Guest Post by TPC
Well, my wife and I went and voted. She voted for Trump, on the basis that he is better than Cruz, and I voted for “Uncommitted” because no candidate on that list is worth selecting.
We grabbed a bite to eat, and went to swing by our favorite bar in town on the way back home. We knew heading there that the same Berniebabies as last time would be present, they had been advertising a victory party all week to be hosted there when Bernie “inevitably” won by a landslide.
I’m a little under the weather and really didn’t feel like communicating with anyone, so I grabbed my drink and positioned myself at the other end of the bar, as physically removed from their festivities as possible while still being in eyeshot of the bartender.
As I nursed my drink, I found my attention continuously roving away from my Calvin and Hobbes book, and towards the gathered Cult of Bernie-ality. Ticker tape festooned the walls, and Bernie sanders T-shirts, and other apparel were everywhere. As were a large number of empty drinks.
What was missing was any of the triumphant jubilation one would normally assign a victory party. Instead, they sat there with slumped shoulders, and dejected looks on their faces. An obvious ring-leader was trying to force enthusiasm, but the rest could only nod mutely along.
Luckily for me, my bladder was full and they were near the bathroom, so I finished off my drink and mosey’d my fat ass past the bar and over to the head so I could kill two birds with one rank piss: make room for more alcohol, and figure out what cat had their tongue.
As I’m passing them I make eye contact with a young couple, and realized they were the same ones my wife had been patiently speaking to just about a week ago. The husband gave me a polite nod, and his wife gave me a surprisingly warm “hello”….judging by her expression she was honestly happy to see me and my wife there. An odd reaction, that. Anyhoo, as I strode past their little camp I caught snippits of conversation, most notably “losing Florida….badly”.
Ah, I hadn’t bothered checking primary results, as I figured it could wait until we got back home. They were losing, and were sad, mystery solved!
I did my business, went back to my seat, and pulled out my phone to check the results. Sure enough, Sanders was losing….but man, not just losing, but taking a beating. Shaking my head, I went back to my drinking and Calving and Hobbesing, resolved to give the matter no more thought that night.
Still, my attention kept wandering back to that group at the end of the bar. They had gained in numbers, but dwindled in decibels. Conversation had almost entirely ended, and they were all just sitting and staring at assorted iGadgets.
I furrowed my brow as only one of North European descent can do, and turned my sluggish brain towards these most recent developments.
Eventually it dawned on me, they had really, truly, believed that they were untouchably right. That by screaming from the rooftops they were right, and haranguing all dissenters they would rally all to their banner and sweep the nation in sweet sweet socialism.
Completely bereft of wisdom, or logic, these young fools had completely bought into the message that life should be easy, and that if their lives aren’t easy, well its because of someone else’s doing, not their own.
I was really worried, you know? I realize we are all subject to our own confirmation bias, and echo chambers, but as far as I could tell Sanders would stick things out for the long haul, I thought he would hold his own in Ohio and barely lose Florida.
Had Sanders got elected it would have escalated my own personal life plans by almost a decade, as his policies would immediately begin destroying my hard work, and force me to take immediate action.
Instead, he failed spectacularly, wasting millions of dollars from people who frequently can’t make next month’s rent, let alone afford to donate to a political campaign.
I ended up sitting and pondering the situation most of the time at the bar, until my wife grabbed me and said “its time to go.” As we said our goodbyes, one of the owners of the bar leaned over and gave my wife a hug, and said “I’m so sorry about what happened last week, that was such bullshit. The regulars are good people, they just want something to believe in, but those assholes from [Bernie’s] campaign can go to hell.” That really meant a lot to us, as last week really fired my wife up, and while I enjoyed the conversation, ultimately at the bar I just want to socialize and drink, not deal with stupidity. The husband/wife team that runs the bar skews blue, but it was nice to get an apology.
I held the door open for my wife, and surveyed the room one last time before heading out into the night. As the door swung close behind me, I caught a glimpse of the lady from last week, sadness stamped all over her face.
Last week my wife and I had killed her socialist dream with a single conversation, and we were leaving its Wake. Bernie will continue to stumble along, but the funeral in remembrance of his campaign won’t be held until he officially drops out of the race.
They are still followers, through and through, but I think this loss has aged these little lambs, who are coming in to their own as full fledged sheep.
I doubt my wife and I changed their minds, but based on the looks we got last night, our conversation last week was still in their thoughts, thats got to count for something, right?
Wow, thanks Jim. Maybe I should try writing articles some time. I’ve been coming here for years, I figure its about time I try to contribute a bit more than drive by mud-slinging.
