What Is Sanders’s Endgame?

By Charles M. Blow

April 20, 2016

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/opinion/campaign-stops/what-is-sanderss-endgame.html?comments#permid=18276762

As a long time Social Democrat, I have a lot of sympathy for Bernie Sanders' critiques of the current US social, economic and political realities.

However, to implement real change it takes more that spouting slogans and making grandiose promises, which he, Sanders must know he cannot accomplish. Senator Sanders has a quarter century of experience in the US Congress, and thus must know the difficulties of effecting radical change, or any change at all, in a representative democracy.

Senator Sanders claimed for himself the title of King of Amendments. His record is OK, as far as it goes, but it gives absolutely no indication that he has the ability to enact "revolutionary change". His record as Chairman of the Veteran's Affairs Committee during a time when much of the scandalous situations within the VA where coming to light, is anything but revolutionary - in fact, he often acted as an apologist for the dismal state of the VA.

Sanders' latest health care proposal, although admirable in its objectives, is blatantly misleading in terms of the costs to individuals. His $450 PER YEAR contribution is complete nonsense, and the attempt to allude to other tax revenue to cover the costs is purposely obscure, so that he can tout the $450 annual individual contribution vs. $5000 annual savings in insurance premiums - complete nonsense.

Yes, Sanders was initially important in shaping the discussion, but has become increasingly non-credible, and a liability to his stated objectives.

What to Look For in the Democratic Debate

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/15/us/politics/democratic-debate-preview.html?comments#permid=18204450:18211243

Bernie Sanders deserves a lot of credit for focusing on topics, which have always been tabu among "establishment" politicians, and for embracing his "social democratic" background - perhaps after this election Americans will have learned enough not to equate "socialism" with "communism", something I, as a life-long Social Democrat in the German tradition, have been hoping for for years.

However, Bernie Sanders should be extremely thankful, that he will NOT become the Democratic candidate, and even more, that he will NOT be elected President.

François Hollande, President of France and a socialist of long standing, won his election by making outrageous promises to the French people, which even to an interested outside observer were completely unachievable. Bernie Sanders is making the same kind of unattainable promises ("We WILL break up the big banks", "We WILL implement Medicate for all", "We WILL have tuition free higher education for all", "We WILL reverse Citizens United"). None of his 25 years in Congress have shown ANY ability to implement such sweeping changes in America.

France, and Hollande, have a long history with Socialism, while most Americans still subliminally equate it with Communism. But even in France, Hollande could not achieve his policy proposals and he has now become pretty much of a joke in France.

If Sanders were to win, that would set back Americans' acceptance of social democratic ideals and goals, because he would end up a complete failure.