Political parties have control over the terms of primary elections. Whoever becomes the new head of the DNC must commit to banning super PACs in Democratic primaries. If Dems really want to become the party of working people, they must disavow Big Money. - ThreadSky

rbreich.bsky.social • 160 days ago

Political parties have control over the terms of primary elections.

Whoever becomes the new head of the DNC must commit to banning super PACs in Democratic primaries.

If Dems really want to become the party of working people, they must disavow Big Money.

Comments

daniel-forest-scap.bsky.social•159 days ago

Saying you want to end curroption in the US is like saying you want to end r@pe. The goal is good either way; but without a plan, your goal is only a wish. What is Sanders'es plan to end curroption?

bluestatedoctor.bsky.social•159 days ago

Agree completely. Democrats are the do as I say party. They blame but don't get results when they have the power. I dispise Repubs, but they will get Gilead before we get Medicare-for-all.

theorivas.bsky.social•160 days ago

AGREED NO MORE BIG MONEY!!! IF NOT, I AM LEAVING THE DEM’s

ginmoore.bsky.social•159 days ago

Yeah, that’ll show ‘em.

mikey64.bsky.social•159 days ago

This is all well and good, but what we really need is Big Money out of elections in general. If Elon, Peter Thiel and others weren’t able to spend hundreds of millions to get their guy elected, we’d likely be watching a Harris/Walz transition now.

spaceprol.bsky.social•159 days ago

@rbreich.bsky.social what can we do to compel the democrats to go along with this?

larryfrompa.bsky.social•160 days ago

That's not their problem. They are not bleeding voters because voters prefer money from Oligarchs like Musk and Theil to money from AT&T.

curiouscitizen.bsky.social•160 days ago

If they do, then there’d have to be a truly epic campaign and messaging strategy to roll it out to the public, putting pressure on the other party/parties.

My wife & I after nearly every political discussion & “thought experiment”, we come to the same common denominator - remove $ from politics

portlandval.bsky.social•158 days ago

Absolutely first step to regaining our government.

yourejoking.bsky.social•160 days ago

It would be nice if they got rid of Citizen's United, that was the beginning of the end...

krnlkule.bsky.social•159 days ago

Exactly dollars do not equal speech. It gives a megaphone to special interests. These are not citizens they are corporations.

And corporations do not and should not have the same rights as citizens.

katwalably.bsky.social•160 days ago

And greed

majorbeemay.bsky.social•160 days ago

Yes!! Their allegiance to corporations and profit before people is what turned so many people away.. you can't use social justice issues as a shield while you refuse to support: living wages, healthcare, affordable housing, education, etc! Open your eyes Dems.. financial justice is social justice.

paperwhalefly.bsky.social•159 days ago

too true. And their use of social issues as a shield (ie Idnetity politics) is actually creating division, on which they thrive, and throwing the people they claim to fight for under the bus.

el0nismusky.bsky.social•160 days ago

Politicians not beholden to big money donors? I also look forward to the flying pigs.

mateocaldwell.bsky.social•159 days ago

Maybe they should commit to actually conducting a primary.

portlandval.bsky.social•158 days ago

So agree. Follow example of New York program of matching small money donors to get big wealth out.

cptdoomdc.bsky.social•160 days ago

The party imcludes millions of working people. Please stop feeding the nonsense that "working class" = white racists.

whyguy.from.christmas•160 days ago

as a working person, the democratic party does not represent me. they represent big business, especially arms dealers and insurance companies.

immapeacock.bsky.social•160 days ago

If Democrats work to get big money out of elections I might actually be excited to vote for them.

dafyddr.bsky.social•160 days ago

Well said professor 😁

menenkim.bsky.social•160 days ago

They need to start focusing on state races—start chipping away GOP strongholds.

krnlkule.bsky.social•159 days ago

Yes! This all day everyday.

bon-mot.bsky.social•159 days ago

Hi Shawn. You and I worked on the @LeaveNoDemBehind project over on TikTok. I had a different handle. It’s nice to see you here. Hopefully more of us will jump on board. I love Bluesky so far.

bon-mot.bsky.social•159 days ago

I agree. Not only to chip away GOP strongholds but to shore up protection for the folks most vulnerable to Trump’s policies. It’s the best, maybe only, bulwark we have to survive this national disaster.

