#9
Bernie Sanders
When Bernie Sanders, the Great Socialist Contrarian, spoke to a group of 60 students at South Burlington High School in Vermont in 2006, he didn’t begin with lofty rhetoric or empty political nonsense. Instead, he made a simple, unorthodox plea.
“I urge you all to argue with your teachers, argue with your parents,” he told them, concluding with the observation, “The discussion we’ve had in here is at a higher level than what we often have on the floor of the United States Congress.”
The senator’s democratic-socialist views and his spirited independent streak make him one of the most refreshingly atypical politicians in recent American history.
“Bernie is independent through and through,” said Craig Aaron, managing director of Free Press, an organization working to reform media. “Unlike most of his colleagues, he’s not beholden to party hacks or corporate benefactors. That means he’s free to fight for what he believes in, if for no other reason than it’s the right thing to do.”
After graduating from the University of Chicago, Sanders spent four terms as the mayor of Burlington, and then 16 years in the House of Representatives—the longest ever for an independent member—serving as the first independent since 1950. He was elected senator in 2006.
Sanders has occasionally sided with Republicans on some issues: he voted in 2004 to terminate the marriage penalty and supported a 2003 bill to ban human cloning.
But more often than not, he votes with the Democrats. He voted against using force in Iraq in both 1991 and 2002, has staunchly supported single-payer universal health care, is one of the leading advocates for green technology (he introduced the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2007), and supports gay marriage and pro-choice legislation.
Sanders continues to fight to close the increasing wealth gap. “We need to revitalize American democracy,” he wrote in an essay, “The Collapse of the Middle Class,” which criticizes a government whose decisions reflect the needs of only wealthy campaign contributors. He opposes unregulated free trade, which, he argues, deprives Americans of jobs and exploits foreign workers.
He also called for the replacement of Ben Bernanke after the bank bailouts, and was one of only three majority senate members to oppose the appointment of Timothy Geithner, Secretary of the Treasury, in 2009.
“What makes him so good is that he’s not just an idealist—he’s a realist, too,” Aaron said. “He understands that sausage-making can be a messy business, and he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty if that’s what it takes to actually get things done. He didn’t get to the Senate because he’s a socialist. He got there because he’s a populist in the best sense of the word, one who’s knocked on every door in the state.”
Idealism, disrupting the status quo, and daring you to challenge authority: these things aren’t just for high-school kids.
Man-to-Man with Bernie Sanders
Can one be both a good man and a good (i.e., effective) politician?
Yes. These are enormously difficult times for our country and we need to encourage as many young people, men and women, to get involved in the political process—from school board to the White House. Anyone entering politics, and those observing it, must appreciate that it is impossible to do everything you or your constituents want on every single occasion. That doesn’t make you “bad” or a “sell-out.” While it certainly is not easy, I do believe that one can be an honest and effective politician and maintain one’s dignity and integrity. At the same time, I should say that in our current approach to politics we sometimes get so carried away by the “good man” idea that we forget that good ideas, ideas about fairness as well as freedom, should also matter in politicians.
If you were making a list of politicians you respect for both their integrity and their dedication to the ideas they believe in, what man—from a party other than your own—would you be sure to put on the list? And why?
When I was in the House I worked, on occasion, with Rep. Ron Paul who is a Republican libertarian from Texas. He has, against the mainstream of his party, been a strong voice for civil liberties and against an imperial foreign policy. Over the years he has voted his conscience and cast many votes that were far from popular. I don’t agree with him on many issues, but his courage—and his willingness to work with a “socialist” when we share views—make him unusual and admirable Republican.
It’s our belief that every capitalist country needs a socialist or two in order to keep things interesting. But does it get lonely?
Yes. The Senate is a pretty conservative institution. There are not too many members prepared to stand up strongly against a very powerful ruling class. In the U.S. today we have, by far, the most unequal distribution of wealth and income of any major country, with the top 1 percent now earning over 23 percent of all income. Not too many senators talk about that. The Republican Party has veered very far to the right, while the Democratic Party is, by and large, centrist. The wealthy and large corporations have plenty of representation in both parties. The working class of this country does not.
We believe that a good man owns up to his mistakes. Tell us about a time when you fell short of “goodness,” however you define it
In 1981, I was elected Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, as an independent, and was vigorously opposed by both the Democrats and Republicans on the City Council. It was a very contentious political moment. In retrospect, I think there are things I could have done to deal with that situation in a less confrontational manner.
The Top-10 Good Men Politicians
10) Mitch Daniels
8 ) Mark Strama
6) Jeff Flake
5) Al Franken
3) Cory Booker
2) Paul Ryan
1) Carl Levin
Maggie Thatcher is the only good politician I know of. The reason is that she is dead. Alive, she was a feminine version of Hitler only worse. Now she is were all politicians should be, in hell.
They promise us a better world yet when they are elected they turn their backs on us and sell out to the ruling people with power. It will never change unless we start to fight for what is rite instead of just letting it happen and hope it will be better tomorrow.
You left off the two Oregon Senators and the congressman from Seattle Jim McDermott.
Look up quotes of Boris Johnson. He is better than all of these.
Why the HELL is Ron Paul not on this list? You ppl r crazy!! He should be at the TOP!!
