I thought it would be more painful. It wasn’t completely painless, to be sure…, but after 63 years of absolute abstinence, there was bound to be a little discomfort, at the least. Luckily, it didn’t last long. It was over almost before I knew it. I was left with some feelings of guilt…, maybe remorse. Time will tell about that…, I guess.
I left my name, mailing address, phone number and email address. No physical address. I learned that lesson many years ago. When all I used to give out was a post office box for an address and had an unlisted phone number…, not even the IRS could track me down. And they were trying…, family and ex-employers told me so. Two weeks after I got a phone listed in my name for a house I was sharing with the rest of the logging crew working on an out of town job…, an IRS agent left a note on the door for me. But I digress…, in this case I want some acknowledgement of my contribution. Then again…, I don’t want it to turn into a constant and relentless demanding…, or begging…, for more.
Yeah…, it’s already started. It wasn’t a demand or a beg really…, more of a thank you note via email, with a not so subtle hint that it would be ever so helpful if I could give again. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so generous the first time…, probably should have taken it a little slower and easier. But after all these years, I felt that if I was going to do it…, I was going to do it right and go all the way. Or at least as far as I felt I could, without feeling some real pain. So I clicked that $100 button…, and it was over and done with. No turning back now. And I am not feeling too bad about it at this time…, I guess.
Yeah…, I donated to Bernie Sanders campaign. The first time ever, that I have contributed as much as a single penny to a politician. I might just do it again before it’s all over…, though most of the pundits in the media say he doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance in this global warming climate of acing out Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. I don’t know…, those same pundits were saying the same things about Obama and Hillary six years ago. Think about that for a moment…, after you consider what’s been in the news about black men out on the streets of America lately. That a black man was able to woo voters away from Hillary says a lot about her. I think voters were looking for an anything but Hillary nearly eight years ago…, and they may be again. Sure, all the big time Wall Street money is bet on her…, and believe me…, that money will be pouring out like water over Niagara Falls for her if Bernie starts to gain some traction. Well…, I don’t know just how afraid the oligarchs and plutocrats are of him right now…, but if his common sense approach to the issues starts to resonate with the voters of this country and sparks a bit of a fire…, we could see some real panic in the boardrooms…, not to mention the Clinton bedroom. “NOOOO…, not AGAIN !!!” And that will be before we get out of the primaries.
I only voted in one presidential election…, ever. And never in a primary. They say now-a-days that it makes no difference if you vote Democrat or Republican…, they are one in the same. I thought that for years before folks started saying it. Then the Wee Bush got elected…, twice. Yeah…, I voted against him the only time I ever voted for (make that against) a president. And I was physically sick when he got re-elected. That experience doesn’t give me a whole lot of faith in the voters of this country. That they couldn’t see then, the train wreck that was riding the rails of a Wee Bush re-election still flabbergasts me. Well…, a hell of a lot of them woke up after that train wreck. As the late Joe Bageant described that awakening, “Either they have suddenly developed a streak of conscience, or they simply don’t want to be associated with the trail of crime, blood and feces Bush and his cronies have obviously tracked across the carpet of American history. My bet is on the latter.” Yeah…, a pumpkin-headed pogo stick could have trounced any Republican candidate after the stench and stigma left on the Grand Old Party by the Wee Bush. The stench was so complete and long lasting that a pumpkin-headed pogo stick could probably do it again in 2016…, and probably will…, if we don’t find some way to wake up some rank and file, common sense voters to get out and vote for Bernie Sanders in the primaries. They say that big money buys elections these days…, but this is a chance to show the oligarchs and plutocrats that their money is not always well spent. I don’t know how many more presidential elections I will have the chance to participate in at my age…, but at least this one could be a chance to vote FOR someone…, as opposed to voting for the least worst option. And I am not at all sure if there is a least worst option between Hillary and another Bush.?
