Sure, I like what Bernie Sanders has to say. Who doesn’t? But his promises show an appalling lack of knowledge and realism of the way things work in our system. Of course, he says that he wants to change the system to make it work his way, but it would take a Herculean task to undo a system which has evolved over 300 years.
But let’s look at Bernie’s promises.
He promises free public college for all students — as though a Republican governor like Scott Walker and Republican-controlled state legislatures would spend the money needed for free public college.
He promises to reduce the prison population — as though the federal government and not the states control most issues concerning crime and punishment.
He promises a level playing field in the Israeli-Palestine controversy — as though the American president and not Benjamin Netanyahu makes Israeli policy decisions.
He promises better relations with Afro-Americans — as though he, and not Hillary Clinton, has the overwhelming support of black voters.
He promises to eliminate tax breaks for the wealthy — as though the president and not Congress makes tax laws.
He promises to reverse the Citizens United Supreme Court decision — as though the president can override Supreme Court decisions which he doesn’t like. He promises to roll back corporate welfare and Wall Street — as though he really had the authority to do that. He promises health care for all — as though a Republican-controlled Congress, which barely passed Obama Care, would pass an extended health care law. As the well-respected economist Paul Krugman recently wrote — much of Bernie’s promises are just “voodoo economics.”
Hill Boss
Northampton