evokativity.bsky.social•160 days ago

But, Rob: then how can they compete with the Repub and MAGA mega donors?

immapeacock.bsky.social•160 days ago

Yes. Democrats outspent Republicans and lost. We're still pretty much a two party system.

gmcalpin.bsky.social•160 days ago

He specifies Democratic primaries. Republicans don’t run in Democratic primaries.

yaygya.ca•160 days ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_West_Virginia_gubernatorial_election#Democratic_primary

daniel-forest-scap.bsky.social•159 days ago

In 2020, the winner was the same guy that switched to be republican. Don't act like West Virginia is a solid blue state.

yaygya.ca•159 days ago

It was on the state level. Between 1972 and 2016, it had a Democratic Governor for more time than California or New York.

daniel-forest-scap.bsky.social•159 days ago

A better timeframe is from 2000 to 2024; in 1996, Lousiana was a blue state.

gmcalpin.bsky.social•159 days ago

what are you trying to say? all three people who ran in that Democratic primary were Democrats.

yaygya.ca•159 days ago

Justice is a Republican who switched registrations to the Democratic Party to run in the gubernatorial primary, then switched back to the Republicans a few months after winning the general election.

gmcalpin.bsky.social•159 days ago

Huuuhh. Well it’s rare for Republicans to run in Democratic primaries, then. Why didn’t he just primary the Republican candidate…?

whyguy.from.christmas•160 days ago

they will never raise more money from corporate donors without becoming exactly the thing they're trying to defeat in republicans

gn4rest.bsky.social•160 days ago

I still like each candidate for the same office getting the same amount of tax money and that’s all they get or can use. Get the fucking money out of politics. The billionaires own the nation at the moment.

sallybmccarty.bsky.social•160 days ago

Primaries are for Parties to choose their nominees. Bernie is not a member of any Party, a seemingly proud independent. Why is he commenting on primaries?

pasto76.bsky.social•159 days ago

How will that unfold of only Dems do this. What if Mark Cuban wants to find every Dem in the country via super PAC in '26?

gerrig1954.bsky.social•160 days ago

There should be a law against politicians taking money from lobbyist IMO.

auntietoall.bsky.social•159 days ago

Bans on PACS for both parties!

unclefister.bsky.social•159 days ago

Coach Walz would be good choice to head dnc

engpharm.bsky.social•159 days ago

So… underfund yourselves on principle and let them rule financially each election cycle? Ban the practice on both sides.

jimjonesgop.bsky.social•159 days ago

In a capitalist society?

coopersfriend.bsky.social•160 days ago

i think the average voter doesn't care. So not gonna help at the polls, next.

krnlkule.bsky.social•159 days ago

Don’t you think that we need to change how the average voter perceives undue influence? If we remove pac money from the primary process we are demonstrating the effect of pac money on elections.

coopersfriend.bsky.social•159 days ago

Supposedly people voted on the price of eggs. Trump had a pac for every day of the week, and he won. It's a righteous issue but many people dont read about politics.

krnlkule.bsky.social•159 days ago

So what are you suggesting, that we don’t even try? If we simply give up because there’s a group of people who refuse to stay abreast of what’s going on, then we’re just as guilty as the people who are abusing the system.

arielmoger.bsky.social•160 days ago

The average voter may not care about the principle of refusing Super PAC money, but politicians free from special interests can arguably better speak to the issues that constituents genuinely care about.

eneismi.bsky.social•160 days ago

I agree big money destroys politics but don't you have to pay in the hand you're in as opposed to the one you'd like to be in..... win then ban big money

dflak-thea.bsky.social•159 days ago

Big money certainly didnt do Kamala much good.

bluemeuninck.bsky.social•159 days ago

We ran a fabulous candidate against Tim Walberg(MI). Our candidate raised $90,000 on her own, just shy of the $100,00 she needed to get the PAC and media coverage she needed to win! We subsequently lost to that foul creature! She was Union, woman, electrician, farmer! I’m crying bitter tears!

