Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) addressed his rabid crowd of supporters, where he laid out his agenda for America that drastically drags the country towards the left.
He thanked the people of New Hampshire, and congratulated Hillary Clinton and her supporters for a vigorous campaign.
Yet, he also acknowledged the many thousands of his supporters, who worked tirelessly, day and night knocking on doors and making phone calls. He noted that they won because of their energy. Sanders also said that his win sends a message that the government of our great country belongs to all of the people, and not just a handful of wealthy donors and their super PACS.
He noted that his campaign from the outset had no money (and no real organization) in the beginning, but they were going to take on one of the most powerful political machines in the country. Because of a huge turnout, and he channeled his inner Trump by saying “YUGE,” he said we won because we harnessed the energy and the excitement that the Democratic Party will need to succeed.
Sanders said that what happened tonight, in terms of enthusiasm and an aroused electorate, is what’s going to happen across this country. He reminded his supporters that Democrats and progressives should never forget that they win when voter turnout is high; Republicans win when people are demoralized and voter turnout is low.
He also said this win will send notice to the political establishment of the county, that the American people will not accept a corrupt campaign finance system. We will not bring back huge tax breaks for billionaires–and we cannot allow right-wing Republicans win in November. The people want real change.
In reflecting that change, Sanders took pride in the fact that he doesn’t have a super PAC and he will never have one, which drew loud cheers among the crowd. Sanders added that his campaign’s financial support comes from 3.7 million individual contributions, with an average of $27.
In typical Bernie fashion, he said that America was founded on the principle of fairness, and that it’s not fair that we have such a horrible income inequality problem, where the 20 wealthiest Americans in this country own more wealth than the bottom half in the nation.
Sanders also tried to explain to his detractors that he would pay for his free college initiative by imposing a tax on Wall Street speculation. He also said that he is going to stop the practice of mass incarceration, and that it was our moral responsibility to work with other countries to transform our energy system that’s more sustainable and cleaner.
The rest of his address was a red meat buffet for the progressive left. He supported a Medicare for all, single-payer health care system. Sanders said that he would defend the nation responsibly (gee, I hope so), and that he was right to vote against the Iraq War. He stressed that we cannot be the policemen of the world.
On immigration, Sanders proposed fixing it, creating a pathway for citizenship to bring these people out of the shadows. He also voiced his support for abortion rights, and for expanding Social Security so people can live with dignity in retirement. Corporations will also pay their fair share in taxes.
The self-described democratic socialist described his humble beginnings in Brooklyn, New York before saying he’s ready to fight in Nevada, South Carolina, and beyond.
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