a racist)

[Morel42]

I have seen the video of Barney twice today and it cracked me up. While I am no fan of Barney I have to say WELL DONE!

It's about time someone in the democratic party grew a set of balls and called an idiot and IDIOT!

And everyone that wants to beat me up? Well KMA .. because comparing Obama to Hitler is about as fucked up as wanting to have sex with you sister ... it is as 'far off the chart' as it gets! When Obama starts defiling a race and marching them off to death camps then maybe, just MAYBE you can compare A to B but doing that now makes you look like an IDIOT! (or one HELL of a racist)

I loved it too.. lol

[Eugene V. Debs]

I have seen the video of Barney twice today and it cracked me up. While I am no fan of Barney I have to say WELL DONE!

It's about time someone in the democratic party grew a set of balls and called an idiot and IDIOT!

And everyone that wants to beat me up? Well KMA .. because comparing Obama to Hitler is about as fucked up as wanting to have sex with you sister ... it is as 'far off the chart' as it gets! When Obama starts defiling a race and marching them off to death camps then maybe, just MAYBE you can compare A to B but doing that now makes you look like an IDIOT! (or one HELL of a racist)

Well, this article is about Bernie Sanders, not Barney Frank, but yeah, I've seen that video and it is indeed awesome. One thing, Barney has never lacked, unlike many of his Massachusetts Liberal bretheren, is a big set of nuts, and an honest, straightforward manner of speaking. His last name is very apt. He's horrible on gun rights and a whole host of other issues, but it's hard not to respect him all the same.

[dc dalton]

Well, this article is about Bernie Sanders, not Barney Frank, but yeah, I've seen that video and it is indeed awesome. One thing, Barney has never lacked, unlike many of his Massachusetts Liberal bretheren, is a big set of nuts, and an honest, straightforward manner of speaking. His last name is very apt. He's horrible on gun rights and a whole host of other issues, but it's hard not to respect him all the same.

Ehh got my 'Barnies' mixed up and only skimmed the article, it happens.

[adymond]

Question about those who thought Barney Frank's outburst was so funny. Would you have thought it was as funny if it was someone who you disagreed with calling a person you agreed with as dumb as a dinning room table?

I don't give a flying fuck who you are. Senators and Representatives are fucking servents of the people. For one of them to sit up there, no matter how stupid their constituients are being, and act that way is reprehensible. Any time they think they can speak to the people they are supposed to fucking serve and act that way should be the time they are forcibly removed from office if need be.

That said, while I disagree with Bernie Sanders, I have a lot of respect for the guy. He is what he is and he knows how to act as a public servent.

[pyld]

Question about those who thought Barney Frank's outburst was so funny. Would you have thought it was as funny if it was someone who you disagreed with calling a person you agreed with as dumb as a dinning room table?

If someone I agreed with phrased their piece as horridly poorly as the woman who Frank berated, I'd call them dumb as a dining room table.

I don't give a flying fuck who you are. Senators and Representatives are fucking servents of the people. For one of them to sit up there, no matter how stupid their constituients are being, and act that way is reprehensible. Any time they think they can speak to the people they are supposed to fucking serve and act that way should be the time they are forcibly removed from office if need be.

That's what elections are for. Where I disagree with you is essentially thus: if someone gets up and, say, invokes Hitler to speak of health care, they have it coming. Congresscritters cannot fix that kind of stupid.

[dc dalton]

Question about those who thought Barney Frank's outburst was so funny. Would you have thought it was as funny if it was someone who you disagreed with calling a person you agreed with as dumb as a dinning room table?

I don't give a flying fuck who you are. Senators and Representatives are fucking servents of the people. For one of them to sit up there, no matter how stupid their constituients are being, and act that way is reprehensible. Any time they think they can speak to the people they are supposed to fucking serve and act that way should be the time they are forcibly removed from office if need be..

Sorry bud, going to have to disagree with you on this one, if someone is being that much of a horses ass they need to be called out on it. 'Political correctness' be damned the truth is the truth and dammit it's time we started speaking the truth and stop tiptoeing around stupidity.

And yes if I was being that stupid in front of anyone I would be 'man enough' to take my lickings.