hol-la.bsky.social•159 days ago

Robert, how do we get the dem party to play ball? Every election is proof that they need to run populist messaging and they continue to pretend that "moving right" is the answer. That reaching across the aisle is the answer. And every election they are proven wrong. How do we get this cycle to stop

returnittoearth.bsky.social•160 days ago

Oh yes. Thank you Robert 🙌

sandra313.bsky.social•160 days ago

How does the party enforce that kind of rule? Super PACs, by definition, don’t coordinate with the candidate. If a super PAC wants to disqualify a candidate, all they have to do is advertise for that candidate. This just opens the door to a new form of sabotage by big money.

grtoad.bsky.social•159 days ago

To the younger generation the Republican Party is a very wealthy business that provides careers with incredible salary potential. Especially lobbyists considering the super PACs. Much more than the Democratic Party.

upwardfalling13.bsky.social•159 days ago

I usually agree with you, however, the Dems cannot afford to tie one hand behind their back given the big bucks going to GOP PAC and races. The SCOTIS Citizen’s United decision is the key issue.

sheanndie.bsky.social•157 days ago

Not just 1 party, but both.

mardimonty.bsky.social•159 days ago

How can you eliminate big money from PACs as long as Citizens United is still in effect?

kmcdill.bsky.social•159 days ago

I agree!

niki-lakestani.bsky.social•160 days ago

Wait I really like this

sewmichelleu.bsky.social•159 days ago

Then it's an uneven playing field. The GOP will still take the big money! Need Citizens United to be repealed!

classicliberal.bsky.social•159 days ago

First intelligent thing you have said in a long time. The DNC is out of touch!

emskware.bsky.social•160 days ago

While the Republicans can get billions infused into their campaigns by super PACs? Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.

whyguy.from.christmas•160 days ago

it doesn't avail us at all, it only weakens us

arielmoger.bsky.social•160 days ago

emskware.bsky.social•160 days ago

arielmoger.bsky.social•159 days ago

Super PACs could still spend in the general election. Bernie is arguing to ban them in the primaries so that candidates vying for the Dem nomination focus on policies and issues rather than getting money from special interests.

emskware.bsky.social•159 days ago

Well, it's another example of Bernie's utopian theories. I don't know about real life though. Candidates should have the right to determine whether or not they accept PAC money. Many can't afford a campaign without it.

krnlkule.bsky.social•159 days ago

There is nothing utopian about this proposal. Until the “Citizens United” decision came along this was how it was done.

misscrowdcontrol.bsky.social•160 days ago

Bernie is right!

womenwarriors.com•159 days ago

What Robert said.

sumokat.bsky.social•160 days ago

C'mon, man. That's like asking my cat not to attack the Chriatmas tree.

wencen.bsky.social•159 days ago

It's too late for the demorats...they don't listen to the people....just as owned by the wealthy and just as out of touch with people as trumps bunch. We need a new party not one with years of BS and no action. Too many women are suffering needlessly so dems could fundraise off abortion.

occamstaser.bsky.social•159 days ago

They must also commit to reversing the effects of the Citizens United ruling, then manage a complete overhaul of campaign finance laws.

isomeme.bsky.social•160 days ago

It's a good idea in theory, but I doubt it would have any effect. Changing campaign law or policy will just cause the money to move along a different path. It's like water flowing downhill.

cso888.bsky.social•159 days ago

I agree banning Super PACs can help to shape the policies that fits the current trends rather than who speaks with most money.

russianbluebot.bsky.social•160 days ago

Im not sure that they do.

reeniemy.bsky.social•160 days ago

Good first step. Get rid of Super PACs in primaries to prove Dems are serious about getting money/corruption out of politics. Then when they get back in power, expand the Supreme Court and ban all money in all levels of politics and judiciary.

spiderteo.bsky.social•160 days ago

Here's what I have a difficult time understanding. Bribery is pretty much illegal, correct? Now, lobbyists are essentially bribers, offering campaign money in exchange of political favors. How the hell does that happen?

spiderteo.bsky.social•160 days ago

Also, is there some sort of contract made with big donors? Could politicians accept campaign contributions without actually doing what lobbyists want? Can't they just take the money and run?

fernandez2126.bsky.social•159 days ago

They also need to fire all of their consultants.

semperperatus.bsky.social•160 days ago

Harris Presidential campaign spent $16B, how so? confronted by a Supreme Court arms race?

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