Healthcare, Marijuana, Medicare For All, Voting Rights, And More

This prospective legislation (linked below) is “…an indication of the overall appetite for progressive policies in the 2020 Democratic primary race.”

And, it’s about damn time!

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders -I

I’m sick & tired of hearing folks say that there’s not a nickel’s worth of difference between the Democrats and the Republicans. And face it… if it weren’t for Bernie leading the way last General Election cycle, we very likely wouldn’t be hearing this kind of talk. Seriously.

 

And, while Sen. Kamala Harris exceeded Bernie’s 2016 fundraising “haul” by raising $1.5M in the first 24 hours following announcement of candidacy, Bernie outdid himself this time by raising $6M in 24 hours. THAT is SIGNIFICANT! And, it says that the number of those who believed in him last time, have increased. Plus, he already has the campaign people and mechanisms in place, whereas others – including Harris – do not.

California Senator Kamala Harris -D

I think it’ll be interesting to see how all this shakes out.

Of course, Joe Biden’s likely to be tossed into the mix, but while polls show he has “favorable” ratings with many, including Republicans, few VPs have ever been elected POTUS -and- he’s gonna’ hafta’ cross that moneyed line, which, BTW, I think sucks, because elections should be Federally financed from a common pool into which all monies from all donors is deposited, and then given equally to each candidate. That way, money would NOT be a deciding factor in determining the strength of a particular candidate – they could ALL compete upon the strength of their ideas, and abilities to connect with voters.

Former Vice President Joe Biden -D

So doing would also satisfy the McCutcheon ruling (that was an Alabama case, you recall), and it would also satisfy the Citizens United ruling.

 

• On the “Biden Factor” this go ‘round, history isn’t on his side. There are 7 Vice Presidents who’ve campaigned for POTUS since Nixon’s 1960 election as POTUS.
• Only about 40% of them have won.
• A longer-term view finds that VPs didn’t often run for POTUS after being VP.
• In fact, before Eisenhower/Nixon era, only about 30% VPs who campaigned became POTUS, and the balance (70%) only after succeeding a POTUS who died in office.

NJ Senator Cory Booker -D

 

 

 

Frankly, it ain’t looking good for him, in that regard.

Thoughts on anything herein, or not?

NPR
2020 Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Support Marijuana Legalization Bill

https://www.npr.org/2019/02/28/698703356/2020-democratic-presidential-hopefuls-support-marijuana-legalization-bill

See also: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1689/text

MA Senator Elizabeth Warren -D

“Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren introduced a bipartisan piece of legislation last year with Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., to prevent the federal prohibition on marijuana from applying to states that had already legalized it. But Booker’s legislation, which she supports, is a more sweeping change.

“The bill is retroactive and would apply to people currently serving time for marijuana-related offenses.

“The support for Booker’s proposal among fellow Senate Democrats vying for the White House is a sign of how much the party has shifted in recent years, and the degree to which candidates feel they need to bolster their progressive credentials in a crowded Democratic field.

“It’s also an indication of the overall appetite for progressive policies in the 2020 Democratic primary race.”

Flowering bud (female) of the Cannabis Sativa plant, aka “marijuana”