Following up on his letter to Obama, Bernie Sanders took the floor of the Senate yesterday, taking his case for Democrats to stand against Republican blackmail to the American people. Later, Keith Olbermann interviewed him. Because he is standing up for us, it is imperative that we stand with him.
Rarely in history has a U.S. Senator spoken so much truth is such blunt language as did Bernie Sanders when the Vermont independent on Monday warned in a remarkable speech on the Senate floor that: "Unless the American people by the millions tell the President not to yield one inch to Republican demands to destroy Medicare and Medicaid, while continuing to provide tax breaks to the wealthy and the powerful, I am afraid that is exactly what will happen."
Speaking not just to the Senate — and the president — but the great mass of Americans, Sanders offered a new narrative with regard to addressing debt ceilings, debts and deficits. Rejecting the absurd claims of Republican legislators and their amen corner in the media, Sanders urged Obama and his fellow Democrats to draw a political line in the sand and declare that some compromises need not be made — and will not be made.
"In my view, the President of the United States of America needs to stand with the American people and say to the Republican leadership that enough is enough. No, we will not balance the budget on the backs of working families, the elderly, the sick, the children, and the poor, who have already sacrificed enough in terms of lost jobs, lost wages, lost homes, and lost pensions," declared Sanders. "Yes, we will demand that millionaires and billionaires and the largest corporations in America contribute to deficit reduction as a matter of shared sacrifice. Yes, we will reduce unnecessary and wasteful spending at the Pentagon. And, no we will not be blackmailed once again by the Republican leadership in Washington, who are threatening to destroy the full faith and credit of the United States government for the first time in our nation’s history unless they get everything they want."… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <The Nation>
Here’s here’s Bernie’s interview with Keith on Countdown.
Bernie said what I have been saying all along. Republicans will back down if Democrats stand fast.
You can take action. Sign on to Bernie Sanders’ letter to Barack Obama.
32 Responses to “Action Alert: Bernie Takes the Floor; Keith Covers”
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I stopped being a Democrat a long time ago because I felt like there hasn’t been much true leadership. I felt like the Democrats who I supported try more and more to get Republican’s approval (as if they do the same, they couldn’t care less what more liberal people and never go back on what they say when they have conservative beliefs). And now that I decline to state, for some reason Dems think we’re all the more conservative people they need to try to get, when really I’m sick of middle class and LGBT people being left in the cold in return for our support. I think Mr. Obama has done a lot, but I think a lot more could have been achieved by many Dems who cave in, and clearly have no backbone when it comes to standing up for those of us with the least amount of political clout and money.
Welcome Nick. 🙂
I share your disappointment on many of the same issues. I remain a Democrat, because I can have an influence. Here, my representatives rarely cast a vote against my interests, but I live in the most progressive district in one of the most progressives states. Rather than abandon the party, we need to reform it, because like it or not, it’s a two party system and the Republicans are reprobate beyond hope of reform.
That’s exactly right, TomCat! We need to reform it, NOT abandon it, or we’re never gonna amount to anything! 👿
Thanks Johnny.
I understand very much what is being said here and it also makes perfect sense, BUT there is an elephant in the room. How can the President stand up for the people while going hat in hand to Wall St. for election funds. Is he not as “owned” by corporate interests as the congressional swamp?
Welcome Blooze. 🙂
It’s a sad fact that our election system runs on money making success impossible without some corporate support. So while I have to admit that Obama is somewhat beholding to corporate interests, he is to a far lesser degree than Republicans. Were that not so, he would have appointed Justices like the fascist five, not Kagan and Sotomayor.
I appreciate what you do on Buzzflash.
I watched him on KO’s show and thought he was brilliant as always. Definitely added my name to his letter.
Good show, Patty.
Added my name-darn right!
Yay!
Well, signed; but I’ll consider Sanders $ERIOU$ when he exercises his Senate ‘secret’ hold to prevent any (And ALL) of the referenced Obamanible legislation! 👿
Bruce, you’re wrong on two counts. First the ‘secret’ hold no longer exists. Second, the problem legislation has nothing to do with Obama. You have a right to your opinion, but not your own facts.
Bernie Sanders’ FAN CLUB! Charter member, right here!
Sign me up!
I love Bernie Sanders – he is always dead on right. Signed!
Amen, Lisa!
I’m voting Green from now on, but I’ll always support Bernie Sanders. I signed it yesterday.
Blue, respectfully, voting Green, although I agree with their platform, only helps elect Republicans.
Politics is about the numbers; for elections and getting bills passed.
I have not been happy with Obama and have written many posts stating why.
I will vote for Obama, because the alternative (Republican win) is 10 times worse.
Don’t split the Democratic vote. Reelect President Obama!
Tom, I fully agree.
You go, Bernie!! I signed the letter; I hope he gets MILLIONS of signatures!!!!
As do I, Oudiva. Thanks!
Voting for a third party is akin to betting in the lottery. The chances of winning are virtually nil and you might as well toss the money you use to buy the tickets. Besides that, at this time in our history, we are ripe for a fascist-type government takeover, so I think it would be more prudent to think about the greater good than our own narrow agendas.
I had already signed the petition in response to Sanders’ letter and his remarks.
Leslie, I agree. The one exception is Bernie. The Democratic Party in VT supports him and does not field candidates against him.
I signed Bernie’s letter, and, I also went to Obama.gov and sent a note to the President. To my mind, every little bit helps. 😆
Welcome Suzanne. 🙂
Thanks!
I’ve been on Bernie Sanders mailing, longer than I can remember! He’s a real American! 😈
Indeed he is!
THANK YOU!! Bernie. The ONLY one doing his job for “the rest of us” and we the people. BERNIE FOR PRESIDENT!!!!
Welcome Morgan. 🙂
Bernie has already made it clear that he’s not interested.
With all the positive support for Sen. Sanders, take heed that he is running for election and needs dollars support even more. The Repugnuts are gearing up to defeat him and they have the massive support of the corporations. It is financially difficult for me to make contibutions but my position is that though I may not be truly able to affort to make contributions, in the case of Sen. Sanders, I can affort even less not making contributions. So, join me and add some support in dollars to back up your comments, $10, $20, or whatever you can scrape up. Without it we may lose him and, if we do, we lose big time.
Welcome, Mudsocker. 🙂
Wise words. Personally, I have to look up to see the poverty line, but I’ll be watch his campaign, and if there is the slightest indication he’s in trouble, I shall kick-in.