To say Bernie Sanders is a shill of the left is an understatement. He gained attention in 2016 and 2020 by pretending to be a man of the working people. But he won over supporters by promising to make college free. Yeah, you promise free stuff you’ll get plenty of fans. But Uncle Bernie is hardly a renegade.
Despite calling himself a “Democratic socialist,” he has complied with Democrat bills nearly 100% of the time. He even supports bills he knows would enrich the “one percent,” the group of rich people he claims to oppose. But even a broken clock is right twice a day. In one rare case, Sanders is actually doing something smart. And by doing so, is defying Joe Biden himself.
Bernie Sanders has introduced a new resolution to cut off US support for the horrific Saudi-led war in Yemen. The measure is a crucial step toward peace — but it will have to be backed up with serious pressure on Joe Biden, so he doesn’t flout the resolution…
If approved and signed into law, the resolution would require President Joe Biden to withdraw several forms of military support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen…
Sanders’s resolution is certainly a positive development. It would force the Saudi-led coalition to think twice before resuming the war and, at least in theory, withdraw US collaboration in an immoral war that has killed hundreds of thousands of civilians and pushed millions more into near-starvation. [Source: Jacobin]
The United States has been helping Saudi Arabia wage a war in Yemen since Barack Obama. Presidents have been able to provide tremendous military aid without restrictions from Congress, through the War Powers Act. Bernie Sanders’ bill would not only curtail America’s support of fighting in Yemen, but it would set a precedent that allows Congress to restrict a president’s ability to wage war all over the world.
The question is, will Joe Biden actually sign into law a bill that limits his power? That is very unlikely. But there is hope this failed presidency can be held accountable if Sanders can get enough senators on board.
Even if Biden vetoes this bill, the measure can get passed with two-thirds majority vote. I’m sure Sanders won’t have trouble getting Republicans to vote to override a veto. But are there enough Democrats willing to shut down this war-loving “president”? Biden has spent over $40 billion in tax dollars on the war in Ukraine (which seems to have no end in sight).
He’s supported this ongoing war in Yemen, where hundreds of thousands of civilians have died. All to keep the corrupt military-industrial complex happy. Shouldn’t Democrats–of all people–actually do something to end war around the world?
Maybe. Maybe not. Democrats talk a big game about ending violence at home. But when they have a chance to slow down bloodshed around the world, they are the first to vote no. Democrats constantly blame Republicans of being warmongers. But they do nothing to stop the U.S. from getting involved in one war after another.
If Biden’s power is to be restricted, Democrats and Republicans will have to work together. But will that happen?
Author: Bo Dogan