Watch a video of Bernie Sanders expressing his concerns about the U.S. involvement in Iraq in 2003 here.
Bernie Sanders is a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist. He believes in the implementation of policies and programs similar to what President Franklin Delano Roosevelt did in the 1930's.
Against the ferocious opposition of the ruling class of his day, people he called economic royalists, Roosevelt implemented a series of programs that put millions of people back to work, took them out of poverty and restored their faith in government. He redefined the relationship of the federal government to the people of our country. He combatted cynicism, fear and despair. He reinvigorated democracy. He transformed the country. And that is what we have to do today.
And, by the way, almost everything he proposed was called “socialist.” Social Security, which transformed life for the elderly in this country was “socialist.” The concept of the “minimum wage” was seen as a radical intrusion into the marketplace and was described as “socialist.” Unemployment insurance, abolishing child labor, the 40-hour work week, collective bargaining, strong banking regulations, deposit insurance, and job programs that put millions of people to work were all described, in one way or another, as “socialist.” Yet, these programs have become the fabric of our nation and the foundation of the middle class.
Speaking about President Johnson and what he did in the 1960's:
Thirty years later, in the 1960s, President Johnson passed Medicare and Medicaid to provide health care to millions of senior citizens and families with children, persons with disabilities and some of the most vulnerable people in this county. Once again these vitally important programs were derided by the right wing as socialist programs that were a threat to our American way of life.
Speaking about President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his 1944 State of the Union speech:
In that speech, Roosevelt described the economic rights that he believed every American was entitled to: The right to a decent job at decent pay, the right to adequate food, clothing, and time off from work, the right for every business, large and small, to function in an atmosphere free from unfair competition and domination by monopolies. The right of all Americans to have a decent home and decent health care.
Here's a summary of how Bernie defines Democratic Socialism (quoted directly from his website):
Democratic socialism means that we must create an economy that works for all, not just the very wealthy.
Democratic socialism means that we must reform a political system in America today which is not only grossly unfair but, in many respects, corrupt.
It means that health care should be a right of all people, not a privilege...That is why I believe in a Medicare-for-all single payer health care system. Yes. The Affordable Care Act, which I helped write and voted for, is a step forward for this country. But we must build on it and go further. Medicare for all would not only guarantee health care for all people, not only save middle class families and our entire nation significant sums of money, it would radically improve the lives of all Americans and bring about significant improvements in our economy.
Democratic socialism means that, in the year 2015, a college degree is equivalent to what a high school degree was 50 years ago – and that public education must allow every person in this country, who has the ability, the qualifications and the desire, the right to go to a public colleges or university tuition free.
Democratic socialism means that our government does everything it can to create a full employment economy.
Democratic socialism means that if someone works forty hours a week, that person should not be living in poverty: that we must raise the minimum wage to a living wage – $15 an hour over the next few years. It means that we join the rest of the world and pass the very strong Paid Family and Medical Leave legislation now in Congress.
Democratic socialism means that we have government policy which does not allow the greed and profiteering of the fossil fuel industry to destroy our environment and our planet, and that we have a moral responsibility to combat climate change and leave this planet healthy and habitable for our kids and grandchildren.
Democratic socialism means, that in a democratic, civilized society the wealthiest people and the largest corporations must pay their fair share of taxes.
Democratic socialism, to me, does not just mean that we must create a nation of economic and social justice. It also means that we must create a vibrant democracy based on the principle of one person one vote.
Further, it is unacceptable that we have a corrupt campaign finance system which allows millionaires, billionaires and large corporations to contribute as much as they want to Super Pacs to elect candidates who will represent their special interests. We must overturn Citizens United and move to public funding of elections.
Democratic socialism, to me, does not just mean that we must create a nation of economic and social justice. It also means that we must create a vibrant democracy based on the principle of one person one vote.
In a speech at Georgetown University on November 15, 2015, Sanders elaborated on what his idea of Democratic Socialism means. Watch the entire 68-minute Georgetown University speech or read a more lengthy version of Bernie's definition of Democratic Socialism (as well as his foreign policy) on Bernie's website here.
Jan 17, 2016:
Bernie Sanders released the final details of his federally administered single-payer health care plan entitled "Medicare for All: Leaving No One Behind". Essentially, his plan eliminates insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-pays and replaces them with a tax which is proportional to income. Under the plan, the tax for the average American is considerably less than the cost of existing insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.
Hillary Clinton Is Using GOP Fear Tactics Against Bernie Sanders' Health Care Plan | Slate
According to analysis by Kevin Drum of Mother Jones, even though actual costs to employees would be considerably more than what Sanders projects, the total cost would still be less than what employees are paying now, on average.
Bernie Sanders Releases Outline of Universal Health Care Plan—And It's Pretty Good | Mother Jones
According to analysis by Kenneth E. Thorpe, Ph.D., the Robert W. Woodruff Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Policy & Management in the Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, the Sanders plan underestimates costs, which means his plan would increase the federal deficit, or the new payroll and income taxes to finance the plan would be more than twice as high as Sanders' plan projects.
