Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) is the first self-described democratic socialist elected to the U.S. Senate and someone who has praised European social democracy. Since democratic socialism (the German Democratic Republic comes to mind) has failed miserably and many European welfare states (like the reunified Germany) are slowly collapsing, I naturally cannot share his convictions.
Though Bernie Sanders could overpower Barack Obama any day of the week when it comes to left-wing politics, I would always pick him over the President. One might wonder why and frankly the answer is quite simple.
On Friday President Obama signed a 2-year extension of the Bush tax cuts for all Americans into law. In case you are wondering, this is the same extension he has been fighting for many years. Maybe the President suddenly realized that even under the Bush tax cuts the top 10 percent of income earners pay a whopping 71 percent of federal income tax or that many of those earning more than $250,000 per year are small business owners and therefore the main job creators in America. No matter why President Obama finally buckled on this important economic issue, this is a remarkable flip flop on a principle he has proclaimed for years.
While the occupant of the Oval Office seemingly woke up one morning and flushed his beliefs down the toilet, Bernie Sanders held an 8 1/2 hour old-school filibuster (see below) against the extension. The American people expect their President to be principled and passionate. So far, Barack Obama has not excelled in either discipline, which is why I would always pick Bernie Sanders over him.
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