If you are happy with the way your life is going right now, vote for Hillary

[hellraiser69]

Since Hillary said the only thing that would be different in her administration than Obama's is that she is a woman, whatever that meant? But for me and a few million other, seniors, retirees and working class people things aren't going so well and we would like some new ideas.
In the last month I have been notified, thanks to a law that was passed in an add on to the Omnibus spending bill and Obama signed, that my pension was going to be cut 60% next year. Was also notified by Social Security that there would be no cost of living adjustment this year. My wife was notified her already costly $6000 deductible health insurance premium was going to be raised over $150 a month. The only good news, with my loss of income she will qualify her for an AHA subsidy next year. Problem is the only policies that qualify in our area are HMOs and her doctor she has had for over 20 years isn't in their networks.
So I hope you Hillary supporters on here will understand we aren't haters, but are desperate for a government that actually works for us.
The most often used reason I have seen on here if you don't vote for Hillary, a Republican will get elected. In other words, choose the lesser of two evils. I for one hope I don't have to make that choice again and am working for Bernie.

[JackInGreen]

1. My life's good

Otherwise we're dirt poor, the landlords trying to sell the house from under us and declining a lease and protections, our wages can't keep up with costs of living (even at over $15), and trying to find anyplace else to live almost means moving so far out of range we wouldn't be able to keep our jobs.
Yeah...
Bernie2016. I can't handle any more status quo. It's Killin us.

[cantbeserious]

2. For Any DU Oligarchs, Corporations And Banks We Know Where You Stand

eom

[Armstead]

3. Excellent points.....but not necesarily a good sales pitch

People may be happy with the way their life is going overall, even if there are few glitches.

Also, there are people who are doing well personally, but care about their neighbors who aren't, and who care about larger values of society.

But overall, you are making excellent points.

(And as someone who plans on collecting Social Security in a couple of years I guess I'd better look into those cuts.)

[olddots]

4. the only Hillary backers I know are doing just fine

Last edited Sat Nov 7, 2015, 04:38 PM - Edit history (1)

I don't envy their lack of sight and humanity it saddens me more than any love I have lost .

[hack89]

8. So HRC supporters lack humanity?

Really? We are talking politicians here, not messiahs. We are talking politics not religion.

It takes a certain type of person to condemn another in such a trivial, casual manner. Religious fundamentalism immediately comes to mind.

[senz]

23. Don't know about that

but I do know that compassion for others -- and the belief that government has a role in assuring the well being of all Americans -- is a fundamental Democratic trait.

Democrats know we can secure our unalienable rights through government -- but not through private corporations.

[hack89]

25. And HRC supporters are Democrats that in general possess such fundemental Democratic traits

despite desperate misguided attempts to label us otherwise.

[enid602]

57. TeaParty

Tea Baggers do, as well.

[Scootaloo]

103. You know people can go and read your prior posts on stuff, right?

I suggest anyone interested in doing so read some of Hack89's statements on Muslims, Arabs, and the Palestinian people.

It takes a certain type of person to condemn another in such a trivial, casual manner. Religious fundamentalism immediately comes to mind.

Indeed.

[hack89]

119. There you go again

You just think that true Dems are anti-gun and anti-Israel. You just can't stand the fact that yours is a minority view in America.

[leftofcool]

46. How nice for you to say that Hillary supporters have no humanity.

Is you support for Bernie so strong that you would denigrate others without even asking what they do for humanity?

[artislife]

86. I was just told I had no integrity

The two sides are not really that friendly after all.

[Cali_Democrat]

102. Please tell me this is performance art. nt

[giftedgirl77]

5. Well considering she seems to understand what the true

issues are facing minorities such as myself, I say great advice.

[hellraiser69]

10. I know several thousand minorities

That are facing the same cuts in their pensions, Social Security and increases in their health insurance policies that my family is, might not agree with you.

[giftedgirl77]

125. Sure you do.

[leftofcool]

6. My life is good.

[senz]

18. My life is good, too. But I care about the lives of other people.

What happens to them matters to me.

