vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen

4.22.2008

Bernie can laugh

Didn't stay up late enough to catch Sen. Bernie Sanders on the Colbert Report, but the wonders of the Internet allowed me to tune in anyway.

I am not such a hip person to have ever seen the Colbert Report before, on TV or online. They have, don't worry, found a way to burden you with commercials in the online version.

Sanders showed he has an ability to laugh, though not for very long. He was hell-bent on delivering his doctrine.

He said when Colbert asked him if such luxuries as health care should be provided even to losers: "If countries like Finland can provide free college education and graduate education to their people we can do it as well."

Asked if he was saying he'd increase taxes, Sanders said: "Damn right I am."

You can see it yourself HERE.

posted by vt.Buzz | 12:42 PM |

Comments:

"They have, don't worry, found a way to burden you with commercials in the online version."

Just like the Freeps has found a way to burden us with commercials for the online version of their paper?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:50 PM, April 22, 2008

Can't wait to see which right-wing-loon the VTGOP sets up to run against Bernie in 2012.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:07 PM, April 22, 2008

I don't think it matters - by 2012 most all of Vermont's most promising youth, productive entrepreneurs, and retirees will have taken their money and found greener pastures elsewhere. Hey, Vermont will still have Bernie and his following of trained slugs!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:14 PM, April 22, 2008

It'll be fun to see Walt Freed run against Bernie.

Walt's values are so far right -- he makes Dick Cheney look like a liberal.

Can't wait to see Bernie pick him apart.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:48 PM, April 22, 2008

Brock should take Bernie on.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:09 PM, April 22, 2008

"Asked if he was saying he'd increase taxes, Sanders said: "Damn right I am." "

Probably the first straight answer Bernie has ever given.

Given his Fat Cat status making a cushy $161K/year and gov't pension for part of a year's work, he should feel free to voluntarily remit any additional taxes he feels he should pay to the IRS. They accept check and money orders.

If he still has money left over, he can help me pay mine.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:12 PM, April 22, 2008

What does VT see in this knucklehead? He is ineffective in Washington accomplishing nothing of value. Why do you keep him there?

Is this really how we want to be viewed politically?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:14 PM, April 22, 2008

"Given his Fat Cat status making a cushy $161K/year and gov't pension for part of a year's work..."

The same logic would apply to Vermont's governor and many of his top aides. Their salaries range from $130,000 - $150,000+.

Do you have a silmilar view of that dynamic?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:23 PM, April 22, 2008

Heh.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:32 PM, April 22, 2008

4:23..... No. I don't hear the Gov. et al constantly beating the drums for tax increases. It is only Bernie and the Progs.

He should walk the talk and make voluntary contributions.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:45 PM, April 22, 2008

If we had a government that functioned properly, that might be an option.

Sadly, we have an Administration in Washington that has a tendency to give money to war profiteers like Blackwater and KBR.

Bush gives billions to millionaires while 20% of American children live in poverty -- and that number has grown every year that Bush has been in office.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 5:08 PM, April 22, 2008

Thanks for the comments Bernie- someone said you didn't blog!!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 5:26 PM, April 22, 2008

Brooklyn Bernie once again proves P.T. Barnum right again.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:16 PM, April 22, 2008

bubba said...

"Brooklyn Bernie once again proves P.T. Barnum right again."

Yeah, there's one of you born every second, schmuck.

Fortunately, that rate of production is as inadequate as you are and more and more, you become a member of an increasingly-irrelevant, ignorant-trash minority.

Go find yourself a tar pit and fall in it, schmuck.

Always a pleasure.

Dismissed

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 11:11 PM, April 22, 2008

yawn....

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:44 AM, April 23, 2008

So 5:08PM if I follow your logic Bernie doesn't make a voluntary tax contribution because of the Government's misguided policies but then, as a matter of his policy, Bernie whole-heartedly endorses higher taxes.

So how does that work again?

He is a hypocrite and plays you like a finely tuned violin.

Captain America

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:00 AM, April 23, 2008

"Ineffective"? Have you taken a look at the governor's accomplishments lately?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:24 AM, April 23, 2008

Does that rationalize Bernie's lack of performance?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:00 AM, April 23, 2008

Of course Bernie would raise taxes - he is a left-wing socialist and that is what they do. DUH!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:29 AM, April 23, 2008

Herr Hatespeech, caseless, clueless and unable to grasp the concept of divided government, adds inability to grasp the difference between executive and legislative branches to the ever-expanding list of things he can't grasp, answer or explain.

You nameless, clueless, anonymous swine with bupkis are the scum of the Earth. You're imbecilic, worthless swine as citizens of your communities, Vermont and this Country. The lot of you are no more patriotic than the Nazis were patriotic Germans.

