Why Doesn't America Elect Bernie Sanders "King for Life?"

qayak · 19th August 2012, 05:43 PM

I mean, really, if you want to fix the mess?

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I AGREE

BenBurch · 19th August 2012, 05:45 PM

Because he wouldn't take it.

qayak · 19th August 2012, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

Because he wouldn't take it.

You didn't beg hard enough! Try, man, TRY!

WildCat · 19th August 2012, 08:11 PM

Judging by the looks of him "King for Life" is what, 2-3 years max?

Babbylonian · 19th August 2012, 08:15 PM

Listen, he was definitely one of the great running backs in NFL history, a virtuoso when it came to evading defenders, but I don't think that qualifies him to run the country.

SezMe · 19th August 2012, 08:18 PM

I'll bet if you tied Bernie's hands down, he'd be mute.

Vermonter · 19th August 2012, 08:55 PM

I love my Senator.

WildCat · 19th August 2012, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by Vermonter

I love my Senator.

Hello Mrs. Sanders!

Puppycow · 19th August 2012, 09:44 PM

Any relation to Colonel Sanders?

qayak · 19th August 2012, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by WildCat

Judging by the looks of him "King for Life" is what, 2-3 years max?

Listen to him and you will realize he is a god, thus immortal.

Cain · 19th August 2012, 11:21 PM

He makes a lot of sense here, but I suspect hypocrisy on the "reduce [military] spending" front. Still, he's probably in the top 1% of U.S. Senators.

SezMe · 20th August 2012, 01:37 AM

Since there are 100 Senators, the top 1% is the same thing as the top guy.

qayak · 20th August 2012, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Cain

He makes a lot of sense here, but I suspect hypocrisy on the "reduce [military] spending" front. Still, he's probably in the top 1% of U.S. Senators.

Hypocrisy? How so? Sanders is an independent, if that's his stance, it's his stance.

There are good reasons for the US to cut military spending and foreign aid especially at a time when their own citizens are suffering so deeply.

qayak · 20th August 2012, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by SezMe

Since there are 100 Senators, the top 1% is the same thing as the top guy.

Further proof this guy should be King of America!

Stellafane · 21st August 2012, 06:49 AM

Personally, I don't like Senator Sanders a great deal, despite the fact that (1) I'm a lifelong Democrat, and (2) I live in Vermont. First, he's sort of a carpetbagger -- he moved here in the 1970's from NY specifically to make politics his career. Second, I don't really like career politicians; I think it should be more like military service: if you have something to contribute, run for office, do your stuff for a while, and then get out and let someone with fresh ideas have their chance. He's also an arrogant SOB -- he once viciously denounced a local newspaper, despite their long history of obligingly kissing his backside at every turn, simply because they pointed out the 100% accurate fact that Sanders' wife was on the payroll and being paid out of his campaign contributions. (Although arrogance is pretty much a requirement for political office it seems, so I guess you can't really hold that last one against him.)

But overriding all these concerns is that Senator Sanders strikes me more as a panderer than a leader. I've never heard him say anything particularly innovative or original. Instead, it's just the same old recycled leftist rhetoric that he's been spouting since he moved to VT decades ago. But he knows it plays well to the local populace, whose ongoing love affair with the iconic "Bernie" apparently places him beyond reproach or review.

So no, I don't think very highly of Senator Sanders. In the end, he just seems like someone who entered politics because he likes the attention, rather than because he has anything of substance to contribute. Contrast his performance to that of his replacement as VT's congressman, Peter Welch, who in my opinion has done more for this state in two years than Sanders has in 30.

Arisia · 21st August 2012, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Stellafane

Personally, I don't like Senator Sanders a great deal, despite the fact that (1) I'm a lifelong Democrat, and (2) I live in Vermont. First, he's sort of a carpetbagger -- he moved here in the 1970's from NY specifically to make politics his career. Second, I don't really like career politicians; I think it should be more like military service: if you have something to contribute, run for office, do your stuff for a while, and then get out and let someone with fresh ideas have their chance. He's also an arrogant SOB -- he once viciously denounced a local newspaper, despite their long history of obligingly kissing his backside at every turn, simply because they pointed out the 100% accurate fact that Sanders' wife was on the payroll and being paid out of his campaign contributions. (Although arrogance is pretty much a requirement for political office it seems, so I guess you can't really hold that last one against him.)

