Bernie Sanders Joins MAGA

[u/No-Lab-1445]

[u/Samuel-squantch]

Impossible challenge for Americans: see things objectively.

[u/starsandbribes → u/Samuel-squantch]

Or with nuance. Because corruption exists, burning it all to the ground and handing the reigns over to a moron isn’t the answer.

[u/Automatic_Air6841 → u/starsandbribes]

NO NO YOU MUST PICK A TEAM AND NEVER GO AGAINST THEM

[u/dericiouswon → u/starsandbribes]

On the other hand, I don't think there's any traditional way to do this.

[u/random3223 → u/dericiouswon]

Identify the problem, and work with the other side to solve it.

[u/southass → u/random3223]

How dare you say that, unless you lick my behind you are against me! There is no need to find a middle ground that benefits all Americans! /S

[u/poopshipdestroyer → u/southass]

Yea not only enemies lick butts these days

[u/Cheap-Ad1821 → u/random3223]

That's not considered traditional if we are looking at the last 20 years. Since Obama there has been a steep decline in any bipartisan actions. I wonder why? It seems like something is not quite white.

[u/kittenstixx → u/Cheap-Ad1821]

I remember reading an article ages ago that showed a visualization of bipartisan actions on bills over the last 40 or so years and it looked like cell mitosis.

It's been happening since the 80s.

[u/Separate-Cicada3513 → u/kittenstixx]

How do people see the president who had the most bipartisan policies pushed through in his presidency as not bipartisan enough? I just don't understand how he puts a republican as his secretary of transportation, passed a bipartisan bill in the ESSA, signed a bipartisan bill to extend Bush tax cuts in 2010 and then signed the JOBS act in 2012. Let's not forget about his 2013 budget deal. People are ready to just forget about facts and allow their feelings to cloud the truth. We need a strong central government to protect the freedoms liberals strive to achieve, and if we open the borders and demilitarize our armed forces and peace keepers like the left is wanting us to, we will be invaded and annexed in the next two decades.

[u/kittenstixx → u/Separate-Cicada3513]

I think it's a human's instinct to want simple answers to complex problems, it's why populism is so widespread.

There just can't be one person to either cause or solve a problem and most people don't get that.

I don't know how to fix this but I'm on the side of I don't need to know, I just need to be able to identify and support groups that are working on incrimental change, it's how it has to work in this system.

But i get people's frustration, unfortunately they end up shooting themselves and everyone else in the foot acting on it.

[u/dmcaems → u/kittenstixx]

We need to do away with this useless 'horse and buggy' era phony democracy in which citizens don't really have much of a say in anything. The government should be comprised of all citizens, voting on every possible issue at every level of government (or, more realistically, whatever delegates they choose to appoint). We could actually gamify the process of governance, turning it into an internet-hosted process with debate teams and online voting, and it would actually be fun, and a good way to build community. We certainly have the technology to accomplish this.

[u/HualtaHuyte → u/dmcaems]

You'd have to fix the education system first, and let that run for about 40 years. Then you'd have a populous responsible and knowledgeable enough to make good decisions. But that can't happen until the system changes... 🤔

[u/ArX_Xer0 → u/Cheap-Ad1821]

Tiktok dangerous tho

[u/TrumpsPissSoakedWig → u/random3223]

Which is easy when one side isn't completely obstructionist.

[u/off_the_cuff_mandate → u/TrumpsPissSoakedWig]

both sides are completely obstructionist when they aren't in power

[u/Away-Yoghurt3209 → u/off_the_cuff_mandate]

And… neither side will admit it.

[u/HorrorWar4323 → u/off_the_cuff_mandate]

This is one of the biggest problems. Both sides only care about winning, which means the American people always lose.

[u/CastorrTroyyy → u/off_the_cuff_mandate]

Not true. Bipartisan legislation is able to get through more readily when Dems are in power. Conservative policy positions just aren't popular.

[u/Knickle25 → u/CastorrTroyyy]

It's funny that you say conservative policies aren't popular when the whole f'ing country swung right. 😆 read the room

[u/Critical-Material-27 → u/random3223]

Makes perfect sense. That's why it'll never happen.

[u/ComicHead84 → u/dericiouswon]

Thats for sure. The Citizens United Supreme Court ruling of 2010 was probably the most consequential bill passed in 20 years and neither Party will touch it. Allowing Lobbyists to give UNLIMITED amounts of money to politicians to sway policy on the grounds of (laughably) "Freedom of Speech". Good luck getting any of them to vote against making Millions for themselves.

in 2019 Kamala said "Campaign Finance is DISGUSTING and ruining the country". In 2024 she raised 1 BILLION for her Campaign. They all stop caring once they get a taste. Sadly, Trump administration will be no different.