[leftofcool]

44. Well, that is why do so much charity work

[senz]

51. I've heard Republicans make that argument.

Republicans think private charity is preferable to government assistance in helping disadvantaged Americans get a leg up. This belief is part and parcel of their anti-government, anti-social program, pro-privatization philosophy. Plus, it gives them a chance to crow about how virtuous they are as individuals.

There are extremely good arguments for building a basic safety net into the operations of our government so that all Americans can be secure in having the basics and not have to rely on "charity" to survive.

[leftofcool]

70. You tell that to those babies and kids at our local orphanage

I am so sure they would rather hear you rail about how anti-government and anti-social programs their Republican parents were instead of having me take out much needed supplies to them each month. In the meantime, I will keep on doing what I know is right and you keep on whining about Hillary supporters.

[senz]

72. Oh...so you think you're the only one around here who does good for others?

Do you? Seriously ??

The fact that the rest of us don't haul it out to try to win arguments and make ourselves look good doesn't mean we aren't doing it.

You come in loud and clear there, leftofcool.

[leftofcool]

75. No, I know many HRC supporters who do good things

Wasn't it just you who said something about charity and good works being a Republican thing?

[wendylaroux]

77. blechhh....

that is so gd awful.you serious?

[Scuba]

7. My life's good, but I see others all around me suffering from the last 30 years of trickle down.

The last thing the Democratic Party should be advocating is "more of the same."

In the Wisconsin primary, I'll be voting for Bernie Sanders.

[kelliekat44]

78. Since 2010 all 5 of my kin who were out of work for more than a year collecting unemployment and

food stamps and doing odd jobs where they could are now employed in good paying jobs, the last one two months ago from a lower paying job. My daughter doing great in her position after three rough years. So yes, my family is doing much better!

[TDale313]

9. I'd say more "If you think things are going well in the country, vote for Hillary."

I don't see her challenging the status quo in any meaningful way. She will pay lip service if it's politically advantageous, but no ticking off the real powers that be.

[Zorra]

11. Even if you are filthy rich, vote for Bernie to make the lives of others better. nt

[darkangel218]

76. +1 million !!!

[wendylaroux]

88. Winner!!!!!!!!

[wyldwolf]

12. ok, thanks.

[UglyGreed]

13. Many Third Way Democrats are

happy, that is the problem.......

[hellraiser69]

15. Wonder how many Social Security recipients actually realize

that not getting a COLA adjustment is really taking a cut in benefits because our cost of living did raise, especially for food, housing and medicine.

[Art_from_Ark]

108. Insurance for seniors is rising, too

[senz]

24. They have much in common with Republicans.

Actually, if any group should form a third party, it is they. They are something new and different in American politics and could probably benefit by defining themselves as such. It gets awkward and confusing when they call themselves Democrats.

[redstateblues]

89. How dare they be happy

The way you lump people together and call them names does you a disservice. Just because someone is not voting for Bernie does not merit you using pejoratives against them. All Democrats are not exactly alike.

[UglyGreed]

131. IMO Hillary is all about the Third Way

so if you support Hillary for POTUS then I have to come to the conclusion that you support the Third Way.

[SheilaT]

14. My life is just fine right now.

I'm retired, have an adequate income, in good health, love Medicare, get to travel. The only glitch is that I don't get to see my grown sons as often as I'd like.

But I'm still not voting for Hillary.

[Hydra]

16. That's a common theme I've seen here

But I don't know if it's accurate or not. Most of Team Hillary's people here are part of their operation, so we can't really be sure if they are really doing well or it's just a job. I do get the sense that some people are currently doing ok in the current system and are not interested in changes that might benefit other people- they believe somehow that it could negatively affect them, so you get a fear response.

For me, I've grown up entirely within the Reagan revolution/coup, and it's never worked for me or my family. I've spent years looking at and advocating for alternatives, and the biggest hurdle in my advocacy has always been the people who were afraid of change enough to the point that their response to helping everyone was "Huh? What other people?"

