Introduction to Bernie
Bernie calls himself a democratic socialist, and that’s probably the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “Bernie Sanders” – or perhaps it’s this video of him running through an airport. Whether you’re watching Fox News, CNN, or MSNBC, you’ll find that his socialist ways are talked about constantly and only few political commentators are fully on board.
However, Bernie Sanders has a pretty interesting political background, and I personally think it’s quite impressive that he was a protest organizer for Congress of Racial Equality and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. He has been a protester against police brutality and for black rights, and you can tell that what he has done has come through his intense passion.
He’s also brought the Democratic party far more left/socialist since his run in 2016. Candidates like Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren are all promoting a more socialist agenda, which may have been somewhat inspired by Bernie’s originally left field but then revolutionary run in 2016. He really brought democratic socialism front and center, garnering more supporters than more moderate democrats would have ever thought possible.
Policies & Political Leanings
Bernie supports labor rights and is well known for wanting “medicare for all.” As you would expect, he’s pretty adamant on taxing the “top 1%” much more than they are now and in general, wants to see an America that serves the lower classes. He wants more funding for government programs to help those who can’t afford what other people can afford and wants to see the government have more of a role in people’s lives – which is totally different to the current administration.
Criticisms
Of course, Bernie is criticized for his socialist ideals, with many claiming that he is simply too socialist for America, and that everyday Americans will likely not be on board. Most recently, Bernie Sanders was heavily criticized for saying that he believes people in prison – and not just anybody in prison, but people who have committed vehement crimes – should be able to vote in US elections while they are still in prison (not just when they leave), claiming that it is their right, whether or not they have crossed the law.
So, Why Might America Vote For Him?
I think people who wanted Bernie to win in 2016 will most definitely seize the opportunity and vote for Bernie again. Bernie is even more established as a politician because of the 2016 race now, which I think will help him out. Voters who are very left will vote for Bernie most likely, but unfortunately, Bernie probably loses a lot of votes when it comes to the older generation. Democratic socialism ideals just don’t seem to appeal to richer older people, and many Americans are not on board with his “medicare for all” claim that he speaks about with so much passion that it almost feels like his religion.
Potential Profile in the 2020 Race
Bernie was incredibly charismatic during the 2016 elections, and his strong personality captivated many people’s hearts – especially young people.
What I appreciate about Bernie is that he decided to run for presidency again after Donald Trump lost the election. Say what you want about how Bernie’s socialism is not right for America, but there’s nothing more American than giving it a second try.
While I commend Bernie for taking another shot, I don’t at all blame Hillary Clinton for not running again – Clinton has shown this attitude of perseverance a lot throughout her career already, and running against a sexist (etc.) was probably not the highlight of her career. As a female, why would you care to repeat that?
Still, I think Bernie does show a drive and that he recognizes the public’s need to get Trump out of office. It also shows that he cares about what the majority of Americans want.
Whether or not his politics match your own, Bernie represents something amazing about America, and there is certainly a place for him in this political sphere. We’ll just have to see whether it’s the presidential seat.
