Hi there everyone,
I have been reading DK for few years now, never signed up before nor had any desire in getting into debates with anyone. After all these years of just reading, for once, I wanted to let my opinion be known. I was not much invested in politics when Obama became the first African American president. But since then I have realized that the Republicans could go beyond the usual pettiness you see in politics and could become a true danger to the country. And in my opinion the only reason seems to be race. I used to watch MSNBC and CNN and be glad whenever the democratic party or Obama thwarted a Republican plan to undermine the progress and sad when it happened otherwise. Unfortunately the sad part happened more often for my taste. But when the good parts happened, I was extremely glad to have this firewall there.
While researching on the difference between both the parties, I was amazed to find that the Republican party used to be the party of the poor and expanding federal powers whereas the Democratic party was the party opposed to these. For me after seeing the current crop of republicans and their platform, this was a major shock. But I assume that explains the massive number of republicans still across the country. I cannot believe all republicans are horrible people. I assume many of these are good people who for generations has been supporting the party when they were good and just do not want to convert or change with time. But the raise of Trump is showing me how few of these good people still exist. When I see that a majority of Republicans like the ACA but despise the Obamacare, the only reason could be that this was initiated by a Black American. When you can shoot yourself in the feet rather than accept help from a black guy, the racism has gone beyond the bend.
I do not know how this can be cured, but we can definitely prevent the infection from spreading. And that is by (at-least for a short while) electing a Democrat as next president. Now I do not know whether I am a progressive, moderate or a liberal. I want Single payer, affordable education, I do not want any more wars, and I definitely do not want to pay more than the 30% tax I am paying now. (I know I suck at finding loopholes to reduce my tax….).
With the political climate of America as is now, for Single payer to be effective there has to be a plan on how that is to be brought forward. And you need Republican support for that. It is not going to happen without them involved. So in this case, I will settle for expanding the current ACA to universal health care. With the Republicans in senate and congress, that is also going to be a uphill battle, but I believe if any one can do it, it is Hillary Clinton. Vote out all the obstructive Republicans standing in power and I will seriously get behind the Single payer call. If we go all in for Single payer, I believe the Republicans will go along with it until we remove the ACA, and then pull our feet from under us leaving us with nothing.
Affordable Education and no more wars are definitely possible with both of the candidates. I have heard both sides on how Hillary voted for Iraq war and how Bernie voted for Afghanistan war. I have heard Hillary’s excuse for Iraq war but not Bernie's excuse for Afghanistan. It is not whether I believe their excuse (both are politicians after all), but I believe them more than any of the Republicans that they will not mindlessly lead us into another unnecessary war.
Taking money out of politics is a laudable goal, but not a point I will qualify my support on. I will be satisfied with overthrowing Citizens United. And I honestly believe both can work towards that. One thing I will not support is a increase on my tax. I do my job, collect my pay, donate to charities and I pay my tax and social security. You might call me a spoiled brat, but I do not want to pay even more as tax. Would have been great if we could have single payer and no tax increase. But I think thats a fools dream. Dont know how Canada manages it.
Obama has been my hero till now. I know he didn't get us all that we want, but with the extraordinary effort to prevent him from doing anything going on in the senate and congress, whatever he has accomplished in these eight years is nothing short than amazing. With the current crop of republicans still in power, the only way forward is to continue what he has been doing and step it up bit by bit. I know Bernie Sanders have been vigorously calling for much more, but I do not believe he can accomplish any of these. I have read his work in berniesanders.com. What I do not see there is the amazing things like affordable education or expanded medicare that he has brought to the state of Vermont considering he has been either a senator, mayor or congressman for 30+ years. That does not give me any trust on how he is going to do that once he is a president.
I do not know what I am going to get after this election, but I surely do believe that Hillary has been more honest in the representation of what can actually get done in our country. And I have read enough of her accomplishments to see she can get things done. I would prefer to get as a leader some one who has proved rather than some one who promises proof. You could vote against her based on every negative story or name that is circulating in the Internet. But some one who is still standing after that onslaught, that is some one whom I know can stand and work for you and get things done.
And as far as the establishment link that everyone seems to say that is bad in this country, I believe the establishment is the people. Those in congress, who do you think voted them to power? And you need them for any progress that is to happen in this country. Unless you are thinking about imprisoning them and turning the country into dictatorship, try to at-least conceive a way where we can work together to improve on the progress that we have already made. So for a leader of a Democratic Republic, why would you not want someone who can work with the establishment and get things done?
Sorry about the wall of text, I needed to get this out.