Missing the whole Bernie Sanders point

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/opinions/wp/2015/07/08/missing-the-whole-bernie-sanders-point/

Missing the whole Bernie Sanders point
By Tom Toles July 8 at 7:00 AM


Here’s a story about how the Hillary Clinton campaign is growing worried about the crowds Bernie Sanders is drawing in Iowa.

It quotes Carter Eskew as saying Sanders has gone from being an annoyance to a threat. The story ought to have led with that. “Bernie Sanders: Annoyance or Threat?” This would put it right up there with the National Lampoon’s famous headline, “Pornography, Threat or Menace?”

Is Sanders going to force Hillary to maneuver to her left? Would that hurt her in the general? Will the Clinton camp react too late? Overreact? Make a panicky misstep? Is she still inevitable or just the strong favorite? What tactics should her team respond with here to regain the momentum?

Please pour gasoline over the questions in the preceding paragraph and strike a match.

Once again, it appears, we are in for a campaign season of endless length and measureless inanity. How about this question? Does what Bernie Sanders says make sense? Could we discuss that?

The reason he is drawing crowds is not because of his tactics. People like what he says. There’s an actual idea involved! That the rich have run away with the game and it’s time to reign them in, and spread the benefits of our economy around. Some people love to say that the economy is what it is, the results are what they are, and there’s nothing anybody can do. Really?

We lowered taxes on the rich, and they got richer and the rest of us didn’t. What, policy has consequences? Sanders says raise the taxes on the rich and spend the money on the rest of us. An idea. Not a tactic.

We will now return to our regularly scheduled horse race.

[Scuba]

1. Ideas? Policies? In American politics? Heresy!!

[zomgitsjesus]

2. So true, thanks for this.

There’s an actual idea involved!

We have to be ready when the media tries to squash Sanders with some manufactured Howard Dean scream moment or something. They can't force Clinton on us if we don't let them.

[kenfrequed]

4. True.

And Dean wasn't anywhere near to where Bernie Sanders is.

[Duval]

22. I've been wondering about what

the media is going to come up with re: Bernie. Well, whatever they say, it's not going to change my mind.

[Dustlawyer]

3. For all those who are supporting Hillary simply because they don't think Bernie can win,

I will save you a seat on his bandwagon when he gets to the point you think he just might! The status quo after eight years of Obama, while infinitely better than any Republican, is still like indentured servitude. The very rich get their politicians to give them what they want, including Obama, to whom they gave a lot of money to, while subjecting us to their media propaganda and creating the hyper-partisanship we have today. We are at their mercy and they have none.

Wouldn't it be worth the fight to set things right and return Representative Democracy to the people? Think about it, America no longer has representative Democracy. Our former Representatives represent their Donors, first, last, and always. No one can make a credible arguments that this is not the case. Studies have now proven this, as if we need a study to prove that large campaign bribes will get a politician to do what the person with all of the money wants verses the rest of us!

The ONLY ONE in this race that wants to change this is Bernie! If you have kids and possibly grand kids, wouldn't you want them to grow up with the benefits that many of us older folks had when we were kids? I got a great public education and was always able to find a job making money as a teenager, that is not the case today. This opportunity doesn't come around every election, or every other election, it is very rare! Make the most of it, take a chance and help us fight for OUR RIGHTS and for our Democratic form of government. We currently live in a Fascist state where business controls government. The PEOPLE are the ones to be filling that role that business has usurped, let's set things right!

[Enthusiast]

8. Very well said! Better than well.

"Let's set things right!"

[daleanime]

11. +1

[mountain grammy]

19. Well said, Dustlawyer.

I was telling my family the same thing last week, only not quite as well as you said it.

This "all military all the time" has got to be stopped. The military and the industries that support it are bankrupting America, while corporations write our laws. There is really only one candidate that's not beholden to corporations in any way; Bernie Sanders.

[chknltl]

23. Thank you for this well thought out post

One of the biggest problems I have when trying to discuss the issues that face our citizenry with our friends on the right is their apparent willingness to ignore facts that run contrary to their ideology. I hear progressives repeat this complaint often. We scratch our heads and wonder why despite any proofs we offer up they continue to vote against their own self interest.

