Bernie’s Q&A: Trump, Kaepernick, Bream, Buckley, and more! (7/5) — 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. Let’s get to your questions (and my answers): What do you think of Nike pulling its 4th of July themed shoes (featuring the “Betsy Ross” flag) off the market, because Colin Kaepernick found it offensive? — William W. Too complicated for a complete answer in this space. But I think Nike was wrong. If the reason for pulling the shoes off the market was that neo-Nazis embrace the “Betsy Ross flag”… that’s a mistake. First, most Americans had no idea those morons used the flag as a rallying cry … and second, Nike’s decision now gives the white supremacist idiots power they don’t deserve. What happens if they embrace the Stars Spangled Banner next? Does that become off limits for decent people to also embrace. I could go on, but you get the idea. Hey Bernie, in last weeks Q & A you replied to me that if Trump loses in 2020 it will be “because of his big mouth, and folks like me don’t hold him to account.” Now I have a serious question. How exactly do “I” hold the POTUS to account? You think too much of me Bernie, I HAVE ZERO POWER IN THIS WORLD! What do you suggest? Vote Democrat? I’ve been reading your answer over and over again. I’ve been through a lot, seen things most men will never see, and I know a lot of things, but I seriously cannot, for the life of me figure this one out. You have way more power than I can ever fathom having. I will say this, after watching the Democrat debates, my prediction is looking a hell of lot better. — Respectfully, Ralph P. Fair question, my friend. First, I do NOT mean that you should vote Democrat. But too many avid Trump supporters defend him to matter what. If Gallup calls, you can say you do NOT approve of the job he’s doing. That’s a big deal. You can have conversations with friends and say he’s behaving like a kid in junior high. Who knows, Gallup might call your friend. Word of mouth matters over time. Social media: I know next to nothing about it but ideas get picked up and passed around. But whenever I see a poll, nearly 100 percent of REPUBLICANS approve of the president. Why should he stop acting the way he does when so many people think he’s doing a great job? That said, I understand your question. You may not have the power to speak to a Joint Session of Congress, but you can do something, Ralph. I am a John Kennedy Democrat and I do not recognize my party any more. I wrote a short book on JFK Jul 1956 – Nov 1963 I’d like to send to you. How can the Democrats recover from these debates? Especially this last one. Republicans show quotes of the candidates and say, “This is the Democrat Party.” — Chief Clyde Read my column about how Moderation May Be Dead in the Democratic Party — But in America? Here’s the question, Clyde: Has America moved as far left as the new progressive Democratic Party? I don’t think so, but I’m not betting on it. People like free stuff. It’s up to the Republicans to make the case that Democrats want to fundamentally change America. I don’t accept books, because sooner or later authors not only want me to read their work, but want to know what I think of the book. It’s a losing situation for me. But thanks. Bernie, so the NBA has joined in on the craziness. It has decreed that team owners will no longer be referred to in that manner. Invokes a time when black men were in fact owned by slave owners. Like the mega millionaire narcissists on these teams are “slaves”, are treated like slaves? The owners will now be referred to as Governors. And the beat goes on. P.C. craziness? — John M. Here’s my not so subtle answer: YES … Crazy! Hey Bernie. Its a thrill to be able to write to you personally! Im interested in hearing your thoughts on how we can keep Social Security and Medicare solvent. There have been many good proposals through the years suggesting raising contributions (taxes) slightly, reducing COLA increases, gradually raising retirement ages, and many more. Politicians generally wont even discuss these reforms, apparently considering them political suicide–which it probably is. Why do you think individuals my age (62) and older (and younger too) are unwilling to accept a little economic pain now in order to avoid a lot greater pain as we kick the can down the road? Not just our economic pain but for our children and grand children. Is it just plain ignorance? Selfishness? Or what? What are your thoughts? — Your devoted disciple, Alan D It’s fear, Alan … as you suggest. I’d be for raising the age for SS … but not for people your age or older. Why can’t Congress agree that workers now in their TWENTIES won’t get benefits until they’re … pick an age that’s older than what we have now. I’m against raising taxes — almost always. On the issues you raise, you’ll have a hard time finding profiles in courage. Bernie: What do you think of the shenanigans of women’s soccer star Megan Rapino? I tune into sports to watch sports and I could give a rip about the political views of the players. If I wanted to listen to dumb political statements and protests I’d watch the Democratic Presidential debates! I think she should be tossed from the team and banned from American soccer for life. — William W. I got a similar question last week and said that while athletes have the right to speak out on political and social matters, I wish they wouldn’t do it on the playing field, in the arena or stadium. Sports, I said, used to be the place we’d go to escape the daily barrage of politics. But … I don’t think she should be tossed off the team or banned for life (or a day). Banning speech is too dangerous for that. There are over 20 Democratic presidential candidates this time around, and there were nearly that many Republican candidates last time. Do you get the impression that “Running for President” was just a bucket-list item for a lot of these individuals, as opposed to them sincerely believing they are uniquely qualified (or felt a genuine call) to lead the nation? — John D. Some of these people are delusional enough to really think they are uniquely qualified to lead the nation. But I think they run mainly for ego reasons and career reasons. Ego: They can say “I ran for president.” Sounds stupid, right. But I think that’s one reason. Career: Maybe they’ll get picked for VP; maybe they’ll get speaking gigs; maybe they’ll leave politics and with “I ran for president” on their otherwise lackluster resume, they’ll get a job in the real world. I find myself watching Shannon Bream on Fox. I think she’s a rising star and I good interviewer. She actually lets her guests respond. Just wondering your thoughts on her. I have to admit that once your segments on HBO sports are over, I get a little bored. You’ve had the most dramatic episodes. You don’t talk much on this site about it but since us members are paying the huge $4 bucks a month, any chance you can give us premium members a heads up on what’s coming? I believe you said something about the fact you would never write a book again. But I think you should about the 70’s. From music, war, civil rights, etc., the 70’s had it all. You could end it with a line “The day the 70’s ended”. A great line that should not go unwanted. — Tim H. Shannon Bream is more fair than many others … she talks way too fast for my taste. After a while, I have to change the channel. Thanks for the kind words re Real Sports on HBO. I’ll let you know when I’ve got a story coming up … not sure right now how I do that. As for books, no way Jose. (Did I just appropriate someone else’s culture with the Jose thing?) I agree what we should never let a great line go to waste. So I’ll end with, To be or not to be, that is the question. I just made that up. Bernie, I think I speak for many of us who are regular readers and contributors to your Q&A sessions that I look forward to every week to the opportunity to get your views on all sorts of issues and also to essentially be part of a discussion group with others around the country who care deeply about many of the same issues. I wish there were opportunities to actually meet face to face with others with whom I share viewpoints and have intelligent discussions but cannot figure out how to do so. Maybe some of your readers have ideas as to how to make that happen in particular locales.