[hellraiser69]

17. Thank you

for your thoughtful and insightful response.
Hillary seems to have a big lead with minorities and I can't understand why? I know many of them are facing the same cuts and problems that I am and Bernie seems to be the only one that cares and has solutions, not just rhetoric.

[Hydra]

21. I don't think Hillary has so much minority support as name recognition

Most people didn't know who Bernie was, and being that he's an old white man (people do judge by appearance first) he's not who you would automatically associate with social justice, and Team Hillary pounced most effectively on that. Part of the problem was Obama and other successful AAs pushing the myth that everything is hunky dory for minorities, so the Sandra Bland and other murders sorta popped the dialogue from "just be more successful, you lazy _____s" to "Oh shit, we might have a problem here, regardless of income level..."

Bernie should have been pushing his extensive resume before that and worked it into his economic equality platform. It almost killed his campaign, but Hillary dropped the ball twice with BLM when she had time to prepare...which perfectly showed her lack of commitment to the issue.

Everyone's vote is their own, but Team Hillary and Hillary herself has shown no interest in minority rights and social justice except as it can be used to attack someone else with. I can't see that as a stable base to work from as we move to the primary.

[senz]

28. I strongly agree with everything you say

except I wouldn't say Obama pushed the myth that everything is okay for minorities -- but that is such a small part of your excellent analysis.

I hope people read your comment. It's good.

[Hydra]

38. Thank you!

I do think Obama did not help this situation by pushing his "One America" meme for his "Legacy." When Sandra Bland was murdered, the first thing that came to mind was the incident with Henry Louis Gates and how Obama correctly called it the time and then walked it back after presumably consulting with his advisers. I always felt like that was a mistake that incidents like that were tolerated until they reached the point of the murders. We needed to have this discussion about police brutality and racial profiling a LONG time before it reached this point.

We can't unify the country under a moderate republican flag- there's no room for minorities or different points of view in that utopia.

[KingCharlemagne]

97. The unemployment rate in Watts is currently bouncing around 40%. Please show me

Where Obama has mentioned this even once.

[840high]

105. He has not and will not.

[hellraiser69]

109. Bernie always brings up

the horrific unemployment rate for young black people. I have 3 mixed race grand children so this matters to me.

[GoneFishin]

120. Absolutely is a case of name recognition. The free exposure of having been in the news for 25 years

is a hell of a head start. But educating one's self on the merits of the various policy positions is a hell of a lot of time and work.

[senz]

19. That describes my Republican relatives.

The well being of those who are different from themselves, or even those who are ethnically similar but poorer, does not enter their minds. If you make an argument from the premise that all people matter, they look at you like you aren't making sense. Their premise is that life's losers simply don't know how to play the game and so it's their own fault.

I am so glad I did not grow up to be like them. So glad I am not a Republican.

[VanillaRhapsody]

60. Baloney....

OMG....anybody that disagrees with you is a paid shill...

[Hydra]

63. People disagree with me all the time

But usually they do it with some substance, right or wrong. Lately there's been long strings of low calorie posts showing up in discussions. Why is that, do you think?

[VanillaRhapsody]

64. What kind of substance do you need to disagree with THAT???

So every post you don't agree with is now a paid shill. Okay whatever gets you through the night I suppose. What on earth will you use to sleep at night when HRC wins the popular vote? The country is filled with paid shills for Hillary?

[Hydra]

66. As I said before, by all means, keep going!

You're doing my work for me

[VanillaRhapsody]

67. I don't work for people who think everyone is out to get them....

[oasis]

20. The second coming of the Clinton economy will beneficial to all Americans.

You can count on it.

[senz]

27. Like NAFTA, welfare reform, WTO, and the 1996 Telecom Act?

Not beneficial to working class Americans at all.

[oasis]

33. 22 million jobs created. Ask any worker about the value of JOBS.

[senz]

36. NAFTA killed jobs and domestic manufacturing. Ask any worker about that.

[hellraiser69]

74. So there is going to

be a second coming of the DOT com boom and TPP is going to create millions of jobs just like NAFTA?