It has been my observation this past week that our friends on the right aren't the only ones suffering from this phenomenon. Bernie Sanders is offering to lead us against the very thing that most here at DU can plainly see is destroying our democracy. If all other matters facing the citizenry can best be resolved with the tools of a restored democracy, I see no reason why we shouldn't take Mr. Sanders up on his offer.

[JEB]

28. Thank you for that! eom

[nc4bo]

33. +1. nt

[MissDeeds]

36. So true

Another excellent post, Dustlawyer.

[merrily]

47. How about those supporting Bernie because we aren't sure Hillary can win?

[Dustlawyer]

66. Good point!

[Rockyj]

72. EXCELLENT! SO tired of hearing from Dems & Progressive Radio Hosts...

that Bernie doesn't have a chance because he calls himself a SOCIALIST! Its the youth that will go out of their way to make sure he WINS! They aren't stupid & the BIG BAD WORD "Socialist" doesn't have the same meaning that Baby Boomers freak out about!

[tecelote]

93. The US Military is the largest Socialist system in the world.

It should be mentioned more often.

Bernie isn't suggesting true Socialism where the government owns the businesses. It's a milder version. Bernie believes that people come first and companies with too much control over our lives need to be controlled by a government that cares about our welfare. A government of the people, by the people and for the people.

[bjobotts]

86. No one person can get us there but he is the best to lead.

[840high]

90. ...^ that

[kenfrequed]

5. Additionally

We need to be running people at all levels of government with similar ideas.

[daleanime]

12. Hell yes.....

[merrily]

48. Sanders's and Warren's appeal can start turning things around.

[arcane1]

52. Damn right we do! And a massive GOTV campaign would be the natural result

[Protalker]

6. More than a tactic, idea, its truth

I am a Clinton supporter. I am on SS. I am retired so I hope a loot of this will be incorporated in her message. I believe she is tough and knows how to handle the right. I think watching Morning Joe we need to identify what the real enemy is, and its not a fellow Democrat.

[Maedhros]

31. But Hillary is clearly not fighting against the rich.

Check where her funding has come from.

[cprise]

38. She is only tough when sticking it to people like us.

Her version of weighty "realism" is to support free-trade treaties, DOMA, more prisons, and goodies for the "investor class" (banks).

[smokey nj]

41. This group is for supporters Bernie Sanders.

[Enthusiast]

7. Kicked and recommended! An idea. Not a tactic.

Well done!

[JackInGreen]

9. He states it so clearely

An idea. Not a tactic. Sonetimes I swear if hill triangulated harder she'd turn into a pyramid. I'll support her if she gets the nom, until that happens I'll take ideas over tactics.

[Divernan]

20. So true-if she triangulated any harder, she'd turn into a pyramid!

[daleanime]

10. Amen....

[democrank]

13. Ideas vs. tactics...

I listened intently (and with an open heart and mind) to Hillary Clinton`s CNN interview yesterday. When it was over, I didn`t gain one shred of enthusism for her. Listening to her and listening to Bernie is like looking at two vases....one with plastic flowers and one with a bouquet straight from my garden. I honestly wish I didn`t feel this way, but I do.

In spite of the massive machine behind Hillary Clinton, Bernie has created raw, priceless enthusiasm. Why? Because he doesn`t calculate every single word, he simply tells the truth, the same truth he`s been telling for decades and the same ideas he`s been talking about for decades. You won`t find anyone like Lanny Davis on Bernie`s team.

[Divernan]

18. +1,000:corporate produced plastic flowers versus fresh cut from the garden

[rbnyc]

14. People don't know what to do.

Sanders is going around the country directly and unambiguously explaining what his platform is. It's nuts! Heads are exploding!

[SoapBox]

16. I know what to do and my head hasn't exploded!

VOTE Bernie!

[rbnyc]

17. Thank goodness...

... There are way more of us with that reaction than we are directed to believe.

[emulatorloo]

15. Yes indeed. People like what he says

Thanks for posting this. The majority of U.S. Political reporting always focuses on manufactured melodrama. This was an excellent editorial.

