What have you done for us lately? This question was posed Monday to Sen. Bernie Sanders on the syndicated radio program, “The Breakfast Club.”
Sanders’ answer was anything but definitive.
Following a lengthy discussion about his socialist platform, Sanders was asked, “When we talk about your record with black people, what examples can you point at to show black people, this is what I have done specifically with issues that deal with y’all?”
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Sanders refused to provide a coherent response. But, in typical, convoluted, progressive fashion, Sanders cited his “long history in civil rights activism” and then refused to actually specify much of what that history includes.
Basically, he told the interviewer that what he has done does not matter so long as he has a long history of doing it.
“In 1988, I was one of the few white public officials who supported Jesse Jackson for president of the United States, and he ended up winning Vermont,” Sanders said.
He could not, or would not, name any relevant or specific accomplishment, but insisted, “If you look at my record in terms of civil rights and other areas you will find that it is consistently a very, very strong record.”
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Well, there it is: Bernie’s history includes support for Jesse Jackson in his failed campaign for the Democratic nomination in 1988.
Apparently, he thinks that says everything necessary about his dedication to the black community.
Does Bernie Sanders have any chance at all in 2020?
Yes: 3% (75 Votes)
No: 97% (2133 Votes)
When asked a follow-up question about specific legislation he had championed on behalf of that community, he answered, “Well, legislation that, uh, benefits African-Americans, yeah we passed, but not specifically, you know we passed legislation that benefits working people, sure.”
That’s it, folks. That’s all Sanders said he has done for the black community legislatively.
Nothing.
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Sanders has served in Congress for nearly 30 years, first as a representative from 1991 through 2006 and most recently as a United States senator from 2007 to the present day, but he could not name any legislation that specifically benefited the black community from all that time.
Were he the successful legislator he claims to be, he would have done so.
In fact, were he truly interested in his audience, we would have expected him to have been better prepared to answer that question.
Sanders dodged questions related to a large voting block that could make or break his candidacy, and may possibly even determine the outcome of the 2020 election.
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If this is his approach, his candidacy may fail before it gets off the ground.
Sanders talks much and says little. He wants to be believed without supporting his positions.
Sanders’ explanation of his socialist agenda is much like his response in this interview. He expects to be taken seriously while refusing to provide specifics about how his plans will work, be paid for, or benefit the United States.
Apparently, he thinks he doesn’t have to provide that information to be elected to the highest office in the land. We’ll see how that works out for him.
Dana Nottingham's writing focuses on politics, government, international relations, law, business and families. He has been a content creator for various websites, writing opinion and editorial analysis of current events and affairs and how they affect communities, families and individuals.
Educated in international business and law, Dana fully understands how the world functions. He is pro-business, yet recognizes certain limitations are required to maintain the proper balance between supplier and consumer.
Dana’s experience include working in the district office of a member of Congress and developing and building a growing Colorado city.
Dana has lived in both Mexico and Peru and speaks and writes fluent Spanish. In Colorado, he served as a substitute radio host for two of the top-rated Spanish-language radio programs in Denver and even hosted his own Spanish-language radio program.
Dana Nottingham is an often humorous writer focusing on politics, government, international relations, law, business and families. He has been a content creator for various websites, writing opinion and editorial analysis of current events and affairs and how they affect communities, families and individuals.
Dana believes the future of the United States, and even the world, rests upon the strength of the family. A family, no matter its size or makeup, is both the most basic and the most important unit of government, where all education, training, support and even fun should originate.
Educated in international business and law, Dana understands how the world functions. He is pro-business, yet recognizes certain limitations are required to maintain the proper balance between supplier and consumer. Capitalism provides the best opportunity for success, growth and prosperity but certainly needs to be checked to assure that dishonest, deceitful and harmful practices do not detrimentally affect the system, the economy and the family.
Dana’s law and government experience include working in the district office of a Member of Congress and developing and building a growing Colorado city. He is pro-government to the extent that he understands government is a necessary yet intrusive means to protect our lives, our liberties and our pursuits of happiness, but fully believes government (whether national, state or local) should be as small as necessary to accomplish its limited purposes.
Dana has lived in both Mexico and Peru and speaks and writes fluent Spanish. In Colorado, he served as a substitute radio host for two of the top-rated Spanish-language radio programs in Denver and even hosted his own Spanish-language radio program. He understands and supports the vital role of legal immigrants and immigration, while recognizing the failure of the United States to properly address either legal or illegal immigration. Dana advocates complete reformation (and subsequent enforcement) of our nation’s immigration laws.
A classically trained pianist, Dana often accompanies local singers and groups in performances, large and small. He also performs an annual Independence Day concert, sharing his music and thoughts about the freedoms and blessings enjoyed from living in the United States.
In his spare time, Dana likes to camp, hike, waterski, watch college football and work in the yard with his five children.