The estimates in Sanders' plan were put together by Gerald Friedman, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
The Bernie Sanders Health Plan Is Too Good To Be True, Analyst Says | The Huffington Post
Left-Leaning Economists Question Cost of Bernie Sanders’s Plans | The New York Times
How much would Bernie Sanders’ health care plan cost the middle class? | PolitiFact
Oct 1, 2015:
In the third quarter of 2015, Bernie Sanders collected about $26 million in campaign contributions, just slightly less than Hillary Clinton at $28 million.
Bernie Sanders Is Catching Up To The Clinton Fundraising Juggernaut | The Huffington Post
Sep 15, 2015:
For the first time in the 2016 presidential campaign, it appears that the pro-Clinton super-PAC Correct the Record is attacking Bernie Sanders. In an email circulated yesterday, Correct the Record makes a comparison between Sanders and the United Kingdom's newly-elected Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
In response, Sanders sent an email to campaign supporters linking Clinton to wealthy donors, dirty tactics, and Charles and David Koch.
Sanders goes on the attack against Clinton | The Hill
A Pro-Clinton Super PAC Is Going Negative On Bernie Sanders | The Huffington Post
Sep 13, 2015:
Bernie Sanders was interviewed by Chuck Todd on NBC's Meet the Press.
Watch the seven-minute interview here.
Aug 10, 2015:
Over 25,000 people attended a Bernie Sanders rally in Los Angeles, California.
100,000 people have come to recent Bernie Sanders rallies. How does he do it? | The Washington Post
Aug 9, 2015:
About 28,000 people attended a Bernie Sanders rally in Portland, Oregon.
Bernie Sanders draws 28,000 people in Portland | The Washington Post
Jul 19, 2015:
Yesterday, over 11,000 people attended a Bernie Sanders rally in Phoenix, Arizona.
Bernie Sanders' economic message cheered in Phoenix rally | The Arizona Republic
Bernie Sanders draws his biggest crowd yet — in Arizona of all places | The Washington Post
Jul 8, 2015:
On a radio talk show, Bernie Sanders said that the United States needs to apologize for slavery.
Sanders: 'We have got to apologize for slavery' | The Hill
Jul 1, 2015:
Bernie Sanders drew a crowd of about 9,600 people at a rally in Madison, Wisconsin.
Watch a video of his speech here.
Bernie Sanders draws nearly 10,000 supporters in Wisconsin | CNN
Jun 24, 2015:
According to The Hill, Bernie Sanders candidacy is "becoming a reality", and he is "actually gaining traction".
Here are a few notable quotes from the article:
We have argued that Sanders actually does have a chance, not just because the message is candid and direct, but because his appeal crosses party lines.
His message does resonate with virtually every worker, at every level, irrespective of party affiliation.
What he has also to address is the media's need to continuously slander him with innuendo. "Sanders the socialist from Vermont." "Sanders rumored to have dual Israeli citizenship." "Sanders the grumpy old man." Or the repeated exclusion of his name from discussion or consideration when campaign topics are addressed.
Sanders is impervious, and he stays on message no matter what is being said. And that is all that is actually needed. He needs to do as he has done for the past 40 years: just keep saying the same simplified message over and over again. It is hard to listen to if you're expecting variety, but his is the right message.
Source:
Russell, David. (June 24, 2015). "The Bernie Sanders phenomenon". The Hill. Retrieved 2015-06-24.
According to the "2016 Democratic Presidential Nomination Polling Data" the "RCP Average" has Hillary Clinton at 62.4%, Bernie Sanders at 12.3%, and Joe Biden at 12%.
Jun 16, 2015:
On June 11-15, 2015, the Suffolk University Political Research Center conducted a statewide survey of 500 likely voters in New Hampshire’s Democratic presidential primary. The results of the poll show Hillary Clinton with 41% of the vote, and Bernie Sanders with 31% of the vote. The poll shows that women voted for Clinton 47% to 28% for Sanders, and men voted for Sanders 35% to 32% for Clinton.
Jun 10, 2015:
Bernie was a guest on NPR's The Diane Rehm Show in a one-hour program entitled "The 2016 Presidential Race: A Conversation With Democratic Candidate And Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders". Diane and Bernie covered a wide range of topics and the discussion provided a great overview of where Bernie stands on many important issues.
Here's a summary of what Bernie said on the program:
- One of the main tenets of his campaign is to build a "strong, unprecedented grass roots movement, which tells Congress that they've got to start representing ordinary people and not just the people on top". He believes we need tax reform so large corporations pay their fair share, a "healthcare program guaranteeing healthcare to all people", free tuition at colleges and universities, a "strong childcare system", and expansion of Social Security.
- He believes that "our series of trade policies, from NAFTA, CAFTA to permanent normal trade relations with China have been a disaster, resulted in the loss of millions of decent paying jobs as corporations in this country shut down and moved to low wage countries". He is also "firmly opposed" to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
- He voted against the 2003 Iraq War.
