How a realistic understanding of our economy and Bernie's popularity could help Democrats select a most electible presidential candidate.

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Bernie's endless insistence on independence, and that he is a socialist is a non-negative form of virtue signalling. I'm sure It is sincere but would be much less consequential, even if he was elected, than the evils visited upon us by Trump's fake "free enterprising." No president, or even majorities in both houses of Congress could take over all mines, mills, factories, etc. and run them for the benefit of all.

America is not a capitalist country, nor a socialist country! We and every group having a big enough economy to be discernible, are, AND ALWAYS WILL BE, MIXED ECONOMIES. Household economies where production occurs for sustenance of life, will always be a substratum that operates on a morality of duty and virtue different from the morality of formal organizations.

A significant change in distribution toward American's needs will require rooting out the worst republicans in the Senate and House as well as Trump, et.al. No doubt, America is so rich, great improvements can be made even under existing New Deal and Great Society programs through appropriation of more funding! But it will require removal of a lot of punkpublicans. One example would be to remove the 19 punkpublican governors who kept their people from Obamacare.

It was established that thousands more uninsured persons would die, than if they were covered with Obamacare. Years of "qualys," high quality healthy life were cancelled by those Governors. That was burn in hell wrong! There is enough wealth for a decent life for all a even without severely diminishing extreme wealth and without gross inflation, (using the knowledge we have from Modern Monetary Theory.)

Financialistas might have to take not even a "haircut," maybe a trim or two. "Moon shots," such as we once undertook (think climate change adaptation) might require greater effort. Given this reality, I would vote for any of the 24 or so Democrats who presented themselves as an alternative to Trump! Time is short! To beat Trump - Putin may require dire measures to degrade Russia's capabilities for interference, measures stronger than sanctions! I would not shrink from neutralizing Russia's "Bear" hackers hopefully by buying their defections.

Mayhap there are weaknesses in the Russian Internet Research Agency building that could lead to destruction of data and maybe machinery. To get that sanctioned positively requires, if not Trump's removal, a lot of daring from patriots of the "dark government." I do not think Putin would risk nuclear war in retaliation. But I urge DRAFTING a Democrat for President who has enacted our values of honesty, courage, and, truthfulness, the opposites of Trump's behaviors. DRAFT TOM HANKS OR KEVIN COSTNER OR GEORGE CLOONEY!

Authors Website: http://baloneyslicer.tripod.com/

Authors Bio:

I could be Bernie Sanders older brother by similarity. I was born in Manhattan, 1940, he, about a year later, in Brooklyn. I too am a white male American. A retired college professor of philosophy. We both were born of Jewish parents. I was in Harlem CORE, He in Chicago CORE. We both went to the University of Chicago; me 58 - 62, he 60 - 64 (I think.) And yet, I don't recall meeting him! U. of Chicago had plenty of progressive activists despite being a bastion of Milton Friedman. He went into politics in Vermont in '68 (?) and I settled that year into a college professorship in northwestern Pennsylvania.

I've been a long-time minor activist in the civil rights, anti-war, pro feminism movements and taught critical thinking and social philosophy. I've been a unionist, on the Board of Directors of a food co-op, an ACLU chapter president, a CASA, and an elected Green Party Borough Councilman in my small hometown. I'm happily married, for over 50 years, to a woman significantly responsible for my modest success in life. We have two great kids and one grandchild, for whom we hope there is a decent future! Recently I've been pushing Modern Monetary Theory.

Politically in 60 years I've been everything from a Libertarian in extreme youth, through socialist but now at last I just call myself a Utilitarian and Pragmatist. It avoids useless rhetorical arguments.