Bernie Sanders Guide to Political Revolution

I confidently predict that the reviews for Bernie Sanders’ Guide to Political Revolution will fall exclusively on the two extremes of the rating spectrum. There will be few in the middle. While it is doubtful that this book will change many minds, it should be a must read for everyone. The arguments are well made and clear. And for those already inclined to support Sanders’ positions there is plenty of great reference data to use in your next debate with friends and colleagues. Bernie makes a key point right in the beginning: “The basic thesis of this book is pretty simple. It is that, on major issue after major issue, the vast majority of Americans support a progressive agenda…” I think he’s right. It is equally true, however, that progressives yield relatively little progressive influence in the halls of power today. Why the disconnect? The reason, I think, is pretty simple. It is my only reservation with this book and it is the same reservation I have with all political debate in the US today. It’s long on prescribed behavior and short on the fundamental change necessary to make that behavior stick long term. More to the point, it’s based on the perspective that “you’re the problem, not me.” In the case of medical care and insurance, for example, I fully agree with Bernie. It seems self-evident that a one-payer system is inevitable. The only question is how much financial, physical, and emotional pain and suffering we’re willing to endure in the meantime. At the same time, we will need fundamental institutional reform to make it work. We will have to accept malpractice tort reform. We will have to be willing to make tough decisions about our collective entitlement to cosmetic and some quality of life care. We will have to be willing to re-think what is misleadingly defined as professional standards that drive up costs and limit availability. (e.g., Allowing nurses to do routine procedures reserved only for licensed doctors today.) Of course we must take the money out of politics. As Bernie notes, “The great irony of climate change is that American taxpayers are subsidizing the most profitable industry in history, whose products are quite literally killing us…” He’s right. But why is that? It’s not that the majority of Americans deny climate change or don’t want to protect the environment for our children. It’s that our political institutions are broken. In the state of Michigan today Tesla cannot sell its cars through its direct to consumer model. Because Michiganders don’t want them? No. They can’t get a license from the state legislature and there’s plenty of evidence that it is the independent auto dealers, which fund one of the most powerful lobbies in the state, that are really standing in the way. (Legislators, of course, will argue that they are protecting consumers. From Tesla?) The money line of the book, for me, is: “One of the more profound lessons that I’ve learned in politics is that everything is related to everything else. Nothing exists in a vacuum.” He’s right. The Buddhists have been saying that since the 5th Century BCE. The racial penalty and the social and financial cost of the war on drugs and the obvious need for structural tax reform, for example, both issues that Bernie talks about at some length, are related. In both cases we are using government spending (which is really taxpayer spending) to pursue structural national goals through political and social engineering. And it doesn’t work. Bernie is right. Even his prescriptions, however, won’t work (and will probably never get enacted) without more fundamental reform to our national institutions, from our political parties to our big banks and the whole energy complex. In the venerable words of Pogo, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” A great book well worth the time and investment.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Sanders in his direct, succinct way spells out the things that need fixing in this country of ours with lots of eye-opening numbers ... and how we can make it right for many millions more people. Those familiar with Sanders will recognize his essential take on our economy, on social justice, on creating a more equitable system. Those new to him might find renewed hope in his words that we do indeed know how more people can benefit from our essentially strong economy rather than just the billionaire and millionaire class. A good handbook for union members too. Cleverly presented with drawings and quotes ... a breezy and essential read.

Excellent book that clearly explains the need for a Living Wage, for a Fair Tax System, for Universal Health Care, and for action on climate change. Also, the book provides clarity to the topics of immigration reform, reform of the financial sector, and free college education. Each chapter ends with resources for further study, such as a web link to the TED talks for that chapter's topic. I liked the figures in the book because they provided clarity through easily understood graphs. This book is a must-read for anyone who thinks America needs a new direction. It is a blueprint for anyone interested in running for office on a progressive policy platform. Overall, the book is easily understood. More complex topics like financial derivatives and Wall-Street speculation are clearly explained. Although it is about 200 pages, it can be read in one sitting in 3 hours. The glossary of terms is well-done, and the book is completely free of grammatical error. Finally, the book was not only an interesting read, but it also beckons the reader to get involved in the process of making America a more livable, fair, and just community for all people.