[Ichingcarpenter]

21. Tom Toles

[d_legendary1]

30. I remember those!

She's had all that baggage that used against her in the primaries. I wouldn't be surprised if all those ghosts came back from out of the closet.

[merrily]

49. Waaaahhh. I want to rec this post and I can't.

[blm]

24. The old guard of Dem campaign 'strategists' and spokespeople seem clueless AND arrogant -

what a combo.

They are missing the utter effectiveness of COMMON SENSE.

[Amimnoch]

25. I'll grant he's the better candidate. Can he win the General?

I care about 2 things in the 2016 General Election: 1) A Democrat wins the POTUS. 2) Democrats, even if DINO's, win back the Senate Majority.

Look at this last month of SCOTUS decisions alone, then the decisions of the past 8+ years. It is HIGHLY likely that over the next POTUS term at LEAST 1x SCOTUS appointment will open up with 1x conservative (Scalia), 1x liberal (Ginsburg), and 1x swing (Kennedy). Possible even 2x of those positions. All 3 justices are, or will be over 80 by that election cycle. That at least 1 will either retire, face illness forcing retirement, or possibly even pass on is much more than a small possibility. Imagine either Ginsburg or Kennedy being replaced with another Scalia type.. yeah, terrifying. Now imagine either Kennedy or Scalia being replaced by another Ginsburg type.. yeah, that's the smile I'm looking for.

Right now, I have yet to see a model indicating Bernie even coming close to winning a General election. If he wins the Democratic nomination of the primary, I'll be 100% behind him regardless of his chances in the general. When I see any indication he could win in the General comparable to Hillary's chances of winning the general.. I'll be in his camp.

I get why so many, especially here, love him. I adore Bernie, his style, and almost all of his positions on the issues as well. For these upcoming election cycles though, I need more.. I need to know that he can win. Sure, he'll get most if not all of New England.. He will get California, he will get most if not all of the traditionally Democratic states (so would Hillary). He will NOT get Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Nebraska, or any of the traditionally red states (and neither will Hillary).

The question is.. How will he pull the swing states? How will he win over a Republican in states like Ohio, and Florida (hell those 2 states have been the "king maker" states for so many cycles now it isn't even funny)? Show me how he can win over the moderates, and take the swing states. From what I've seen in the polling (granted it IS still very early) he doesn't have a realistic shot of it at all.

[ieoeja]

27. Same way Hillary would win swing states.

Hillary appeals to economically conservative Republicans who don't like the regressive policies of Republicans on social issues.

Bernie appeals to economically moderate to liberal Republicans who don't like the regressive policies of Republicans on social issues.

Bernie also appeals to economically moderate to liberal Republicans who do like the regressive policies of Republicans on social issues. Because at this moment in time they are far more concerned with their pocketbook.

Funny that you picked Ohio and Florida. Labor is still a big thing in Ohio. And Labor hates the Clintons for very good reasons. As for Florida I got two words: Social Security. Hillary will almost certainly be weaker on SS than Bernie.

Not to mention Hillary's outspoken opposition to firearms is going to hurt her chances everywhere. When the DLC modeled themselves on Reagan they made a serious mistake by copying his stance on firearms. Reagan got away with it because (1) people were focused on other issues, and (2) he did not push it hard. The Clintons did. And there are far more Firearm Democrats than there ever were Reagan Democrats. Even Bill Clinton admitted that the AWB lost us the House. 90+% of my family and friends that voted against Reagan haven't voted for a Democrat since the AWB.

[KPN]

34. Frankly ...

I'm not convinced Hillary can win in 2016. The polls may show her beating up theoretical opponents now, but once all the conservative money is lined up behind one R and negative campaigning gets unleashed ... watch out!

I have to ask -- if Hillary supporters have so much faith in her success, why do they suffer so much angst about Bernie?

[merrily]

55. BINGO!

In 2008, I looked over the field that Democratic pundits were dubbing "an embarrassment of riches" and quickly narrowed it down to Hillary and Obama. I decided Hillary could not win the general and decided to back Obama. That was a cold, calculated decision on my part. However, being human, once I made it, I made myself right about it. I became VERY enthusiastic about Obama. But, first, I made a cold, calculated choice based on my perception of her electability in the general. And that was even before I learned how many Democrats really, really disliked her. I was just going by Republicans and Indies.

