The Maniac or the Cheater: The Case for Ending the Undemocratic Super Delegate fiasco

In the Democratic nominating process, 15% of delegates are not elected.  These chosen few exist to ensure that the nominee is an establishment party elite and to prevent a viable challenge by a Democratic maverick:  a candidate with “outside the box” ideas and programs.  The intent is to prevent substantive modifications to the Democratic Party goals and directions.
 

This process stifles change, assures the Party will carry on old stale policies, and is undemocratic.   This Super Delegate scam bears resemblance to nations with controlled elections where party orthodoxy is ensured by the appointment, not election, of party loyalists.  The intent is to prevent new ideas from affecting Party ideology and suppress alternative programs.

The Democrats use Super Delegates to appoint Party loyalists and suppress any challenge to the traditional platform, no matter how bankrupt and antiquated it may be.   We live in a fluid changing world.  Refusal to adapt to these changes locks us into the old ways.  A static party is a failed party.   Observe how Trump rises while Clinton sinks under the weight of her insincerity, empty promises, scandals, and most sadly her pandering to the requirements of her billionaire corporate masters.   These tactics have made Bill and Hillary Clinton wealthy.  Coincidence?  I think not.

Super Delegates are appointed, not elected.  This practice is clearly undemocratic.  While 15% of delegate votes may not seem large at a quick glance, it translates to a 700 delegate advantage before any primary or caucus has occurred.   In a close race, it guarantees the establishment elite of the victory imperative they require.

In this election cycle, Super Delegates were appointed prior to Bernie Sanders decision to run.  At that point Hillary Clinton was thought to be the only serious Democrat running for the nomination.  It stands to reason that with no known serious competition at that time, Super Delegates flocked to the side of Clinton.  Bernie Sanders was not yet a candidate at that point.

The system flies in the face of Democracy.  There are too many cases where, although Bernie won state primaries and caucuses decisively, his victories have been nullified by Super Delegates defying the state results.   When Bernie wins a clear majority of pledged delegates, it counts for nothing when Super Delegates are factored in.  These appointed elites skew the will of the voting public. 

Is this the way of Democracy?

Not only does this system pollute our one person one vote Democracy, it severely handicaps a legitimate but unconventional candidate.  The result is to preserve old outdated party orthodoxy and prevent growth and change which would perhaps allow the Party to actually evolve to relevancy.  The super delegate system weakens the party and may lead to the unthinkable:  President Trump.

There is one more aspect to this fiasco, perhaps the most damaging of all.   The Clinton friendly corporate media consistently reports delegate counts including Super Delegates who cannot cast their votes until the convention.  This inaccurate reporting gives the candidate with Super Delegate advantage the appearance of a commanding lead, somewhere in the neighborhood of a 500 unelected delegate advantage even though Super Delegates have not voted.  I believe this biased reporting serves to suppress voting in the last scheduled primaries and caucuses.  Why should Bernie supporters come out to vote when, according to the media, the nomination is already decided?  Is it fair to deny California voters their say in the process?

I accuse Hillary Clinton, Debby Wasserman Shultz, and the establishment media of conspiracy to swing the nomination to Clinton.  If Clinton were able to convince voters that her policies had more merit than those of Sanders, I would be disappointed but resigned that she won on issues.  However, this nomination has been characterized by cheating, voter suppression, registered Democrats who are suddenly dropped from the registered Democratic rolls, and the support of the biased media all too willing to skew facts in favor everybody’s anointed darling candidate.  Why were more than 100.000 registered Democrats in Brooklyn alone disenfranchised?

In 1992, after six years on the board of directors of Walmart, Hillary became first lady with Bill’s election.   At that point, Hillary set her goal to being the first woman president.  Electing a female president is a fine goal and one that will certainly happen in short time.  However, electing a President based on gender is insufficient in itself.  Under the premise that we must have a female President, why not elect Sarah Palin or Carly Fiorina.  They pass the gender test which seems to be the overriding claim of Hillary Clinton to the nomination.