PS: It was also raining outside, so they were wet and slightly bedraggled as well.
TPC
I can give you contributor status and you could write anything you want. This is how Hardscrabble Farmer started. You write well.
Great job, TPC. Keep writing!!
I feel really bad for these kids too. They obviously care, and they aren’t afraid to go out and bang on doors and share their passion, but they are SOOOOOO misguided.
They seriously need a detox session in which to get their heads on straight and undo the propaganda they’ve been taught all their lives. Then they could harness their minds and hearts to something that is actually true and honest and worthwhile. It is a disgusting sin and a shame that these kids who could otherwise be productive and working for real good are so derailed by lies.
TPC
Great 1st hand story. I read every word. Do write moar often!!
HALF the country will have long sad faces this November. If Hillary wins, I may never smile again.
“I doubt my wife and I changed their minds, but based on the looks we got last night, our conversation last week was still in their thoughts, thats got to count for something, right?”
Maybe…or maybe they really aren’t that bright and they remembered your face while forgetting that you weren’t on their side. Good article. Do it again soon.
TPC, Very nice! When you first posted it as a comment on another thread I thought that it deserved its own thread when I finished reading it. Nice follow up. Indeed, please contribute more. Thanks
We Bernie supporters knew Clinton would do well in the South. While last night’s results were disappointing, since the delegate count isn’t winner-take-all, it wasn’t a disaster, and Bernie is in it all the way to the convention. By that time we may see indictments or other problems for Hitlery related to her email conspiracy.
IMO this piece was a bit strong on the “socialist” meme. Bernie is speaking the truth; the wealth in this country has been accumulating in the 1/10th of 1% due to crony capitalism and the ability of the wealthy to “buy” elections. It doesn’t have to be this way, and I strongly question this paragraph:
“Had Sanders got elected it would have escalated my own personal life plans by almost a decade, as his policies would immediately begin destroying my hard work, and force me to take immediate action.”
What TPC are you some sorta closet Billionaire? Because those are the only Americans that have anything to fear from a Bernie Sanders Presidency.
Bernie supporters need to file this form immediately
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TPC,
So let me get this straight, you are at a bar reading Calvin and Hobbes?
THAT.IS.AWESOME.
very well written observations, these people can’t be saved because they enslaved by their own stupidity.
@Admin and everyone else – I originally wanted to start my own blog, but I just don’t have the time/content to deliver. I’d be honored to contribute here more often, you all kick in on a daily basis, I guess its time I pull my own weight.
@Westcoaster – You must be delusional if you believe that Sanders only aims his attacks at billionaires, he will raise taxes by several percent per tax bracket over 100k household income, his plan is a classic Socialist Ponzi Scheme.
Currently the top 10% of income earners pay 86% of taxes. Under Bernie’s plans that scales upwards into the mid-90s.
Billionaires and mega-corporations have legions of lawyers, lobbyists, and accountants all swarming to find nooks and crannies to protect their wealth.
The small business owners, savers, and fiscally responsible will be gutted by a rising tide of taxes and regulations, completely strangling any hope they ever had of bettering their situation and lot in life.
Bernie’s plan is to create “equality” by guaranteeing every family in America makes between fifty and one-hundred thousand dollars a year.
No offense to you, but how little do you make that you think Bernie Sanders is The One True God?
Rose,
Sorry but i don’t feel sorry for these people, not one bit.
It’s not that they care, or are even selfish, its that they think they are entitled to something that must be earned.
i feel bad for the rest of us that have to share oxygen with them.
One of the consolations of “hard times” is the opportunity for it to breed these people away…
didn’t mean “consolations”, I meant “contributions”
Westcoaster, “Because those are the only Americans that have anything to fear from a Bernie Sanders Presidency.”
http://dailycaller.com/2016/03/04/study-average-american-will-lose-staggering-amount-of-cash-under-sanders-tax-plan/
FWIW, Bernie’s finished unless Hillary manages to do something to defeat herself, and the Establishment isn’t trying to knock him out the way they are Trump since they know he will accomplish their bidding even if requiring more oversight by them than Hillary would.
+10 for Calvin and Hobbes at the bar!
Love the article and thank you for sharing.
