A few weeks ago a reporter asked Joe Biden a question regarding which of the Democrats could win over tRump, and without missing a beat he replied, “Any of us.” What he’s supposing is that the orange-faced demagogue has turned off so many of his former followers with his over-the-top antics no matter which Democrat runs it will result in a victory. I sure hope he’s right.
But at present Democrats still have to sort out who their party’s nominee will be, and as Bernie gains momentum his politics are going to come under increasing scrutiny. Take, for example, his comment about Fidel Castro. Sanders said that when the Cuban dictator came to power the literacy rate on the island was abysmally low. In less than a decade it had risen to over 98%, indeed, the highest of any country in the world.
Nonetheless, Bernie’s detractors take him to task for stating an obvious, provable and laudable truth. Additionally, more doctors of color have been trained in Cuba than anywhere else in the world — another truth.
Does this mean I want to throw out capitalism and switch to communism? No, of course not, and neither does Bernie. Communism, in case you haven’t noticed, is a failed form of government and both Russia and China are gradually moving away from it and heading towards various forms of socialism and quasi-capitalism. Almost in the same breath, as he was praising Castro, he should have acknowledged the wide-ranging and persistent shortcomings of his communist regime.
However, in spite of the fact all polls show that Bernie beats tRump in a head-to-head match-up, Democrats are now getting desperate in their attempts to derail the chances of this self-avowed Democratic Socialist and they are not above using the same scare tactics that Republicans use.
Their goal is to equate socialism with godless devil-worshiping (or worse) and the American electorate seemingly is all too willing to go along with this tactic, in spite of the fact that if anyone was to suggest Social Security be done away with crowds would storm the White House gates.
Medicare for All is an idea whose time has come. We already have socialist policies in place in a variety of areas of American life, and the populist policies Bernie has been championing for years could be just what we need in this country. At least it would be a start toward solving the shameful housing, medical, and other social problems facing the least of Americans.
But the question remains: Can Bernie beat tRump?
One Response to “MANSFIELD: Bernie Is the Best … But Can He Win?”
Jerry Dolcini
U.S. sanctions against Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and the Cold War against Russia has amounted to economic warfare, but these countries have survived. In 1944 FDR, despite failing health , agreed to a third term as president but the Democratic Party insisted that Vice President Henry Wallace, a progressive ex-farmer and friend of Russia ( who were conquering fascism on the Eastern Front and losing over 25 million citizens), be replaced by businessman Harry Truman. This is how neoliberals began the Cold War against Russia and ultimately led to the Atomic Bomb destruction of Japan (to frighten Russia with our power). Wallace, appointed Secretary of Commerce by FDR, was fired by Truman and the U.S. began brainwashing its citizens to fear and hate communism. The Catholic Church especially created millions who hated Godless
Russia even though they were defeating Hitler and Mussolini with U.S. help when we entered the war in the 8th inning.
If Biden is chosen over Sanders, the neoliberals, Wall Street, Big Gas , Oil and Insurance, Hillary and the War Machine will be the Victors. Our Air, Water, and Environment will become more Toxic.