Often with Presidential candidates, people like to dig up “old dirt” in the form of pictures, audio, or video that make political opponents look bad. In the case of Bernie Sanders, the opposite may be true. Regardless if people individually agree with Sanders on any individual issue, one thing is true to all: Bernie Sanders walks the walk he talks. And his talk has been consistent since day one.
There aren’t many in politics who are in that league.
“Making sure that seniors have the nutrition that they need is not only the right thing to do, it is the financially smart thing to do,” begins Senator Bernie Sanders in this clip from a Senate committee meeting on the issues surrounding senior hunger.
Sanders goes on to make his case on how preventive care, in this case making sure seniors, then steps in then newly christened Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky. Paul looks down his nose donning spectacles apparently trying to appear as founding fatherly as he can and retorts with a line from his right wing - libertarian playbook:
It’s curious that only in Washington can you spend 2 billion dollars and claim you are saving money. Here’s a thought, ” Paul smugly went on - “perhaps the 2 billion that we spend on OAA if we subsumed that into another program and didn’t spend it that might be saving money.
And that’s when Sanders taught the young Paul the difference between rabble rousing and governing:
Seantor Paul is suggesting that only in Washington do people believe that spending money actually saves money. And I think that is the kind of philosophy that has us spending twice as much per person on healthcare as any other country on earth!
After pointing out example after example, Sanders shows Paul how prevention is indeed cheaper than letting people deteriorate and then be a much bigger burden financially. And Sanders is 100% correct. Study after study shows that at all stages of life, preventative care and better nutrition inevitably save taxpayers and everyone else money directly or indirectly. Yes, money must be spent smart, but it still needs to be spent.
Paul tries to save some face, but Senator Franken steps in for an assist and asks the expert:
My very specific question is does the OAA save money by allowing Seniors to stay in their homes?
The answer was a simple and undeniable … “Yes Senator.”
And Paul’s great philosophy was finished just like that. A philosophy that wants to privatize everything and leave everyone to fend for themselves. A philosophy that simply brushes problems like this under the rug by suggesting generic “charities” just pick up the slack, even though they never have been able to pick up more than a fraction of the slack in the past. Even massive charities like The United Way or The Salvation Army, even though they do work still only manage to put small dents in very large walls.
He (Paul) makes one last desperate attempt by trying to take everything to “absurd” levels. A classic “grasping at straws” move. Franken and Sanders slam him down quickly and succinctly. you have to see it, it’s too funny to spoil;
Check out this definitive exchange HERE:
Okay, Democrats vote Sanders, Republicans vote Paul, and then we can watch a continuation of this takedown in the debates.
Democrats and Independents vote Sanders, then we’ll see.
Totalitarian Regressive Pigs who thought Obama didn’t do enough to lead us into Regressive utopia vote Sanders, everyone who doesn’t want dictatorship vote Paul. And then, when you lose, you Leftists can play your usual game of whining about how you only lost because of the Corporate Boogeyman (even though you once again outraised and outspent all your opponents).
Housing
The Homeless Not Only Saves Lives — It’s Actually Cheaper Than Doing Nothing
Posted: 03/25/2014 85 chronically homeless adults, and was the
subject of a study by the University of North Carolina Charlotte released on
Monday. The study found that, in its first year, Moore Place tenants saved $1.8
million in health care costs, with 447 fewer emergency room visits (a 78
percent reduction) and 372 fewer days in the hospital (a 79 percent reduction).
The tenants also spent 84 percent fewer days in jail, with a 78
percent drop in arrests. The reduction is largely due to a decrease in crimes
related to homelessness, such as trespassing, loitering, public urination,
begging and public consumption of alcohol, according to Caroline Chambre,
director the Urban Ministry Center’s HousingWorks, the main force behind Moore
Place.
good post, to the point and dead on/
I think you just did….Classic!
Did you see the woman behind Ms. Greenlee when Franken said that? Funny.
Sanders/Franken ’16
Oh, I like that.
I would love that! Can you imagine how the pro Israel conservatives would react to ‘JEEEWS’ on the ticket though?
Hey, the more their heads go all ‘splody, the better I like it…
Now that’s a thought…I would vote for Sanders.
Bernie should really be our next president. He’d be the master of the bully pulpit.
Old Rand is essentially nuts!
Paul’s total ignorance on this subject was not surprising.
Paul’s ignorance on any subject is not surprising. He’s a dolt.
He’s not ignorant, he’s dishonest.
He’s far smarter than the rest of you dolts put together. Grow into political adulthood someday, statist children.
“Even massive charities like The United Way or The Salvation Army, even
though they do work still only manage to put small dents in very large
walls.”
Of course, if the CEO, Board and all the other execs of the United Way weren’t making ridiculous multimillion dollar salaries, they could make a little larger dent. I’m not sure about the homophobic Salvation Army but I’d guess it hold true for them, too. Just sayin’.
Jesus. That’s ridiculous. A couple UW CEOs, many years ago, got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Let it go and stop perpetuating outdated BS.
I’m not o sure about your statement concerning United Way “multi-million dollar salaries.” That was not true or even close in the counties I worked in.
