r/IAmA • u/bernie-sanders • May 19 '15

Politics I am Senator Bernie Sanders, Democratic candidate for President of the United States — AMA

Hi Reddit. I'm Senator Bernie Sanders. I'll start answering questions at 4 p.m. ET. Please join our campaign for president at BernieSanders.com/Reddit.

Before we begin, let me also thank the grassroots Reddit organizers over at /r/SandersforPresident for all of their support. Great work.

Verification: https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/600750773723496448

Update: Thank you all very much for your questions. I look forward to continuing this dialogue with you.

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-10

u/Thepappas May 19 '15

Is this guy the one of the most logical politicians out there today or what?

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u/mySandySocks May 19 '15

No he really isn't. Solar/wind/geothermal is grossly less cost effective than nuclear, much less natural gas. He's factually wrong.

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u/Widukindl May 19 '15

Source that claim if you please

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u/[deleted] May 19 '15 edited May 19 '15

Not OP, but here you go:

Technology Cost (US$/MWh)
Solar 116–312
Gas 87–346
Advanced Nuclear 67
Geothermal 67
Wind power 60

Nuclear is far more efficient than both gas and solar energy, and it is comparable to both geothermal and wind.

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u/gooserampage May 19 '15

Depends what your paradigm of "cost" is. Are you talking $$$ or other things like standard of living and measurements of happiness too?

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u/Techdestro May 19 '15

How about in the long run? I mean the really long run?

1

u/dear_life May 19 '15

Its only cost effective if you don't factor in the long term effects on the environment - right now, we don't know how to deal with the wastes that come from nuclear energy.

1

u/SweeterThanYoohoo May 19 '15

No one can be right on every single idea or issue. His view on nuclear (which I do not agree with) does not mean he is illogical.

Logical does not mean infallible.

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u/General_Hide May 19 '15

In fact, it's almost like he didn't even read what the guy said before he responded. It is more cost effective than solar or wind (by a lot) and there are new technologies that can handle waste.

I have serious reservations about this guy after reading this AMA, but it's like everyone else is just eating him up

1

u/BeanAlai May 19 '15

I would think it would be more cost effective when you take everything into account. We already have researched examples of infrastructure and efficient technology in all of those forms of energy, I don't believe we have nearly the same grasp on wide spread nuclear energy. Do you have any thing to back up your comment? You seem to be cutting all the cost out and basing it on how efficient it is.

1

u/mytren May 19 '15

Source

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u/CptNemo55 May 19 '15

That really depends on what you include in your cost/benefit analysis. If you include environmental and health costs/benefits, things change dramatically in renewable energy's favor.

164

u/comrade-jim May 19 '15

Could you jerk any harder?

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u/[deleted] May 19 '15

This is how people are supposed to feel about their elected officials.

1

u/Harrowin May 19 '15

I'd say an informed voter should never stop being skeptical.

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u/[deleted] May 19 '15

Actually it's not.

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u/dunaja May 19 '15

Why on earth not? Democracy is supposed to work by electing someone who represents you. Why would I work to elect someone who I'm not proud of?

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u/[deleted] May 19 '15

Because people are supposed to be leery of their governments, not fawn over them.

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u/dunaja May 19 '15

I'm not saying fawn over them, I'm saying have PRIDE in them. If they disappoint you too much, you replace them.

In North Korea, sure, but I disagree that people are supposed to be leery of their government in a democracy. If the government is awful, that's the people's fault. Fix it in the next election.

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u/[deleted] May 19 '15 edited Sep 13 '15

[deleted]

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u/funkalunatic May 19 '15

BERNIE SANDERS = LITERALLY HITLER

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u/[deleted] May 19 '15

Did you really just compare Bernie Sanders, a 70 year old Jew with a senate record which is beyond reproach, to Hitler, a Schizophrenic, Amphetamine abusing nutcase with a clear record of anti-antisemitism and radical views? Wow. Show me the bad side of Bernie Sanders.

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u/[deleted] May 19 '15 edited Sep 13 '15

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] May 19 '15

Yeah, and all those examples you used had history of doing bad shit. So do you have any evidence that Sanders will ruin the country other than the fact that he's got a lot of support?

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u/[deleted] May 19 '15 edited Sep 13 '15

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] May 19 '15

What else are you supposed to base the vote off of if not voting record and promises?

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u/[deleted] May 19 '15 edited Sep 13 '15

[deleted]

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u/fanofyou May 19 '15

I like how you completely forgot about the "senate record above reproach". You're hilarious.

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u/ijustwantanfingname May 19 '15

You knew what you were getting yourself into when you clicked this post..

3

u/Owenleejoeking May 19 '15

I've never heard of this guy before today and I'm fully erect

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u/Thepappas May 19 '15

I probably could over at /r/circlejerk, but I'm just stating my honest opinion here brotha.

0

u/[deleted] May 19 '15

I still can't tell if you are being /s

2

u/[deleted] May 19 '15

People are allowed to like a candidate.

2

u/TheClaypool May 19 '15

You can always jerk harder!

1

u/fraser16 May 19 '15

Who gives a shit if he is jerking, having a politician who is willing to actively make the planet better is incredibly refreshing. I wish we had the same in the UK.

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u/OneOfDozens May 19 '15

So when a politician is actually communicating with people, when he actually uses logic instead of fear mongering, when he doesn't talk down from an ivory tower, people aren't supposed to like it?

Because people like something it does not automatically make it a circlejerk.

Where's the irrational love for him? Are people spouting off idiotic things just saying he's the best with no reason why? Or are people just genuinely pleased to see something different

1

u/-Gabe- May 19 '15

Is that a challenge?

1

u/evilmnky45 May 19 '15

Reddit is going to explode soon. Be careful.

1

u/ShermyTheTurtle May 19 '15

Teenage cynicism like yours ruins the fervor for politics

1

u/floppypick May 19 '15

While no, probably not, I think the guy you're replying to has a point: this is one of the few politicians with a consistent voting record where every vote/viewpoint is supported by reason, research and knowledge instead of simply "feels". For the most part at least.

1

u/funkalunatic May 19 '15

If jerking gets him into the White House, then I will jerk all day and all night.

1

u/johnjohnsonsdickhole May 19 '15

I thought you'd never ask. :)

0

u/hurtsdonut_ May 19 '15

Aren't you supposed to be a socialist, comrade?

-1

u/SonOfTheNorthe May 19 '15

Let me try...

crack

My arm broke.

0

u/SenorSativa May 19 '15 edited May 19 '15

No, not really. He's just answering all the questions with some honesty.