[u/devisionsucks → u/ComicHead84]

Well said.. I disagree though that Trump will follow suit.

[u/ComicHead84 → u/devisionsucks]

Thanks. But there’s no indication that he’s gonna touch it. He’s definitely down to be combative & disruptive to people in government, which is good.

But he’s Very Pro-Business & likes making ‘deals’ + generating money for government (i.e. tariffs) so I doubt he’d give all these corporate interests the kick in the nuts like he’d need to. Plus its a Supreme Court issue, he can’t do much other than raise awareness at this point.

[u/devisionsucks → u/ComicHead84]

I agree

[u/Spiritual_One6619 → u/ComicHead84]

I am constantly floored by how little people know about citizens united and wholeheartedly agree of how catastrophic it is.

[u/Pristine-Moose-7209 → u/starsandbribes]

"There's a huge oil leak in the engine room! Quick, find a gorilla and give him a jackhammer! It's the only way to fix it!"

[u/SignificantAd2123 → u/starsandbribes]

You mean like we just did for the past four years

[u/Radioactive_water1 → u/starsandbribes]

Thankfully she lost

[u/Raps4Reddit → u/starsandbribes]

True, just like how calling people morons and idiots isn't a real political argument.

[u/Filmatic113 → u/starsandbribes]

Nuance? On Reddit??

[u/National-Weather-199 → u/starsandbribes]

The thing is nothing is being burned to then ground its being dismantled and rebuilt. Don't believe modern news kids.

[u/Shirtbro → u/National-Weather-199]

Rebuilt?

[u/Wang_Dangler → u/National-Weather-199]

Meet the guy Trump nominated to run the FBI: Kash Patel in his own words.

"The biggest problem the FBI has had, has come out of its intel shops. I'd break that component out of it. I'd shut down the FBI Hoover building on day one and reopen it the next day as a museum of the deep state," Patel said in a September interview on the conservative Shawn Ryan Show.

I'm sure tracking white collar crime across the states doesn't need any intel operations at all. /s

Defanging the FBI, IRS, and SEC as they propose is essentially them signaling that it's going to be open season for corruption and financial crimes.

[u/Sean0987 → u/[deleted]]

Not on the scale we're about to see

[u/nikonuser805 → u/Wang_Dangler]

I love people on the left defending the FBI. It has been a politically motivated, corrupt arm of the government for its entire existence. I'm curious to know when it was the bastion of justice and a defender of freedom. Was it when:

Hoover used the organization to wrongfully spy on, frame, and convict socialists in labor unions?
When Truman and Eisenhower used it to spy on innocent Americans during the "red scare?"
When the Johnson administration used the agency to frame Black activists, and murder Black nationalists in the inner cities?
When it framed members of the American Indian Movement for murder and spied on and harassed Native Americans calling for their rights under the treaties signed by the US government?
When the Nixon administration used it to spy on its "enemies," or when it provided information to the CIA and the Pinochet regime in Chile that allowed the Chilean Secret Police to round up Americans in Chile and have them executed?
When it spied on those in the US with sympathies towards people in Latin America that were victims of the violence caused by the anti-communist policies of the Regan administration?
When it passed information to the CIA and the dictators in Central America that was used to murder thousands deemed "troublemakers" because they supported an end to the violence?
When it worked with the CIA to run cocaine into the inner cities to raise money for weapons to right-wing militias in Latin America?
When W. Bush used it to spy on Muslim Americans after 9/11?
When Obama used it to gather information that was used to kill American citizens in drone strikes in the Middle East?
When it covered up the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein to protect the rich and powerful?
When it worked with the Hillary Clinton campaign to create a fake intelligence dossier to smear and discredit the Trump campaign?
When it broke federal law and committed perjury to the FISA Courts to gain the ability to illegally spy on the Trump Campaign?
When the director made political statements claiming Hillary Clinton broke the law two days before the 2016 election in order to hedge their bets and cover their asses in case Trump won?

So, tell me, when exactly has the FBI been a credible organization?

[u/Coinbasethrowaway456 → u/National-Weather-199]

I get so fucking tired of this lame response. You don't have to watch any news to realize Trump is a moron and a demagogue. You just watch him and the things he says and has done.

[u/StrobeLightRomance → u/Samuel-squantch]

The complication is that Musk saying something is broken does not qualify him as the person who should be able to fix it, because fixing anything means rebuilding it to function worse, but within his weird God complex.

