1/ I follow a number of ppl. who are intelligent & compassionate and are Sanders supporters. This has prompted me to analyze the basis for their support & why they think he will win & be a successful president
2/ To start: they are socialists & believe that this ideology is both compassionate, rational & would be very popular if people actually knew the truth about it
The masses don't know abt the Truth of socialism b/c the Machine lies to them (b/c the media is in on the conspiracy)
The masses don't know abt the Truth of socialism b/c the Machine lies to them (b/c the media is in on the conspiracy)
3/ Because socialism is Truth & Compassion, anyone who rejects it must either be:
1. corrupt (profiting from anti-Soc) or
2. cruel or
3. stupid or
4. brainwashed
Implicitly, the aggression from Sanders supporters comes from these 4 assumptions: his opponents are one of the 4
1. corrupt (profiting from anti-Soc) or
2. cruel or
3. stupid or
4. brainwashed
Implicitly, the aggression from Sanders supporters comes from these 4 assumptions: his opponents are one of the 4
4/ This is the same behavior as religious zealots, of course
As an anthropology undergrad, I wrote my thesis on "ideology" & how secular ideologies function similarly to religion
(note, that socialists require the same magical thinking as religious people is funny to me)
As an anthropology undergrad, I wrote my thesis on "ideology" & how secular ideologies function similarly to religion
(note, that socialists require the same magical thinking as religious people is funny to me)
5/ Sanders' ppl believe that a nec. majority of Americans would follow him if they were finally educated on the benefits of socialism
This means his campaign has to both (1) destroy the forces that keep the truth from being heard while (2) describing the glories of his vision
This means his campaign has to both (1) destroy the forces that keep the truth from being heard while (2) describing the glories of his vision
6/ I'm wary of the entire enterprise b/c it strikes me as condescending, simplistic, and on shaky factual grounds
Even it they are right, I don't like the methods. The ends never justify the means; because means are ends in themselves
Even it they are right, I don't like the methods. The ends never justify the means; because means are ends in themselves
7/ Bill Clinton & Obama are described by Sanders ppl as neoliberal goons, but both were elected w/majorities in Congress, both immediately tried to get full health care & both were rewarded by aggressively losing Congress 2 years later, giving us Newt in '94 & TeaParty in '10
8/ Sanders ppl fall into a fallacy that thinks the US Gov is only the president & when he (davka) gets in office, he can just order it done. Previously failures are due to the 4 sins (see tweet 3)
If the US had a parliament, then it could work that way. We don't.
If the US had a parliament, then it could work that way. We don't.
9/ Sanders' hasn't succeeded in getting any of his plans passed in Congress. Why is that? I'm being generous by saying that it's b/c his movement requires Congress not to be a factor, that it needs Executive Action. That scares me. I don't want a despot, no matter how benevolent.
10/ Sanders' followers whom I know are generous people who believe that his policies would be the best for everybody. But if I say that I'm skeptical, it's b/c I don't think the facts back any of these assumptions
It's mystical thinking, which I reject in my own religion
It's mystical thinking, which I reject in my own religion
11/ This is evaluating Sanders' candidacy in a vacuum. But the stakes are insanely high right now. He may actually be able to win POTUS, but the Dems captured the House in '18 on the basis of swing GOP districts. How will Sanders win them over?
Anger & wishing aren't a strategy
Anger & wishing aren't a strategy
12/ My Sanders' Following Friends must believe in the capacity of his ideas being so popular that hidden & suppressed voters will carry Dems into both houses of Congress & the White House
Has that ever happened? Look at FDR & LBJ, that's the precedent for any 'socialist' success
Has that ever happened? Look at FDR & LBJ, that's the precedent for any 'socialist' success
13/ FDR & LBJ were expert politicians who knew how to build coalitions & massage congress to follow along; having compliant SCOTUS helped as well. But both lost their supermajorites at a point, and that's when progress stopped
14/ The Sanders' ppl seem to feel that this is the Moment when the US can finally become a benevolent country that will help all of its citizens. Why now? Probably b/c if Trump (ym'sh) can be elected, then anything can happen (see here: )
15/ This is the worst time, IMO, to attempt this experiment. We're on the brink of descending into totalitarianism & may not survive 4 more yrs of a Fascist GOP.
As I rtw before:
As I rtw before:
16/ We agree w/Sanders' supporters that he would be appealing if only the majority of Americans who oppose socialism would change their minds. In BS minds, that requires everyone stop being corrupt/cruel/stupid/brainwashed
Even if that's true, how likely is that vision?
Even if that's true, how likely is that vision?
17/ But I'm falling back on logic, and evidence, and that's not what this debate is about. It's ideology, a secular religion. And there are evangelists and crusaders who are trying to spread the truth by passion and/or the sword
But this is how I understand it as of today
But this is how I understand it as of today
PS 1/ I want to emphasize that I don't consider Sanders' followers to be cartoon characters. I know many & most of them want to solve the same problems I do. Their tone is the same desperation for a solution as in mine. Our difference is in evaluating the facts