But overriding all these concerns is that Senator Sanders strikes me more as a panderer than a leader. I've never heard him say anything particularly innovative or original. Instead, it's just the same old recycled leftist rhetoric that he's been spouting since he moved to VT decades ago. But he knows it plays well to the local populace, whose ongoing love affair with the iconic "Bernie" apparently places him beyond reproach or review.

So no, I don't think very highly of Senator Sanders. In the end, he just seems like someone who entered politics because he likes the attention, rather than because he has anything of substance to contribute. Contrast his performance to that of his replacement as VT's congressman, Peter Welch, who in my opinion has done more for this state in two years than Sanders has in 30.

I do remember when I was old enough to start voting in the late 80s hearing jokes that many voters voted for him for Representative so he wouldn't run for Governor (and maybe as a 'nose thumbing' gesture to Washington - here's Vermont's delegation, a Democrat, a Republican and a Socialist!

).

Hamradioguy · 21st August 2012, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by Stellafane

Personally, I don't like Senator Sanders a great deal, despite the fact that (1) I'm a lifelong Democrat, and (2) I live in Vermont. First, he's sort of a carpetbagger -- he moved here in the 1970's from NY specifically to make politics his career. Second, I don't really like career politicians; I think it should be more like military service: if you have something to contribute, run for office, do your stuff for a while, and then get out and let someone with fresh ideas have their chance. He's also an arrogant SOB -- he once viciously denounced a local newspaper, despite their long history of obligingly kissing his backside at every turn, simply because they pointed out the 100% accurate fact that Sanders' wife was on the payroll and being paid out of his campaign contributions. (Although arrogance is pretty much a requirement for political office it seems, so I guess you can't really hold that last one against him.)

But overriding all these concerns is that Senator Sanders strikes me more as a panderer than a leader. I've never heard him say anything particularly innovative or original. Instead, it's just the same old recycled leftist rhetoric that he's been spouting since he moved to VT decades ago. But he knows it plays well to the local populace, whose ongoing love affair with the iconic "Bernie" apparently places him beyond reproach or review.

So no, I don't think very highly of Senator Sanders. In the end, he just seems like someone who entered politics because he likes the attention, rather than because he has anything of substance to contribute. Contrast his performance to that of his replacement as VT's congressman, Peter Welch, who in my opinion has done more for this state in two years than Sanders has in 30.

Pretty much my own take on Sanders. I remember him when he first moved to Vermont, standing on a street corner in Montpelier and running for some public office as a member of the Liberty Union party. "Landslide Bernie" ended up as Mayor of Burlington, and the rest is history as they say. Not a bad mayor, and not a bad senator. But as my Grandfather would say, "He talks a good fight." (Hell, even the National Rifle Association endorsed him at one point- You run for office in Vermont and of course you will be pro-guns.) The talk is good, sometimes even great. The action?....less so. Try writing his office with hard questions about Guantanamo, TSA follies, loss of privacy, or our overseas "nation building" efforts and watch the "weasel words" flow in response. Still, compared to so many other politicians in Washington he can look pretty good.

Stellafane · 22nd August 2012, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by Hamradioguy

...Still, compared to so many other politicians in Washington he can look pretty good.

Yes, I will give Senator Sanders that much at least (not that the competition has been setting all that high a standard lately). But overall, you'd kind of expect more from a local icon who's achieved the status of being universally recognized by his first name alone. And his actual accomplishments (as opposed to his rhetoric) pale in comparison to a force like Leahy (now there's a senator). In the end, Sanders just doesn't strike me as someone who's as dynamic or iconoclastic as so many here in Vermont seem to think he is.

ETA: And as for the OP, I suspect Senator Sanders likely fancies himself an excellent choice for America's "King for Life!"

19th August 2012, 05:45 PM	#2
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,220	Because he wouldn't take it.
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19th August 2012, 05:47 PM	#3
qayak Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,715	Originally Posted by BenBurch Because he wouldn't take it. You didn't beg hard enough! Try, man, TRY!
qayak Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,715	__________________ "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." (Mark Twain)

19th August 2012, 08:15 PM	#5
Babbylonian Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lake Oswego, OR Posts: 4,499	Listen, he was definitely one of the great running backs in NFL history, a virtuoso when it came to evading defenders, but I don't think that qualifies him to run the country.
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19th August 2012, 09:44 PM	#9
Puppycow Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Japan Posts: 15,789	Any relation to Colonel Sanders?
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19th August 2012, 10:35 PM	#10
qayak Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,715	Originally Posted by WildCat Judging by the looks of him "King for Life" is what, 2-3 years max? Listen to him and you will realize he is a god, thus immortal.
qayak Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,715	__________________ "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." (Mark Twain)

19th August 2012, 08:11 PM	#4
WildCat NWO Master Conspirator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany Park, Chicago Posts: 49,139	Judging by the looks of him "King for Life" is what, 2-3 years max?