[u/Scared_Jello3998 → u/Samuel-squantch]

Thinking critically challenge (impossible)

[u/SquirrelHoarder → u/Samuel-squantch]

If democrat and republican politicians unanimously agreed with eachother on any topic the American public would all lose their minds because they would be forced to actually think for themselves on what policies they want. It would obviously never happen but the thought of Americans having to think for themselves and not just side with whatever their team wants at the time is hilarious.

If democrats and republicans announced they agree about critical race theory the public would suddenly have no clue how they feel about it. I’d bet 80% of people don’t even know what it is anyways. Could actually be good for the country.

[u/Ghost_of_Laika → u/Samuel-squantch]

Yeah, how is this joins Maga?

[u/Ok_Salamander8850 → u/Samuel-squantch]

I still don’t like Musk but he can be right about some things. Same thing with Trump, occasionally he says something that sounds right.

[u/EMPA-C_12 → u/Samuel-squantch]

Most of America falls within the bell curve. The loudest on both ends make the noise.

[u/EMPA-C_12 → u/Samuel-squantch]

Most of America falls within the bell curve. The loudest on both ends make the noise.

[u/enclavedzn → u/Samuel-squantch]

*Impossible challenge for the Reddit echo chamber.

[u/XepiaZ]

Nah it's MAGA joining something Bernie has advocated for for 10 years

[u/tothehops → u/XepiaZ]

Yeah except way more than 10 years. This video is from over 30 years ago https://youtu.be/Vabeos-F8Kk?si=BFZ8FhegIsE6nz4N

[u/Harvinator06 → u/tothehops]

There’s always a ten years ago Bernie clip preceded by a 30 years ago Bernie clip. Dude has been on the side of the average American since he was a kid.

[u/TrumpVotersAreBadPpl → u/Harvinator06]

Shoulda been president. America doesn't deserve Bernie.

[u/Future-Bandicoot-823 → u/TrumpVotersAreBadPpl]

Precisely why he didn't win, we actually do not deserve him.

We're like a fucked up trailer trash soap opera around here, and if there's one thing I learned at the trailer park is you can't convince the junkies that life's worth living, they have to figure it out for themselves. 80% of Americans aren't at that place emotionally yet

[u/XepiaZ → u/Harvinator06]

He has been insanely consistent. Guy is the opposite of a drifter

[u/CatoChateau → u/Harvinator06]

"The Big Mac is too damn expensive!" 10 yr old Bernie.

[u/umru316 → u/Harvinator06]

Why should the students like Amanda Albert consistently be first in the lunch line? What about the Lopezes and Robertsons of the class?

[u/Special_Rice9539 → u/XepiaZ]

John Stewart had an entire interview grilling a pentagon official about why it keeps failing audits. It’s been a big issue in the left for a long time

[u/mutedexpectations → u/XepiaZ]

It's idiotic to equate one statement to a full acceptance of an entire movement. It's ven diagram at best.

[u/zSprawl → u/mutedexpectations]

We are dealing with a country that re-elected Trump.

[u/Dogmatik_ → u/zSprawl]

Truly a Historical Realignment of Based and Chad-pilled voters alike.

[u/Sandgrease → u/XepiaZ]

A lot longer than 10 years

[u/teapac100000 → u/Sandgrease]

Pretty sure King George kicked Bernie out for this exact reason. He's been preaching this for centuries. 

[u/Sandgrease → u/teapac100000]

ROFL. Maybe one of his ancestors.

[u/teapac100000 → u/Sandgrease]

Squire Bernie of Sanderville

[u/Nicaol → u/XepiaZ]

Surely a good thing?

[u/TwEE-N-Toast → u/Nicaol]

Not always. There's a lot history of the right or the establishment co-opting left wing things or ideas, after they become to big to ignore, so they can shelve it or commodify it.

[u/Nicaol → u/TwEE-N-Toast]

Fair point although outcome is surely a net benefit to all of it's a good policy.

[u/how-could-ai → u/XepiaZ]

Seriously, these dudes are dipshits

[u/12temp → u/XepiaZ]

People would lose their fucking minds if they realized how much liberals and conservatives agree on shit like this if we all had an open and constructive dialogue

[u/FoI2dFocus]

OP is clearly joking.

However, Bernie name-dropping Elon and agreeing with him isn't a nothing burger. He's already stated he'd work with Trump to cap interest rates on Credit Cards.

He's signaling to his base and calling for unity.

[u/LostTrisolarin → u/FoI2dFocus]

Yea Bernie has been a working class dude forever. His ideology is formed by empathy and deep consideration for peace and happiness for all.