Sanders is running on the Democratic ticket as a strategic move…, but he has served 20 some years in Congress as an Independent and describes himself as a “democratic socialist”. That won’t scare the educated and thoughtful folks who understand what socialism really is…, but for the knuckle dragging, Neanderthal, FOX news, Rush Limbaugh junkies and Republicans? Well…, I just wish that Stephan Colbert and Jon Stewart were going to be around to have me rolling on the floor, pissing my pants laughing, as they make fun of the talking heads screaming bloody murder, the sky is falling and the barbarians are at the gate…, as Sanders gains in the polls. The Scandinavian countries have survived and thrived quite nicely with a socialist form of government. And after bearing witness to the free market, private enterprise example of the too big to fail and too big to jail Wall Street banks and banksteers…, I would welcome the nationalization of those entities…, not to mention the nationalization of the health care industry where private insurance companies run a cost plus, monopoly business model.
Here’s the “platform” statement from Bernie’s “thank you” email:
Income and wealth inequality: In the United States today we have the most unequal wealth and income distribution of any major country on earth -- worse than at any time since the 1920s. This is an economy that must be changed in fundamental ways.
Jobs and income: In my view, we need a massive federal jobs program which puts millions of our people back to work. We must end our disastrous trade policies. We need to raise the minimum wage to a living wage. And we have to fight for pay equity for women.
Campaign finance reform: As a result of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, American democracy is being undermined by the ability of the Koch brothers and other billionaire families. These wealthy contributors can literally buy politicians and elections by spending hundreds of millions of dollars in support of the candidates of their choice. We need to overturn Citizens United and move toward public funding of elections so that all candidates can run for office without being beholden to the wealthy and powerful.
Climate change: Climate change is real, caused by human activity and already devastating our nation and planet. The United States must lead the world in combating climate change and transforming our energy system away from fossil fuels and toward energy efficiency and sustainability.
College affordability: Every person in this country who has the desire and ability should be able to get all the education they need regardless of the income of their family. This is not a radical idea. In Germany, Scandinavia and many other countries, higher education is either free or very inexpensive. We must do the same.
Health care: Shamefully, the United States remains the only major country on earth that does not guarantee health care to all people. The United States must move toward a Medicare-for-all single-payer system. Health care is a right, not a privilege.
Poverty: The United States has more people living in poverty than at almost any time in the modern history of our country. I believe that in a democratic, civilized society none of our people should be hungry or living in desperation. We need to expand Social Security, not cut it. We need to increase funding for nutrition programs, not cut them.
Tax reform: We need real tax reform which makes the rich and profitable corporations begin to pay their fair share of taxes. We need a tax system which is fair and progressive. Children should not go hungry in this country while profitable corporations and the wealthy avoid their tax responsibilities by stashing their money in the Cayman Islands.
And these are just some of the issues that we will be dealing with.
Yeah…, common sense, down to earth, plain and simple, to the point, easy to understand…, and impossible to argue against. I am not saying that it will be easy for Bernie to get any of those things implemented if the gets elected…, the man is honest enough to tell you that himself. I will say that I am as certain as I have been about anything in this long life…, that none of those things will be implemented by Hillary Clinton or Jebby.
Here’s the link to the Bill Moye’s interview on the PBS TV program:
And a quote from the program:
BERNIE SANDERS: Yes. The only point, there is a difference between social issues and the economic issues. And I will not deny for one moment that taking on the ruling class of this country and the billionaire class, it’s tough stuff. It is tough stuff. So I don’t have any magical solutions. But what I do know is that if we do not create an economy that works for ordinary people, if we do not end the fact that 95 percent of all new income now goes to the top one percent. We’ve got to end it, and the only way I know to do that is to rally ordinary people around the progressive agenda. So our job is to create a 50 state, grassroots movement around a progressive agenda.
I also posted that link to the Moyer’s show on my Facebook page with the comment that if Bernie ran…, “I will get involved”.
He did…, and I am…, for the first time. And I am feeling better about it all the time…, and that ain’t no guess.
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