Bill and Hillary Clinton are not of the people.  They are wealthy elitists who consider themselves above the American voters.  I encourage voters to think long and hard about anything either Clinton has done to improve the lot of ordinary people.   Their purpose has always been to promote the interests of large banks, fossil fuel industry, big Pharma and various Billionaire controlled corporations. 

The Clintons are as Republican as Donald Trump.  If Bernie does not win the nomination, the American people will be asked to choose between a maniac and a cheater.  Not since 1968 general election between Hubert Humphrey (the equivalent of 2016 Hillary Clinton) and the evil and corrupt criminal Richard Nixon have the American people faced two so deficient candidates.  Either way, the people lose.

The Super Delegate system has got to go.  It is undemocratic in its nature and serves to handicap a candidate such as Bernie Sanders who is one of the people, not superior elite.  The Super Delegate system exists to prevent substantive change in the Party’s goals and methods.

The Clinton narrative is that Bernie Sanders is inexperienced and would be unable to work with the legislators.   When Clinton was enjoying board status with the employee bashing and cheapskate Walmart corporation, Bernie Sanders was making his mark as a champion of the people as eight year Mayor of Burlington, Vermont.  While Hillary Clinton exulted in the semi monarchist first lady role, Bernie Sanders was making a strong impact as congressman and Senator even with his status of the longest serving Independent in the history of the legislature and his innovative if unorthodox ideas.  He continues to serve successfully for 25 years in the legislature.  Bernie knows the Congress and Senate and has successfully worked with both sides of the isle in the exclusive interest of the people.

Without the undemocratic Super Delegate system, Bernie would likely be the Democratic nominee.  He has already won the hearts and imagination of Democratic voters.  Hillary will likely lose to Trump while Bernie defeats Trump by large margins.  Bernie is clean and honest, liked and trusted by voters.  Bernie has positive ideas and issues.  Clinton has baggage.

One last point and I will conclude this tome.  All states should have open primaries.  That allows independents (42% of the voting public) to have a say in the nominating process.  Any registered voter is allowed to choose a party ballot and vote their conscience.  Why should Independents be denied access to our “democratic” nominating process?  That practice also works in favor of the Democratic Party establishment elite and is yet another example of voter suppression.

I deplore Republican tactics.  Unfortunately Democrats employ similar dishonest tactics. 

The Democratic Party must reform, return to the FDR new deal pro people platform or perish.  The demise of the Democratic Party as we know it now is necessary to the preservation of democracy in America.

Post Mortem: The Democratic Party

The Democratic party as we know it needs to cease to exist.

It is no secret that in 1992 Bill Clinton was involved in a think tank concerning the future of the Democratic party.  The belief then was that the party was too idealistic and that was not a good recipe for winning elections.  Bear in mind that we had just come through 12 of the most devastating years for the poor and middle class due to the billionaire friendly policies of Reagan and Bush.

The conclusion of the Clinton involved think tank was that in order to retain  power in America, the Democrats had to move to the right and befriend the policies of Reagan.  This was in response to the Republicans moving to the bizarro religious extreme right (now known as the Tea Party.)

We had suffered through three long horrible  Reagan/ Bush administrations noted for the bankrupt idea of "trickle down" economics, massive deregulation, arrogant neglect of the poor and middle class, subtle but very real racism, the "war on drugs", rolling back of the social contract initiated by Franklin Roosevelt known as the new deal, and attacks on environmental protection.  We must not omit an unconscionable embrace of the fanatical Christian "born again" evangelical movement (do we not have a bill of rights separating church from government?)  "Greed is good," was their credo.

I was ready to welcome back the Democrats who, I hoped, would begin to right the egregious misdeeds against the American people perpetrated by the Reagan/ Bush national nightmare.  At last, I hoped, the social guarantees instituted by FDR could be renewed and strengthened by the party in which these progressive ideals were born.  Sadly, I was deceived and quickly proven wrong.