- Regarding energy he believes what the vast majority of scientists are saying and that "climate change is the great planetary crisis that we face". He also said that he "lead the effort against the Keystone Pipeline".
- He is very concerned about the decline of the middle class in America and income inequality.
- In response to a question of how can he compete against other major candidates who are receiving huge campaign contributions, he replied "as a result of this disastrous Supreme Court decision on Citizens United, which allowed the Koch brothers and other billionaires to spend unlimited sums of money and literally buy elections and buy candidates, can any candidate who represents the middle class and working families who is not beholden to the wealthiest people in this country, win an election?", then said he will do everything in his power to win the election.
- Regarding the view of some that he is a "democratic socialist", he defined that term as someone who believes "our government should represent ordinary people and not just large campaign contributors and lobbyists and the billionaire class".
- Regarding Social Security he said "Number one, Social Security is not going broke. There's two and a half trillion dollars in its trust fund [the Social Security Trust Fund]. It can pay out every benefit owed to eligible Americans for the next 18 years. Number two, Social Security obviously doesn't add to the deficit because it's funded independently by the payroll tax.". Then he went on to say that we need to expand Social Security so seniors just getting by on $12,000-$14,000 year don't have to struggle so hard. He intends to get the money for expansion by increasing the Social Security cap from $118,000 to $250,000, which he said would make Social Security solvent through the year 2061.
- Regarding health care, he believes in a "Medicare-for-all, single-payer program, administered at the statewide level".
- He reiterated the fact that it's going to take a "mass movement of people who say enough is enough" in order to accomplish real change, and he will do that by raising public consciousness, education, organization, and by getting ordinary people involved.
- He wants to eliminate pay discrimination against women workers.
- Regarding abortion, he stated that he has always been 100% pro-choice and he will continue to fight for that right for women.
- Regarding ISIS, he said "I do not believe the United States can or should lead the effort in that part of the world". He thinks that other countries need to "step up to the plate and lead the effort with the support of the United States and other Western countries". He also expressed concern about where U.S. involvement regarding ISIS might be headed, saying "You've got a lot of Republicans there who apparently did not learn anything from the never-ending war in Afghanistan, learned nothing from what happened in Iraq and want us in a perpetual warfare in the Middle East. ". Furthermore, he said "I don't have a magic solution. I'm not sure anybody does. But what has to happen is the Muslim countries in that area, there has got to be a strong coalition. They're going to have to get their hands dirty. They can't sit aside and wait for the United States of America, our soldiers, our taxpayers, to carry the ball for them. They're going to have to lead the effort. ".
- He clarified his citizenship status by saying he is ONLY a citizen of the United States, and NOT a citizen of Israel.
- Regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, he believes in a two-state solution.
- He believes in comprehensive immigration reform with a path towards citizenship.
- Regarding excessive force used by police, "we need a change in police culture, in terms of how quickly people are using lethal force", and "we have to demilitarize many of the police departments in this country", and "we have to move this country toward community policing, where people feel comfortable, they know their local cop on the beat".
- Regarding gun control, "we have to do everything we can to make sure that guns do not fall into the hands of people who should not have them".
- He is very pro-union and said, "If we do not have a strong union movement, a collectively bargained wages, then not only union members, but the whole society suffers, because corporate America just sticks it to the worker.".
- Regarding the idea of a flat income tax, he said "I think that is a disastrous idea that is pushed by the economists representing the wealthiest people in this country", then went on to say "I am in favor of substantially raising taxes for the wealthiest people in this country so we can bring in the revenue we need to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and make public education affordable.".
- Regarding corporate income taxes, he said "I am in favor of doing away with all of these loopholes that allow corporations to stash their money in the Cayman Islands and elsewhere. And not pay anything in federal taxes.".
- He supports what President Obama is doing in trying to reach a nuclear deal with Iran.
- Regarding the idea of another war in the middle east with more military involvement, he reminded listeners of what happened in Iraq, and how our government thought and told us that the war would not be a prolonged effort. He also said that to fund another war might mean cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
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For more information about Bernie Sanders and his 2016 campaign, visit the Bernie 2016 website.
Apr 30, 2015:
Bernie Sanders, an incumbent U.S. senator from Vermont, announced his bid for the 2016 U.S. presidency.
Bernie Sanders is running for president | CNN
Although Bernie is sometimes considered an independent, from his first days in office he has caucused (met and "rubbed elbows") with Democrats and he is in the Democratic caucus and primary process.
More:
- Rand Paul: Socialism leads to extermination | The Hill
- Could a 'President Bernie Sanders' deliver? | CNN
- 'Grassroots movement working': Bernie Sanders gains on the Clinton machine | The Guardian
- Bernie Sanders sees poll surge after series of record-breaking appearances | The Guardian
- Sanders calls for single-payer healthcare | The Hill
- Will Bernie Sanders start a revolution? | CNN
- Bernie Sanders takes aim at Wall Street in presidential launch | CNN
- Bernie Sanders | Wikipedia