[Android3.14]

91. Well damn, merrily

Well put.
"But, first, I made a cold, calculated choice based on my perception of her electability in the general." That's the only useful consequence for a thoughtful voter. Your post just reassured me that my support of a Democratic candidate other than Clinton is sound tactics. Thank you.

[merrily]

94. In theory, her time as Secretary of State improved her chances in the general, but I don't think

it improved her chances with Republicans or Indies. Then again, I just read that Bush thinks American workers should be more productive, so dufus may have just shot himself in the foot for the general; and he probably has the best chance of any of the clowns in the car so far.

With American workers already working harder than workers in many nations, this comment was ignorant and tone deaf. I hope it torpedoes him (figuratively, not literally).

[calimary]

37. Here's my biggest concern: two words - "Avowed Socialist."

Let me just say the following before going any further:

This is not MY own personal fear - OR objection to Bernie Sanders' views.

I have NO problem with "socialist"-type policies. Hell, Medicare and Social Security are exactly that. Socialist-type policies are aimed at the greater good instead of the benefit of the individual. What benefits, or works for, or helps - ALL of us, not just some specialized little privileged pockets of us. Sometimes I think that socialist solutions are urgently needed!!!! Most of the time they involve redistribution of income - and I think there are many cases when that is needed for the sake of income parity and leveling the playing field - TO BENEFIT THE GREATER GOOD. HOWEVER - it presents a really serious problem in how things are framed and advertised and promoted and propagandized - especially toward those who are the most easily influenced, AND the most gullible.

Those two words, "Avowed Socialist," is what we're ALL gonna get jammed down our throats, going into the general election, if Bernie Sanders is our nominee. It's already become a usable buzz phrase. I heard it just this morning from Donald Trump - I think it was during his latest CNN interview. It's not gonna stop at Donald Trump's lips, either. It's gonna come back and bite us all in the ass. The great unwashed out there in Low-Information-Voterland is gonna swallow it whole and vote GOP. The CONS are going to throw images of Josef Stalin and Vladimir Putin and Lenin and Trotsky and the hammer and sickle and all that. We're going COMMIE, you guys!!! COMMIE COMMIE COMMIE!!!!! SOCIALISM!!!!! SOCIALISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They'll start calling the Sanders Campaign Headquarters the Kremlin and carry on like Osama bin Laden had risen from the grave and began to wear the Soviet flag as his personal campaign cape.

And that's all the low-info voters out there will need to hear, with Pox Noise and hate radio crankin' it 24/7/365. And it'll be another "Hello, president bush". It won't matter what Bernie Sanders says or what he stands for by the time we get to the general election. Because at that point, all the great unwashed will be counted in, too, and most of them are easily swayed by the ding-dongs and the hysteria types and the wet-the-bed types and the pearl-clutcher types and conspiracy freaks. It'll scare them stupid (or in their case, stupider - cuz they're already plenty stupid) and they will not hear anything else he'd have to say, regardless how valid his points or his solutions are. They just will close their ears. Guaranteed. If you doubt me at all on this, just think back to all those ridiculous pathetic bagger idiots yelling about "SOCIALISM!!!!!!" while they were holding misspelled protest signs that screeched "Keep Yer Hands OFF MY MEDICARE!" If you doubt me at all on this, just think how many bagger-jerks resist the Affordable Care Act - when they are among those in exactly the most desperate need of that kind of social program. Just think of all the people out there who need policies like what the Democrats tend to come up with - and vote against them every time because they're trained by now to vote against their best interests. Yep. They're out there. They're STILL out there. And they haven't learned squat. And most of 'em are still blind as bats and deaf as doorknobs toward that message. The vast majority of them are VERY easily scared. And fear-mongering is one of the things our adversaries do best. They scared voters away from Michael Dukakis by plastering Willie Horton posters all over everywhere - TO SCARE VOTERS. If Bernie is our nominee, be prepared to see Josef Stalin posters everywhere and Bernie hammer-&-sickle t-shirts on every CON operative in Christendom.