You're dumb, you're scum and you continue to waste the oxygen of dogs the world over.

Disappear.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 11:09 AM, April 23, 2008

Ever the charmer Coopy. You are an eloquent and compelling posterchild for the liberal agenda.

Congratulations on the outstanding display of neanderthal behavior.

We all look forward to your insightful commentary.

'Imbecilic' does seem to be a new word for you. I assume it is an outcome of your weekend strategy session with the He-man Woman-haters Club for new and original material.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:40 AM, April 23, 2008

Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "Bernie can laugh":

"Ever the charmer Coopy."

Ever the delusional dreck dealer, deducebag.

I'm glad ya like bein' designated imbecilic, little fella. It suits ya.

You're ignorant, imbecilic trash with bupkis. Ya had bupkis before I got here. You've been caseless and clueless in the 6 months I've been here and you'll be ignorant, imbecilic trash when I leave.

Always a pleasure.

Dismissed.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 12:08 PM, April 23, 2008

You charmer. Your return has brought an entirely new dimension back to the blog.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:29 PM, April 23, 2008

"You charmer. Your return has brought an entirely new dimension back to the blog."

Yeah, I know what I'm talking about and you and your coalition of the clueless compatriots are ignorant trash with bupkis.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 1:28 PM, April 23, 2008

BS=
a)Bernie Sanders
b)Bull Shitter
c)Brooklyn Slimeball
d)All of the above

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:04 PM, April 23, 2008

Incredible. Bernie says he wants to tax the rich and the free press reports that he wants to increase taxes. Does it count as reporting if you only quote half a sentence?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:44 PM, April 23, 2008

Taxing the rich is not increasing taxes? I guess it doesn't count if its not your money.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:02 PM, April 23, 2008

Anonymous said...

"Brock should take Bernie on."

Yes, he should. By all means, a one-term and out, former State Auditor should run against the incumbent Junior Senator from the State of Vermont six years after losing office.

What's the matter, Greg Parke isn't available!

You nameless-nitwits and your factually-challenged, lunatic-fringe flights of fancy never cease to amaze and amuse.

Don't ever change.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 9:50 PM, April 23, 2008

Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "Bernie can laugh":

"Taxing the rich is not increasing taxes? I guess it doesn't count if its not your money."

Sure, only the little people should pay taxes.

Thanks, leona. How ya makin' out down there.

Dismissed.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 9:53 PM, April 23, 2008

True Coop intellect.....you didn;t address the point at all merely spewed a few more liberal talking points.

The top 20% of taxpayers pay 80% of the tax today. Where did the post say only little people should pay tax.

Moron.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:42 AM, April 24, 2008

Most "little" people now "pay" earned income taxes, which means they actually either pay nothing, or get money back. Can't even the economically-challenged lefties in Vermont see what has happened when we tax producers out of state? Typical liberal policy - instead of trying to raise the living standards of the poor, let's drag the "rich" down to their level! (Economics according to Bernie)

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:12 AM, April 24, 2008

Well said.... it applies to more than economics.

It applies to public education where we teach to the level of the slowest in the class. And we wonder why we are falling behind in math and science skills -v- the rest of the world.

It applies to social behavior where we condone degrees of anti-social behavior....the old I'm OK, You're OK song and dance.
Case in point.... Colby's abuse towards Peter Welch and Welch's willingness to still meet with him or this board's willingness to condone JW's behavior.

Ultimately we will reduce ourselves to our lowest common denominator. Won't we all be proud of the day when our goal is to strive to be average.

Captain America

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:40 AM, April 24, 2008

I guess Captain America went to the Don Quixote school of economics.

Perhaps you and your buddy Cervantes should get together to drink some coffee and trickle down your great wealth on us common people.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:40 AM, April 24, 2008

Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "Bernie can laugh":

"True Coop intellect...
..you didn;t address the point at all merely spewed a few more liberal talking points."

Nice try, little factually-challenged/fundamentally-dishonest fella, but neither you or your coalition of the clueless comrades have made a legitimate point since you got here.

As for you figures, given the fact that you've provided no source for them, they're merely your bupkis-based, ignorant-trash opinion.

Of course, that's all you ever have.

On the other hand, as Warren Buffet said, "Of course there's class warfare in this Country and my class is winning."

Are you gonna tell me you know more about capitalism and business than Buffett, bupkis boy?

Buffett also said this:

Buffett Slams Tax System Disparities
Speech Raises at Least $1 Million for Clinton Campaign

By Tomoeh Murakami Tse
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 27, 2007; D03

NEW YORK, June 26 -- Warren E. Buffett was his usual folksy self Tuesday night at a fundraiser for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) as he slammed a system that allows the very rich to pay taxes at a lower rate than the middle class.