The Clintons oversaw an era during which more wealth was transferred from the poor and middle class to the very wealthiest people, banks, and corporations in such a short time than ever before in the history of the world.  The Clintons promoted disastrous trade deals such as NAFTA which benefited corporate profits while allowing these greedy criminal anti-American corporations to export decent American jobs to China and other unfriendly nations to save them money.  In another exercise of  "subtle" racism, the Clintons championed a draconian crime bill (remember the Reagan war on drugs?) which has seen America become the nation of the most incarcerated persons, mostly people of color for terms commonly ten years or more.  In 1997 Bill Clinton's FDA chief modified regulations to permit advertising of prescription drugs on TV, a disgusting and immoral practice not allowed elsewhere in the civilized world.  Perhaps worst of all, in 1999 Bill Clinton supported a Republican initiative to repeal Glass-Steagall:  a law instituted in 1933 which prohibited commercial banks from involvement with speculative investments, insurance, and other non-banking activities allowed by investment banks.  That law was passed in 1933 to protect depositors and instill confidence in the banking system.  The repeal of Glass-Steagall led directly to the banking abuses which caused the Great Recession of 2007-2008.  The economic fallout from that greed induced disaster is still felt today as a sluggish economy and a decade long period of historically low interest rates.  That hurts people who rely on income from savings.

Somehow, between 1992 and 2016 Bill and Hillary Clinton who both came from modest circumstances, have managed to amass a fortune which puts them in the top one tenth of one percent of the wealthiest Americans with guess who:  Donald Trump.  By the way, over the years the Clintons have not been shy about accepting generous contributions from the same Donald Trump.

So, with the destruction of the Democratic party and its principles as we know it in 1992 we embarked upon a de facto one party system with each party representing groups of corporations, sometimes backed by both parties.  The myth of elections these days is a smoke screen for the continuing peeling off of wealth from the bottom to the very top where it is needed least.
These years have seen a disgraceful greedy neglect of our infrastructure.  This is perhaps exemplified by the lead water in Flint and other poor places perpetrated by greedy criminal politicians trying to save money in poor neighborhoods and then covering up these crimes.

Another name for a one party system is dictatorship.

Progressives, and the Sanders campaign has shown there are many many of us out there fervently committed to rescuing our country, need to make a choice.
1.  Bring the Democrats back to their base issues in support of the American people.  The Sanders campaign is an attempt to fulfill this dream.
2.  If the Clintons get a third or even a fourth term, then it is clear the Democrats are already dead and a viable new party must be born.  There is a natural coalition of progressives, independents, and disenfranchised and alienated Democrats and Republicans who have had enough of this billionaire bullshit who need and want a reform platform.  We are loyal taxpaying Americans who have waited too long for our voice to be heard.  Perhaps the Sanders political revolution has sounded the wake up call.

As for me, if Bernie is unable to secure the nomination, I pledge to not cast a vote for Trump or for Clinton:  birds of the same feather with contrasting styles and similar substance.

Be on notice one party billionaire crooks, your days are numbered.

Democrats Need To Wake Up: Bernie Will Trounce Trump

The Democrats are so stuck on their tired, intellectually bankrupt, corporate friendly, expedient, disingenuous, former Goldwater Republican, six year board member of Walmart, self ordained candidate, that they are willing to lose the general election to the fascist Trump. To those with eyes that see, voters want anything but the status quo, even Trump. Hillary does not offer change and that is what the voters crave. In a general election vs Trump, Hillary will lose and take down the party with her. Bernie is the best Democrat to challenge Trump. We know that his message resonates with voters, brings new people to the polls, appeals to the large Independent voter block, and generates huge enthusiastic crowds and great hopefulness. People want to support a positive political revolution. Bernie will defeat Trump and help elect Democrats and Progressives with his coattails. We do not have to sacrifice this election for Hillary. What has she done for us lately? Bernie is ready and able to trounce Trump. Democrats: Wake up!