I have next-to-NO confidence in the smarts of the average American voter. NONE. I expect them to go for the stupid, to be herded around like cattle, to go complete and total lemming on us, and leave whatever intellect or independent thinking or critical fact-baesd reasoning they might have had - at the door. I know what will manipulate them and scare them into voting CON. The GOP understands motivation out of fear. So does ISIS, for that matter. And so did bin Laden. All the really successful and ruthless leaders understand this. Fear WORKS. Fear motivates. Fear energizes. Fear. And the fear of those dreaded dirty Commies of yesteryear is STILL strong and STILL easily stoked. Count on it. And whoever thinks it won't have an effect "because the American People will SEE! The American People will UNDERSTAND!" is severely over-estimating the intelligence of the general electorate. Hell, I've even HEARD that dual statement - "but... but... but... the American People will SEE! The American People will KNOW! The American People will UNDERSTAND! And they Won't Be FOOLED!" from numerous Democratic strategists and talking heads over the years - and they wind up being wrong every damn time. Joe Madison was one of those on MSNBC all the time and he used to infuriate me with that! Yeah? Seriously? They'll SEE? My ASS.

I'm really sorry to have to say this. I hate having to make this point. But we all have to be VERY strategically aware here, if we expect to keep the White House.
I love a whole lot about what Bernie Sanders stands for.
I agree with a whole lot of what Bernie Sanders stands for.
I support MOST of what Bernie Sanders stands for.

But he's gonna scare voters away if he gets the nomination. Suddenly we'll have a brand new 21st Century "Red Scare". You think you heard 'em yowl "I want MY America BACK!!!!!" when Barack Obama arrived on the scene? Dear God in Heaven - just wait til they think "The Russians Are Coming!!!!"

[smokey nj]

40. This group is for SUPPORTERS of Bernie Sanders.

[calimary]

45. Sorry about that.

I was replying to the post and hadn't noticed which group it was in.

[Dont call me Shirley]

50. Avowed Democratic Socialist, big difference.

[calimary]

65. Granted. But remember the dim bulbs we're dealing with.

[Dont call me Shirley]

96. Dim bulbs is putting it nicely, I was envisioning more like cracked bulbs.

[calimary]

97. Well, that works, too!

[Dont call me Shirley]

98. ...

[mwooldri]

82. And what is so wrong with a Scandinavian lifestyle?

I know Bernie says he's a democratic socialist but the Nordic countries are steeped in social democracy, and I think that's the recipe for Americas ailments. It's why I acknowledge him as a Social Democrat. Social Democrats can win but the biggest problem is getting enough people to believe they can win as Social Democrats. I suppose it's thanks to militant, honest to God socialists, that spurred the creation of the Social Democratic Party back home in the UK, and it's them who got me interested in politics. The European model of social democracy has a lot going for it.

[calimary]

88. Nothing at all!

I rather like it. Not sure you saw my whole post but I did quite a bit on how the whole "Socialist" fright-freakout is overblown and nonsensical. I think there's a lot to recommend about socialist policies. I don't even care about raising taxes to underwrite it. The social safety net is a totally socialist construct. And dammit, it's necessary! People need to know that, after decades of hard work, for example, that safety net is gonna be there to get them through rough times, to catch them when they fall, to soften the blow when they land. For a long time, I've been trying to make the case that THIS, TOO, is national security. What national security do we have if we go to bed every night - fearful NOT of ISIS or some foreign terrorist, but of the wolf at the door, instead? When people are fearful of losing their jobs and then their homes? It's a lot closer and more direct than worrying about some hooded terrorists who behead people on video from some desert half-a-world away.

The bush/cheney/rummy cabal and all their little CON and NeoCON friends scoffed at "Old Europe." Their pals scorned Sweden and Norway and Denmark and how those societies provide the basics and essentials and yeah, the tax rate is a little higher, but look what you get for it! Insurance coverage, rights for workers including decent vacation periods and parental leave, public education, superior mass transit, and all the rest. Socialistic systems can work really well for the people. For high quality-of-life.

I'm not a bit put off by the idea of social democracy or a Democratic Socialist running for president. I just like a different candidate a little more.

