This week we discuss Bernie Sanders candidacy, the Socialism 2019 conference, and Russiagate. You will find your comments on “Sanders vs the Endless Austerity Regime,” “DSA ‘Socialism’ Conference Features US-Funded Regime Change Activists,” and “Freedom Rider: Time for Russiagate to End.”
In “Sanders vs the Endless Austerity Regime” Glen Ford argues that the Democratic Party establishment is crowding the field in the primary race to distract voters from Sanders. He argues that the only way for Sanders to win is to turn to truly movement-type politics.
Charles Keener writes:
“I have followed closely your several pieces on the potential disruptive impact of Bernie Sanders program on the Dem establishment. This latest sounds a bit deflated. I am not clear what more Bernie could do or say to produce a bigger bang at present. He has had one million donations in each quarter since announcing -- far more than any other candidate. And his support is especially strong among those earning less than $50,000, younger voters, and those without graduate degrees. He has had one powerful initiative after another -- from calling for voting rights for those currently incarcerated to a total elimination of student debt. Both proposals go farther than any other candidate. I thought his speech on FDR and a working peoples' bill of rights was tremendous. He just had a new initiative with AOC on the climate emergency. Bernie was the one candidate in the debate to lift up Yemen along with the tragedy of Iraq and the madness of an Iran war. He called out the military industrial complex in his stirring closing remarks. And he used the discussion on climate to call for the nations of the world to repurpose the resources they squander on militarism to focus instead on the climate . I thought that was a brilliant formulation -- pushing for peace and a serious focus on climate in the same thought. Bernie was by far the strongest anti-war voice in his debate. Even Jeffrey St Clair who never misses a chance to bash Bernie grudgingly admitted that Bernie's performance was "gritty" and that "Sanders hammered the same points he always does, in part because these are the core issues of American politics that never vary." I think Bernie has raised his game since 2016 . The staff he has taken on like David Sirota and Briahna Joy Gray are really strong progressive folks. As you say, the MSM relentlessly downplays Bernie. And the DNC/DCCC is working overtime to dampen his impact. Ultimately, Bernie can only do so much. It is up to the "people" to recognize quality and really bring this thing home. Having Warren splitting the more progressive voters is yet another tool to derail Bernie. I have a lot of faith in him even so and believe that the honesty and integrity of Bernie's message can yet piece though all the interference.”
Wallace Nixon writes:
“Bruce Dixon did not trust Bernie Sanders and maybe he was right. Although he is the only candidate saying things which have an impact on our lives even he isn´t placing enough emphasis on jobs with a family-rearing wage or the lack of safety in our communities. The black man without a well paying job will not be able to play the role in society that manhood requires. As long as he is receiving the wage of a schoolboy he can´t take a meaning role in his community. As long as the black woman can soar and the man is left demoralized and sulking our youth will be angry at the world and taking it out on each other.
As long as bondholders dictate economic policy with its emphasis on inflation austerity will be the name of the game and Bernie may not be up to the challenge of confronting it effectively.”
Jimmy Blackford writes:
“Here's my two cents' worth on the strategy of The Big Whigs: The large field of presidential candidates helps the Democratic Power Players choose their anointed centrist pawn. With so many running, the primary season will likely end with no candidate claiming a majority of delegates. So we go into the convention with the nomination somewhat up for grabs. With no majority, that forces a second ballot. It is only on the second ballot that the *Super Delegates* can vote. These are the powerful insiders that have been used to controlling the party. They have been benefiting from all the money that washes through the party, so they'll keep the spigot flowing by keeping Bernie out. That's why they'll throw the nomination to one of their own.”
“DSA ‘Socialism’ Conference Features US-Funded Regime Change Activists” by Ben Norton and Max Blumentha ldetails the top billing of pro-regime change activists at the Socialism 2019 conference in Chicago.
Raymond Odle writes:
“This explains how DSA members like Alexandra Ocasio Cortez can justify supporting regime change in Venezuela. To paraphrase Chris Hedges on Bernie Sanders, you can't call yourself a socialist and support empire. The DSA is the cheerleading wing of the ‘Democratic’ party.”
Marcos Tejeda writes:
“Walt Whitman was an American progressive but also an imperialist. This says more about whiteness than anything else.”
“Freedom Rider: Time for Russiagate to End” Margaret Kimberley argues that Russiagate’s dragging on has been a strategy for the Democrats to score political points without giving the public anything substantive.
Mark Moffett writes:
“Bingo, and thank you. Russiagate has also been very effective as a tool for Dems in Congress to push arbitrary closed-door censorship operations onto the big tech monopolies and social media, at demonizing and silencing anti-war voices, and at encouraging the ongoing war against journalists and whistleblowers that really got going under the First Bank President. Trump is giving them political cover for their corruption, and making their media oligarch pals obscenely rich. Why would they ever stop? A conscience? (ROFL)”
It is a badge of honor that the Russiagate witch-hunters have targeted BAR. Your support in the form of your comments will keep us going strong.
Jahan Choudhryis Comments Editor for Black Agenda Report. He is an organizer with the Saturday Free School based in Philadelphia, PA.
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