WHAT an eye opener! OMG! His arguments make SO MUCH sense! The lives of Americans could be vastly better off, if only the changes he suggests were implemented! Prior to reading this book, I'd thought these ideas were wacko. They seem so radical, but he makes a convincing argument for how better off ALL Americans would be if these changes were implemented. After reading it, I had wished that he could become our next president, but, sadly, that ship has now sailed. I would ESPECIALLY recommend that all who consider themselves politically conservative read this book! And then remain opposed to the changes that he suggests. I don't think that an honest person could do that. Despite how radical some of his proposals seem at first, I now firmly believe that it would be a better world for all if his recommended actions were taken. Yes, they would "cut into" the UBER luxuries that our BILIONAIRES enjoy, but..... Well, all I can say is, this book convinced me that things I'd previously opposed, thought unwise, etc., etc., really ARE in the best interests of about 95% of Americans.

I give Bernie Sanders and his ideas a 5+ but I am going to have to give this book a four and if I was really being truthful a three might be more appropriate but I decided on a four since the information in this book is so valuable. The reason for my less than overwhelming support is not in the information but much of the books information can be found on the internet and little new information or insights are presented. That said, if you are a Bernie Sanders fan, you won't go wrong but I would recommend one of his other books, in particular, "Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In" if you would like to read about Bernie Sanders and his ideas.

Trump is doing in his second "first 100 days" everything Bernie says should never be done. Has there ever been a more stark difference in America's direction. We're going to Hell.

A brilliant read

Simply written, it is meant to appeal to the young people of the country. It starts with us!

Bernie Sanders gilt in den USA z. T. als "Kommunist" oder "Sozialist", was er jedoch fordert ist für viele, wenn nicht sogar den meisten europäischen Leser bereits Alltag: eine bezahlbare Krankenversicherung, ein sicherer, einigermaßen gut bezahlter Job, bezahlter Urlaub und vieles mehr. Die Vergleiche, die Sanders immer wieder zu anderen industrialisierten Staaten zieht lassen aufhorchen wie tief die USA in den letzten Jahrzehnten gefallen sind, auch wenn Sanders deutlich macht, dass es bereits gute Ansätze gibt und die USA nun wirklich kein Entwicklungsland sind. Bernie Sanders wird selten persönlich, ihm liegt es daran "seine" USA zu einem besseren Ort zu machen und seine Kritik ist immer konstruktiv, er bietet Alternativen und Lösungsmöglichkeiten, dadurch liest sich sein Buch wirklich gut und flüssig, es ist keine politische Abrechnung oder eine Verteidiungsrede alla Hillary Clintons "What happened". Sanders macht dort weiter, wo er als Kandidat für die Wahlen aufgehört hat und es ist absolut glaubhaft. Trump wird kein einziges Mal erwähnt, stattdessen folgt nach jedem Kapitel ein Abschnitt mit Links und Beschreibungen, wie man selbst aktiv wird und seinen Beitrag leistet, um Entwicklungen anzustoßen. Das ist der Teil des Buches, den ich am meisten schätze, sein demokratisches Verständnis ist wesentlich breiter als man das sonst kennt, für ihn beginnt Demokratie in der Nachbarschaft und nicht erst bei einer der Wahlen. Kein Wunder, dass so viele junge Leute Sanders attraktiv finden, was er sagt hat Substanz, er braucht niemanden zu erniedrigen und er macht keine leeren Versprechungen, stattdessen gibt er das Werkzeug in die Hand selber aktiv zu werden.

It is interesting for knowing the political proposal of Bernie Sanders, but it doesn't tell new things to an European person.

Amazing and eye opening book. Anyone who really wants to know what Bernie is about, read this book.