[smokey nj]

39. This group is for SUPPORTERS of Bernie Sanders.

[merrily]

51. This is not the group for Hillary supporters.

[Vincardog]

54. Bernie can win the same way he has been winning for the last 40 years. By proposing

Solutions for every day problems.
Tax the rich.
Fed the poor.
Renegotiate the Flat Earth Trade agreements for the Benefit of Working people and the environment.

How exactly does HRC win them by running as Republican Lite? She doesn't!

[eridani]

64. I think he will be far better at getting Republican and independent support than Clinton

Also he is orders of magnitude better at spurring involvement from people who have been highly alienated from politics for years.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/23/1395700/-Republicans-for-Bernie-Sanders#

[grahamhgreen]

73. Historically, he pulls independents and republicans as well as Dems.

[Nite Owl]

89. I'm not quite sure what moderate is

These days but it seems to me that he is going to take a chunk of Republican votes and new voters. People who don't bother to vote might vote this time. He speaks to them like no one else has. He's real and they can see that.

[Amimnoch]

95. My apologies to this group.

When I saw this article, it was linked on the home page of DU. I had not noticed the forum it was posted in.

It was rude of me to comment as I did in a forum specifically for Candidate Sanders, and not one for political debate.

[WillyT]

26. HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!!

[libdem4life]

29. I just got asked to start a Bernie Group in the very red state of Oklahoma.

I'm used to start-ups in business, but not in politics in Oklahoma. But willing to do my best. Any DUers interested feel free to pm me.

[cui bono]

42. That's great!

[libdem4life]

57. I'm considering it as fun and meeting new people. Thanks.

[merrily]

56. From Boston, I wish you great success.

[libdem4life]

58. Thank you. I wondered for many years how Liberals in red states functioned.

Now I'm going to find out.

[merrily]

59. People are people. I cannot imagine that expanding Social Security, Medicare for all

and free public college will not resonate in Oklahoma. And that's only 3 of his proposals.

[libdem4life]

60. True, but much of the state is rural conservative and history dies hard.

I'm near OKC so expect more success. The Southern Democrats may find Bernie a focus to rally around. I'll post from time to time.

[merrily]

61. We look forward to hearing from you.

Rural people used to go for the DFL.

[libdem4life]

63. Thanks

[scarletwoman]

69. May I suggest that you connect with Barry Friedman & the Tulsa Voice?

http://www.thetulsavoice.com/July-A-2015/The-odd-couple/

I live in Minnesota, not Oklahoma - but I'm a longtime reader of Charles Pierce on Esquire. He regularly cites "Friedman of the Plains" - Barry Friedman - in numerous blog posts, and it occurs to me that Friedman, and/or The Tulsa Voice, might be useful resources/contacts.

[libdem4life]

70. Thank you for the information. I surely will.

[Marty McGraw]

71. Ha! Just for shitz....

I have recently been using meetup dot com for finding nearby hiking clubs in my area and found that site to be very simple to use to find local 'interests' and for the hell of it did a Bernie search and lo-and-behold there is one nearby.

http://www.meetup.com/BERNIE-SANDERS-PRESIDENT-ELIZABETH-WARREN-VICE-PRESIDENT/

Excellent! it's a start but I hope more come about, because a lot of ppl use this site for commonality searches. It is also really simple to grass-root start an organization on as well. Almost got half way through with one myself before my own reality took hold. I so sukz

[libdem4life]

74. Back at ya ... Speaking of Ha! ... the first group listed was...get ready...

"Crystal Fantasy Enlightenment Center - Palm Springs" Life is stranger than fiction. Lived in LA/SF for years and just to see this juxtaposed against the task of starting a political group in Oklahoma...time warp.

Thanks for the chuckle. It's a great tool I hadn't thought of.

[Marty McGraw]

76. Whoa... shitz again!

I had the search tacked in to where I am now. But I put in Oklahoma City in this time and came up with a ringer!

Did you start this one?
http://www.meetup.com/OK4Bernie-the-Oklahoma-Bernie-Sanders-Meetup-Group/

I have seen a bunch of clubs overlap their activities with other clubs (at least with the hiking one's it is so) Maybe some support & correlation for future meet-ups?