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Rose: more likely TPC wll go to a reeducation camp than the sheep will
sponaniously detoxify. I did some math on Fl and it is vood for them. Hil
ary moves further left taking 95% Sanders voters. Trump gets. 85% or The Cruz vote while ten percent stay home and five percent go Clinton. Marco’s vote is 40% Trump, 35 to Shilary and 25 % no show. Kaisch supporters 35% Trump, 35 % her thighness and 30 percent sit it out.Result Donald loses by 213,000 votes
There will be no need to stuff ballot boxes in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
” I think this loss has aged these little lambs, who are coming in to their own as full fledged sheep.”
That’s a great line, I’m going to remember that.
Yes, westcoaster, you can buy into the “millionaires and billionaires” line, but if you pay a modicum of attention, which most here do, you will find that pretty much everyone will pay higher taxes under bernie’s plan. Now, you can come back with the obvious statement that “they may pay a little bit more in taxes, but will get SO MUCH MOAR out of it. Thats also a load of shit. The taxes will go up, but they will get nothing more out of it but promises. And those ‘small tax increases’ wouldn’t stay small for long.
Under bernie’s plan, eventually anyone with a job earning more than 50k without govt assistance will be considered “rich” and will anyone who has managed, despite the best efforts of the government, to actually save money for their own retirement rather than rely on the government for it.
Westie, just curious but you’re always going on about how all the morons will vote against their best interests. So, let me ask you: Is it in your best interest to pay higher taxes so more special snowflakes can go to college for free while getting a degree in gender studies? Is it in your best interest to pay higher taxes to support his intention of spending 18 trillion dollars? If you think taxes are only going up on the one percent, you are sorely mistaken, Flounder. If you think any of the one percent will pay his 90% MARGINAL not EFFECTIVE tax rate, you are also sorely mistaken. Is it really in your best interest to walk into a store and only have one choice, perhaps two, when it comes to deodorant or sneakers? Is your life enhanced if we all smell the same and dress the same? Is it really in your best interest if his socialist government takes more and more of your private property (income) to give it to some one else? Sounds to me like it is in that someone else’s best interest as opposed to yours.
If Bern gets close. The problems at the Trump rally’s will become Berns fault.
Hillary vs Trump. With a Hillary win. Followed by an extremely socialist Supreme Court justice. Then chaos. Then economic collapse.
Don’t forget permanent disarmament, Bernie will get the ball rolling AND stack the Supreme Court, guaranteeing permanent citizen disarmament.
This will make stealing whats left easy.
I have NEVER met a socialist that did not support complete citizen disarmament, I wonder why?
Vote in your own best interest. Remember with Trump you have zero idea what you’re getting, he could be another Mussolini. With Bernie you have a solid record of service to the middle-class.
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2016/03/clinton-will-build-biggest-lead-march-15-sanders-will-erode.html#comment-205737
“With Bernie you have a solid record of service to the middle-class.”
Uhhhh….wrong. Bernie is a politician. Politicians serve their masters, only. BTW, was that blog post supposed to illustrate that record you mentioned. It doesn’t. The subject is Bernie’s chances after March 15th. Lew Rockwell regularly features posts from Washington’s blog, though the guy is a mediocre thinker at best, and a committed socialist.
@Westcoaster –
Bernie’s policies have the same problems all socialist programs do.
1. Requires a homogeneous ethnicity.
2. Requires a homogeneous culture.
3. Requires a relatively small population.
Amongst others.
His programs create the following issues:
1. Destroy jobs via higher taxes, corporate liability, regulations, and cost of doing business (on the hook for a shit ton of employee health)
2. Stagnate the birth rate. As the cost of starting your family rises, so does the average birthing age, until you have situations like Germany, who had to import Turks during the 60s-70s to do the entry-level positions that Germans wouldn’t do.
3. Destroys exports – As the cost of doing business in your country skyrockets, money flees. Germany is stagnating, in a large part because they insist on doing everything for themselves, in addition to all the above mentioned problems.
4. As immigrants come in they sign up for the sweet sweet free stuff and forgo the “work hard to support the program” mentality that natives have. This crushes social programs under a ponderous bulk of non-productive leeches.
So, Germany got about 30 years out of their social programs before importing immigrants became “a thing,” and then got another 30 after that.
Sweden, Finland, and Denmark are all visibly suffering under their own immigrant issues, with the same pre-existing problems that I listed.
This is America though, and we tend to be movers and shakers. Bernie’s plans would not last 30 years before causing problems, I think they would begin to crop up within 3 years of implementation.
1. The tax burden is already shifted to less than half the populace.
2. Our massive military would not get cut, so we would be on the hook for both it and supporting leeches.
3. We already have an immigrant problem.
4. We already have a job availability problem.
His policies are bad on the long term, sacrificing a free future for comfort today, but with those problems already present in our society, Bernie would drive us straight into the ground and start digging.
