I Like Hillary but will be Voting for Bernie

"What is the difference between a socialist and a democrat?" The Democratic National Committee Chair, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, hesitated. She was likely caught off guard. "I'll ask again, what is the difference?" Chris Matthews, a liberal pundit on MSNBC, aggressively questioned. The segment topic involved Bernie Sanders. He did not appear to be a fan. Chris wanted answers.

I like Chris Matthews. In middle school, I read his books. He always seemed fair-minded, even with people that he disagreed with. Chris' love for Pennsylvania, the state where he was born, and preference for political compromise puts him more to the center than some progressives / liberals.

When it comes to the 2016 democratic primary, there is no dispute as to whom he supports. He is strongly behind Hillary Clinton. The tacit endorsement brings me back to my initial thoughts: Bernie Sanders irritates him. He is not alone.

Senator McCaskill, former Representative Barnie Frank, and other democrats have openly questioned the "insurgent" campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders. They argue that his campaign only hurts Hillary. The critics also claim that Bernie has no chance of winning; he should let Hillary ease into the general election. I respectfully disagree.

Bernie Sanders is running for the middle class. His policies are extremely popular. Take one issue after the other, and you will see that a large majority of people support his views. Incomes and wages must be increased. Wall Street should be regulated. More must be done to end crony capitalism. Bernie puts the issue of income and wealth inequality front and center like no other candidate.

Make no mistake, the United States is at a pivotal point in its history. There has been no other time in our history when inequalities have been so extreme -- before the Great Depression even, during the Gilded Age.

There must be a candidate who is not afraid to discuss these issues. A candidate cannot be afraid of wealthy, powerful lobbyists-- special interests who will spend billions to keep the status quo. It would not be the first time that a candidate has stood up to the robber barons and won. Indeed, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson, to a certain extent, have all proved that populist policies are smart politics. 

I certainly would support Hillary if she were to win the primaries. She is a great candidate. But, given current economic realities, we need a strong progressive. I think of FDR or Teddy, and I know that America could elect a fighter again. That's why I support Bernie Sanders. He has the best policy stances and is not afraid to voice those policies. Against a default Republican candidate, he could easily win.

So, let me answer Chris Matthews' question. A democrat is a socialist. Even some republicans are socialists. If you like Medicare, Social Security, and other social safety nets, you are a socialist. It is not a bad word. We can support both a democratic society and a capitalist market economy that works for everyone, not just the rich. Sometimes, it takes a self-described democratic socialist to make that happen.

The Politics of Greed

There is a misconception about Jesus. Christ did share a gospel of love, acceptance, and service. But, he also got angry; and it was not about gays and lesbians.

The gospels illustrate Jesus' target of anger: the money changers and traders at the temple in Jerusalem. In a fit of rage, Jesus overturned tables and bemoaned the evils of greed. Theologians may argue that the cause of Jesus' rage was the disrespect shown to the temple. Such an interpretation ignores Jesus' other sermons (remember the eye of the camel analogy?).

Christ always spoke of the corrupting nature of avarice. It twists the soul. Worship of money can impede a person's salvation. The theme repeats over and over. One can celebrate success and wealth, but one should always remember: love others, serve others, and fulfill your purpose.

Given this instruction straight from Christ, a political observer would think that Republicans would adhere to its message. One large branch of the Republican party is the social conservative tent, or evangelical base. Far too often the evangelicals cozy up with those who alienate the poor.

Take two recent developments. First, the Republican controlled House of Representatives voted and passed a bill that would eliminate the estate tax. The fiscal cost is estimated to be over $250 billion over ten years. The proposed law would only help .2% of households, or a little over 5,000 millionaire/billionaire families. When asked why there was a need to kill the estate tax, Republican representatives cited the hardship of farm owners, who may have to sell their farms because of the tax. However, none could provide an example.

Second, in Kansas, Republicans voted and passed a law that would prohibit welfare recipients from spending their assistance money on movie theaters, swimming pools, cruise ships, and nail salons. Other restrictions show a disdain for the impoverished. Again, not one lawmaker gave an anecdotal story of how they saw a welfare recipient living it up on a cruise ship.

These examples show how cruel the Republican party has become -- award the rich and punish the poor. There is a mindset now that tax cuts to the wealthy can be paid for by cutting government spending for the struggling citizen. They sell the plan by using a chimera, poor farm owners and welfare queens soaking up the sun on cruise ships. In the meantime, they secure themselves campaign war chests and wall street jobs after their congressional service.

Poverty is not a choice for millions of Americans. By the stroke of bad luck, they are born into circumstances out of their control. It is unchristian and inhuman to demonize those who work hard to get ahead but remain impoverished, with little hope. They should be treated with dignity, with respect, not ridicule.

My republican friends claim to have a monopoly on patriotism, fiscal responsibility, and Christian values. By most measures, they seem to be failing on all fronts. Is Jesus angry?