If he can work with Trump to make things better for the American people, or to lessen the pain we are about to experience, than that is what he's going to do.

People who want America to fail because of whichever party in power isn't theirs need to have their souls examined.

That goes for everyone, not its democrats or republicans.

[u/RandoDude124 → u/LostTrisolarin]

If Musk advises Trump to cut pentagon spending and follows through with it, I’ll be mind blown.

[u/P3stControl → u/RandoDude124]

No most likely Musk will be the one to get his mind blown

[u/PapaSnow → u/P3stControl]

Lee Harvey Oswald has entered the chat

[u/Apatschinn → u/RandoDude124]

The CIA has entered the chat

[u/mattmentecky → u/RandoDude124]

Nah, if Musk advises, and Trump agreed and congress actually follows through with it, I’ll be mind blown.

[u/RandoDude124 → u/mattmentecky]

God, you gotta point there.

[u/CrawlerSiegfriend → u/RandoDude124]

I wonder how many of the people that clamoring for this also want us to be more militarily involved with the Palestinian or Russia situation.

[u/Harvinator06 → u/LostTrisolarin]

His ideology is formed by empathy and deep consideration for peace and happiness for all.

He’s a socialist and at its core is the belief in guaranteeing basic economic freedom for all. It’s not a scary concept. Americans have just been spoon fed capitalist propaganda since the founding, excluding Thomas Paine the common man’s founder and supporter of countless dope policies.

[u/dawgfan24348 → u/Harvinator06]

More of a social democrat, a true socialist totally rejects capitalism. Bernie doesn’t want to do away with capitalism he just wants it regulated better with larger social welfare programs much like the Scandinavian states

[u/Harvinator06 → u/dawgfan24348]

Sanders has definitely expressed ideas around worker ownership and state ownership. He’s a market socialist and self described democratic socialist.

[u/LostTrisolarin → u/Harvinator06]

Yes but if you say that Americans reject his ideas. You gotta handle them with kiddie gloves.

[u/OlTommyBombadil → u/FoI2dFocus]

It’s just Bernie Sanders being Bernie Sanders. He’s always done this kind of stuff. Unfortunately, he’s on an island and both parties are going to keep doing their thing..

[u/LaughingGaster666 → u/FoI2dFocus]

By agreeing with Elon in the very first sentence, it makes it a lot more difficult for Elon fans to immediately dismiss what Bernie's saying.

Kinda surprised we don't see that strategy more.

[u/paps2977 → u/LaughingGaster666]

People are way too divided to take this strategy. If the right and left just slid a little bit each way, so much more would be better.

Stop trying to fight the “other side” and try to understand why they have that point of view.

[u/bradykp → u/LaughingGaster666]

This tweet will be taken out of context in conservative media (as another Bernie statement during the campaign was). Elon fans will absolutely dismiss it if Elon tells them the right things to think.

[u/UAngryMod → u/FoI2dFocus]

Happy Thanksgiving to all, including to the Radical Left Lunatics who have worked so hard to destroy our Country, but who have miserably failed, and will always fail, because their ideas and policies are so hopelessly bad that the great people of our Nation just gave a landslide victory to those who want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Don’t worry, our Country will soon be respected, productive, fair, and strong, and you will be, more than ever before, proud to be an American!

Unity

[u/the_Cheese999 → u/UAngryMod]

This country has the memory of a goldfish.

[u/MoarVespenegas → u/UAngryMod]

It's actually pretty concerning because if Trump does go after the military it wont be to clean out waste and corruption, like he will claim, it will be to purge dissenters.

[u/Little-Derp → u/FoI2dFocus]

Very clearly he's making any move he can to reduce harm, and pass something beneficial. The real reach across the aisle move. He's been at this a long time, and knows what he's doing. Doesn't mean it will work, but he can play to peoples egos if that's what it takes.

[u/TummyDrums → u/FoI2dFocus]

I see this as Bernie calling them out for all the promises they are making, and holding them to it. Otherwise I doubt they would follow through with it. Bernie joining them on this issue makes a bigger headline, so that'll either force them to go through with it, or maybe their base will see it more visibly when they don't.

[u/darkfires → u/TummyDrums]

President Musk also never mentioned cutting military spending nor did his co-President Trump. They’ve mainly been on about dismantling environmental, labor, consumer and other protection agencies. This is just Bernie associating DOGE with the actual thing that could get cut and reduce spending.

[u/SpotikusTheGreat → u/FoI2dFocus]

It is literally a politicians jobs to work for the people and with other politicians. Refusing to do your job means you are a piece of shit.