19th August 2012, 08:18 PM	#6
SezMe post-pre-born Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 16,367	I'll bet if you tied Bernie's hands down, he'd be mute.

19th August 2012, 08:55 PM	#7
Vermonter Critical Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 429	I love my Senator.

19th August 2012, 09:33 PM	#8
WildCat NWO Master Conspirator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany Park, Chicago Posts: 49,139	Originally Posted by Vermonter I love my Senator. Hello Mrs. Sanders!

19th August 2012, 11:21 PM	#11
Cain Straussian Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,939	He makes a lot of sense here, but I suspect hypocrisy on the "reduce [military] spending" front. Still, he's probably in the top 1% of U.S. Senators.
	__________________ *Arrested Development* is coming back! Michael (to GOB): Get rid of the Seaward. Lucille: I’ll leave when I’m good and ready.

20th August 2012, 01:37 AM	#12
SezMe post-pre-born Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 16,367	Since there are 100 Senators, the top 1% is the same thing as the top guy.

20th August 2012, 02:23 PM	#13
qayak Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,715	Originally Posted by Cain He makes a lot of sense here, but I suspect hypocrisy on the "reduce [military] spending" front. Still, he's probably in the top 1% of U.S. Senators. Hypocrisy? How so? Sanders is an independent, if that's his stance, it's his stance. There are good reasons for the US to cut military spending and foreign aid especially at a time when their own citizens are suffering so deeply.
qayak Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,715	__________________ "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." (Mark Twain)

20th August 2012, 02:24 PM	#14
qayak Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,715	Originally Posted by SezMe Since there are 100 Senators, the top 1% is the same thing as the top guy. Further proof this guy should be King of America!
qayak Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,715	__________________ "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." (Mark Twain)

21st August 2012, 06:49 AM	#15
Stellafane Village Idiot. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Green Mountains Posts: 6,288	Personally, I don't like Senator Sanders a great deal, despite the fact that (1) I'm a lifelong Democrat, and (2) I live in Vermont. First, he's sort of a carpetbagger -- he moved here in the 1970's from NY specifically to make politics his career. Second, I don't really like career politicians; I think it should be more like military service: if you have something to contribute, run for office, do your stuff for a while, and then get out and let someone with fresh ideas have their chance. He's also an arrogant SOB -- he once viciously denounced a local newspaper, despite their long history of obligingly kissing his backside at every turn, simply because they pointed out the 100% accurate fact that Sanders' wife was on the payroll and being paid out of his campaign contributions. (Although arrogance is pretty much a requirement for political office it seems, so I guess you can't really hold that last one against him.) But overriding all these concerns is that Senator Sanders strikes me more as a panderer than a leader. I've never heard him say anything particularly innovative or original. Instead, it's just the same old recycled leftist rhetoric that he's been spouting since he moved to VT decades ago. But he knows it plays well to the local populace, whose ongoing love affair with the iconic "Bernie" apparently places him beyond reproach or review. So no, I don't think very highly of Senator Sanders. In the end, he just seems like someone who entered politics because he likes the attention, rather than because he has anything of substance to contribute. Contrast his performance to that of his replacement as VT's congressman, Peter Welch, who in my opinion has done more for this state in two years than Sanders has in 30.
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21st August 2012, 06:18 PM	#16
Arisia Muse Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: 495 & MassPike, MA Posts: 584	Originally Posted by Stellafane Personally, I don't like Senator Sanders a great deal, despite the fact that (1) I'm a lifelong Democrat, and (2) I live in Vermont. First, he's sort of a carpetbagger -- he moved here in the 1970's from NY specifically to make politics his career. Second, I don't really like career politicians; I think it should be more like military service: if you have something to contribute, run for office, do your stuff for a while, and then get out and let someone with fresh ideas have their chance. He's also an arrogant SOB -- he once viciously denounced a local newspaper, despite their long history of obligingly kissing his backside at every turn, simply because they pointed out the 100% accurate fact that Sanders' wife was on the payroll and being paid out of his campaign contributions. (Although arrogance is pretty much a requirement for political office it seems, so I guess you can't really hold that last one against him.) But overriding all these concerns is that Senator Sanders strikes me more as a panderer than a leader. I've never heard him say anything particularly innovative or original. Instead, it's just the same old recycled leftist rhetoric that he's been spouting since he moved to VT decades ago. But he knows it plays well to the local populace, whose ongoing love affair with the iconic "Bernie" apparently places him beyond reproach or review. So no, I don't think very highly of Senator Sanders. In the end, he just seems like someone who entered politics because he likes the attention, rather than because he has anything of substance to contribute. Contrast his performance to that of his replacement as VT's congressman, Peter Welch, who in my opinion has done more for this state in two years than Sanders has in 30. I do remember when I was old enough to start voting in the late 80s hearing jokes that many voters voted for him for Representative so he wouldn't run for Governor (and maybe as a 'nose thumbing' gesture to Washington - here's Vermont's delegation, a Democrat, a Republican and a Socialist! ).

