Watching Bernie Sanders debate Hilary Clinton this week on MSNBC, just a few days before the New Hampshire primary, I couldn't have felt more proud of Bernie. I am convinced he would be a good president, maybe the best we have ever had, even though his foreign policy, especially toward Palestine, leaves much to be desired.
On Fox News at 2 am, I heard pundits give reasons why they liked Bernie. Others argued that the middle class is going to have to pay for all this "free stuff" Bernie is talking about, and if Bernie really wants to win against Hilary, he needs to take a stronger stance on ISIS. But many peace activists and progressives understand that if we want true national security, we need to bring the troops home and close down all our military bases around the world, and the middle class do not have to be hurt by Bernie's policy recommendations.
Bernie is more a social democrat rather than a socialist. I read an article recently that stated that the socialist and leftist political parties are now more divided than ever as a result of Bernie Sanders' rise to fame. But until Bernie came along, the word "socialism" was a bad word. Moreover, you rarely heard the word "capitalism" mentioned in the mainstream media. But since you cannot talk extensively about socialism without discussing capitalism, it may be that innovative ideas will get more attention now. Change is happening, and we progressives and leftists should rejoice.
It also amazes me beyond measure that minorities still support Clinton when Sanders would serve them better. This convinces me even more that we need to take all money out of politics. In previous articles, I have argued that there is a way to equally empower the seven largest national political parties.
Regarding the public schools (as a retired teacher), I believe we should decentralize public schools and let the residents who live within the boundary of every elementary, middle, and high school choose their own school board and develop their own school philosophy and curriculum, using public funds. This would create more neighborhood togetherness and community solidarity. I have never heard of any other educator advocating this policy, which I have endorsed for forty years. It is worth trying, possibly as a pilot program somewhere.
Ultimately if we pass an amendment that revises Article V of the Constitution, we can have a constitutional convention in a truly safe, fair, and democratic way to create an updated national constitution. I have written my own version of a new constitution in which I advocate a unicameral national legislature (by abolishing the U.S. Senate) that makes it easier to pass amendments, proportional representation, instant run-off voting, and the election of a president through majority rule (which would discard the Electoral College system).
The increasing legalization of marijuana, the most versatile plant on earth, for recreational and health benefits and of cannabis hemp for industrial purposes is a good thing. Keeping marijuana illegal only encourages people to drink alcohol more when smoking weed is much safer.
The United States in an Empire, and the average citizen does not have a clue about how our CIA and military operate in every corner of the globe. On foreign policy, readers are encouraged to read the writings of William Blum, Noam Chomsky, and Michael Parenti. Chalmers Johnson argued that about 1/3 of the military budget is a secret budget.
The United States needs to officially confess its many sins, repent, and ask for forgiveness for the ways it has harmed the planet, various nations and individuals. It could then start a process of planetary healing and peace on earth.
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