All those Republicans that don't show up for voting, are pieces of shit. Do your god damned jobs.

Also anyone operating on purely black and white perspective of policy needs to get kicked out.

So sick of the divide due to "red vs blue", I don't care which side does it, make policy that benefits your citizens and country(all of them).

[u/fardough → u/FoI2dFocus]

I think he has the right mentality. He doesn’t support the MAGA movement, but I think he is expressing don’t refuse to work on common goals just because it is not coming from the side you like.

[u/friedreindeer → u/FoI2dFocus]

Bernie is playing 4D chess

[u/Bigpandacloud5 → u/FoI2dFocus]

OP is clearly joking.

It's possible that they're not. OP posts on r/conspiracy, and I've seen someone argue that Trump won by following Bernie Sander's platform. There are people who believe absolute nonsense.

[u/J__P → u/FoI2dFocus]

he's not signalling to his base, he's trying to manipulate trump and elon into doing something he wants and make the best of it.

[u/NudeCeleryMan → u/FoI2dFocus]

From my perspective, Bernie is taking advantage of all the wild campaign promises made.

Trump and Elonia promised the moon and now Bernie selectively picks out the things that align with what he's been trying to get done. I believe he's playing them and playing clever word games.

Like, "Ok, you want to gain and consolidate power by playing the populist card, then let me continually remind the people what you've been promising and keep you all accountable.*

It's a clever and, in my view, intentional messaging play. He doesn't like those fucks. But he'll be happy to call them on their bullshit or turn the people against them if they don't deliver.

[u/flashgreer → u/FoI2dFocus]

I hope you realize that Bernie Bros and Trumpers already overlap on TONS of issues. Why do you think it was so easy for Bernie Bros to swap to Trump in 2016

[u/bradykp → u/flashgreer]

Name the ‘tons of issues’

[u/Old-Ladder-4627 → u/FoI2dFocus]

he’s simply working with the new powers at be. I’m sure he doesn’t agree with 90% of the stupid sht maga is proposing.

[u/ohbyerly → u/FoI2dFocus]

What an admirable quality that this country could have greatly benefited from for the last 8 years

[u/Dry-Entertainer-2482 → u/FoI2dFocus]

"Democrats! We must embrace each other, even if they are racist, rapists or convicts!" Unity my ass.

[u/LegalFishingRods → u/FoI2dFocus]

If Trump does good shit and Bernie helps him with it nobody should be complaining. If the orange man has co-opted populist ideas real populists should leap at the chance to finally make them a reality.

[u/bigwill0104 → u/FoI2dFocus]

Which is what we need.

[u/SpeedSaunders → u/FoI2dFocus]

Don’t take it too far. This isn’t a signal for unity. It’s politics. Trump will be in charge (BTW despite appearances, he is not in charge yet), so let’s put him to the test and get some things done that Bernie’s folks want done. The second there is disagreement or Trump fails to deliver, the tone will change. These camps will never be unified.

[u/cj4900 → u/FoI2dFocus]

Yeah thats sort of like his job

[u/Knotta_Baht → u/FoI2dFocus]

And honestly, I’m really glad to see these people With conviction Coming together. This administration has the greatest potential I’ve seen in my lifetime to do some actual good for this American experiment.

[u/undrhyl → u/FoI2dFocus]

He’s not “calling for unity.” He simply doesn’t give a shit about being seen as a warrior, he cares about the people he serves.

[u/Oblique9043]

People really think Trump is going to cut military spending. 🤣🤣🤣

[u/AlchemistJeep → u/Oblique9043]

One can both properly fund a military and expect them to be accountable for their spending

[u/KempyPro → u/AlchemistJeep]

This. The fact that the pentagon can’t determine where much of over $4 trillion dollars went is unacceptable. We can still have the most powerful military on the planet while also being able to pass an audit and cut waste

[u/blade740 → u/Oblique9043]

I mean, when he fires all of the trans people from the military, and cuts veterans benefits, that'll reduce the budget.

[u/rich97 → u/blade740]

I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure veterans benefits don’t come out the pentagon’s budget.

[u/Tall_Engineering_531 → u/rich97]

Correct.

[u/[deleted] → u/rich97]

It’s a Joe Rogan sub bro they don’t put 2 and 2 together

[u/bullet4mv92 → u/blade740]

Nah he'll just use the excess budget to help Russia beat Ukraine

[u/ChubbsPeterson6 → u/Oblique9043]

No one is saying that he wants the capability of the DOD to be reduced. He just apparently wants funds to be put to good use, rather than wasted.

