This blog is created for those who appreciate the truth, those who understand that we are one people on this one planet, those who want a better world for their children and grandchildren, those who are tired of bigotry in America, those who will speak out against bigotry in America, and respect the notion that we can agree to disagree. Leave your feelings at the door.
Last month, Congresswoman, Debbie Wasserman Shultz, vehemently proclaimed that there will only be six (6) Democratic debates for the 2016 election. Many of Sen. Bernie Sanders' supporters have made countless calls to the DNC demanding more debates, but Shultz is sticking to her guns. Monday morning, Sept. 28, 2015, Shultz appeared on the Morning Joe show to discuss the importance of delegates and how she's confident that Hillary Rodham Clinton will win the caucuses and primaries. Shultz's comments ring of rigging the Democratic primary in favor of Clinton. How else can one feel so confident about a candidate whose numbers are sliding South? To circumvent Clinton and Shultz's plan to sabotage the 2016 election, Sanders' supporters need to diligently fight for position because it appears that regardless to the calls made to the DNC, tweets made on Twitter, and/or posts posted on Facebook, Shultz's and her cronies are determined to cheat in this election. However, Sanders can win the caucuses, primaries, and the 2,250 delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination. Here's how:
Register as a democrat: Some states have open primaries where this is not necessary; however, why chance it? The DNC has proven that it will anything to win the nomination for Clinton, including changing the rules.
Find your state's Delegate Selection Plan: Delegates are most important because delegates vote for the nominee of their respective party and for President. Visit Delegates for Bernie Sanderson Facebook to learn how to apply and run as a delegate for Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Support those running for office in your area who support Sen. Sanders: He's going to need the help to pass legislation when he gets to the White House.
Sign the "Bernie or Bust" pledge: Send a message to the DNC that we are serious. We, the people, are fighting to take our country back from Corporate America, Wall-Street, and Big Banks.
Go to town-hall meetings, caucuses, and primaries like they are Sen. Sanders' rallies. This is where delegate selection takes place, and we get to scope out those running for office.
We're in the fight of our lives, but we, the people, can win despite the underhanded tactics of the DNC, despite the lack of media attention, despite the negative commentary that may surface: Don't believe the hype; #FeeltheBern, and we can make Clinton eat her words...
While reading through my news feed on Facebook, I ran across the following message:
"Yesterday I tabled for Bernie at the LA [Los Angeles] county fair. There was a booth for the LA county democratic party. They had NO information on Bernie and no merchandise for him either. We offered them some of our Bernie stuff and they declined saying that they and the state party would be endorsing Hillary and sending delegates for her to the national convention. I asked how they could know that 10 months before our primary and they said they choose delegates 4 months before the primary. When I said that was undemocratic and corrupt, they shrugged."
After reading the post, my mind quickly shifted to lines from one of my favorite movies: "How High," starring Red Man and Method Man.
Bart: “That's against the rules!”
Coach: “What rules? Who cares? Do you guys care about the rules?”
[All] “No.”
Coach: “There you go.”
This strong-arm behavior from the DNC and Hillary Rodham Clinton's camp is the very reason Sen. Sanders' supporters have to dig in our heals and fight fire with fire. Clinton knows the importance of Delegates because they thwarted her 2008 bid for the Presidency. This time, it appears that the Clinton camp is perched to play hardball in the delegate race.
2,250 DELEGATES NEEDED
To become the Democratic Nominee, a candidate needs roughly 2,250 candidates. As previously reported, the Clinton camp brags of having secured 440+ Super-Delegates, but Clinton also knows that Super-Delegates are not "pledged" delegates, and "pledged" delegates are needed most. Since some states have yet to roll out their delegate selection plans, it's baffling how the state of California has already decided to send delegates to the Convention in support of Clinton? For sure, if such is the case, there is something awry within the Democratic Party, and of this, we are well aware. The fact that there are only six (6) debates serves as proof that the Democratic Party is trying every trick in the book to win the nomination for Clinton, but we can stop the coronation of Hillary that the DNC is so hell bent on shoving down the throats of Americans.
