Distinction with a difference...

"Holy smokes! It is back to the future all over again! A fire breathing liberal from the left? Is this the 60's all over again, or what?"




Yesterday was a great day at the fair. The weather was good, the food was excellent (and greasy), and the people watching at times was second to none. That being said, I decided to do something which I have never done before. I went in the DFL booth and acted like a low information voter (which for that booth was a perfect disguise).

I first went up to a nice lady sitting at an information table and asked where I could find the petition about not taxing Social Security. She gave me a dazed look and said, "Gosh, I don't know. Let me ask Sally." Well Sally did not know either, so she asked me what the petition is about. I told her it was to keep the state from taxing Social Security benefits for Minnesota seniors. I said, "That should be a DFL issue right? Many of these seniors are on fixed income and cannot afford that tax. We don't want to lose any seniors due to this issue." Both Sally and the other lady said they could not agree more - but did not know of any petition. Sally said she would look into it at party headquarters. Win # 1 for the Bird.

Then I noticed there was a rather large table set up for Bernie (Sanders). Behind the table were three young people (the kind of folks Bernie is attracting in large numbers). I addressed the two young men. "Excuse me. I saw someone from the Sanders campaign on TV get questioned about the difference between a Democrat and a Socialist. That person could not explain it. Could you guys help me out on this question?" Dead silence.

A young lady next to to table then came over to rescue her friends. Now this is funny, as this conversation took place in a DFL tent. "Well, Democrats tend to practice more corporatism in nature. Plus they are have strong ties to Wall Street. Socialists on the other hand, do not. They are strictly for the people."

Good answer I thought. Time for a follow up question. "Then what is the basic difference between Republicans and Democrats?" Once again, I was met with dead silence. And with that, I took my leave. Win # 2 for the Bird.

There was a very good teachable moment here. Not about Bernie, not about Socialism, but about our system. It is something that people on my side of the fence (conservatives and constitutionalists) have been saying for years. When asked about where you are politically, you better be able to articulate where you stand and why you stand there. When asked what the difference is between the other parties and where you stand, you better be able to explain.

For what has happened is simply this. For many people, the difference between the two major parties have blurred. Be it right or wrong, that is what happened. Both parties grow government. Both parties have progressives within their ranks. And both parties have very strong ties to Wall Street.

A conservative on the other hand, will talk to you about principles. About an abhorrence for crony capitalism. An abhorrence for corporatism or corporate welfare. And about a love for liberty. For freedom. For our Constitution. For equal opportunity, not a guarantee of equal outcomes.

Bernie Sanders is an avowed Socialist. Has been for years. He is not a Democrat - he is an Independent. He has an (I) behind his name (politically). So if he is going to run as a Democrat, the Democrats better be ready to field some tough questions. Just like if the Republicans ran a Libertarian for President.

One of the things I learned long ago while listening to Garage Logic was this - when candidates, or people representing candidates come a knocking, ask the tough questions. No soft balls, ask policy questions. Don't accept trickery, snake oil or sophism - only the truth.

Yes Mayor Joe, that is what I got into yesterday. And there will be more to come in the near future. And that is a promise.