Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Koinos

(2,799 posts)
37. A number of Bernie's followers were Libertarians anyway.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 07:32 AM
Jun 2016

They oppose government or the "establishment" and advocate legalization of drugs. They are fiscally conservative and socially "laissez-faire." They oppose taxes of any kind, and they believe that family and friends -- not the government -- should provide for the elderly and the needy. Libertarians oppose expansion of social services, including education, social security, and health care. They are against government regulations and taxes, so I doubt they would be too interested in fighting climate change, breaking up the big banks, and providing free college. In fact, they are opposed to practically everything Bernie stands for.

Truthfully, I do not think Bernie's actual positions interested this faction very much. They are anti-establishment and they champion "individualism" (self-interest as opposed to the common good). They are predominantly white, mostly male, and relatively narcissistic. They have more in common with Ayn Rand and Rand Paul than they have with Bernie. They run candidates, but they end up voting solidly Republican. I think Bernie didn't care where his support came from, so long as he got it. I suspect that many young people at his rallies didn't know a whole lot or care a whole lot about his "Democratic Socialist" positions.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

What they have in common is that neither are Democrats. teamster633 Jun 2016 #1
These are people Bernie attracted Tommy2Tone Jun 2016 #2
too much drug usage? dlwickham Jun 2016 #3
I don't see that anywhere in the linked article. Squinch Jun 2016 #4
7th comment Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jun 2016 #6
Yeah, but there is no reason to think the guy is right. I'll believe it when I see something with Squinch Jun 2016 #11
I don't believe he's right either Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jun 2016 #17
Sanders = 22% Trump / 11% Johnson creeksneakers2 Jun 2016 #31
I think that 33% would never have BlueMTexpat Jun 2016 #38
Eh, I don't buy it. TwilightZone Jun 2016 #12
Johnson's a right-libertarian, no less. Outside of a couple of issues, he's a conservative. TwilightZone Jun 2016 #5
Similar vowels plus l and t and r Her Sister Jun 2016 #7
Drugs? radical noodle Jun 2016 #8
If your only issue is legalization I can see throwing in with Johnson sweetloukillbot Jun 2016 #39
I can't think of many other things they have radical noodle Jun 2016 #47
highly suspect this is mostly baloney from a few hard core hold outs not most nt msongs Jun 2016 #9
Its Where They Belong jamese777 Jun 2016 #10
Guess they weren't serious about that whole free college thing Rose Siding Jun 2016 #13
I can't see any "serious" Bernie Sanders supporter sharp_stick Jun 2016 #14
They were both fake democrats workinclasszero Jun 2016 #15
I think I read where they are changing the jury system postatomic Jun 2016 #22
Don't worry. They won't bother to vote. n/t livetohike Jun 2016 #16
my, my! chillfactor Jun 2016 #18
Anyone who supports Johnson are not liberals or progressives or socialist of any kind. Agnosticsherbet Jun 2016 #19
Fuck them. DavidDvorkin Jun 2016 #20
Gary thinks income taxes are evil. Starry Messenger Jun 2016 #21
And these people think they should be deciding the democratic nominee.... SaschaHM Jun 2016 #23
They have Jack shit in common ismnotwasm Jun 2016 #24
Smoking Pot. nt WhiteTara Jun 2016 #25
Bingo. sweetloukillbot Jun 2016 #40
Nothing ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jun 2016 #26
Do they realize Johnson wants to abolish the IRS? SunSeeker Jun 2016 #27
Johnson also wants to cut -- by 40% at least -- Social Security and Medicare. Koinos Jun 2016 #28
Totally odd. Makes you wonder if any of them have ever studied the different political ideologies. eastwestdem Jun 2016 #29
I don't think it's "many" but I do think it's WEED. Maru Kitteh Jun 2016 #30
Legalization of marijuana is a big issue for Libertarians and some Sanders supporters. Koinos Jun 2016 #32
It's one of the issues he polled among college kids before he ran Maru Kitteh Jun 2016 #33
Yep. A Libertarian is... Freddie Jun 2016 #34
Libertarians are simply Republicans who WhiteTara Jun 2016 #41
And like govt roads, schools, fire depts, etc. but don't want to pay taxes Maru Kitteh Jun 2016 #43
Both are male obamanut2012 Jun 2016 #35
pretty much sour grapes with some of sanders followers...there is little in common beachbum bob Jun 2016 #36
A number of Bernie's followers were Libertarians anyway. Koinos Jun 2016 #37
Sounds right to me. nt WhiteTara Jun 2016 #42
yeah, similar to the guys in 2008 who were deciding between Obama and Ron Paul. geek tragedy Jun 2016 #45
the dead-ender cranks will gravitate towards another crank, crankitude trumps ideology geek tragedy Jun 2016 #44
This is why there shouldn't be open primaries Yavin4 Jun 2016 #46
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Hillary Clinton»Many, many Bernie support...»Reply #37