His Socialist Ideal is one of the few viewpoints that I absolutely will contest publicly, loudly. They cannot be tolerated. Their ruinous effect on countries around the globe is proof they don’t work, never mind all the logical counterarguments.
Socialism does not work. If people are not on the hook for their own failures then they have no incentive to do better, or to learn from their mistakes. Like spoiled children they sit and cry wanting “more” not understanding that things have to come from somewhere. Its not magic.
From a cultural standpoint, Sanders is infinitely more terrifying than Hillary.
westcoaster:
The Gods of the Copybook Headings by Rudyard Kipling
AS I PASS through my incarnations in every age and race,
I make my proper prostrations to the Gods of the Market Place.
Peering through reverent fingers I watch them flourish and fall,
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings, I notice, outlast them all.
We were living in trees when they met us. They showed us each in turn
That Water would certainly wet us, as Fire would certainly burn:
But we found them lacking in Uplift, Vision and Breadth of Mind,
So we left them to teach the Gorillas while we followed the March of Mankind.
We moved as the Spirit listed. They never altered their pace,
Being neither cloud nor wind-borne like the Gods of the Market Place,
But they always caught up with our progress, and presently word would come
That a tribe had been wiped off its icefield, or the lights had gone out in Rome.
With the Hopes that our World is built on they were utterly out of touch,
They denied that the Moon was Stilton; they denied she was even Dutch;
They denied that Wishes were Horses; they denied that a Pig had Wings;
So we worshipped the Gods of the Market Who promised these beautiful things.
When the Cambrian measures were forming, They promised perpetual peace.
They swore, if we gave them our weapons, that the wars of the tribes would cease.
But when we disarmed They sold us and delivered us bound to our foe,
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings said: “Stick to the Devil you know.”
On the first Feminian Sandstones we were promised the Fuller Life
(Which started by loving our neighbour and ended by loving his wife)
Till our women had no more children and the men lost reason and faith,
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings said: “The Wages of Sin is Death.”
In the Carboniferous Epoch we were promised abundance for all,
By robbing selected Peter to pay for collective Paul;
But, though we had plenty of money, there was nothing our money could buy,
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings said: “If you don’t work you die.”
Then the Gods of the Market tumbled, and their smooth-tongued wizards withdrew
And the hearts of the meanest were humbled and began to believe it was true
That All is not Gold that Glitters, and Two and Two make Four
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings limped up to explain it once more.
As it will be in the future, it was at the birth of Man
There are only four things certain since Social Progress began.
That the Dog returns to his Vomit and the Sow returns to her Mire,
And the burnt Fool’s bandaged finger goes wabbling back to the Fire;
And that after this is accomplished, and the brave new world begins
When all men are paid for existing and no man must pay for his sins,
As surely as Water will wet us, as surely as Fire will burn,
The Gods of the Copybook Headings with terror and slaughter return!
Looks like to me that everyone who didnt call out the crap in Chicago and made excuse Donald made them do it, politicians saying that went down. Bernie most of all because many trouble makers were chanting his name, of course everyone’s goung to be looking at him. People who can still use their brains were waiting to see if he would say its wrong and his supporters should stop. But no, he had to say the same as Rubio and more.
So next i ask is it coincidence he started his own rally in the same city 2 hrs later, or did he do that to give everyone time to disrupt the Trump event then get over to his own? Does he want it like Europe between the end of WW1 and start of WW2 all over again? I dont take him seriously even though I like some of his ideas even though they would never happen because he buys into the women are still opressed and hes going to make it better bullcrap. If people are that blind its no surprise the fools thought they won something by getting a speech called off but scored an own goal when everyone turned on their TV or picked up a newspaper and saw their low down tactics. The only one they stopped was their own guy.
Sanders might have had a chance if Trump didn’t exist. They split a demographic group, but Trump takes the bigger, more rational side of that split. However, even without Trump, I suspect Sanders still loses to Clinton- the entire method of candidate selection was specifically designed to ensure her nomination. Even if the Obama Administration were inclined to block her path with an indictment, they would never do that until Clinton had the majority of delegates locked up, just to prevent Sanders from winning the nomination.
” I suspect Sanders still loses to Clinton- the entire method of candidate selection was specifically designed to ensure her nomination.”
That’s possible, if Clinton isn’t just pulling a shakedown like she did in ’08. She “got paid” on that one, coming and going. I think it’s entirely possible that she (and I use that term very loosely) just wants another hundred mill for her stash.