"Bern" this mutha out!
There is time to prepare for the full frontal attack that the Clinton camp is determined to wage. Here's the plan:
Visit MyTimeToVote to learn everything there is to know about the political machine in your state.
Join Delegates for Bernie Sandersto learn the machinations of the delegate selection process and either apply and run as a delegate or find someone in your neck of the woods to run as a delegate for Sen. Sanders.
Take the "Bernie or Bust" pledge to show the DNC that we mean business.
Sign up at Rock the Vote for your online voting took kit and get people registered to vote.
“If you’re not at the
table, you’re on the menu.” I’m not sure who quoted this, but the words hold
true, especially where the 2016 Presidential election is concerned. If we
listen carefully to the presidential candidates, we’ll discover that the planned
menu will serve Americans a healthy dose of militarized attacks: foreign and
domestic, mass incarceration, and privatized schools. Many know that the only
answer is sealing the democratic nomination for Sen. Bernie Sanders, but how
can that be done? For sure, those who support Sen. Sanders are aware that in
order to vote for him in the primaries they must be registered democrats.
However, the democratic, political process is a bit more complicated than
merely registering as a democrat and showing up on Election Day.
Delegates are Important
To win the
nomination, the single most important thing supporters of Sen. Sanders can do
is apply to run as delegates in their respective districts or precincts because as Blake
Britton of “Delegates for Sen. Bernie Sanders” puts it, “A thousand hours of campaigning for Bernie will have
been wasted if we don't get him elected as the Democratic NOMINEE!” Delegates are important; they are what gave Sen. Obamaswagger as he entered the Democratic
Convention hall in 2008; those same delegates gave Hillary Rodham Clintonthe flux as she lost the delegate race, ending her chances of securing the democratic nomination. At the end
of the day, Delegates and Super-Delegates decide the party nominee.
In order to win the Democratic nomination, a candidate must secure 2,250 delegates. A cursory view of the 2008 delegate race between Clinton and Obama illustrates the need for Sen. Sanders to enter the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, PA with as many pledged delegates as possible. That's where Delegates for Sen. Bernie Sanders enters the picture. Delegates for Sen. Bernie Sanderswas started to educate Sanders' supporters about the democratic process and the importance of Delegates and Super-Delegates in nominating the Democratic contender in the Presidential election. The group is “committed to ensuring that our delegates champion the WILL OF WE THE PEOPLE,”
says Bonnie Flournoy, founder of Delegates for Sen. Bernie Sanders. The only way to ensure "that our delegates champion the WILL OF WE THE PEOPLE" is to make sure that Sen. Sanders supporters make every effort to participate in the delegate selection process, to include applying for and running as delegates.
Information is being compiled to educate and provide direction for those interested in the processes involved in delegate selection for each state. Several states have already adopted their respective delegate selection processes. Delegates for Sen. Bernie Sandersencourages each supporter of Sen. Sanders to join in our efforts in amassing as many delegates as possible by being committed to "Bern with Passion." The Grassroots Movement is doing swell. Let's not put in all of this work to trip at the finish line. Imagine joining Sen. Sanders in the City of Brotherly Love for the Democratic National Convention. Imagine being able to say, "I voted for Bernie at the DNC." Imagine giving Hillary the flux in 2016. Now, imagine not
Philadelphia skyline
being at the table but on the menu... Join the POLITICAL REVOLUTION that is taking the nation by storm...Join Delegates for Sen. Bernie Sandersand let's ROCK the Democratic National Convention in 2016. #FeeltheBern #BernwithPassion
“It’s
time for a female president in America,” a friend adamantly stated. I agree,
and I would love to see Sen. Elizabeth Warren win the White House. Unfortunately,
Sen. Warren will not run in the 2016 campaign, so one who wishes to see a
female president in 2016 have but two options: Carly Fiorina and Hillary Rodham
Clinton. Fiorina’s disastrous tenure at Hewlett-Packard
as their first female C.E.O. makes her an unlikely choice; thus, Clinton
becomes the flavor of the month, but is Clinton a viable choice? It depends on
whom you ask. However, as a Black, female, Navy veteran I cannot in clear
conscience vote for Clinton. Her position on various issues tend to change
directions like leaves on a tree moved by hurricane winds. For instance, in
1994, Clinton was a staunch supporter of her husband’s “tough on crime”
policies; today, she speaks out against such policies. Consequently, the damage
has been done, so to speak out against her husband’s policies now is the
equivalent of locking the barn door after the horses have escaped. In addition,
according to Jesse
Ferguson’s—Deputy National Press Sec and Sr. Spokesperson for Hillary
Clinton—Tweet: @HillaryClinton
Therefore,
Clinton’s shift in position is the result of changing times, not because such
policies were wrong, so it’s apparent that she still believes that such
policies are needed. In conjunction, Clinton’s position on military spending is
much cause for concern, for we can pretend that she’s seen the light in regards
crime reform, but we cannot pretend that Clinton is against sending our
children to war.