The Right Stuff: Do The Democrats Have The Resolve To Win?

Despite what they say or do not say, there are many prominent Democrats who support Hillary Clinton for President primarily because she is a woman. There is nothing wrong with electing a President of any gender, race, or background to promote diversity in our democracy. However, a candidate must have "the right stuff" not simply the right gender. The goal of Democrats should be defeating Donald Trump. That is the only objective. It is becoming more clear every day that Clinton could lose to Trump while Bernie Sanders would likely defeat him. Is Hillary Clinton with her worn out empty promises and track record of expediency so important that the Democratic party is willing to allow Trump in the White House? This election cycle confirms to me the wisdom of my decision to quit the Democrats (after a lifetime) and go independent. Trump represents the billionaire corporate elite, racists, fascists, and angry crazy people. Clinton represents the billionaire corporate elite and regime changing war mongering Bush/ Cheney neo conservatives. Sanders represents the American people. Why is it so difficult for the Democrats to figure that out? Bernie wins with independents and beats Trump nationally and in battleground states. I am beginning to question the resolve of Democrats to win.

Dead On Arrival: The Two Party System in America

In case you did not read the obituary, the two major political parties are already dead. Unless Bernie gets the nomination, we are presented by those parties two of the most pathetic deficient candidates imaginable.

The largest block of voters in America is Independent. Under party rules, in too many states these voters are locked out of the primary process altogether. There is a reason people are leaving these parties: they are corrupt and unresponsive to the needs of the poor and middle class. 

Bernie wins independent voters in great numbers. If we are serious about stopping Trump, then we must work to nominate Bernie as he is the strongest candidate to beat Trump.
Recent polls nationally and in battleground states support that fact.

I seek structural change because this country is in such dire straits that incremental change will not suffice. Our infrastructure is a dangerous embarrassment. Do you think that income inequality will improve under either Clinton or Trump? The Clinton's have worked tirelessly over the past 25 years to promote the interests of corporate America and Wall Street and amassed a fortune along the way.

I will never vote for Trump and I would encourage others to not vote Republican as well. However, that does not mean that I am obligated to support a candidate for the one reason that she is not Trump. We need to disregard the narrative of corporate media propaganda and nominate Bernie Sanders.

I have voted for the lesser of two evils many times in the past. The problem is you still get evil one way or the other.

This time enough is finally enough. The farce must stop.

Bernie and the Criminal Zombie Banksters

It has come to my attention that in the case of another bank collapse such as the meltdown of 2007-2008 taxpayers are no longer on the hook to rescue criminal banksters from potential losses from high risk investments including financial derivatives. The risk has been shifted from taxpayers to depositors.  Instead of Bail Out, there is now Bail In.  These "too big to fail" banks are allowed to use FDIC insured deposits to cover their bad investments. Depositors may end up with worthless bank stock. Under Dodd Frank, this is legal. The banks have more liberty than ever to gamble with other people's money, keep their winnings and stick depositors with the bill when they lose.

Bernie Sanders, not Hillary Clinton, understands the problem and will act on it. Zombie banks must fail for the good of the nation and the economy. Hillary will do nothing because she is a friend of these banking white collar criminals.  Bernie fights for justice and fairness in banking.  Hillary gets rich on speaking fees to these greedy pigs.  And it was Bill Clinton who in 1999 repealed Glass Steagall which had protected depositors since 1933.  Perhaps Bill Clinton thinks he is smarter than FDR.  I disagree.

Bernie or Bust! There is no other way. We deserve and have earned the one candidate with the decency to care about people and the courage to act.

The convention will be contested. Stay steady for Bernie.

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The Very Best Explanation I Have Read of the Bernie or Bust Movement

I usually like to offer my own writing here on this blog.  However, comedian and social satirist John Oliver has written an essay which reflects my opinions in a clear and concise manner much better than I could do.

Please read:  (You must copy and paste link to your browser)



https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/4h6eb0/to_those_of_you_liberals_who_dont_understand_the/