The lady that runs ours is considered self-employed, an Independent Contractor. And nope, she is in no way ‘rolling in the dough’.
Independent Contractor’s have to pay all of their own federal, state, & county taxes, taxes on their business furniture & equipment owned, & purhase an annual business license.
The Salvation Army is a militant anti gay organization that only helps heterosexual christians. Praising them is like praising Hitler because he was nice to his dog.
He wasn’t, he killed her testing his poison to commit suicide-but you are right about the Salvation Army.
I can’t take the Salvation Army seriously.
Paul knows exactly what the benefit would be. But he also knows who signs his paycheck and gives him his marching orders - and the Koch Bros. don’t like any kind of public support.
Rand Paul is an idiot.
Health dept’s throughout the country have been some of the lowest budgeted departments in any gov’t. Yet their philosophy is prevention - prevent illness and disease. It’s much cheaper than treatment. Actually much, much cheaper.
Having spent 40 years working for public health agencies in N.J., sitting on hospital boards, and participating with non-profit/ volunteer agencies, gave me repeated evidence that prevention is the key and a prudent investment of taxpayers’ money..
Right on, again, Bernie! You’ve got my vote.
Senator Bernie Sanders handed Rand Paul his a—-sss on a large plate along with great assiatance from Senator Franken! Good job Senators! This jerk (Rand Paul) wants to be Our next President! He doesn’t want to help the people that need it most! The Poor (black and white), the elderly (black and white)! Who the hec does he want to give a helping hand to, in times of need?
The democrats don’t want to help those people either
Paul is still talking about private charity? What century does he think he’s living in? Private charity is all about funding ballet companies and putting one’s name on a museum. And altruism: read Ayn Rand, his birth mama, about altruism and you’ll see what he actually believes.
WOW, even for a totalitarian Regressive, you’re a braindead scumbag.
I would have at least a touch of respect if Rand Paul put his opinion bluntly; which I heard as “let the old people starve! How much r we supposed to throw at them? Don’t care!”
At least that would be honest!
You might develop a clue and realize that they won’t starve without government aid, dumbass.
That’s a relief! Are you going to feed them? Or will god provide for them? At least taxpayers won’t have to burden ourselves with old, poor people who contribute nothing. Better our rich citizens avoid higher taxes. That makes much more sense.
Worst part is there will be hungry elderly republicans voting for him regardless
And if they voted democrat they would still be hungry!
My comment was in response to Mr. Sanders wishes that the elderly r protected. But u r correct, if the senate and house remain Rep., and gridlock continues, they will still go hungry.
Who needs old people who can’t work anyway?
I’ve seen a few posts where you simply point out that no matter who you vote for there is no hope of alleviating the problem. “And if they voted democrat they would still be hungry”! “The democrats don’t want to help those people either”. “I hear ya Bernie but both Democrats and republicans don’t”.
you seem to be a person who looks at the glass 1/2 full and you have nothing more meaningful to say other than to trash talk both sides. We are all aware there is corruption on both sides of the aisle but we continue to fight for change and if enough voices are heard the tide will change. Maybe not tomorrow or next yr. but it will change.
What is your solution? what should we do and who should we vote for? Do we just say f*ck it and throw in the towel? Do we climb on the crazy train along with Paul and his corporate shills or do we voice our opposition to conservative BS that has driven this country to the brink of bankruptcy and ripped the very fabric of a democratic republic right down the center.
I don’t mind critics as long as they offer constructive criticism, what I do have a problem with are people that think their perpetual criticism of everything is in any way helpful.
If your not part of the solution your part of the problem. We have enough problems without adding you.
Be part of the solution and stand for something.
Maybe I have you all wrong? Maybe your a Libertarian like Paul? Libertarian, a euphemism for anarchist. If that’s what you stand for then for the love of Pete just say it. I’m with you girl. Lets tear down all the street signs and traffic lights, they are after all an intrusion into our private lives by the government. Lets diamante the FDA. Really who gives two sh*ts about China coating children’s toys with lead paint? rules like that simply stand in the way of progress. Lets issues guns and thousands of rounds of ammo to every man woman and child in the country and let the law of the jungle decide who wins.
I can imagine by now your quite upset with me but in reality that’s what Libertarianism is all about. to the victor go the spoils, every man for himself, dog eat dog , the strong survive and the weak perish.
My wish is that every one of em die the same way Rand did. reliant on the things she hated most and mostly surrounded by people that saw her as a weakness in he illness and a drain on society.
Good luck with all that if that’s the person you are. Good luck. you’ll need all you can get.
Bravo & kudos to you!! Spot on
“If your not part of the solution your part of the problem.”
In other words, you’re a goosestepping pig who will not tolerate dissent or reason.
“In other words, you’re a goosestepping pig who will not tolerate dissent or reason”
Did I insult you with my post? What part of you believes that dissent or reason requires name calling?
I’ll ask you the same question I asked .margaret65; what is your solution? If all you have to add are grade school antics then why should anyone listen to a word you have to say? You have really said nothing of value or importance, nothing that shows your character to be anything more than pessimist and damaging to the conversation. You accuse me of being intolerant of of dissent or reason? Considering your response to my post that’s rich!