Marianne Schnall, columnist for TIME, asks, What
will it take to make a woman president? One suggestion, “Don’t present it as a ‘women’s issue’ — it’s a
human issue.” There is nothing human
or humane about the prison or military-industrial complexes. There is nothing
to suggest that members of these institutions support candidates who do not
share their “vision.” That would not make sense under any business paradigm. The
options offered by Clinton makes one feel trapped between two walls that close
in to squash Americans: “Between a rock and a hard place.” Let’s face it,
Clinton has already said we would attack Iran if she is elected. This is not
the future I envision for myself, my children, my grandchildren…America.
Therefore, although it may be time for a female president, it’s never time for
one willing to send our country into war, especially since tax payers are still
paying for wars fought during George W. Bush’s tenure.
Fortunately, there is one
candidate in the 2016 Presidential race who has been against war since the Vietnam
Conflict. That candidate is Sen. Bernie Sanders. As veterans, we can rest
assure that no other lives will be lost fighting in the interests of Corporate
America; maybe then, we can begin putting monies toward repairing the lives of our
existing veterans and the Veteran’s Administration, for it is sad that 307,000
veterans lost their lives awaiting eligibility for medical treatment.
As a mother and grandmother, I cannot envision sending my children, grandchildren, or yours to fight in a war that only serves to line the pockets of those tied to the military-industrial complex, especially given the treatment current veterans receive when returning home from war.
Sen. Sanders voted against the war in Iraq, which Clinton voted for as Senator of New York. She has since said that her vote was a mistake, but make no mistake, she is for attacking Iraq's neighbor: Iran. Sen. Sanders is against attacking Iran. Sanders recently slammed his "Republican friends" who "seem to be itching for that war." The same is true of Clinton; the deals made while serving as Sec. of State bear witness to her intentions. The question is are "We the People" itching for war with Iran? If not, join the revolution that is taking the nation by storm. #FeeltheBern!
Sanders has an Agenda for America that builds a better America for all Americans. It's going to take 12 steps forward to return us to the America we all know and love. Best of all, Sanders wants to put an end to war. Don't you? It's time for Bernie.
“For more than three decades, she’s been fighting for you
and for the basic
bargain of America…if you work
hard and do your part, you should be able to get
ahead and to stay ahead,” said Baltimore's Mayor Stephanie
Rawlings-Blake in reference to two-time, presidential hopeful, Hillary Rodham
Clinton. Baltimore's mayor was "honored" to introduce Clinton
at this year’s Democratic
Nation Committee Summer Meeting. It's not clear how many more decades
before 1985 Clinton has been fighting for "the basic bargain of
America" for Americans, but given the current condition of life among
American workers, the “basic bargain of America” is no bargain at all,
especially where Black lives are concerned.
“This election is about who best
understands the pressures facing the families of America...and who has the
skills and tenacity to tackle them,” Clinton said. Unfortunately, much of
what followed the first two minutes of her speech was reminiscent of an ex
promising to change, to do better, and to fight for "you," "with
you" while never addressing how you got there in the first place.
