Tag: Bernie

Dec 12 2010

Which Side Are You On?

I’ve been accused of specializing in oversimplification. And of ranting. So be it. This is probably a prime example of those twin failings.  

Yesterday, Bernie Sanders spoke in the Senate for 8 1/2 hours to remind us that while millions of people in the United States are suffering, others are doing quite well, thank you.  Those doing spectacularly well represent 1 or 2 per cent of the population.  The rest of us, well, we’re not doing so great.  Those who are doing so well, of course, don’t need the government’s assistance, but they’ve bought and sold this government, so it’s only natural that their investment in politicians should be rewarded in the current tax deal even if there is no rational reason for doing so.  These people have power and money and they get what they want, even if they don’t need it; everyone else, not so much.

Dec 11 2010

I Am Bernie Sanders, And You Are Bernie, Too

Today I was captivated for 8.5 hours as Vermont’s Senator Bernie Sanders spoke about the tax bill.  But it wasn’t just the tax bill that he was talking about.  The speech was actually a progressive manifesto about the way that ordinary middle class and poor Americans are being plundered by the richest 1%.

And it was the most important political speech– by far– of the past two years.  Seldom, if ever, has anyone seized the spotlight to discuss and examine so thoroughly the the plundering of the nation by its wealthiest citizens.  And to demand so clearly that the government provide genuine relief for the millions of Americans who are now suffering the consequences of the plunder.

The top 1% need further tax relief like a fish needs a bicycle.  And if it took most of today to get that point across, it was worth it.