It is really weird to me that any Democrat thinks Sanders isn't a Democrat

[marym625]

I think back to the first Democratic Presidential Nominee that I understood much of what was going on. That was Senator George McGovern in 1972 and I was 8 years old.

Obviously, at that age, my understanding was limited. But I was a smart kid with incredibly intelligent parents that made sure we knew what was going on in the world.

In today's political climate, I see so much, especially from neo Democrats, about how the populist movement is wrong, short sighted, socialist, naive, etc etc etc. But if you look at where we are compared to where we were back in 1972, the current populist movement seems conservative to me.

There is no doubt that McGovern, who lost by a landslide, was on the liberal side of the Democratic spectrum. But his loss is attributable to many more factors than his actual politics.

Just as a reminder to people, or a history lesson for the younger Populists, here's what McGovern wanted as far as taxation. If he had been elected, what a different world we would be living in. A much better place as far as I am concerned.

The most urgently needed change in our systems of taxation and public assistance is to place far greater emphasis on fairness. Each American should feel that he is getting his money’s worth and that he is being treated exactly like every other American. Each American should pay his fair share and each American should receive his fair share. That is clearly not the case now.

The federal tax system is basically sound, although it has been riddled with special privileges for the rich. We should move now to establish a fair tax system for all Americans.

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/1972/may/04/george-mcgovern-on-taxing-redistributing-income/

Go Bernie!

[leftofcool]

1. McGovern was my first election and he lost 49 States for many of the same reasons

supported by Senator Sanders. But, if Sanders supporters can get him to win the primary, I wish us all luck.

[marym625]

2. The difference is

The policies for the rich over all those decades, and especially the last couple, have taken a great toll on our nation. People see much more now than they saw then.

Back then it was still possible to have a one income family, send the kids off to school, retire at a reasonable age and still have a home, the car and a decent life.

Now that is impossible.

[leftofcool]

4. Actually, it wasn't easier

I grew up during that time. I graduated from High School is 1966. There were no student loans so I had to work my way through college because my dad, while considered middle class, could not afford to send me. My mother worked part time to make ends meet as did most of the mothers I knew. We had only one car. My dad had to work for 35 years for the Post Office before he could retire based on a shitty base salary that didn't even cover basic living expenses. Nothing has changed.

[marym625]

5. I'm sorry you had a hard time

But there still is a huge difference. The cost of college, how much has to be taken in loans, the interest for student loans and how they have to be paid back, the pension amounts, how much you got for each dollar you made and how much you made. Every one of those things are much worse now.

[leftofcool]

8. I had a great time!

[Paka]

13. Mega difference.

I was in college in the '60's and worked summers and a couple of part-time jobs during the year. The difference is that you were able to earn enough to pay for it and didn't have to borrow more money than you could earn in your lifetime. Now you are saddled with debt that you take to the grave.

[marym625]

3. He's also not running against a sitting president

[leftofcool]

6. He is actually running against 2 billion dollars.

Koch Bros and their ilk.

[marym625]

7. You do realize you are in the populist group, right?

I believe that the money thrown at Republicans and Hillary will be a detriment to them this time around. People every where are disgusted with the amount of money thrown into elections

[leftofcool]

9. I hope so.

[sabrina 1]

12. There was a fairly comfortable middle class, though it was declining, and people tend to become

apathetic when they are doing alright. Since then things have rapidly gone downhill with each administration since Reagan, helping the decline by doing such things as 'Welfare Reform' and deregulation Wall St, allowing for the biggest heist in history causing the loss of homes, jobs and just about everything people had worked for.

A boom and bust economy, generally busts the working class.

College is a distant dream for many now, can't even work your way through the cost as students at one time could.

Those who manage to get there, have life long debt to pay off.

However finally, people are beginning to awaken from their slumber, especially they young whose futures they know are going to be far less hopeful than their grandparents' and parents' were.

They are remarkably well informed, see OWS eg, due to having had other means of information than the Corporate Media, another legacy of a president we thought would be working for the working class.

[Enthusiast]

10. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

[marym625]

11. Thank you!