[oasis]

79. Face it, the Clintons have the connections and the "know how" on

getting things done. I and many other happy Americans frolicked in the 90's Clinton economy.

When Opportunity Train pulled into the station, Conductor Bill Clinton hollered "all aboard". It was an era for those with proactive mindsets.

[KingCharlemagne]

98. My, aren't you precious? - nt

[GoneFishin]

121. I think I'll pass. I don't have to guess at Bernie's policies. He means what he says.

[ismnotwasm]

22. Ok I will

Washington state has nearly 2 million newly insured thanks to the ACA. There needs work done to help middle income folks. Not sure who you are blaming for what here. I work in healthcare as a Registered nurse. I care.

Hillary is far better than either Sanders OR any republican. Sanders is far better than any republican, but the only one that could steal my heart at this point is O'Malley.

[hellraiser69]

29. Bernie is behind single payer.

I am not blaming anyone, I just believe Bernie cares about and will fight harder for the working class, seniors and retirees and has made solid proposals, all I have seen from Hillary is rhetoric.
I noticed your Black Lives Matters banner on your post, I am an old white guy, like Bernie and am told that is why most minorities aren't supporting him. But I have 3 mixed race grand children , so black lives matter to me too, it matters to me that under Bernie's plan, they can go to college without a mountain of debt. Hopefully they can walk down the street and not be harassed or shot by law enforcement. If they decide to go into a skilled trade as I did, they can join a union apprentice program and get paid for their training. When they get a job, they can make a minimum of $15 an hour with raises bases on cost of living. That they can join a union under card check without being harassed and intimidated by their employer.
These are all things I believe Bernie hopes for too.
Please explain to me how Hillary is better than Sanders for me or my family.

[ismnotwasm]

31. I think you can look up her platform yourself

As I've looked up Sanders. I'd be quite surprised if you haven't already. If you wanted an actual debate, that would be different. I can tell you that if Sanders should be elected--unlikely, but possible, he won't get "free college" through congress because it is not a workable plan. He want to tax certain wall street profits--sounds great right? Analysts say it would raise only 51 Billion a year. Not enough for "free tuition" his other plans have similar economic holes.

So in short here (very short) Hillary is better because she understands how congress works, knows how collaboration works. she is not going to propose fuzzy math solutions--at least not to the extent Sanders is. I think all politicians do the fuzzy math thing at this point, but I've never seen anything like Sanders. Hillary is also reaching out to communities and communities of color--she takes a lot of heat too--as is proper-- but she's listening at this point, not telling. She also isn't explaining how economics is a cure all for racial injustice.

I put up the avatar today in response to a disgusting OP that was self deleted. I live in Seattle.

[riderinthestorm]

48. Sanders' FTT proposal should be doubled to .2% and .002%

As BS has proposed now, the FTT would restore and fund a big expansion of pre-K educational centers and restore funding for college for poor students.

Double it, or even triple it, and it funds college and makes a dent in funding Medicare for all.

Here's a compelling article for doing just that from the NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/22/opinion/the-case-for-a-tax-on-financial-transactions.html?_r=0

Bernie Sanders is on the right track with this idea and denigrating it just because it comes from him is short sighted.

[Rilgin]

101. look carefully at what you wrote

Hillary understands congress more than a long time senator? Being generous to you. Do you really think a long time senator does not understand congress?

Your support is your own to choose. You could prefer hillarys more moderate policies to bernies. You could even opine that even though they have demonized her for years she can work with republicans. I would disagree but thats at least within reason. However you are stretching with your reasoning if part of it is thinking Hillary understands congress implying that bernie who sits in the senate doesnt.

[BlueMTexpat]

106. Love your replies and

second them heartily.