[libdem4life]

77. No I didn't...now I don't have to do it. Just join. Works for me. Thanks, yet again.

[Marty McGraw]

79. Glad it can Help

Don't know if I could ever muster the nerve (definitely not the charisma) to start one of these things. I might have to one day if I continue not to find any time compatible or nearby good mountain hikes to take. Maybe start a 'Hike for Bernie' Group! Hey!....

[FlatBaroque]

32. Ideas VS tactics

brilliant insight

[LiberalLovinLug]

35. Another good Toles

[Babel_17]

44. Over consumption can kill you!

https://archive.org/stream/galaxymagazine-1956-11/Galaxy_1956_11#page/n7/mode/2up

https://archive.org/stream/galaxymagazine-1954-04/Galaxy_1954_04#page/n7/mode/2up

"The Man Who Ate the World" (originally published in Galaxy in 1956) tells the story of Anderson Trumie who had a scarring experience in his childhood, before Morey Fry changed the world. All he wants is a teddy bear, but his parents' lifestyle of frantic consumption won't allow him to have one anymore. As an adult, he is a compulsive consumer. He has taken over North Guardian Island and he is putting a burden on the local infrastructure. A psychist, Roger Garrick, with the help of Kathryn Pender, find a way to heal Anderson and end his exorbitant consumption.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midas_World

[Babel_17]

43. The Sanders campaign, mass hypnosis, or mind control drugs?

Discuss!

[Marty McGraw]

75. Straczynski's B5 Mollari?

[Babel_17]

84. Yeah, with the right PR ...

Yeah, with the right PR team he could be sold to the voters.

It's ironical, and if you know the show hopefully provide a double take*, and I got it from the JMS forum.

Politics!

*Which Mollari are we talking about, the one corrupted by his desire for "greatness", or the one made wise by learning the hardest lessons any ruler can learn?

[Marty McGraw]

87. well for the one prior to our current president...

with the Drakh Cheyney pasted to his shoulder, I should hope this planet never suffers again from that kind of damaging pair

[Dont call me Shirley]

46. And to stop the rich from poisoning our world.

[Thespian2]

53. The problem with Senator Sanders

is that he has consistently backed the policies he speaks about for decades...he didn't make up his beliefs simply because he decided to run for president...Americans need Bernie, the only answer to oligarchy...

[Spitfire of ATJ]

62. No need to worry. Hillary's got Axelrod so she's gonna win....

[deutsey]

68. Something is happening here and you don't know what it is

Do you, Mr. Axelrod?

[Kalidurga]

78. He has no clue so don't send him one...

[Stardust]

83. Did you hear Axelrod calling Bernie a "fling?"

[Spitfire of ATJ]

85. I've heard him called "The Liberal Karl Rove".

[deutsey]

67. K&R

[brewens]

80. The 1% work the middle class and upper middle class with fear. Anything we do for those

below them on the economic ladder must come out of their hide! "They want what you've got". It works too. Have enough of those Republican voters reached the point where they will wise up? Are they about to see the people at the top have finally looted so much that they have to start giving back?

Bernie should go off on how many of those people in the 1% are actually way in the black on our tax dollars. What goes to poor people is a joke compared to what they rake off the top. You don't buy a tax system and work it so you end up with the short end of the stick. You can prove it easily. Corporate officers working for companies that do a lot of business with the federal and state governments are easy. People with the right investments hit it big as well. They say they are taxed to death but even much of what they do pay in goes right back in their pockets.

[sabrina 1]

81. Good points. Sick to death of the notion that there is 'an approved' candidate and anyone

else who legally runs for office is either an 'annoyance' or a 'threat'. What horse poop that is in a democracy.

And THIS is why the entire corrupt system we have tolerated for far too long must be changed.

Who gives these people, whoever they are, to presume that no one other than those chosen by Corporations have a right to run for public office?

Shameful garbage and yes, pour gasoline on those inane questions.

[MerryBlooms]

92. rec #199

[artislife]

99. I think we should start a drinking game

Every time someone posts that H is "tough", a "hardworker" a "progressive" 'Fighting for you" and "inevitable".

We would under the table!