Tired of Old Time Politicians

There is a reason for the rising popularity of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. Americans are tired of political hacks. It’s the same people running for office we have seen over and over again. Americans are tired of the talk and no action gang. That is something that Mr. Trump has pointed out. To put it another way, “Where’s the beef?”

I am quite certain that many Americans will be watching the Fox News debate on Thursday night for two reasons. 1) Donald Trump is well known to be entertaining and many hope to be entertained. 2) Will Donald Trump offer solutions to the problems facing the United States?

If Mr. Trump does offer solutions to problems he will continue to lead in the polls even if many do not agree with his ideas. The reason is that most Americans do not believe that the rest of the candidates will do the things they have promised.

Americans want solutions and someone they believe can deliver on their promises. The stable of old politicians represents the unfulfilled promises of the many issue. Most of us doubt those old politicians will deliver this time.

Our nation needs a shakeup. A non-politician may be the solution many Americans are seeking. Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger are two examples of non-politicians getting involved in the job of managing the government. Schwarzenegger was poor choice but Reagan was considered by many to be an outstanding choice.

Then again remember Herman Cain and Ross Perot.

Socialism

When Chris Matthews asked Debbie Wasserman Schultz explain the difference between Democrats and Socialists she wouldn’t answer the question. Instead she chose to respond by comparing Democrats to Republicans. The question was again brought up on Meet the Press.

So even after that Hardball interview Ms. Schultz either was not prepared to answer the question restated by Chuck Todd or she fears the comparison. However Chris Matthews did define the difference in stating that America is the country of free enterprise that is supported by both political parties.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: “Democrats have had a record in this country for 200-some years of being for social security, Medicare, civil rights, interventions in the market, but not getting rid of the market. Clearly, they accept the power and the efficiency of a capitalist system. Socialists do not. This is a fundamental difference.”

Too bad Wasserman Schultz didn’t say that.

A socialist is someone who supports the political philosophy of socialism, which is a governmental system that advocates community ownership and control of all lands and businesses rather than individual ownership.

Bernie Sanders is an Independent and an avowed socialist. He admits it.

That definition of socialism forces me to not support Bernie Sanders for the presidency.

The Difference Between a Progressive and a Liberal

February 5, 2016

This posting was originally made on Oct 22, 2014. I believe both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders meet the Teddy Roosevelt definition of a progressive. The difference between them is that Senator Sanders favors greater change at a rapid pace that he calls a “revolution.” Mrs. Clinton wants those changes at a slower pace that she calls “evolution.”

Watching The Roosevelts on PBS has helped me to identify my political and economic position. I am a Progressive as was Teddy Roosevelt.

Progressives want laws that improve society.
Progressives emphasize doing the most for the most – which is how we got socio-economic programs such as Sherman Anti-trust Act, Social Security, Medicare, Obama Care, the 40 hour work week, and a minimum wage.
Progressives want businesses to thrive but do not want monopolies or near monopolies.
Progressives pursue issues; liberals support candidates; so do conservatives.
Progressives have new ideas.

David Sirota, Newspaper columnist and radio host in 1969, wrote this on the Huffington Post:

To put it in more concrete terms – a liberal solution to some of our current problems with high energy costs would be to increase funding for programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). A more “progressive” solution would be to increase LIHEAP but also crack down on price gouging and pass laws better-regulating the oil industry’s profiteering and market manipulation tactics. A liberal policy towards prescription drugs is one that would throw a lot of taxpayer cash at the pharmaceutical industry to get them to provide medicine to the poor; A progressive prescription drug policy would be one that centered around price regulations and bulk purchasing in order to force down the actual cost of medicine in America (much of which was originally developed with taxpayer R&D money).

Conservatives stand for no change. They want to maintain the status quo. They would turn the clock back if they could. That is the way of the religious members of society. The orthodox religious people want no changes to their practice. Look at those who oppose gay marriage and abortion. They usually hold orthodox religious views. They are part of the conservatives.

Progressives don’t simply support laws that bring about change. It’s just that progressives are willing to consider making changes that will improve life for everyone.