Can we really afford to dream big?

[KentuckyWoman]

There has been a lot of discussion - between candidates - here on the DU - and amongst people my world generally on whether America can afford to dream big. Bernie Sanders offers a platform most people seem to believe in but it means a big overhaul in some areas of American political will. I understand the doubts that anyone can ever get it done when the attention span of America seems to be about 5 minutes.

The choice we have in the Democratic Party this election cycle is generally one of big ideas vs pragmatism and in my opinion it was the same choice we had in 2008. Generally speaking, America didn't sustain support big enough or long enough for the biggest ideas to make it all the way through and the power of money won over the American people.

Whatever talents and shortcomings in our candidates, it's all going to boil down to whether the American people are going to show up for the big ideas. In my opinion Hillary does not think we will and I can't say I totally disagree. I'm skeptical myself. Americans will likely do what we usually do and get halfway there and run off to play instead of finish the job. However, in my humble opinion America is better off shooting big and falling short than to not try at all because the will to get all the way there may not materialize.

I think we can afford to dream big.... even more... in the 60+ years I've graced this planet I think we need to dream big now more than ever.

[hobbit709]

1. JFK had the right idea

We choose to go to the moon we choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.

[yourout]

2. We can't afford NOT to.

We can't afford NOT to.

[MissDeeds]

4. Exactly

[bigwillq]

3. Yes (nt)

[Krytan11c]

5. If not now, when? n/t

[Jarqui]

6. Normally an optimist, I'll come at it from a different direction?

When you say "afford", what do we have to lose?

We don't get our dream? That's already happening. It's what we're trying to change.

I was quite disappointed Obama is winding his second term down. Still really like him. Sorry to see him go.

Along comes Bernie. He's pumped me up.

[HassleCat]

7. We can still do big thing

Kennedy did not say, "Complain about what your country has not done for you." Roosevelt did not say, "All we have to fear is our own shadows."

[Odin2005]

8. We have no other choice.

[global1]

9. Just Remember Obama Was Criticized Here For Not Going For The Goalposts In Healthcare...

and compromising before he was even out of the gate?

Bernie is going for the gold. Will he get it? Maybe or maybe not. Certainly he will get more - even if he has to compromise - then settling for less right from the start. Starting out from a reduced position will result in a compromise even more reduced.

Give me the dreamer - they are the future.

[Ferd Berfel]

10. We HVAe to Set our Goal high. The Oligarchy will do everything they can to whittle them down

[Dems2002]

11. It isn't dreaming, it's fighting

Hi KentuckyWoman

I totally agree that it's worth dreaming big. But I rebel ever so slightly against the word 'dreaming.' I support idealism and dreaming on a theoretical level, but I also believe we shouldn't bring a knife to a gun fight.

We aren't dreaming here -- we are fighting tooth and nail against all of the forces of the wealthy working overtime to destroy our democratic form of government in favor of a plutocracy.

People are angry for good reason. When you see the polls that showcase what a vast majority of the people believe they want government to do, and then we see the reality that is government of, by and for mega corporations and the billionaires that is a problem.

If we don't go big, we will be going home. And we will have President Trump. They may not have the right enemies, but they have a good reason to be angry.

I honestly worry that Hillary will not be able to win an election. Because it is clear that the people are rumbling and ready to be heard by hook or by crook.

Right now I believe that I am fighting against people in my own party who have been conditioned over the past thirty years to believe that settling is our only option to holding elected office. This isn't true.

[KentuckyWoman]

13. Your point about "dreaming" is very well taken.

And I also agree with "go big or go home".

[daybranch]

12. Well, we can't afford not to dream big.

Just look at what the last 40 years of not doing so has got us.

[reformist2]

14. Only the 1% are allowed to dream big. The rest of you, get busy paying off your loans!

Which, incidentally, is how most of the 1% make their money. First they overcharge you for the necessities of life (home, education, health care), then they live off the profits, or the interest, or both.

Funny how it all works - or doesn't.

[mmonk]

15. In my opinion, we can't afford not to.

The billionaires have captured both parties, the courts, and our legislatures.