Now that the X-Files have returned to the television screen, I’m having illusions that a monster is at work in my mind. On three separate occasions during the past few weeks, I have found myself in total agreement with Hillary’s thorn in the side, Bernie Sanders.
As part of his “hang the bankers ” campaign, Bernie has for several months now beat the drum on a return of the Glass Steagall Act of 1933. This post-Depression bill effectively separated the low risk activities of commercial banks and the higher risk activities of investment banks. Under lobbyist pressures, and spearheaded by then-President Bill Clinton, the meat of the Act was repealed in 1999, leading to the eventual formation of financial behemoths like Bank of America/ Merrill Lynch , Chase Manhattan/ J. P. Morgan, and JP Morgan Chase and Bear Stearns (that last one really worked out well !) After repeal, American taxpayers were on the hook for losses, not only from staid commercial banking activities, but for any darn financial instrument the investment bankers could concoct, instruments like derivatives and packaged sub-prime loans. And we the taxpayers certainly paid a dear price from those activities in 2008-2009. Now Bernie Sanders wants to reinstate Glass Steagall, and I say bully ! It’s about time !
Next, I find myself in line with Bernie’s views on guns in our country. I respect and would defend every American’s second Amendment right to bear arms, but golly, we’ve let tolerance and the NRA to get way out of line with common sense. There is absolutely no part of “self defense and resistance to oppression” that automatic weapons apply to. This is unpopular with my conservative brethren, but I see no reason that anyone other than law enforcement needs a pistol of any kind. Defend your house, target shoot, hunt deer, and resist oppression with a rifle or a shotgun. In the hallowed halls of the Florida legislature this week and last, our elected officials have been debating an “open carry” law. Are you kidding ? More than half of the people I run into in the daily course of life should never hold a gun in their hand, much less on their belts in open view.
And thirdly, Bernie thinks that corporate money pollutes the political process and simply opens the door for “bought elections”. Of course it does, and let’s not forget to add union money and George Soros money to the evil Wall Streeters Bernie has such a hate for. To me, the first amendment applies to people, not companies or unions. Fund national and local and state elections with public monies so everyone is on a level playing field.
Just want to remind my readers that the above list are the only topics with which I am in harmony with Bernie Sanders. WHAT THE HECK !