Clinton gives a “shout out”
Clinton chuckled and gave a
"shout out" to the "grassroots movements" working to help
build her campaign. I chuckled, as I envisioned the Black Lives Matter (BLM)
movement whom Clinton dissed in New Hampshire and had recently dismissed in Cleveland. For sure, she did not
include this grassroots movement in her shout out, for when Clinton began to
speak about race while in Cleveland, representatives of the BLM movement
started chanting and were escorted from the event. Clinton continued with her
speech on race; "We've got to come to
terms with some hard truths about race in America. We do have to stand up and
loudly and clearly say black lives matter." This is true, but we cannot
merely "say black lives matter." For
no matter how loudly or clearly it was shouted at the event mere moments
earlier, Clinton’s minions silenced those voices that, in their way, demanded Clinton
"…come to terms with some
hard truths about" legislation enacted during Bill's tenure as
president—legislation that has destroyed families and lives of many Americans,
especially Black Americans.
It is no secret
that mass incarceration is more so the result of the privatization of prisons—a
direct result of former Pres. Clinton'sViolent Crime Control Act—than an
increase in crime. Coincidentally, Clinton was quick to point the finger at the
GOP, but she has yet to acknowledge her husband's contributions. Ohio State
University’s, Michelle Alexander has already exposed the devastating numbers
surrounding Black incarceration in her book, "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age
of Colorblindness,"but this time, the net has widened to include the selling of children to
private prisons for profit.
Clinton continued,
like any bad ex would, to do just what BLM had accused her of in New Hampshire:
“victim blaming.” “If [we] work hard and do
[our] part, [we] should be able
to get ahead and to stay ahead.” Maybe Clinton’s campaign would do
well to purchase a copy of David K. Shipler’s, The Working Poor: Invisible in America, a collection of narratives
of hardworking Americans who can’t seem to get ahead, no matter how hard they
try or work, which brings us to Bill’s “Minimum
wage” legislation that did more to keep working Americans in poverty than
lift them out. Ironically, Americans were outraged when, presidential hopeful,
Jeb Bush suggested working longer hours. Where is the outrage at the subliminal
suggestion that Americans are not working hard enough? Where does Clinton stand
on minimum wage? She says she’s for equal pay, but minimum wage hasn’t been
addressed.
Affordable tuition and Student
loans
Making sure she
hit every topic covered by her political rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Clinton
also mentioned affordable college tuition and student loan debt. Like a
scorned lover, I scoffed, and thought, “Now, there’s an oxymoron if ever I heard
one: affordable and student loan in the same context. Consequently, Bill
Clinton’s legislation denies working Americans the opportunity to discharge
student loans in bankruptcy while offering methods of repayment that many
cannot meet. That’s why students are strapped with insurmountable debt after
college. Imagine, Donald Trump can fold on a multi-million dollar real estate deal
by filing bankruptcy, but the average working class, college student with student
loan debt has to struggle to repay loans with, often times, two or more low
wage paying jobs. In addition, the affordable college plan Clinton hints at is
a slap in the face compared to the plan proposed by Sen.
Bernie Sanders.
In fact, much
of what Clinton mentions in her speech echoes the issues addressed by Sen. Sanders in his 12 Step
Agenda. Moreover, Clinton is merely willing to mention these issues “loudly”
and “clearly,” thinking it will relieve her of addressing the issues or providing
a clear plan for helping Americans who work hard, thus, expecting to get ahead
and stay ahead. Unfortunately, Clinton can only hide for so long, but why wait for
her to change her position on the issues, yet again? She began her speech by
telling us that we need someone “who best understands
the pressures facing the families of America...and who has the skills and
tenacity to tackle them”; she’s right. Let's be done with basic, bargain basement, politics by supporting the one person in this race who is not bargaining with special interest groups: Sen. Bernie
Sanders, the real deal.
