One of the wonderful things about Bernie Sanders is his authenticity on issues that other politicians can't match. His campaign is inspiring regular citizens all across the country to get involved and pay attention. Over
have signed up across the country to energize his campaign and I'm one of them. Just this week I got an email from his campaign that he would be introducing legislation that would make college tuition free and cut in half interest rates for those being crushed by debt. When challenged with the oft used refrain
Sanders spoke unequivocal truth "raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations who aren't paying their fair share." Finally a politician with bold ideas, clear solutions, and a frank way of speaking that the 99% can buy into. If you were a part of Occupy Wall Street then Bernie is the man you should be supporting in the primaries. If you are a part of a labor union then Bernie is the man you should be supporting. If you have ever attended a Climate march or action then Bernie is the man you should be supporting. He has a long history over the last thirty years of fighting against income inequality, the billionaire class, and has been a voice of reason in other wise insane times. We need him in the White House now more than ever.
Bernie's Platform:
Income and wealth inequality: In the United States today we have the most unequal wealth and income distribution of any major country on earth -- worse than at any time since the 1920s. This is an economy that must be changed in fundamental ways.
Jobs and income: In my view, we need a massive federal jobs program which puts millions of our people back to work. We must end our disastrous trade policies. We need to raise the minimum wage to a living wage. And we have to fight for pay equity for women.
Campaign finance reform: As a result of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, American democracy is being undermined by the ability of the Koch brothers and other billionaire families. These wealthy contributors can literally buy politicians and elections by spending hundreds of millions of dollars in support of the candidates of their choice. We need to overturn Citizens United and move toward public funding of elections so that all candidates can run for office without being beholden to the wealthy and powerful.
Climate change: Climate change is real, caused by human activity and already devastating our nation and planet. The United States must lead the world in combating climate change and transforming our energy system away from fossil fuels and toward energy efficiency and sustainability.
College affordability: Every person in this country who has the desire and ability should be able to get all the education they need regardless of the income of their family. This is not a radical idea. In Germany, Scandinavia and many other countries, higher education is either free or very inexpensive. We must do the same.
Health care: Shamefully, the United States remains the only major country on earth that does not guarantee health care to all people. The United States must move toward a Medicare-for-all single-payer system. Health care is a right, not a privilege.
Poverty: The United States has more people living in poverty than at almost any time in the modern history of our country. I believe that in a democratic, civilized society none of our people should be hungry or living in desperation. We need to expand Social Security, not cut it. We need to increase funding for nutrition programs, not cut them.
Tax reform: We need real tax reform which makes the rich and profitable corporations begin to pay their fair share of taxes. We need a tax system which is fair and progressive. Children should not go hungry in this country while profitable corporations and the wealthy avoid their tax responsibilities by stashing their money in the Cayman Islands.
Now I could talk about Hillary Clinton's positions or lack there of and make a convincing argument that in the primaries you should support Bernie over her if you truly want to see a different, but I'm not going to do that. It is up to her supporters to make the case for her candidacy. For me Bernie Sanders represents our best chance of tackling Climate Change in the precious few years we have left. His age is not a factor to me. His views are that of an FDR democrat. He has been consistently right on Iraq, on Wall Street, corruption, the environment, and on nearly every issue that progressives care about but see little progress on.
That is why I just sent him 20$ and I am going to give a smaller amount monthly to his campaign. The average donation to his campaign has been 40$. I wish I could match every one who donates their money towards his voice but 20$ is a lot of money for me. It's a decent amount of money for every day Americans living pay check to pay check and haven't seen a raise in years; let alone a raise in the minimum wage that Republicans want to abolish. In a post Citizens United world it is up to us to make a difference.
His campaign asked me to share my story about student debt and what it would mean to me if I could attend college for free. It would allow me the ability to save, start a family, and make my dreams come true. But I decided not devote my efforts into that and instead made this video for Bernie.
Bernie is right.
We need a revolution.