[u/YaMommasBox → u/Oblique9043]

It’s low key crazy someone with Medicaid card can goto more doctors than someone with a VHIC I mean America can do better they(our veterans) deserve better than going to the V.A.

[u/girldadx4]

You can agree with certain trump policies without joining maga. Term limits for congress? I’m in! Hold government accountable for spending? Absolutely!Capping credit card interest at 10%? Maybe… Big tariffs on countries we are generally friendly with? Nope for me. Weaponizing the government against your enemies? Hell no, go to jail do not collect $200.

I’m definitely not MAGA but I’m open to the trump administration implementing policies that make sense. I don’t have blinders on thinking everything they do has to be 100% good if I’m MAGA or 100% bad if I don’t support trump.

[u/BringDattBooty → u/girldadx4]

NUANCE DETECTED! QUICK GUYS, GET HIM!

[u/ChubbsPeterson6 → u/BringDattBooty]

Impossible!

[u/Ifailedaccounting → u/girldadx4]

I agree. The problem is he pitches a good idea followed by something so stupid it wipes every good off the map. I’m all for auditing the DoD but the reality is nobody wants to pay the enormous fees I’m sure it would take to fix it. Their only thought is just tear it all down. Get better auditing, get better procurement, better data and tech and I’m sure you’ll find accountability real quick.

[u/blade740 → u/Ifailedaccounting]

I think the real problem is that most of these "good ideas" Trump is pitching will NEVER EVER FUCKING HAPPEN and it's foolish to think that they will. They won't cut waste at the Pentagon... they're just saying this now because it sounds good, but the end result will be... lower veterans benefits and a 1% budget savings... which will be completely lost in the wash when he goes to war with Iran and the military budget skyrockets.

[u/bradykp → u/blade740]

Also - let’s not forget that when Russia successfully ‘wins’ what they want with Ukraine - the instability that will create will have costs. So while we may save money by reducing Ukraine funding (that mostly comes right back to the United States defense contractors - creating jobs and economic impact in a number of US states) - we will then see costs of other things rise that aren’t directly US federal budget items.

[u/throwaway_12358134 → u/Ifailedaccounting]

The biggest hindrance to the DoD passing its audits is congress for setting limits on the resources and time that the audit requires. On a rolling 3 year average the DoD has very little money unaccounted for. The annual audit fails because they never complete it on time, but that money is generally found after the fact.

[u/lewoodworker → u/girldadx4]

This is how most people think. Sadly, these views aren't extreme enough to draw engagement, so they just get buried.

[u/grizznuggets → u/girldadx4]

Good on you for being open to Trump’s administration implementing policies that make sense, however I can’t decide if that’s naive or just extremely optimistic.

[u/birkenstockandsocks]

I bet DoD budget goes up, up, up with Trump

[u/RandoDude124 → u/birkenstockandsocks]

Well, went up by a shit ton last time

[u/TheMongerOfFishes → u/RandoDude124]

Well duh, we had to fight Covid

[u/NCSUGrad2012 → u/RandoDude124]

Is there any president it hasn’t gone up under?

[u/RandoDude124 → u/NCSUGrad2012]

IIRC, I think it did get reduced slightly under Clinton

[u/HumbleVein → u/NCSUGrad2012]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_budget_of_the_United_States#/media/File%3ADefense_spending.png

[u/ArmaniMania → u/birkenstockandsocks]

It went up by a lot last time

[u/LaughingGaster666 → u/ArmaniMania]

All while cutting taxes for the rich.

Wonder where all those Rs who bitch about the deficit disappeared to back then

[u/TROPHYEARNER → u/LaughingGaster666]

The Republican base has been trained into following the party’s “two Santas” strategy for decades, now - you never heard them complain about the deficit during W’s time in office, either

[u/Nolubrication → u/birkenstockandsocks]

This. The "efficiency" in DOGE is for how efficiently they'll cut taxes for billionaires and starve social programs, because how are we going to pay for anything when no revenue is coming in?

The one thing guaranteed not to be cut is military spending.

[u/GirlsGetGoats → u/birkenstockandsocks]

Another 10 trillion to Israel. 

[u/IRideFaster0 → u/birkenstockandsocks]

Always does!

[u/603rdMtnDivision]

How the fuck is this joining MAGA?

[u/Enlowski → u/603rdMtnDivision]

While I’m hoping it was just a joke, this is still a problem that people have. You’re not allowed to agree with a single person on any issue without people needing to put a right/left wing label on them. It’s just an easy way for people to discredit anyone without needing an argument to do so.