Paul Ryan’s “Roadmap” is a trumped-up plan to facilitate further corporate take-over. When all is said and done, we can vote who gets put in power in the government. We can’t vote on CEOs. I would rather pay my taxes to the government with all its flaws (and even corporate influences) than give more power to big money. And what is with Flake? I am so glad to see someone speaking up about the earmarks, but I think his politicizing of the funding of scientific research mars that. Now we need someone more vocal in defense of honest science than… Read more »
I actually got excited about his website, until I saw Paul Ryan on this list. This is a joke, isn’t it? Paul Ryan? this guy doesn’t have one ounce of integrity in his whole body. Paul Ryan is, excuse my language, the biggest corporate prostitute that has ever existed. He is a complete sold out. He gets his marching orders from the Koch brothers, and those orders are all about destroying the fabric of this great nation: the middle class. Guess what, no middle class = No Democracy. How can you put someone on this list who champions tyranny? You… Read more »
This list is baffling in its inconsistency.
Part of being a good man is showing self-awareness, and the fortitude to live according to one’s convictions – regardless of personal difficulty. Paul Ryan fails this test.
Ryan rose to his current position thanks to the welfare state; specifically Social Security, upon which he attended college.
He advocates for the others an Ayn Rand-inspired level of self-sufficiency, the dismantling of this social safety net.
IOTW: “I got mine – f*ck you”.
This list is now painfully dated, with the revelation about Ryan’s taste in wine and drinking buddies.
How you missed Ron Paul, the most consistent, principled and honest politician of his era, or arguably of any era is beyond me.
Think what you will of his politics, but his candor, his respectful dialogue and his refusal to bend to the powers that be in the name of liberty are second to none.
Interesting that the two single politicians who prohibit the initiation of force and fraud in their politics are absent from the list. From the time of Confucius, all societies have followed this “golden rule”, (outside of government), until their governments based on force and fraud have destroyed the society, usually by murdering millions of innocent civilians in conquest or democide. Jeff Flake, one of the better people on your list, supported protectionist legislation that put non-cartel dairy farmers out of business. All the other politicians are even worse than he is. Russ Feingold, for instance, pushed through “McCain-Feingold”, legislation that… Read more »
Ryan is about where he belongs though #1 would be a better ranking. I see a bunch of tantrum tossing towards Ryan for his stance on gay marriage. And most of it is phony outrage because the same people give Carl Levin a pass regarding his wishy washy stance on repealing DADT. more selective outrage from the professional leftists.
Folks, turn that anger to solving the problem. Too many of our politicians should go home.
How can we limit their terms of service to 2, but not more than 3 terms in office? This needs to be done for the good of this country.
We support their behavior by letting them stay in office. They are not entitled to a government seat for life.
3 times this screen has changed and lost my words——I agree w/Willl 100% read The Powell Memo
Carl Paladino is a “Good Man”
senator bernie sanders is without question the best person in our government today. i wouldn’t feel that i’m overestimating at all in saying that 99% of those in congress are corporate controlled stooges, and bernie is most certainly not. i am also surprised to not see senator russ feingold, the only senator to not vote for the patriot act – in doing so being alone in standing up for our civil liberties – in 2002.
I think the list would make much more sense if you explained why you included these people on the list – each individually, not as a whole – then one cold see the reasoning in it. I would like to read your response, Senator Sanders. Thank-you.
Why not Dennis Kucinich? I am suprised, also.
kucinich sold out true progressives by compromising and going back on his word by signing that atrocity of a health care “reform”.
I love what you’re doing, and needless to say, as a Vermonter I like the Bernie choice. For future consideration, take a look at our current governor, Jim Douglas, who despite being a Republican – is a good man. But my main point……….. you are totally out of your tiny liberal mind to not include our president on your list. I won’t even bother to enumerate, you must have a brain somewhere in there.
No Dennis Kucinich? One of the few who is unbiased…and does not need a speechwriter because he speaks from the heart!
With some of your pollsters, I am surprised Bush/Cheney et al are not on te list!
Where is Dennis Kucinich?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????!!!!! I can’t imagine what your criteria could be but as a citizen in Jeff Flake’s district I can tell you that he DOES NOT meet my definition of a good man. This man could not care less about his district! In the time I’ve lived in AZ I’ve never heard from him, despite my repeatedly contacting his office. When I complained to his office that he never acknowledges my comments I got a form letter. He has done nothing, and I mean NOTHING for this district. He serves only his corporate overlords. He is in every… Read more »
I was about to leave the same post almost word for word! I live in his district and he only serves one thing… his agenda and his religious beliefs…
I’m shocked – in fact I laughed out loud when I saw his name on this list!!
Dennis Kucinich – Good Guy
Goodmen Project:
put me on local fox about the growing problem of gender bias in the courts, children are being hurt an destroyed because the system wont listen to good men and women are over protected ….
How can Paul Ryan possibly be considered a Good Man when he actively encourages prejudice against gay men and women? He cares not for anyone who is not an extreme right wing evangelical Christian and the right of corporations over the good of his fellowman. By no definition, is this man a Good Man.
nonsense
I’m glad someone thinks as highly of Carl Levin as I do. I am proud of my Michigan senators. They have consistently shown themselves to be team players, not trying to screw over others for their own benefit.
Carl Levin fights for what he believes is right and practicable, and that’s what I want in a representative. He also gives a very well reasoned speech. It’s nice (and a very odd feeling) to have someone Michigan can be proud of.
Including Al Franken on this list pretty much invalidates the rest of the list as Al fails miserably at most of the criteria. Far from being respectful and trying to work with his political opposites, he belittles them every time he is left in charge of the house. Being from Michigan, I concur with putting Carl Levin on top of the list for being a good man. However, he has a completely undistinguished legislative record and basically has taken up space for several decades. Additionally, Michigan has been on of the top 2 tax donor states during Carl’s entire tenure… Read more »