Veenendaal

Last sunday I wrote an article about Senator Sanders' road to the US presidency. And only moments later, it got picked up by an American. This reminded me how World Wide the Web actually is.

So, to be of service to the international audience I apparently have, I ran my article through Google Translate. Turning my perfect Dutch into mediocre English. But at least giving people who can't read Dutch the opportunity to roughly get my drift.

Enjoy, and Feel The Bern!

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#FeelTheBern

There is a spirit by the US. The spirit of Bernie Sanders and Bernie Bros. All the powers of old America have committed themselves to a holy battue against this spirit: the financial sector, the mainstream media, the Republicans and Hillary Clinton.

Bernie Sanders, Senator, on behalf of the state of Vermont, wants to be the Democratic candidate for president. He takes it in this race against the "Crown Princess", Hillary Clinton.
That in itself is not surprising. It is customary for the presidential election, first with both parties erupting a fight for the candidacy - though that is sometimes (very extensive) formality.

What is remarkable is his appearance. A grandpa of 74 often with tousled hair; speaking in a thick accent Brooklyns an unpolished manner.
Even more remarkable than his appearance, his political agenda. Had the American voter previously only the choice between "slightly to the right," and "too right" with Bernie Sanders is also "left" in the American political color palette. Not 'relatively left', but 'left'. Mere left.

Sanders calls himself a (democratic) socialist, and has a program similar to that of the SP and even catching up on points left.

Sanders speaks out against racism and discrimination. He wants hard combat climate change by changing the energy sector. He wants affordable care for everyone. He wants to impose arms trafficking and possession of weapons restricted. He wants to make the police again "your best friend". He wants the poorly maintained infrastructure undergo a major restoration - and thus create jobs. He wants to raise the minimum wages and better social security.
Sanders wants to tackle the financial sector. The (too) big banks chop up. introduce strict rules. A tax increase for big business and the super rich. submit campaign financing to tires; that politicians no longer 'bought' can be by industry.
Sanders wants to free further education after high school for anyone who wants to learn. And this paid with a tax increase.

And what is even more bizarre: this inadequate grandpa with his "radical" left-wing ideas is not only a chance to win the candidacy, but even a favorite for the presidency ...

While we Europeans delude ourselves that the next president either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump called, we miss what is really going on in the US. What Trump concerns: that hordes Dutch run after a right-wing hatred sower with a bad haircut does not mean that the whole world does. While Trump do not mobilize his supporters, so he had to take it in the Republican caucus in the state of Iowa against his opponent Ted Cruz, and the hot breath of Marco Rubio feels his neck.
No, it certainly is not established fact that Donald Trump is going to represent the Republicans in the race for the White House.

In the same Iowa where Trump did not win, Hillary Clinton won the non Bernie Sanders. It was a draw.
And that loss, if you were the untouchable candidate last year and the election event appeared to be a formality.
Clinton may have some "electors" have more; she owes it only to her favorable fallen six games heads or tails. (Delicious, which advanced democracy in America.)
And according to the polls, she is back in the state of New Hampshire, which take place next Tuesday primaries...

The trump card that Clinton has held that it is' verkiesbaarder. Sanders' message might turn it in to the progressive Democrats, but to defeat the Republicans you still need a more moderate candidate...
It is reminiscent of the trump card that the Labour Party (PvdA) believes it has against the SP, when it comes to governing.
That trump card proves false bluff! From numerous polls show that Sanders is doing significantly better than Clinton against the Republicans. Democrats want to hold the presidency, they have a better chance with the grumpy grandpa left, then the crown princess of the establishment.

I don't pretend to be an expert on American politics. I do not know what the difference is between a and Caucus and Primary. I do not know what Glass-Steagal exactly, and what constitutes its reintroduction. Or how the forces acting between the President and Congress and the Senate (I do not even know what the difference is between the Congress and the Senate).
But I recognize a political revolution when I see one. And that is what is going on in the US
In the land of the capitalist cowboys, where democracy is nothing more than a thin veneer that the oligarchy hardly conceals, where the middle class is glossed over and the working class exploited - all in favor of Scrooge McDucks who wallow in other people's money and the ideology of Ayn Rand...
... In this country now says the common man "Ho! I've had enough of you strapatzen. It is time that we, and our interests are represented once again, instead of just those of Wall Street villains."

And if it there is, it must also be able here.
Feel The Burn!

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If you like to read more about the SP (Dutch Socialist Party), in better English than what Google Translate makes of it, please click HERE.