Election 2020

[Eric the Green]

(03-09-2020, 02:54 PM)David Horn Wrote:

(03-06-2020, 05:26 AM)Bob Butler 54 Wrote:

(03-05-2020, 11:04 PM)Marypoza Wrote: -- l don't get these older folx. Y would anybody vote 4 somebody who wants 2 mess w/their $? They're more senile than Groper Joe

Much of it is the language.  Sanders seems to prefer west European definitions of what is going on, especially in terms of socialism.  If you accept his definitions, he is speaking truly.  Many in the US use the communist definitions, so they misunderstand and react very poorly.  The insistence on using the west European language and grasp on events thus remains a problem.  But his insistence that his plans are not radical, that they have been implemented and work well in many parts of the world, is correct.

What may be different here?  We spend a lot on the ability to use force abroad.  This is expensive.  This also leaves less dollars available to use on the people.  If we want to meddle in international affairs, fight wars in the Middle East, guarantee the independence of Taiwan, play Domino Effect games against autocratic governments world wide, the dollars have to be allocated differently.  One has to harden one’s heart.

We also spend a lot on the elite, directing a lot of wealth there.  This is not unique.  The autocratic countries too have the oligarchs and inefficiency.

Even China recently decided not to build its 5th and 6th carrier.

I have a different spin on this.  Yes, the fear factor is still the strongest, but why is that nearly 100% for Biden?  Simple, really.  Most people are not active in politics, but are actively engaged in their own lives.  If they receive messaging that's scary, they react, so Bernie speaking well of Castro, no matter how obliquely, is scary to the over 50 crowd.  The same is true in spades for stances on issues that worry people, like Medicare for All.  People feel threatened by a potential loss, without giving the potential gain a second's thought.

Then you have the Squad, who are monumentally pushy, and, frankly, piss off more people than they convert.  This has been played in the past.  The Vietnam War protestors ended that war, and handed the government to Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, the Bushes and Bill Clinton.   That isn't even a Pyrrhic victory.  It's a slaughter.

All of which says more about Americans and their inability to respond to reality than about any of the politicians.

I am more upset about Sanders' loss (and about older Americans) than I thought I would be. I suppose I will hold my nose and vote for Biden in November. But I still have major doubts about him both as a candidate and as a potential president.

I note though, that I was correct about his chances as a candidate, given his horoscope score, more so than many others were as his campaign went downhill in the first 3 primary states and during the debates.

All 3 surviving candidates have the best scores of any Democrats who ran. Only Trump has a marginally higher score, and he has a marginal advantage.

But Biden has all but sown up the nomination now, barring a severe attack of dementia on Joe's part in the next few weeks.