[redstateblues]

91. Glad he's evolved on that

[senz]

41. Bernie supported and enhanced the ACA with Community Health Centers

This, from National Nurses United:

Community health. The law provides for significant increases in funding for community health centers, one of the best provisions of all added late in the Congressional debate at the insistence of Sen. Bernie Sanders

http://www.nationalnursesunited.org/blog/entry/understanding-the-affordable-care-act-aca-and-why-medicare-for-all-is-still/

So don't even try to oppose Bernie to President Obama or try to pretend that Bernie did not support and work to achieve significant improvements to the ACA. As a nurse, this should interest you.

[Live and Learn]

26. That would be a rather selfish reason to vote for her but

it seems to be the gist of the posts I have seen supporting her.

[pinebox]

30. There's a lot I want to say

but I'm seriously wrestling with it.
This is something which is incredibly personal to me and very hard to talk about.
Ugh.....it's 1120am and I already need a beer.

[senz]

43. You have much to say and you've been an asset to DU

Many of us know how rough it can be. Please consider that this is a public message board and, in case you haven't noticed, there are some rather unsavory individuals who loathe Bernie supporters, so I would advise that you be careful in whatever you say and err on the side of protecting yourself.

I hope you can take a walk or call a friend or just do something you enjoy and let the beer wait. But, whatever.

Take care; we appreciate you, pinebox. You're great!

[pinebox]

45. Thank you

and yes you're correct of course, there are quite a few unsavory folks on here.

[Lil Missy]

32. Life is good. n/t

[postatomic]

34. Which is one of the reasons I support Hillary

To fight the Republicans. Especially with regards to Social Security and Health Care. We were part of a great non-profit Health Insurance program that just got trashed by a Republican Senator. We had to settle for a crap replacement plan and hope that we don't have any major medical problems until Medicare kicks in.

Am I happy with my life? Most days.

[PowerToThePeople]

35. Life has been shit for 15 years.

I am slowly working an escape plan to become a refugee if things get worse.

Canada's new progressive government looks very appealing. I would likely at least start there.

[hellraiser69]

110. One thing I learned from this post

don't expect any empathy from Hillary supporters. Has one showed any concern for the millions in our situation?

[jack_krass]

37. My life is great

But I'm voting for Bernie.

[hellraiser69]

111. Thank you!!

[Live and Learn]

39. So sorry to hear that. Stealing people's pensions if outrageous.

This can't be allowed to continue. I really fear for the next generation (unless Bernie wins).

[hellraiser69]

112. I misspoke earlier

and said 1.4 million people are affected by this, it is actually 10.4 million and nothing about it on the MSM. Ed Shultz had a show on about it on MSNBC but was canned shortly there after.

[cwydro]

40. So Obama wasn't the hope and change guy after all, huh?

Surprise, surprise.

[senz]

47. Not fair. Obama inherited a pile of shit and the hatred of an insane Republican congress.

He dug us out of the Bush recession and helped Americans in significant ways.

Bernie is older, more experienced, and more focused and very clear on his convictions. I sincerely believe he has what it takes to start turning this country around. If we are to avoid a real revolution later, we need Bernie now.

[cwydro]

50. Obama has been president for eight years.

We can't blame previous presidents forever.

I voted for him twice, although the second time I really didn't want to.

I remember all the swooners on DU saying how he would make everything better. I remember very well.

Now I see the same folks complaining about how bad things are. Just sayin'.

[senz]

53. Two things help in understanding this.

I don't have all day so will make it very brief.

1) President is not dictator, not emperor, not king. It never was an all-powerful position, but with the corporate takeover of our political system, "President" is a pretty weak position. Currently, all candidates but Bernie are either beholden to corporate power and wealth or afraid of it.

2) Since the Reagan Revolution, our problems have been structural and systemic. No one can turn things around for ordinary Americans without boldly undoing what Reagan (and Clinton, and Bush II) did to us.

[hellraiser69]

113. Hope Bernie

will consider you for V.P.

[hellraiser69]

71. I totally agree

Voted for him twice and have been sold down the river. Tired of this lesser of the 2 evils shit.

[cwydro]

95. Thanks.

sad to have agreement on this, ya know.