I’ll give perks where they’re due though. You’ve managed to show everyone here what true intolerance, ignorance and immaturity look like.
Might I suggest you find another line of work, Trolling is certainly not your shining achievement although it most likely shines brighter than anything else you’ve done.
I would sure like to know what private charities Senator Paul was referring to. Who are they? How would a person access them?
Unfortunately many in our country require assistance on more than a short-term basis. Are charities prepared for that? Nearly every day I see GoFundMe requests to help with healthcare needs because of the greed of the healthcare industry, funeral expenses because people cannot afford life insurance, even GoFundMe keeps nearly 8% of the contributions (I’d rather donate directly and have 100% of my contribution go for their needed help), etc.
And Hillary is a Better choice? I think not…
Bernie is the polar opposite of Rand Paul; morally, logically, and patriotically.
I hear ya Bernie but both Democrats and republicans don’t.
“I think you just did” - Al Franken
Classic!
Please spread these poems. We need to have compassion in the world.:
Homelessness
In my life I’ve been sad to hear,
those that don’t care about others, their message is clear.
“Pick yourself up by your bootstraps” I hear them exclaim,
they care naught for my circumstances, I cannot; It’s my pain.
When you’ve no money, no address, no phone,
no one will hire you, you’re out on your own.
In this time of high technology, when most businesses hire from online,
having no computer, I can’t put in applications. I haven’t got a dime.
No transportation to go to a job, no housing, no address, leaves me in a lurch.
So I sit here, and you watch me with wary eyes from your perch,
You assume I committing a crime, just by sitting on a bench.
You assume I’m an addict due to my aromatic stench.
I don’t have a home, no shower, no clean clothes,
For it is I and those who are like me that you do your best to loathe.
Your unwanted assumptions are my cross to bear,
I wonder if you really see me, if you could really care.
Humanity needs to come full circle, to care about each other,
It wasn’t that long ago you see, but now no one wants to bother.
The tribes of the past, used to share and make sure all were taken care of,
No one went hungry, or unsheltered, or unloved.
A lesson for humanity should be given once again on the range,
the ones who are oppressed are the ones who can make change,
but only if we all stick together, regardless of our lot.
We only have each other, and that is all that we’ve got.
So fight for all humanity, against the hoarded greed,
With kindness and fairness, we can all be freed
from this giant rat race, we can live together, and amend
and let the planet heal from our wars on each other, and be better humans once again.
-Linda Meyer
———————————————————————————-
Ode to the Homeless Veteran
Go Away! I heard him say.
You homeless bum be on your way!
He pushed me and punched me.
He was not at all kind to me.
What ever happened to this land of the free?
Apparently freedom, no longer applies to me.
I have no family who will take me in
They put me off and say I’m living in sin.
They think that I’m disposable,
But I’m a human being just like you.
Such a statement should not be opposable,
But I’m treated like an old worn out shoe.
People don’t usually see me here standing in the rain.
They never see that I am a human, and that I’m in much pain.
You see I fought for my country when I went to a foreign land,
When I came home there was no fanfare, no band.
I came back only to find no help for me,
My broken body, soul, and mind,
Makes people uncomfortable, they leave me behind.
People see me as a bum, a loafer, and lazy.
They call me an addict, and mentally crazy.
What I am is a human being just like you.
I deserve to be treated with dignity too.
Although I’m broke and broken, don’t judge me so severe,
For one day, if circumstances dictate, you also could be here.
Be kind to all people you come across in life,
No matter who they may be, we all experience strife.
Everyone deserves a home to call their own.
Everyone deserves to be cared for, and kindness shown.
Will you be the one to help make an opportunity for me to feel loved?
Or will you continue on your way, not caring, and giving me a shove.
Humanity needs a reset and to let greed, and ego go.
People need to become humane to each other, and allow humanity to grow.
~ Linda Meyer
You know what else saves tax payers money? letting people be responsible for their own health care needs and stop expecting everyone else to pay their bills. Stop smoking,lose weight and eat better. Our health care cost are driven by diseases associated with obesity. There should be some personal accountability there.
Soon, over 65% percent of Federal expenditures will be for the maintainace of the failed Boomer generation…this big spending weasels continues to waste tax payer funds. And he sould be punished for his malfeasance. 18 trillion in debt, and this career free loader wants to continue to punish the vanishing middle class.
Odd, all I see is Sanders boasting of his complete economic illiteracy.
“Bernie Sanders walks the walk he talks”
Ah, I see; you’re delusional. THAT explains it.
As long as by “help the poor” you mean “line politico pockets”.
But you’re a totalitarian regressive pig; Obama stealing everyone’s money and then using it to illegally spy on them at all times is what passes for “charity” in your twisted, Orwellian wet dreams.
Bernies voting record really speaks about his character….
Wrong again, rejectard author. Senator Paul was correct and you failed Econ 101, and so did leftwing nutbags Sanders and Franken, because they don’t understand, just like you, that Paul was talking about combining government programs to save taxpayer money, and you leftwing tools are scared shitless of that.
You leftwing statist children are pathetic. Not only are you politically ignorant, but you’re economically illiterate.
It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.