Buffett cited himself, the third-richest person in the world, as an example. Last year, Buffett said, he was taxed at 17.7 percent on his taxable income of more than $46 million. His receptionist was taxed at about 30 percent.

Buffett said that was despite the fact that he was not trying to avoid paying higher taxes. "I don't have a tax shelter," he said. And he challenged Congress and his audience to see what the people who "clean our offices" are taxed, to loud applause.

A populist tone permeated the 70-minute talk with the billionaire investor and philanthropist in Manhattan on Tuesday night. The talk, given to about 600 Wall Street bankers and money managers, raised at least $1 million for Clinton's presidential campaign, the Associated Press reported.

The event comes as public frustration has grown over executive compensation and disparity in pay. It also comes as Congress debates changes to the tax code that would decrease take-home pay for managers of private-equity firms and hedge funds, pools of money for wealthy families and institutional investors. The rich can take advantage of tax loopholes, including one that allows those managers to pay the capital gains tax rate of 15 percent instead of the ordinary top income tax rate of 35 percent.

Buffett said that he and other privileged Americans must do more to help the less fortunate.

"We have the chance in 2008 to repair a lot of damage," Buffett said.

"We have a wonderful economy. . . . Our problem is how we conduct ourselves in the world." Buffett, the chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway in Omaha, has not endorsed Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination.

But he has already donated the maximum $4,600 allowed by an individual to Clinton's presidential campaign. Buffett called Clinton "the person to run the country." He has not donated to any other candidate, according to public records, although he has said he would also support Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in a similar event.

Buffett is on the board of directors of The Washington Post Co."

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 10:50 AM, April 24, 2008

Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "Bernie can laugh":

"I guess Captain America went to the Don Quixote school of economics."

Nah, colonel klink couldn't get in there either.

"Perhaps you and your buddy Cervantes should get together to drink some coffee and trickle down your great wealth on us common people."

Give his ignorant ass a week and with the "help" of his coalition of the clueless compatriots, he just might figure out who Cervantes was.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 11:10 AM, April 24, 2008

Pretty high opinion of yourself Coopy?

Cervantes is pleased to see Don Quixote is on the required reading list at the Jethro Bodine School of Higher Learning..

Share with us, how long did it take you to finish the Cliff Notes version? When you read them, did your lips move?

Captain America

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:35 AM, April 24, 2008

Well said.... it applies to more than economics.

"It applies to public education where we teach to the level of the slowest in the class. And we wonder why we are falling behind in math and science skills -v- the rest of the world."

And your nonexistent evidence of this is.....?

Nonexistent.

"It applies to social behavior where we condone degrees of anti-social behavior....the old I'm OK, You're OK song and dance.
Case in point.... Colby's abuse towards Peter Welch and Welch's willingness to still meet with him or this board's willingness to condone JW's behavior."

And what behavior would that be, colonel klink, my unwillingness to let your factually-challenged, Un-American, neo-nazi, nitwit nonsense go unchallenged.

You're ignorant trash with bupkis, schmuck. Either get a legitimate argument and the evidence to support it or get used to it.

I don't brake for bigoted trash and I ain't gonna start with the ignorant-trash likes of you.

"Ultimately we will reduce ourselves to our lowest common denominator. Won't we all be proud of the day when our goal is to strive to be average."

Average may well be beyond the grasp of your ignorant ass, colonel klink. Let's see you get from well below average to merely below average and take it from there.

Always a pleasure.

Dismissed.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 12:16 PM, April 24, 2008

love the nazi references.... perhaps the man protests too much?

How is your goose steppin' going?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:25 PM, April 24, 2008

Nah, you're just ignorant, anonymous, anti-Semitic trash with bupkis, schmuck.

Of course, that doen't exactly make you unique in nameless-nitwit circles.

Always a pleasure.

Dismissed.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 10:25 PM, April 24, 2008

"Of course, that doen't exactly make you unique in nameless-nitwit circles."

and that 'doen't' make you much of a speller. Look what happens when you don't cut and paste your pre-approved material. Stick to your script Cervantes or your handler Colby will be calling you on the carpet again.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:48 AM, April 25, 2008

Bernies favorite joke is how he is taking us all for a ride and he is laughing all the way to the bank!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:21 PM, April 27, 2008

He's just another New York grifter that originally fled to Vermont hippie communes to escape the draft and steal from the natives. Unfortunately, they discovered what P.T.Barnum said was absolutely correct.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:22 PM, April 27, 2008