[alcibiades_mystery]

92. Slip.

Showing.

[Capt. Obvious]

42. This is going to be more apt in the GE

Obama is not on the ballot but the election will be a referendum. If the country is happy then the Dems win.

[riderinthestorm]

49. I'd add that if you're happy with what we're doing in Libya, Syria etc

then vote for Hillary. She's a war hawk and our military would be embroiled in further ME messes.

Here she guarantees it

http://forward.com/opinion/national/324013/how-i-would-rebuild-ties-to-israel-and-benjamin-neta/

I will do everything I can to enhance our strategic partnership and strengthen America’s security commitment to Israel, ensuring that it always has the qualitative military edge to defend itself. That includes immediately dispatching a delegation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to meet with senior Israeli commanders. I would also invite the Israeli prime minister to the White House in my first month in office.

The dangers facing both our nations in the Middle East require bold and united responses. We must remain committed to preventing Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon, and to vigorously enforcing the new nuclear agreement. I would move to step up our partnership to confront Iran and its proxies across the region, and make sure dangerous Russian and Iranian weapons don’t end up in Hezbollah’s hands or threaten Israel. I also will combat growing efforts to isolate Israel internationally and to undermine its future as a Jewish state, including the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. I’ve spoken out against BDS in the United States and at the U.N., and will continue to do so.

[VanillaRhapsody]

61. War hawk my ass...

Is President Obama a War Hawk too?

[riderinthestorm]

62. Yes nt

[VanillaRhapsody]

65. Oh really....all warhawks get Nobel Peace Prizes

But thanks for telling me what you think....I can now deliver you a personal pan pizza!

[riderinthestorm]

69. He got that 9 months after taking office and even the Nobel Cmte thinks it's a mistake now

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34277960

And is that a threat? (Deliver a pan pizza?)

[treestar]

52. Another only the Presidency matters type of thing

if people's lives are not good then maybe they should think about who is in Congress.

[hellraiser69]

56. But the president has the bully pulpit

and I sure haven't seen it used much from this administration for things things that matter to my family.

[treestar]

58. congress has to pass the laws too

the bully pulpit does not force them to. They are not non-entities.

Over facile arguments.

[VanillaRhapsody]

68. People that use the term "bully pulpit" usually have no idea what that term even means...

[hellraiser69]

73. Have not heard one word

out of Hillary's or Obama's mouths about the pension cuts that are going to affect millions of retirees. Think what this is going to do to the economy when millions of people have
$1000 to $1500 a month to spend.

[tammywammy]

80. For a pension to qualify to make cuts it was already in severe trouble.

The trustees are choosing to cut benefits to allow longer term solvency of the fund. Benefits cannot be cut to less than 110% of what the PBGC would pay when the person finally completely failed.

Central States Pension is the only one that's applied to reduce the benefits. And most importantly, Central States was one of the biggest proponents and cheerleaders for the law.

[redstateblues]

93. What's a pension?

Those of us who are self-employed don't get those

[VanillaRhapsody]

94. Those of us employed do not know that either

I have never had a pension

[hellraiser69]

116. You can bet your ass

Hillary has several and they aren't going to be cut.
Same thing I am hearing from all you Hillary supporters. "I don't have one, why should you?'

[VanillaRhapsody]

124. And she is not cutting yours either

[tammywammy]

96. I'm 35 and have never had the choice of a pension.

The person I was replying to is upset over Multi-Employer Pension Reform Act, which is being used by the Central States Pension (part of the Teamsters) to cut pension benefits.

[hellraiser69]

117. My point again

Coming from a Hillary supporter. "I don't have one, why should you?"

[tammywammy]

122. I'm undecided and don't put words into my mouth

It's a shame that the pension was to the point of $12B in assets with $35B in liabilities. That's unsustainable.