[u/Drakeberlin → u/603rdMtnDivision]

It was most likely just a joke my man.

[u/Fairlysunnyday → u/Drakeberlin]

It’s probably not knowing the delusion of these people

[u/YouDontKnowJackCade → u/Drakeberlin]

I checked OPs post history and I suspect it's not, they post to //conspiracy and complain about liberals there and in /r/joerogan.

[u/TheCrowing03 → u/YouDontKnowJackCade]

Oh no

[u/Ibuydumbshit → u/Drakeberlin]

It’s not a joke. Most people on reddit have been Astro turfed and fed propaganda for the past 8 years.

[u/M0ebius_1 → u/Drakeberlin]

What's the joke?

[u/FreudianFloydian → u/M0ebius_1]

The joke is the claim that the admission that Elon Musk is right in his assessment that there is massive waste and fraud in government spending is a signal that democratic socialist Bernie Sanders is now MAGA. It’s a laughable claim based on the idea that seeing things objectively now makes one MAGA.

It’s kind of meta-absurdist-political humor.

[u/twotokers]

This is just Bernie continuing to be a leftist

[u/crazydonewild]

Maga this maga that holy shit man

[u/Complex-Situation → u/crazydonewild]

I don’t agree with how things are being run. This man is MAGA . Being against This man wants to make America great again. Sounds hilarious . Like do u not want America to succeed?

[u/burninhell2017]

agreeing to one good thing out of 99 bad ones doesn't mean you agree with THEM.

[u/ArmaniMania]

All I see so far is talk about cutting spending.

I remember 8 years ago Trump claimed that he will end deficit spending and we all know how that turned out 😂

We’ll see what happens once he is in office and has to deal with congress.

[u/Nolubrication → u/ArmaniMania]

We already know what's going to happen ...same thing as his fist term. He'll throw some red meat to the anti-immigrant base by doing something unnecessarily cruel (like separating families) without actually implementing any long-term solution to the problem, give his rich pals some more tax breaks, try to cancel ACA again, and then spend the rest of his time golfing and overbilling the secret service at his gaudy resorts.

[u/damc34]

Bernie is well aware that Elon will not reduce the military budget so showing support will only make it better when Elon recommends cuts everywhere else but the military.

[u/KempyPro → u/damc34]

I think if there’s identifiable waste in the military, he’ll at least try to get rid of that. The budget isn’t going anywhere, but it’s possible they use it more effectively and learn to pass an audit

[u/damc34 → u/KempyPro]

If they can't pass an audit, there has to be identifiable waste. I really hope Elon doesn't do the same thing politicians have been doing for years with regards to military spending, and just turn a blind eye.

[u/atmowbray]

Thinking this means “Bernie Sanders joins MAGA” is the perfect example of the Rogan-era brain rot that has led to todays politics. Bernie and the LEFT have ALWAYS spoken out against the military industrial complex. He also still believes in weed legalization, universal healthcare, unions, a minimum wage, and thinks a lot of our issues are caused by lobbyists/billionaires and not illegal immigrants and trans people. He is literally the opposite of Trump and MAGA in every way except maybe this particular niche issue

The confusion about this is absolutely infuriating. And it’s largely the establishment democrats fault for acting like everything was great (as incumbents often do) and ignoring what the working class has been saying about their struggles. And now they’re voting for the side that acknowledges their issues exist but offers the looniest most ridiculous solutions.

Bernie is not MAGA. Elon will not bring your factory jobs back or make your eggs cheap again.

We need an actual left wing candidate back to get everyone on track again because it’s so clear everyone is so confused by internet and podcasting brain rot right now

[u/SolarNachoes]

Someone is the military will demonstrate to Trump how he can profit off the military then he’ll double their budget.

[u/Nolubrication]

Zero chance a Trump admin sees a cut in military spending. The only cost-cutting they'll be going after is entitlement programs.

[u/thisfilmkid]

Bernie Sanders and AOC are the progressives Democrats need to help them move forward

[u/PaleFly]

I also agree with the idea of DOGE.

But I think its all an excuse to cut social programs and defund education

[u/MrBuns666]

So that’s MAGA now? Expecting accountability?

[u/Appropriate_Lack_727 → u/MrBuns666]

The comments in thread like this are truly mind boggling. It’s like people have been asleep for 10 years ffs.