21st August 2012, 07:04 PM	#17
Hamradioguy Pyrrhonist Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northern Vermont Posts: 2,272	Originally Posted by Stellafane Personally, I don't like Senator Sanders a great deal, despite the fact that (1) I'm a lifelong Democrat, and (2) I live in Vermont. First, he's sort of a carpetbagger -- he moved here in the 1970's from NY specifically to make politics his career. Second, I don't really like career politicians; I think it should be more like military service: if you have something to contribute, run for office, do your stuff for a while, and then get out and let someone with fresh ideas have their chance. He's also an arrogant SOB -- he once viciously denounced a local newspaper, despite their long history of obligingly kissing his backside at every turn, simply because they pointed out the 100% accurate fact that Sanders' wife was on the payroll and being paid out of his campaign contributions. (Although arrogance is pretty much a requirement for political office it seems, so I guess you can't really hold that last one against him.) But overriding all these concerns is that Senator Sanders strikes me more as a panderer than a leader. I've never heard him say anything particularly innovative or original. Instead, it's just the same old recycled leftist rhetoric that he's been spouting since he moved to VT decades ago. But he knows it plays well to the local populace, whose ongoing love affair with the iconic "Bernie" apparently places him beyond reproach or review. So no, I don't think very highly of Senator Sanders. In the end, he just seems like someone who entered politics because he likes the attention, rather than because he has anything of substance to contribute. Contrast his performance to that of his replacement as VT's congressman, Peter Welch, who in my opinion has done more for this state in two years than Sanders has in 30. Pretty much my own take on Sanders. I remember him when he first moved to Vermont, standing on a street corner in Montpelier and running for some public office as a member of the Liberty Union party. "Landslide Bernie" ended up as Mayor of Burlington, and the rest is history as they say. Not a bad mayor, and not a bad senator. But as my Grandfather would say, "He talks a good fight." (Hell, even the National Rifle Association endorsed him at one point- You run for office in Vermont and of course you will be pro-guns.) The talk is good, sometimes even great. The action?....less so. Try writing his office with hard questions about Guantanamo, TSA follies, loss of privacy, or our overseas "nation building" efforts and watch the "weasel words" flow in response. Still, compared to so many other politicians in Washington he can look pretty good.

22nd August 2012, 06:39 AM	#18
Stellafane Village Idiot. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Green Mountains Posts: 6,288	Originally Posted by Hamradioguy ...Still, compared to so many other politicians in Washington he can look pretty good. Yes, I will give Senator Sanders that much at least (not that the competition has been setting all that high a standard lately). But overall, you'd kind of expect more from a local icon who's achieved the status of being universally recognized by his first name alone. And his actual accomplishments (as opposed to his rhetoric) pale in comparison to a force like Leahy (now there's a senator). In the end, Sanders just doesn't strike me as someone who's as dynamic or iconoclastic as so many here in Vermont seem to think he is. ETA: And as for the OP, I suspect Senator Sanders likely fancies himself an excellent choice for America's "King for Life!"
	__________________ Another Shameless Googlebomb Plug for www.stopsylvia.com Last edited by Stellafane; 22nd August 2012 at 06:49 AM.