[hellraiser69]

115. It is what was part of our wages

deferred to give us a comfortable retirement. Something I worked 70 hours a week for over 30 years for. I was promised a set amount for life and now that I have given up my seniority and too old to find another job, they are telling me screw you, we are taking back 60% of what you earned, Obama signed it and haven't heard one word from Hillary being against it.
I am supposing you are a Hillary supporter because what I hear form you is "I don't have one so why should you."

[hellraiser69]

114. As I stated in the original post

Bernie, Teamster president James Hoffa,the AARP, and several other organizations have produced alternate plans, that save the funds without cutting benefits. The trustees are just taking the easy way out and of course the repugs love it for just being another way to screw union members.

[beaglelover]

54. thanks, I will. I'm very happy with how my life is going right now and am very optomistic

about my and our future with a President Hillary Clinton!!

[stevenleser]

55. If you are happy, vote for any of the three Democrats. If not, vote GOP, they will change things.

They won't change them for the better but they will change things.

Any Democrat elected will face a Republican House that will stop pretty much anything they try to do.

[Skidmore]

59. Ya know,

Last edited Sun Nov 8, 2015, 05:58 AM - Edit history (1)

financially things have been a lot better, and they've been a lot worse. The tides of life will ebb and flow. I came from an impoverished evironment and I expect to leave the world slightly better position than during my childhood. The one thing right now is that I can qualify for heathcare coverage as a cancer survivor. I think any of the Democratic candidates will ensure that a healthcare program legacy carries on and is improved upon.

I don't know about you, but I am perfectly comfortable holding Republicans accountable for their obstructionism over the past seven years--obstructionism in Congress and absolutely destructive actions taken in concert with Congress in the states they govern. Those tactics will likely be attempted again because there is a tendency to deflect all blame to the President rather than getting to the polls to vote out the Republicans. I hold the Republicans responsible and the voters who made sure that they were voted in again, either by omission or commision.

I'm voting for the person I think will realistically have a chance to get something done. I'm not voting for a Republican. And I'm not expecting one person to magically solve all the problems of the nation.

[KingCharlemagne]

99. this is a truly great post and should be an OP in its own right! - nt

[tularetom]

81. Actually, I'm OK with the way my life is going right now

But I have kids, grandkids and great grandkids, and I'd like to see things get better for them over the remainder of their lives.

And I don't see that taking place under any corporate controlled president,

[bravenak]

82. I like my life. It's mine.

[Thinkingabout]

83. I like my life also, think I will vote for Clinton.

[Hoyt]

84. First, he'd have to win GE. Second, he'd have to achieve what he talks about. Don't think he can

do either. Sorry.

[randome]

85. When you walk into the voting booth, repeat to yourself, "It's all about me. It's all about me."

[hr][font color="blue"][center]"If you're bored then you're boring." -Harvey Danger[/center][/font][hr]

[LuvLoogie]

87. I am voting for Hillary

because I think she will be a great President; she's the hardest working candidate; I like her; and I want her to win.

My life is my life, no matter who is or isn't President.

[redstateblues]

90. If you are depending any one politician

to make your life better you will likely be disappointed. I think a lot of people thought Obama would be able to wave a magic wand and change everything. He couldn't in the face of a republican congress. I think he's been an outstanding President. Neither Bernie or Hillary will be able to make dramatic changes in the current state of our politics.

[NanceGreggs]

104. Okay, I will!

And thanks for the advice!!!!

[BlueMTexpat]

107. Too many of these anti-Hillary OPs

are in the spirit of "When did you stop beating your wife?"

Much of what you are blaming the Obama administration for is due to the GOPer Congress. One person can only do so much, especially when he is faced with an adamant and historically unprecedented opposition. Do you think ANY single person can make a difference in such a situation? Whoever is elected President - and I hope it is indeed the Dem candidate - will need a much more cooperative Congress to push through any agenda.

But you are not being realistic if the Dem candidate does not have the solid backing of the Democratic party and its members in Congress and Bernie's relationship with the party leadership has hardly been a wholehearted one. That may be a plus for you, but practically it is a minus. And for Bernie to receive the solid backing of Dem leadership, he will have to make the kind of compromises that many of his current supporters will see as "sellouts."