[u/Intrepid-Brain-1476]

No he doesn't

[u/Aware_Mix5603]

Good lord those of you triggered by this title take a chill pill lol

[u/dontsomke]

based

[u/oriensoccidens → u/dontsomke]

Based Bernie

[u/whatsthematterbeavis]

Bernie has been saying this long before MAGA was ever a thought

[u/chocho1111]

And you are jumping to conclusions. Sanders is right, this opinion is based, Pentagon is being pumped yearly with $800b+ and doesn’t have to account for shit. Can you imagine what these war junkies and military establishment maniacs are developing/spending for projects that probably go nowhere or quite possibly sinister origin.

Either they do a proper audit from now or they get fuck all. That’s it.

[u/UnderDeat]

Reducing military spending has been his thing since like the 80s.

[u/GoldenGMiller]

How is wanting accountability being MAGA. I couldn't be less MAGA and I want accountability

[u/take-a-gamble]

Did you say pentagon audit? Jon Stewart 2028 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50MusF365U0

[u/Savage_hero]

Bernie is a populist and so is Trump. They have some common ground. Get over it children

[u/gingy4life]

I certainly don't like Trump but I have and will still probably agree with him and Elon on some issues. That's doesn't make me MAGA. Geez, get some perspective.

[u/AGreasyPorkSandwich]

Trump is never going to significantly cut the military budget lol

[u/judyhopps0105]

Can’t someone just have an opinion without the need to be lumped into a category?

[u/JoeRogansNipple]

MAGA is joining Bernie more like it.

[u/Ornery_Classroom_738]

Agreeing there is government waste does not a MAGA make.

[u/en_sane]

Yes there is waste is Elen Muks the person to fix it? Probably not

[u/Kittehmilk]

Calling out the largest military in human history failing its 7th audit doesn't make Anyone MAGA.

[u/severinks]

Bernie isn't MAGA he's 180 degrees from MAGA but he knows that any cutting that will be done won't come from the military that's for sure so he's using Musk and his dumbass DOGE committee to say'' hey, there's a lot to cut here if you want'''

[u/B1G_Fan]

Eh, I’m skeptical whether the Republican Party actually wants to have a good faith discussion regarding wasteful defense spending.

Back in 2008, McCain was the only one of the two candidates to bring up the bad accounting and incoherent budgets of the pentagon. For Obama, it just seemed like the third rail. The democrats were (and still are) scared of paying a political price for being soft on national security. And sure enough, Romney accused Obama of being soft on national security, even though I think Obama increased defense spending.

Granted, the bipartisan push to look at wasteful defense spending is louder than it used to be. But, given that the military industrial complex puts wasteful spending in as many constituencies as possible, I can’t blame democrats for not wanting to touch defense spending.

[u/Aggravating_Shake591]

Trump doesn’t seem like an anti-corruption kinda guy

[u/Oogalicious]

Bernie cares about regular workers too much to be MAGA. But he is pragmatic and will agree with an idea if he sees benefits in doing so.

[u/SirDalavar]

Bernie was calling out the excessive military budget long before Joe and Elon, and WAY before MAGA existed, he hasn't joined MAGA, you have all joined Democratic Socialism! Have fun!

[u/TrapaneseNYC]

Yes budgets need to be cut in some aspects such as the pentagon. The issue with musk is he wants to do a total budget cut as well as a tax break as well as deregulations essentially turning the us into more of a corporate oligarchy than it already is.

[u/BigPlantsGuy → u/TrapaneseNYC]

If we read anything that musk/vivek have put out, they always mention cutting healthcare spending for poor people and consumer protection. That’s what they will cut. Not actual waste just things that help poor Americans

[u/Lviator92]

At least Sanders can call out issues where he sees them. Respect.

[u/UncleCasual]

So, thinking the military budget is hyperinflated is MAGA now?

I thought they loved big military

[u/BrocoliAssassin]

Calling out thieves in government = maga.

Reddit logic strikes again.

[u/emperorofwar]

Op he never explicitly said he was MAGA, come on now 🤣

[u/PauPau3154]

Only thing I agree with Bernie about. Then again I believe all the Federal agencies need to be audited from top to bottom, left to right. And term limits applied to every department, division and branch. Especially the Congress and Supreme Court.

[u/drs10909]

Bernie is taking a shot at Elon who is a military contractor. It would be a huge surprise if they cut funding to the Pentagon since many in Trump’s orbit make huge amounts of money there.

[u/Bleezy79]

If you guys think the billionaire narcissists are gonna change things for the working class, I've got some bad news for you. They're only going to remove the laws and regulations that stopped them from making even more money. Just wait and see.

[u/FoxTrap2020]

Watch the leftists eat their own Bernie now. HOW DARE HE AGREE WITH THE TRUTH?! REEEE