Bernie’s Q&A: Dream Presidents, San Francisco, Liberal vs. Conservative, and more! (11/29) — Premium Interactive ($4 members)
Welcome to this week’s Premium Q&A session for Premium Interactive members. I appreciate you all signing up and joining me. Thank you.
Due to the holiday, not many questions came in this week. I hope you and your families all had a great Thanksgiving!
Let’s get to your questions (and my answers):
Bernie, please share your thoughts if possible given limited space on the contrasted visions of the left and right regarding America. I like to think that the conservative vision emphasizes maximum personal freedom with individuals having the freedom to make choices as to how to live their lives and pursue their own versions of happiness. There is a role for government but it is a limited role ( certainly when compared to those who favor more government control and regulation). For the life of me , I cannot understand the vision of those who favor more government control. Is it simply the quest for Shangri la and a utopian society regardless of whether such quest is fruitless (or even counterproductive)? Or is it merely about obtaining and maintaining power through an appeal to emotions? -- Michael F.
I think you're analysis is right on the money, Michael. Let's be generous and at least for the sake of discussion say it's not about the left's quest for power. Instead, I think it's the liberal belief that government is the best way to achieve a better America. They don't trust business, by and large. Their Shangri la demands lots and lots of money and only government can raise what they need -- or at least some of what they need. There's a role for government, of course. But conservatives, as you say, believe less government is the better way to go. Count me in.
Hello Sir Bernie. After listening to your Off The Cuff remarks, I have to ask, WHY in the world do the good citizens of San Francisco continuously vote in politicians who refuse to allow police to enforce loitering laws and public urinating and defecating along with tossing needles all over the place... well, you get the picture. Seriously I don’t get why even the most left leaning elites Would allow their once beautiful city to become the cesspool of crime and disease simply to satisfy a sense of virtue signaling—-your thoughts? -- Golden Gate Bridge Regards From The Emperor
You have every reason to be in a state of disbelief. But I suspect the uber left in SF don't want to do anything that might make them look anything like conservatives. So, since conservatives would have the sense to take actions to deal with crime, etc ... the left is hesitant to do the same. It's crazy, Emperor. And trying to figure out crazy is, well, ... crazy.
As you've written about before, you interviewed Donald Trump (twice I believe) before he became president. And it's safe to say he didn't strike you as presidential material. I curious though if you've interviewed anyone (not necessarily a politician) who you did believe would make a good president, based on his/her views, character, and leadership qualities. -- John D.
My first choice would be the late (obviously great) William F. Buckley. Need I explain why?
Bill Bennett also comes to mind because he's not only smart, but cares about values. That said, he's been a disappointment in the Trump era since he either defends the president far more than he should -- or only gently chides him.
I'd love to pick someone like Alan Dershowitz because he has principles -- and stands by them, unlike so many others in the public eye. But Alan is -- in his words -- "a proud liberal," and so when it comes to matters of policy, we find ourselves on different sides of the line. Sorry Alan, I can't put you on the list.
George Carlin would have been great in the Oval Office; certainly better than a lot of pols who occupied that room. Talk about a no BS disruptor!!!
I haven't interviewed him (in person), but there's a fellow who handles all the complicated stuff for my website who would make a truly magnificent president. I'll call him John Daly, but I'm not sure if that's his real name or a pen name; he's also a mystery writer. I believe he was born in the United States but for all I know he snuck into this country from Ukraine. But he'd get my vote.
Please be patient with my recollection and details of the question. Sometime ago (I believe the 80's) you commented on a survey where somewhere around eighty percent of journalist stated they voted for Democrats. A decade later and the same survey found the same same percentage claimed to be independent. Obviously they learned from the first survey. You have written, to which I agree, that they don't realize they are Biased. Just curious as to your opinion. What do you believe the results of that survey would be if it was directed at Federal government employees, less the military? -- Tim H.
The point I made, Tim, was that a lot of journalists claimed to be independent when in fact they were Democrats. Now onto your question:
I suspect a lot of federal employees are Democrats, perhaps because Democrats more than Republicans are drawn to government and aren't put off by the stifling bureaucracy. I also suspect that many of those who are Democrats (or Republicans for that matter) would claim to be independent to hide their real partisan feelings. That way when a Democrat bashes a Republican president -- or the other way around -- the basher can say, "I'm an independent -- not a partisan." And therefore, we're more likely to take the criticism seriously. In the world of journalism almost all of them are Democrats no matter what they call themselves.
Mr. Goldberg, When Elizabeth Warren turned down the Fox News Town Hall, she tweeted, "Fox News is a hate-for-profit racket that gives a megaphone to racists and conspiracists — it's designed to turn us against each other". Former candidate John Delaney then said that "Democratic candidates have to campaign everywhere and talk to all voters." The question I'd ask Elizabeth Warren is "how can you be the President of the entire United States when you feel that an audience as big as Fox News is made up of racists and conspirators?" And my question to you, Mr. Goldberg is "Why isn't this question being asked now?" -- Steve E.
It isn't being asked because the people who should be asking -- journalists -- probably agree with Warren. This is one more reason, by the way, that I find Senator Warren to be a particularly nasty and cynical politician.
Thanks, everyone! You can send me questions for next week using the form below! You can also read previous Q&A sessions by clicking here.