I'm glad that you like and support your candidate. Please stop your trashing of mine.

[Vinca]

118. For what it's worth - which is probably nothing - I think we're in deep doodoo

this time around no matter who our candidate is. After last Tuesday's election, I'm very pessimistic about Democrats moving their lazy asses out the door and to the polls. This isn't an Obama year. There isn't the same kind of excitement. I'm really worried this time around.

[Yurovsky]

123. And if the choice is between 2 candidates owned by corporations...

why should poor or working class progressives be excited?

I've been active in progressive politics for 5 decades, so I vote regardless, but I've voted for 3rd party candidates when I felt they were better suited for the office. I'm sure millions of progressives will probably do the same next year if HRC is the nominee, but more troubling is the fact that millions of young and discouraged voters will simply stay home, hurting progressive candidates at all levels of elected office.

Show me a person who is excited about voting for Hillary based on anything other than her gender and I'll show you someone who is on her payroll or who has corporate ties that will benefit from her election. While there may be a few exceptions, it won't be enough unless the GOP nominates Trump, and even then it might be 50/50.

Either way, the have-nots are fucked.

[Hydra]

126. There's a reason for that

Obama talked about "The Audacity of Hope" and turning the ship around, then laughed when he got in the WH and continued Bushco policies.

There's going to have to be a LOT of change in our party before that damage is mended...and I don't think we have the time or inclination as a party to do it. I worked at a company whose stated goal was to be one step above their next door competition and not a hair above that. Dem party establishment seems to think they have a lock using that strategy and going after big money.

That doesn't excite people.

[Vinca]

130. The election last Tuesday was a life or death vote and Democrats stayed home.

It's bad enough Republicans in Kentucky are so bloody stupid that don't know their beloved healthcare plan, KYNECT, is Obamacare and came out in droves to vote against Obama. There's no excuse for Democrats. That's why I think our next POTUS will be a Republican. Unless there's a "star" involved, a whole lot of Democratic voters can't be bothered.

[JoePhilly]

127. I'm much happier with how things are after 6+ years of Obama than ...

... I was after 8 years of Bush.

It would be a shame to let the GOP regain control of our government again.

[peacebird]

128. I am voting for Bernie to make the united states a fairer place for everyone!

[Faux pas]

129. Thank you for sharing

your story hellraiser69! It should make people here stop and really think about how their fellow Americans are being royally screwed over. The status quo has got to go!

[hellraiser69]

132. Thank you

[Recursion]

133. Doesn't Sanders's support skew richer and whiter than Clinton's?

Last edited Sat Nov 14, 2015, 09:30 AM - Edit history (1)

Seems to kind of suggest the opposite: people with enough cushion to ride out a Republican administration are more willing to give Sanders a chance.

[hellraiser69]

134. Check her donor list

Check her top donors against Bernie's. Guess Wall St. and the multi-nationals are supporting her because they like her so much. I am damn sick of government by the corporations for the corporations.

[Recursion]

135. I don't care about her donor list

I have plenty of reasons for not supporting Clinton but that never was one of them, personally.

I'm pointing out that it's the richer, whiter parts of the party that most strongly support Sanders.

[raouldukelives]

136. As always, it fluxuates based on the capacity of empathy toward others.

Those who who are comfortable with profits from war, climate change, mass imprisonment, our hostage taking health care system and the silencing of our "fringe left" voices generally are dependent and have confidence in more of the same to assure their investments in Wall St grow.

Even if they crow to the opposite, it matters not, the money is what speaks the loudest, not the syllables.

To those who get a sour taste out of dollars from death, we continue to invest instead in a more sustainable and cruelty free future.

[hellraiser69]

137. So true

[Attorney in Texas]

138. If you think the majority of voters are happy with their lives now, vote Clinton (because she only

wins if a majority of voters want a continuation of the Obama-type moderate Democrat policies that Clinton offers as the status quo/establishment candidate).

[hellraiser69]

139. My point

exactly.